Dark Clouds of War

A month had passed since the meeting within Konoha.

The shadow of war once again hung over the entire Ninja World.

Ever since the end of the Second Great Ninja War, dark clouds of war had never truly left the Ninja World.

Just as Sosuke Aizen had predicted, this world held an extraordinarily peculiar obsession with war and bloodshed.

Almost everyone was certain that the Third Shinobi World War would erupt soon. Though its outbreak had been inevitable, its sudden arrival still caught people off guard.

The two great powers, Konoha and Sunagakure, had suffered consecutive incidents—and the two sets of events were even connected.

Konoha's White Fang, and the Kazekage and Sasori.

Wasn't that quite the coincidence? White Fang had just committed suicide, and then the Kazekage and the Kazekage's geniuses died.

Information had a shelf life. The news people received changed constantly, and the actual confirmation might have come much later.

But whether it was Konoha's White Fang's death or the Third Kazekage, his guard squad, and the genius's disappearance, they were undoubtedly major events that had occurred extremely close together—perhaps even simultaneously.

Although Konoha vehemently denied that White Fang's death had anything to do with Sunagakure, insisting that they themselves had driven White Fang to death, intelligence gathered by the various nations had painted a picture in the minds of the other great powers.

During the recent frictions, Sunagakure, being closest to Konoha, had performed too prominently because of its genius and the strongest Kazekage in history. Konoha had thus decided to expend enormous effort on a scheme, forcibly sending Konoha's White Fang into Sunagakure to trade pieces.

One Konoha White Fang in exchange for the strongest Kazekage, the Shadow Guard, and the most promising puppet master genius.

It could only be called worthwhile.

Konoha might have lost a White Fang, but the Sand Ninja were practically wiped off the map.

Konoha had plenty of Ninja at White Fang's level. As for Sunagakure's upper ranks, the pot had been scrubbed clean—nothing remained.

And as for claims that some so-called mission had caused a public opinion offensive that drove Konoha's White Fang to suicide, not even ghosts would believe that, right?

How could they possibly eliminate their strongest assault-type Ninja over a minor matter and political dispute? That would be treating everyone else's intelligence networks like a joke.

Besides, there had indeed been rumors that White Fang had secretly carried out some classified mission and never returned. Though the rumor had circulated for only one day before being swiftly suppressed, that only made everyone more certain it was true.

Widely spread news was often false, but secret information was often real. Such cruel and forceful conduct made the people of the Ninja World marvel at Konoha's resolve. Hiruzen Sarutobi had even gained another title besides Professor of Ninjutsu, who had mastered all five chakra natures: Ninja Hero.

On one hand, people marveled at the Third Hokage's toughness and fearsomeness. On the other, they earnestly reorganized their forces and prepared for war, terrified that Konoha might launch a long-range surprise attack.

The Ninja World's previously chaotic yet orderly state was swiftly shattered by Konoha and the Sand Ninja.

But Konoha knew its own affairs. Who the hell knew how the Third Kazekage had died? It had nothing to do with them.

But when mud fell into your pants, even if it wasn't shit, it looked like shit. Especially since, after Konoha's White Fang died, the Third Hokage and Danzo had ordered a plan to muddy the waters. Though it had only been carried out for one day, once someone caught their tail, there was no explaining it away.

Under such circumstances, Konoha could only swallow its anger and begin war mobilization. They could not show weakness; showing weakness at a time like this would mean being surrounded and beaten.

They had been in much the same situation during the Second Great Ninja War, but it was best avoided if possible.

Amid an eerie atmosphere, the entire Ninja World began reorganizing its forces and preparing for war.

Even the schools and villages that should not have been affected were filled with a bleak, cold atmosphere.

If things had unfolded normally as they had in the past, Konoha would probably have seen bullying and social conflicts born of anxiety reach a new peak.

But due to the enforcement of new Acting Advisor Sosuke Aizen's related mutual-aid policies, Konoha's overall atmosphere remained relatively good.

Still, the anxiety could not be erased. The silence before the first shots were fired was the most agonizing part. Everyone began performing their duties, while a silent yet restless mood spread through Konoha, carrying even a trace of fanaticism.

It was not as though no one believed Konoha was the strongest in the world and could take on all four opponents and wipe them out. Konoha was number one in the world—this sentiment existed not only among the villagers, but among the Ninja as well.

Fortunately, the Hokage, Advisors, and Elders all remained calm and rational. While maintaining normal order, they still did their best to preserve a healthy public atmosphere.

But at a time like this, Sosuke Aizen, as Acting Advisor, was inevitably overwhelmed with work, and the development of many Ninjutsu and related techniques fell upon his bargain son, Kakashi. After all, Blut Vene was also a strategic technique Konoha valued greatly and could not simply abandon.

And today was the final day of Kakashi Hatake's testing for the improved version of Blut Vene.

