Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou-Chapter 267: Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou []

The difference is that while the Konohagakure, from top to bottom, placed little importance on the future of ninja tools, focusing instead on Wood Release and the Sharingan, the Land of Lightning's Kumogakure had surprisingly ventured into high technology.

As Shirou pointed to one document after another, Orochimaru's satisfied smile only widened. This was his true place, after all—being tied to the Hokage position or not was meaningless to him.

"Danzo truly poured his heart into the development of the Root over these years."

It wasn't just these scientific ninja tool prototypes. The Root also housed information on Kekkei Genkai users from other villages and forbidden research of various kinds.

One had to admit that for years, only Danzo had been tirelessly working on this enterprise. Absorbing resources from the Konoha! Absorbing from the clans! All to strengthen his Root, which now fell entirely into Shirou's hands.

"The Root is yours now, but as for research materials, you are not allowed to use our people!"

Finally, Shirou reminded Orochimaru. He didn't oppose the research endeavors but drew the line at harming their kin.

The human experimentation might be difficult for ordinary people to accept, but among the upper echelons of the ninja villages, it was an open secret. After all, how else did forbidden techniques and the countless powerful jutsu come to be?

"Heh heh, Shirou-kun, rest assured, I understand this principle."

With his raspy laugh, Orochimaru acknowledged the restriction. After all, when one gains something, one must inevitably give up something else.

For example, as the head of the Root, he now had access to its treasure trove and many researchers to expedite his studies. The trade-off was that he could no longer act recklessly.

Similarly, should he leave the village and work alone, he would have more freedom but would undoubtedly face setbacks in funding and research speed.

"However, there's no need to worry about research subjects. Recently, the Land of Lightning has had quite a few slaves becoming active across the ninja world."

Orochimaru, now in possession of the Root, naturally understood the implications. With a raspy laugh, he nodded:

"It seems the Root must continue implementing Danzo's racial conflict plan."

"It doesn't need to be that troublesome. All it takes is to foster a culture of vanity and competition among the aristocrats of the ninja world."

"Moreover, these kumo slaves also make excellent research subjects."

Hearing this, Orochimaru cast a meaningful glance at Shirou, cracking a rare smile as he teased:

"It seems that in some ways, Shirou-kun holds grudges as well. Is this payback for Kushina?"

Orochimaru sometimes wondered why Shirou had always targeted the kumogakure. After all, they had no prior interactions.

The only plausible connection was that when the Land of Whirlpools was destroyed, the Kumogakure played a pivotal role.

Uzumaki Kushina, naturally, resented them. Thus, in Orochimaru's and many others' eyes, Shirou's actions were seen as avenging Kushina.

Or perhaps, it was simply affection by association.

"Perhaps."

Shirou chuckled lightly without offering any explanation.

In the gloomy Root research lab, Shirou and Orochimaru exchanged a glance and both broke into smiles.

Orochimaru was very satisfied with his current position. He no longer had to deal with irrelevant matters and could focus solely on his research.

Most importantly, he no longer needed to conduct his experiments in secret, constantly wary of prying eyes and suspicion.

Shirou, also satisfied, visited a Root prison before leaving the base.

"Shirou-kun, this is a descendant of the Second Tsuchikage from the Hidden Stone Village. Unfortunately, he did not inherit the Dust Release."

Orochimaru shook his head in regret, lamenting his inability to study the Dust Release Kekkei Tōta.

But when Shirou looked at the prisoner, a ninja whose spirit had been broken and reduced to a dull, vacant state, he shook his head and said:

"No! What interests me is his unique Fission Technique!"

The Second Tsuchikage's special ability allowed him to split into an independent entity without requiring hand seals. Although it divided his power, it was undeniably a fascinating and rare ability in the ninja world.

Forbidden Technique: Chimera Jutsu!

As Shirou performed his unique forbidden jutsu, Orochimaru, standing to the side, licked his lips greedily and rasped:

"What a powerful forbidden technique. It's a shame that only someone like you, with a strong devouring factor in your body, can use it."

In Orochimaru's eyes, Shirou's body was the ultimate vessel, capable of evolving and perfecting itself through devouring. He believed that this ability would one day ascend to godhood.

