Immortality begins with the ninjas of Konoha

"Lord Hokage, will children who graduated early a few years ago and have mission experience be drafted?"

"Not for now, the conflict hasn't spread fully yet."

Hiruzen Sarutobi gave an affirmative answer, stating that the village had accumulated a large number of genin and chunin over the years, and it was not necessary to send a 10-year-old child there.

Several Chunin instructors echoed this sentiment; they weren't "hardliners," and they genuinely didn't want to see the boys they had taught sacrifice themselves prematurely.

-

The arrival of war affected business in the commercial street. Even the most oblivious villagers would start to stock up on food, and their usual consumption naturally decreased.

In a teahouse on Mingcha Street, a girl of about 12 years old was idly looking around, her chin resting on her hand, when a tuft of silver hair suddenly appeared in her field of vision. She immediately exclaimed happily:

"Kakashi-senpai! Want to grab a drink? It's on me!"

Kakashi, carrying a short sword, turned his head, paused for a moment upon seeing the girl's face, and then remembered that her name seemed to be Mami:

"You don't need to call me senior, you're older than me."

"Your senior is still the same as before, not cute at all!"

Mami, feigning anger, pulled Kakashi into the shop, then looked at the curious crowd and greeted them with a sweet smile:

"Let's all have a drink, it's on me today."

Might Guy wanted to shout out a "declaration of youth," but Genma Shiranui and Ebisu, knowing their comrade well, simply pushed him into the store, muttering:

"Kai, remember to balance work and rest!"

"Yes, don't you want to hear Kakashi's story? I'm really curious!"

Ebisu pushed up his small sunglasses. He always felt that the girl and Kakashi had a special relationship, and he couldn't resist gossiping about it.

"You guys are so boring. Mami recently gave up her ninja career."

Kakashi, sitting down at the table, glanced sideways and began to criticize Ebisu, this "secretly lecherous wolf." He had persuaded many students to quit, but Mami, though a bit absent-minded, had left a deep impression on him.

"You're talking badly about me again!"

The cheerful Mami served tea and snacks to everyone and then sat down opposite Kakashi, complaining. Seeing Might Guy and the others exclaim "Delicious!", she immediately narrowed her eyes and said:

"Thanks to Kakashi-senpai, I was able to avoid this war."

"It's a little embarrassing to admit, but I am indeed very timid. When I heard about the outbreak of war last month, I felt only relief."

"Actually, although people don't say it, many ninjas who were persuaded to turn back by Kakashi are secretly grateful."

"I'm just being honest. Also, I really like Kakashi-senpai, and I don't mind dating younger boys..."

Might Guy coughed a few times in a row. The girl's sudden confession to Kakashi startled him. Ebisu even smiled and stared at Kakashi, wanting to see his reaction.

"You're talking nonsense again. Didn't I tell you before that you shouldn't easily show your emotions?"

Kakashi calmly sipped his tea and grumbled. He was used to these kinds of confessions; in every squad he'd led, there were always girls who liked to tease him.

Hearing the familiar compliment, Mami smiled. The girl wasn't particularly beautiful, but her energetic demeanor was very appealing.

"Thank you, Kakashi-senpai. You are different from most of the ninjas in the village!"

"Agree to go on a date with me and the meal will be free!"

"I have no interest in spending girls' money."

Kakashi, with a deadpan expression, continued his rant. He hadn't expected his attempt to persuade Kakashi to quit to have such an effect; he'd been receiving more and more thanks lately...

As the four left the shop, Mami waved goodbye from behind, while Genma Shiranui, with a bamboo skewer in his mouth, suddenly sighed:

"Even ninjas are afraid of death! When I was in school, I always thought ninjas were fearless..."

"I will dedicate my youth to the very end! Don't worry, I will protect you."

Might Guy's strength had increased rapidly. He flashed a bright smile at his companions, his white teeth seemingly gleaming. Ebisu, unusually, praised him:

"That sounds reliable!"

Kakashi squinted and remained silent. Lately, he'd been teaming up with a few people and had started to miss those high-level missions. Suddenly, the phrase "hardliners" came to mind, and he inwardly chuckled to himself.

