Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou-Chapter 317: Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou []

Since the conclusion of the Chūnin Exams, the entire ninja world had fallen into an eerie calm, with the nations tacitly agreeing to a rare state of peace.

Even some small countries, previously embroiled in internal conflicts, began to settle down under the influence of this newfound harmony.

After the Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumī, launched a counteroffensive to reclaim the Hidden Mist Village, she publicly announced that the infamous Bloody Mist policies were the result of a mysterious figure manipulating the Mizukage. She officially abolished the Bloody Mist doctrine.

At the same time, Mei initiated sweeping reforms in the Mist Village, targeting those who were unwilling to adapt or those whose minds had long been corrupted by cruelty and perversion. Such individuals were either expelled or hunted down.

The turmoil within the Land of Water subsided as Konoha's reinforcements helped secure victory after victory, leaving no room for further resistance. Taking advantage of the Mist Village's reforms, the integration of Konoha and the Mist proceeded smoothly.

Projects such as military collaboration, education, healthcare, and missions were initiated. Notably, the ninja academies of Konoha and the Mist began an exchange program.

Half of the students traveled to Konoha to study together. For these young students—and their parents as well—this development brought great relief. At the very least, they no longer had to dread the deadly graduation exams.

For those about to graduate, joint teams comprising Konoha and Mist Ninja were formed to improve cooperation and build camaraderie. This effort was especially significant in the areas where Konoha's forces were stationed within the Mist Village, fostering a growing exchange between the two nations.

...

In the Mizukage's Office.

"Mizukage-sama, the situation has been shifting rapidly. Initially, there was some resistance to the collaboration, but ever since the abolition of the Bloody Mist doctrine and the implementation of the new policies, people's attitudes have grown much more positive..."

Hearing the reports from Mabui and Samui, the Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumī, dressed in her signature blue attire, displayed a look of exasperation.

"Mabui, Samui, there's no need to be so formal between us. Honestly, I'm fortunate to have borrowed you two from Shirou-sama's side. Without you, I'd be drowning in all this administrative work."

Mei smiled warmly at the two women, who were renowned as the most capable secretaries of the Hokage. She now understood why Shirou was so willing to delegate authority.

The reason was simple:

With such efficient subordinates handling the details, all she had to do was make the final decisions. The amount of time saved was immeasurable.

Mabui, with her gentle demeanor, shook her head and smiled. "Sister Mei, you're the Mizukage now. You can't be so casual anymore."

Samui, who was more reserved but equally capable, nodded in agreement. "That's right. Shirou-sama's plans are already in full motion. Fortunately, the Bloody Mist doctrine was so deeply unpopular that the new policies are being embraced with surprising enthusiasm."

Mei, noticing the two women's seriousness, offered a sly smile and teased, "You two are quite competent, aren't you?"

Under Mei's teasing and subtly suggestive gaze, the usually composed Samui blushed slightly, while Mabui chuckled softly and replied, "Sister Mei, you're the truly capable one. After all, Shirou-sama has placed high expectations on you."

As the three exchanged lighthearted banter, the integration of the Mist Village and Konoha continued to accelerate.

The Mist Village's enthusiasm far surpassed that of the Sand Village. After all, the Bloody Mist policies had left not just dissatisfaction but outright fear and hatred in their wake. The notorious practice of requiring ninja to kill their comrades to graduate had been particularly unbearable.

Now, with the reforms and the partnership with Konoha, these changes brought respect and dignity to the ninjas, offering them a glimpse of a normal future. Naturally, this was met with widespread support.

Parents of this ninja, or those planning to become parents, were particularly relieved. Even those who had previously decided against having children now found renewed hope.

...

The Sand Village.

In the Kazekage's office, the Fifth Kazekage, Pakura, sat calmly. Recently, the Sand Village had experienced several violent incidents.

"Kazekage-sama, the village was attacked by a mysterious figure. Elder Ōta, along with several other elders, has been killed."

