Immortality begins with the ninjas of Konoha

"Ding...clang..."

A collision rang out, and seeing that Might Guy could only block, Kakashi didn't hold back and joined the fray, swinging his sword and chanting incoherently:

"We have no experience using this weapon; you'll have to gradually adapt to it through actual combat!"

"I will be careful with my strength."

"what!"

Screams echoed across the training ground. Might Guy felt a pang of regret, and all his melancholy vanished in an instant.

There are no "iron blocks" in the ninja world; even minor cuts and bruises are extremely painful...

-

On September 9th, Osamu Furukawa celebrated his birthday. In the months following his graduation, apart from routine missions, he spent most of his time learning from Tsunade.

After mastering advanced medical ninjutsu such as the Palm Healing Technique and the Chakra Scalpel, Tsunade, who had been acting as a strict teacher all this time, finally showed a look of relief.

Perhaps because she was too satisfied, Tsunade simply treated everyone at the tavern on her birthday, and also invited her old friends.

"This is the first time I've seen Xiu. I didn't have this talent when I was 7 years old."

"Tsunade, you should have taken on a disciple like me a long time ago! We're not young anymore, and the old man has told me this several times. He's most worried about you."

"Women are different from men; as they get older..."

Having drunk his fill and letting loose, Jiraiya, dressed in a blue ninja casual outfit, instinctively stopped talking upon hearing the "crackling" sound. Tsunade, already glaring angrily, immediately stood up and roared:

"Jiraiya, you idiot! Keep talking if you dare!"

Jiraiya quickly shrank back into his chair, an awkward smile on his face. Orochimaru, dressed in casual black, remained calm and spoke in a somewhat hoarse voice:

"To gain Tsunade's approval at this age is indeed no easy feat."

"It seems Xiu can inherit everything from you. I always thought you would take Jingyin in, after all, she is Duan's family."

After downing the sake in her cup in one gulp, Tsunade, her face flushed, simply shook her head upon hearing these words, then said earnestly:

"I just want Shizune to live a peaceful life. Death will take everything away. Being an excellent medical ninja is enough."

Watching Furukawa Osamu pour wine for Tsunade, he flicked Jiraiya's white hair, revealing his dashing demeanor, and changed the heavy topic with a chuckle, saying:

"Today is Xiu's birthday, and I've prepared a special gift for him."

"This is a rare find that hasn't been officially published yet. You'll thank me in the future!"

As he spoke, a knowing smile appeared on his face. Furukawa Osamu accepted the book and a scroll, expressing his sincere gratitude:

"Thank you, Jiraiya-sama! I will definitely read it carefully."

Ignoring Jiraiya's lewd behavior beside him, Orochimaru maintained the air of a legendary Sannin, also presenting a scroll, and with a knowing smile, said:

"Tsunade told me that your ninjutsu talent is outstanding. Here are some of my ninjutsu insights; you'll like them!"

"Xiu, I hope we can meet again on the path of seeking truth in the future."

"Thank you very much for your kindness, Lord Orochimaru."

Furukawa Osamu bowed slightly, solemnly accepting the scroll with both hands. Seeing this harmonious scene, Jiraiya was even happier, laughing heartily and raising his glass to his old friend once more:

"With these geniuses, the village will prosper even more."

"Perhaps Minato and Shu will become Hokage in the future. For us, this is the inheritance of the Will of Fire!"

Chapter 12 Fragmented Beliefs (Part 1)

In late November of Konoha Year 44, the Land of Fire experienced its coldest weather in recent years.

"I really want to go home and snuggle up in a kotatsu. School should be closed right away."

During lunch break, Obito glanced at Rin Nohara's bento box while loudly complaining while holding a piece of bread, saying that he had become complacent since his grades improved.

The girl, who was working even harder in the medical class, immediately corrected him earnestly upon hearing these words:

"We agreed to graduate early together, Obito, don't forget I'll be watching you!"

