Aftermath and Ability Overview

In the Hokage's Office, looking out the window at the growing crowds on the street, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes flashed with anxiety.

The two discussed the matter all night without reaching a conclusion, which left them feeling deeply frustrated and beginning to doubt whether they truly had complete control over Konoha.

However, the most crucial thing right now is to immediately send people to control the spread of rumors.

"Now it's up to you to do your job." Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Danzo beside him and said in a deep voice, after all, he was the one who caused this mess.

"I will do my best," Danzo replied simply before leaving the Hokage's Office to assign the next tasks.

The unified will of the leadership has led to an unprecedented increase in the efficiency of Konoha as a machine.

The Root, the Anbu, and even the Military Police Force all received orders: anyone discussing rumors would be warned the first time, arrested the second time; anyone found deliberately spreading rumors would be arrested immediately, and killed if they resisted.

Under such a strict order, when Taiichi finished his training at home and went out onto the street, he immediately felt that the street was much cleaner than before. The smog and chaos of the previous days were gone.

However, Taiichi was also relieved that he and Kakashi had decided yesterday to stop their actions; otherwise, given the current level of enforcement, they might have slipped up.

In that short time, Taiichi felt at least four gazes sweep over him, intentionally or unintentionally.

Taiichi and Kakashi returned to their normal lives, but the aftershocks of this incident still lingered in Konoha.

The Root and the Anbu were frantically sniffing, questioning, and monitoring everywhere, like a hornet's nest had been stirred up, but it was like looking for a needle in a haystack, and they ultimately found nothing.

The Shadow Clone disappeared cleanly and efficiently, Taiichi and the other two ceased all activity afterward, completely cutting off the trail. In the end, the Root and the Anbu could only classify the incident as interference by an "unknown force."

As time passed and with strong official suppression, the controversies surrounding Hatake Sakumo, the secrets about Elder Danzo, and even the various rumors involving the Hokage gradually subsided and dissipated amidst the villagers' numbness and the solemn atmosphere. Life returned to a superficial calm.

Taiichi's life returned to its long-lost rhythm: his daily Taijutsu and swordsmanship training, which began without fail, leaving his clothes soaked with sweat; then he would go to the Training Ground to train with Yohei and Saori in a small group; in the afternoons he would either go to Konoha Hospital or study Ninjutsu at home; in the evenings he would read books or visit the children at the Orphanage.

During mission time, they carried out B-level and even A-level missions together. The days passed by in this regular and stable manner, with a sense of security after the storm.

The only difference was with Hatake Sakumo. This "White Fang of Konoha," renowned throughout the Ninja World, did not return to carrying out his previous high-risk missions after the storm subsided.

Hatake Sakumo unexpectedly submitted an application to become a regular Jonin instructor. The Hokage Building quickly approved the application.

When Taiichi learned of the situation from Kakashi, Sakumo- Senior had already taken over the new Genin squad.

Kakashi's tone carried a hint of emotion and a barely perceptible sense of relief. "Father—he seemed very calm. He said things are good now, he doesn't have to carry such a heavy burden anymore. Mentoring newcomers is troublesome, but seeing the mistakes and growth of young people is more meaningful to him."

It was as if an invisible burden had been lifted from Sakumo, and he poured all his life's experience into guiding the next generation. He would occasionally appear at the Training Ground to instruct those few inexperienced Genin. His figure was still upright, and his blade was still sharp, but there was a touch more gentleness between his brows.

Taiichi listened silently, and seeing the relief in Kakashi's eyes due to his father's change in mindset, he also felt a slight sense of relief.

Senior Sakumo has found his own peace and new responsibilities, which is probably the best outcome for his family after this ordeal.

The incident seemed to have passed peacefully, but anyone with discerning eyes in Konoha could see the trickery involved and guess who those with such methods and audacity were.

A sense of discontent was building in everyone's hearts; today it was Sakumo, tomorrow it could be them.

Moreover, the rumors that later appeared about Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi, although they were quickly quelled, ultimately left a thorn in everyone's heart, pricking you from time to time, making it unforgettable.

Time flows like water, never changing according to human will, surging forward with might. The major and minor events that occur in the Ninja World are nothing more than a ripple or two on this long river, quickly becoming silent and forgotten under its immense power.

Time flew by and it was springtime in Year 46 of Konoha. Spring thunder rumbled and all things came back to life, but the warm spring breeze failed to dispel the heavy gloom hanging over the Ninja World.

On the contrary, with the arrival of the new year, the situation across the continent is like a taut bowstring, increasingly revealing an ominous silence and oppressive friction.

--

What was originally a covert contest has now evolved into overt military mobilization and border standoffs. As if by prior agreement, all countries have simultaneously strengthened their military forces along their borders.

Around Konoha, Sunagakure had already begun to significantly increase its troop presence on the border last year, replacing the previously sparse surveillance outposts with sturdy forward fortifications.

