Immortality begins with the ninjas of Konoha

Wearing a red headscarf, Huang Tu subconsciously patted his combat uniform. Hearing his daughter's question on his back, he answered in a low voice:

"Just as the intelligence said, it should be a place for ordinary people to live in."

"Lord Yellow Earth, is peace really possible this time? Nobody wants to fight anymore."

The young Iwagakure ninja beside him spoke with a hopeful look in his eyes as he finished, explaining that in the past two years, in addition to the ninjas who died on the battlefield, many others had "starved to death" because of the missions they were assigned to.

High-level missions are almost monopolized by Konoha ninjas, and some clients have even moved to Konoha. The more turbulent the situation, the more people flock to safer areas.

Seeing Huang Tu's hesitant expression, another, older Iwagakure ninja also whispered a request:

"We really can't fight any longer, Lord Huangtu. Think of our demolition squad."

"Even the number of ninjas with bloodline limits is decreasing sharply. The war must end."

The large-scale training of bloodline limit ninjas and their deployment to the battlefield have resulted in heavy casualties in the past two years, wasting all the village's efforts. Seeking peace is the only way out.

Several Iwagakure ninjas behind them also pleaded in hushed tones. Onoki was a stubborn old man, and everyone just hoped that Yoto would be more understanding.

"Before leaving the village, I had already gathered everyone's opinions."

"Don't worry this time, we've come with sincerity!"

Huang Tu smiled to reassure everyone, and soon the group was thoroughly inspected. The big dog sniffed them several times, which made the little girl Hei Tu giggle.

"Come with us, Lord Hokage has been waiting for a long time."

After the Konoha Anbu appeared, they immediately called for a few people to follow. At the back of the yellow earth team, the Grass Village ninja was dumbfounded as he walked on the smooth main road. How did the ninja village become like this?

It wasn't until they turned a corner and went straight again, seeing the Hokage Building, that they regained a sense of familiarity; the building hadn't changed much.

However, upon entering the building, Huang Tu and his group were astonished to find the dense array of magical techniques clearly visible, indicating that the room was under tight security.

When he met the Hokage, Huang Tu noticed the vortex marks on the ground and the barrier around the room.

Thinking of the rumors circulating outside, Huang Tu began to believe that Konoha was on high alert against a formidable enemy, and that just setting up these techniques would require the strength of many ninjas.

"I never thought the Third Tsuchikage would compromise. It seems the Iwagakure ninja finally believe us."

"Here's some intelligence for you. This is a summary of the conflict we've gathered. For over two years, someone has been maliciously manipulating things."

As Tsunade spoke, she tossed out a scroll. Huang Tu, who had been bowing his head, caught it and then noticed the Fourth Hokage's increasingly youthful face. He composed himself, read it carefully, and soon annoyance appeared on his face.

"Lord Hokage, is this true? All those missing supplies and ninjas were the work of someone else?"

"Space-time ninjutsu? What exactly is this guy trying to do?"

Huang Tu clenched his fist as he thought about the resources and manpower that the village had invested in over the past two years. According to the intelligence on the scroll, the war should have ended as early as March 1952.

Not only did the supplies of the Iwagakure ninja disappear, but the same thing happened on the Konoha side. Amid mutual accusations, many conflicts broke out.

"Their goal should be to weaken the ninja village's strength, and their target should be the tailed beasts!"

After giving a solemn response, Tsunade took out another document and introduced it:

"The Hidden Cloud Village has also noticed this. For the past two years, you have consistently disbelieved Konoha's words. If you had sat down and talked earlier, things wouldn't have come to this predicament."

"If you can get your father to persuade the Fourth Raikage, the war can end by the end of the year."

"If the fighting continues indefinitely, hatred will only accumulate and eventually lead to an irreconcilable situation."

Tsunade sighed as she finished speaking, a look of melancholy appearing on her fair face. After the recent barrier was completed, Furukawa Osamu went to the Land of Frost, and she had been separated from her disciple for half a year.

The thought of her several meetings being rejected made Tsunade's eyes twitch a few more times, until Ton-Ton huddled fearfully at her feet, and she finally composed herself.

Huang Tu read it carefully again, and a look of humiliation appeared on his face. The three great ninja villages had all been tricked.

"I will try my best to persuade Father!"

“I want to apologize again for our reckless actions at the beginning of the year. Han had no ill intentions; he was just deceived.”

Han, the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, remained on the front lines. At the beginning of the year, his disciple was killed, which caused the Tailed Beast to go berserk, resulting in casualties on both sides.

