Omens of War

The year at the Ninja Academy had brought Yayoi many benefits.

For example, he had gained a sparring partner. Yan had greatly improved his combat experience.

He had also learned plenty of Uchiha-style taijutsu, which he had gladly accepted. According to Yan, his strength might have reached the level of a Chunin.

And they had done all that without using any ninjutsu, just sparring.

Except for this time.

He was very satisfied, because he still had five years before he would take part in the war.

He was confident that he could raise his strength to Jonin level within five years.

And with Blood Rage as his trump card, as long as he didn't recklessly get himself killed on the battlefield, it would be almost impossible for him to die.

When he had first arrived in this world, he had truly underestimated the talent of the Senju Bloodline. Now, combined with Dragon Blood, he could almost be called heaven's chosen.

With no need to worry about the threat of war, the weight on his shoulders had eased considerably.

So he had started a research project.

He spent a fortune purchasing various experimental materials, preparing to investigate the secrets of his Dragon Blood and Six Paths bloodline.

First, he took a sample of his own blood to observe.

He discovered that his blood had an extraordinarily strong tendency to invade.

Under the microscope, Yayoi's cells devoured the cells of a white mouse at an astonishing rate, as if they wouldn't allow the cells of any other creature to compare with their own.

It was an extreme display of dominance that made Yayoi think of the pinnacle of life in the Ninja World, Hashirama Senju.

As a member of the Senju Clan in this life, his physical constitution could be called the human peak.

His cells had an ability to devour others like cancer cells, multiplying endlessly, and they even carried his chakra.

It seemed that his cells now had a trace of the same trait. He didn't know whether it was related to the Senju Bloodline.

But it was hard to say. Perhaps it came from the invasive nature of Dragon Blood, or perhaps something had happened when the two combined.

Yayoi recorded the experimental data and research findings on his computer.

He truly hadn't expected that, in another world—especially one that seemed so backward—he would still be able to find things like microscopes and computers. It was incredible.

Now he could make full use of his abilities.

He didn't need to study them himself. The Mirror Eye's analytical ability saved him a great deal of time, allowing him to master them at once.

He had analyzed and reassembled the computer with his Mirror Eye. If anyone entered the wrong password, it would immediately crash.

If anyone found the blood samples hidden in the false compartment, that would trigger a crude mechanism behind the computer. It would release a chemical that destroyed the blood's activity.

That way, he wouldn't have to worry about some bored Ninja deciding to investigate him and accidentally uncovering something big.

After finishing his observations for the day, Yayoi turned off the computer and took a block of wood out of his pocket.

Then he picked up a carving knife and began practicing his carving.

Alchemy had been one of his main subjects in his previous life.

When Yayoi had first entered Kaser and encountered alchemy, the legendary field of study, he had chosen it without hesitation.

Although afterward he regretted it once every three days and regretted it badly once every five, the threat of failing his courses had still forced him to study hard.

As for the high-risk work of dragon slaying for extra credit, he wouldn't have dared touch it even with ten times the courage.

Sigh...

Yayoi carved the block of wood with his knife. Alchemy didn't require learning how to carve, but for a beginner like him...

In the Ninja World, where there was no printing technology, carving was still necessary.

He hadn't learned it before, and now he'd paid the price. He had to make up for it.

Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to make Alchemical Weapons later.

A good weapon could make a huge difference to a warrior, especially an Alchemical Weapon imbued with an attribute.

The soft scrape of wood shavings continued. Yayoi didn't grow impatient; he quieted his mind and carved bit by bit.

This was a kind of training, too: training in patience.

Since ancient times, it had been said that only those who could endure loneliness could become strong.

The evening glow filled the sky, obscuring the setting sun. As the rosy clouds gradually faded, a knock sounded at the door.

Only then did Yayoi realize that a long time had passed.

He opened the door, and sure enough, it was Yan.

Her purple hair fell over her shoulders. As gentle as ever, she smiled with eyes shaped like little crescents, looking lovely.

Yan knew where he lived. He didn't know how she had found out, but he had never asked.

"Sorry, I was so focused that I lost track of time," Yayoi said apologetically.

"No worries. You're right on time."

Yan shook her head, dimples appearing on her pretty face.

Konoha at night was hardly any quieter than it was during the day.

With the Five Great Villages dominating the Ninja World, Konoha controlled the Land of Fire's richest land and resources.

And after winning the Great Ninja War, merchants had flocked to Konoha. Whether in business or trade, they could make a decent profit in the Land of Fire.

Enjoying the benefits of war, with high security and great profits, Konoha had developed rapidly.

During summer vacation, the cool evening breeze made Konoha at night even more lively than it was during the day.

The students on summer break ran mischievously all over the village.

The lights in every home and the happy smiles on people's faces formed a prosperous scene that deeply moved Yan, who had always been so lonely.

"It's prosperous, isn't it?"

"Yeah."

"Can this prosperity last forever?"

Yan asked.

"No. War is already on its way. This is probably the last stretch of peace."

Yayoi sighed.

In Year 30 of Konoha, the Uzumaki Clan would be wiped out by a force led by Kirigakure, and war would be just around the corner.

Unless something unexpected happened, war would begin soon. The prosperity before them was no more than an illusion.

"War... Why does there have to be a war?"

Yan didn't understand. She looked at Yayoi and asked.

"Because things aren't distributed equally. Konoha may look like it's thriving, but in the Ninja World, most people can barely get enough to eat.

"Even the other villages have raised too many Ninja during these past few years of brief peace.

"Sunagakure in particular has a harsh environment. It's surrounded by desert, so they can't grow crops and lack water. They also lost the war, and Konoha took some of their mission orders. They can't afford to support any more Ninja.

"People are greedy. In their eyes, the Land of Fire—the richest land, controlled by Konoha—is a big, juicy prize.

"They won't stop until they've taken a bite, unless their own losses are too severe.

"And after a war, when so many Ninja have died or been wounded, the villages can afford to support the Ninja who remain."

They strolled as they talked. Seeing Yan lost in thought over what he had said, Yayoi stopped elaborating and went straight to the point.

"Don't think too much about that for now. All you need to do is grow up healthy. So, how about some barbecue?"

Yayoi turned to look at Yan beside him, not wanting her to keep thinking about it.

Who knew what was going on in that little head of hers? As long as she didn't turn out like that dutiful son, he'd be happy.

He remembered the story of the dutiful son Itachi all too well. He could never forget it. It was the main reason he had been prejudiced against the Uchiha Clan at first. The story had left too deep an impression.

"Yayoi-kun, you really know a lot. You even know about things like that."

Yan tilted her head, curious.

She really wanted to understand Yayoi.

Why was he so unafraid of loneliness? Why did he know so many things that were never mentioned in books?

Yan wanted to understand everything about him.

"I'm nothing special. You can learn all that by reading more."

"So, have you decided what to eat tonight?"

"I'll leave it up to you, Yayoi-kun."