Departure, Target: Kikyo Mountain!

Three days later.

Beneath the Hokage Rock.

Twenty-three figures stood in three neat rows.

There was no whispering.

There was no murmuring.

Even Obito, usually the most restless of them all, kept his face taut, eyes fixed straight ahead at the high platform.

Above them loomed the three massive stone faces of the Hokage.

A morning breeze swept by, carrying a few fallen leaves.

On the platform, Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen stood waiting.

Clenching his pipe and wearing his ceremonial haori, his expression was ten times more solemn than usual.

Behind him stood several Anbu and Ikkaku Umino.

No one spoke.

Only a thin wisp of smoke drifted occasionally from the pipe.

Third Hokage swept his gaze over the faces below.

Twenty-three.

Not a single one missing.

He nodded.

"You all made it out alive."

His voice was not loud, but every word reached every person's ears with perfect clarity.

"Very good."

He paused, taking a deep drag from his pipe.

"Normally, you would have had a two-week break after graduation."

"However—"

He lowered his pipe.

"There is no break."

The silence below deepened.

"At dawn yesterday, an army of ten thousand from Iwagakure crossed the border of the Land of Grass and began advancing toward the Land of Fire."

"Twenty thousand troops from Kumogakure have gathered in the Land of Rice Fields, with their sights set on the Land of Hot Water."

"The naval forces of Kirigakure have appeared off the east coast of the Land of Fire and have begun probing for a landing."

Third Hokage's voice remained flat.

Yet every word struck like a stone against everyone's heart.

"The Third Shinobi World War has already begun."

The crowd was so quiet one could hear heartbeats.

Someone swallowed hard.

Someone clenched their fists.

Third Hokage looked at them.

He looked at these children, barely eight or nine years old.

He was silent for a few seconds.

Then, he spoke.

"You should have been given more time to grow."

"But war waits for no one."

He raised his hand.

The Anbu behind him brought forward a tray.

On the tray, twenty-three brand-new Konoha headbands were neatly arranged.

Third Hokage picked one up and held it under the sunlight.

The metal plate reflected a blinding glare.

"From this day forward, you are no longer students of the Ninja Academy."

"You are Genin of Konoha."

He paused.

"You are ninjas of Konoha."

He placed his forehead protector back onto the tray.

"Ikkaku Umino."

Ikkaku Umino stepped forward.

"Yes."

"You announce the assignments."

Ikkaku Umino nodded and walked to the front of the platform.

He held a list in his hand.

He glanced at the crowd below.

Those twenty-three children were all staring at the paper in his hand.

That was the thing that would decide their fates.

Where they would go.

Who they would be with.

Who they would fight alongside.

Whether they would die.

Ikkaku Umino took a deep breath.

"Rin Nohara, Uchiha Obito."

Hearing his own name right at the start, Obito's body jolted.

Rin, standing beside him, was also stunned for a moment.

The two exchanged a look, then turned their eyes toward the platform.

Ikkaku Umino continued reading.

"You are assigned to Team 7, led by Captain Minato Namikaze."

"Proceed immediately to the border of the Land of Grass and report to Captain Minato."

"There—"

He glanced at Obito.

"Hatake Kakashi is already waiting for you."

Obito's eyes lit up.

Rin's eyes lit up as well.

"Kakashi!"

Obito nearly shouted, but Rin secretly tugged at his sleeve, and he quickly shut his mouth.

Yet, the excitement on his face could not be hidden.

Kakashi!

That guy!

He hadn't seen him in a year!

Ikkaku Umino watched his face, which was on the verge of blooming into a smile, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

"Stand at attention."

Obito quickly straightened his face.

But his eyes remained bright.

Ikkaku Umino continued reading.

"Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma Sarutobi, Shikuroo Aburame."

Kurenai was stunned, a look of disappointment crossing her face, but she quickly stepped forward.

"You are assigned to the Intelligence Division, led by Captain Yamanaka Shinichi."

"Proceed to the intelligence outpost on the border of the Land of Rice Fields to report."

"Your primary duties are reconnaissance behind enemy lines, intelligence gathering, and infiltration and sabotage."

Ikkaku Umino paused.

"It is very dangerous."

"But it is very important."

Kurenai took a deep breath.

She turned her head to look at Guy in the back row.

Guy was looking at her.

Their gazes met.

Kurenai pursed her lips, then smiled.

It wasn't the kind of smile that said, "I'm so scared."

It was the kind of smile that said, "Don't worry."

Might Guy smiled back.

He gave a thumbs-up.

Kurenai turned back around.

She continued to watch the stage.

Ikkaku Umino kept reading out names.

Every time one was called, a child would step forward and silently join their group.

Might Guy was also waiting for his assignment.

In his memories, he only knew that Might Guy had survived in the end.

But the process, he did not know.

Suddenly, Ikkaku Umino paused.

He looked down at the list.

Then he looked up.

"Might Guy."

Might Guy's body jolted.

It was time.

His own name.

Ikkaku Umino looked at him.

"Might Guy, Ebisu, Shiranui Genma."

"Assigned to Team 9, Captain Akimichi Choza."

"Proceed immediately toward Kikyo Mountain and report to Captain Akimichi Choza."

Kikyo Mountain.

When those three words left Ikkaku Umino's mouth, Might Guy's mind buzzed.

Kikyo Mountain.

The site where the great battle between Konoha and Sunagakure erupted during the Third Shinobi World War.

In the original story, Konoha won this battle.

But many people died.

So, so many.

