Naruto: Experience Pain, Start by Copying the Entire Shinobi World

Three days later, the sky over Konoha cleared up for once.

At the memorial, the list of those who died in the recently concluded Third Shinobi World War has grown even longer.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood on the high platform in the plaza below the Hokage Rock, his voice amplified by his ninjutsu and carried throughout the entire village.

"...After arduous and protracted negotiations, we have officially reached a ceasefire agreement with Iwagakure!"

A thunderous roar of cheers erupted in the square.

Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.

"Furthermore, we will form an alliance with Iwagakure to jointly combat Kumogakure, which is still causing friction on the border!"

The crowd erupted in cheers once again.

The war seems to be finally coming to an end.

Qianxuan stood at the back of the crowd and yawned listlessly.

He doesn't like these kinds of occasions.

His gaze passed over the cheering adults and landed at the very front of the square.

There stood rows of children, their faces still bearing the marks of childhood.

Their faces bore a numbness and bewilderment beyond their years.

The youngest one doesn't even look old enough to start school.

This is what the Hokage refers to as the "Will of Fire".

Using children's future to fill the void left by war.

Qianxuan pursed his lips, feeling inexplicably irritated.

"Next, let's welcome the heroes of this war!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice rang out again.

"It was precisely because of their bravery and fearlessness that we were able to destroy the Kannabi Bridge, completely severing Iwagakure's supply lines and winning the most important bargaining chip for this peace negotiation!"

"They are—Minato Namikaze's Special Operations Team!"

The spotlight instantly shone on Qianxuan and his group of four.

"Wow! Did you hear that?! We're heroes!"

Obito was so excited that his face turned red. He waved his arms vigorously, enjoying the admiring glances from those around him, feeling that he had reached the pinnacle of his life.

"Shut up, you loser."

Kakashi stood beside him and coldly uttered a few words.

"What did you say?! You heartless, rule-breaking bastard!"

Obito's temper flared up instantly.

"We are heroes! Heroes! Aren't you happy?"

"Happy?"

Kakashi turned towards the memorial stone not far away.

"Those who died on the battlefield were also heroes."

His father was also a hero.

He abandoned the mission for the sake of his comrades.

In the end, he died from the spittle of the "comrades" he had saved.

Now, he himself has become a hero in other people's eyes.

How ironic.

Looking at Kakashi's aloof demeanor, Obito felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his enthusiasm.

He opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but didn't know what to say.

"Alright, alright, you two stop arguing."

Lin stood between the two, one in each hand, trying to separate them.

"Today is a happy day."

She looked at her two companions, who seemed particularly lively because of their bickering, and a relieved smile appeared on her face.

But as she smiled, her gaze fell on the children standing with their parents in the crowd.

A barely perceptible hint of melancholy flashed in his eyes.

She was also an orphan.

These noisy yet inexplicably harmonious days did not last long.

A week later, new mission instructions were issued.

Minato's team will once again serve as the vanguard, heading to the front lines of the Land of Grass to cooperate with the main force in eradicating the forces of Kumogakure.

This time, however, Shuo Ye Qianxuan's name was not on the mission list.

"The Hokage said you have another mission and asked me to inform you to prepare in advance."

Minato handed the mission scroll to Kakashi, then patted Sengen on the shoulder, his expression somewhat complicated.

Qianxuan nodded, indicating that he understood.

Looking at the three young men and women who were about to step onto the battlefield again, he suddenly felt uneasy.

He pulled Obito and Kakashi aside.

Listen,

His expression was more serious than ever before.

"I won't be with you on this mission. You two, remember this: no matter what happens, absolutely, absolutely do not let Lin be alone."

"Do you understand? Any situation!"

He didn't know how to explain Madara Uchiha's existence, nor how to explain Rin's conspiracy of having the Three-Tails implanted in her.

He had no choice but to use this most direct and unreasonable method to give them a death order.

Although Obito didn't understand why, he nodded heavily when he saw Sengen's serious expression.

