Naruto stood atop the platform, inspecting this group of special "new students."
He offered neither comfort nor promises.
"From today onward, you will have new names—the numbers on your chests." His voice carried clearly to every child through the amplifying device. "Here, you will receive an entirely new education."
"Completely cast aside those ridiculous ninja techniques in your heads. They are all garbage from a bygone era."
Naruto raised three fingers.
"You will have only three subjects."
"First, extreme physical conditioning and military hand-to-hand combat. Your bodies must become tougher than steel."
"Second, proficiency with standard-issue weapons. Bolters and Lasguns will become your new teeth and claws."
"Third, and most important of all—"
Naruto took out a small black booklet with no writing on its cover from behind his back and held it high.
"—the Imperial Truth and Discipline Manual."
"It will be your only faith and your sole code of conduct from now on. Obey, or die. There is no third choice."
A trace of reaction finally appeared on the children's numb faces. They did not understand those complicated terms, but they understood "obey" and "die."
This did not seem much different from their lives in Kirigakure.
Yet for some reason, as they looked at the figure on the platform, they felt for the first time that this "death" might be different from all the ones before.
Meanwhile.
Far away in Kumogakure, in the Raikage's Office.
Bang!
With a deafening crash, a solid hardwood desk was smashed to pieces by an arm wreathed in blue lightning.
Fourth Raikage A's bronze skin bulged with veins as he stared at the two intelligence reports scattered across the desk, rage erupting from his chest like a volcano.
One concerned how Konoha had silently wiped out every spy planted by the major