Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou

The Konoha Office

"Land of Waterfalls! Ōnoki!"

After reading the intelligence report, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression changed drastically, a flash of anger appearing in his eyes.

"This is a trap! Sending Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya to contact the Kusagakure was a trap!"

The next moment—

"Send an immediate order to Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya to retreat at once! Also, instruct the frontlines: all stationed within the Land of Grass must retreat to the border immediately. Deploy an elite unit from the border to cover their withdrawal!"

"Understood!"

Hiruzen decisively issued a series of orders.

Seeing Hiruzen in such a state, the others realized that something major had happened. Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane looked especially grim as they asked, "Hiruzen, what has occurred in the Land of Grass?"

Hiruzen, his face darkened, handed them the intelligence report. In a deep voice, he said, "We underestimated the situation. While focusing on the movements of the Four Great Ninja Villages, we neglected the small nations along the borders. Iwagakure has secretly mobilized their elites and assembled them near the border of the Land of Waterfalls. Their intention is clear—they plan to use the Land of Waterfalls as a pathway to cut off our retreat!"

As Hiruzen spoke, the two read the intelligence report. Homura, upon finishing, was furious:

"Iwagakure's target isn't the Kusagakure at all. They're using the Land of Waterfalls to sever our ninja forces in the Land of Grass, then drag the war directly into the Land of Fire!"

Between the Lands of Earth and Fire lie three buffer nations: the Lands of Rain, Grass, and Waterfalls. These three are aligned in a row, separating the two larger nations.

The immediate priority was to withdraw and foil the enemy's plans, then counterattack, ensuring the battlefield remained in the Land of Grass.

However, Danzo Shimura slammed the table in anger, vehemently opposing Hiruzen's plan:

"If Iwagakure intercepts us, we should turn our forces into a wedge, pin them down in the Land of Grass! With our frontlines attacking from both sides, we could annihilate their elite forces right there!"

"Hiruzen! You're too disappointing!"

Danzo's argument wasn't without merit. After all, shinobi are tools of war. Even if there was a risk of being encircled and slaughtered, that was their destiny.

But Hiruzen, unyielding, slapped the table and sternly ordered the Anbu outside the door:

"Send another directive to the Land of Grass frontlines! All Konoha ninjas in the Land of Grass must abandon their supplies and break through the encirclement before it closes! Border units will provide support!"

"Understood!"

Hiruzen's firm dismissal left Danzo fuming. He turned angrily to Homura and Koharu, exclaiming, "This is your Hokage!?"

"Danzo! I am the Hokage!"

This time, Hiruzen gave Danzo no leeway, outright rebuking him in front of everyone.

Koharu frowned and addressed Danzo:

"Danzo, the Land of Grass ninja forces you're criticizing—do you realize the stakes? It's not about Hiruzen being indecisive. If something happens to this unit, even Konoha could be shaken to its core."

Homura nodded in agreement, adding gravely:

"Exactly. The young heirs of many prominent clans are stationed there. Even Tsunade is among them. Any losses would be catastrophic!"

Realizing the frontline forces included many second-generation heirs being tempered for war, Danzo's face turned red with frustration.

"Damn it! Useless! All of them useless!"

If something happened to these heirs, the prominent clans' dissatisfaction with Hiruzen would reach its peak.

Danzo finally grasped the situation. Despite his ideological differences with Hiruzen, they were on the same political ship. A fallout with the prominent clans could end their reign.

This understanding was why, in the years to come, Konoha's leadership (and other ninja villages) often worked to curb the power of the noble ninja clans. While powerful, these clans were a double-edged sword.

The only exceptions were leaders like Hashirama Senju.

"Iwagakure!"

Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke, his voice heavy amidst the curling smoke.

"The fiercest battles are about to begin!"

...

Land of Earth, Iwagakure

In the stone office of the Tsuchikage, the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki—not yet gray-haired—exuded an aura of authority as he read the frontline intelligence with a faint smile.

"Tsuchikage-sama, our elite forces have successfully bypassed the Land of Waterfalls. They're about to enter the Land of Grass and complete the encirclement mission."

"Don't be careless. The target is Konoha, after all!"

Regarding Konoha, Ōnoki maintained utmost caution, his expression somber.

"However, the Kusagakure might be useful to us."

Ōnoki's sly grin revealed his mistrust of the fickle Kusagakure.

...

Land of Grass, Konoha Camp

Inside the command tent, Uchiha Shirou, disguised as Tsunade using a Transformation Jutsu, lounged casually, yawning while reviewing reports.

"With the Second Great Ninja War in full swing and battles in the Land of Rain escalating, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru are the Third Hokage's trump cards. After all, White Fang's prestige is overwhelming."

'Tsunade' furrowed her brow, pondering deeply. Ninja warfare revolved around intelligence—not just in battles, but in the larger strategy.

"According to the limited information from the Third Ninja War in the original timeline, part of the Sannin's fame came from harvesting the fruits of war. If the chaos in the Land of Rain is intensifying, it's only a matter of time before we face a crisis of encirclement."

At that moment, a sharp cry of an eagle pierced the sky above the Konoha camp.

Shirou's expression changed as two jonin burst into the tent, exclaiming:

"Urgent orders! The Third Hokage commands all Konoha forces in the Land of Grass to abandon supplies and retreat to the border immediately!"

Seeing the intelligence report, Shirou, still in disguise, muttered in shock:

"Iwagakure bypassed us through the Land of Waterfalls!"

In an instant, realization dawned on him. The imminent danger Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru faced became clear—it was all part of the unfolding chaos.