Organized Sunagakure Ninja units are frequently appearing in the desert, and the activities of the Puppet Master Unit have also increased significantly.

This year, large numbers of Sunagakure troops have appeared within the Land of Rivers, and the Land of Rivers has not made any statement about any of this.

At the same time, the Land of Lightning, a village known throughout the Ninja World for its warlike nature, also displayed its domineering attitude by simultaneously dispatching additional ninja troops to the borders of the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth, leaving people momentarily confused about their specific intentions.

Although the Land of Earth was relatively restrained, it had to take corresponding precautions as the number of Border Troops from various countries increased. But all the villages knew that this was a clever wolf, and given the opportunity, it wouldn't hesitate to pounce and bite them hard.

As an independent island nation, the Land of Water rarely participated in the two previous Ninja World Wars, but this time they have been very active, and the Mist Village can be seen in the waters near the Land of Fire.

Konoha, under this immense pressure, was forced into full alert. The rumors that had plagued Konoha for 45 years had created widespread panic, and although nearly half a year had passed, the shadow of those rumors still lingered in people's hearts.

Faced with ninjas from other countries eyeing them covetously from all sides, the Hokage Building had no choice but to withdraw more ninjas from its mission schedule, especially experienced Jonin and Chunin squads, and send them to the borders of various countries.

As a well-established team, Team 8 also had to face the village's latest arrangements. Masasuke Yamaguchi, an experienced and combat-oriented Jonin, had been transferred out of the team and was assigned to be a vanguard by the village.

The remaining members of Team 8 have now been assigned a newly promoted Chunin to form a brand new squad, with Taiichi serving as the Captain.

Since the beginning of the year, tasks such as infiltration, reconnaissance, and sabotage, which are rarely seen in normal times, have been continuously assigned to various teams under the village's arrangement. Prices in the village have changed three times a day, and the atmosphere is not as peaceful as before. The air is filled with the anxiety and unease of an impending major battle.

Faced with the increasingly tense situation, Taiichi dared not slacken his training. After all, in this chaotic world, only by becoming strong could he truly protect those he cared about.

The morning sunlight of spring slanted across the Training Ground at home, illuminating the boy wielding Short Sword. Combined with the golden flames flowing from the blade, the whole scene appeared solemn and magnificent.

Of course, the scene would be even more beautiful if you ignored the rocks and mounds that were being targeted.

With a single diagonal slash, the rock in front of him snapped in two, the cross-section revealing a molten, dark red color.

Taiichi's current techniques can sever a target in two with a single strike if the target has no special protection.

As the battle neared its end, Taiichi unleashed a devastating sword strike, the blazing Flame Transformation Flame Blade Qi passed, mounds, rocks, and targets were all cleaved in two. The sword energy continued its relentless momentum into the distance, only to be stopped by the protective Barrier at the edge of the arena.

This is also Taiichi's proudest achievement during this period. After half a year of hard work, the Protective Barrier around the Training Ground is no longer as fragile as it used to be.

The current Barrier so strong that it cannot be broken in a short time unless Taiichi attacks with all his might, which allows Taiichi to train at home even more recklessly.

The biggest gain during this period was the complete perfection of the Fire Transformation Technique. With Chakra Control reaching Lv10, the last shortcoming of the Fire Transformation Technique was finally made up. After so much practice, Taiichi can now finally turn his whole body into flames.

Standing in the center of the Training Ground, with Taiichi, his entire body, starting from the extremities, gradually transformed into drifting flames. These flames then collapsed and concentrated, leaving only a Bright Gold flame that was both intensely blazing and exceptionally solid!

This flame was completely different from the leaping and lightness of ordinary flames; instead, it seemed to flow like water, circulating repeatedly from bottom to top.

He floated in mid-air, gradually extending limbs and a head from a ball, finally returning to human form. When he opened his eyes, his original eyes now resembled two sparkling rubies.

Experiencing feelings completely different from usual, although I have transformed many times, each time is so novel.

In his flame state, Taiichi's vision is not purely that of a normal person; it is superimposed with a layer of thermal Taiichi. This makes everything appear as a red and blue background, with the color becoming redder and brighter as the temperature increases and bluer and darker as the temperature decreases.

In this fully Flame Transformation state, Taiichi is more like a flame, able to float in the air. However, Taiichi can only float slowly at this moment, and the defect is still very serious.

To overcome this difficulty, Taiichi currently believes that he must reach a higher level of Chakra Control, enabling him to freely switch between other Chakra attributes while in flame form.

With his right hand outstretched and grasping, a Chakra Blade formed from condensed flames appeared in Taiichi's hand. Unlike the Flame Blade, which required a physical sword, this blade was entirely formed from Chakra. Currently, it could only be used in this state, and it was this state's powerful enhancement to Fire Style that gave Taiichi this ability.

With a casual wave of his hand, the released Flame Blade Qi nearly destroyed the protective Barrier.

