On the battlefield of Konoha, in the rear medical area:
"Who would have thought this book was written by Lord Shirou."
"Isn't that surprising? I started reading it back when I was in the Ninja Academy."
Inside the large tent for injured ninjas, two Konoha ninjas wrapped in bandages finally found a moment to relax, teasing each other with smiles.
One of them was holding a red book, his face full of emotion:
"When I read this book in the Ninja Academy, I thought it was too real—as if I were looking at another version of myself. Later, the passionate journey of becoming a Chūnin and then a Jōnin inspired me at the time.
But now, here I am, still a Chūnin. This book has truly accompanied me through my youth. As the story progressed, I realized it contained the kind of wisdom only a mature ninja could understand."
He held up the book with a solemn expression and said:
"This book taught me the meaning of life. I just hope I can see how it ends before I die in battle. Otherwise, it would be such a pity."
His companion laughed and retorted:
"Get out of here! You're only eighteen, and Lord Shirou is just twenty-three. Once the war is over, you'll finish it."
Despite the humor, a glint of hope and determination shone in their eyes. Everyone wanted to survive, but the cruel nature of war was beyond their control.
Elsewhere in the massive tent, countless injured ninjas exchanged conversations. Many had the same book by their bedside.
"Medical ninja, do you have any more copies of Lord Shirou's book?"
A middle-aged Konoha ninja, blind in one eye, smiled ingratiatingly at a passing medical ninja. She shook her head helplessly but smiled as she replied:
"There aren't many copies during wartime, but you can borrow from each other. The medical divisions have some, but those are signed personally by Lord Shirou."
Even Uchiha Shirou himself hadn't anticipated this. His book had become popular not only among the medical divisions but also among the police force. Whether out of admiration or curiosity, almost every ninja owned a copy. During the war, the book had been brought to the rear medical camps, spreading once again.
In the oppressive atmosphere of war, the passionate and inspirational mid-story of My Struggle provided much-needed relief.
The realistic portrayal of ninja life in the early and middle sections, combined with the relentless drive to overcome challenges, resonated deeply with younger ninjas.
More experienced and mature ninjas, however, appreciated the philosophical reflections in the later parts of the book.
It was a story encompassing raw truth, youthful passion, and profound insights into the ninja world and life itself.
"Special Jōnin Tajima, fine! Since you're recovering, I'll lend you my treasured copy. But don't damage it!"
The middle-aged female medical ninja reluctantly handed over her well-preserved book from her ninja tool pouch.
The one-eyed Special Jōnin Tajima grinned and nodded enthusiastically:
"Don't worry, I'll treat it like my own life."
Flipping through the book to pass the time, Tajima's sharp ninja instincts quickly noticed that certain parts of the book had been read countless times.
Although it was clean, the subtle wear gave it away.
"Who knew Big Sister Sakurako likes to skip around when reading," Tajima teased with a chuckle.
The middle-aged female medical ninja, Sakurako, laughed and nodded:
"Maybe I've been through too much. While I love the earlier parts, the later sections resonate differently each time I read them, especially the parts filled with life's philosophies."
Sakurako finished her examination of his bandaged eye and reminded him again:
"Your new eye is adjusting well. You'll be discharged in two days. Remember to return the book beforehand."
Tajima waved dismissively and joked:
"Fine, fine, Big Sister Sakurako. If there's even a wrinkle on it, I'll let you crush me."
"Get lost! My kids are older than you," Sakurako retorted with a laugh and moved on to check other patients.
Tajima lay back on his bed, holding the book, savoring the rare moment of peace.
Sunlight streamed through the tent, and as Tajima read, he unknowingly became engrossed in the book.
Even when Sakurako passed by his bed on her way out, he didn't notice her. She glanced at him, shook her head with a smile, and left quietly.
In the adjacent tent, where more heavily guarded patients were treated, the atmosphere was far more somber. The stench of disinfectant was overwhelming.
"The patient has severe kidney damage. If we don't perform a transplant soon…"
Thirteen-year-old Shizune was in the operating room, calmly assisting and taking notes.