The more the power of the Tailed Beasts is used, the more the Jinchuriki's body will be eroded. Han has already begun to lose control, and Huang Tu felt a pang of pain in his heart when he thought of this change.

Tsunade waved her hand, saying that she had already obtained the relevant information, all thanks to Minato Namikaze.

If Jinchuriki want to contend with the speedster ninja, they can only rely on the power of the Tailed Beasts. If the war lasts too long, it is inevitable that it will get out of control.

"Let's not talk about the past anymore; the key now is to end the fighting."

"The ninjas of Kusagakure can't hold on any longer either. There was even a rebellion of fugitives in the last two years. Everyone has been completely fooled."

Seeing the self-deprecating look on Tsunade's face, Huang Tu lowered his head again, remembering his father's stubborn insistence, and finally knelt on the ground, solemnly promising:

"I guarantee with my life that the Iwagakure ninja will immediately cease their fighting."

"Lord Hokage, please give me half a month. My father will sign this peace agreement by early March at the latest."

Tsunade nodded, offering no further explanation. Onoki didn't truly yearn for peace; he had simply squandered all his resources in the past two years.

At the beginning of the year, Iwagakure even defaulted on part of the bounty, which caused a huge uproar in the underground black market. The fact that one of the five great ninja villages defaulted on its debts is enough to show how bad the other party's situation was.

As Huang Tu left, Hiruzen Sarutobi pushed open a hidden door. His frequent involvement in battles, coupled with his advancing age, caused the retired Third Hokage to appear much older.

"Ahem... that Uchiha member who mastered space-time ninjutsu was indeed plotting an even bigger conspiracy!"

"Unfortunately, we couldn't track his movements. The closest we got, Minato couldn't mark him. He was very familiar with the Flying Thunder God Technique."

"If the goal is to target the tailed beasts, he has already succeeded more than halfway. The war ended too late."

After saying this, Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed weakly a few times. Seeing her teacher like this, Tsunade couldn't help but gently comfort him:

"Don't be reckless, old man. These barriers are all complete now. As long as the other side invades and causes spatial fluctuations, we will be able to detect it."

"The improved Inner Four Symbols Seal is specifically designed for the enemy. As long as the village is safe, it's only a matter of time before we concentrate our efforts to confirm his identity."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled with satisfaction; these sealing techniques were all spearheaded by Kushina.

For more than two years, in addition to taking care of her son, Kushina cooperated with the barrier team to set up a super-large barrier during the village's reconstruction.

Critical infrastructure is protected, and in the event of an attack, at most some less important commercial areas will be destroyed.

"I hope everything goes well. I don't want to see any more old friends leave."

Thinking of the sacrifices of Akimichi Torifu and others, Hiruzen Sarutobi's wrinkles seemed to deepen. In just over two years, most of Konoha's older generation of ninjas had died or been injured.

"Get some rest, Sarutobi-sensei!"

"At your age, don't try to be as reckless as Jiraiya. Your body can't be fully activated anymore."

"If you have any documents, please process them for me. I'll go to the hospital to see Jiraiya. He can be healed thanks to his Sage Mode."

After giving her instructions, Tsunade immediately stood up. Hiruzen Sarutobi watched his disciple's retreating figure, feeling something was off, and inexplicably sensing a hint of intimacy in the latter part of her words:

"People tend to overthink when they get old."

Hiruzen Sarutobi mentally berated himself, then looked out the window at the bustling scene bathed in the setting sun, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. He had made the right choice.

-

Konoha Hospital has completed its expansion, introducing more advanced equipment and improving its environment.

Good evening, Hokage!

"Lord Hokage..."

The nurses greeted Tsunade with smiles. With its excellent working environment and high salary, medical ninjas have become the top choice for many graduates in the past two years.

The little girls of yesteryear have all grown into young women. Tsunade continues to respond with a smile, feeling increasingly happy as she sees everyone's growth.

Shizune, dressed in a Jonin's blue casual suit, had just finished her inspection. The girl, holding the documents, noticed Tsunade and immediately went to greet her, reporting energetically:

"Master, Jiraiya-sama's injuries have completely stabilized."

"There will be no more dangerous situations, and the alien chakra has all disappeared."

Tsunade nodded, a hint of embarrassment rising in her heart as she saw the girl's hesitant expression, but she finally spoke softly:

"Don't worry about Xiu. Iwagakure is willing to sign the agreement, and the war will be completely over in Kumogakure in a few months at most."

Shizune showed a happy expression. She would be 17 years old at the end of the year. The girl was becoming more and more infatuated with Osamu Furukawa. Even though she had some doubts in her heart, she insisted on the belief that true love could change everything.

