Immortality begins with the ninjas of Konoha

Less than five minutes later, Naruto, who was hovering in the sky, couldn't help but stare wide-eyed at the platform and stone tablet. The scene was completely different from what he had seen a few years ago; the area had become dilapidated.

The hills surrounding the platform have turned into rubble, the once smooth ground is now full of dents and cracks, and even the huge cypress stone tablet has been damaged, with a section of it completely disappearing.

"Was there a battle here? How could it have suddenly become like this?"

"Try to sense the chakra I'm transferring to you. We're going to the Ten-Tails' location right now!"

Otsutsuki Isshiki's tone revealed a hint of anxiety. Naruto closed his eyes, carefully sensed the situation, and then raised his right hand again. A black vortex appeared, and he quickly jumped into it.

When Naruto and Isshiki flew into the massive alloy cage, the place where the Ten-Tails was imprisoned was covered in dust, and the young Ten-Tails had disappeared...

"Damn it! The Ten-Tails couldn't have been sealed by ninja tools! Could it be that he has already sealed the Ten-Tails inside his body?"

"Impossible! He knows how the Divine Tree was formed. I shared my memories with him; he should know the power of the Chakra Fruit!"

"What on earth happened?!"

The Ten-Tails disappeared, and Isshiki Otsutsuki finally broke through his defenses. This was related to divine techniques and the Chakra Fruit.

Naruto was still observing intently when he noticed that the alloy cage hadn't deformed. He immediately pointed at it and calmly reminded him:

"There are no signs of combat; perhaps the monster moved there voluntarily."

"Damn inferior creatures!"

Hearing Isshiki Otsutsuki complaining inside him, Naruto merely tugged at his black cloak and was about to make a sarcastic remark when a light suddenly appeared on the stone tablet.

Naruto quickly teleported again, hovering in the air and staring intently. At that moment, Isshiki Otsutsuki suddenly laughed:

"It's finally here! Those incompetent fools can be used to test the waters. If the Ten-Tails is absorbed, we'll have to come up with a new plan!"

"Your people?"

"Hmph! Trying to pass on information through toads? Naruto Uzumaki, this has nothing to do with the Hokage. Those guys are just collecting chakra; they only have one target."

"I hope Furukawa Osamu won't disappoint me. After a thousand years, the Divine Tree is finally about to descend upon this planet once more!"

With his millennia-old wish likely about to be fulfilled, Isshiki Ōtsutsuki could no longer suppress his joy and would embark on the path of evolution once more.

Naruto looked solemnly at the cloud-covered sky, hoping that the Otsutsuki would not come to disrupt their current life.

The azure planet shone brightly in the pitch-black universe. Outside the atmosphere, Momoshiki and Kinshiki, suspended in space, were watching the planet beneath their feet.

"Strange, that signal was sent independently. Did the Chakra Fruit really have a problem?"

Momoshiki, veiled, murmured to herself, while the burly Kinshiki beside her didn't ponder these words, but instead responded crisply:

"After recovering the fruit, this planet seems to still have plenty of life energy, so maybe we can make use of it."

"I've been overthinking it. Let's go to the coordinates first; perhaps our people are in trouble."

Momoshiki revealed a wicked smile, briefly flexed his right hand, and then jumped onto Kinshiki's shoulder:

"Perhaps we can obtain more elixirs, my people, don't let me down..."

Chapter 304 The New Responsibility of the Shadow

In mid-April of Konoha Year 67, after the graduation season ended, another batch of new generation ninjas began their ninja life.

Compared to a few years ago, the number of ninja academy graduates is decreasing year by year. Those who have a rudimentary grasp of chakra power can handle many jobs, and only about half of the graduates go on to specialize in missions.

The main reason for this situation is the change in revenue sources. After nearly 20 years of development, Konoha's pharmaceutical industry has formed a "transnational monopoly"!

The jobs created by the medical field have absorbed many graduates. With the advantages of safety, high income, and the ability to take care of family, medical ninjas have become the top choice for students today.

Of course, in order to maintain the monopoly, force is also necessary. In recent years, many ninjas who focus on missions have been serving the village. Combating counterfeiting and competitors cannot be done without the contributions of these ninjas.

Assassination and sabotage are things that ninjas excel at. While ordinary ninjas can't participate in "Gundam Wars," they can easily take down ordinary people.

With its superior productivity and military strength, Konoha's medical industry has once again entered a period of rapid development over the past four years, and its secret medicines and other products now have a presence all over the world.

The ninjas of Konoha were living a truly happy life. The pharmaceutical industry was extremely profitable, and fewer and fewer old-fashioned ninjas insisted on serving the daimyo and nobles.

-

As a ninja who grew up with the medical department, Nohara Rin naturally enjoyed the benefits of the era, earning more than twice the salary of Kakashi!

