At the end of March in Konoha's forty-seventh year, the annual graduation season arrived as scheduled. Slightly fewer students graduated early than in previous years.
War broke out faster than many had expected. The weather had only just begun to warm when conflicts repeatedly erupted along Konoha's borders.
Although the higher-ups had prepared in advance, being attacked from all sides proved even more dire than planned.
Sunagakure in particular had resolutely sent troops despite its internal turmoil. This "madman" approach had many Konoha ninjas cursing furiously...
Konoha's ninjas did not believe they had done anything wrong. Snatching commissions at low prices was "market behavior"; Sunagakure had no business interfering!
The Ninja Academy students had naturally heard news of the war. Fortunately, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, stepped forward at this time and made a promise during the graduation ceremony:
"Konoha was founded so that children would not experience war too early. The village will not send Genin to the battlefield."
"The Will of Fire inherited from the First must be passed down by the younger generation..."
"..."
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, spoke of the Will of Fire with a smile. The graduating youths were deeply moved by the Hokage's promise. Quite a few of them even had their blood boiling as they shouted excitedly:
"Lord Hokage, we are willing to give everything for the village!"
"Kill those invaders!"
"Make them pay!"
The impassioned cries made several Chunin instructors reveal pained expressions. The peaceful life at the academy had worn away most of their sharp edges, and they did not want to see young people die so soon.
Amid this atmosphere, the students, around eleven years old, officially graduated. Even after the ceremony ended, those eager to earn merit continued discussing the war, while some of the other graduates remained silent.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was quite satisfied with his speech. After returning to the academy office and seeing several Chunin who seemed hesitant to speak, he said with a chuckle:
"Ryosuke, are you worried that the children will appear on the battlefield too soon? The village has not reached that point yet."
"The Jonin Division began moving last month. With Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and the others there, the conflict will end soon enough."
Ryosuke Kimura turned to glance at his colleagues. After hesitating for a moment, he finally lowered his head and asked in a deep voice:
"Lord Hokage, will the children who graduated early in recent years and already have mission experience be called up?"
"Not for now. The conflict has not spread completely yet."
Sarutobi Hiruzen gave a firm answer. The village had accumulated plenty of Genin and Chunin over the years; there was no need to send ten-year-old children into battle.
The Chunin instructors all responded in agreement. They were not members of the "Hardline Faction." They truly did not want to see the youths they had taught die so early.
--
The arrival of war affected business on the commercial streets. Even villagers with the dullest nerves deliberately began stockpiling food at a time like this, and ordinary spending naturally declined.
Inside a teahouse on Tea Street, a girl around twelve rested her chin on her hand and watched the shop in boredom. When a tuft of silver hair suddenly entered her sight, she immediately called out happily:
"Kakashi-senpai! Want to have a drink? It's on me!"
Kakashi, with a short sword strapped to his back, turned around. Seeing the girl's face, he pondered for a moment before remembering that her name seemed to be Mami.
"Don't call me senpai. You're older than me."
"You're still the same as ever, senpai. Not cute at all!"
Pretending to be angry, Mami grabbed Kakashi and pulled him into the shop. Then, looking at the curious crowd, she gave them a sweet smile and greeted them:
"Everyone, come have a drink. It's on me today."
Might Guy had wanted to announce a "declaration of youth," but Genma Shiranui and Ebisu knew their companion too well. They directly shoved him into the shop while teasing him:
"Guy, you need to balance work and rest!"
"Yeah. Don't you want to hear Kakashi's story? I'm really curious!"
Ebisu pushed up his tiny dark sunglasses. He always felt that the girl's relationship with Kakashi was unusual, and if he did not gossip a little, it would itch at him.
"You're all so boring. Mami gave up being a ninja not long ago."
Sitting down beside the table, Kakashi shot Ebisu, that "closet pervert," a sideways glance. He had persuaded quite a few students to quit, but Mami was simply scatterbrained, which had left a deep impression on him.
"Kakashi-senpai is talking badly about me again!"
After the cheerful Mami brought everyone tea and snacks, she sat across from Kakashi and complained. Seeing Might Guy and the others shout, "Delicious!" she immediately narrowed her eyes and said:
"Thanks to Kakashi-senpai, I was able to avoid this war."
"It's a little embarrassing to admit, but I really am a coward. When I heard that war had broken out last month, all I felt was relief."
"Actually, even if they don't say it, many of the ninjas Kakashi-senpai persuaded to turn back are secretly grateful."
"I'm just more honest about it. Also, I really like Kakashi-senpai, and I don't mind dating a younger boy..."
Might Guy coughed several times in a row. The girl's sudden confession to Kakashi startled him, while Ebisu smiled as he stared at Kakashi, wanting to see his reaction.
"You're spouting nonsense again. Didn't I tell you before? Don't reveal your emotions so easily."
Kakashi calmly held his tea as he complained. He had long gotten used to this sort of confession. Among the teams he had led, there were always girls who liked teasing him.
Hearing that familiar criticism, Mami immediately laughed. She was not particularly beautiful, but her lively energy was quite captivating.
"Thank you, Kakashi-senpai. You're different from most ninjas in the village!"
"If you agree to go on a date with me, your bill will be waived!"
"I'm not interested in spending a girl's money."
Kakashi gave her a deadpan look and continued complaining. He had not expected persuading people to quit to have this effect. Recently, he had been receiving more and more thanks...
When the four left the shop, Mami was still waving goodbye behind them. Genma Shiranui had a bamboo skewer in his mouth when he suddenly sighed:
"Ninjas fear death too. Back when I was in school, I always thought ninjas feared nothing..."
"I will carry youth through to the end! Don't worry, I'll protect all of you."
Might Guy's strength had been growing rapidly. He gave his companions a brilliant smile, his white teeth seeming to sparkle, and Ebisu rarely offered praise:
"That sounds reliable!"
Kakashi narrowed his eyes and said nothing. After teaming up with them lately, he had begun to miss those high-level missions. Then he thought of the Hardline Faction's rhetoric and quietly mocked himself.
Am I craving slaughter too?
--
At Konoha Hospital, Shu Furukawa silently watched a crying family. A fourteen-year-old boy had been severely injured by an explosive tag. After holding on for two days, he had ultimately returned to the Pure Land.
The girl clutched her brother's hand and sobbed endlessly. After shedding tears, her father, who had lost one arm, barked in a deep voice:
"Ninjas do not need tears! The village needs us..."
"Are you insane? Kyoko is only thirteen!"
The girl watched her parents argue fiercely over plans for their future lives, a lost expression appearing on her face. Without her brother to look after her, she might die during a mission.
Thinking about death, the sobbing girl began to tremble. She regretted becoming a ninja.
After receiving their gratitude, Shu Furukawa silently left the hospital room. In a sense, death benefited him; recently, he had been getting more and more opportunities for [Collection].
"Teacher Tsunade, there's no need to hide in the corner every time. You know I can sense you."
Tsunade, dressed in a Jonin's blue casual uniform, walked over to Shu Furukawa and folded her arms as she looked at her disciple.
"If you were on the front lines, you would encounter more situations like this."
"Medical ninjas are not omnipotent. Many times, there is nothing you can do. You can only watch your comrades die before your eyes."
"That is also why I have always supported Teacher Sarutobi. War is the worst choice."
Shu Furukawa had long since made his plans. Death would not make him back down, and he once again displayed his "Will of Fire."
"I won't let you appear on the battlefield, Teacher Tsunade."
"Facing death head-on, as a Konoha ninja, I am already prepared."
"..."