Third Hokage, don't let blood splatter on the Yamanaka Clan!

Although Kyohiko Yoshimine wasn't there, Ai felt...

The other party can hear it.

certainly.

This is also a test.

If Kyohiko doesn't react, perhaps the other party's perception ability isn't as strong as imagined.

Obviously.

Ai is overthinking it.

"Of course you can, but only from a distance. Visiting the school is definitely not allowed, as our sudden arrival would more or less disrupt the children's classes."

Kyohiko's voice came from outside.

Then, the figure reappeared outside the window, giving him no time to think.

Ai was taken aback for a moment, then breathed a sigh of relief.

That works too!

Thank you so much!

"Not at all. Your Kumogakure donated quite a lot this time, and the time for our two Ninja Academy to exchange ideas is coming up soon, so we should naturally keep in touch more often."

Kyohiko said with a smile.

Ai nodded repeatedly, naturally continuing the conversation.

He wanted to visit the Konoha Ninja Academy, and there was a reason for that. Although they had stayed here for a while before and even visited the Konoha Ninja Academy, they had learned a lot from it.

However, Ai felt something was amiss.

How wealthy is Konoha?

Even if the Land of Fire's support for Konoha isn't as all-out as the Land of Lightning's, which invests most of its resources in Kumogakure, just a little bit of that would still amount to a huge fortune.

However, in their research...

Although Konoha's Ninja Academy had better equipment and instruments, it didn't create a significant gap between them. Furthermore, Konoha's education system was ridiculous, with theory taking up a large proportion of the curriculum.

Wouldn't the mortality rate of Genin trained this way skyrocket?

so.

He wanted to try a surprise inspection.

If they had given prior notice, Konoha would have been prepared, and now is the perfect opportunity for a surprise attack.

If Konoha refuses, then there's a problem.

Can...

To Ai's surprise, Kyohiko agreed, but not entirely.

We can only see it from afar.

What can you see from a distance?

He was immediately caught off guard.

You can't exactly say he didn't care about disrupting the children's classes in Konoha, can you?

Ai had no choice but to nod.

Konoha Ninja Academy

"Sir, our school now has many subjects, but we still don't have enough Teacher. It just so happens that the ninjas haven't had many missions lately. What do you think about issuing a mission and arranging a few special classes?"

"Special courses..."

Mitokado Homura was pondering this.

A piece of wood suddenly appeared on the table.

He paused for a second, then picked up the wooden piece to examine it. It read: --

"A and I will visit the area around the Ninja Academy later."

Um?

Mitokado Homura's eyes narrowed.

He immediately sneered, then stood up and said, "The mission can be issued, but before that, let's deal with those bastards from Kumogakure."

"Kumogakure? What are those insatiable bastards up to now?"

"Look."

Mitokado Homura threw the wooden sign over.

The other party glanced at it and immediately understood. "I'll arrange it right away!"

"Training, reconnaissance, and Ninjutsu classes have been temporarily rescheduled. We'll be raiding the Forest of Death, so those who arrive first will set up traps. Barrier and sealing classes will continue as usual, but will be changed to theory classes. As for Ninja Tools classes, they'll be moved indoors for training, and lower-level children will go out to practice."

"Yes!"

He quickly memorized it and then rushed downstairs to make the arrangements.

This kind of thing...

They had done it once before, so they were quite familiar with it, and the task arrangement allowed the students to quickly adapt to the changing pace of the task.

In war or on missions, the enemy won't come in a predictable way.

A short while later.

Within the Ninja Academy, figures Body Flicker Technique out and rushed towards the Forest of Death, each moving at incredible speed.

Everyone wants to be the first to arrive, to prove they are stronger than others!

Whoosh!

One by one, figures darted through the streets, leaving everyone momentarily stunned, before the children filed out one after another.

On the street, Yuzuki Uzumaki looked outside with curiosity on her face. "Is this ninja training?"

"No, it's just special training at the Ninja Academy. The Ninja Academy is different now than before. In addition to training and studying, they occasionally go to the Forest of Death training ground to simulate actual battlefield training."

Yamanaka Rino answered with a smile.

Yuzuki couldn't help but exclaim, "This is wonderful!"

"Good?"

Yamanaka Rino paused.

Yuzuki nodded. "Yes, back in our Uzushio Village, we didn't have this kind of education, and everyone was quite laid-back, especially after the ninja village was established..."

She reminisced about the past.

Then, Yuzuki sighed, "During this time, I've looked at some records and information about the other ninja villages. The Uzushio Village of the past was so much worse off than them."

