Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou-Chapter 253: Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou []

Here's the three Extra Chapters.

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"Is this... is this still our village?!"

Under the moonlight, as the highest alert in Konoha was lifted, one by one, shadows emerged from the refuge pits. They stared blankly at their village, their eyes lifeless.

The entire village looked as though a hurricane had swept through it. Everywhere, there was devastation, resembling the aftermath of a natural disaster.

Particularly from the direction of Konoha's gates, countless buildings were leaning and crumbling.

"My home! My grandmother is still at home!"

A villager from Konoha couldn't hold back his tears and cried out loudly. The next moment, countless wails echoed across the skies of Konoha.

This night would be an unforgettable one for Konoha.

The Nine-Tails appeared in Konoha. Although Uchiha Shirou managed to drive the beast out of the village in time, the catastrophic power of a tailed beast still caused massive casualties to Konoha.

The difference this time was that the loss of ninja lives was reduced significantly. Instead, the damage was primarily economic.

"The Police Force has already set up a temporary shelter behind the Hokage Rock... Everyone..!"

"The Hokage has given orders—every Chūnin and Genin is to assist with disaster relief...!"

Under the bright full moon, Konoha had no heart to admire the beauty of the night.

...

The Uchiha Clan.

"Lord Shirou, since the clan is located in the center of the village, the damage was not too severe..."

"The patrol teams from the Police Force that were stationed outside at the time... losses..."

Shirou sat at the head of the table, while the elite members of the Uchiha clan reported everything to him, their expressions ranging from agitation to determination.

This night had made all of Konoha realize the terrifying strength of Uchiha Shirou. At the same time, it exposed the existence of another Mangekyō Sharingan within the Uchiha clan.

"The Police Force must not show any slackness..."

As commands from the Police Force were continuously issued, the entire Konoha began operating at full capacity.

Even into the latter half of the night, the lights of the Police Force headquarters shone as brightly as daylight.

"Lord Shirou!"

In the office, a young boy appeared, holding a baby in his arms. Within his eyes, there was a faint trace of sorrow.

"Itachi, you've come."

The boy was none other than Uchiha Itachi, cradling Sasuke. At this time, Itachi was only five years old.

Inside the grand meeting hall, the elite members of the Uchiha clan, their eyes adorned with the three-tomoe Sharingan, looked at the child with curiosity and confusion.

Also present were trusted allies such as Hatake Kakashi, Aburame Shihei, Might Duy, and Yūhi Shinku—all of them Jōnin-level ninjas.

"Itachi, take good care of Sasuke."

Uchiha Shisui stepped forward, offering words of comfort. Then, with a solemn expression, he turned to Shirou and said, "Lord Shirou, Sasuke's mother passed away last night due to complications after childbirth... Fugaku-sama has yet to..."

Although Itachi had already become a disciple of Shirou, due to the ongoing war in the past two years, there had been little time for proper guidance, leaving Shisui to mentor him instead.

However, the corner of the red book peeking out from Itachi's ninja pouch showed that his training had been conducted correctly.

"Since Itachi is here, let's all take our seats. Tonight was not only a disaster caused by the Nine-Tails but also a calamity for both the Uchiha clan and Konoha!"

As the key figures gathered, a barrier suddenly appeared around the room, causing everyone present to widen their eyes in shock.

A barrier!

Many were taken aback. Even members of the Uchiha clan showed signs of confusion.

Who was this barrier meant to guard against? And what could this meeting be about?

Shock, fear, excitement—emotions ran high in the room. But as the initial reactions subsided, many began to realize that, given the current influence of Shirou such measures might not even be necessary.

At the head of the table, Shirou swept his gaze across the room, his face shadowed by a grim expression.

"Everyone, after sealing the Nine-Tails, another piece of devastating news has arrived!"

As Shirou's face darkened, Uchiha Yashiro stood up slowly. His face bore both sorrow and anger and on his shoulder, a crow gradually became visible.

"Fugaku-sama's summoning beast has just returned with a report. On his way back to the village a few days ago, Fugaku-sama was ambushed..."

The crowd erupted in shock. Uchiha Fugaku, despite not having awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, was certainly no weakling.

But when Yashiro took a grotesque, bloodied eyeball from the crow's beak, the expressions of everyone present drastically changed.

"A Mangekyō!"

There was no mistaking it. The Mangekyō Sharingan inside the test tube was real. However, it emanated a sinister, black-purple hue. Below, Aburame Shihei's face instantly turned pale.

"Based on the final information, Fugaku-sama was ambushed by someone from within our ranks and was poisoned by nano-scale bugs, which led to his demise..."

