"For What Do We Fight?" (Part 1)

Mid-December, Konoha Year 45. The number of wounded in the hospital had increased significantly compared to the previous month.

For seasoned Konoha ninja, injury was merely a common occurrence, but it was different for fresh graduates; the dreams of many young ninja were shattered right here.

In the evening, inside the intensive care unit of Konoha Hospital, Shu Furukawa had just finished a treatment when a voice came from the doorway:

"Is Mami out of danger yet?"

A boy of about twelve rushed to the bedside, asking anxiously and loudly. Kakashi, who followed behind, interjected calmly:

"A ninja must remain calm at all times!"

"It's not a fatal wound. With Shu's level of skill, she can be discharged in two days at most."

The boy at the bedside looked annoyed. His teammate, who had followed him in, hurriedly pulled his companion back and bowed in apology:

"Uchida is just too worried about Mami. I apologize for his recklessness."

Shu Furukawa didn't blame the two, however. A gentle smile appeared on his face as he gave a brief explanation:

"Just as Kakashi said, Mami will be able to leave the hospital in two days."

"Don't blame yourselves. Sunagakure ninja are skilled with poison, and your emergency treatment was very timely."

Seemingly worried that his companion might say the wrong thing again, the mature boy bowed once more, then ignored his companion's struggles and dragged him straight out of the ward.

"It seems you still care quite a bit about your subordinates. There was really no need to bring this kind of injury to the intensive care unit."

Having completed most of the treatment with a simple Delicate Illness Extraction Technique, Shu Furukawa knew Kakashi was pulling strings for his subordinates, though the boys clearly didn't appreciate it.

Kakashi's expression remained calm. Given his age, he was well aware that his subordinates didn't really respect him:

"If they could give up the ninja profession because of this, it would actually be a good thing."

"At this age, they struggle even against Chunin. I don't have high hopes for their future."

"If they just want to make money, there are better choices. Persisting as a ninja will only drag the team down in the end."

Shu Furukawa didn't refute Kakashi's theory. In his view, most girls were indeed not suited for this profession, but thinking of the movements among the higher-ups, he offered a reminder:

"Low-level missions require more Genin. Kakashi, if things continue like this, the Hokage will have to have a talk with you."

"This is a troublesome matter after all. In the future, doing some D-rank missions will suffice. You can arrange your extra time as you see fit."

"Fine, you're right."

Kakashi gave a simple acknowledgement, then returned to his dead-fish-eyed expression. He had overestimated the level of the graduates; they had nearly failed a C-rank mission.

"Did you encounter a puppeteer? Poisonous senbon are indeed quite troublesome."

"Don't underestimate Sunagakure. Sunagakure has very excellent medical ninja; they are even ahead of Konoha in the development of toxins."

"Tsunade-sensei developed the antidote for this specific poison a long time ago. Remember to bring it on missions in the future."

Hearing the instruction, Kakashi nodded earnestly, then spoke of yesterday's skirmish, briefly reviewing it:

"The puppet's attack methods were indeed somewhat bizarre, but once the puppet was destroyed, the ninja controlling it quickly fell into a disadvantage."

"I increased the frequency of the lightning glow on my short blade, and the attacks were very effective. Fortunately, the opponent's Wind Style wasn't very good, otherwise, it would have been even more troublesome."

Attribute suppression was very useful in most ninja battles. When Shu Furukawa used his short blade, he mostly imbued it with wind-attribute chakra, having already digested most of the White Fang's sword techniques he had Collected.

"It seems you already have your own insights..."

Shu Furukawa offered a word of praise, but before he could say more, the girl on the bed had already regained consciousness. Seeing the two, she immediately said in a daze:

"Was I saved?"

"It seems Kakashi was right. I really lack the talent to be a ninja..."

If nothing unexpected happened, the girl would likely end her ninja career once discharged. Kakashi's ability to talk people out of the profession was becoming increasingly excellent.

That night, for once, Tsunade didn't go to the izakaya, but instead drank until her cheeks were flushed in her apartment.

"This seasoned cod roe is truly delicious! Shizune, another cup!"

"Tsunade-sensei, you've had too much..."

Shizune poured a cup cautiously, only for Tsunade to drain it in one gulp. She rested her chin on her hand, swaying back and forth, before finally complaining loudly:

"I knew staying in the village would lead to trouble. Konoha has actually become like Kumogakure, starting to yearn for war."

"Shu, has anyone told you about these things? The kid from the Nara clan admires you quite a bit, right?"

"Today they told me they could open up their family's pharmacopeia. I don't know what kind of conditions those guys offered to Jiraiya and Orochimaru..."

The voices of the "hardliners" in the village were growing louder. Perhaps dissatisfied with their current income, many ninja had begun calling for expansion.

Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure had all "taken action," so there was no reason for Konoha, the head of the Five Great Nations, to remain restrained forever.

The village hadn't gained much benefit from the Second Shinobi World War, which was why the "hardliners" currently had support.

"Captain Shikaku never talks to me about these things. With the help of the pharmacopeia, Sensei should be able to develop more new medicines!"

Slowly savoring the pickled scallops, Shu Furukawa understood the subtext, but he had no interest in discussing the selection of the Hokage.

"Just a brat who only knows how to brush me off!"

"I'd much rather travel to every casino in the world. The Hokage position won't change a thing; the Old Man is truly getting old."

Dissatisfied, Tsunade muttered to herself before starting a new round of "sweeping the table." No one believed she didn't want to be Hokage, and many ninja clans were hedging their bets on both sides.

Shizune didn't understand why Tsunade was so troubled. Being Hokage was the dream of many, representing the recognition of everyone.

By the end of dinner, Tsunade had once again drunk herself into a stupor. Shu Furukawa had seen this drunkard state many times, but it was the first time for Katsuyu:

"So, Lady Tsunade has this side to her life as well!"

A soft, sweet voice came from Shu Furukawa's shoulder. Shizune felt a bit embarrassed; the image of a drunkard didn't quite match the prestige of the Sannin...

Although Tsunade gambled, drank heavily, and was unskilled at housework and cooking, Shu Furukawa still felt that this teacher was a "good woman":

"Ninjas are under a lot of pressure; Teacher is just unconventional!"

"So that's how it is!"

Wiggling her antennae, Katsuyu responded. Compared to Tsunade's troubles, she actually found Shu Furukawa to be even stranger, given that he actually wanted to be "cursed."

"Shu, will a war break out in the future?"

Shizune had just finished helping Tsunade lie down when she asked the question weighing on her heart, her expression filled with confusion.

He had intended to give the girl a casual answer, but Shu Furukawa fell silent for a moment before suddenly asking in return:

"What are we fighting for?"

Shizune, who had meant to say "for the village and our comrades," opened her mouth but made no sound. At present, it seemed no one was invading Konoha, and war was merely the desire of a certain portion of ninjas.

"Don't worry, even if there is a war, I can protect you. It's best for girls to stay in the village."

Shu Furukawa smiled and comforted Shizune. The latter blushed slightly and gave a soft acknowledgment. Katsuyu wiggled her antennae again, thinking of the future plans, and sighed inwardly:

"War? Is this the opportunity Lord Shu spoke of?"