What aspect are you referring to?

"Atmosphere."

Yuzuki Uzumaki answered.

She clutched the hem of her dress with both hands, looked towards the door, and said while arranging flowers, "I don't know if you can understand, but it's like this: we're still stuck in the old family-based ninja village model, while other ninja villages are already seeking to unite their ninja families."

Even the most powerful ninja clan has its flaws and limitations; how could it possibly defeat a large ninja force?

However, the Uzushio Village also possesses powerful Sealing Technique.

Looking back now, the destruction of Uzushio Village was largely due to its own internal factors.

"Konoha, in fact, was in a similar state to yours for a period of time."

At that moment, a voice rang out.

Yuzuki Uzumaki looked towards the door, paused for a second, then immediately stood up in surprise. Just as she was about to bow, the other person waved their hand. "No need, I just heard a noise and thought I'd come check. I just happened to be passing by..."

It was Hiruzen Sarutobi who arrived.

but.

He certainly didn't just happen to be passing by.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at Yuzuki Uzumaki, looking her up and down. "Child, how long have you been here?"

"How long?"

Yuzuki Uzumaki reminisced for a moment, then couldn't help but sigh.

I'll be here for a year or two...

Wow, so fast!

It felt like it passed by in the blink of an eye.

This peaceful life made her think of Uzushio Village again, and of her scattered and deceased relatives and clansmen.

Her gaze dimmed. "Third Hokage, weren't you the Hokage back then? May I ask a question?"

"Certainly."

Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Yuzuki Uzumaki said, "While the destruction of Uzushio Village was certainly due to our own stagnation and lack of progress, weren't Konoha our allies? Your clothes, Forehead Protector, and gates all bear the emblem of our Uzumaki Clan..."

"Yuzuki!"

A flicker of panic crossed Yamanaka Rino's eyes.

She immediately stood up, walked to Yuzuki Uzumaki, shielded her behind her, gave a stiff smile, and was about to explain when the woman behind her started crying and questioning her.

"Why didn't Konoha, which you led, come to our aid back then?"

"..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi his mouth, having already prepared an explanation in his mind, but at this moment, he found himself speechless.

The sharp words of the past seemed to crumble all at once under the weight of these pent-up emotions.

He instinctively wanted to take out his Pipe and take a puff to cover his embarrassment, but when he checked his pockets, he realized he didn't have Pipe with him at all.

Hiruzen Sarutobi silent.

The past seems to have suddenly appeared before my eyes.

At that time, Konoha was certainly aware of the rumors.

However, Konoha was also weakened after the war, and dealing with Uzushio Village required the combined will of several nations, and the news arrived very late...

The only way to help Uzushio Village is to forcibly bring them back to Konoha.

This was all on the premise that the Uzumaki Clan agreed to relocate, but before the war even started, who would believe they were someone else's target?

The Yuki Clan and the Kaguya Clan are examples.

Leaving one's homeland is difficult; how easy is it to do so?

Moreover, for Konoha, being drawn from one war into another is...

Hiruzen Sarutobi had no choice but to make a decision.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked that question."

Yuzuki Uzumaki burst into tears.

She understood from the beginning that she wouldn't get the answers she wanted from the person in front of her, but when she actually met him face to face, she still wanted to ask—

Not only for herself, but also for those of her people who died in the war.

"Danzo, and by the time I found out, it was too late."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed softly.

"Yes, I understand."

Yuzuki Uzumaki lowered her head.

Originally, Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to say more, but at this moment, he lost both the interest and the courage to continue.

All I can say is, I'm sorry!

After saying this, he sighed, got up, and left.

Yamanaka Rino breathed a sigh of relief.

"Yuzuki, you're being too reckless!"

I'm sorry to have troubled you.

Yuzuki Uzumaki bowed.

Yamanaka Rino shook her head, then a hint of doubt crept into her mind.

Why is the Third Generation suddenly showing concern for Yuzuki?

For the past year or two, Yuzuki's life here had gradually become peaceful, and apart from indirect inquiries, the third generation had basically never come to see her directly.

She could understand.

The Third Hokage probably felt apologetic about some things that happened back then, which is why he didn't dare to come and see her.

but.

I always feel...

Sudden acts of concern often arouse suspicion.

Her gaze gradually turned serious.

Yuzuki Uzumaki paused, then turned to the proprietress. "Senior, you..."

"Ah? Ah, it's nothing. I was just thinking, didn't you say you wanted to study at a hospital? Why haven't I seen you do anything about it lately?"

