Naruto: From Novice to Grave

The enrollment issue was resolved in just one morning.

The afternoon was supposed to be a holiday, but it was actually time for the admitted students to go back and prepare their study materials or enjoy their last moments of happiness.

Starting tomorrow, they will be official ninja academy students, future ninja trainees, and soldiers who will wield extraordinary powers.

Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha's original intention in establishing the ninja village was perhaps to provide everyone with a stable place where they could stop fighting each other, unite together, protect their descendants, and prevent underage children from being coerced into going to the battlefield by their elders under various pretexts.

However, when the ninja village merges with the nation and establishes a system of one village per nation, the nature of the village changes, and the original intention can never be realized.

What started as small-scale conflicts between ninja clans due to employment missions escalated into military competition between nations and ninja villages.

During the Warring States period, ninja clans still had a little freedom of choice and the right to refuse employers. However, when ninja clans formed ninja villages and were tied to the monster that is the state, they were no longer able to control their own destiny.

If war breaks out, it will only be larger in scale, longer in duration, and more devastating in casualties than during the Warring States period.

When too many adult ninjas are killed or wounded, the younger generation still have to go to the battlefield; nothing changes.

Perhaps it was when Madara Uchiha saw this clearly that he realized his and Hashirama's childhood dreams were too naive; ninjas, after all, could not escape their predetermined fate.

So he chose another path, wanting to go further and, together with Hashirama, completely unify the ninja world, end the thousand-year-long war, and free everyone from this chaotic fate.

Unfortunately, Hashirama Senju had become trapped in the illusion of peace he had created, stubbornly refusing to allow anyone to disrupt it.

Therefore, he kills anyone who destroys the village, whether it's his close friend Uchiha Madara or his own family.

While he was alive, there was peace, but as soon as he died, the First Shinobi World War broke out, followed by the Second, and now the Third.

Madara Uchiha watched all this from underground, becoming even more certain that his idea was correct. However, he was already badly injured, and Hashirama, who could join forces with him, had passed away.

He wanted to realize his ideals, so he had to use other methods. Then he fell into another trap and became the number one project manager of Black Jue, the CEO of the Ring-within-a-Ring Conspiracy City.

They still haven't escaped their fate of being dominated.

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It was noon, and Higashino Megumi and Uzuki Sakura, with their respective children, planned to grab a quick bite outside.

At this point, neither of them bothered to go back and cook.

At the school gate, the four saw Hayate Gekko and Shisui Uchiha walking out with the crowd.

Jifeng was obviously out there hoping to get a free meal.

Zhi Shui was preparing to return to his clan.

Uzuki Yugao waved her small, white hands: "Here! Hayate-nii, we're here, and so is Shisui-kun. Do you want to go eat with us?"

Uchiha Shisui, who was about to say goodbye to the group, paused for a moment, then said in surprise, "Oh, is that alright? Won't this be too much trouble for everyone?"

Keigo Higashino smiled gently and said, "Child, what's the trouble? Aren't you friends with Makoto and the others? Or is someone at home already having dinner ready?"

Higashino and his two friends have been hanging out with Shisui a lot in the past year or two. The three families are aware of this, but they have not objected.

Those who harbor hostility towards the Uchiha clan are certain individuals in the upper echelons. Ordinary ninjas or villagers, at most, might find the Uchiha clan somewhat aloof or difficult to get along with, and harbor a slight dislike for them.

After all, the Uchiha clan, as the family that heads the Konoha Village Police Department, frequently interacts with the people of Konoha. However, because they always consider themselves superior due to their status as the number one clan and are aloof and unapproachable, they have indeed aroused widespread dissatisfaction.

In fact, if you've teamed up with people from this clan, you'll find they're quite reliable. At least given their clan's nature, they would never do something like sacrificing their companions.

As for whether there are any scoundrels in the Uchiha clan, of course there are, but which clan doesn't have such people?

When Shisui heard Higashino Megumi mention his family, he lowered his head and whispered, "My parents are gone, and I live alone."

Uzuki Sakura: "What an independent and sensible child! Let's join in!"

The two had originally planned to take the three children to a casual set meal restaurant for lunch, but since the children's friends had joined them, they naturally decided to go and eat something better.

Let's have some barbecue!