Surrounded by Jonin and Chunin, Kakashi Hatake—who had earned Chunin qualification through his own strength a week earlier—stood calmly in the center of the training ground.

As Chakra circulated through his body, countless azure streams of Chakra spread through blood vessels that had been corrected and modified by Medical Ninja. The sensing fluid applied beneath his skin revealed sharply defined markings across his body.

Compared to the Blut Vene Aizen had developed, which could only cling to the body's surface, the blue glow of Kakashi's Blut Vene had begun spreading even across his clothing. Pale blue defensive ripples of Blut Vene appeared over his Konoha Vest, leggings, and forehead protector.

"...I'm ready."

Kakashi, covered from head to toe in Blut Vene markings, calmly nodded at the research Ninja operating the instruments.

The testing Ninja quickly finished calibrating the data and raised their hands toward the people in the field. Clear instructions came through the loudspeakers.

"The thirteenth Blut Vene test officially begins."

"Phase one: Ninjutsu Test."

At the command, the Chunin who had been waiting around the field for some time instantly began forming hand seals and unleashed numerous Ninjutsu.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball!"

"Water Release: Water Ripple!"

"Lightning Release: Earth Current!"

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

The first wave of four Ninjutsu immediately turned the field into a chaotic cloud of smoke. Yet amid the chaos, the loudspeaker continued issuing commands without mercy.

"Phase two: Slashing Test."

"Clang!"

In almost an instant, the thick fog over the battlefield was blown away. Dozens of kunai and Shuriken shot toward Kakashi, who stood where he was. They stopped against his body in the blink of an eye, then fell to the ground in a scattered heap.

Facing the Chunin's attacks, Kakashi did not even move. He simply watched the Ninja calmly as they continued casting Ninjutsu and throwing weapons.

"Phase three: Taijutsu Test."

Several Ninja specializing in Taijutsu then sprang from the shadows, using all kinds of Konoha-style Taijutsu to punch and kick six-year-old Kakashi.

For a while, the scene looked extremely bloody and brutal, like several adults ganging up to bully a child. But no matter how they used Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, or weapons to attack him, Kakashi remained standing in place, calmly watching them.

Only several minutes later, when the Chunin's Chakra was nearly depleted, did the loudspeaker announce that the experiment had completely ended.

"This test has concluded. It has now been confirmed that Blut Vene can withstand all ordinary Chunin-level methods of attack."

"Alright, please leave in an orderly manner."

"Research Ninja, please take note of the relevant arrangements and matters..."

"There are several points that require attention regarding standard deployment..."

Perhaps because of the war, few people came forward to congratulate him after this remarkable technique had been improved. Instead, everyone tensely took the data and began analyzing it.

Only a somewhat kind-looking middle-aged man approached. Watching Kakashi brush the dust from himself as he prepared to leave, he revealed a slightly stiff smile.

"Well then, it seems the preliminary improvement of Blut Vene has been completed. Congratulations. Kakashi, is there anything you want?"

"No."

"The recent environment hasn't been very good. There's no need to be so distant, Kakashi. Besides, Aizen asked us to look after you. We ought to properly treat you at least once, shouldn't we?"

"Really, no. If there's nothing else, I'll head back first."

"What an unlikable child... Go on, then. Give Advisor Aizen my regards."

"Mm."

That guy should be the Acting Advisor...

With random thoughts turning in his mind, Kakashi calmly tossed the middle-aged man's request aside and began running along the rooftops toward Aizen's home.

Kakashi Hatake was a genius boy.

Why was he called a genius? Because after assessing the situation, he had decided to grit his teeth and become this adopted son.

Though he was only six, he was already a Genin. He had even secretly tested whether he could graduate early, and there had been no problem. He had completed several missions too, all without telling the school or his father. He had seen many things and understood many things.

In this world, even six-year-old children needed to understand such things. He had no reason to refuse Sosuke Aizen's invitation. Thus, he had successfully shed the identity of Son of the White Fang and become Aizen's Adopted Son. The covert contempt and gossip still existed, but no one dared say such things directly anymore.

That gave Kakashi a little goodwill toward Aizen. But not much.

Do we have guests?

Landing in the courtyard, Kakashi found it strange to see the lights in Aizen's Writing Room still brightly lit, and he walked over.

Ordinarily, Kakashi was supposed to receive guests. Though he was merely an adopted son and did not get along with Aizen very well, he still needed to understand basic etiquette. That was the way to survive.

But when he clearly saw the figure seated inside, Kakashi found it somewhat strange. The person was not wearing Konoha's green vest, but a White Haori like Sosuke Aizen's.

...Are there Ninja in Konoha who wear haori too?

Looking at the Ninja seated upright in the Writing Room, with messy hair and a haori draped over him, Kakashi Hatake thought strangely.