"Search the prisoner camp for a compatible earth-natured organ…"
Nearby, in caves converted into prison cells, enemy ninja captives were held.
"Wow, you've got the guts to write this book," Tsunade remarked, glancing at Shirou with a mix of annoyance and amusement.
Shirou, who had just returned from the front lines, shrugged nonchalantly.
"What can I say, Sister Tsunade? I'm just writing the truth."
Tsunade smirked and mockingly scolded:
"It's a good thing we're in wartime, and the village still needs you. Otherwise, once this gets published, it'd be banned instantly."
My Struggle wasn't just a novel—it was a bold expression of Uchiha Shirou's political ideals.
It had its detractors and admirers.
Those who admired it were often powerful ninjas, while its critics were mostly civilians.
After all, it exposed truths many were unwilling to face.
At that moment, a middle-aged Jōnin, wearing a flak jacket and supporting his bandaged waist, approached with a grateful expression.
"Thank you, Lady Tsunade and Lord Shirou. Without your help, I don't know how I would've managed."
Tsunade nodded calmly, and Shirou smiled knowingly.
"We're all here for Konoha. You're heroes who've bled for the village, and we're just doing our part."
The Jōnin straightened up and responded firmly:
"For Konoha!"
A medical ninja approached, handing the man a vial of medicine and explaining:
"Sir, this is your medication. Take it as instructed. In the early stages, you'll need check-ups every two weeks for rejection, then once every three months."
Meanwhile, Shirou and Tsunade walked side by side, discussing the situation.
"A ninja's physique is different from an ordinary person's. Organ transplants require chakra compatibility, which is why we need these enemy captives…"
Shirou glanced at the rows of dark figures in the prison cells and frowned.
"I thought we had quite a few prisoners. Why are they all from the Land of Lightning?"
Tsunade smiled mischievously and replied:
"Who else? It's all thanks to Danzo. He had the Root division spread rumors that organs from the Land of Lightning are more durable and have lower rejection rates…"
After hearing these words, Shirou's eye twitched slightly. Truly, this was Danzo's style—seizing every opportunity to ruthlessly suppress the Hidden Cloud Village.
Konoha is widely recognized as having the highest medical standards in the shinobi world. If Konoha is operating like this, would other villages still take detours when pursuing similar advancements?
It's foreseeable that the ninjas from the Land of Lightning will become even more sought after in the shinobi world.
No wonder that before the war started, the military strength of the Hidden Cloud Village could still compete for second place alongside the Hidden Stone Village. Yet with internal division and such tactics at play, their strength was reduced to being on par with the Hidden Mist Village.
This, however, isn't about abusing power for personal gain. In the life-and-death battles of shinobi, injuries and disabilities—like losing an arm or a leg—are common, and there are still no good solutions for those. But when it comes to eyes, replacing them is relatively easy.
Even on the battlefield, where Rin Nohara, a mere Chunin with medical expertise, could perform eye transplants under pressure, it's clear how normalized such procedures have become in this warped shinobi world.
At the same time, it's also the most effective way to save countless allied shinobi.
As the two entered the tent, Tsunade raised an eyebrow and calmly looked at Shirou.
"I heard you caused quite a stir in the village this time. You even brought out the lost Uchiha Gunbai?"
Facing Tsunade, Shirou smiled and nodded.
"As I mentioned before, the Gunbai is more suited for Mikoto than for me. After all, it conflicts somewhat with my dojutsu."
Seeing how Shirou casually handed over the Gunbai to Mikoto, Tsunade chuckled, albeit with a hint of exasperation. Yet inwardly, she was filled with admiration.
Only someone with such a broad-minded outlook would be fit to become Hokage.
"But those old geezers are truly despicable. They even started saying, 'What Konoha needs is a young and powerful Hokage.' What's that supposed to mean? Are they insinuating that I'm not young anymore?!"
Tsunade slapped the table in frustration, clearly annoyed by the underhanded tactics of these elders.
