Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou-Chapter 268: Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou []

The newly constructed gates of Konoha stood wide open, and under the watchful eyes of Konoha's ninjas on both sides, many foreign ninja envoys couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.

It was the piercing white eyes that seemed to see through everything and the blood-red, chilling gazes that made them sense the might of the world's foremost ninja village.

Once inside the bustling village of Konoha, ninjas could be seen leaping across rooftops or keeping watch from above.

The message was clear: anyone foolish enough to cause trouble in Konoha would be swiftly dealt with.

The presence of numerous Konoha ninjas, many of whom had recently experienced the crucible of war, exuded a killing intent even from the calmest of chunin standing silently on the rooftops.

...

Ninja Village Envoy Reception Hall.

"Impossible! We of Kirigakure absolutely cannot accept Konoha's terms!"

The envoy from Kirigakure, who had arrived early, looked frustrated and angry but dared not fully express it. After all, this time, they needed something from Konoha.

"if you cannot accept our terms, then understand: the ninja swords are trophies seized by our Konoha ninjas on the battlefield. We cannot return them."

Mabui spoke calmly, negotiating with the Kirigakure envoy, whose frustration was palpable.

"Of course, if you have come with genuine sincerity, we can discuss alternative terms for an exchange."

The Kirigakure envoy initially prepared to leave in defeat, suddenly perked up at these words.

"Alternative terms?"

The envoy was no fool. Konoha intended to demand something in return for the swords. These alternative terms would likely involve secret techniques or other valuable assets.

With a notebook in hand, Mabui calmly led the envoy toward the Hokage Tower. The Kirigakure representative, walking alongside her, was already deep in thought, trying to guess what Konoha wanted in exchange.

Inside the Hokage Tower, in a meeting room for receiving foreign guests, a crystal ball displayed the unfolding events.

The Telescope Technique.

"The Kirigakure envoy has taken the bait," Uzumaki Kushina said excitedly.

Beside her, Uchiha Mikoto smiled warmly and shook her head. "Kushina, don't rush. Whether Kirigakure fully bites or not remains to be seen."

"Mikoto, you're too cautious. Kirigakure is drowning in its Blood Mist era. What reason do they have not to take the bait?"

Kushina and Mikoto, both smiling, watched the scene in the crystal ball. Kushina's playful nature soon surfaced, and her gaze shifted to Samui and Yugito, who were standing nearby.

"Samui, Yugito, you two need to work hard. If not, the ambitions of Shirou will be entrusted to you, and the others in the village won't rest easy."

Hearing this, Samui and Yugito's faces turned red with embarrassment. They were well aware of the plan.

Kushina approached Samui, her excitement growing.

"Lady Kushina!"

Samui stiffened nervously and nodded. Though not yet in her prime, her figure was already well-developed.

Kushina squinted her eyes and, with a teasing smirk, remarked, "Samui, you've grown again, haven't you?"

Her gaze drifted pointedly to Samui's chest, causing the latter to blush furiously and wish for a hole to crawl into.

Just as Kushina was about to continue teasing, Mikoto intervened with a gentle smile, her calm demeanor diffusing the situation.

"Samui, Yugito, Shirou raised both of you and has now allowed you to seek revenge. I hope you won't disappoint him."

"Lady Mikoto!"

Samui and Yugito immediately straightened up, bowing respectfully. They had been personally trained by Mikoto, and over the years, they had developed deep feelings of loyalty and gratitude.

"We understand!"

"The ambition of Shirou—you both know it well. This ninja world is bound to change sooner or later. Right now, the Land of Lightning is filled with rogue ninjas. Your origin and appearance make you the perfect candidates to recruit these Lightning ninjas into Konoha."

Behind Mikoto's gentle smile lay a glimmer of excitement and ambition. Everything she did was for the sake of Shirou.

Samui and Yugito, fully aware of the plan, wore solemn expressions.

