"Tools" and the "Hokage"... (Part 1)

In mid-August of the 46th year of Konoha, students who had graduated not long ago were once again greeted by the Chunin Exams.

As usual, nominations were handled by team captains, while those with exceptional ninja talent were automatically promoted by the higher-ups.

For ninjas from civilian backgrounds, everyone felt that being able to participate in the exams early was a good thing!

D-rank mission rewards were too low; after deducting the captain's share, most genin barely had enough money left to even maintain their ninja gear.

Therefore, once the relevant news was released, the youths were stirred into a frenzy, and those who had graduated early this year were especially welcoming of the opportunity.

Might Guy had received a nomination from his captain. While happy, he was also somewhat frustrated; the village's selection process emphasized squad-based combat, and his two teammates could not keep up with his pace.

In Training Ground 44, inside the Forest of Death, Might Guy, who had dragged his teammates out for special training, looked speechlessly at the two who had collapsed to the ground early on.

"Guy, we only just graduated! There's no need to push ourselves this hard!"

Ebisu, who had been struck by the Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu, grumbled in a muffled voice. He had no desire to be promoted to chunin so early, as he had a clear understanding of his own strength.

On the other side, Genma Shiranui, who was tied to a large tree, also wore a dead-fish-eyed expression. He had performed even more foolishly, having actually been caught in a trap:

"It's hopeless, Guy! The team lacks a sensory-type ninja; this kind of confrontation is still too difficult for us..."

"You two idiots, don't give up until the very last moment!"

Not far away, Might Guy, wearing his forehead protector and green spandex, glared and retorted. He strained to move his ears, then sniffed the air, whispering anxiously:

"Where exactly are you?!"

On a giant tree directly in front of Might Guy, hidden by dense branches and leaves, Shu Furukawa hung upside down. Seeing Guy below losing his patience and shouting, he finally cut the thin steel wire.

"Whoosh!"

The prepared trap was triggered once more, and kunai and shuriken flew straight toward Might Guy below.

Facing the sudden attack, Might Guy instantly drew two nunchucks, blocking the projectiles with a series of clangs, then suddenly accelerated, lunging toward the giant tree at the top.

"Fire Style: Flame Bullet!"

Shu Furukawa's timing for the ninjutsu was impeccable. Might Guy, caught in mid-air, twisted his body awkwardly to dodge the fireball, but by the time he crashed into the thick branch, half of his body was charred black.

Just as Might Guy, teeth gritted, was about to erupt with chakra to continue the pursuit, Kakashi, who had been waiting for a long time, rushed in front of him in the blink of an eye.

After activating his body, Kakashi's speed was lightning-fast. He spun like a top, launching a series of attacks with his short blade that left Might Guy struggling just to keep up.

When Kakashi seized the opportunity to successfully circle behind him for another surprise attack, an exhausted Might Guy hurriedly put some distance between them.

The two chased each other through the treetops until Might Guy finally managed to shake off Kakashi and reach the ground, at which point the situation changed once again.

"Ah!"

With a miserable cry, Might Guy sank into the earth, leaving only his head exposed, just like Ebisu.

Shu Furukawa, who had completed the ambush, appeared slowly before them. After a moment of contemplation, he offered some "advice" to make them quit:

"Do not expose your back to the enemy."

"It seems your captain shouldn't have nominated you so easily. Promoting to chunin too early might not be a good thing."

After Kakashi squinted his dead-fish eyes and rescued the three of them, he spoke a few more words than usual:

"The danger level of C-rank missions has been rising recently. Even if you are promoted to chunin, there won't be any jonin looking out for you specifically."

"The village is taking on too many commissions; the situation seems wrong."

This year, Konoha was accepting all commissions without refusal, ignoring protests from Sunagakure. As long as the money was there, they would take on missions of any rank.

The jonin were kept busy without rest, while low-level missions were dumped onto chunin who lacked talent and genin who lacked experience.

The two did not reveal the truth to their companions. Beyond the commissions, other ninja villages were mobilizing food and gear, while Konoha was silently stockpiling "military strength."

With local conflicts breaking out, doing D-rank missions was actually the better choice.

"That's right, Guy! Even if you promote to chunin, it's hard for you to become a captain. Even Shu and Kakashi are limited by their age."

Ebisu hurriedly tried to persuade him; he really didn't want to participate in the exams right after graduating. Genma Shiranui felt the same, fearing Might Guy's stubbornness, and added his own comfort:

"Guy, we can wait until next year. I'll work hard on missions in the meantime."

