The World of "Who's Worse" (Seeking Reads)

In mid-December, news spreading from Kirigakure in the Land of Water shocked the entire ninja world:

Nine-year-old Zabuza Momochi had slaughtered all the candidates in his graduating class, completing his graduation alone.

Although the "Bloody Mist Village" was a well-known rumor in the ninja world, many ninjas had remained skeptical; the emergence of Zabuza now served to confirm the rumors of Kirigakure's extreme cruelty.

Konoha did not suppress this news, and many ninjas puffed out their chests with pride upon hearing it, convinced that their village was truly the best in the ninja world!

Before the Memorial Stone, Kakashi looked at his father's photograph with a bewildered expression, unable to understand why so many ninjas felt pride upon hearing the news from Kirigakure:

"Father, the village leadership intends to create 'tools,' yet these 'tools' take pride in it."

"I can feel the care my companions have for me, but most people live only for their missions."

"Why is the village environment so fractured? Are those 'tools' worth saving?"

"A true ninja requires talent; I will not acknowledge those 'tools'."

"..."

Kakashi whispered his routine reflections before the grave. Shu Furukawa had advised him to observe more and speak less, but the more he observed, the more confused he became.

The ideals he had absorbed since childhood clashed violently with reality. The Will of Fire manifested in diverse ways, yet most ninjas had completely "instrumentalized" themselves, and the village leadership did not stop it in the slightest.

Shu Furukawa was also making his routine visit to Ichiro and Aoi. When Kakashi came to his side, he took the initiative to speak:

"Still feeling confused? Kakashi, the current world of ninjas is just this cruel."

"Even as 'tools,' the village's 'tools' are simply better than the tools of other ninja villages."

It sounded somewhat ironic, but after Kakashi considered his own mission experiences, he found that it was indeed the case.

Children in Konoha did not need to kill to become ninjas; as long as they were diligent, there were missions to be had. Children in other villages, however, had to slaughter one another early on just to earn the status of a ninja.

"Perhaps there shouldn't be so many ninjas? The next Hokage will change this situation."

Kakashi asked rhetorically, then, like many other young ninjas, pinned his hopes on the next Hokage.

Shu Furukawa did not provide an answer. He had been observing for many years; the village's interests had long since been carved up, and if the Hokage wanted to hold power, they would have to compromise just the same.

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was excellent at maintaining balance, which was one of the reasons most ninjas in the village supported him.

"You are only nine years old; we still have plenty of time."

"Children cannot participate in the affairs of adults. Staying healthy and alive is the primary task."

Shu Furukawa smiled to comfort him. No matter how brilliant a child's talent was, they could not grasp the power of discourse; Kakashi was thinking too much.

As the two left the Memorial Stone, Kakashi spoke of his mission from two days prior. Teaming up with Minato Namikaze for the first time had left him deeply shaken:

"The Flying Thunder God technique is simply incredible. Captain Minato's reaction speed is even faster than my father's!"

"He is very popular among the jonin and chunin; everyone loves to partner with him."

Kakashi had been influenced by Minato Namikaze. He had rarely experienced that sense of reliability during missions, and he had come to recognize the man's talent.

"Minato-kun's greatest strength might not be the Flying Thunder God technique; his optimistic attitude is what is truly incredible."

"Many ninjas in the hospital suffer from psychological issues, but Minato-kun is able to separate the ninja profession from his personal life."

Shu Furukawa praised Minato Namikaze with genuine sincerity; that heroic temperament was something most ninjas lacked.

"Shu, do you also aspire to become Hokage like Captain Minato in the future?"

Kakashi asked out of curiosity, but Shu Furukawa laughed, pointed to the short sword on his back, and joked in response:

"The Hokage is still too far away. I prefer the power of chakra!"

"..."

Failing to understand Shu Furukawa's words, Kakashi viewed the refining of chakra as a basic instinct for a ninja—a common and ordinary thing.

At the end of December, as the New Year arrived, the Konoha leadership was left feeling puzzled after receiving news regarding Sunagakure.

"The Third Kazekage hasn't appeared at a meeting in the last month?"

"Is Sunagakure secretly planning an operation?"

In the Hokage's office, Utatane Koharu voiced her doubts. Beside her, Mitokado Homura continued to flip through recent intelligence, frowning as he responded:

"Perhaps they are mobilizing a Tailed Beast. Only such an operation would be kept this secret."

Sunagakure had been developing the One-Tail for many years and had achieved impressive results.

The Magnet Release and Iron Sand series of ninjutsu were both offensive and defensive, and the Third Kazekage was known as the strongest Kazekage; his name had resounded throughout the ninja world during the previous war.

