The Land of Grass
Konoha Camp Command Post
Tsunade stood in the center of the tent, flanked by Jiraiya on her left and Orochimaru on her right. The three wore grave expressions as they addressed the gathered jōnin.
Nearly all available jōnin not assigned to frontline missions had been summoned—more than twenty in total, including the newly promoted genius jōnin, Uchiha Shirou.
Shirou's arrival naturally drew attention. After all, a 13-year-old jōnin was a rarity—not just in Konoha but across the entire ninja world.
"Everyone!"
Once all the camp's jōnin were present, the expressions on the faces of Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru grew even more serious. Tsunade pointed to a map as she began explaining the mission details.
"We've received intel from the village. A squad of elite Iwa-nin has disguised themselves as Konoha shinobi and plans to attack the Kusagakure to frame us, igniting a conflict between Kusagakure and Konoha.
Jiraiya, Orochimaru and I will covertly handle this matter. Meanwhile, the camp will rely on all of you to maintain operations…."
At this point, Tsunade scanned the room, her gaze sharp and commanding, before continuing:
"We have already established contact with the Kusagakure. All that remains is a secret exchange of information. Your mission is to maintain order in the camp while we're gone."
Tsunade's tone briefly lightened as her gaze landed on Shirou. Smirking slightly, she quipped:
"To the outside world, Uchiha Shirou will use the Transformation Jutsu to impersonate me. As for Jiraiya and Orochimaru, that's manageable."
She paused momentarily, glancing at the gathered shinobi before adding:
"If necessary, Uchiha Shirou can summon Katsuyu for healing and to maintain the disguise."
The mission itself wasn't shocking, but the revelation that Shirou could summon Tsunade's summoning beast, Katsuyu, left the gathered jōnin stunned.
"Shirou-kun!"
Even the normally stoic Uchiha Fugaku widened his eyes in surprise. Seeing Shirou's slender figure, Fugaku felt a pang of sorrow.
For the clan… Shirou-kun has taken on too much. (LOL)
The other jōnin were equally astonished.
Could the rumors be true?
What many had dismissed as idle gossip now seemed plausible. The use of a personal summoning beast—normally reserved for family or trusted disciples—was no trivial matter.
Seriously?
Before the murmurs could grow louder, Shirou stepped forward, his expression solemn. He bowed slightly and declared:
"Captain Tsunade, rest assured. I will complete the mission!"
Jiraiya's eyes darted between Tsunade and Shirou, his curiosity visibly piqued.
What's going on? What happened recently? Since when is summoning shared so freely?
Seeing the skeptical glances around the room, Tsunade's smirk widened. She then sternly ordered:
"What are you all standing around for? Carry out the mission!"
"Yes!"
Tsunade's authoritative tone snapped the jōnin to attention, and they immediately responded. Orochimaru glanced at Jiraiya and scoffed,
"Idiot."
...
Outside the Konoha Camp
"What?! Orochimaru, are you saying Tsunade sees that guy as a replacement for Nawaki?"
Jiraiya gaped. Orochimaru, unimpressed, retorted,
"Idiot."
"What did you say?!"
Jiraiya bristled, but he couldn't shake the heavy weight settling in his chest. Nawaki's death was still an unresolved wound. Despite countless investigations—even overturning the earth itself—they had found nothing. The absence of clues was the most troubling part, and it was a subject neither Konoha's leaders nor the three of them openly discussed.
"That Shirou…."
Jiraiya recalled the intelligence on Uchiha Shirou. Pulling out his book, "My Struggles", he sighed and muttered:
"Now that you mention it, that guy is a lot like Nawaki—always so optimistic."
Both had idealistic dreams. One wanted to become Hokage like the First, while the other wanted to learn medical ninjutsu to save the ninja world.
As Jiraiya pondered, Tsunade emerged from the tent.
"Jiraiya, stop dawdling. Let's finish this mission quickly!"
Tsunade's commanding presence, shaped by her upbringing and natural leadership, outshone even her companions. Unlike Jiraiya and Orochimaru, whose growth had been gradual, Tsunade's authority was innate.
"Haha, on my way!"
Jiraiya masked his unease with a hearty laugh, while Orochimaru merely scoffed. Only when the three were together did such banter emerge.
With a flicker of movement, the three disappeared into the forest, leaving the camp none the wiser.
Meanwhile, inside the camp.
Tsunade's presence was seamlessly maintained as Katsuyu healed the injured. Yet, it was Shirou under the Transformation Jutsu who mimicked Tsunade's habits—even down to her leg-crossing posture as she reviewed reports with a frown of irritation.
The ninja's essence is deception, and the ninja world has not yet reached its later stages.
...
Konoha, Hokage's Office
"Hiruzen, the Tsuchikage Ōnoki is truly cunning, using this opportunity to covertly contact the leader of the Kusagakure."
Mitokado Homura's words deepened Hiruzen Sarutobi's frown as he surveyed the increasingly volatile situation.
The storm of the Second Ninja War loomed large, and events seemed to be spiraling out of control.
"See? I told you we should have sent Orochimaru and Jiraiya earlier to assassinate the Kusagakure leader and blame Iwagakure! Whether it succeeded or not, it would've plunged the Land of Grass into chaos, forcing Iwagakure to act defensively," Danzo Shimura barked in frustration.
"Danzo!"
Hiruzen's stern tone silenced him.
"Have you considered the consequences? If our actions were exposed, Kusagakure and Iwagakure would unite against us, potentially dragging the war into the Land of Fire itself.
Furthermore, Konoha is already a target of envy among the villages. If we're seen as aggressors against smaller nations, the other major villages might seize the opportunity to unite against us again."
Danzo's face flushed with frustration, but he held his tongue under Hiruzen's unyielding gaze. Memories of the First Ninja War, when Konoha faced a united front of four villages, lingered heavily.
Suddenly, an ANBU operative appeared.
"Lord Hokage, urgent intel! A large Iwa force is massing on the border and moving toward the Land of Waterfall."
"What?!"
Hiruzen's expression darkened as he read the report, his pupils narrowing in alarm.
This is bad.