As Yashiro's voice echoed through the room, all eyes turned to Aburame Shihei. His face twisted with panic as he tried to explain. However, before he could say much, Shirou's cold laugh interrupted him.

"Nano-scale bugs! Everyone here knows that only Aburame Shihei possesses such a technique. The enemy wants to sow discord among us!"

Shirou firmly dismissed the possibility of Shihei's involvement and Shihei, his complexion still pale, nodded in agreement.

"I have no reason to harm Captain Fugaku, and the Aburame clan has always maintained friendly relations with the Uchiha..."

But before he could continue, Shirou dropped another bombshell.

"Additionally, traces of Mangekyō Sharingan chakra were found controlling the Nine-Tails tonight!"

The room exploded with shock. Many began to connect the dots: first, Fugaku was killed by nano-scale bugs, and now the Nine-Tails had been controlled by a Mangekyō Sharingan!

This was...

Seeing the chaos, Shirou smirked coldly. He had decided to strike first. If others were going to accuse the Uchiha of controlling the Nine-Tails, he would lay it all out first.

He had not expected Fugaku to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan in his final moments.

"Father!"

Below, only Itachi's eyes trembled. At this age, he was still just a child. Losing his mother and then learning of his father's death all in one night was a heavy blow.

"I've said before, this is not just a calamity caused by the Nine-Tails—it is a disaster for all of Konoha! There is a problem within Konoha itself!"

Shirou's furious voice echoed in the room, causing many to pale. A heavy sense of dread filled the air.

This shocking revelation—was it something they could even speak about? Could they even bear to listen?

"The senile, incompetent leaders—because of their ineptitude, indulgence, and greed—have brought about today's disaster. On the battlefield, our children shed their blood to protect the village!

But behind us, within the village we protect, a group of parasites clings to power, greedily exploiting everything!"

At this moment, Shirou slammed the table in anger and turned his sharp gaze toward Aburame Shihei.

"We've just won the war! And yet, some people couldn't even wait before persecuting Konoha's heroes. Captain Fugaku's death was the result of treachery from within!

And now, they want to sow hatred between the Uchiha and Aburame clans. On top of that, tonight's Nine-Tails chaos—these people feel threatened by us, by the fact that we jeopardize their interests. They've lost their way..."

As Shirou's voice reverberated through the room, the faces of the ninja below turned increasingly grim. What on earth was going on?

Then, Shirou produced another piece of evidence, shocking everyone to their core.

"During tonight's Nine-Tails disaster, although the mysterious individual controlling the beast escaped, they left behind..."

Shirou revealed a severed pale hand, causing gasps throughout the room. Before their astonished eyes, he dripped a white liquid onto the wooden floor. In the next moment, the liquid seeped into the wood, and vines began to sprout visibly.

Wood Release! Sharingan! Nano-scale bugs!

Good heavens. In that instant, everyone's faces showed shock, followed by a deep-seated fear and fury hidden within their hearts.

"What is this? Someone in the village is researching their Kekkei Genkai!

This is forbidden!"

...

Inside the meeting room, Shirou acted first, directly exposing these matters. At the same time, a meeting was also taking place in the Hokage's office.

"Hiruzen, the Nine-Tails was manipulated by the Sharingan. We cannot tolerate the Uchiha any longer!"

"The Nine-Tails tonight, and even the Three-Tails from before—I suspect it's all part of the Uchiha's conspiracy!"

Inside the Hokage's office, the Elders were gathered once again, especially Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, who had just rushed back, still panting and speaking in fury.

Shimura Danzo also displayed a determined expression. "Hiruzen, the Uchiha is hiding a pair of Mangekyo Sharingan. We cannot allow the Uchiha to develop further!"

Even Sarutobi Hiruzen, despite his hesitation, showed no doubt this time. His face darkened as he nodded and said:

"The reconstruction after the Nine-Tails' rampage must be expedited. Although the casualties were not extensive this time, the economic losses were immense. Furthermore..."

"Recall Jiraiya and Tsunade immediately, and order Orochimaru to continue guarding the frontlines!"

"Send the intel from tonight to Tsunade, and also to the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. The Sharingan seen in the Nine-Tails' eyes means the Uchiha clan must be monitored closely!"

Hiruzen issued one directive after another without hesitation.

And Shimura Danzo, who had worked seamlessly alongside him for decades, let out a cold sneer and nodded in agreement:

"Rest assured, Hiruzen. The Root will not disappoint you. In the past, the Uchiha and Senju joined forces and were unstoppable. But after tonight, the Uchiha will be isolated! Even the Senju clan will find themselves dragged into this mess!"

They seized the opportunity and pressed their advantage relentlessly—political battles always come down to a matter of life and death.

