Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou

"Uchiha Yashiro, Uchiha Inabi, and Uchiha Tekka, thank you, Captain Fugaku/Senpai, and thank you, Captain Shirou!"

Inside the war tent, Inabi and Tekka, two young Chunin who had just awakened their Sharingan, shouted excitedly, their voices filled with enthusiasm. This time, they had already changed the way they addressed him.

The title "Captain" represented their recognition and respect.

Even Uchiha Yashiro was bowing respectfully, and this scene brought a smile to Shirou's face.

This was merely the beginning—a starting point to take control of his destiny and fulfill his dreams.

Watching Shirou nurture loyal followers, Uchiha Fugaku not only showed no dissatisfaction but even revealed a satisfied smile.

He knew very well Shirou's contributions to the clan and his character. A man like him would one day become a vital ally when Fugaku ascended to the position of the clan leader, someone who could stand alongside him to face everything for the clan.

"Shirou-kun, you must be careful on this mission."

"Thank you for your concern, Brother Fugaku."

With that, Shirou left the tent with a broad smile, leading the three others. Although it was raining heavily outside, his mood at this moment felt like a blossoming flower.

"Captain Shirou, does this mission require confidentiality?"

Walking on the muddy ground, compared to the excitement written all over Inabi and Tekka's faces, Yashiro appeared more solemn as he carefully inquired about the details of this mission.

Shirou, approachable and friendly, smiled as he began explaining the mission to the three of them while walking.

When Shirou finished his explanation, Inabi and Tekka exchanged glances and immediately showed serious expressions.

"Captain Shirou, rest assured. We will protect the mining area and complete the mission."

Seeing the youthful yet determined gazes of Inabi and Tekka, Shirou and Yashiro exchanged a glance, both smiling.

Shirou waved his hand, speaking to the two with a smile:

"This mission is not just about the surface task. More importantly, we need to strengthen trust with our teammates, who include ninjas from the Senju, Hyuga, and Aburame clans."

As UShirou continued to elaborate, the two young Chunin finally realized there was far more to this mission than they had initially thought.

"The three of you were carefully chosen by me—not just because of your talent and strength, but because of your strong hearts!"

Under Shirou's encouraging smile, the young Uchiha ninjas, as expected, brightened up with excitement. At this point, even if they were assigned a mission with no chance of survival, they would likely accept it without hesitation.

"For years, our Uchiha clan has not been viewed favorably within the village. You should be well aware of this. Unlike some of our more rigid clan members, I believe you can handle things properly."

"Moreover, the teammates participating in this mission are reliable and trustworthy. I believe in you."

Motivated by Shirou's words, both Inabi and Tekka nodded fervently. Trusting teammates? They could handle that easily. Normally, they might look down on others, but this time, their teammates were from prominent families, which naturally curbed their arrogance.

"Captain Shirou, don't worry! We won't disgrace the honor of the Uchiha clan!"

"Good. Go prepare now; we'll gather and set off tomorrow morning."

"Yes, sir!"

Encouraged by Shirou, the two left, brimming with excitement, as if they had been injected with pure adrenaline. Meanwhile, Yashiro, who had remained calm throughout, silently observed the entire scene.

He couldn't help but admire Shirou's skillful leadership. This was what it meant to be a true leader. A Uchiha who only possessed power would inevitably bring disaster upon themselves due to their arrogance.

After the two left, Yashiro asked calmly, his tone serious, "Captain Shirou, is there anything else about this mission that I should be aware of?"

There was something subtly unusual about this mission. With his wealth of experience, Yashiro had sensed it, but he knew the best course of action was to ask the mission captain directly.

Looking at Yashiro's calm demeanor, Shirou's smile deepened with satisfaction.

"Yashiro, I've heard of your accomplishments in the police force. For this mission, I hope you can manage relations between the Uchiha and the other ninjas, in addition to overseeing the mining operation."

Shirou's words carried a tone of trust. They also conveyed a deeper message—your talent might not be the best, but your calm and strategic mind is what I value most. I'm willing to provide you with the resources you need from the clan.

Although Yashiro's strength was decent, at his age within the Uchiha clan, being a Two-Tomoe Sharingan user and a Special Jonin wasn't considered top-tier.

This awkward position, coupled with the clan's lack of generational change over the years, had left him without opportunities.

Finally given this chance, Yashiro nodded solemnly.

"I understand, Captain Shirou. Don't worry. I won't let you down. Inabi and Tekka will handle relations with our teammates, while I'll take care of the other ninjas."

Yashiro clearly understood the underlying meaning of the conversation. While Inabi and Tekka would follow orders, their inherent pride made it difficult for them to build relationships with weaker or ordinary ninjas.

Thus, Yashiro's point was that while the two would handle relations with the major clans, he would pay attention to the others.

Having someone to share the workload was a great relief for Shirou, who smiled warmly and nodded.

"Then I'll leave it to you, Yashiro. After all, in terms of mission experience, you're our senior."

"Captain Shirou, you're too kind."

Through this brief exchange, the two gained a deeper understanding of and trust in each other.

As Yashiro left, he quietly breathed a sigh of relief. At the same time, he felt fortunate—the rumors about Uchiha Shirou were true.

He was bright, approachable, and devoid of arrogance in his demeanor. His pride was ingrained in his bones, not worn on his face.

If it had been another arrogant Uchiha acting superior, Yashiro would have been in for a headache.

Watching Yashiro leave, Shirou couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.

"Two young Chunin with great talent and potential, especially having just awakened their Sharingan due to the war, and one experienced, calm Special Jonin."

Thinking this over, Shirou squinted slightly. Inabi and Tekka could be trained into loyal enforcers, while he owed Yashiro a debt of gratitude for recognizing his worth.

Without Shirou's intervention, someone like Yashiro—at his age and with his current abilities—would likely have been dismissed as having no further potential. But Shirou had given him a chance, a final hope.

"Now, it's time to meet the other teammates. After all, for a long-term mission, maintaining trust is essential."

In the rain, Shirou smiled as he went to visit his teammates one by one, starting with those from prominent clans like the Hyuga and Senju, and finally those with civilian backgrounds but noteworthy talent.

By familiarizing himself with his teammates and leaving a positive impression, he laid the groundwork for the cooperation they would need over the long term.