Beside him, Ebisu adjusted his sunglasses and muttered under his breath.

"Kikyo Mountain? Where is that?"

Shiranui Genma, chewing on a toothpick, said calmly, "It's at the border between the Land of Fire, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Earth. It belongs to our Land of Fire, so it's technically within our borders."

"Within our borders? Then it should be safe."

Ebisu breathed a sigh of relief.

Shiranui Genma ignored him, only glancing at Might Guy.

There were some things Shiranui Genma didn't say out loud.

Where we go isn't actually important; who we're teamed up with is what matters.

Besides, being on a team with this guy is surprisingly reassuring.

Ikkaku Umino continued to read the remaining names.

One after another.

One after another.

Some were assigned to the front lines.

Some were assigned to the rear.

Some went to the garrison.

Some went to the supply lines.

All twenty-three people had their destinations.

Ikkaku Umino finished reading the last list and closed the notebook.

He looked down at the crowd.

"Did you all hear clearly?"

"Yes!"

"Any questions?"

No one spoke.

Ikkaku Umino nodded.

The Third Hokage stepped forward at this moment.

He swept his gaze over these children.

Then he spoke.

"There is something I must make clear before you depart."

The crowd below fell silent.

The Third spoke slowly.

"War means death."

"Some of you will die on the battlefield."

"Some will never return."

"This is not to frighten you."

"It is a fact."

"However."

He paused.

He looked at every face below.

"The reason Konoha is Konoha is not because of how strong the Hokage is, nor because of how formidable the Anbu are."

"It is because generation after generation of ninja are willing to die on the battlefield to protect those behind them."

"This is the Will of Fire."

He put his pipe back into his mouth.

"Remember why you fight."

"Go."

There was silence for a few seconds below.

Then, someone moved.

Obito took a deep breath and turned around.

Rin followed by his side.

The two walked out.

After a few steps, Obito suddenly turned back.

"Guy!"

Guy looked up, before he could speak.

Obito suddenly gave a thumbs up.

He performed his signature gesture.

"See you on the battlefield!"

Guy was stunned for a moment.

Then he smiled.

He also gave a thumbs up.

"See you on the battlefield!"

Obito turned back and strode away.

Rin waved at Guy and followed after him.

Kurenai walked over and stood in front of Guy.

She looked up at him.

Her wine-red eyes were bright.

"Guy."

"Hm?"

"You... must stay alive."

Guy lowered his head, looking at Kurenai, who was half a head shorter than him, and placed his hand on her head.

He ruffled her hair.

"You too."

Kurenai Yuhi froze for a moment.

Then, she blushed.

But she didn't pull away.

She just stood there, letting him ruffle her hair.

After two seconds, she whispered.

"I will live well."

"You must live well, too."

"When the time comes... when the time comes, we will meet again."

Guy nodded.

"Alright."

Kurenai Yuhi smiled, pursing her lips.

She turned and ran toward Asuma.

After a few steps, she looked back.

"Guy!"

"Hm?"

"Don't forget that promise!"

Then she ran off into the distance.

Guy stood where he was, watching her figure disappear into the crowd.

The promise.

Of course he remembered.

The promise on the cliff.

He would be her strongest shield.

She would be his genjutsu support.

Aburame Shikoku came over at this moment to say goodbye to Guy as well.

However, just before leaving, Guy suddenly leaned in and whispered into Aburame Shikoku's ear.

"Do me a favor."

Aburame Shikoku was stunned. "A favor? What kind of favor?"

Guy pursed his lips toward Asuma's direction.

"Help me keep an eye on that kid."

Hearing this, Aburame Shikoku looked at Asuma, then at Kurenai Yuhi, and finally back at Guy.

An "I understand" expression appeared on his face.

Then, he quietly gave a thumbs-up.

"Leave it to me!"

"Heh heh, good brother!"

Guy grinned.

Hearing the word "brother," Aburame Shikoku became even more excited.

This was the first time someone had called him that.

"Alright, go on, they're still waiting for you."

"Yeah! I'm off then! You, take care of yourself too, brother!"

Aburame Shikoku nodded heavily, then turned and left.

Guy withdrew his gaze and looked down at the forehead protector in his hands.

Brand new.

He hadn't worn it yet.

He held the forehead protector up and tied it around his forehead.

The metal was a bit cold.

But the moment it touched his skin, he felt as if something had been settled.

"Guy."

Ebisu walked over.

Genma followed behind him.

Both of them were already wearing their forehead protectors.

Ebisu pushed up his sunglasses.

"Let's go. Captain Akimichi Choza is waiting at Kikyo Mountain."

Genma, chewing on a toothpick, nodded.

Guy took a deep breath.

Kikyo Mountain.

Within half a year, it would become the site of the most brutal warfare.

Even though he knew what he was about to face.

He did not retreat.

Nor could he!

There was less than three years left until the encounter with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

This meant his father, Might Duy, also had less than three years remaining.

He had to reach a level within three years where he could kick seven elite jonin to death.

Otherwise, he still wouldn't be able to rewrite the fate of Might Duy.

He had to become stronger!

And war was the best catalyst for growth!

He turned around.

The three of them headed in the direction of Kikyo Mountain.

Everyone had already said their goodbyes to their families three days ago.

Today was the day they set off.

Behind them, the three faces on the Hokage Rock looked down in silence.

The wind blew past.

It stirred the fallen leaves on the ground.

Shouts echoed from the distance.

Some had set off.

Some were on their way.

War.

Had begun.