The Gathering Storm

Friction on the front lines had escalated into conflict. Kumogakure had deployed a force of ninja into the Land of Hot Water, which bordered the Land of Fire, and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki had reportedly been spotted.

Upon hearing this news, Mu Yue knew that the Third Great Ninja War was not far off.

Or rather, it had already begun, just not yet erupted on a full scale.

As the former body had been a Root ninja, it knew a little more than ordinary ninja did.

Ever since White Fang's suicide the previous year, undercurrents had begun stirring throughout the ninja world. Whether it was Kumogakure, Iwagakure, or Sunagakure, all of them were restless.

When Mu Yue had merely watched anime, he had thought White Fang was no different from any other famous powerhouse.

But after inheriting the original owner's memories, he finally understood the weight behind the title White Fang.

Others became famous by tying with or defeating some renowned expert. White Fang was different—he became famous through killing, through his terrifyingly high killing efficiency.

Wielding a Chakra Blade, he became a merciless mowing machine on the battlefield. Whether one was a genin or a jonin, a flash of white light meant instant death.

It was not that White Fang's strength surpassed everyone else's, making him the strongest in the ninja world. Rather, his fighting style was especially suited to crushing weaker opponents. Anyone weaker than him could easily be killed in a second.

With Konoha having lost such a fierce warrior, the other ninja villages would naturally covet the opportunity.

Kumogakure and Iwagakure in particular had suffered few losses during the Second Ninja World War. Having developed to this point, they believed they now had the strength to challenge the number one village.

"Those damned Kumogakure ninja, can't they settle down for once? It feels like war is about to break out again," Ueda Aya sighed.

"If Lord White Fang were still alive, they definitely wouldn't dare act so arrogantly," Iketani Isamu said indignantly.

"It'll be fine. We still have Lord Third, Lord Orochimaru, and the others. We'll definitely win just like before," Kimura Sugito said, trying to lighten the mood.

"If war breaks out, will our teachers receive combat assignments too?" Mu Yue asked the question that concerned him most.

He did not want to leave the Ninja Academy. Although he could still grow stronger by training on his own, how could that compare to having cheats?

"That depends on how intense the war becomes. If it gets too fierce, some teachers may be assigned to different units according to their specialties," Ueda Aya replied.

Hearing Ueda Aya's words, Mu Yue could only pray silently to God and the Daoist Patriarch, hoping they would pick him later—or, preferably, not pick him at all.

After all, during the Third Great Ninja War, Konoha fought all four of the other Great Ninja Villages. It could be said to have been exceptionally intense, and they definitely would not overlook the strength of Ninja Academy teachers then.

Mu Yue was not afraid of going to the battlefield. What he feared was being sent there before he had properly developed.

This Third Great Ninja War was truly exceptionally dangerous. First, the Five Great Ninja Villages would fight each other to the death, and then Uchiha Madara and Black Zetsu would be plotting in the shadows.

"Teacher Hanyu, you don't need to worry about that. We're the number one ninja village. It won't come to the point where even teachers like us have to go to the battlefield," Kimura Sugito said with complete confidence in Konoha.

"It's not that I'm worried about going to the battlefield. I was just asking so I can prepare for combat when the time comes," Mu Yue said with a smile.

Though he did not really want to go, he definitely could not say something like that out loud.

Mu Yue stopped talking and began practicing calligraphy. Only when the class bell rang did he head toward Class 1-1.

Mu Yue looked into the classroom from the doorway. The clouds of war had not affected the children's joy, and the room was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

"Brother, how was my brilliant plan? Did it get your cousin completely under control?" Two days had already passed, and Kotetsu Hagane was curious about Izumo Kamizuki's results.

"Ah, don't mention it. Brother, your strategy was good, but my cousin is just too cunning. After I followed your plan, he actually used the exact same method against me!" Izumo Kamizuki said with a frustrated expression.

At first, it had worked quite well, getting his cousin thoroughly scolded by their aunt. But what he had not expected was—

Before he could take the next step, his cousin directly gave him a taste of his own medicine. He was a child, but his cousin was only a year older than him, so he was a child too.

In the end, the two went back and forth, each getting scolded and beaten. They could only call a truce and jointly designate that poisonous scheme as a forbidden "Forbidden Jutsu."

"There is actually such a treacherous fellow," Kotetsu Hagane said with feeling.

"Your cousin is truly too cunning. I can't think of any strategy for the moment either," Kotetsu Hagane said apologetically.

"It's fine, Brother Izumo. You've already given me several good ideas. Tell me about your troubles too, and I'll help share your burden," Izumo Kamizuki said, preparing to repay the favor.

"There's a girl next door whom I have a very good impression of, but I don't know how to get closer to her." Kotetsu Hagane hesitated for a moment, but ultimately said it.

"Isn't that simple? Just give her something she likes," Izumo Kamizuki suggested.

Kotetsu Hagane thought about it and found it quite reasonable. "Whenever she passes by my house, she often looks toward our flowerbed. She probably likes flowers, and it seems her family doesn't grow any."

"Then give her flowers! She'll definitely be grateful to you," Izumo Kamizuki said firmly.

"Ahem. Class is starting," Mu Yue coughed twice, reminding everyone that class had begun.

The somewhat noisy classroom instantly fell silent, leaving only Mu Yue's voice as he taught.

Though they had only spent four days together, everyone liked Mu Yue, a teacher whose lessons were relaxed and interesting, and they obediently listened to him of their own accord.

Lesson complete

Evaluation: A

Reward obtained: Water Release: Water Formation Wall

Upon seeing the name of the Ninjutsu, information about the Water Formation Wall flashed through Mu Yue's mind.

It was a B-rank Water Release Ninjutsu that created a wall of water in front of the user to block attacks.

It was worth noting that Tobirama's Water Formation Wall differed from everyone else's. Tobirama could simply draw a circle and create a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree defense with no blind spots around himself.

As he examined the suddenly acquired knowledge in his mind, Mu Yue discovered that he had mastered the Water Release Chakra Nature Transformation he had not known before.

Thinking about it, Mu Yue realized that made sense. If it had not given him knowledge of nature transformation, he would not have been able to use Water Release at all.

Mu Yue silently gave the thoughtful system a thumbs-up.

After school, Mu Yue brought Shisui to the training spot he had found by the small river in the southern forest.

"You've already mastered the Great Fireball quite well. Today, I'll teach you a new Fire Release Ninjutsu," Mu Yue said, laying out the day's training plan.

As soon as he finished speaking, Mu Yue clapped his hands together and instantly spat out three enormous Fire Dragons. Under his control, the Fire Dragons circled through the sky before plunging straight into the water, evaporating a huge amount of river water and causing white steam to continuously billow up from the river's surface.

"Great Dragon Fire Technique." Shisui recognized the Fire Release at once. He had seen an Uchiha jonin use this Ninjutsu before.

It was precisely because he recognized it that he was even more shocked. Mu Yue had actually spat out three Fire Dragons in one breath—and formed only a single hand seal.

Shisui grew increasingly curious about Mu Yue's strength.

"Watch closely. I'll demonstrate it for you once more." Mu Yue knew from Shisui's expression that he had achieved the effect he wanted.

What rotten luck. My phone fell into the water. I hope it isn't broken.