Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou-Chapter 292: Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou []

Konoha.

In a luxurious tavern, a fervent disabled ninja stood on stage, gripping a red-covered book titled "My Struggle", delivering an impassioned speech.

"What kind of world do we live in? A world of powerful ninjas? Yet, also a world of impoverished ninjas! Aging ninjas suffer from poverty and hardship. They don't know how to produce or create, yet for the sake of the village, for the sake of their families, they chose to become tools as ninjas..."

"But everything changed after a certain person appeared. The status of ninjas began to find a new voice in the ninja world—treating ninjas, seen as mere tools, as flesh-and-blood people, not as emotionless machines..."

As the fervent figure continued to spread his excitement, this scene was visible from a private room on the second floor of the tavern.

"Sasuke, it's only been a few years since we arrived in this world, and yet you've changed so much," said the sharp-tongued Suigetsu, resting his executioner's blade on his shoulder while gesturing toward Sasuke.

Sasuke remained calm, his face unreadable, though his sharp eyes stayed fixed on the speech being delivered downstairs in the tavern.

This sight caused the other three in the room to feel a wave of emotion.

In the four years since their arrival, Uchiha Sasuke, Suigetsu Hozuki, Jugo, and Karin Uzumaki—once known as Hebi Squad—had matured greatly. The four, now taller and more composed, had come together once again. Karin, once impulsive, had undergone significant transformation over the years.

"Hey, Sasuke, why did you call us together this time?" Suigetsu, now twenty years old but still as talkative as ever, smirked and opened his mouth to say more when he was abruptly interrupted by Karin, who could no longer maintain her ladylike demeanor.

"Shut your filthy mouth, Suigetsu!" Karin roared, punching him hard. Her fiery eyes blazed with anger as she slammed Suigetsu's head into a puddle of water.

Suigetsu, wide-eyed, shouted in disbelief: "I knew it! There's no way you'd ever stop being a violent woman—"

"Enough!"

At that moment, Sasuke's cold voice echoed through the room, immediately halting the bickering between Karin and Suigetsu. Throughout it all, Jugo sat quietly, observing the familiar scene without saying a word.

Turning around, Sasuke took a deep breath and said in a steady voice:

"The Hokage has approached me. The Dragon Vein's energy fluctuations suggest that after next year's Chunin Exams, we'll be able to return."

When Sasuke mentioned the Dragon Vein, the other three were momentarily stunned. If he hadn't brought it up, they might have forgotten that they had come from another world.

However, Karin adjusted her glasses and, after a moment of hesitation, awkwardly shook her head and said:

"I'm sorry. This world has everything I want to protect, but the other world..."

At this point, her eyes filled with bitterness as she added, "...there's nothing in that original world worth remembering."

Her choice didn't surprise the others. Over the years, Jugo had gained control over his curse mark through training. He spoke in his deep voice:

"I've made good friends with this world's version of myself and Kimimaro."

His eyes shone with satisfaction as he mentioned it, seemingly having forgotten all about the original world.

Seeing the quick responses of the two, Suigetsu pouted. "This world's Hozuki clan might still be lacking, but with me here, I'll make a name for myself..."

It was clear that Suigetsu also chose to stay. However, as he spoke, his trademark grin appeared again.

"But if you decide to go back, Sasuke, I wouldn't mind fighting my way there first."

Despite his companions' decisions, Sasuke was neither saddened nor surprised. He calmly lifted a cup of sake and took a light sip.

The other three turned their eyes toward him, all knowing Sasuke's thoughts.

"Sasuke, if you're going back to find the truth, we're willing to follow you there and come back afterward," Jugo said in his low voice. Karin and Suigetsu nodded firmly as well. They had never forgotten that they were a team.

But setting his cup down, Sasuke smiled and said,

"I will go back to find the truth, but that alone isn't enough."

His gaze shifted to the figure spreading the Will of Fire below the tavern, and his eyes grew determined.

"I've found the meaning of life. Our original world is broken—this one is the true world. Since we've been granted such power, it's our responsibility to act."

Sasuke's resolute gaze swept across the three of them as he declared:

"The broken world needs a proper revolution. There will likely be bloodshed, but it's necessary."

His conviction filled the room. The three weren't surprised; only by living in this world's Konoha could one truly understand its beauty.

This Konoha, with its promotion of the Will of Fire, truly treated ninjas like humans.

These past years, they had not only grown stronger but had also fully integrated into this world, embracing and enjoying the true Will of Fire.

As for Sasuke's search for the truth, deep down, he already knew the answer. He had been lost before, wondering what he would do after finding the truth about Itachi—live aimlessly, or something else? But in his confusion, he met this world's Kakashi, Shisui, and even this world's Itachi.

