Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou-Chapter 333: Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou []

"Everyone, this S-rank classified mission is to secretly capture the S-rank rogue ninja, Shimura Danzo, who has violated the village's rules. From this moment onward, no one is allowed to leak any information. If anyone is discovered doing so, they will be executed as a traitor on the spot!" In the forest, Tsunade's domineering and cold voice caused everyone's expressions to change.

When Naruto heard the details of the mission, his face tensed up. What did this have to do with Sasuke? He instinctively prepared to blurt something out in haste.

But when he saw Tsunade's cold, piercing gaze, Naruto's words caught in his throat.

After confirming that Naruto remained silent, Tsunade let out a cold snort and began outlining the operation's plan.

"For this capture mission, Danzo will be escorted by a small team of elite Root members. Shizune, distribute the combat intel on these Root members to everyone now."

"Yes!"

Shizune respectfully handed out the gathered information on Danzo's escorts to everyone. This was how a proper ninja mission was conducted.

Every ninja memorized the mission intel, especially about enemy combatants, so they could devise a reasonable battle strategy.

"Additionally, this classified mission will be led personally by Jiraiya! The deputy commander will be Hatake Kakashi!"

When Tsunade announced this, many jonins subtly nodded. With Jiraiya on board, the mission suddenly seemed less daunting.

The appointment of Kakashi as deputy commander further reassured the jonin, as Kakashi was a figure they all respected and trusted.

However, Tsunade wasn't finished speaking. She scanned the crowd, her tone pausing for a moment before she continued with words that shocked everyone present.

"And the other deputy commander for this operation will be Uchiha Sasuke!"

In an instant, the expressions of all the Jonin and many younger ninjas changed drastically.

Uchiha Sasuke?!

Naruto, Sakura, Neji, Rock Lee, Kiba, and Ino all stared at Tsunade in stunned disbelief. Did they hear that right?

At that moment, countless eyes turned toward the figure standing behind Tsunade, wearing an ANBU mask. Even Kakashi's expression was one of utter disbelief.

Sasuke! It's really him!

Sure enough, the masked ANBU member slowly stepped forward. At the same time, Tsunade coldly explained to everyone:

"Uchiha Sasuke defection incident from four years ago—I'm sure you're all aware of it. In truth, Sasuke was acting under orders to carry out an undercover spy mission. For years, he has been infiltrating Orochimaru's base.

Orochimaru, after being framed and defecting, secretly collaborated with Danzo on human experimentation. Sasuke has gathered significant evidence of these dealings. This time, Sasuke has returned after completing his mission. Once we capture Danzo, we will have both the criminal and the evidence!"

That explanation from Tsunade effectively cleared Sasuke's name and justified his actions.

In truth, Sasuke's defection had not caused any harm to the village. Everyone also knew deep down that his actions were driven by revenge. This was why most Konoha ninjas had refrained from discussing Sasuke's defection too much.

From Konoha's perspective, Sasuke might be a traitor. But as a ninja and a man, Sasuke was undoubtedly honorable.

Even Orochimaru's involvement seemed somewhat forgiven, which was one reason Jiraiya ultimately agreed with the plan. After all, Orochimaru was his old friend.

"Now, I officially announce the restoration of Uchiha Sasuke's status as a Konoha ninja! Furthermore, due to his years of undercover work that saved the village from significant losses, I hereby promote him to the rank of Konoha jonin!"

Tsunade's commanding voice echoed as the stunned Konoha ninjas looked on.

The masked ANBU member slowly removed his mask, revealing Uchiha Sasuke's cold, stoic face. At that moment, Naruto's eyes reddened.

Sakura, unable to believe it, covered her mouth as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Sasuke!"

As the crowd erupted in exclamations, the unmasked Sasuke maintained a serious demeanor and respectfully bowed, loudly declaring:

"Konoha jonin Uchiha Sasuke reporting to the Fifth Hokage!"

With that one statement, Sasuke's actions over the years were completely vindicated.

Kakashi and Jiraiya exchanged glances, their eyes gleaming with understanding. They knew the truth, but did it matter?

For Kakashi, all that mattered was that his student was back.

For Jiraiya, there was even a faint hope that his old friend Orochimaru might also have a chance at redemption.

The two men, despite knowing the story was fabricated, chose to ignore it.