"That's not all," Shirou said, shaking his head as he observed Tsunade's exasperation. "Before I came here, there were already rumors circulating in the village about Wood Release experiments. Pulling this stunt now is aimed at dragging you into the mud."
At this point, Shirou gave Tsunade a meaningful look, and she naturally understood, letting out a disdainful snort.
Using public opinion as a weapon again.
The Third Hokage was preparing to step down, but not without trying to drag Tsunade along with him. By leaking information about Wood Release experiments, it would appear to the public as though Tsunade, the granddaughter of the First Hokage, was conducting unethical research on her grandfather's cells.
At the same time, it would spread another message: the seeds of the Third Great Ninja War were sown when Tsunade began her Wood Release research—with the Third Hokage's approval, of course.
But since the Third Hokage was prepared to resign in disgrace, what about Tsunade?
In short, it was all about tarnishing her reputation.
"What a familiar and utterly disgusting tactic. I wouldn't be surprised if, after this, rumors start spreading that I sold the Senju Clan to the Uchiha," Tsunade said with a cold, mocking laugh. This particular rumor had been whispered about for years, even within her own Senju Clan.
After all, how could the younger members of the Senju Clan have teamed up with the Uchiha without her approval?
"Still, I have to admit, Sister Tsunade, I didn't expect you to be so bold," Shirou remarked. Even he had been surprised by her decision. While inter-clan marriages were common, the level of interaction between the younger generations seemed unusually high.
Tsunade, however, narrowed her eyes and remained silent. She had discovered some secrets but had yet to reveal them. It wasn't the right time.
"The Hidden Mist shot themselves in the foot this time. Because of the Three-Tails incident in the Land of Bears, they've fallen out with the Sand Village. Otherwise, the frontlines wouldn't have been this manageable. I suspect the war will end soon," Tsunade said with a sigh. After so many years of fighting, even she was feeling mentally exhausted.
Konoha had been fighting against four major villages, each seeing the chance for a piece of the pie. But now, with the Sand and Mist Villages potentially withdrawing, a one-against-two scenario?
There's no point in dragging this out.
"Let the Land of Bears continue to be chaotic; it'll give us a chance to catch our breath."
Inside Tsunade's private tent, her fatigue was evident. Shirou was momentarily speechless as he noticed her bare, pale feet peeking out from under her ninja shoes.
Tsunade leaned back languidly, her eyes half-closed in exhaustion as she said softly, "Shirou, once the war is over, no one in the village will be able to stop us."
"But your ambitions will still need careful preparation. After all, there's nothing more impactful than ending a war and defeating enemy nations."
Tsunade's half-lidded gaze carried an unusual hint of allure, which left Shirou momentarily stunned. Then, as if realizing something, he asked, "Sister Tsunade, do you have intel?"
"I've already started preparing. But gathering this intel wasn't cheap…"
With a seductive smile, Tsunade's bare foot lightly hooked onto his clothing, revealing his muscular physique.
Shirou smirked, playfully retorting, "Sister Tsunade, are you making me pay with my body?"
As their clothes were gradually cast aside, both of them smiled knowingly. The prolonged stress of the war weighed heavily, even on strong individuals like them.
Especially for Tsunade, who not only had to command on the frontlines but also oversee Konoha's medical and intelligence operations. The strain was undeniable.
Tsunade's skilled fingers traced up Shirou's thigh as she pushed him back against the desk, her honey-brown eyes glinting with mischief.
"Sister Tsunade, Shizune and Kurenai both have calm and meticulous personalities. If you train them well, they could take over some of your responsibilities in the future."
Shirou couldn't help but lament the distorted ideals of the shinobi world. The Hokage, despite being the village leader, was expected to handle even the most trivial matters.
Aside from a few department heads, most others in administrative roles were merely executors, not decision-makers. This meant that everything, big or small, ended up on the desks of the top leaders, who were reluctant to delegate authority.
"Shirou, you're surprisingly willing to delegate authority. But when you say 'in the future,' what exactly do you mean? Those two girls are already blossoming into beautiful young women," she purred, slowly unbuttoning his shirt to reveal his chiseled chest.
