Immortality begins with the ninjas of Konoha.

In mid-December, news from Kirigakure (Hidden Mist Village) in the Land of Water shocked the entire ninja world:

Nine-year-old Momochi Zabuza defeated all the other students in his class and graduated all by himself.

Although the "Village of Blood Mist" is rumored in the ninja world, many ninjas do not believe it. Zabuza's appearance this time confirms the rumors that Kirigakure is extremely cruel.

Konoha didn't try to hide the news, and many ninjas proudly puffed out their chests upon hearing it, proving that the village was indeed the best in the ninja world!

Standing before the memorial stone, Kakashi stared at his father's photograph with a bewildered expression. He couldn't understand why so many ninjas felt proud upon hearing news of Kirigakure.

"Father, the village leaders are interested in making 'tools,' and 'tools' are proud of it."

"I can feel the care my comrades have for me, but most of them are living for the mission."

"Why is the village environment so fragmented? Are those 'tools' worth saving?"

"A true ninja needs talent; I will not endorse those 'tools'."

"..."

Kakashi, as usual, reflected and whispered in front of the grave. Osamu Furukawa advised him to observe more and speak less, but the more he observed, the more confused he became.

The ideas they absorbed from childhood clashed violently with reality, resulting in a diverse range of Will of Fire ninjas who completely "tooled" themselves, with no opposition from the village's higher-ups.

As usual, Shuuya Furukawa visited Ichiro and Aoi. When Kakashi came to their side, he spoke first:

"Still confused, Kakashi? The ninja world is just that cruel right now."

"Even though they are both 'tools,' the village's 'tools' are better than those of other ninja villages."

It sounds ironic, but Kakashi, reflecting on his own mission experiences, realized it was indeed true.

Children in Konoha don't need to kill to become ninjas; they just need to be diligent to get tasks. Children from other villages, on the other hand, kill each other from a young age, all for the sake of obtaining the qualification to become ninjas.

"Perhaps there shouldn't be so many ninjas? The next Hokage will change this situation."

Kakashi asked a question in return, and then, like some other young ninjas, he placed his hopes on the next Hokage.

Furukawa Osamu did not provide an answer. He had been observing for many years and the village's interests had long been distributed. If the Hokage wanted to take power, he would still need to compromise.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, did a great job of balancing things, which is one of the reasons why most of the village's ninjas supported him.

"You're only 9 years old, we have plenty of time."

"Children cannot participate in adult matters; their primary task is to live a healthy life."

Furukawa Osamu smiled and comforted him, saying that no matter how talented a child is, they can't have a say in anything, and Kakashi was overthinking it.

As the two left the memorial, Kakashi recounted the mission from the previous two days, how his first time teaming up with Minato Namikaze had been a profound experience for him:

"The Flying Thunder God Technique is simply unbelievable! Captain Minato's reaction speed is even faster than his father's!"

"He was very popular among Jonin and Chunin, and everyone liked to team up with him."

Kakashi had been influenced by Minato Namikaze, and he rarely experienced the feeling of having someone to rely on during missions. He recognized Minato's talent.

"Minato's greatest strength might not be the Flying Thunder God Technique, but rather his incredible optimism."

"Many ninjas in the hospital have psychological problems, but Minato is able to separate his ninja profession from his life."

Osamu Furukawa sincerely praised Minato Namikaze, saying that most ninjas lacked that kind of heroic spirit.

"Shu, do you also aspire to become Hokage like Captain Minato in the future?"

Kakashi asked curiously, but Furukawa Osamu laughed and pointed to the short sword on his back, jokingly replying:

"The Naruto era is still too far away; I prefer the power of chakra!"

"..."

Kakashi failed to understand Furukawa Osamu's words. In his view, refining chakra was a ninja's instinct, a normal and ordinary thing.

-

At the end of December, as the New Year approached, the Konoha leadership was somewhat puzzled after receiving news about Sunagakure.

"The Third Kazekage hasn't appeared at any meetings for the past month?"

"Is Sunagakure secretly planning an operation?"

Inside the Hokage Building office, Koharu Utatane voiced her doubts, while Homura Mitokado, continuing to peruse recent intelligence reports, frowned and responded with a single word:

"Perhaps the other side is mobilizing the tailed beasts; only such an operation would be carried out so secretly."

Sunagakure has been developing the One-Tailed Beast for many years and has achieved remarkable results.