It was then that Sasuke found his purpose and ambition.

"A broken world," Sasuke said firmly, his voice echoing as the three smiled in response.

...

Hokage Tower, rooftop.

"I need to strike the coolest pose."

"Ha! This is my most stylish outfit!"

The top thirty students of the Ninja Academy were filled with excitement, posing for their graduation photos in the best way they could.

"Naruto, you—!"

When Naruto appeared, his classmates froze in shock.

Amid their twitching expressions, Naruto confidently gave a thumbs-up and laughed boldly.

"This is the makeup my mom did for me. Cool, right?"

Wow.

This sight didn't escape Shirou, who smiled faintly.

"Minato, it seems Naruto has inherited some of the Uzumaki bloodline's traits."

Beside him, Minato scratched his head awkwardly and laughed.

"Well... it's the Uzumaki clan's swirl pattern. Normally, Naruto doesn't look like this."

Shirou narrowed his eyes, smiling knowingly as he replied:

"I understand. Oh, I understand."

Even without the influence of Asura's chakra and will, Naruto's mischievous nature was evident. It might not show often, but his close friends knew it well.

"Sasuke's here!"

"Sasuke, you—?!"

Just as Naruto basked in the spotlight, a sudden exclamation turned everyone's attention. They stared wide-eyed as Sasuke appeared, looking awkward and embarrassed, while his older brother stood behind him.

"This is so humiliating..." Sasuke muttered, his face red.

Behind him, Itachi smiled warmly, clearly pleased with Sasuke's appearance today.

"Sasuke, this isn't like you at all!"

However, at that moment, a burst of laughter echoed from inside the room. Naruto was laughing so hard that tears were almost streaming from his eyes as he clutched his stomach, unable to contain himself.

"Haha! Sasuke put on cat ears! Brother Itachi never lets me down."

Faced with Naruto's teasing and laughter, Sasuke glared back with wide eyes and pointed a finger at Naruto in retaliation, mocking him as well:

"And you're painted like a big tabby cat! Who are you laughing at?!"

"Nonsense! This is the Uzumaki clan emblem from my mom's side, the Uzumaki spiral!"

"Well, this is the Uchiha clan's... cat clan symbol..."

For a moment, the room grew lively as Naruto and Sasuke glared at each other, each mocking the other's appearance.

"Arrogant Sasuke!"

"Big tabby Naruto!"

"All right, if we waste any more time, the Hokage will be off duty soon. If you miss the chance to take a photo with the Hokage, you won't get another one."

"No way! Quick, let's take the picture!"

But when Naruto and Sasuke's turn came, the elderly photographer shook his head helplessly and asked:

"Are you two seriously planning to take the photo looking like this?"

Faced with the old man's question, Naruto gave a thumbs-up and laughed boldly:

"Of course! This is the proud emblem of my mom's Uzumaki clan!"

Though Sasuke was inwardly embarrassed, seeing Naruto's confident demeanor made him unwilling to back down. He coldly declared:

"This is the Uchiha clan's symbol of harmony with the cat clan."

The elderly photographer sighed and said, "Really now, this is the only graduation photo you'll ever have in your life. I hope you won't regret it."

Click! Click!

After Naruto and Sasuke's photo was taken, Yamanaka Ino looked around curiously.

"That's strange. Where's Hinata?"

While Ino was searching for Hinata, Karin suddenly gasped in shock and exclaimed, "Hinata!?"

"Is that Hinata-senpai?!"

Amid everyone's exclamations, Hyūga Hinata appeared, breaking her usual rebellious style. Her long hair, which was usually tied up, was now let down. She wore a forehead protector around her neck, and her outfit had changed to something that exuded elegance and beauty.

"Hinata-senpai is so gorgeous!"

Karin, usually a little fangirl, couldn't help but let out a look of amazement, and the others were equally stunned.

Hinata's usual outfits were already daring, but today, she had an added touch of maturity and elegance. Standing amidst the group, she gave off a noticeably more refined aura.

"What a beautiful Hyūga girl. You're the prettiest graduate I've photographed in years," the elderly photographer complimented.

As Hinata arrived on the Hokage rooftop, she was initially about to glare at everyone, but a faint blue glow flickered in her pupils, and she suddenly noticed something.

In an instant, Hinata's face softened into a gentle smile. Under the astonished gazes of her classmates, the once-rebellious Hinata walked over gracefully.

This scene stunned two figures hidden nearby—Shirou and Minato.

"Hokage-sama, it seems this child has noticed us!" Minato remarked, utterly shocked. Despite years of rigorous training, even an average jōnin wouldn't detect his presence so easily.

And yet!

Shirou's eyes focused on the faint blue glow in Hinata's eyes. He seemed to realize something.