Shirou's eye twitched at her teasing, leaving him speechless.
"Sister Tsunade, they're still so young. How could I possibly—"
"And how old were Mikoto and Kushina back then?"
She leaned in close, her massive breasts pressing against him as she dragged her tongue along his neck. "Mmm... you taste delicious," she breathed, nipping at his sensitive skin. Her hands roamed his body, appreciating every hard muscle.
Shirou groaned as she ground against his growing bulge, his hands coming up to squeeze her plump ass. "So soft," he growled, spinning them around to pin her against the desk. He captured her lips in a deep, passionate kiss while his fingers worked to untie her top.
Her enormous breasts spilled free, nipples already hard and begging for attention. Shirou took one peak into his mouth, sucking and flicking it with his tongue while his hand kneaded the other soft mound.
"Ahh! Yes... just like that!" Tsunade moaned, arching into his touch.
His free hand slid down her toned stomach to slip beneath her skirt, finding her already soaking through her panties. He rubbed slow circles over her clothed clit as he continued lavishing attention on her sensitive breasts.
"Please... I need more!" she whimpered, spreading her legs wider. Shirou smirked and dropped to his knees, pushing her skirt up around her waist. He dragged her soaked panties down her legs with his teeth.
"So wet already," he murmured, breathing hot air over her dripping pussy. His tongue darted out to taste her, making her cry out and grab his hair.
Tsunade writhed as he devoured her, his skilled tongue alternating between fucking into her entrance and flicking her swollen clit. Two thick fingers joined his tongue, curling to hit that perfect spot inside her.
"Oh god... right there! Don't stop!"
Her thighs trembled around his head as she got close. Just before she could cum, Shirou pulled back with a wicked grin. Tsunade whined at the loss, but he silenced her with a deep kiss, letting her taste herself on his tongue.
"My turn," she purred, pushing him back to kneel before him. Her nimble fingers freed his throbbing cock, her eyes widening at his impressive size. She wrapped her huge breasts around his shaft, making him groan.
"Fuck... your tits feel amazing," Shirou gasped as she began moving them up and down his length. Her tongue darted out to lick his sensitive tip each time it appeared between her soft mounds.
Pre-cum leaked from his cock as she worked him with her breasts, occasionally taking him deep into her hot mouth. Just as his breathing grew ragged, she pulled back with a sultry smile...
"Please... I need you inside me now," Tsunade begged, spreading herself open for him on the desk...
Shirou gripped Tsunade's hips and slammed into her waiting pussy, making her cry out in ecstasy. "Fuck! So big!" she moaned as he stretched her walls. Her massive breasts bounced with each powerful thrust as he pounded her against the desk.
"You're so fucking tight," he growled, leaning down to suck and bite at her sensitive nipples. His cock hit deeper at this angle, making her scream in pleasure. Papers scattered everywhere as the desk creaked beneath them.
"Harder! Wreck my pussy!" Tsunade begged shamelessly, wrapping her legs around his waist to pull him deeper. Her nails raked down his back as he fucked her raw.
After bringing her to a screaming orgasm, Tsunade pushed him onto his back.
"My turn to ride that cock," she purred, straddling his hips. She sank down on his shaft with a loud moan, taking him to the base.
Her huge tits bounced hypnotically as she rode him hard and fast. Shirou gripped her plump ass, helping lift her up and down his length. "That's it... take my cock deep inside that tight pussy!"
"Yes! Fill me up!" she cried, grinding down on him. Her walls clenched around him as another orgasm approached.
Finally, he flipped her onto her back, hooking her legs over his shoulders. This position let him hit even deeper as he pounded her mercilessly. "Gonna cum inside you," he growled.
"Please! Fill my pussy with your hot cum!" Tsunade screamed as her walls spasmed around him. With a final deep thrust, Shirou buried himself to the hilt and flooded her eager pussy with thick ropes of cum.
They collapsed together in sweaty satisfaction, sharing lazy kisses as their mixed fluids leaked from her well-fucked hole.