Including project dividends, Kakashi could easily become a full-time stay-at-home dad if he wanted to.

Kakashi was speechless in the face of this situation. Fortunately, his wife was still considerate and understanding, and his son Obito was well-behaved and cute, which greatly satisfied his pride as the head of the family.

At 7:30 a.m., Kakashi opened his eyes on the big bed and let out a long sigh. He had been too busy adding family members lately and had been working too hard every night.

Increasing the population has always been something the village has been advocating for. As Konoha's medical industry has grown larger and larger, the corresponding personnel have always been in short supply.

The ninja-dominated medical industry is inherently exclusive; apart from researchers, most management positions are held by ninjas who possess chakra powers.

Old-school ninjas were mostly useless in this kind of situation. While fighting is still necessary in the new era, it's more about management and operations.

Currently, the management of the medical department is led by young ninjas, with Shizune at the top. Most of the older ninjas are on the advisory board, and the advisors only offer their opinions when problems arise.

"Father, Mother asked me to wake you up for breakfast!"

A little boy with silver, tousled hair approached the bedside and looked at Kakashi, who was still in bed, with his big eyes. The boy had inherited his mother's eyes and looked full of energy.

"I see. You've been slacking off, Obito. Next month is your birthday. Is there anything you'd like as a gift?"

Kakashi, who had sat up, rubbed his son's head and asked with a smile. Obito Hatake raised his head slightly, blinked his big eyes, and finally replied seriously:

"Mom said you always go on missions on my birthday. I hope Dad can accompany Mom and me to the park on my birthday."

Kakashi was slightly taken aback by these words, then sighed inwardly. There were still too few young Jonin who were strong enough to stand on their own. He was always exceptionally busy at this time of year.

"Okay, I got it! Let's go camping as a family this year, and I'll let you try my cooking!"

Seeing his father's smiling promise, Obito Hatake cheered. He was too young, and he only made the request because it would make his mother happy.

Running out of the room with his short legs, Obito Hatake quickly told Rin Nohara the good news. After receiving praise from his mother, the boy smiled contentedly.

While Kakashi was quickly washing up, Rin Nohara, who had her hands behind her back and half her body peeked out, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons as she happily praised him:

"Kakashi, Obito is very happy! We must arrange the mission well in advance this time!"

"There's no need to push yourself so hard. Minato-sensei is still young. For many things, just following instructions is enough."

Kakashi, his face still wet with water droplets, shook his head with a wry smile. How to deal with the "awakened" ordinary people had become a major problem. He had never imagined such a thing would happen before.

Influenced by the Shell organization, the nobles of the Land of Fire are also secretly developing their power.

Not everyone is happy to see ninjas taking away their power. In the past, nobles didn't have many choices, but now they see an opportunity, and the situation of inciting the masses is becoming more and more common.

"I see!"

"But managing a village is completely different from managing a country. With more and more power at stake, Minato-sensei must be struggling with this as well."

"Don't worry, the village will handle it. I won't miss my birthday this time."

Kakashi reiterated his assurance in a deep voice, and Rin nodded before suddenly snuggling into his arms, hugging her husband tightly and whispering:

"Kakashi, you must protect yourself. I don't want to lose anyone."

"Seeing how much Kushina has suffered over the years always gives me nightmares..."

The information that could be obtained from Naruto's side was becoming less and less, and the situation was getting worse each time. Although Kushina still looked focused when she was working, she had cried countless times in secret.

As a mother, Rin empathizes more with Naruto's plight. All she wants is for her son and husband to stay healthy; nothing else matters.

Kakashi hugged his wife tighter. Although they had been married for many years, their feelings for each other were still as strong as when they were young. Just as he was about to lean down and kiss her, he suddenly noticed his son looking at them curiously, and immediately coughed awkwardly.

"It's time to eat, Rin. Don't keep Obito waiting."

Nohara Rin opened her eyes, straightened her apron, and looked at her son with a smile:

"Obito, next time you see your mom and dad hugging, cover your eyes!"

Obito Hatake nodded as if he understood, while Kakashi quietly hugged his quirky wife. Rin was a very good person in life, but sometimes she had a quirky sense of humor in "showing affection."

...

At 8:30 a.m., Kakashi had already arrived at the Jonin Summoning Room. He had just become the Jonin Team Leader, and his daily work was not easy.

The era of "earning money while lying down" is over. Now, ninjas have to compete with ordinary people's businesses, and the ninja clan needs to expand its money-making areas, which means that every action must be carefully evaluated.

Konoha could plunder as brutally as Kumogakure, but the Fifth Hokage believed that persisting in that way of doing things would disrupt the entire world.

