Immortality begins with the ninjas of Konoha.

At the end of March in Konoha Year 47, the annual graduation season arrived as scheduled. Unlike previous years, there were fewer students graduating early.

The war broke out faster than many people expected. As soon as the weather warmed up, conflicts broke out repeatedly on Konoha's border.

Despite the high command's preparations, the situation of being attacked from all sides was still more severe than planned.

Especially Sunagakure, which resolutely launched an attack despite internal strife; this "madman" approach drew curses from many Konoha ninja...

The Konoha ninjas did not believe they had done anything wrong; they argued that bidding low prices for commissions was a "market behavior" and that the Sunagakure should not have interfered!

The students of the Ninja Academy naturally heard news of the war, and fortunately, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stepped forward at this critical moment and made a promise at the graduation ceremony:

"Konoha was founded to prevent children from experiencing war too early, and the village will not send genin to the battlefield."

"The Will of Fire inherited from the First Hokage must be passed down to the younger generation..."

"..."

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, spoke with a smile about the Will of Fire. The graduating youths were deeply moved by the Hokage's promise, and many even felt their blood boil and shouted excitedly:

"Lord Hokage, we are willing to give everything for the village!"

"Kill those invaders!"

"Make those people pay the price!"

The passionate calls for help made some of the Chunin teachers show signs of reluctance. The comfortable life in the school had worn down most of the teachers' edges, and they did not want to see the teenagers sacrifice themselves at an early age.

In this atmosphere, the group of students, around 11 years old, officially graduated. Some of the eager-to-make-a-merit teenagers continued to discuss the war after the graduation ceremony, while others remained silent.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was quite satisfied with his speech. Back in his office at the academy, seeing several Chunin who seemed hesitant to speak, he chuckled and said:

"Ryosuke, are you worried that the children will be on the battlefield too early? The village isn't in that situation yet."

"The Jonin team took action last month. With Jiraiya and Orochimaru among them, the conflict will end soon."

Ryosuke Kimura turned to look at his colleague, hesitated for a moment, and finally lowered his head to ask in a deep voice:

"Lord Hokage, will children who graduated early a few years ago and have mission experience be drafted?"

"Not for now, the conflict hasn't spread fully yet."

Hiruzen Sarutobi gave an affirmative answer, stating that the village had accumulated a large number of genin and chunin over the years, and it was not necessary to send a 10-year-old child there.

Several Chunin instructors echoed this sentiment; they weren't "hardliners," and they genuinely didn't want to see the boys they had taught sacrifice themselves prematurely.

-

The arrival of war affected business in the commercial street. Even the most oblivious villagers would start to stock up on food, and their usual consumption naturally decreased.

In a teahouse on Mingcha Street, a girl of about 12 years old was idly looking around, her chin resting on her hand, when a tuft of silver hair suddenly appeared in her field of vision. She immediately exclaimed happily:

"Kakashi-senpai! Want to grab a drink? It's on me!"

Kakashi, carrying a short sword, turned his head, paused for a moment upon seeing the girl's face, and then remembered that her name seemed to be Mami:

"You don't need to call me senior, you're older than me."

"My senior is still the same as before, not cute at all!"

Mami, feigning anger, pulled Kakashi into the shop, then looked at the curious crowd and greeted them with a sweet smile:

"Let's all have a drink, it's on me today."

Might Guy wanted to shout out a "declaration of youth," but Genma Shiranui and Ebisu, knowing their comrade well, simply pushed him into the store, muttering:

"Kai, remember to balance work and rest!"

"Yeah, don't you want to hear Kakashi's story? I'm really curious!"

Ebisu pushed up his small sunglasses. He always felt that the girl and Kakashi had a special relationship, and he couldn't resist gossiping about it.

"You guys are so boring. Mami recently gave up her ninja career."

Kakashi, sitting down at the table, glanced sideways and began to criticize Ebisu, this "secretly lecherous bastard." He had persuaded many students to quit, but Mami, who was just absent-minded, left a deep impression on him.

"Your senior is talking badly about me again!"

The cheerful Mami served tea and snacks to everyone and then sat down opposite Kakashi, complaining. Seeing Might Guy and the others exclaim "Delicious!", she immediately narrowed her eyes and said:

"Thanks to Kakashi-senpai, I was able to avoid this war."

"It's a little embarrassing to admit, but I am indeed very timid. When I heard about the outbreak of war last month, I felt only relief."

"Actually, although people don't say it, many ninjas who were persuaded to turn back by Kakashi are secretly grateful."

"I'm just being honest. Also, I really like Kakashi-senpai, and I don't mind dating younger boys..."

Might Guy coughed a few times in a row. The girl's sudden confession to Kakashi startled him. Ebisu even smiled and stared at Kakashi, wanting to see his reaction.

"You're talking nonsense again. Didn't I tell you before that you shouldn't easily show your emotions?"

Kakashi calmly sipped his tea and grumbled. He was used to these kinds of confessions; in every squad he'd led, there were always girls who liked to tease him.

Hearing the familiar compliment, Mami smiled. The girl wasn't particularly beautiful, but her energetic demeanor was very appealing.

"Thank you, Kakashi-senpai. You're different from most of the ninjas in the village!"

"Agree to go on a date with me and the meal will be free!"

"I have no interest in spending girls' money."

Kakashi, with a deadpan expression, continued his rant. He hadn't expected his attempt to persuade Kakashi to quit to have such an effect; he'd been receiving more and more thanks lately...

As the four left the shop, Mami waved goodbye from behind, while Genma Shiranui, with a bamboo skewer in his mouth, suddenly sighed:

"Even ninjas are afraid of death! When I was in school, I always thought ninjas were fearless..."

"I will dedicate my youth to the very end! Don't worry, I will protect you."

Might Guy's strength had increased rapidly, and he now flashed a bright smile at his companions, his white teeth seemingly gleaming. Ebisu, unusually, praised him:

"That sounds reliable!"

Kakashi squinted and remained silent. Lately, he'd been teaming up with a few people and had started to miss those high-level missions. Suddenly, the phrase "hardliners" came to mind, and he inwardly chuckled to himself.

"Am I also craving killing?"

-

In Konoha Hospital, Furukawa Osamu quietly watched the weeping family. The 14-year-old boy was seriously injured by the explosive tag, but after two days, he returned to the Pure Land.

The girl held her brother's hand and sobbed continuously. After shedding tears, the father, who had lost an arm, said in a deep voice:

"Ninjas don't need tears! The village needs us..."

"Are you crazy? Xiangzi is only 13 years old!"

The girl looked bewildered as she watched her parents arguing over their future plans. Without her brother's care, she might die on the mission.

The thought of death made the sobbing girl tremble; she regretted becoming a ninja.

Finally, after receiving gratitude, Furukawa Osamu left the ward silently. In a way, death was beneficial to him, as he had more and more opportunities to "collect" things recently.

"Tsunade-sensei, there's no need to hide in the corner every time. You know I can sense you."

Wearing a Jonin's blue casual uniform, Tsunade walked up to Furukawa Osamu, crossed her arms, and looked at her disciple, saying:

"If you were on the front lines, you'd encounter many more similar situations!"

"Medical ninjas aren't omnipotent either. Many times, there's nothing you can do but watch your comrades die in front of you."

"This is also why I have always supported Sarutobi-sensei; war is the worst option."

Osamu Furukawa had already devised a plan; death would not deter him. At this moment, he once again displayed his "Will of Fire":

"I won't let you appear on the battlefield, Tsunade-sensei."

"As a Konoha ninja, I am prepared to face death."

"..."