Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou-Chapter 348: Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou []

Amid wind and snow, Killer Bee's eyes turned white, his skin bulging with ferocious veins, and a massive amount of Tailed Beast chakra continuously surged out.

It was as if an invisible black hole was greedily devouring everything.

Forbidden Jutsu: Chimera Jutsu!

With a rhombus-shaped mark emerging in his palm, Shirou's expression turned grave as the Eight-Tails' chakra kept pouring into his body.

"As expected of the Eight-Tails, possessing such a huge chakra reserve. But unfortunately, I am no longer just an ordinary ninja."

With the Mangekyō swirling in Shirou's pupils, his body was now developing toward the level of an Ōtsutsuki.

Or, more accurately, he was becoming a new type of Ōtsutsuki.

Ōtsutsuki + the body of a local sage.

This new fusion body, though still very weak and essentially newborn, needed to devour the power of these Tailed Beasts.

The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path he had cultivated before had long since been completely absorbed, and now his body was fused with the Divine Tree.

Although it was just a low-tier version he'd cultivated, the first step had been taken.

Half a day passed. Only after night fell and the snowstorm raged was all of the Eight-Tails' chakra finally extracted, showing just how immense its reserves were.

"This is the feeling—I can sense every cell in my body is excited and cheering!"

Enjoying this wonderful sensation, Shirou smiled, glancing back at Hikari, who had been standing guard by his side.

And Sasuke, who was keeping watch on the outskirts.

"All right, let's head back. We've been out long enough. Now that Akatsuki has captured the Eight-Tails, it's time to start the operation to capture the Nine-Tails."

In this world, the Akatsuki would mobilize everyone to capture the Nine-Tails; it wouldn't be like the original where only Pain's Six Paths were dispatched.

After all, Konoha now openly had Mangekyō Uchiha Sasuke, who had defeated Uchiha Itachi, as well as Mokuton user Senju Shirou and Jiraiya.

Currently, Akatsuki only has six members: Masked Man Obito, Pain's Six Paths, Konan, Kisame Hoshigaki, Black Zetsu, and Deidara.

"Yes, Lord Shirou!"

Hikari nodded with a radiant smile. As long as she was with Shirou, she would never feel lonely no matter where they went.

As for Sasuke, acting as the third wheel in the distance, he shook his head, but memories of Senju Rei from another world surfaced in his mind.

"By the way, Sasuke, Konoha is safe now. Senju Rei will come to visit for a while too."

"Mm."

He nodded coldly, but when he turned, the tenderness in Sasuke's eyes could not be hidden.

"But this body shouldn't go to waste."

As they were about to leave, Shirou looked down at Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails jinchūriki from the Hidden Cloud, who had lost all signs of life and smiled.

"I think Orochimaru could use such a strong Kage-level jinchūriki body. By the way, don't waste these chakra swords either—they're precious treasures.

Consider them your badge of honor, something for you and Senju Rei's child in the future."

For the first time, Sasuke was at a loss for words at Shirou's teasing, but still nodded lightly.

He summoned a giant snake, which swallowed Killer Bee's corpse whole, sending Orochimaru a valuable research specimen.

At the same time, Sasuke also stored away Killer Bee's seven chakra swords.

...

The Akatsuki's open attack on the Cloud Village, one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, and their capture of a jinchūriki left the Hidden Cloud enraged.

The Fourth Raikage, A, furiously issued a wanted order and called for the entire ninja world to take action.

Unlike other villages, who kept the loss of their Tailed Beasts secret while quietly searching for clues, the Hidden Cloud tore away all pretense.

The Fourth Raikage even called for a Five Kage Summit. Though only envoys were sent, and the other villages hadn't agreed yet, the shockwaves were spreading throughout the ninja world.

Konoha.

"Haha, welcome, Naruto!"

"Take care, Young Master Naruto!"

"Isn't that Naruto? Our shop happens to have..."

In the sunlit village, Uzumaki Naruto was enjoying the happiest days of his life.

Naruto was full of joy, gradually indulging in this feeling of vanity.

As the son of the Fourth Hokage, he was finally accepted by the villagers of Konoha. Walking down the street, he was no longer met with cold stares, but with warm welcomes.