The process didn't matter. What mattered was that the result was something they both wanted to see.

And most importantly, Sasuke, despite his defection, had never truly harmed Konoha.

"It's really Uchiha Sasuke!"

"I knew it! How else could a rookie genin have done so well back then..."

Among the jonin, some were shocked, others enlightened, and still others showed admiration. There were sharp thinkers among them.

But even if some knew the truth, what of it? The current Hokage was Tsunade. If she said it was true, then falsehoods became truth!

"Sasuke!"

"You bastard, Sasuke!"

Meanwhile, the Konoha 12 were reunited again: Naruto, Sakura, Neji, Lee, Tenten, Hinata, Kiba, Shino, Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino. They all looked at Sasuke with a mix of emotions.

Shikamaru, for one, was quietly alarmed. Sasuke seemed far more mature than them now.

Sure enough, Shizune, Tsunade's trusted assistant, calmly explained to the group:

"Due to his undercover mission and intensive training over the years, Sasuke's body has matured faster than others his age."

The rest of the Konoha 12 were still around 16 or 17 years old, but Sasuke's physique had fully matured, making him appear closer in age to Kakashi.

"Now, I declare: Move out!"

With a wave of Tsunade's hand, the group set off. Sasuke removed his mask and donned the Jonin forehead protector, officially joining the team. However, he now carried a certain aloofness toward Naruto and the others.

"Sasuke, welcome back!" Kakashi was the first to step forward with a relieved smile. For him, this outcome was better than he could have hoped for.

"Kakashi-sensei," Sasuke replied with respect, his tone sincere.

"Sasuke!" Naruto, Sakura, and the rest of the group excitedly approached. Sasuke gave a faint nod, his expression calm.

"Sasuke, you're finally back!" Sakura, tears streaming down her face, rushed forward to embrace him, causing some Jonin to frown. Was this ninja truly capable of handling the mission?

Even Jiraiya couldn't help but be momentarily distracted. For a moment, Sasuke's return reminded him of Orochimaru.

If Sasuke could come back, did that mean Orochimaru might have a chance too?

Jiraiya quickly brushed off the thought with a bitter smile. Sasuke's return was possible because he hadn't committed any heinous acts against Konoha. Orochimaru, however, was a different story.

"Sakura."

Just as Sakura embraced Sasuke in joy, Sasuke suddenly sidestepped her, his tone carrying a hint of warning.

This stunned Sakura, her tear-streaked face frozen in disbelief. The rest of the group was equally confused. What was Sasuke doing?

"Sasuke, how could you treat Sakura like that?" Naruto, though excited, spoke impulsively as always.

But Sasuke, his expression calm, slowly raised his hand, revealing a ring on his finger.

"I'm engaged. Rin doesn't like me touching other women."

What?!

The group was utterly shocked. Even Kakashi looked at Sasuke in disbelief.

No one expected this.

But Sasuke's expression remained serious. When he glanced at the ring on his finger, a rare warmth flickered in his eyes.

"Senju Rei. My fiancée. Once this mission is over, I'll return to marry her."

"What?!"

Hearing Sasuke mention his fiancée name, the group was completely dumbfounded. Naruto blurted out in shock:

"Sasuke! You even have a fiancée?!"

Naruto's exaggerated reaction caught everyone off guard, but the one most affected was Sakura.

Her pupils dilated. At that moment, she was at a loss, unsure whether to feel joy that Sasuke had returned or sorrow that Sasuke now even had a wife.

"And also, we're currently on a mission."

Sasuke gave a slight nod to everyone, signaling that these matters could wait until later. Then, his gaze shifted to Kakashi and Jiraiya, who were leading the operation.

"Haha, who would've thought kids these days would start dating so early? At this age, he even has a fiancée—this is unbearable!"

Jiraiya burst out laughing, his face displaying a dramatic, exaggerated expression of mock frustration as he clenched his teeth. For a man his age, still without a wife, it truly felt unfair.

However, in the next moment, Jiraiya's expression turned serious. He scanned the group, waved his hand, and barked in a commanding tone:

"Enough idle talk! We're now executing a top-secret mission to capture the S-rank rogue ninja, Danzō Shimura. If he resists, show no mercy—kill him on the spot!"