"This girl is extraordinary. No wonder she managed to surpass both Naruto and Sasuke."

It was well known that Naruto and Sasuke had received years of special training and were far from weak. But when Hinata ranked first, both of them had been completely accepting of the result—not out of chivalry but because they genuinely couldn't surpass her.

"Hokage-sama, all thirty top graduates from the ninja academy have completed their photos," Konan reported respectfully as she handed over a stack of graduation documents. A group of newly minted genin cheered in the distance.

"The Hokage-sama was here!"

"No way! Hokage-sama's been watching us this whole time, and none of us noticed!" Nara Shikamaru, the sharpest mind among them, was deeply alarmed.

It was clear that the Hokage had been present the entire time, observing them. Yet no one had realized—not out of negligence, but instinctively.

"Whoa! It really is Hokage-sama!"

Seeing the excited group of young ninjas, Shirou smiled and gestured for calm. The newly graduated ninjas lit up with excitement.

"Hokage-sama, we're ready for the group photo!"

This was a privilege reserved for the top 30 graduates—to take their graduation photo on the Hokage rooftop and even have a chance to take a photo with the Hokage.

"Sensei!" Sasuke and Naruto greeted respectfully. Everyone knew that they were the Hokage's disciples, but Karin also bowed deeply and said:

"Hokage-sama."

Shirou smiled as he ruffled Karin's hair, teasing:

"Karin0chan is still as adorable as ever."

For a moment, everyone looked at Karin with newfound admiration, and many silently envied her.

"All right, everyone, stand in position quickly. Don't waste Hokage-sama's time. Get ready for the group photo."

With excitement and joy, the newly graduated ninjas lined up neatly. Shirou sat in a chair, leaving the students visible in the background.

Naturally, standing in the center was the top graduate, Hyūga Hinata. She wore a black outfit, her face radiating a gentle, sweet smile. The camera's flash captured the most beautiful moment.

"H-Hokage-sama..."

For the first time, the usually bold and straightforward Hinata stammered nervously after taking the photo. Being this close to the Hokage, she found herself tongue-tied.

Shirou turned his head, smiling, and placed a hand on her silky black hair, saying:

"Don't be nervous. I hear you were the top graduate, Hinata-chan."

Hearing this, Hinata's face turned bright red. Summoning her courage, she pulled out a carefully prepared gift from her pouch.

"Hokage-sama, this is a gift I specially prepared for you."

"A gift?!"

Surprised, Shirou looked at the gift box and smiled. He hadn't expected to receive a gift.

As Hinata anxiously awaited his reaction, Shirou's expression softened. He gently accepted the gift and looked at the girl before him with a smile.

"You have beautiful eyes."

Her pure, untainted eyes occasionally flickered with a faint blue light. Shirou couldn't help but marvel at them. He had been right—this girl was truly extraordinary.

It was the first time Hinata had ever been praised for her eyes. In the Hyūga clan, activating the Byakugan often made veins bulge around the eyes, which was considered unattractive. No one had ever called them beautiful before.

This was the first time anyone had complimented her eyes, causing Hinata's face to flush with embarrassment.

"Thank you, Hokage-sama."

Shirou smiled and gave instructions to Konan, who stood beside him:

"I heard their Jonin instructors are having a gathering tonight. In that case, let's arrange for everyone to meet up as well. It's good for them to get familiar with each other early—time will be tight next year, after all."

"Understood, Hokage-sama."

When the group of young ninjas heard that the Hokage himself would be arranging a gathering for them—and that he would personally attend—they immediately broke into excited smiles.

Seeing those innocent, joyful faces and the prosperous, powerful village of Konohagakure, Namikaze Minato, standing on the rooftop, couldn't help but smile and feel a deep sense of emotion.

At this moment, his initial admiration had grown into a strong sense of recognition.

Back then, everyone had doubted that such a turbulent change would only bring the crisis to Konoha. Yet in just twelve short years!

Minato had witnessed firsthand how the village went from being in shambles to thriving rapidly. Konoha's military power had developed at an astonishing pace, surpassing all the major ninja villages.

In just twelve years, Konoha had already exceeded the peak achieved during the Third Hokage's twenty years of leadership—whether in terms of economic prosperity or military strength.

He also saw a grand unification—the peaceful ambition of Uchiha Shirou, something Minato had once viewed as a potential hidden danger.

Seeing the young ninjas from the Land of Wind and the Land of Water seamlessly integrated into this big family, Minato couldn't help but feel deeply moved.

"Third Hokage, perhaps our vision was too narrow, stuck in the past, while Lord Shirou's eyes see much farther. Perhaps there will be war, but it will lead to everlasting peace."

At this moment, he did not doubt achieving peace through uniting the ninja world!