Squinting his eyes, Shirou, having obtained the splitting ability, gazed in the direction of the Ryumyaku (Dragon Vein) in Roran.

"I planted the seed there years ago, yet there has been no change. Logically, this shouldn't be the case. Could it be that the flow of time in the two dimensions is different..."

...

Hokage Office.

"Shirou, I can't believe Fugaku found the two lost spirit artifacts of Uzushiogakure—the Totsuka Blade and the Yata Mirror!"

At this moment, Uzumaki Kushina spoke with excitement, her eyes filled with both elation and sorrow.

Spirit artifacts may seem out of place in the world of Naruto, yet they do exist—such as the Shinigami Mask, which falls within this category.

"These two artifacts, like the Shinigami Shrine of the Uzumaki Clan, were lost long ago. Who would have thought Captain Fugaku would discover them on the battlefield?"

Seeing Kushina's sadness, Shirou nodded and sighed:

"Indeed. Captain Fugaku was battling Hidden Mist forces at the ruins of the Land of Whirlpools. It seems these two artifacts weren't taken but were instead lost in the chaos."

Shirou silently nodded, realizing that Itachi's Totsuka Blade and Yata Mirror were found by Fugaku. Upon reflection, it made sense.

"Kushina, these are the two spirit artifacts. Like the Shinigami Mask, they must be placed in a shrine for their wielder to use."

Surprisingly powerful, the spirit artifacts appeared deceptively ordinary.

One was an ancient gourd; the other, a small round shield.

These were the items Fugaku had sent back before his death, using his summoning crow.

Yet, as she took the artifacts from Shirou, Kushina concealed her sorrow before breaking into a smile.

"Shirou, your Mangekyo Sharingan's Susano'o can wield these two artifacts perfectly. You must protect them well. Although the Totsuka Blade and Yata Mirror appear invincible, their weakness lies in their physical forms. Like the Shinigami himself, once the mask is broken, they cease to exist."

The sealing techniques of the Uzumaki clan, combined with the legacy of the previous era's Onmyoji, are extremely powerful.

Looking at the spiritual tool Kushina handed over again, Shirou did not refuse. Instead, he nodded with a smile and said:

"I also have a special gift for you, Kushina."

"A gift for me?" Kushina's face immediately turned red upon seeing Shirou's smile. Her gaze darted around nervously, and she couldn't help glancing at the others in the Hokage's office.

Shirou's two assistants, Konan and Mabui, were sorting through documents, while Tsunade's two assistants, Shizune and Kurenai Yuhi, kept their heads down, pretending not to hear a thing. However, their flushed ears betrayed the fact that they had heard everything.

"It's this Nightmare Baku summoning beast scroll."

Shirou smiled brightly as he pulled out a huge summoning beast scroll and handed it directly to Kushina, showing no shame for having taken it from Danzo.

After Danzo had been stripped of his status as a Konoha ninja, everything he owned became Konoha's property.

If this summoning beast had remained in Danzo's possession, it would have been a waste.

Not only did Shirou take Danzo's summoning beast, but he also erased Danzo's imprint from it.

"This is a wind-element summoning beast that rivals Gamabunta and Manda. And in the village, Kushina, you're the number one wind-element ninja."

Seeing the gift Shirou had given her, Kushina's face lit up with happiness, and she nodded repeatedly in excitement.

"Shirou, I'm not just Konoha's number one wind-style ninja—I'm the best in the entire ninja world!"

Excited, Kushina quickly signed her name on the summoning beast scroll and laughed triumphantly, hands on her hips:

"Shirou, from now on, Uzumaki Kushina will have her very own exclusive summoning beast. When the time comes, I can even take on disciples and make the Uzumaki Kushina legend famous across the ninja world!"

In the ninja world, legendary ninjas either had a signature jutsu or a noticeable summoning beast.

While brimming with excitement, Kushina's mind was already at work, thinking about whether there were any talented young ninjas with wind-element chakra in the village who were worth training.

At that moment, the office door swung open, and Tsunade walked in with a sour expression.

"Tsunade-sama!"

Shizune and Kurenai Yuhi stepped forward—one took Tsunade's cloak, while the other took the scroll in her hand.