Might Guy, rubbing his chin, finally nodded. He didn't fear danger, but he had to consider the situation of his teammates:

"Alright, you're right. Youth has only just begun; I was indeed a bit too impatient!"

Under normal circumstances, students graduated at 12, but now it had been moved up. Kakashi hadn't thought much of it in previous years, but after executing multiple high-level missions, he understood the village's intentions.

Once the war turned unfavorable, these early-graduating students would be thrown onto the battlefield. Kakashi looked at Might Guy, who had regained his vitality and was laughing heartily, and let out a long sigh in his heart:

"Guy, you are not a tool. Don't die."

"..."

That night, Might Guy, having eaten until he had to lean against the wall at the barbecue restaurant, had fully returned to normal. As they said their goodbyes at the door, he didn't forget his "self-discipline."

Kakashi waved his hand, his mood suddenly sinking. He whispered to Shu Furukawa beside him:

"Shu, did you know about this all along? Was everything in the textbooks just meant to deceive children?"

"War requires tools, and tools have no age or identity."

A Chunin at six years old, Kakashi had been very proud at the time, but looking back now, he realized the village had been setting an example to encourage youths to graduate from the academy early.

"Do not make assumptions about things that haven't happened."

"Whether one becomes a tool depends on oneself; as for the situation with Hideichi Hyuga, there is nothing we can do."

"Perhaps the Hokage could change everything? You could try and see."

Shu Furukawa responded simply. Multiple ninja villages were preparing for war, and the reputation of the AB Duo from Kumogakure had reached Konoha, with even the Chunin receiving relevant intelligence.

"The Hokage, you say?"

Kakashi subconsciously looked up toward the Hokage Rock. In the night, only some outlines were visible, and the three Hokage on the cliff face were all shrouded in darkness.

Late at night, Shu Furukawa returned to the front of his apartment. Just as he was about to open the door, he turned his head toward the shadows and said in a low voice:

"Lord Orochimaru, what brings you to my place?"

"Such keen perception. It seems Tsunade was not just babbling while drunk. Shu, won't you invite me in for a seat?"

Orochimaru, wearing the green flak jacket of a Jonin, slowly stepped out from the darkness. Seeing Shu Furukawa open the door and gesture an invitation, he immediately revealed a smile and continued in his raspy voice:

"I truly did not misjudge you!"

Upon entering the living room, Orochimaru took a brief look around. Shu Furukawa brewed a pot of herbal tea, and just as he sat down on the sofa, he heard the other party's invitation:

"Shu, are you interested in researching the mysteries of the soul together? This is the first step toward eternal life."

Seeing the excited expression on Orochimaru's face, Shu Furukawa did not respond directly:

"I thought Lord Orochimaru was preparing for the position of Hokage. Teacher Tsunade is very troubled by it every day."

"Hokage? Teacher Sarutobi is still young; those discussions in the village are meaningless."

"If one wishes to explore the truth, eternal life is the key. A ninja must rely on power in the end."

When mentioning the hot topic of the next Hokage over the past two years, Orochimaru merely gave a disdainful smile. In the face of eternity, the Hokage was not worth mentioning.

Shu Furukawa did not take it seriously. If nominations were held now, the Sannin would be the best candidates; narrowing the scope further, it was a competition between Tsunade and Orochimaru.

"Believe me, you will be interested in this technique!"

Not giving Shu Furukawa a chance to continue questioning, Orochimaru fell silent for a moment, then decisively pushed a scroll forward.

Shu Furukawa took it in his hands, and his expression immediately turned to one of surprise:

"Spirit Transformation Technique? A forbidden jutsu?"

"Forbidden jutsu are only forbidden for ordinary ninjas. The village has never given up on researching these techniques; it is just that the vast majority of people lack the talent for them."

Very satisfied with Shu Furukawa's surprised look, Orochimaru explained with a chuckle, then added:

"If you agree, this will be a secret between the two of us. After you master this technique, you will need to help me conduct some experiments in the future."

"To me, your medical ninjutsu is also of great help. Tsunade has nothing but praise for you; I trust the judgment of an old friend!"

Seeing Orochimaru hand over another scroll, Shu Furukawa stopped flipping through them and said solemnly:

"Mastering this technique might take a very long time!"

A smile appeared on his face once more. Orochimaru did not care about the time, but instead said with a look of anticipation:

"Pleasure doing business with you, Shu. I truly did not misjudge you!"

"..."