Yamanaka Rino smiled.

Yuzuki Uzumaki shifted her attention, explaining why she hadn't gone, "Well, I think I'm not ready to study medicine yet, and being an ordinary person is fine too."

"How about it?"

"As expected of Konoha's Ninja Academy, they are all well-rounded elites, unlike our place where everyone focuses on just one aspect of training."

Ai praised it.

Kyohiko smiled and said, "Actually, we've learned a lot from you too, you see—"

Ai followed the direction of the finger.

A group of people are running on the playground.

"These kids have to run a hundred laps every day, or they have to practice throwing a hundred times. If they still can't finish, then..."

Kyohiko explains the "Youth" style of cultivation.

Ai was stunned for a long time after hearing this, then said in surprise, "Do they all have to undergo this kind of training?"

"Of course, without Kekkei Genkai, you have to put in more effort. You can't survive without going crazy. If you're afraid of hardship, you'll only end up sacrificing yourself on the battlefield."

Kyohiko's tone was cold.

Ai looked down and nodded in deep agreement.

This idea coincided with his own.

certainly.

He said, though, "It's too hard. This will ruin the child's development."

"If even a few succeed, it's all worth it."

Kyohiko's tone was cold.

Then, he smiled and said, "That's our theory classroom. Besides some basic knowledge, we also teach the basics of Sealing Technique."

"Sealing Technique? As expected of Konoha, they even popularize such difficult techniques in the Ninja Academy!"

Ai praised it again.

Kyohiko smiled and said, "Of course, Sealing Technique and Barrier Technique are very convenient. In my opinion, everyone should learn Sealing Technique and Barrier Technique."

"That's true."

Ai nodded gently.

However, deep down he didn't agree.

While Sealing Technique and Barrier Technique are convenient and easy to use, their difficulty in learning is undeniable.

Teach a group of children Sealing Technique and Barrier Technique.

It takes a long time to invest, but the results are still very low.

He would never learn that kind of approach.

However, he would be quite happy if Konoha wanted to do it this way; this guy probably thinks everyone can be as talented as him...

Ai glanced at Kyohiko and gained a new understanding of the boy.

Often, being a genius or precocious is not necessarily a good thing.

Konoha...

Oh!

Stir it, stir it!

It would be best to turn Konoha upside down Kumogakure can reap the benefits.

Ai sneered inwardly.

After looking around and confirming that there was nothing unusual, Ai, with a mixture of doubt and secret joy, followed Kyohiko to wander around other places.

After the tour, Ai gained a deeper understanding of Konoha.

Everything has two sides.

Konoha remains prosperous, and everyone is immersed in this peace and prosperity. However, in Konoha, there are still many ninjas who train as hard as those in Kumogakure.

This is the change in Konoha.

Konoha learned from Kumogakure their spirit of perseverance and resilience, and put it into practice.

What a terrifying village!

This village...

They haven't slacked off; they're still getting stronger!

but.

If Kyohiko Yoshimine continues to act recklessly like this, in a few years, the next generation of Konoha will definitely be inferior to them, and this will be their opportunity.

Ai comforted himself in this way, but at the same time, he knew very well—

With Yoshihiko Yoshimine and Minato Namikaze in Konoha, they'll have a hard time getting a chance to retaliate. And who knows if their opponents will have matured by now, a few years from now?

The chances are slim!

The following day, Konoha's Anbu.

After hesitating for Yamanaka Inoichi finally knocked on the door of the captain's office.

"Come in, Senior Inoichi, the door isn't locked."

"You're here."

Yamanaka Inoichi pushed open the door and entered.

Seeing Kyohiko sitting there, reading and studying a book, he took a deep breath, and his hesitation vanished.

"Kyohiko, there's something I need to tell you."

"What's up?"

"The Third Hokage suddenly went to see Yuzuki Uzumaki yesterday, the one Uzumaki Clan works for my family."

After Yamanaka Inoichi finished speaking, he let out a soft breath.

For him, whether or not to say it...

It's such a difficult decision.

After saying that, there was no need to think about it anymore.

"The Third Hokage went to find Yuzuki Uzumaki?"

Instantly, Kyohiko's tone turned cold.

but.

He quickly smiled and said, "I understand. Thank you, Senior Inoichi. Lord Sandai was probably just passing through. He's free now and definitely has plenty of time."

"Yes, then I'll be going now."

Yamanaka Inoichi nodded and quickly left.

Whatever happens, I hope this won't affect the Yamanaka Clan.