Kakashi's pupils suddenly contracted.

He recalled the words Qianxuan had said to him before he set off on the mission at the Kannabi Bridge.

"Some people have their hearts on the right side."

"No matter what kind of enemy you defeat in the future, you must finish them off."

As it turned out, Qianxuan was right.

That Iwagakure Upper Honeysuckle Lion has a heart that's positioned slightly to the right.

They almost died there.

This man always manages to utter some unbelievable yet incredibly accurate warnings in an almost prophetic way.

Kakashi took a deep breath and silently elevated Qianxuan's instruction to the highest priority of the mission.

Protect Nohara Rin and don't let her be alone.

Its importance is equivalent to finishing off an enemy.

On the afternoon of the day Minato's team set off, Sengen was summoned to the Hokage's office by the Anbu.

It was the same familiar room, and the same old man puffing away on his cigarette.

"Qianxuan."

Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his pipe, interlaced his fingers, placed it on the table, and wore a kind smile.

"How have you been resting lately?"

"It's alright, but I don't have enough money to spend."

Qianxuan replied lazily.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile froze for a moment.

He cleared his throat and decided to get straight to the point.

"I called you here today because there is a special S-rank mission that I need you to carry out."

"Another S-rank?"

Qianxuan frowned.

"Hokage-sama, I'm just a Chunin. Don't you have some misunderstanding about me? There are so many Jonin in the village, why do you have to target me like this?"

"Because you are the most suitable person for this task."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression turned serious.

He took a scroll from the drawer and pushed it over.

"The mission location is in the Land of Water."

"Your mission is to infiltrate the Water Kingdom, ascertain the size of their military force, and sabotage their important ports."

Qianxuan opened the scroll and looked at the detailed mission description and map on it, his brain working at a rapid pace.

Qianxuan's first thought was to refuse.

But his gaze fell on the map and suddenly stopped.

The fastest route from the Land of Fire to the Land of Water requires traveling by boat across a vast ocean.

And on the only way to that sea area, there is a small island nation.

The country of waves.

A thought, like a bolt of lightning, struck Qian Xuan instantly.

The country of waves...

Kado!

That incredibly wealthy merchant who supported a large group of wandering samurai and rogue ninjas, and was ultimately killed by Zabuza with a single blow!

His vault...

Qianxuan's eyes lit up immediately.

His breathing began to become somewhat rapid.

He could almost see countless gold bars and banknotes beckoning to him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a chill run down his spine when he saw Sengen's suddenly bright eyes and the barely suppressed smile on his lips.

What kind of crazy idea is this kid up to now?

"Cough cough."

Qian Xuan cleared his throat, put away the greedy expression on his face, and closed the scroll with a righteous look.

"Lord Hokage, please rest assured!"

He snapped to attention, his expression more serious and solemn than ever before.

"For the peace of the village, for the safety of the ninja world, I, Sakuya Chigen, am willing to go through fire and water without hesitation!"

"Even if this mere water kingdom is a den of dragons and tigers, I will still venture into it!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was completely taken aback by his sudden change.

Looking at the righteous and righteous young man in front of him, who seemed ready to give his life for the village at any moment, he felt that something was not right.

But he couldn't explain it.

"Hmm... It's good that you have this awareness."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment.

"This mission is extremely dangerous, and you're all alone... Do you need any support?"

"Need not!"

Qianxuan waved his hand, his heroic spirit soaring to the clouds.

"Just give me a few larger sealing scrolls!"

"A sealing scroll?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat puzzled.

"right."

Qianxuan explained with a serious expression.

"I need to collect samples of plants and minerals unique to the Water Kingdom along the way and bring them back to the village for research. This is crucial for us to understand our enemy!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, finding the reason quite reasonable.

"Okay, I approve."

Qianxuan suppressed a laugh and accepted the warrant handed to him by Sarutobi Hiruzen.

He had already begun to consider whether to kill Kado outright or spare his life so that he could continue to make money for him.

This business trip was worthwhile!