The Magnet Release: Iron Sand series of ninjutsu combines offense and defense, and the Third Kazekage is also known as the strongest Kazekage. In previous wars, his name resounded throughout the ninja world.

Tailed beasts are the strongest weapons of war. Hiruzen Sarutobi, recalling Jiraiya's recent report, said in a deep voice, a cigarette dangling from his lips:

"It cannot be ruled out that if Sunagakure intends to use the One-Tailed Beast in the war, it is very likely that they have already mastered the power of the tailed beast."

"We are indeed lagging behind in this area, but fortunately Jiraiya and the others are here, which is enough to deal with any situation."

With the three legendary Sannin in charge, not only was the village harmonious internally, but it also posed a significant deterrent to outsiders. Danzo, recalling Jiraiya's repeated rejections of his plans, said with some displeasure:

"It's not time to be complacent. I will make contact with Amegakure in advance so that if war breaks out, the battlefield cannot be located within the Land of Fire."

"The Root ninjas will accompany me on this mission. Hiruzen, have Orochimaru leave temporarily."

Hiruzen Sarutobi thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. He didn't mind his old friend taking strong action against external forces for the benefit of the village, but thinking of Hanzo, he still gave him a reminder:

"Even though Hanzo is old, we should still avoid conflict."

"I would much rather everyone resolve their demands at the negotiating table; war is ultimately the worst option."

Danzo, squinting, remained silent. He had no mercy for a small country like the Land of Rain; it was not worthy of being on equal footing with a major power.

-

The movements of the higher-ups are irrelevant to the genin. With the New Year approaching, Obito Uchiha, who was enjoying his holiday, unusually did not go to help the old lady, but instead accompanied Rin Nohara to buy food in the shopping street.

Obito saw Uchiha Inahisa, dressed in a Chunin green vest, chatting and laughing with Furukawa Osamu on the street and subconsciously muttered to himself:

"What a load of rubbish! All he does is boast within the clan. I really don't know why everyone approves of him."

Uchiha Inahi is highly regarded by the clan leader, Uchiha Fugaku, and is currently a promising genius ninja in the clan. Obito, on the other hand, is always overlooked and often complains.

"Obito, don't talk about your seniors behind their backs."

"They are still your people, and you wouldn't want to be disliked by them, would you?"

Rin Nohara turned to give Obito some instructions. Seeing the girl staring intently at him, Obito immediately blushed, put his arms behind his head, and awkwardly replied:

"I understand, Rin! Once I awaken my Sharingan, I'll definitely surpass that guy."

"I'm the man who will bear the Uchiha clan crest and become Hokage!"

"..."

Obito's loud voice caught Inagi's attention, but he only glanced at her briefly before turning back to continue talking to Osamu Furukawa:

"Furukawa-kun, you're welcome to visit the Uchiha clan sometime. The clan head would be very happy to exchange ideas with the village's geniuses!"

"If Lady Tsunade needs pharmacopoeias and herbs, the clan is willing to contribute."

Unexpectedly, the Uchiha clan was so friendly. Furukawa Osamu smiled kindly and readily agreed.

"I will definitely find time to visit. I have spoken with Tsunade-sensei and Orochimaru-sama. They said that if war breaks out, the village will still need to rely on the Uchiha clan."

"In a one-on-one fight, they'll definitely run away." Everyone in the ninja world knows the Uchiha's strength!

A smile spread across Uchiha Inahisa's long face beneath his black hair. Although Furukawa Osamu hadn't "run away" during the Chunin Exams, and had instead beaten him up, it was precisely this kind of opponent's recognition that made it all the more precious.

"Then I look forward to Furukawa-kun's arrival!"

"Lady Tsunade, I won't disturb you any longer. I'll take my leave now."

Tsunade, who had walked up to Furukawa Osamu, nodded in greeting. It was a rare occasion for her to be out shopping for the New Year, and today she was dressed in a Jonin-style blue casual outfit with her blonde hair down. Looking at Uchiha Inahi's retreating figure, she glanced sideways and muttered:

"When did your relationship with the Uchiha clan become so good?"

"Kid, you didn't make any empty promises, did you? Why is a secret service captain deliberately professing his loyalty to me?"

Tsunade's voice grew softer and softer as she spoke, and finally she leaned down and touched Furukawa Osamu's forehead.

Having recently been "contaminated" by the live slug's spirit, Furukawa Osamu was a little "nauseous" and could only step back to avoid her fingers as he earnestly explained:

"We only worked together once during a mission. Teacher, the captain was just expressing his feelings."

"..."