Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou

The Border of the Land of Grass

"Quick! We're only three hours away from reaching the border of the Land of Fire!"

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

The forest reverberated with explosions as detonating tags ignited rapidly, their echoes mingling with agonized screams. Everywhere, Konoha shinobi battled fiercely against a relentless wave of enemy forces.

"These hired rogue ninjas are insane!"

"Damn it! The Iwa-nin are trying to stall us. Don't get bogged down—retreat!"

Grim-faced, the Konoha shinobi moved swiftly through the forest. Despite their superior tactics and discipline, every skirmish delayed them further. The rogue ninjas—mercenaries bought with high bounties—served as sacrificial obstacles for the Iwa-nin's larger strategy.

"Lady Tsunade!"

At the front of the group, Tsunade's expression was uncharacteristically serious. As she led the charge, some shinobi began noticing something peculiar.

The legendary Tsunade-hime, renowned for her unyielding resolve, seemed oddly restrained.

"Shut up! Everyone, breakthrough quickly! If we escape this forest, the Iwa-nin's encirclement plan will fail!"

Several jōnin barked orders, urging their comrades forward with icy determination. But the truth was concealed beneath the urgency: "Tsunade" was an impostor.

Disguised as Tsunade, Uchiha Shirou maintained his composure, knowing the group's fragile morale hung by a thread. If his identity were exposed before they reached safety, chaos would ensue.

"Squad Three, cover the left flank! Everyone else, keep pushing forward!"

The shinobi pressed on, leaving behind fallen comrades who held off the enemy at the cost of their lives. Over a hundred Konoha shinobi had already made their final stand.

On the opposing side, a dense formation of Iwa-nin in red, single-sleeved uniforms advanced with alarming speed. Their leader, a jōnin with a livid expression, barked orders.

"Damn it! Konoha got wind of our plan. Move faster! We must cut them off before they leave the forest!"

In the world of shinobi, battles often hinged on intelligence. Once the element of surprise was lost, victory became uncertain.

"Shirou, this time the intel was timely. We might just pull this off," Uchiha Fugaku said, his tone uncharacteristically somber.

Shirou, still disguised as Tsunade, responded in a low voice.

"Captain Fugaku, Lady Tsunade and the others are still behind us. From the beginning, this was a trap."

Fugaku fell silent, the weight of those words sinking in. After a moment, he sighed.

"This is the fate of a shinobi."

But Shirou's mind worked furiously. He analyzed the situation, recalling a pivotal event from the Second Great Ninja War: the Sannin's near defeat after being surrounded by Iwa-nin. Based on their location, he concluded they were nearing that infamous battlefield.

Fortune favors the bold, Shirou thought. A calculated risk now could turn the tide.

...

Three Hours Later

"Look! The grasslands! We've reached the border of the Land of Fire!"

Cheers erupted as the remaining Konoha forces—reduced by nearly half—broke free from the forest. Relief was palpable as they crossed into safer territory.

Poof!

A cloud of white smoke engulfed "Tsunade," revealing Uchiha Shirou.

"What?!"

"As expected," murmured a few shinobi, their earlier suspicions confirmed.

"Shirou!"

Fugaku called out, alarmed.

Shirou turned to face the group, a faint smile on his lips.

"Captain Fugaku, my mission is complete."

Fugaku's unease deepened.

"What are you planning, Shirou?"

"The Iwa-nin's plan is only half-foiled," Shirou said calmly.

"Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya are still trapped. They need help."

"We'll regroup with reinforcements at the border!"

Fugaku urged.

But Shirou's resolute smile spoke volumes.

"That's your mission. Mine was to maintain morale by posing as Captain Tsunade."

Fugaku's heart sank.

"Don't do this, Shirou. Everything you've done has been for the clan. There's no shame in retreating!"

Shirou's smile softened.

"Captain Fugaku, when did you get such a wrong impression?"

He continued, his voice steady.

"Lady Tsunade is still trapped, and as a proud Uchiha, I cannot let anyone mock me as someone who clings to others for survival. I will not run away!"

"For the honor of the Uchiha."

Fugaku froze, the weight of Shirou's words striking him like a thunderclap.

"Uchiha Shirou!"

An Inuzuka shinobi moved to intervene, but a Hyūga jōnin stopped him.

"This is the pride of the Uchiha," the Hyūga murmured, his gaze filled with respect.