Immortality begins with the ninjas of Konoha.

Chapter 104 The Girl Hit by a "Pie"

At the end of July, the war-weariness among the Iwagakure ninja reached its peak, and many ninjas were afraid to go to the border of the Land of Fire to fight.

Since the team that raided the Tenchi Bridge disappeared without a trace, nearly 300 more Iwagakure ninjas have vanished without a sound.

In addition, the number of ninjas seriously wounded and killed in several surprise attacks on the main battlefield was increasing every day.

Fear spread among the Iwagakure ninja on the front lines, forcing the village to implement rotations earlier than planned. The unexpected situation also disrupted the plans of the Tsuchikage, Onoki.

In the Konoha camp in the Land of Grass, the Konoha ninjas secretly breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Minato Namikaze return.

Before this, many ninjas didn't understand why the Sand Village ninjas called Furukawa Shura "Furukawa Shura." After fighting together several times, the Konoha ninjas finally understood.

His ferocious physical attacks can kill an enemy with a single punch or kick.

"Sharp" swordsmanship, whether infused with wind or lightning chakra, often results in a "severing" effect on the enemy.

When faced with an attack by dozens of people, Osamu Furukawa usually charged in alone, leaving behind a pile of corpses, which made the Konoha ninjas' scalps tingle.

This was the destructive power without using large-scale ninjutsu. When Furukawa returned to the village to rest, many Konoha ninjas were puzzled: "Is this really a power that a ninja can control?"

Some people will feel fear, while others will worship fanatically!

When Minato Namikaze returned to the front lines, he discovered this situation: there were too many voices calling him "Master Shu".

Inside the tent, Jiraiya was engrossed in writing his novel. Minato, already used to his teacher's eccentric behavior, coughed twice and asked, "Teacher, what's been going on lately?"

"Ah, Minato, you're back! Love really can heal everything. Seeing you has given me a constant stream of inspiration!"

Jiraiya held up his pen and sighed loudly. Noticing his disciple's sigh, he briefly introduced the situation at the front: "Shu helped everyone complete the counterattack. The Iwagakure ninjas have lost their courage."

"If nothing unexpected happens, the war should end after a large-scale surprise attack fails in a while."

"Even ninjas feel fear, let alone in these meaningless battles."

"We dominate the commission market in the Land of Wind, and it's impossible for the village to give up this part of the profits."

Minato Namikaze scratched his head. As a Jonin, he knew about the Allied Powers. Recalling the rumors he'd heard upon returning to the village, he suddenly whispered, "Sensei, if Iwagakure attacks Sunagakure, will we help them?"

"Haha, Minato, the agreement hasn't been signed yet. We have to wait until the war ends. After all, they are the ninja of the Five Great Nations. Sunagakure is not that simple."

"I can only say that Orochimaru and Shu scared them in the Land of Rain. I even complained about the battle losses at the time. Now that I think about it, I really lack leadership skills."

Jiraiya chuckled self-deprecatingly as he spoke, but quickly composed himself, flashing a lewd grin as he teased, "When are you and Kushina planning to have a baby?"

"I'll give you a gift then; it's the Toad Master's latest masterpiece!"

Minato Namikaze blushed slightly. Although they didn't have a wedding, the two were indeed planning to have a child and had made a lot of efforts for it.

"Teacher, let's not discuss this kind of thing on the front lines."

"I was just curious about everyone's emotional changes; it seems no one is complaining about Kakashi anymore."

Jiraiya sighed, pondered for a moment, and then said with a serious expression, "Shu reminds me of Orochimaru. No, even Orochimaru at this age doesn't have this kind of strength."

"One person can change the course of the battle. As long as they are not surrounded, the enemy will eventually meet their demise."

"The two have something in common; they didn't limit themselves to the profession of ninja. Minato, keep an eye on Shu for me."

"The more talented a person is, the more easily they are led astray. I believe you are the prophesied child the Great Toad Immortal spoke of; you have the power to change everything!"

"After Tsunade, you will definitely become Hokage and influence the whole world."

Minato Namikaze rubbed his spiky yellow hair, chuckled awkwardly, and then replied helplessly, "Teacher, the real world isn't a picture book story."

"Lady Tsunade will be stepping down for many years, so the timeframe of this prophecy seems a bit outrageous."

"I can look after Xiu, since he'll only be 12 in two months. There's no need to be too strict with him."

Jiraiya stroked his chin thoughtfully again, realizing his disciple's words did make some sense. The more he thought about it, the more confused he became, so he simply put the matter out of his mind: "In any case, the Great Toad Sage's prophecy is never wrong!"

"My disciple can lead the world to peace. Minato, do your best."

Minato Namikaze responded with a bright smile. He had adjusted his mental and physical state and was willing to continue killing for Kushina and the village.

Remembering his teacher's words, Minato Namikaze walked out of the tent and pondered to himself, "Going astray? It's impossible that."

In early August, the fighting on the front lines of the Grass Country decreased, and the war seemed to be coming to an end.