"Yes, sir!"

Under Jiraiya's lead, the group didn't depart through Konoha's main gates. Instead, they exited through a hidden passage on the outskirts of the village. Along the way, even the protective barriers didn't stir the slightest ripple.

...

Within the Land of Fire.

The morning sun rose over a large bridge, its light scattering the darkness that had blanketed the earth. Hidden among the surroundings, the Konoha ninja had already set up traps overnight, having arrived at their destination the previous evening.

"According to intel from the Root division, this bridge is the inevitable route for Danzō's group. We'll set our ambush here."

"Keep in mind, Danzō's escort includes a squad of eight ordinary Root ninjas and two elite guards. Those two guards are Torune Aburame and Fu Yamanaka. Their abilities are particularly dangerous... especially Torune's nano-scale poisonous insects..."

The surrounding Konoha ninja, hidden in the shadows, silently felt a chill as they processed the information about Danzō's guards. This level of protection was comparable to the Hokage's bodyguards.

Even Tsunade's personal guards hadn't been this well-equipped. If the Third Hokage had had such a high-level escort during the Chūnin Exams, he might not have fallen.

Meanwhile, the younger generation of the Konoha Twelve each had their thoughts as they glanced at Sasuke.

"Sasuke must've grown even stronger. Once this mission's over, I'll challenge him to a match!"

Rock Lee, clad in his iconic green jumpsuit, was brimming with excitement. It had been years since he'd been able to test himself against a genius like Sasuke—this was the duel he'd been waiting three or four years for.

"Lee, you idiot!"

Beside him, Tenten sighed, shaking her head in exasperation. On the other hand, Neji had been frowning the entire time.

"Neji, what's wrong? You've been staring at Sasuke this whole time," Tenten asked, concerned.

Taking a deep breath, Neji's expression grew unusually solemn as he replied in a low voice, "With my Byakugan, I can see Sasuke's chakra."

Rock Lee and Tenten looked at him in confusion, prompting Neji to lower his voice even further. "I can see it—Sasuke's chakra is on par with Jiraiya-sama's."

Neji's words instantly shocked both Tenten and Lee. They stared in disbelief at Sasuke, who leaned nonchalantly against a tree, his cold gaze fixed on the direction of the bridge. Even Lee, who understood the significance of that statement, was shaken. Jiraiya-sama—a legendary Sannin—was not someone an ordinary jōnin could compare to.

Meanwhile, in another group, the Ino-Shika-Chō team watched the scene unfold. Ino hesitated for a moment before stepping forward to console Sakura.

"Sakura, don't be upset. Sasuke said it himself, right? A fiancée isn't the same as a wife."

However, Sakura, almost like a soulless puppet, didn't seem to hear Ino's words. The moment she'd heard Sasuke had a wife, tears started streaming uncontrollably down her face.

"Waaaah, Ino, it's not the same! I've never seen Sasuke speak so gently about someone before. He... he actually..."

Sakura's face was filled with sorrow. All the years she had spent waiting suddenly seemed meaningless, as if she were nothing more than a clown in the grand scheme of things.

Nearby, Chōji scratched his head, munching on snacks as usual, while Shikamaru sighed and shook his head.

"Women are such a drag. Isn't Sasuke's return already the best possible outcome?"

Even Shikamaru hadn't expected Sasuke to come back as a Konoha ninja. That alone was a miracle—what more could they ask for?

"Hey, Sasuke! How could you treat Sakura like this?!"

Naruto, meanwhile, was fuming. His initial joy at Sasuke's return had been replaced with anger, and he now loudly berated Sasuke for what he saw as irresponsible behavior.

But Sasuke furrowed his brow, feeling irritated for the first time. He suddenly found Naruto's behavior unbelievably annoying—so much so that it was almost unbearable.

"How did I wrong Sakura?"

Sasuke suppressed his anger, raising his head to glare at Naruto. At that moment, he realized just how immature his past self had been—how had he not been annoyed by this guy back then?

With the lingering will of chakra within him now gone, the destined conflict between Indra and Ashura seemed to have quietly dissolved. At this point, Sasuke regarded Naruto purely as a former classmate and comrade, nothing more. His feelings were entirely rational.

But how had Naruto not grown at all in all these years? He was still the same reckless and impulsive person as before.