However, lost in this sense of validation, Naruto didn't notice that his former companions were drifting away.

The ones who had accepted him from the heart, his very first friends, were growing ever more distant.

Or perhaps, in Naruto's mind now, he had already gained the acceptance of most of Konoha, and as for his old friends...

"It's fine. I think Shikamaru and the others will understand me. I'll go find them in a few days."

With a naïve smile, Naruto seemed to believe that whenever he went looking for his friends, they would drop everything.

The world seemed to revolve around him.

It had to be said, that under the influence of Asura's chakra, Naruto was becoming more and more stubborn.

"But what is everyone busy with right now?"

Wondering why his friends hadn't shown up lately, Naruto had a sudden urge to go find them.

He wanted everyone to see that he was now accepted by the entire village.

"Yes! I'll find everyone tonight and treat them to ramen."

With an excited grin, Naruto had made up his mind—what a great opportunity!

He headed excitedly toward the hospital, unaware that his friends had all gone missing over the past two weeks. But in another world, this group of friends was preparing to return.

...In another world...

"Haha, cheers! Next time you visit our world, we'll treat you."

"Okay! Cheers, Kiba!"

"Damn it, you have to take good care of Akamaru—promise me..."

The older Inuzuka Kiba's face was full of tears and reluctance as he watched this world's Kiba and Akamaru.

This world's Kiba nodded firmly, "Don't worry, I'll protect Akamaru."

The Konoha 12 of this world were more than a year younger, as time flowed differently in the two worlds.

They had rented out the whole top floor of a barbecue restaurant for their gathering.

Laughter filled the night sky.

Those who came to this world were Neji Hyūga, Rock Lee, Tenten, Hinata Hyūga, Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame, Shikamaru Nara, Chōji Akimichi, and Ino Yamanaka.

Of course, there were also Kakashi Hatake, Might Guy, and Jiraiya.

"Shikamaru, I didn't expect this world's Naruto to treat everyone so well."

Chōji, eating barbecue, looked a little sad as he gazed at the sunny, smiling Namikaze Naruto inviting everyone to eat.

This Namikaze Naruto was nothing like the Naruto from their world—he was mature, calm, and considerate. Even Shikamaru had to admit that, personality-wise, this world's Naruto was more mature and stable, and easier to accept.

"Yeah, they're like two different people."

Shikamaru nodded lightly, and Ino snorted, "Our Naruto? We were so good to him, but what did he do? He hurt everyone."

Here, this world's Sasuke was even shyer and gentler, and he and Namikaze Naruto were like twin stars, both smiling and welcoming everyone.

And their counterparts in this world—they all looked at each other and smiled.

"I'll come visit when I can."

"So troublesome." The two Shikamarus looked at each other, and the more mature one scratched his head, but couldn't hide his joy.

"Tch, no matter which world, I'm always this pretty."

The two Inos smiled at each other, admiring their beauty.

The biggest difference was Hinata—this world's Hinata, though younger, was full of big sister energy.

She firmly held the lead, even Namikaze Naruto and Sasuke were helpless before her.

"Come on, little Hinata, don't be so shy—even if it's just juice, drink up!"

"You're still young, no drinking."

The two Hinatas together, with the big sister Hinata hugging her counterpart, looked delighted.

"Who would have thought this world could be so magical?"

Everyone marveled. This time, neither Sakura nor Naruto from their world had come.

Naruto was because of his past mistakes, while Sakura's personality made everyone shake their heads—only Ino sighed quietly.

If Sakura didn't snap out of it soon, she might truly lose her friends.

The friends from both worlds, full of laughter, and others from this world, like Karin, Kimimaro, and Jūgo, were also present.

After this training period, the two groups had forged deep friendships.

Under the night sky, in a corner of the rooftop—

"It's kind of weird, like I'm looking at myself."

Kakashi scratched his head lazily, while the local Kakashi, full of energy, frowned and said, "You're too lazy! I can't believe how weak you are at your age."

How does it feel to be roasted by yourself? By your younger self, no less!

At this moment, Kakashi was speechless; he truly understood now.