Hearing the report, Pakura remained composed and nodded indifferently. "Understood. We have already established deep cooperation with Konoha and the Land of Water. High-priced fruits, vegetables, and seafood will now be continuously transported to the Land of Wind. I will not allow anyone to disrupt these prosperous times."

"Yes, Kazekage-sama!"

After reclaiming power within the Sand Village, Pakura's first act was to exact ruthless revenge on the elders who had abandoned her in the past. This served as a warning to those with ulterior motives.

Her unique position as a representative of the alliance between Konoha and the Land of Water brought unprecedented material wealth to the Sand Village and the Land of Wind. The influx of resources—long considered unattainable—had already won Pakura significant support.

Even Elder Ebizō, observing the Sand Village's transformation over just a few months, couldn't help but sigh in amazement.

"Sister, perhaps entrusting the Sand Village to Pakura was the right decision."

The sudden abundance of fruits, vegetables, and seafood, once mere luxuries, had now become commonplace. Ebizō marveled at the sight, while Elder Chiyo, standing nearby, could only shake her head and sigh.

"The Sand Village can no longer endure any unrest. Whether Rasa was manipulated or not, without Pakura's leadership, we wouldn't have been able to withstand the wrath of Konoha's Mangekyō Sharingan and Wood Release."

Chiyo spoke softly, expressing the harsh reality. Pakura's leadership meant no more war. Without it, the Sand Village would face certain destruction at the hands of Konoha. And this time, the other nations would likely stand by and watch, unwilling to provoke Konoha's overwhelming power.

"In the end, we're fortunate that Konoha's leaders possess the First Hokage's compassion and benevolence."

Under absolute power, they didn't even have the strength to resist. Now, instead, they feel gratified by the other party's mercy.

However, the merging of Sand and Konoha—those who have lived through the era when the Five Great Shinobi Villages were first established—these old relics have personally witnessed and experienced that time.

Back then, ninja clans who hated each other were forced to unite and form alliances to resist the powerful Konoha.

As time passed, with the aging and death of the previous generation, the Warring States era was left behind, as well as the grudges that came with it.

And Konoha's approach is the same!

Using two generations' worth of time to wear down hatred and dissolve barriers!

After Pakura and Temari's generations, the new generation of Sand, Mist, and Konoha will usher in a new era, one without hatred between them.

Just like the transition from the Warring States period to the Shinobi Village era!

Only those who have lived through that era can truly understand it, while those who haven't will only doubt it.

...

Konoha.

"Who would have thought that the one we once regarded as a junior would have such a grand ideal?"

Walking through the village and seeing the increase in Sand and Mist shinobi within Konoha, Jiraiya sighed with a sense of melancholy. What he once thought was an unattainable dream, Uchiha Shirou had made it a reality.

Beside him, Minato Namikaze also nodded in admiration and said, "Indeed, Jiraiya-sensei. I used to think it was overly idealistic, but to think that in just a few short years, it has come this far."

The master and disciple entered through Konoha's gates, observing the daily changes in the village as they walked, unable to help but feel emotional.

Eventually, they settled down at a tavern.

"Sensei, don't drink too much," Minato said helplessly, sighing and advising as he watched Jiraiya, whose face was slightly flushed from the alcohol. Meanwhile, Jiraiya toyed with the cup in his hand, smiling.

"Minato, I am a failure, huh? Back then, at least I had drinking companions. Now Tsunade is always busy training or obsessively researching something and Orochimaru... well, I can't even see his shadow anymore."

Jiraiya felt a bit despondent. Once, he used to be with them, but now it seemed like he had been left behind.

It wasn't a matter of strength, but rather, without realizing it, he had thought they were the ones who had gone astray. In reality, it was he who had stayed in the same place all along.

Tsunade and Orochimaru had both bravely moved forward, continuously exploring new paths, while he had become lost in confusion.

"Sensei, you're overthinking it."