The plan was to absorb wandering, displaced rogue ninjas from the Land of Lightning, giving them a home in Konoha.

"Lady Mikoto, Lady Kushina, the Kirigakure envoy has arrived."

The sound of a knock on the door was followed by Mabui's voice. When permission was granted, the Kirigakure envoy entered.

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Inside the meeting room, after some unknown discussions, the Kirigakure envoy went from frustration to deep contemplation.

"The Seven Ninja Swords of Kirigakure are not only powerful weapons but symbols of immense influence within your village. Exchanging them for material goods is hardly unreasonable."

With a calm smile, Mikoto maintained her composure, her words laced with subtle force. The Kirigakure envoy knew full well the value of the seven swords to their village.

In the hands of outsiders, they were merely powerful tools. But in Kirigakure, they symbolized great influence and heritage.

"Any ninja suited to wield one of these swords would see their power greatly enhanced. Such legendary weapons are rare and invaluable."

"But your village's demands!"

The Kirigakure envoy looked conflicted, but Kushina, her patience thinning, glared and snorted coldly.

"Those ninjas you're defending are just ordinary members of your village. On the battlefield, however, they killed many of ours. Let me be blunt!"

"The individuals we're asking for are responsible for killing several key members of the Aburame and Kurama clans on the battlefield. Do you think we'd let this slide under normal circumstances?"

Realizing the reason for Konoha's demands, the Kirigakure envoy suddenly understood. Konoha sought to win over the Aburame and Kurama clans as part of their post-coup consolidation.

"Momochi Zabuza, age thirteen, infamous for his ruthlessness. Despite his young age, his strength rivals that of a Jonin. He's the most critical of the group."

The Kirigakure envoy's expression darkened as the list of names and their details were read aloud.

"Impossible! Momochi Zabuza is one of our village's most talented young ninjas. We cannot hand him over! The others, perhaps—but not him!"

After much negotiation, both sides finally reached an agreement on the exchange terms.

"The other ninja swords have already been bestowed upon our heroes, and as for your conditions, this time, we can only exchange the Kubikiribōchō and the Kabutowari for now."

"Alright!"

As the Mist ninja left with an unpleasant expression, Uzumaki Kushina and Uchiha Mikoto in the conference room immediately smiled.

"Mikoto, we've profited this time. I've heard from Shirou about the potential of the younger generation of Mist ninjas. These two have been specifically marked by Shirou."

Looking at Kushina's beaming smile, Uchiha Mikoto also smiled and nodded, saying:

"Indeed, it's all thanks to the Mist Village's policies, which have led to resentment and exclusion of ninjas with kekkei genkai from top to bottom. This is probably why Mei Terumi has hidden her kekkei genkai ability."

The one with the most complicated feelings about this situation was undoubtedly Kushina, as she had been at the center of this plan.

"Kushina, with Shirou using your name to restore the nation this time, you'll eventually become a true princess, just like Tsunade."

Faced with Mikoto's teasing, Kushina revealed a bittersweet yet satisfied smile and then shook her head, saying:

"Restoring a nation isn't that easy. We don't even know how many Uzumaki clan members are left in the ninja world. My only goal this time is to use this opportunity to gather our scattered clansmen.

As long as the name 'Land of Whirlpools' remains remembered in the ninja world, and Konoha gains another Uzumaki clan, it will be enough!"

Under Kushina's excited smile, the thought of reuniting with her scattered family and seeing her clan again brought her more joy than the idea of restoring the nation.

She had never imagined such a surprise before, but it was all thanks to Shirou.

"However, we'll first need to make use of Princess Kushina's title of restoring the nation. Over time, the many kekkei genkai families excluded by the Mist Village may eventually lose all hope in their country and village and make new choices..."

Under Mikoto's knowing smile, this was revealed to be a long-term plan. But as long as it had begun, it would not stop.