Tailed Beasts were the ultimate weapons of war. Recalling Jiraiya's report from not long ago, Sarutobi Hiruzen puffed on his pipe and said in a deep voice:

"We cannot rule out that possibility. If Sunagakure intends to commit the One-Tail to war, they have likely already mastered the power of the beast."

"We are indeed lagging behind in this regard. Fortunately, Jiraiya and the others are here, which is enough to handle any situation."

With the Sannin holding the fort, not only was there harmony within the village, but a great deterrent had been formed externally. Thinking of how Jiraiya had repeatedly rejected his plans, Danzo spoke with some displeasure:

"It is not yet time for complacency. I will make contact with Amegakure in advance. Once war breaks out, the battlefield must not appear within the borders of the Land of Fire."

"Root ninjas will follow me to execute this mission. Hiruzen, have Orochimaru leave for the time being."

Sarutobi Hiruzen thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. As long as it benefited the village, he did not mind his old friend taking a hardline stance abroad, though he still offered a reminder regarding Hanzo:

"Even if Hanzo is getting old, we should still avoid direct conflict."

"I would prefer that everyone resolves their demands at the negotiating table; war is, after all, the worst possible option."

Danzo, eyes narrowed, said nothing. He did not possess such benevolence toward a small nation like the Land of Rain; in his eyes, they had no right to sit as equals with the Great Nations.

The movements of the high-ranking officials had nothing to do with the genin. With the New Year approaching, Obito Uchiha, finally on break, was uncharacteristically not helping the elderly, choosing instead to accompany Rin Nohara as she shopped for food in the commercial district.

Seeing Inabi Uchiha and Shu Furukawa laughing together on the street—the former wearing the green flak jacket of a chunin—Obito instinctively muttered a complaint:

"What the heck! He only knows how to talk big within the clan; I really don't know why everyone thinks so highly of him."

Inabi Uchiha was highly valued by the clan head, Fugaku Uchiha, and was currently a promising genius ninja within the clan. Obito, a mere nobody, never received such attention, leading him to grumble from time to time.

"Obito, don't talk about your seniors behind their backs."

"They are your clansmen after all; you wouldn't want to be disliked by people in the clan, would you?"

Rin Nohara turned her head to admonish him. Seeing the girl staring at him with such a serious expression, Obito's face immediately flushed red. He tucked his arms behind his head and replied unnaturally:

"I know, Rin! Once I awaken my Sharingan, I'll definitely surpass that guy."

"I am the man who will bear the Uchiha crest and become Hokage!"

"..."

Obito's loud voice caught the attention of Inabi Uchiha, but after a casual glance, he turned back to continue his conversation with Shu Furukawa:

"Furukawa-kun, if you have time, feel free to visit the Uchiha Clan. Our clan head would be very happy to exchange ideas with the village's geniuses!"

"If Lady Tsunade requires pharmacopoeia or medicinal herbs, our clan is also willing to contribute."

Not expecting such a favorable attitude from the Uchiha Clan, Shu Furukawa offered a friendly smile and agreed readily:

"I will certainly find time to visit. Teacher Tsunade and Lord Orochimaru have both spoken to me about it; once war breaks out, the village will need to rely on the strength of the Uchiha Clan."

"'If you see one, run'—everyone in the ninja world knows the strength of the Uchiha!"

A smile spread across Inabi Uchiha's long face beneath his black hair. Although Shu Furukawa hadn't "run" during the Chunin Exams—and had instead beaten him up—the recognition from such an opponent was all the more valuable:

"Then I shall look forward to your arrival, Furukawa-kun!"

"Lady Tsunade, I won't disturb you any further. I shall take my leave."

Tsunade, who had walked up beside Shu Furukawa, nodded in acknowledgment. Rarely seen out for New Year's shopping, she wore her blonde hair loose and was dressed in her blue jonin casual wear. Watching Inabi Uchiha's retreating back, she slanted her eyes and retorted:

"Since when did you get on such good terms with the Uchiha Clan?"

"Kid, you didn't make any reckless promises, did you? Why is an Anbu squad leader going out of his way to pledge loyalty to me?"

Tsunade's voice grew quieter as she spoke, and finally, she leaned in to poke Shu Furukawa on the forehead.

Having been "mentally polluted" by Katsuyu not long ago, Shu Furukawa felt a bit "dizzy," so he could only shuffle backward to dodge her finger and explain earnestly:

"We only cooperated on a mission once, Teacher. The captain is simply expressing his intentions."

"..."