Startled Taiichi quickly withdrew his power. After all, while the current Barrier was indeed sturdy, it would be incredibly expensive to destroy it!

After exiting the Flame Transformation form, Taiichi returned to his physical body. This is the biggest drawback of the Fire Transformation Technique; a complete transformation takes too long.

However, the original purpose of this technique has been achieved. Taiichi no longer has any vital organs. If you stab him, no matter where you hit him, as long as it doesn't kill him instantly, he can recover instantly through the transformation of flames.

It could be said that Taiichi at this point was practically immortal, and his ability to survive on the battlefield was top-notch.

Taiichi glanced at his panel, deciding to do his necessary exercise for the day.

Name: Taichi Matsushita Occupation: Chunin Lv4 (183/600)

Talent: Diligence Makes Up for Mediocrity, Academic Overachiever, Potent. Age: 10 years old. Physique: 24 (1/5).

Strength: 23

Agility: 23 (1 point gained from training)

Spirit: 27

Chakra: 25000 (24500)

Attribute Points: 23

Skill Points: 23

Fire Nature Transformation Lv11 (1923/3000)

Wind Release Nature Transformation level 10 (1112/2000)

Water Nature Transformation Lv9 (376/1600)

Earth Style Nature Transformation Lv6 (203/1000)

Lightning Nature Transformation level 6 (158/1000)

Yang Release Nature Transformation Lv8 (1056/1400)

Yin Release Nature Transformation Lv6 (931/1000)

Chakra Shape Transformation Lv9 (725/1600)

Chakra Control Lv10 (1857/2000)

Skills: Advanced Taijutsu Lv4 (831/5000), Advanced Meditation Lv3 (3154/4000), Advanced Swordsmanship Lv4 (1456/5000)

Derivative Skill: Blade Momentum (Guardian) Power +5% A sword strike executed for protection, with greater power. The Blade Momentum is imbued with the intent of protection, giving enemies a sense of invincibility. Chakra Enhanced Strength Lv7 (820/1000)

Evaluation: War is about to begin, and you are fully prepared. Now, young man, let yourself go!

This annoying comment finally spoke like a human being. Taiichi felt that as long as he wasn't deliberately courting death or trapped and unable to escape, it would be difficult for him to die even if he wanted to.

After finishing his daily tasks, Taiichi packed up his supplies and headed to the Mission Hall. Today was the day the team would receive a mission.

The village is now shrouded in the shadow of war, and there is a severe shortage of manpower everywhere.

The team no longer had much time to rest. Often, after finishing one mission and resting for a day, they would immediately start another mission.

The entire village was like a giant war machine, silently accelerating its operation!

Upon arriving at the Mission Hall, the rest of the team members were already present: Yohei Uchiha, Saori Furukawa, and their new teammate, Kaze Wafu.

Kaze Wafu was the only one left in his previous squad. He had just been promoted to Chunin for his merits and was a typical ninja who was forcibly promoted during the war.

He is the oldest in Taiichi Squad, four years older than Yohei and Saori. However, he is the weakest among them.

He was well aware of his situation. Firstly, he had joined later, and secondly, his strength was indeed lacking. Therefore, he rarely spoke and always Taiichi's advice.

The team has been working together for almost three months, so Taiichi is going to take on a challenging mission to hone his skills.

The group arrived at the Mission Office, Taiichi immediately picked up the A-rank Mission form and began to read it.

Yohei and Saori, standing nearby, were clearly eager to try, looking like they'd been itching to get started for a while.

Meanwhile, Kaze Wafu looked nervous and was about to stop Taiichi from being too radical, but seeing the expressions of the two veteran team members, she decided not to say anything more.

Previously, in order to take care of the new team members, Taiichi only accepted B-rank missions, partly to allow them to get used to each other and partly to understand their abilities.

But in reality, not to mention Taiichi's current strength, Yohei also has the strength of Jonin.

This squad is definitely an elite squad.

With just a few glances, a mission was launched into Taiichi: to eliminate foreign ninjas who had entered the Land of Fire.

Taiichi readily accepted the mission, for no other reason than that it offered both an opponent and a degree of freedom.

Upon receiving the Mission Scroll, the four members of the team immediately called to view it.

The mission is simple and clear: the village has discovered that a large number of foreign ninjas have entered the Land of Fire, disrupting our Resupply lines and even attacking some small towns. The team's mission is to eliminate all foreign ninjas they encounter!

After reviewing the mission Kaze Wafu was somewhat puzzled. "Isn't 'all the ninjas' too general? What if there are ninjas who are simply carrying out their missions? Should we kill them too?"

Taiichi glanced at Kaze Wafu. This guy has been a ninja for so many years, how could he ask such a childish question?

Just as he was about to answer, Yohei preemptively gave the answer, "We're operating behind the battlefield. What kind of good person could appear here at this time? And even if he is, he can only blame himself. After all, war is no joke!"