"Feel sorry."

Embarrassed by the girl's gaze, Obito turned his head and saw Sarutobi Asuma slumped dejectedly in his seat. Curious, he asked:

"What's wrong with Asuma? He's been acting like this lately."

"The Hokage couldn't come to the last exam because of work. Asuma, who got first place, must be very disappointed!"

Ebisu, who had quietly crept closer, adjusted his small sunglasses and responded in a low voice. Obito was startled, but after hearing these words, he felt a strange pang of sadness.

"What a boring problem..."

Obito, who longed for a warm family, couldn't empathize with Asuma. In his eyes, no one in the class was happier than this guy!

"Wow! Shizune, your bento box is so lavish!"

"It's so delicate, it looks incredibly delicious!"

Shizune, who had just opened the bento box, blushed slightly upon hearing the exclamations of surprise from Nohara Rin and Yuhi Kurenai. She certainly didn't have that skill.

"The lunch that Tsunade-sensei prepared also happened to include a portion for me..."

With three kinds of meat, plenty of fried food and vegetables, plus some refreshing side dishes, this bento box is extremely nutritious.

"Wow, that's amazing. I'm completely hopeless when it comes to cooking."

Kurenai Yuhi sighed in admiration, and soon the three girls began whispering to each other again.

Upon seeing this, Obito, who was holding the bread, completely lost his appetite, put his arms behind his head, and complained inwardly:

"They're not even at school, so why are they stealing the spotlight!"

...

In the afternoon, inside the Hokage Building, Hiruzen Sarutobi, with a pipe in his mouth, frowned slightly. The atmosphere in the room was tense, and no one spoke for a long time.

Although Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado understand Hiruzen Sarutobi, they still offer their own perspectives as advisors:

"Mission failed; the secret outpost on the front lines of the Grass Country has been destroyed."

"The transport line was also destroyed, and the entire transport team and two squads were killed. The village must be punished for such a result."

Koharu Utatane, with her eyes half-closed, offered a suggestion, but Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent. Homura Mitokado, with a serious expression, reminded him:

"Although we don't need to consider the daimyo's feelings, we still need to give them a satisfactory explanation."

Sakumo Hatake's failure in this S-rank mission has somewhat affected the village's reputation, and along with the news, the daimyo has also raised questions about his abilities.

"With Iwagakure and Sunagakure involved, there have been some problems with the intelligence."

"As for Sakumo, let him rest for a while. Don't worry about the daimyo; they have no right to interfere in the village's internal affairs."

Suddenly looking up, Hiruzen Sarutobi decisively announced his decision, then stared at the virtually invisible Danzo Shimura and solemnly reminded him:

"The specific details of this mission should not be disseminated among the Jonin."

“The root has overstepped its bounds in this matter.”

Seemingly surprised that Hiruzen Sarutobi had noticed his little trick so quickly, Danzo, whose head was wrapped in bandages, finally opened his eyes and said expressionlessly:

"I just want to take this opportunity to warn all Jonin that failure in a mission must be punished."

"No one can be above the interests of the village. This incident once again proves that Sakumo Hatake lacks the mindset of a Hokage..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, not expecting his old friend to still be able to "argue" under such circumstances, immediately interrupted:

"I will issue a gag order, and this matter ends here!"

"Hiruzen, you are becoming weak. If war breaks out and this happens again..."

Before Danzo could finish speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted him again:

"Sakumo knows what to do in war. Remember, I am the Hokage!"

"All actions must be approved by me. I don't want to receive any more unwanted information from the Dark Side."

The growing Root organization was under surveillance by the Anbu, and Hiruzen Sarutobi had even sent Orochimaru there. Everyone in the room was well aware of this.

Unable to say "You'll regret this," Danzo simply stood up, turned around, and walked away.

The meeting ended unhappily. Mitokado Homura also felt that his old friend's punishment this time was too lenient, and tried to persuade Danzo to stay, turning to him and saying:

"Danzo, we need to discuss the daimyo's response further."

