Companions, Classmates, and Family

Twenty days later, March 28.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, came to the Ninja Academy to make the final preparations for the opening ceremony. He happened to see Taiichi and Guy drenched in sweat, then asked the teachers about the two of them.

What diligent juniors. With juniors like them, Konoha's future would surely be bright!

The next day, Might Guy's name appeared on the Ninja Academy's bulletin board.

"Guy, congratulations. Hard work will always pay off," Taiichi said with a sincere smile.

He had known it. How could this class possibly be without Might Guy? The Third Hokage must have noticed Guy's performance afterward and admitted him as a late enrollee.

"Thank you, Taiichi." Guy was delighted as well. His efforts had finally been rewarded, and nothing could have made him happier.

"Let's keep working hard! Today, we'll run eight hundred laps around the academy. If we can't finish, we'll do eight hundred handstand laps."

April 1.

More than three hundred children of five or six gathered on the Ninja Academy's field. The Third Hokage stood on the platform and delivered an impassioned speech about the Will of Fire.

The Will of Fire's influence should not be underestimated. Although the ideal itself was vague, and although the higher-ups who preached it sometimes led the way in doing reckless things, the Will of Fire truly suited the current circumstances of the Land of Fire and Konoha.

Taiichi would not look down on the Will of Fire, but neither would he believe in it. When necessary, it was quite useful to make use of it.

Compared to Taiichi, who had lived two lives, the Land of Fire's commoners, whose education was practically nonexistent, and Konoha's ninja, who focused solely on combat, were highly suited to the Will of Fire. Its perfectly measured spiritual encouragement and simple, easy-to-understand logic were among the important reasons Konoha surpassed the other four great ninja villages.

"Wherever leaves dance, fire burns on without end. The light of the flames shines upon the village and lets new leaves sprout." The Third Hokage concluded his speech with great passion.

The new students and ninja answered with thunderous applause. The opening ceremony was over.

Classes would officially begin tomorrow. Taiichi Matsushita and Might Guy walked home with their arms around each other's shoulders when they spotted Obito Uchiha, panting heavily by the roadside. Sure enough, he was late again.

Kakashi stopped and glanced sideways at Obito. "Someone who can even be late for the opening ceremony..."

Obito Uchiha turned around indignantly. He knew it was him—Kakashi. Even at a time like this, Kakashi still had to make sarcastic remarks.

Taiichi stopped as well and turned back to watch the show.

Back then, Obito Uchiha had been the brightest kid among his companions. Then Kakashi appeared and stole all the attention, especially Rin's. Sure enough, when Rin looked toward Kakashi again, Obito became even more furious.

No wonder Obito awakened his Mangekyo the instant he saw Rin die in the future. He had been thinking about Rin Nohara since such a young age.

Indeed, Obito, Rin, and Kakashi had already been familiar playmates before enrolling. Unlike Taiichi, who had always lived in the Orphanage and currently only knew Might Guy.

"Here, this is for you."

Rin Nohara held out a document pouch to Obito. "I knew you'd be late, so I took care of everything for you."

"Huh?"

Obito Uchiha froze for a moment, then eagerly accepted the pouch. "You're the best, Rin! Thank you. I was worried sick. If it weren't for you, Grandma would scold me again when I got home."

What a beautiful scene. Hopefully, they would cherish this moment.

Taiichi Matsushita sighed inwardly, then patted Guy on the shoulder. "Let's go!"

"What is it, Taiichi? Do you know them?" Guy looked back as well.

"You could say that. That white-haired guy is the son of the famous White Fang of Konoha."

"I see. Looks like I'll have another opponent in the future."

"More than one. There are quite a few talented people in our class. I need to work even harder too."

"Of course! How about we compete now and see who gets to your house first?"

"Sure." The two of them immediately dashed off.

When they returned to Taiichi's new home, the house that had been empty for so long had already been thoroughly cleaned by Nonō and several older orphans. Even more unexpectedly, Might Duy had come to help as well. Duy was usually busy taking on missions. After all, as a Genin raising two taijutsu ninja, he had no choice but to work desperately.

