"Shirou, these are all the explosive tags from the Hyūga clan."
The Hyūga jōnin gathered the explosive tags from his fellow Hyūga ninjas and solemnly handed them to Shirou.
Meanwhile, Fugaku remained silent for a long time before letting out a deep sigh. Raising his hand, he signaled the Uchiha clan ninjas to hand over their explosive tags as well.
As he received each tag, Shirou observed the heavy expressions on the crowd's faces. Yet, for once, he wore a rare, relaxed smile.
"Don't all look so grim. I'm a Uchiha, and this time, there's a chance to survive."
Fugaku chose to respect Shirou's decision. Handing over his tags, he spoke in a low voice:
"Shirou, Lady Tsunade is surrounded within the borders of the Land of Grass, but she'll surely attempt to break through. The best direction for her escape is through this rocky terrain. Get there ahead of time and establish contact. You can use these explosive tags to set traps.
This area is also closest to the Land of Fire's border, where reinforcements can arrive the fastest."
Reinforcements?
Though Fugaku spoke of the possibility, his words felt heavy and grim to the seasoned ears of the group.
They were all experienced jōnin and understood that this so-called rescue mission was little more than a near-suicidal endeavor.
"Understood."
As the group moved swiftly across the grasslands, Shirou nodded at them, still smiling. For the first time, the other jōnin showed expressions of respect.
Perhaps they had once viewed Shirou's promotion to jōnin as undeserved and looked down on him. But now, each of them radiated newfound admiration.
"Shirou!"
A voice called from behind. Namikaze Minato, running alongside them, seemed to have guessed something. Taking a deep breath, he spoke in a serious tone:
"Shirou, Jiraiya-sensei is also there. I—"
Before Minato could finish, a nearby jōnin frowned and interrupted sharply.
"You're just a chūnin; don't cause trouble. Shirou's plan is risky, but it improves the chances of success. Besides, he's faster and has greater stamina than anyone else here."
The jōnin's blunt remark left Minato momentarily speechless. Shirou, however, simply smiled and nodded at him.
"Minato, this isn't just about Lady Tsunade and the others. We've left many comrades behind. Among the jōnin here, I may not be the strongest, but I am the most suitable.
The others have their missions, and my mission is already complete. Most importantly, I can communicate with animals. In this forest, many flying beasts can help me navigate the encirclement."
This ability to communicate with animals had developed as his Sage Body gradually fused. Shirou had deliberately revealed this skill to Tsunade, knowing that any falsehoods in a tight-knit team would eventually come to light.
Thus, he never lied outright. If he had to fake something, he made it real. His risks were genuine, and his information was truthful. Who would doubt him then?
Additionally, out of the nearly ten jōnin present, their orders were to escort the younger generation back to the Land of Fire. Shirou's mission, however, was different.
He had been tasked with disguising himself as Tsunade to stabilize morale. According to protocol, only he had the authority to make such a decision now.
Shirou's smile was resolute, his eyes filled with determination.
"Use messenger hawks to relay orders to the Konoha ninjas behind us. Tell them to retreat and regroup at this location."
"Understood!"
The Hyūga jōnin added gravely, "Order all Konoha ninjas behind us to hand over half of their explosive tags to Uchiha Shirou."
"Yes!"
As the orders were dispatched, the group watched Shirou's pace begin to slow, his figure gradually falling behind the others. Konoha ninjas solemnly handed him their explosive tags as he parted ways.
"An Uchiha, huh?"
Even those who typically disliked the clan's arrogance seemed to gain a newfound understanding.
"Shirou, come back alive."
Minato's gaze was resolute. Shikaku, usually calm, uncharacteristically spoke with gravity.
"Shirou, if the Iwa-nin's encirclement is complete, retreat immediately!"
Shikaku, sharp-minded as ever, had deduced Shirou's plan instantly. But he also knew this was a gamble—a bet that the Iwa-nin hadn't fully sealed their trap. His words were as much consolation as they were advice.
"I'll ensure Lady Tsunade and the others make it back alive!"
Shirou's voice was firm, his smile unwavering. He said nothing of his fate, which only heightened the group's respect for his selflessness.
The group fell silent. Shirou's proud embodiment of the Will of Fire stirred their hearts. At that moment, who could call it fake?
From above, one could see the Konoha ninjas racing across the grasslands, a single black figure breaking away from the formation.
As Shirou disappeared from view, the remaining Konoha ninjas' expressions grew heavy.
"Damn it! I'm a Konoha ninja too!"
A chūnin cried out in frustration, tears of humiliation brimming in his eyes.
In this cruel world, ninjas were tools, but they also valued the bonds of camaraderie. The group felt stifled—not because they feared death, but because this time, they had to abandon a comrade.
"That's not true! Our survival has even greater significance."
Shikaku's voice cut through the tension as he calmly analyzed the situation:
"Our presence impacts too many clans in the village. From a strategic perspective, staying wouldn't help. If anything, it would rob Lady Tsunade of her chance to break through.
By retreating now, we increase her chances of success. She's closer to the Land of Fire's border, where reinforcements can reach her."
Shikaku's reasoning left the group nodding silently. For now, their only choice was to focus on their missions.
...
Meanwhile, Shirou, sprinting deeper into the Land of Grass, felt the weight of the task ahead. Overhead, birds flew alongside him.
"Though I can communicate with animals, most lack the intelligence for complex tasks," he thought, his expression serious.
This mission carried two major risks:
First, avoid detection and elimination by the Iwa-nin before finding Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya.
Second, relying on reinforcements arriving as they had in the original timeline.
Time to gamble. All or nothing.