"Does the master need to be mindful of the dog's mood? There are still some things at the root that I need to take care of."

"boom..."

As the door closed, Danzo, who had left the room, narrowed his eyes again. The "Naruto system" was accelerating its efforts to recruit talented ninjas, clearly indicating that his old friend had become even more wary of him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi continued puffing on his pipe, his mind filled with dissatisfaction as he thought about the power Danzo held and Orochimaru's work.

Fortunately, he wasn't too old and still had time to resolve the issue. Noticing the expressions on his two old friends' faces, he changed the subject, saying:

"Tsunade has accomplished a lot of work recently, and her cultivation of new herbs has been outstanding."

"The secret medicine has already been used. It seems that Xiu's talent far exceeds our expectations. No wonder he has gained the recognition of many people."

Faced with the powerful Hokage, the two advisors stopped arguing. With the help of the Sannin, several major ninja clans, and the Anbu, Hiruzen Sarutobi still firmly controlled all power.

-

As dusk fell, in the medical team's laboratory, Tsunade stretched lazily in her seat, glanced at her disciple working diligently beside her, and said with a smile:

"It's so cold outside, I really want to have a hot drink right now!"

While silently organizing the information on herb cultivation, Furukawa Osamu kept reviewing the feedback on the secret medicine and summarizing useful information.

"Teacher, Captain Shikaku just reminded me of the three forbidden ninja techniques not long ago..."

Upon hearing Furukawa Osamu's words, Tsunade immediately pursed her lips, stood up, and walked over to the two of them, casually saying:

"Didn't the Nara family teach you to balance work and rest?"

"Teacher, all the materials are ready!"

Shizune stood up and obediently handed over the documents. Tsunade's mood improved even more. Thinking about her comfortable life over the past month, she simply took the initiative to answer the question that Furukawa Osamu had mentioned earlier:

"Ordinary ninjas cannot accumulate chakra, but skilled medical ninjas have a way to solve this problem."

"You've all been doing well lately, without slacking off. I've decided to teach you the Hundred Healings Technique ahead of schedule!"

"This is an ancient technique that was passed down when the Sage of Six Paths was still alive. Through my continuous improvement and combination with other techniques, it has become a unique S-rank medical ninjutsu!"

"The first stage is accumulating chakra. I will teach you the basic principles of techniques..."

As Tsunade, who was speaking eloquently, noticed the admiring looks on their faces, her mood improved even more, and she continued to praise them. However, Furukawa Osamu's thoughts were elsewhere:

"Hopefully, this technique can accumulate Sage Chakra and solve the problem of not being able to sense natural energy."

Chapter 13 Fragmented Beliefs (Part 2)

In early December, some unpleasant noises emerged in the village.

Last month, both teams of genin were killed, and the chunin and jonin leading the teams also died in the line of duty, which ultimately sparked discontent among several families.

This situation hasn't occurred for a long time since the end of the Second Shinobi World War.

"Konoha ninjas must be prepared to sacrifice themselves for the village at any time!"

Although ninja academies don't write this sentence in textbooks, most ninjas "tool-like" themselves after becoming genin.

Given this situation, although there were complaints, they didn't receive much attention initially, since sacrificing oneself for a mission is a normal thing.

Information began to circulate in limited circles after a Jonin (high-ranking ninja) got into an argument with his companion in a tavern.

"High-level mission commissions may decline next year."

For students at the Ninja Academy and genin, high-level missions are simply out of the question; chunin mostly take on B-rank missions.

The situation is different for Jonin. A-rank missions can earn up to 100 million ryo, and S-rank missions can even start at 100 million ryo.

Although not everyone gets these requests, some ninjas in the Jonin class still complained when they heard that there were fewer high-level missions.

The most complaints came from the Jonin who came from commoner backgrounds; naturally, they were unhappy because there was less "meat".

...