Meanwhile, Konan and Mabui moved quickly as well—one pulled out a chair, and the other poured tea.

"Judging by your expression, things didn't go well?"

Noticing Tsunade's demeanor, which hinted at her frustration, Shirou teased her with a smile.

Tsunade took a sip of tea and snorted angrily:

"Three old fogeys hiding behind their seniority! Konoha was built by my grandfather and your Uchiha ancestors, but in their mouths, it somehow became all their credit!"

At this point, Tsunade couldn't help but laugh bitterly in anger.

"They've been flattered so much over the years that they've lost touch with reality. They've started believing their lies!"

Shirou could relate to this. When a lie is told enough times, even the liar begins to believe it.

"Two of those old fools have already been locked up in prison—they can keep Danzo company for the rest of their lives. As for the former Third Hokage, he's been sent to the shrine."

When she mentioned the Third Hokage, Tsunade's tone faltered for a moment before she snorted coldly and revealed his fate.

"But do you think this will lure out the mysterious individual?"

"I'm not sure."

Shirou's blunt reply left Tsunade wide-eyed in disbelief. You're not sure, and yet you still went ahead with it?

But Shirou simply shrugged, showing a carefree smile:

"Either way, we lose nothing, do we?"

"If this mysterious individual shows up, we can seize the opportunity to investigate. If not, well, those old fools deserved it anyway."

Shirou's nonchalant attitude left Tsunade momentarily speechless. She glared at him before grumbling:

"So you left me to play the villain!"

Shirou shamelessly teased her in return:

"If I were to handle it, people would say it was a Uchiha clan vendetta. You're the perfect candidate, Tsunade."

Tsunade couldn't help but laugh in frustration. She grabbed a scroll nearby and threw it at him in annoyance.

"Here's the summoning beast scroll you wanted."

The summoning scroll of the Enma had been Tsunade's objective all along.

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"Tsunade, this isn't for me—this is something the Hokage is reclaiming for the village."

Seeing Tsunade's glare, Shirou stepped forward with a smile, gently pushed her toward the Hokage's desk, and started massaging her shoulders.

Tsunade had already done the hard part, and all he was doing was adding a little finishing touch. He wasn't exactly losing out.

Besides, she had taken on the burden of being the bad cop for him, so showing a bit of appreciation was only fair.

For a moment, the Hokage's office presented an unusual scene.

Tsunade sat at the Hokage's desk, glaring at Shirou, while he stood behind her, massaging her shoulders with a smile.

Ninjas entering the office couldn't help but feel awkward at the sight. However, as long as Shirou remained at ease, the awkwardness belonged to everyone else.

While issuing tasks and comforting Tsunade, Shirou didn't shy away from presenting a picture of harmony between the Senju and Uchiha clans. It wasn't just about maintaining appearances but also about discouraging others from harboring ulterior motives.

"Tsunade, the Enma summoning scroll was originally arranged by the Second Hokage for Sarutobi. It's not their ancestral summoning beast."

"Besides, the Sarutobi clan has abused their authority for years, learning countless village techniques. We haven't even held them accountable. All we're doing now is reclaiming what rightfully belongs to the village."

Shirou's righteous tone made the ninjas outside the door feel that even if the Sarutobi clan was being bullied, it was completely justified.

Especially since the Enma summoning scroll had been retrieved by Tsunade herself. If anyone in Konoha was qualified to do so with a clear conscience, it was her.

Tsunade, of course, saw through Shirou's little schemes. Though she kept her face stern, the slight curve of her lips betrayed her amusement.

Shirou's assertiveness, paired with the way he publicly gave her so much respect, warmed even the heart of a strong woman like Tsunade.

After all, in a warped world like the ninja world, it was rare for someone to be so attentive to a woman's dignity and face, especially in matters of importance.

Shirou wasn't foolish. Given the crimes committed by Konoha's former power players, even Danzo's death wasn't enough—he should be milked for every last bit of value.

Not taking the summoning beasts would be downright idiotic. As for the Enma, knowing that it had originally been arranged by the Second Hokage made Shirou even more resolute.

Everything he did was merely reclaiming what already belonged to the village.

These were the treasures of Konoha!

And in Konoha, village = Senju + Uchiha. No arguments there.