As orders were issued from the Hokage's building, Konoha, while engaged in disaster relief, also began to see rumors quietly spreading among the Jonin ranks.

At the same time, members of the Root, the ANBU, and several Jonin received secret orders to discreetly monitor the Uchiha.

Similarly, Jonin who had left the Police Force also noticed this shift.

Both sides had begun to guard against each other.

Inside the Hokage's office.

"Hokage-sama, Uchiha Shrou, and Uchiha Mikoto, the two Mangekyo users, are both in the Daimyo's court. They had neither the time nor the motive to manipulate the Nine-Tails...

Furthermore, it's highly likely that Uchiha Mikoto's Mangekyo only awakened during the Nine-Tails' attack on the village..."

Upon hearing the rumors spreading outside, Minato rushed into the office and spoke in defense of the Uchiha, though there was a deep conflict in his gaze.

Though he was Jiraiya's disciple, Minato had also received great mentorship from the Third Hokage; one could even say that Hiruzen had also been his teacher.

However!

"Minato!"

Just as Minato was trying to explain, Sarutobi Hiruzen revealed a weary expression, gazing deeply at him before hoarsely saying:

"You've seen the power of the Mangekyo! Sealing techniques can only suppress tailed beasts, but the Mangekyo can directly control the Nine-Tails... The Uchiha are a threat..."

Hearing the Third Hokage's words, Minato's heart sank further. All he heard was the rhetoric of how the Uchiha were a threat.

Lowering his head, Minato felt conflicted. If he were in Hiruzen's position, could he truly ignore the influence of the Uchiha's Mangekyo?

No, he couldn't.

Because the Mangekyo's power, and its ability to control tailed beasts, was always a threat to the authority and influence of the Hokage.

But Minato also realized one thing: if he had the strength of the First Hokage, would he have anything to fear?

"So... in the end, it's still a gap in power."

With a bitter smile, Minato understood the underlying issue. Unless he could dominate Konoha with absolute strength, nothing would change.

As Minato remained silent, Hiruzen looked at him with a hint of melancholy and shook his head, saying:

"Minato, you might be right, but this is also an opportunity. After tomorrow's memorial service for those who died in the Nine-Tails' rampage, I will convene a Jonin meeting!

During this meeting, I will take full responsibility and step down as the Third Hokage. At the same time, we will select the Fourth Hokage!"

It was clear that this was the best opportunity. With suspicion cast on the Uchiha and Senju, the timing was perfect for Minato to ascend as Hokage.

"Minato, how is Naiko?"

After sharing his plans for the village, Hiruzen showed a rare moment of concern, raising his head to ask about Minato's wife.

Under normal circumstances, Minato would have been deeply grateful to this elder who had worked so hard to pave the way for him. But after witnessing so much darkness, all he felt now was cold.

Facing the Third Hokage's concern, Minato's expression stiffened. He lowered his head and hoarsely replied:

"Although the Nine-Tails was sealed back in time, Naiko, even with her Uzumaki physique, is still very weak and needs to recover. Naruto, being born prematurely, is also very frail..."

Hearing that the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki was safe, Hiruzen nodded in relief, his expression softening.

"Minato, go back and take good care of Naiko. After I step down, I will slowly guide you on how to be a qualified Hokage. I believe in your ability, Minato. You won't let the village down."

"Yes, Lord Third!"

This time, Hiruzen failed to notice the subtle distance in Minato's tone when addressing him.

As a puff of smoke from a shadow clone dissipated, Hiruzen frowned slightly but then shook his head helplessly, clearly displeased with Minato using a shadow clone in such an important matter.

...

Meanwhile, back at Minato's home, as the shadow clone disappeared, Minato froze, catching the attention of Naiko, who had just woken up, still weak.

"Minato, what happened?"

Looking at his wife, Minato smiled for the first time, prioritizing his family. He shook his head and said:

"Nothing, Naiko. Rest well. The village is fine."

However, when he turned away and gazed in the direction of the Hokage building, his expression became complicated.

"Perhaps... I am not suited for this position."

For the first time, Minato doubted himself. He realized that without the strength to dominate Konoha, he might end up walking the same path as Hiruzen, suspecting and fearing his people.

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Even at the end, Hiruzen had not forgotten to guide him slowly, speaking of stepping down while continuing to manipulate everything from behind the scenes.

"Is the Hokage's power so hard to let go of?"

Amid his conflicted emotions, after putting Naiko to sleep, a sharp glint flashed in Minato's eyes. Leaving behind a shadow clone, he donned an ANBU disguise and headed toward the Root's base.

This was the moment when the Root was at its weakest. Perhaps within their base, he could uncover some truths.