Konoha is not letting its guard down. Given the precedent of Kikyo Castle, Iwagakure ninja might launch a large-scale surprise attack, making supply lines a crucial target for protection.

Orochimaru returned to the village to rest and recuperate. He also needed to organize the large amount of material he had collected, so he took the opportunity to take on a disciple.

By evening, the foot traffic in Konoha's commercial district had completely returned to pre-war levels, and the izakayas were even busier than before.

With a large number of commissioned missions available, there's no need to worry about making money, and many ninjas have started spending in advance to relieve the psychological pressure of battle.

The corner booth was relatively quiet. Mitarashi Anko was in a daze, staring blankly at the side dishes on the table, still unable to believe that she had been hit by a "pie".

"What's wrong, Red Bean? Don't you like these dishes?"

Hearing the voice, Mitarashi Anko looked up at Furukawa Osamu. Her face flushed, and she stammered, "Thank you... senpai, it was delicious."

For a girl who has just graduated from the ninja academy, being able to get up close and personal with her idol, one of the village's young ninjas, is like a dream come true.

Shaking her short purple hair, Mitarashi Anko secretly pinched her thigh again, then glanced at Orochimaru and Tsunade, a surge of joy welling up inside her once more: "I've been accepted as a disciple by Lord Orochimaru!"

Tsunade rested her chin on her hand, glanced at the girl, and then looked at Furukawa Osamu, who was pouring her a drink: "Orochimaru, I thought you were joking earlier."

"Accepting red beans means taking on the responsibilities of a teacher."

Orochimaru, dressed in casual white clothes, chuckled softly and encouraged his disciple beside him in a rare gentle voice: "Anko is very talented, and I will naturally teach her well."

"Although I can't reach Xiu's level, I will definitely become a capable ninja in the future."

"You're not that far apart in age, so if you have any questions, you can ask Xiu anytime. He's already surpassed both of us in many ways."

Mitarashi Anko covered her mouth in surprise, and realizing her rudeness, she quickly bowed her head and replied respectfully, "Yes, Orochimaru-sensei! I will try my best to learn from my senior."

The girl stole glances at Osamu Furukawa, her eyes glued to the purple diamond-shaped mark on his forehead. Realizing she'd been staring for too long, Anko quickly looked down, secretly delighted: "He's even more impressive than the rumors at school!"

Furukawa Osamu didn't notice the girl's subtle actions; he was already used to this kind of "bean sprout" gaze. "Sensei, has the Hokage agreed to establish a base in Sunagakure? Back in the village, everyone seems to still be arguing about it."

Mentioning this, Tsunade suddenly felt a little tired. She finally understood why her teacher liked to balance the power: "It's mainly a budget issue. The Fire Country's allocation and half of the Wind Country's commission are mostly used for post-war subsidies."

"After deducting this portion of funding, some experiments require increased investment, and those that are truly stationed in the Land of Wind will require even more investment."

"Furthermore, this is a long-term endeavor, and blindly betting on fame is not suitable for the current situation."

Orochimaru shook his head dismissively, then looked at Tsunade and teased her softly, "Your body is getting younger and younger, but your mind is starting to change like Sarutobi-sensei's."

"Tsunade, there's no need to pay attention to those voices. You're the Hokage; all you need to do is tell them how to carry it out."

"As for the division you're worried about, it won't happen at all. Ninjas ultimately have to rely on strength, and the weak should submit to the strong."

Tsunade rolled her eyes at her, then scoffed, "You're still the same as ever. In peacetime, the village's development is inseparable from the support of the ninja clans."

"To be recognized by everyone is what makes one Hokage. Do you expect me to use my fists to argue with them?"

The two stopped talking about work. After receiving the advice and gift, Mitarashi Anko was so happy that tears welled up in her eyes, and she seemed deeply moved.

As the dinner party ended, Mitarashi Anko, her face flushed, approached Furukawa Osamu at the restaurant entrance and stammered, "S-senpai, do you have time... to train with me?"

"I will do my best to catch up with you."

After saying this, Mitarashi Anko's face lit up with anticipation, and her hands clenched into fists nervously. Seeing the girl's expectant look, Furukawa Osamu smiled and said, "Of course, you can ask me anytime if you have any questions."

"Lord Orochimaru has been very kind to me, I will take good care of you."

Mitarashi Anko was so happy she almost jumped for joy. As they parted, the girl waved enthusiastically. Orochimaru, seeing this, smirked and looked at Furukawa Osamu's retreating figure: "Osamu, let me see your resolve. Will you like this little toy?"

Tsunade, dressed in casual blue clothes, walked down the shopping street. Furukawa Osamu, standing beside her, was already half a head taller than her. The ninjas they encountered greeted her excitedly, "Lady Tsunade!"

"Master Xiu!"

Tsunade noticed Furukawa Osamu's smiling response and her heart stirred slightly. Before the two returned to the apartment, Tsunade suddenly turned to her and suggested, "Osamu, I'd like to move to a bigger house. This one can be left for Shizune."

"If you have time, you can come with me to take a look."

"Okay, teacher."