During the meal, seeing that his two friends were being taken care of by their relatives, he felt a hint of envy and longing in his eyes, but being a smart kid, he kept his head down so no one would notice.

Suddenly, several large pieces of roasted meat appeared on his plate, emitting an enticing aroma.

Higashino Megumi: "Eat more, Hayate too. You're all a bit too thin. You need to grow stronger like Makoto."

Shisui looked up and smiled happily: "Yes, thank you, Aunt Hui."

Hayate glanced at Higashino Masashi's physique and silently thought to himself, "I wish I could, but my body won't allow it."

Higashino really doesn't know what's wrong with Hayate. His strength has improved a lot, but he just doesn't gain weight. Does he usually use his teleportation ability to go to the women's bathhouse?

No, that's not right. This guy doesn't have that kind of amazing skill yet.

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After the meal, everyone parted ways.

Looking at Shisui's retreating figure, Higashino Kei whispered, "Actually, the Uchiha clan makes a lot of sacrifices in every war, but it seems like no one ever publicizes these things. The village only sends them to the battlefield when they don't have enough troops. I don't know why things have turned out this way between us and the village."

Being a ninja is a profession that requires a strong sense of secrecy, and this is especially true for ninja villages. The grudges and conflicts between the Uchiha clan and the village, including the final battle between Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju, were all classified as secrets.

The Higashino family was just a commoner family; they would never have known the intricacies of the situation.

"What, Mom, do you want to know why?"

Higashino Megumi was somewhat surprised: "Do you know? This is not something someone your age should understand."

"Because of fear, what those in power fear most is power that they cannot control. Some people are afraid that another Madara Uchiha will appear, because Konoha no longer has a God of Shinobi."

Keigo Higashino originally thought that her son was just precocious, but she suddenly realized that she didn't know enough about him. Then she felt a little scared and looked around uncomfortably.

"Shin, what you're saying doesn't align with the Will of Fire at all. Don't say it again."

"Don't worry, Mom, no one is eavesdropping. But please don't discuss these things outside in the future, not even at home, it will cause trouble."

"Oh, so you're lecturing me now? Okay, okay, I know."

"So, is the next step to go home?"

No, come with me.

Keigo Higashino took Makoto Higashino to a flower shop and bought a few bouquets of flowers. Afterwards, they went together to the Konoha Cemetery located in the back mountain.

The two placed a bouquet of flowers on two separate, non-adjacent gravesites.

This place is where ninjas who died for Konoha are buried. Their names are engraved on the memorial stone, including Higashino's grandfather and uncle.

The cemetery for ordinary people is not here.

Of the many festivals in the Land of Fire each year, three involve ancestor worship, so Higashino Makoto has visited here quite a few times.

While sweeping the dust off the grave with tools, Higashino Keigo said, "Your grandfather died at the end of World War I, and your uncle died at the end of World War II."

They all died near the end of the war. Your uncle originally planned to get married after the war ended and take advantage of the rare period of peace to strengthen the Higashino family, but he still couldn't escape it.

Seeing you grow up so smart, your father and I were planning to have a younger sister or brother for you, but then war broke out again.

The Higashino family always seems to be just a little bit unlucky.

Now, your father has gone to the battlefield, his fate unknown. In the Higashino family, you are all that's left, Zhen.

"What is Mom worried about?"

"Your father told me about your abilities. You are a true genius, son. But if possible, don't follow Kakashi's example and graduate early. Stay in school quietly for a few more years."

"No problem, but sometimes, it's not something we can decide. If the war is too brutal and lasts for several more years, causing too much damage to the village's strength, then our generation will eventually have to go to the front lines."

"I know, perhaps this is the fate that ninjas can never escape."

"Fate? Perhaps. If ninjas, who possess extraordinary powers, are willing to become tools and weapons, then they cannot escape this fate."

Higashino Megumi, being a traditional ninja, didn't quite understand her son's words: "Ninjas, aren't they just weapons? That's how it's been for thousands of years."

"No, Mom, just because it's always been this way doesn't mean it's right. You call that a mental imprint."

"Then, Shin, why do you still want to be a ninja?"

"Because I haven't experienced it, I want to experience the excitement of this profession, but that doesn't mean I agree that the current state of ninjas is reasonable."