When Anyo opened his eyes, he found that it was already broad daylight. He looked around and saw only a little brat dozing beside him.
Isn't this Kakashi? Where am I?
He thought back. Oh, I must have drained the last bit of strength from my body and passed out from exhaustion. Don't tell me this little guy dragged me inside.
With a mischievous look, Anyo plucked out a strand of hair and brushed it back and forth across Kakashi's nose a couple of times.
"Achoo!"
Kakashi let out a huge sneeze and opened his bleary eyes, immediately spotting a grinning face and the strand of hair in Anyo's hand. Though he was young, he quickly realized what had happened. His little face flushed red, and he pointed at Anyo. "You're so mean! If I'd known, I would've left you sleeping outside."
This little brat is pretty amusing. After teasing him awake, Anyo reached out and patted his little head. "All right, I was wrong. I shouldn't have disturbed your sleep. How about I take you out for something tasty?"
At the mention of food, Kakashi's stomach suddenly growled. His face immediately turned embarrassed, and his mouth opened and closed, but for a moment he could not say anything.
"Haha!"
Anyo laughed, scooped up the somewhat reluctant Kakashi, and headed out.
It had to be said that although small-scale wars broke out frequently, Konoha was, after all, a place that produced one powerful shinobi after another. The atmosphere in the village was therefore still fairly relaxed, and its various businesses were thriving. Naturally, the place Anyo took Kakashi was the famous Ichiraku Ramen.
That was right-Ichiraku Ramen already existed in this era, and business was very good. The food was delicious and inexpensive.
As they reached the entrance, a rich aroma wafted out. Anyo ordered two bowls of noodles as soon as he entered. When the two steaming bowls of ramen were brought to the table, with their rich broth and seasonings, Kakashi involuntarily swallowed. Even Anyo did not seem so annoying anymore.
"Let's dig in!"
Anyo started eating first, and Kakashi naturally refused to fall behind. Both ate with gusto. Though ramen was only ordinary people's fare, honestly, the meal was very satisfying—far better than the military ration pills ninja ate to restore their strength.
After drinking the last mouthful of broth, both patted their bellies in satisfaction.
"Let's go home."
After returning to White Fang's home, Anyo went to the training ground again. Just as he had yesterday, he picked up his blade and began training. Unlike yesterday, after a day's practice, he could clearly feel that he was more in tune with the blade. Swinging it felt relaxed and effortless. Though he had not reached White Fang's level, it was not necessarily impossible if he kept at it over the long term.
Kakashi watched, engrossed, from the side. He had watched until very late yesterday, too. Now he finally understood why his father had taken this person as a student. He really was skilled with a blade, and he worked hard, too.
Unfortunately, his father would not let him learn, saying he was too young and his frame had not fully developed yet, so practicing now would do more harm than good. After watching for a while, Kakashi felt motivated as well and returned to his little wooden post to practice. For a time, the only sounds left in the courtyard were those of the two practicing.
Time flowed like water. For half a year, Anyo trained in White Fang's courtyard. Since becoming a Genin, he had yet to carry out a single mission, and White Fang, his teacher, had never urged him to do so. Anyo was very pleased about that.
He had no confidence about going onto the battlefield. After all, he was not someone like the Konoha 12, who would never die no matter how they fought. In this age of war, any lapse could cost you your life. Enemies were not NPCs; they would not act according to your wishes. So, to stay alive, he had to put in more effort.
"Kakashi, how was that slash? Pretty cool, right?"
Over the past half year, the two had become very familiar with each other. Kakashi had become much less prickly and had gradually accepted this older boy who had suddenly appeared. It was just that Anyo's occasional teasing gave him a headache.
"Hmph, I didn't see it." Kakashi turned his head away, unwilling to answer.
Anyo decided to tease him. "Oh, really? You clearly saw it. Come on, are you jealous of me?"
Kakashi really did feel a little that way, but now that he had been exposed, he had learned another method: put on a cool, aloof air, ignore him, and let him say whatever he wanted.
Naturally, Anyo saw through his little ploy. Just as he was about to tease him some more, White Fang suddenly appeared. He was dressed in ninja attire, his face grim and murderous. He spoke concisely. "Anyo, put on your ninja clothes and bring your forehead protector and ninja tools. We're moving out."
One look told Anyo that there must be a mission. He quickly replied, "Yes!"
The two soon left Konoha. Along the way, White Fang did not say a single word, his expression extremely serious.
It was the first time Anyo had seen White Fang so tense, and he could not help asking, "What happened?"
After hearing him, White Fang fell silent for a moment before slowly saying, "I think the Second Shinobi World War is about to begin."
"What?"
Anyo was shaken. A Shinobi World War was no joking matter. Every one of them involved almost all ninja. He had studied some history in Konoha. After the First Shinobi World War, every nation had suffered devastating losses. Among the Five Great Nations, apart from Sunagakure, the Kage of the other four had all died in battle. That, of course, included Konoha's Second Hokage, the man who had researched countless forbidden techniques.
Though Konoha had ultimately won, its losses had also been appalling.
White Fang continued, "Hanzo of the Salamander, known as the Demigod, has declared war on Sunagakure, Konoha, and the Land of Iron simultaneously."
"The Demigod?" Anyo was a little puzzled. Was there someone like that in Naruto? He could not help asking curiously, "Who is this man? He actually dared to declare war on three great nations at once, all by himself?"
White Fang's gaze grew deep. "Someone very strong."
White Fang's answer still left Anyo uncertain about the man's strength, so he asked more specifically, "How does he compare to you?"
After pondering for a moment, White Fang said, "We haven't fought, so I don't know. But in a fight to the death, I'd have a seventy percent chance of killing him."
Put that way, Anyo understood. He really was a troublesome opponent.
"Are we going to the front lines now?"
Hearing that, White Fang finally glanced at Anyo and asked with a meaningful look, "Are you afraid?"
Anyo answered honestly, "Of course I'm afraid, but that's a ninja's fate, so I'll definitely follow orders, as long as you don't make me carry out a mission that's certain to get me killed."
Anyo's honesty made White Fang chuckle despite himself. "Don't worry. We're not going to Amegakure. Hanzo of the Salamander is still dealing with the Land of Iron at the moment. We're going to Sunagakure."
Before you continue