บท 21: Naruto: I Am Uchiha Shirou [20]

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The Uchiha Clan

Upon leaving the Hokage building, Shirou found himself abruptly abandoned by Tsunade. Frustrated, he had barely made it back home when he ran into a flustered Fugaku.

"Shirou! Is it true? Are you involved with Lady Tsunade?"

The moment they met at the door, Fugaku's shocked gaze fixed on him. Having received the news late at night, Fugaku was utterly dumbfounded, then completely astonished.

The clan's mission was simple: approach the future Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Uzumaki Kushina. But in such a short time, you've skipped past Kushina entirely and ended up with Tsunade, the princess of the Senju clan?

This wasn't just completing the mission; it was exceeding all expectations! Between Uzumaki Kushina and Tsunade, anyone in the village would know which connection carried more weight.

"Captain Fugaku, let me explain!"

Watching Fugaku's stunned expression, Shirou felt as if he'd swallowed a mouthful of dirt. Waving his hand in exasperation, he tried to explain.

But Fugaku shook his head.

"Shirou, there's no need to explain. I understand. The clan sees your sacrifice and dedication."

Fugaku's gaze lingered on Shirou's handsome face, and he couldn't help but murmur internally. No wonder the clan elders and his father insisted Shirou take on this mission. When it comes to charm, he truly surpasses everyone else.

"Shirou, the clan leader and elders have called for an emergency meeting."

Hearing this, Shirou felt utterly helpless. Damn it!

He had just returned, and the news had already spread. By tomorrow, the entire Leaf Village would know.

Of course, he appreciated Tsunade's… qualities. But the problem was that his current strength wasn't enough to handle such a powerful woman. There were too many risks involved.

After all, in the original timeline, Kato Dan didn't survive, and her brother Nawaki met a tragic end as well. The hidden dangers surrounding Tsunade were just too numerous to ignore.

Without absolute strength, he had no intention of standing out—he only wanted to blend into the larger group. But things had spiraled completely out of his control.

...

The Clan Leader's Chamber

Under dim candlelight, the Uchiha clan leader and elders, woken in the middle of the night, sat solemnly in their chairs. They remained silent, still processing the news.

The young man before them had been tasked with forming ties with the future Jinchūriki. Yet somehow, he had surpassed expectations, connecting with Tsunade—something they hadn't even considered.

"Clan Leader, Elders!"

Facing the two senior figures, Shirou reluctantly began explaining. He described how Tsunade had used him as a shield in public, emphasizing that their relationship was not real.

The elder Uchiha figures softened their stern expressions and exchanged thoughtful glances.

"Representing the Senju clan, Tsunade's public actions carry meaning," one elder mused, his tone contemplative.

The clan leader nodded solemnly.

"Indeed. Could it be related to White Fang's position?"

They seemed to reach an understanding. Several prominent clans, including the Senju, supported White Fang, creating tension with the current Hokage's administration.

Could this act by Tsunade be an olive branch to the Uchiha?

"If this is a gesture of goodwill from the Senju, our clan must acknowledge it. Joining forces with other families could secure the village's trust in us."

Their intense gazes shifted toward Shirou, whose attempts to protest died in his throat. After a moment of consideration, he realized there might be an opportunity in this.

"Shirou, the clan needs you. Should the situation demand it, we hope you'll make sacrifices for the sake of the Uchiha and the village."

It was clear what they were implying. With a deep breath, Shirou adopted a resolute expression.

"For the honor of the Uchiha, I am willing to act as a bridge between our clan and the village," he declared solemnly.

In the shadows, Uchiha Fugaku stood silently, suppressing the complicated feelings in his heart. How could the proud Uchiha clan stoop to such levels?

And yet, looking at Shirou's unwavering determination, Fugaku couldn't help but feel admiration.

"I am not as selfless as you, Shirou," he thought.

As Shirou's plans unfolded, the clan prepared for what they hoped would be an advantageous alliance. With Tsunade's quirks detailed in their intelligence reports, the elders reassured him that the clan would provide all the necessary resources to win her trust.

All the while, Fugaku felt a deep unease. This wasn't just a mission—it was a transformation of what it meant to be a proud Uchiha.