"Tsunade-sensei, thank you."

Recalling Shizune's words, Tsunade turned her head slightly. Not wanting to delve deeper into the matter, she changed the subject:

"I'll go check on Jiraiya. After I finish work, I'll go home and rest early."

Jingyin nodded, looking at the teacher's increasingly impressive chest, and couldn't help but show an envious look.

She's just developing normally; she's still a bit flat-chested for her age and can't compare to the teacher's charm at all.

In the intensive care unit, Jiraiya was completely wrapped in bandages, having been struck in the chest by a "Lightning Blade," nearly shattering his internal organs in his tailed beast form, Killer Bee.

The battle at the end of last year was extremely fierce, and Akimichi Torifu and others died in battle at that time. It wasn't until the village's barrier was completed that Furukawa Osamu went to provide support.

"It seems that being injured isn't such a bad thing after all; at least I can see you visiting me every few days."

"Orochimaru is such a cold-blooded guy. He's only come here once since he was injured!"

"Tsunade, I'm so sorry, I couldn't protect everyone."

Jiraiya, bound like a mummy, clearly expressed his emotions for the first time. He was so badly injured that he could only speak fluently recently.

Tsunade sighed helplessly, and seeing the apology in Jiraiya's eyes, she said softly:

“Jiraiya, you don’t need to force yourself. If you retreat to the border, no one in the village will blame you.”

"I understand the feelings of my seniors, but I want to see everyone come back alive. Sarutobi-sensei feels the same way."

Tsunade spoke these words with her head down. Her Sage Mode training had altered her figure and demeanor, leaving Jiraiya feeling somewhat dazed. Overwhelmed with emotion, he blurted out:

"Tsunade, I..."

"There's no need to apologize anymore, Jiraiya. You've already done your best."

"Youxiu is in the Frost Kingdom. In a few months, the war will be over. During this time, you should rest well!"

When Tsunade spoke of her disciple, her tone was filled with pride and anticipation. The smile that reappeared on her face stunned Jiraiya, and he didn't hear what his old friend said afterward.

Only after Tsunade left did Jiraiya fully come to his senses. He turned his head with difficulty, looked at the setting sun outside the window, and murmured with a bitter smile:

"I'm such an idiot..."

"Tsunade, I will definitely protect you and the village."

"Nagato, I will find you soon, Akatsuki. You're still here after all..."

Chapter 178 "Go and talk to my teacher!"

At the end of March in Konoha Year 54, the renovated Konoha Ninja Academy held its graduation ceremony.

Unlike previous years, this year's graduate representatives sparked heated discussions throughout the village.

At the young age of 7, Itachi Uchiha successfully skipped a grade and graduated with unanimous recommendations from all his teachers.

“Continuing to study at the ninja academy is just a waste of this child’s time. He is already an excellent ninja!”

Many teachers have given this evaluation: In his first year of school, Itachi Uchiha never fell out of first place, and he has become a genius ninja of the new era.

"The Fourth Shinobi World War is still ongoing, and the attack two years ago reminds us that there are still powerful enemies in the shinobi world."

"To survive as a ninja in this turbulent time is definitely not a smooth path."

"Nevertheless, we must still swear here that even if the road ahead is treacherous, the Konoha ninja will still bravely move forward."

"We must take everything we learn at the Ninja Academy as nourishment and, as Konoha ninjas, uphold our ninja way!"

After finishing his speech as the graduate representative, Itachi Uchiha slowly put the scroll away.

Applause filled the room. Itachi Uchiha calmly surveyed the graduates, current students, parents, and teachers below the stage. The ninja academy was far too boring for him.

Since the end of the Third Shinobi World War, in recent years, the age of graduates from the Ninja Academy has been around 11 years old or older.

Uchiha Itachi graduated early this time, matching the record previously set by Hatake Kakashi, becoming a qualified ninja at the age of less than 7.

Although there was some controversy among the teachers at the school who were related to the Senju clan regarding the early graduation, these voices eventually disappeared after Tsunade's approval.

As for the students at the Ninja Academy, their feelings towards Itachi Uchiha were mostly jealousy. He had been following Osamu Furukawa since he was 3 years old and had received the highest level of ninja training from a young age.

With this kind of treatment, it would be difficult not to succeed!

In the cherry blossom-filled schoolyard, although it was wartime, the children didn't have to go to the front lines, and the parents were all very happy, with smiles on their faces.

Despite the occasion, Fugaku Uchiha maintained his usual dignified demeanor, while Mikoto Uchiha held her youngest son and looked at Itachi with pride.