Looking at the room, which was completely transformed from when he had received it yesterday, Taiichi stepped forward and took Nonō's hand. "You've worked hard, Sister Nonō!" Then he turned to everyone else. "And all of you, stay for dinner today. No one's allowed to run off!"

"Yay! We get to taste Big Brother Taiichi's cooking again!" Several little brats cheered excitedly. Taiichi's cooking skills had been honed over two lifetimes. If cooking had levels, he was at least Lv20.

"Uncle Duy, you should stay too. Try my cooking—I guarantee it'll be worth your trip."

Might Duy had intended to leave after helping, but he stopped in his tracks. Flashing his gleaming white teeth, he grinned. "Yo! Then I'll have to thank you, Taiichi. Uncle will stay and try your cooking today!"

"Haha, everyone, please wait a moment. I'll get started right away." With that, Taiichi headed straight for the kitchen. He had bought the ingredients after finishing his morning training. Knowing Nonō would bring people to help today, he had deliberately purchased extra. Otherwise, there would not have been enough for so many people.

"I'm telling you, Big Brother Taiichi is the best cook in all of Konoha! You'll know once you taste it!" one of the little brats said dramatically.

"Really?" Guy's eyes widened in surprise. "Taiichi never told me!"

An hour later, Guy and Duy stared dumbfounded at the dishes on the table. Each looked, smelled, and tasted wonderful, and they were clearly very different from ordinary Japanese cuisine. Could all this really have been made in such a short time?

"How about that? I didn't lie to you, did I?"

"Don't listen to these little brats. Uncle Duy, Guy, hurry up and eat while it's hot. It won't taste as good once it gets cold."

"Mm, let's eat!" The two clasped their hands together, then picked up the dishes in front of them and put the food into their mouths. Immediately, tears poured down their faces like waterfalls. "It's so delicious!"

"Haha, I knew it would be like this." The little brat from before laughed exaggeratedly again.

"Eat up. Even food can't keep your mouth shut. Look at everyone else—if you don't eat now, there won't be any left."

"Hey! You guys have no loyalty! Why didn't you wait for me?" Saying that, he joined the battle for food.

Only Nonō sat to the side, quietly eating as she watched the lively scene. A faint smile occasionally appeared on her lips.

After the lavish lunch, once they had cleaned up, Might Duy and Might Guy were the first to say goodbye and leave. Then Taiichi walked Nonō and the group of little companions to the door.

"Sister Nonō, don't worry. I can take care of myself. Besides, you can come see me often."

Taiichi said this to Nonō, who kept giving him all sorts of reminders.

Nonō smiled and nodded. "I believe you. But if you run into any difficulties, you must come back to the Orphanage and tell me. The Orphanage will always be your home, understand?"

"Mm, I will!" Taiichi nodded solemnly.

Nonō took out a notebook she had prepared beforehand and handed it to Taiichi. "These are my notes from studying Medical Ninjutsu over the years. Once you cultivate chakra, you can try practicing it. If there's anything you don't understand, come back and ask me. Consider this a housewarming gift."

Taiichi grabbed the notebook and happily wrapped his arms around Nonō's waist. "Ah, thank you so much, Sister!"

Nonō stroked Taiichi's head. "Starting today, Taiichi is a grown-up little man who can stand on his own. Work hard!"

"Mm..."

Taiichi released Nonō and watched as she and the little companions gradually walked away, disappearing at the end of his sight.

Thinking of Nonō's future, she was only a little over twenty now. There were at least ten years before her expected death.

Ten years!

Taiichi Matsushita withdrew his gaze and returned to the house. "I have to become a Jonin, or even reach Kage level, within these ten years. Otherwise, I won't be able to protect Nonō and everyone at the Orphanage."

Of course, the best solution would be to find an opportunity to get rid of Danzo. How many of Konoha's tragedies had that guy orchestrated from the shadows?

An opportunity would come. During the Third Shinobi World War, Danzo often went outside to carry out missions. As long as Taiichi was strong enough by then, killing Danzo would not be impossible. The key was still strength.

Putting away his thoughts, Taiichi took the notebook and headed for the study.