"But your world's village is weak—letting those old geezers control Konoha for so many years."

Kakashi was speechless, but kept glancing at the sword on his counterpart's back—he realized this world's Kakashi hadn't given up his father's swordsmanship, and was even stronger for it.

"Haha, that's youth!"

If there was anyone you couldn't tell apart, it had to be the Blue Beast of Youth, Might Guy.

The two Guys, both in tears, hugged and shouted about "youth," making it impossible for everyone to tell which was their teacher.

The easiest to distinguish was Jiraiya—from the other world, he always had his unique marks.

"Ow, we're about to part, do we need to fight?"

Other-world Jiraiya, face bruised, looked sadly at this world's Jiraiya.

This world's Jiraiya raised his glass with a helpless look.

"Still searching for the Child of Destiny?"

Jiraiya's face turned green. He shook his head, "No! No! Never again!"

"That's right. I went through the same thing. Even the sages of Mount Myōboku were beaten every day. No matter your personality, you'll change after that. Who cares about the Child of Destiny—it's more important to live each day well."

At these heartfelt words, tears welled up in this world's Jiraiya's eyes. Who could imagine what he'd been through back then?

Whenever Uchiha Shirou was bored, he'd go to Mount Myōboku and give him a beating. No matter what you asked, he never answered! Every single day!

The old toads at Mount Myōboku went from shock to anger, then frustration, until finally, they gave up—beat us however you want.

"For a whole three months, neither I nor the toads knew what we'd done to offend Lord Hohage..."

"Now, even the Great Toad Sage doesn't dare mention the Child of Destiny—he just sleeps."

The best way to counter talk-no-jutsu is to beat them up!

Like Naruto—his most powerful talk-no-jutsu is after a beating, then he'll talk excitedly about his dreams, totally ignoring whether he can do it or keep his promises.

Like promising Nagato to care for the Hidden Rain Village, but even in Boruto it's still a mess.

Those promises were just Naruto's excited words, confident he could do anything at the time, but never remembering them after. Can you blame him?

"If I'd known, I wouldn't have come."

Jiraiya rubbed his bruised mouth, utterly miserable.

In this world, he couldn't summon either of the two old toads, couldn't use Sage Mode, and could only take a beating.

But his time here wasn't wasted; his Sage Jutsu had matured, and he was shocked by Konoha's strength in this world.

It was the strongest in the ninja world, controlling half the world's power.

If the order was given, they could start a war for unification.

"Truly terrifying military power."

Wincing in pain, sipping sake, Jiraiya couldn't help but sigh.

"Yeah, I wondered too, but after all these years, I've seen a lot."

The Jiraiya of this world spoke with a sigh, recounting what he'd witnessed.

"I saw two villages that were mortal enemies forced to live in peace under overwhelming strength. Maybe the older generation was full of hatred, but when they were forbidden to spread it, the younger generation began to get to know each other, marry...

Eventually, with the birth of new life, the old grudges faded into memory. For them, their grandchildren's happiness replaced old hatred..."

With a drink, Jiraiya shook his head again.

"Look at Konoha now—ninjas from countless countries have joined, especially families from the Hidden Mist. During the First and Second Wars, we were enemies, but now everyone follows the Will of Fire. No one can shake this power, so people learn to accept, to live together. The new generation at the ninja academy is full of laughter—there's no more hatred."

As this world's Jiraiya spoke, the other-world Jiraiya fell silent.

So this was Uchiha Shirou's vision of peace—unifying the ninja world!

He'd already done it, showing everyone what the future could look like, proving his peace wasn't just an illusion.

As long as he was around, as long as this power remained!

As the old generation passed, old hatreds would vanish in history, just like when the ninja villages were first founded.

"Such an ambitious, daring, wild—but real—peace."

In the end, the two Jiraiyas clinked glasses and smiled.

They too had always pursued peace but had placed their hopes on the Child of Destiny.

How was Uchiha Shirou's way any different from that of the Child of Destiny?

So Jiraiya never changed—he always stuck to his ninja way.

Uchiha Shirou was the Child of Destiny they'd been looking for!

PS; I guess bold Hinata was 15-16 years old when she did it with Shirou.