Seeing Jiraiya's melancholy, Minato shook his head and said, "Hokage-sama didn't achieve this in one leap. We've seen every step he has taken ourselves. From the innocent and almost whimsical portrayal of his dream of peace in his books to the increasingly serious attempts he revealed later.

His books even clearly stated that he didn't know which path to the future was the right one. But someone has to take the first step. Only then can new roads be formed, warning later generations whether the path leads to a mountaintop or a dead end..."

The two of them drank many rounds, and in the end, Jiraiya laughed heartily, raising his glass.

"No matter what, at least this time, I admit he's done it! To the peace in the ninja world, cheers!"

The wine poured down Jiraiya's throat, and he smiled in relief. At least, things were turning out far better than he had imagined.

Back during the turmoil of the Chunin Exam, even he had been furious and wanted to retaliate against the two nations.

But under Uchiha Shirou's unexpected policies, those who genuinely sought peace had begun to see hope.

War might be an inevitable part of the road to peace, but Uchiha Shirou had shown the world that he didn't want to rely solely on war to achieve that goal.

With the current integration of the policies of the Land of Water, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Fire, combined with Konoha's ongoing reforms and public promotion of new ideas, Jiraiya was completely convinced. Uchiha Shirou was trying to show the ninja world—and see for himself—whether the path he chose was the correct one.

If the three nations continued to merge and move toward a better future, it would prove that his path was indeed the right one!

...

Training Ground.

"Summoning Jutsu! Take this, my adamantine staff!"

"Gaara, let's go! Let's give Kakashi-sensei a hard time!"

"Damn it! Gaara, keep your sand away from me. If it mixes with my Water Release, it'll slow me down..."

"Shut up!"

In the massive training ground, Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Suigetsu Hozuki, and Gaara were all demonstrating their respective ninjutsu.

Kakashi Hatake, who had never let himself slack off, especially with his other Sharingan eye usually sealed, was far from being a weak link. His strength was formidable, to say the least.

"Looks like I'll have to get serious!"

Kakashi pushed up his forehead protector, unsealing his other eye. In an instant, his Sharingan spun into a Mangekyo, and he focused intently on the four shinobi as they battled.

In the distance, Kankuro, who happened to be passing by, was stunned by the sight.

"Gaara actually spoke!?"

Beside him, Choji Akimichi was munching on snacks, while Shikamaru Nara rubbed his forehead in exasperation and said, "The way you say it makes it sound like Gaara can't talk."

"No! That's not it!" Kankuro waved his hands hurriedly, trying to explain, but in the end, he didn't know what to say.

Kankuro was truly shocked. Gaara had always been cold and silent, yet this time, he had uttered the word "shut up." Moreover, the four of them were cooperating.

At that moment, Gaara kept glancing at Naruto Uzumaki and Uchiha Sasuke.

Sasuke, like him, was a jinchuriki, giving him a sense of finding a kindred spirit. Naruto, on the other hand, gave him an entirely different feeling.

"This is youth!"

At that moment, Rock Lee and Might Guy happened to pass by and saw the scene. They immediately let out a passionate cry of youthful energy.

The sight left Kankuro speechless and awkward, but without realizing it, he had already begun to feel a sense of belonging in Konoha.

"Kankuro, remember to invite everyone to dinner later."

Their squad's jonin instructor appeared behind them, and Kankuro respectfully nodded.

"Yes, Itachi-sensei!"

Uchiha Itachi, who was already the Jonin instructor for Shikamaru, Choji, and Kiba Inuzuka, now also had Kankuro as a transfer student.

This arrangement served as clear proof to the outside world that Konoha bore no discrimination against anyone.

Gaara, meanwhile, had joined Kakashi's team, and this kind of integration was not rare in Konoha. Similarly, in the Sand Village, there were many Konoha shinobi as transfer students.

Both sides were quickly blending, forging new bonds of camaraderie and friendship.