Am I also craving killing?

-

In Konoha Hospital, Furukawa Osamu quietly watched the weeping family. The 14-year-old boy was seriously injured by the explosive tag, but after two days, he returned to the Pure Land.

The girl held her brother's hand and sobbed continuously. After shedding tears, the father, who had lost an arm, said in a deep voice:

"Ninjas don't need tears! The village needs us..."

"Are you crazy? Xiangzi is only 13 years old!"

The girl looked bewildered as she watched her parents arguing over their future plans. Without her brother's care, she might die on the mission.

The thought of death made the sobbing girl tremble; she regretted becoming a ninja.

Finally, after receiving gratitude, Furukawa Osamu left the ward silently. In a way, death was beneficial to him, as he had been getting more and more opportunities to "collect" things lately.

"Tsunade-sensei, there's no need to hide in the corner every time. You know I can sense you."

Wearing a Jonin's blue casual uniform, Tsunade walked up to Furukawa Osamu, crossed her arms, and looked at her disciple, saying:

"If you're on the front lines, you'll encounter many more similar situations!"

"Medical ninjas aren't omnipotent either. Many times, there's nothing you can do but watch your comrades die in front of you."

"This is also why I have always supported Sarutobi-sensei; war is the worst option."

Osamu Furukawa had already devised a plan; death would not deter him. Now, he once again displayed his "Will of Fire":

"I won't let you appear on the battlefield, Tsunade-sensei."

"As a Konoha ninja, I am prepared to face death."

"..."

Chapter 49 The Ninja's "Fearless Spirit"... (Please continue reading)

In mid-June, the village leadership announced that the Chunin Exams would not be affected and that Jonin nominations could continue.

In just three months, the border conflict has resulted in far more casualties than expected, and the scale of the war is showing signs of expansion.

Inside the Hokage Building, Koharu Utatane gave her routine report on the recent battle situation, her expression becoming somewhat strange when she mentioned Sunagakure:

"Although it sounds unbelievable, the Third Kazekage most likely died at the hands of his own people."

"The intelligence department believes that Sunagakure is still in internal strife, and the Chiyo siblings are trying to divert attention from the conflict by waging war in order to select the next Kazekage."

Mitokado Homura also found this matter somewhat outrageous; the strongest Kazekage dying at the hands of his own people was something he couldn't imagine happening to Konoha.

"Hiruzen, we have already spread the word within Sunagakure. Danzo has also completed his mission well. Hanzo has agreed to let us enter the Land of Rain."

"Orochimaru has already pushed the battle line to the edge, and we haven't seen any signs of Iwagakure yet."

Unlike Jiraiya's counterattack near the Land of Grass, Orochimaru disregarded losses and pushed Sunagakure back to its "home base" in just one month.

Such a result is outstanding, but considering the looming signs that Danzo and Orochimaru might be joining forces, Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly as he replied:

Is Danzo still in the Land of Rain?

“The Root seems to have discovered the ‘secret’ of Amegakure. Danzo believes we can win Hanzo over.”

Koharu responded softly. She didn't know the details of Genbu's actions, but she believed that her old friend would not betray the village's interests.

Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped his pipe; his root was starting to get a little out of control. Orochimaru had failed to complete the task he had been given.

"Tell Orochimaru to be wary of casualties, and to return to the border immediately if there are any signs of Sunagakure and Iwagakure joining forces."

"Yes!"

Upon hearing the instructions, the Anbu members puffed out their chests and responded proudly. In just two months, the village regained the initiative. This is the power of the Konoha ninja.

-

War has broken out again in the Land of Rain, which is shrouded in rain all year round. Despite the early warnings issued by Amegakure, some border villages have still been damaged.

Sparse raindrops fell on the blood-red earth, accompanied by inhuman roars:

"what!"

Under the cover of explosive tags, the Sand Village ninja continued their fearless charge, their meaningless shouts seemingly bolstering their courage.

"Water Escape: Water Severing Waves".

"Tu Dun·Tu Liubi!"