By using the pretense of restoring the Land of Whirlpools, they would gradually absorb wandering clans in the ninja world. At the same time, they would assimilate them into Konoha. This was part of Shirou's plan to develop Konoha.

...

In the Hokage's Office.

"Tsunade, while my ambition is great and even extreme in the eyes of some, I also understand that ambition must be matched with capability. We can afford to take our time."

As Shirou slowly revealed his ambitious plans, Tsunade's eyes gleamed with intrigue, though she still teased him in a stern tone:

"You're bold—absorbing all the kekkei genkai ninjas and clans from the ninja world into Konoha."

Shirou nodded as though it was only natural and replied with a calm smile, "Why not?"

"Ever since the establishment of the ninja villages, it's undeniable that the ninja world has advanced half a step. At the same time, however, the kekkei genkai clans have had a hard time. The powerful abilities they possess bring not only strength but also fear. Countless kekkei genkai clans have vanished due to fear and suppression by the villages..."

"There are too many wandering kekkei genkai ninjas in the ninja world. Take, for example, the Mist Village's blatantly obvious policies."

At this point, Shirou gazed at the bustling village outside the window and shook his head:

"Developing the village step by step may bring us back to the same position as before the Third Great Ninja War in ten years. It would just be another cycle."

Step-by-step development could never match the speed of taking and absorbing.

"Aren't you afraid of attracting spies?"

Faced with Tsunade's concern, Shirou merely smirked in disdain.

"Are there not already enough spies? But if a spy settles in Konoha, marries, and has children, where do you think their loyalty would lie? This is also our best opportunity!"

At this point, Shirou adopted a more serious look and pulled out the report detailing the village's losses after the Third Great Ninja War.

"The wounds from war have left countless vacancies and opportunities. Of course, we'll use these to strengthen the village. At the same time, this is the perfect moment for outsiders to join the village with the least resistance!"

At a village's peak, every piece of the pie had already been divided. But after a war caused such heavy losses, there were now countless empty seats.

So, at this moment, inviting outsiders to join and sharing a few smaller pieces of the pie wouldn't cause much backlash.

But if it were at its peak, when every seat was taken, inviting outsiders would only provoke dissatisfaction!

Tsunade fell into deep thought. This plan was bold—something that had never been attempted in the ninja world.

"In the eyes of others, it may seem bold, but what we're trying to achieve is to change the ninja world. Just like before the establishment of ninja villages, who would have thought that the Senju and Uchiha would join hands?"

With a confident smile, Shirou stood on the shoulders of his ancestors to see the world. Meanwhile, the people of this world lacked such giants as their ancestors.

"The Mist Village provides a good opportunity by using Princess Kushina's name to restore the nation. We'll steadily develop and look for opportunities to absorb the kekkei genkai clans of the Mist Village.

The Sand Village has already been contacted. The Cloud Village is even easier to approach, given the many wanderers from there. Perhaps we can take advantage of the revival of the Land of Whirlpools to absorb them..."

Tsunade calmly analyzed the situation. For now, aside from the Rock Village, their plans seemed to involve everyone.

"If this plan succeeds, your ambitions will indeed face less resistance when taking the first step."

"Tsunade! This isn't just my ambition—it's ours! This is also for the true peace of the ninja world!"

With firm conviction, Shirou didn't deny his ambition, but he also emphasized the peace it would bring, a peace he intended to make everyone see.

Tsunade chuckled, a smile spreading across her face.

Peace!

"However, there's one thing you got wrong, Tsunade. We can't absorb the Land of Lightning."

Shirou shook his head.

The Land of Lightning was practically a sworn enemy of Konoha, with the blood debts owed to the Land of Whirlpools. How could there be any goodwill?

Once the world achieved the planned unification, it was impossible to let the nobles continue enslaving civilians.

For now, only Shirou knew that among the stars in the heavens, there were many unknown enemies. The Otsutsuki Clan of the universe would never give up on this failed world.

So he had to ascend step by step to the pinnacle!