A year had passed quickly.
At this moment, in the training grounds of the Ninja Academy, a group of students earnestly gazed at Uncle Nishimura's darkened expression.
Uncle Nishimura looked gratified as he handed a forehead protector—symbolizing a Leaf Village ninja—to Mikoto.
Mikoto put on the forehead protector and then walked down.
"Next, Tatsumi."
Tatsumi stepped forward with a grin, but the smile on Uncle Nishimura's face instantly disappeared.
With a casual toss, Uncle Nishimura handed Tatsumi his forehead protector, making the preferential treatment glaringly obvious. Tatsumi couldn't help but feel a little resentful.
Fortunately, Uncle Nishimura didn't treat Nawaki any better. But neither of them could complain—after all, just a week ago, their meddling had ruined Uncle Nishimura's sixth blind date.
The fact that he was merely showing them a cold attitude instead of outright punishing them was already an act of restraint on his part.
Nawaki, despite the frosty reception, was overjoyed to become a Genin. From today onward, he was only two steps away from his dream—becoming Hokage.
However, his excitement soon took a dramatic turn. He suddenly burst into tears, clutched his forehead protector, and knelt at the school gate to solemnly swear:
"I volunteer to join the Leaf Village ninja forces, uphold the Leaf Village's program, fulfill my ninja obligations, carry out the Hokage's orders, strictly abide by the ninja code, remain loyal to the Hokage, fight for the Will of Fire for life, and be ready to sacrifice everything for the Hokage and the people!"
Of course, had Tatsumi not seen the Third Hokage standing at the gate, he might have almost believed Nawaki's theatrics.
Despite their new Genin status, they didn't have time to celebrate. The Second Shinobi World War was in full swing, and they were being sent straight to the battlefield in the Land of Rain.
Nawaki, still reveling in his performance from earlier, filled them in on the latest developments.
In just one year, the Land of Rain, which had once dreamed of becoming the sixth great ninja nation, had been reduced to ruins by war.
First, the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain clashed. Then, the Land of Wind, which had been stockpiling troops at the border for years, seized the opportunity to join the fight.
Not long after, the old fox—the Third Tsuchikage—also smelled blood in the water and found an excuse to send Iwagakure forces into the fray.
And just like that, three of the Five Great Nations began taking turns ravaging the Land of Rain. Meanwhile, the Land of Lightning and the Land of Water stood on the sidelines, watching carefully, waiting for the perfect moment to jump in.
It was a tragic but common fate for small countries. They were never truly independent—the only reason they weren't outright annexed by the great nations was that they served a more valuable purpose as battlegrounds for their wars.
So, it didn't matter if you had the so-called "power of a demi-god." The Five Great Nations would always use their fists to remind you who was really in control.
As the war escalated, tensions between the Land of Fire, Wind, and Earth also grew. Before long, the three great nations, once allied against the Rain Country, were now turning their weapons on each other.
At this point, the Land of Rain had truly become a chaotic wasteland.
For a village, ninjas were never enough. This was why the newly graduated Genin—including Tatsumi and his friends—were immediately deployed to the battlefield.
Thankfully, they had already experienced bloodshed, so they weren't entirely lost.
A week later, a group of seasoned ninjas returned from the Rain Country battlefield. Leading them were two powerful warriors: Orochimaru and Konoha's White Fang—Hatake Sakumo.
Tatsumi had long heard of Hatake Sakumo's legendary reputation.
After all, his son would one day become a certain perverted technician who copied a thousand different massage techniques.
Though Sakumo was famous, this was Tatsumi's first time seeing him in person.
Looking at him, it was easy to imagine how handsome Kakashi must have been under his ever-present mask.
Sakumo's signature white hair was tied into a stylish low ponytail. He wore the standard green Jonin vest, and on his back was the short sword White Fang—a blade destined to become infamous across the ninja world.
That very sword had slain countless enemies but would ultimately be broken by Kakashi. What a waste.
As per tradition, the returning ninjas first had to honor the fallen.
Back when Tatsumi and his friends were still students, they hadn't been qualified to attend such memorial services. But now, as full-fledged Konoha Genin, they stood before the Konoha Memorial Stone alongside their teacher, Orochimaru.
Upon meeting Orochimaru again, Tatsumi noticed a subtle change—his presence had become even more ominous.
Standing before the Memorial Stone, Orochimaru didn't speak. He simply stood in silence.
Perhaps among the names engraved there were friends he had lost… or maybe even young Genin he had personally led to battle—only to now bring their remains home to Konoha.
The constant rain of the Land of Rain had only made his pale skin look even more ghostly.
Mourning the dead, resupplying, and then leading a new batch of Genin to the battlefield—this was Orochimaru's routine during his short stay in Konoha.
Three days later, early in the morning, Tatsumi, Mikoto, and Nawaki headed to the gathering point. When they arrived, they spotted Minato standing under a large tree.
"Good morning, Tatsumi, Nawaki, Mikoto," Minato greeted them with his usual warm smile.
"Why are you the only one here? Where are your teammates?" Tatsumi asked curiously.
"Um, they should be here soon," Minato replied, scratching his head.
"Are they easy to get along with?"
Unlike Tatsumi's team, Minato's teammates were unfamiliar faces. Though Tatsumi had done missions with Minato before, that was over a year ago.
"They're alright. At least they're honest," Minato said with a chuckle.
"Yesterday, they even paid for my ramen at Ichiraku. They said they'd count on me to take care of them from now on."
Tatsumi smirked. "Sounds like they just paid protection fees. Boss Minato, who do you want us to take out first?"
"....."
When the time came, the ninjas finally gathered.
Both Tatsumi's team and Minato's team were heading to the battlefield.
As for the little fox, Kushina, she wasn't coming. The Jinchuriki of any village was rarely sent to battle unless absolutely necessary. She was kept under strict watch to ensure she remained within Konoha's sight at all times.
But at least that meant she would be safe.
"Alright, each team, organize your ranks!"
At Hatake Sakumo's command, all chatter ceased. Hundreds of ninjas immediately lined up in formation.
A single cough caught everyone's attention.
Standing atop the Hokage Building, the Third Hokage gazed down at them with authority.
"I won't say much," he began. "All I ask is that you fight bravely, defeat the enemy, and return home victorious!"
Then, without hesitation, he bowed deeply to them.
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
The voices of the ninja army roared in unison, the sound echoing across Konoha—a declaration of their unwavering will.
Orochimaru and Hatake Sakumo turned without hesitation.
"Move out! Destination—Land of Rain!"
Like a rolling storm, Konoha's ninja army surged forward, marching straight toward the battlefield.
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