When ninjas unleash their "desires," it always causes severe damage. Some companies have already suffered devastating blows. Simple and brutal competition methods will only lead to vicious monopolies in the end.

"Hey! Kakashi, why do you still look like you just woke up?"

"The Chunin Exams are in a little over a month, and this time it's Kirigakure's turn to host them. There will also be a Five Kage Summit, so we have a lot of work to do!"

Might Guy gave a thumbs-up from behind his desk, his gleaming white teeth making Kakashi facepalm. Thinking of his son's birthday, he couldn't help but whisper a reply:

"I might need to take two days off next month, Kai, I'll have to trouble you then."

"Um?!"

Might Guy, stroking his chin, looked at his friend, then, remembering Obito Hatake's birthday, nodded solemnly before letting out his usual sigh:

"Kakashi, your youth isn't over yet! Now is not the time to slack off."

"The threat from the Otsutsuki clan has not been eliminated, so my father and I have developed an even more powerful technique! I don't know if it will be of any use."

“Protecting the village cannot rely solely on repairs; I am also trying different methods to address the issue of perception.”

Kakashi was somewhat surprised to hear that the father and son had developed a new technique. The Eight Gates Technique had reached its limit by opening the seventh gate. To continue developing a technique with even greater power, they would open the Gate of Death.

"How is Uncle Dai's health? He's getting old, so it's best to reduce his workload."

"Haha! Father's youth is not over yet! Thanks to the progress of the medical department in recent years, most of the hidden injuries left on his body have been healed."

"My father felt very guilty for not being able to participate in the battle last time. If a similar situation occurs again, my father and I will do our best to protect the village!"

Might Guy smiled brightly again when he talked about his father. Few of the older generation of ninjas still persist in their missions, but Might Guy continues his missions related to the Land of Tea.

Kai has even greater respect for his father's "youth," for in this era, there are few ninjas who can uphold their own ninja way.

"Uncle Dai is really amazing!"

"However, there's no need to force yourself when facing Otsutsuki. Last time, even Shisui's Mangekyou Sharingan had difficulty seeing his movements clearly."

Kakashi, worried that the father and son were overconfident, whispered a reminder, but Guy didn't take it seriously and responded confidently:

"Don't underestimate the power of youth! We will definitely protect everyone this time."

Just as the two were about to continue discussing how to improve their perception, the door to the room was pushed open, and Asuma and Kurenai came to their seats one after the other.

At 30 years old, the ninja was at the peak of his strength. Asuma, having completely lost his previous impetuousness, listened to their conversation and spoke up:

"Are you two tacitly assuming that an accident will occur in the Land of Water? That Otsutsuki has rarely appeared in recent years; he might have already gone into hiding."

"After all, being able to live longer, that guy's thinking must be completely different from that of ordinary humans."

"What a pity about Naruto..."

Kushina has witnessed her haggard appearance over the years, and although she is unmarried, she can empathize with her feelings:

"The last time it appeared was in January, right? That child chose to leave for the village. I really hope that one day he can get rid of that monster."

"Kakashi, who's going to the Land of Water this time?"

"As for the guards, they will mainly consist of ANBU ninjas, with the remaining Chunin led by Guy. Shikamaru and Shino are already Chunin, so you can rest assured, right?"

When Kakashi mentioned their subordinates, Asuma and Kurenai both gave wry smiles. The new generation of young ninjas were too naive; they had little experience in even equal combat missions, let alone war.

These young people, around 16 years old, still seemed immature to the two of them...

In contrast, Sasuke Uchiha is more reassuring. He has been traveling between the Land of Fire and the Land of Water for several years, experiencing numerous life-or-death battles, which is why Sasuke was nominated as a Jonin.

Kurenai, thinking of Hinata's upcoming trip to the Land of Water to fulfill her engagement, could only sigh again. Asuma, influenced by Kurenai beside him, scratched his head and offered a comforting word:

"Don't worry, Kurenai! Shikamaru may seem a bit unreliable, but he won't let you down when it matters."

"When he visited the Land of Earth before, the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, praised Shikamaru."

Mentioning this situation, the other three people in the room all showed strange expressions. Kurotsuchi might become the Fifth Tsuchikage, and if the two of them got together, Shikamaru would have to "marry her off".

Thinking about the troubles Shikaku has been going through these past few years, Kakashi sighed again, thinking that young people's feelings are a real headache!

-

Although Kirigakure is preparing for the joint Chunin Exams this year, the daily work of the Kirigakure ninjas will not be affected.

Through continuous reforms, those who remained in the village were all pure ninjas, and everyone was completely obedient to the Mizukage and Osamu Furukawa.

The mountains surrounding the village have been hollowed out, and the laboratories that have been rebuilt in recent years are all underground in the mountains.