Chapter 50 — War Breaks Out, Preparing for Graduation
In the Land of Rivers.
Unlike the peace of Konoha, fierce battles raged here as Konoha and the Sand Village clashed violently.
The cause was simple—Sunagakure, following the Kazekage's orders, had begun plundering resources from the Land of Rivers. Konoha, having accepted a commission, stepped in to protect the country.
One side was the employer, the other the invader.
It sounded as though Konoha stood on the side of justice, but in truth, both sides brought suffering to the Land of Rivers. Compared to the Sand Village's blunt brutality, Konoha merely cloaked itself in a final layer of propriety by charging exorbitant mission fees.
There was no need for words.
Weapons were drawn, and both sides struck without hesitation—every move aimed to kill.
Ninjutsu collided, steel clashed, and upon the devastated land, several corpses were left behind before both sides withdrew.
But that wasn't all.
Root operated in the shadows, disguising themselves as Sand ninja to plunder wealth.
If you loot, then I'll loot too.
At that moment, the two great nations completely tore off their masks, escalating into full-scale conflict.
From the Land of Rivers to the Land of Rain, the fighting spread, devastating both smaller nations. Countless civilians were displaced, left wandering without homes.
Then the Land of Earth joined in, unwilling to be left behind.
If everyone else was taking their share, why not them?
The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, dispatched ninja—not to engage in direct battle with the two sides, but to secretly plunder resources.
In the end, the battlefield converged on the smallest nation—the Land of Rain.
Two nations fought openly, while the Tsuchikage struck from the shadows. The Land of Rain was reduced to ruin—cries of anguish filled the air, corpses lay scattered everywhere.
This provoked the leader of the Rain ninja—known as the "Demigod of the Shinobi World," Hanzō of the Salamander.
In the autumn of Konoha Year 32,
Hanzō struck decisively, slaughtering all invading ninja and boldly declaring war on the Land of Wind, the Land of Fire, and the Land of Earth.
The news spread rapidly across the entire shinobi world.
And at that very moment—
Autumn, Year 32 of Konoha.
The Second Shinobi World War began.
...…
Hokage Office.
Bang!
Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed his hand onto the desk as if driven by deep hatred.
Fury surged in his eyes, his gaze blazing like fire, intimidating all who saw it.
"Arrogant and overconfident! Who does he think he is? Just because of a title, he's lost sight of himself… To dare declare war on Konoha—does he not fear the destruction of the Land of Rain?"
"Danzō, what should Konoha do?"
Danzō's expression was calm, even carrying a hint of satisfaction.
A mere Land of Rain daring to declare war on the strongest nation in the shinobi world—and against three nations at once.
This wasn't just provocation. It was a blatant slap in the face.
Even Hiruzen, who usually favored peace, could no longer tolerate it.
"What should we do? We fight. I will make that arrogant fool understand—Konoha is not to be provoked."
Hiruzen's words were firm, leaving no room for compromise.
"Who will we send? Though Hanzō is arrogant, his strength is undeniable. Ordinary ninja cannot handle him."
As Root's leader, Danzō was well-informed about Hanzō's capabilities.
Hiruzen fell silent, deep in thought, recalling the intelligence reports.
Hanzō of the Salamander was regarded as one of the strongest in the shinobi world—a "demigod." Wearing a special breathing mask, he could move freely in water, unmatched in its control.
Confident yet suspicious by nature, he preferred to act from the shadows.
Hanzō could release paralytic poison simply by breathing. To avoid harming allies, they wore a breathing apparatus—his power originating from a poison sac implanted into his body in childhood.
Hiruzen felt a headache coming on.
Aside from himself, Konoha currently had no one capable of matching Hanzō.
Bang!
The Hokage office doors were kicked open.
Hiruzen rubbed his forehead with a helpless smile. He didn't even need to look to know who it was.
In all of Konoha, only one person dared kick open the Hokage's door—
His precious student, Tsunade.
"Old man! I heard that some so-called Salamander Hanzō dares to declare war on Konoha. Is he tired of living?"
Hiruzen puffed on his pipe without replying.
Danzō interjected, "Your teacher is troubled by this matter as well. Though Hanzō is arrogant, his strength is formidable. In all of Konoha, only your teacher can face him head-on."
Tsunade blinked in surprise. "Danzō, what are you doing here?"
Danzō's face darkened.
So I'm just invisible to you?
Ignoring him, Tsunade stepped forward and slammed her hand onto the desk—
Crash!
The Hokage's desk shattered instantly.
"Old man, just stay here and command from the rear. I'll go and bring back Hanzō's head."
At this moment, Tsunade's attachment to Konoha ran deep. Anyone who threatened the village was her enemy.
Hiruzen didn't mind her overstepping, but he hesitated.
Tsunade was strong, yes—but there was still a gap between her and Hanzō.
And in battles at that level, even the slightest gap could be fatal.
He did not want to outlive his student.
Just as he was about to refuse, two voices interrupted him.
"Teacher, let us go."
Orochimaru and Jiraiya entered the office, meeting Hiruzen's gaze with unwavering determination.
"As your disciples, it is our duty to share your burden."
Hiruzen looked at his three students, deeply gratified.
"A fledgling must one day spread its wings. You've all grown up… then go. I'll be waiting for your return."
"Yes! x3"
This harmonious teacher-student moment deeply irritated Danzō.
Hmph. Sending three brats to face Hanzō?
Hiruzen… you'll regret this.
...…
Elsewhere.
The Kinoshita residence.
At eight and a half years old, Kinoshita Hikaru stood 145 centimeters tall. With white teeth, and bright, lively eyes, he wore a sky-blue high-collared short-sleeve shirt, white shorts, and ninja sandals. His black hair swayed in the wind—he looked exceptionally handsome.
After tidying up, he picked up a gift and prepared to head out.
Today was Uchiha Mikoto's tenth birthday.
Meeting up with the others along the way, they entered the Uchiha district. The guards recognized them and did not stop them.
After all, with their daily, unwavering taijutsu training, it was hard for the Uchiha—Konoha's "law enforcement"—not to know them.
This was Hikaru's first time entering the district, and he couldn't help but look around.
There was nothing particularly special about it—no mystery as he had imagined. Just an extra wall surrounding it. Along the streets, Uchiha clan members sold goods.
These were Uchiha without ninja talent. Like ordinary people, they needed livelihoods to survive.
The difference was that the typically proud Uchiha, once inside their clan grounds, shed their aloofness and revealed genuine, bright smiles.
When they arrived at Mikoto's house, she was already waiting at the door.
"Everyone's here—come in!"
At ten years old, Uchiha Mikoto had grown even more beautiful. With her hair in a ponytail, she radiated youthful energy.
"Happy birthday, Mikoto! These are for you."
Everyone handed over their gifts, celebrating together.
They all cherished this piece of childhood.
This celebration… might be their last.
They let loose, sharing embarrassing stories, teasing one another, getting mock-angry—only to burst into laughter again.
Now that war had begun, the Ninja Academy had issued a notice:
The elite class would graduate early, officially becoming genin to prepare for the war.
Kinoshita Hikaru wasn't surprised.
It was only natural.
As "geniuses," they enjoyed vast resources—there was no way they would follow the normal graduation timeline.
What defines a genius?
Someone who breaks convention.
Besides, the academy had little left to teach them.
What remained could only be learned through real combat.
"Hikaru-kun, have some sushi. I made this specially for you."
"Thank you."
As the host, Mikoto took care of everyone, but paid special attention to Hikaru—her enthusiasm was unmistakable.
Seated on the other side, Uchiha Shigeru's eyes turned red—
as if on the verge of awakening something.
***
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