Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou

Kushina Uzumaki, drenched in sweat but wearing a relaxed smile, hurried home under the evening sky. Walking through Konoha and stepping into the Senju Clan's territory, she failed to notice that the surroundings were unusually quiet today.

"I'm home!"

She called cheerfully into the vast, empty mansion. This time, however, there was no response.

Living in Konoha, and especially in the heart of the Senju Clan, Kushina didn't sense anything unusual at first. Instead, she peered around the quiet house in confusion.

"I said, I'm home! Is anyone here? Is anyone around?"

The silence and stillness of the mansion gradually erased the smile from her face. A creeping sense of unease began to settle in.

As the twilight's rays illuminated the room, three sinister figures emerged through the glass, their greedy gazes fixed on her.

"Target spotted!"

Kushina reacted swiftly. Her pupils constricted as soon as she noticed the shadows. Without hesitation, she turned and fled.

Her hurried steps echoed through the mansion as she frantically yelled, "Is anyone there? Help! Someone help!"

Her desperate cries were cut short by a sharp scream. The once-echoing mansion returned to its eerie calmness.

Outside, under the cherry blossom tree, a figure slowly emerged—it was Tsunade.

"Tsunade-sama, the Hokage has issued an order…"

"Silence!"

Before the ANBU could finish speaking, Tsunade's cold voice cut him off. Turning with an expressionless face, she glared at him and said icily,

"Go back and tell the Third Hokage that the Senju Clan will not participate in this test. But if anyone dares to have any wicked ideas…!"

Her snort, though devoid of specifics, clearly conveyed the Senju Clan's stance.

"Yes!"

With a swish, the ANBU disappeared. Tsunade's gaze lingered in the direction he had vanished. Behind her, several ninjas wearing Konoha headbands stepped forward silently.

"Keep an eye on things. Even if Kushina chooses wrong, no one is allowed to harm her!"

"Yes!"

These ninjas were the elite of the Senju Clan. This time, Tsunade did not fully trust the Hokage's faction.

After all, with the event of the Nawaki incident and in the Land of Grass, Tsunade had developed deep mistrust toward certain individuals.

"Shirou, don't drop the ball on this one. This is your Uchiha Clan's chance!"

Muttering to herself, Tsunade's brows furrowed as if recalling something.

"Kawaji, subtly guide Uchiha Shirou."

Her sudden command caught one of the Senju elite off guard. Seeing the others pretend not to hear, he cursed them silently for their lack of camaraderie.

"Yes…"

Left with no choice, Kawaji headed toward the Uchiha Clan's grounds. The remaining Senju members sighed in relief.

This wasn't a task anyone wanted—everyone knew about the peculiar relationship between their princess and Uchiha Shirou.

As they sneaked glances at Tsunade, various thoughts flickered through their minds. Their princess was trying to play matchmaker for her little lover, but what if things went south one day? Who'd take responsibility?

Tsunade, feeling the weight of their stares, let out an irritated snort.

"What are you all standing around for? Move! If anything happens to Kushina, I'll hold every single one of you accountable!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

Once her subordinates had disappeared, Tsunade's face grew somber. This test was inevitable, but as someone caught between the Senju Clan and the Hokage's leadership, she understood the stakes were entirely different.

To the Hokage, Kushina Uzumaki was the village's Jinchūriki. From their perspective, such a test was logical.

To the Senju Clan, however, Kushina was family. Participating in such a test would only alienate her.

"The Third Hokage, huh?"

A bitter smile crossed Tsunade's lips. From the very beginning, the Senju Clan had already lost half the battle.

It was just like her teacher—a sharp and calculated move.

"Still, the Senju Clan won't lose this time," she murmured, a determined smirk replacing her earlier bitterness.

...

At the Uchiha Training Grounds

Uchiha Shirou was practicing chakra nature transformation when he suddenly opened his eyes. His Sharingan's three tomoe swirled as a senbon landed in the grass nearby with a faint thud.

"Who's there?!"

Before he could catch sight of the intruder, the shadow had vanished. His gaze shifted to the senbon lying in the grass—and the strands of red hair tangled around it.

"Kushina!"

His eyes narrowed as he stared at the crimson strands. It was an unmistakable message.

Looking up at the setting sun, a knowing glint flashed in Shirou's eyes.

"So, it's happening tonight. Looks like this is Tsunade's way of giving me a heads-up."

This confirmed one thing—his efforts over the past year had paid off.

Tsunade no longer fully trusted the Hokage's leadership and had placed her faith in him.

He knew better than to get carried away, though. Their relationship had improved, but it was far from romantic.

"Matchmaking, huh? Or maybe she's just testing for stronger bonds. Either way, Tsunade's cautious."

Twirling the red hair between his fingers, Shirou smirked.

"Bonds can change over time. Better not end up losing both the prize and the game."

With that, he vanished into the shadows, heading not for the village outskirts but for the Police Department headquarters.

...

On the opposite end of the village, Minato Namikaze also received a similar clue from the ANBU.

Clutching the strand of red hair, his gaze turned resolute.

"I won't abandon a comrade. If you truly choose the wrong path, I'll break your legs and bring you back alive if I must!"

Despite the gravity of his mission—executing Kushina if she betrayed the village—Minato's belief in her remained steadfast.

"I trust you," he muttered, his determination shining in his blue eyes as he raced toward the village gates.