The moment Furukawa Osamu, clad in white armor, created distance, he began forming hand seals. When he landed on the ground, he was already spitting out thin streams of water.

The Sand Village ninja in front touched the ground with both hands, raising an earthen wall. The defense was as if it were made of paper, and was instantly penetrated, causing a large amount of blood to spurt out.

"Ugh!! Ah..."

A high-speed, linear stream of water swept horizontally, and some of the charging Sand Village ninjas were unable to dodge in time and were instantly cut in half at the waist, their screams echoing everywhere.

Stimulated by the blood, the remaining Sand Village ninjas were not afraid at all. Instead, they continued to unleash their chakra with ferocious expressions and charged forward to the enemy.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

The Uchiha ninjas behind Furukawa Osamu unleashed fireballs, successfully disrupting the enemy's charging formation, and the two sides resumed hand-to-hand combat.

"Follow Master Xiu!"

The young Uchiha ninja roared, and then the members of several squads roared back and accelerated their charge.

"clang..."

The Sand Village ninja at the forefront slashed fiercely, sparks flying as his long sword clashed with his short sword, the force of the weapon's recoil tearing his hand.

Taking advantage of the pause, Furukawa Osamu unleashed a burst of chakra from his feet, nimbly turned around, and delivered a side kick.

"puff..."

The young man from Sunagakure was sent flying, the force of which caused his chest to cave in. He landed with blood gushing from his mouth and nose, and was beyond saving.

Osamu Furukawa leaped directly into the middle of the Sunagakure team. Upon landing, the ground cracked and rocks flew everywhere, completely disrupting the enemy's charge. The Konoha ninja following behind seized the opportunity and successfully took the initiative.

Orochimaru stood atop a dilapidated circular house, watching Furukawa Osamu calmly dodge the encirclement, each strike of his sword and kick concise and efficient, killing with deadly precision. A look of excitement appeared on his sinister face.

"What outstanding talent!"

"boom!"

The explosive tags detonated in the middle of the group, and screams filled the air. The Sand Village puppet squad, hidden in the rear, launched a surprise attack in the chaos, and the poisoned senbon caused many Konoha ninjas to fall.

Furukawa Osamu leaped into the air to dodge the outstretched hand from the ground, briefly gathered his strength in mid-air, and then unleashed a swift horizontal kick.

"what..."

The two Sand Village ninjas' heads twisted, and they died instantly with a muffled groan. The ninja in the ground also failed to escape; when Furukawa Osamu landed, his short sword had already pierced his skull.

More and more blood was spilled on the ground; driven by the carnage, both sides had almost lost their minds.

The Uchiha clan ninjas successfully suppressed the puppet army using their Sharingan, and the antidote they had taken beforehand made them immune to poisoned weapons.

After clearing out the surrounding Sand Village ninjas, Furukawa Osamu clasped his hands together and, taking advantage of the Konoha team's retreat to create distance, unleashed another large-scale ninjutsu attack:

"Water Release·Water Crush Wave!"

The rain in the air seemed to be sucked away, and the circular water flow surrounding Furukawa Osamu continued to rise, the huge sound temporarily drowning out the heart-wrenching screams.

"You're kidding... uh!"

The puppet squad from Sunagakure and their companions murmured amongst themselves as they watched the raging torrents of water in the sky, their faces filled with despair.

"boom..."

The torrent of water crashed down from the sky with a deafening roar, clearing most of the battlefield. Orochimaru appeared beside Furukawa Osamu, hissing in a chilling voice:

"Kill them all!"

"Oh!!"

At this moment, the Konoha ninjas roared and charged again. The water-style ninjutsu, which was like divine punishment, boosted their morale. The Sand Village was no match for them!

...

As evening approached, the light drizzle finally stopped, and for the first time in half a month, Osamu Furukawa saw the sunset.

At this moment, there was no trace of the Sand Village ninja in this border village of the Land of Rain. The air was filled with a thick smell of blood. The Konoha ninja who were cleaning up the battlefield were already used to it, and many of them were still talking excitedly.