Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou

Konoha.

 Under the scorching sun, sparrows chirped in the dense forest.

At the training ground, Uzumaki Kushina collapsed onto the grass, panting heavily. She watched as Uchiha Mikoto gracefully sheathed her ninja sword.

"You're amazing, Mikoto," Kushina said, her voice laced with exhaustion.

Mikoto smiled and shook her head.

"When I was your age, Kushina, I wasn't nearly as skilled."

"Come on, Sister Mikoto, you don't have to comfort me."

Kushina knew herself well. While the Uzumaki clan was renowned for their strength and mastery of sealing techniques, they didn't excel in early-stage combat as much as those skilled in conventional ninjutsu.

"Kushina, you misunderstood," Mikoto said, her eyes filled with genuine admiration.

"Your chakra reserves are incredible. Even Shirou has praised them many times. With that kind of power, you should focus on mastering a single elemental ninjutsu while continuing your sealing techniques."

Mikoto's admiration was sincere. Though the Uchiha clan had naturally strong chakra reserves, they still paled in comparison to those of the Uzumaki clan. Kushina's reserves had grown even more potent after she sealed the Nine-Tails chakra within herself.

"Master a single elemental ninjutsu first?"

Kushina echoed, deep in thought.

Mikoto approached her, gently running her fingers through Kushina's crimson hair.

"With so much chakra, it would be a waste not to delve into ninjutsu."

Though this gesture was familiar, it never failed to make Kushina blush.

"Sister Mikoto…"

Seeing Kushina's flustered expression, Mikoto laughed softly, exuding a sisterly warmth.

"Your red hair is so beautiful, Kushina. No wonder Shirou says so too."

Kushina's face turned an even deeper shade of red. Despite her fiery and straightforward personality, she couldn't outmatch Mikoto's teasing. Clenching her fists, she retorted, "Well, Sister Mikoto, Shirou also said he judges everything based on appearances. If the face is pretty, everything else is too!"

Mikoto widened her eyes in mock innocence.

"That's true, though."

"True?!"

Kushina was speechless. What kind of logic was this?

Mikoto smiled mischievously.

"When I chose Shirou, it wasn't just because he's a genius. His looks were a major factor too. Isn't that perfectly normal?"

Kushina opened her mouth but couldn't find a rebuttal. Somehow, Mikoto's reasoning made sense.

Seeing Kushina at a loss, Mikoto's eyes glinted playfully. She leaned closer, tucking a strand of Kushina's red hair behind her ear, and whispered teasingly, "You know, Kushina, last night, Shirou and I… I transformed into you."

Kushina's face turned beet red, matching her hair. She could barely form a coherent response, overwhelmed by Mikoto's teasing.

"You—Sister Mikoto!"

Mikoto laughed affectionately.

"Kushina, you're just so cute."

Unable to bear the teasing any longer, Kushina launched her counterattack. Pouncing on Mikoto, she began tickling her mercilessly.

"Mikoto!"

"Kushina, no! Stop! Hahaha…"

Their laughter echoed across the training ground, filling the air with rare, innocent joy—a fleeting treasure in lives often steeped in shadows.

...

Inside the Hokage's Office.

 As the golden light of the evening sun streamed through the glass windows, an ANBU operative knelt on one knee, respectfully delivering his report.

"Hokage-sama, these individuals have been identified as spies from the Hidden Cloud. Disguised as merchants, they've been operating in the village for over a year. Due to their lack of strength and limited access to information, we've kept them under surveillance without alerting them."

"Following your orders, we have revealed information about Uzumaki Kushina's special chakra to these individuals..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen, seated in his chair, pressed down on his Hokage hat and exhaled a puff of smoke before replying, "Proceed as planned. Ensure the ANBU and Root units coordinate to divert the Intelligence Department, the Police Force, and other village shinobi. There's no need to worry about the Senju clan's vigilance."

"Understood!"

Before departing, the ANBU operative hesitated as Hiruzen added, "Make sure to guide Minato Namikaze into discovering this situation as well."

"Yes, Hokage-sama!"

Once the ANBU departed, Hiruzen gazed at the Hokage Monument through his office window, his expression resolute.

"Sensei, to ensure Konoha's stability, we cannot afford any uncertainty regarding the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki."

The plan was unfolding smoothly. Even Namikaze Minato's involvement was part of it. If Minato hesitated or failed to act decisively, he would lose his chance to rise in Hiruzen's eyes.

 Danzo stormed into the office, his face dark with displeasure. "Hiruzen, you're too soft! We should eliminate all uncertainties and appoint a candidate from our ranks as the Jinchūriki instead."

Hiruzen, unfazed, replied calmly, "Danzo, you underestimate the power of trust and human nature."

Danzo scoffed.

"Trust is meaningless compared to the efficiency of control!"

The two men argued heatedly until Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado entered the room, siding with Hiruzen.

"If successful, this plan will bind Uzumaki Kushina to Namikaze Minato and, by extension, to Konoha," Koharu remarked.

Hiruzen's methods relied on nurturing loyalty and emotional bonds—a stark contrast to Danzo's cold, calculated control.

"You'll regret this, Hiruzen!"

Danzo barked as he stormed out of the office.

Hiruzen watched him leave, smiling faintly.

"That's why I'm the Hokage, Danzo."

Victory or failure hinged on Kushina's decision—and Minato's unwavering heart.