In early January of Year 45 of Konoha, the arrival of the new year once again brought life to the village's shopping district.
Even the theater, which was usually unpopular, drew large crowds. At the newly opened teahouses and dessert shops on Tea Street, many people chose to sip tea while admiring Kage Rock.
While most people were celebrating the new year, several figures dressed in black stood for a long time before the Memorial Stone near the training grounds.
"Neither life nor death has any meaning."
"If death has meaning, it can only be when it can be put to use."
"Sakumo has escaped the fate of a ninja. He no longer has to fight like a beast."
Orochimaru, who had been silent all this time, looked at Hatake Sakumo's gravestone and spoke in a low voice. His deep, hoarse tone made Jiraiya frown and instinctively object:
"You're making wild claims again. This world will change someday."
"Jiraiya, you're still so naive! The so-called Child of Prophecy won't solve anything."
Orochimaru looked at his companion without expression and offered his opinion. Then, paying no heed to the others' reactions, he continued in a low voice:
"In my view, if life has meaning, then it must be when life is eternal."
"Shu, perhaps you can understand me. From the first time we met, I saw in you a longing for 'life.'"
In a foul mood, Tsunade turned and glared at Orochimaru. Since the end of the Second Shinobi World War, he had changed a great deal. Now he even seemed a little unhinged.
"Eternal? The Sage of Six Paths faded away, and even a ninja like my grandfather eventually died."
"Orochimaru, you still love those pointless fantasies!"
The Sannin exchanged a few words, but none of them could convince the others. Tsunade, her blonde hair flowing behind her, no longer wanted to discuss such a bizarre subject. She spoke decisively in a low voice:
"I don't like Root's secret evaluations of the village's ninjas. They were manipulating the rumors from the very beginning."
"Many ninjas who've been through war aren't as resilient as people think. Konoha's ninjas aren't tools."
To keep the village stable, Root regularly evaluated every ninja.
Loyalty, personal goals, mission preferences, and other matters were investigated in detail by Root. Its evaluations of the Uchiha Clan were especially strict.
Shu Furukawa hadn't joined the discussion right away. Only after Tsunade fell silent again did he pick up the conversation:
"Perhaps this is another way war trauma manifests."
"After completing a mission, Jonin Takagi chose to kill himself. There have been similar cases at Konoha Hospital."
"I respect Teacher Sakumo's choice, but life shouldn't have to be this way."
After Ichiro Furukawa and his wife sacrificed themselves on a mission, Jonin Takagi, who had led their team, returned to the village and took his own life at home less than a month later.
Part of the reason was that his injuries had ended his career as a ninja, but mostly, his emotions had collapsed after witnessing the death of a close friend he'd known for years.
"Someone will change all this. It's the Great Toad Sage's prophecy!"
"War will end, and people will eventually understand one another..."
Jiraiya suddenly spoke up to offer encouragement. When he mentioned the Child of Prophecy, he couldn't help recalling the three students he had taught back then. A look of determination appeared on his face.
"After all you've been through, why are you still so childish?!"
"Teacher Sarutobi will respond soon. The moment tensions rise between the Five Great Nations, war will break out again."
Orochimaru replied briefly, a mocking expression appearing on his face. Then he slowly turned around and reminded Shu:
"Some of the higher-ups have proposed having young geniuses participate in this year's Joint Chunin Exams. They want to show off the village's strength."
"Shu, be ready. Tsunade's training is too kind. I look forward to seeing you kill every opponent..."
"Orochimaru, don't tell me what to do!"
Tsunade shouted back, thoroughly annoyed. She watched Orochimaru's retreating figure, her face darkening.
The people who had proposed the Chunin Exams were surely Danzo and the others. They had clearly evaluated Shu's abilities.
Lately, the three of them usually parted on bad terms whenever they got together. Jiraiya was used to it by now. He scratched his head helplessly, then tried to speak in defense of the higher-ups:
"When you went to the Land of Hot Water to buy medicinal herbs, Danzo and the others were already discussing this. But at the Jonin Division meeting, no one recommended Shu for the Joint Exams."
"The two advisors are on Danzo's side, and the Old Man didn't object in the end. It shouldn't be that dangerous..."
Tsunade was about to snap back, but Shu calmly replied:
"If it's the Chunin Exams, I can go alone. Guy doesn't have enough experience; he needs a few more years to mature."
"I can give the higher-ups my answer for you! Just get yourself in shape over the next few months."
Jiraiya replied with a serious look. When he turned and saw Tsunade clench her fist, he immediately jumped away, then turned to leave, muttering as he went:
"I'll help look after Kakashi. Don't worry. The Toad Sage's new book can cure anything!"
"..."
Only the two of them remained before the Memorial Stone. Tsunade let out a long breath, still furious at her teacher and the higher-ups for making decisions without consulting her.
"It's fine, Teacher. I'm one of the Sannin's students, after all. A lot of people are probably curious."
"At worst, they'll just be opponents a few years older than me. A ninja's strength isn't measured by age... Ow..."
Shu held his forehead. Tsunade pulled back her right hand, then folded her arms and gave him a stern warning:
"My original plan was to have you become a Chunin after you turned ten. You wouldn't have to take an exam like this; my recommendation would be enough."
"If war breaks out in the future, I'd rather you help the village as a medical ninja."
"You know the three rules for medical ninjas. Jiraiya and Orochimaru also promised me they'd look after you."
Shu was grateful for the plan, but he needed to complete [Collection] during the war so he could unlock some of the secrets of Kekkei Genkai:
"Death means nothing. That's not what I'm after. With your new technique, Teacher Tsunade, the Death God won't come for me."
"Brat, quit showing off in front of me! There's a place on Tea Street that makes pretty good chestnut yokan. Shizune likes it. Come with me and help me buy a few pieces."
In mid-January, Might Guy, who had resumed accepting missions, was struggling to keep up. He couldn't understand Kakashi's change.
The village had covered up Hatake Sakumo's suicide. Every ninja who knew the truth kept quiet. By March, the White Fang of the Leaf would end his career as a ninja as a hero.
After four straight hours of all-out sprint training, Kakashi, drenched in sweat, continued to silently swing his short blade in front of a wooden post.
He no longer complained or shrugged. In half a month, he had said fewer than ten words. He was like a puppet.
"Shu, what exactly happened?"
Might Guy crouched on a branch and asked in a worried voice. After a moment of silence, Shu turned to him and replied:
"Give Kakashi some more time. He'll recover."
"..."