The news hit Konoha like a cold gust of wind.
Kumogakure forces have crossed into the Land of Hot Springs. Eight-Tails Jinchūriki sighted. Friction at the border escalating into direct conflict.
The staff whispered in panic. Students didn't understand yet. But every shinobi with battlefield experience felt the same thing:
War was coming.
No—It had already begun.It just hadn't exploded publicly yet.
As a Root agent, I heard more than the average academy teacher.Ever since White Fang's suicide last year, the ninja world had been swelling with hidden tension.Cloud.Stone.Sand.Three great villages all sharpening their kunai.
Back when I'd only watched the anime, I thought "White Fang" was just another legendary name—cool but distant, like any other.
But after inheriting the memories of this body…
I finally understood what it meant to lose him.
White Fang didn't become famous by dueling elites.He became famous by killing.He was a flash of silver slicing through the battlefield—A chakra blade in his hand, and opponents fell like wheat under a scythe.
Genin, Chūnin, even some Jōnin—none of it mattered.If you were weaker than him, he erased you in a blink.
And now that he was gone…
The other villages smelled blood.
Cloud and Stone had barely suffered losses in the last war.Now, emboldened, they were testing the limits of Konoha's patience.
In the teacher's office, the mood was strained.
"Can those damned Cloud-nin behave for once?" Ueda Aya muttered. "Feels like another war's about to begin."
"If White Fang were still alive, they wouldn't dare act like this," Iketani Isamu grumbled.
Kimura Sugito tried to lighten the air."Relax… We still have the Third Hokage, and Lord Orochimaru. We'll win again."
I raised the question that mattered most to me.
"If a war breaks out… will academy teachers be deployed?"
Ueda sighed.
"It depends on intensity. But if the war gets serious enough… yes. Some of us will be assigned to units."
I kept my expression calm, but inside…
Damn.
The Third Great Ninja War was a meat grinder.Five major villages clashing at once.And in the shadows, Madara and Black Zetsu stirring up chaos.
I wasn't afraid of battle.I was afraid of going too early, before the system had time to raise my Stats high enough.
"I'm just preparing mentally," I said with a smile. "Just in case."
"You worry too much, Teacher Hanyū," Kimura laughed. "Konoha won't fall so low that even we get sent."
I didn't respond.
I simply practiced calligraphy until it was time for class, brushing ink strokes to quiet the unease.
When I reached the first-year classroom, the kids were buzzing with their usual chaos—untainted by the shadow creeping across the world.
Kamizuki Hayato and Hagane Kotetsu were deep in "strategic negotiations."
"Brother, how did the plan go? Did your cousin get humbled?"
Kotetsu groaned.
"Don't mention it… Your plan was good, but my cousin is too cunning! He copied all my tricks!"
They'd ended up in a childish arms race until both got scolded into surrender.
"And that villain is only one year older than me. So unfair…" Kotetsu muttered.
"A formidable opponent," Hayato said seriously.
"I can't even think of a counter-strategy," he admitted, feeling dejected.
Kotetsu patted his shoulder."It's fine, Brother Izumo. You've already helped me a lot. Tell me your troubles next—I'll repay you."
Hayato hesitated… then confessed:
"…There's a girl next door I like. But I don't know how to get close to her…"
Kotetsu lit up.
"That's easy! Just give her something she likes!"
Hayato thought, then nodded.
"She always looks at my flower garden when passing by… maybe she likes flowers?"
"Then send flowers! She'll definitely be grateful!"
I coughed twice.
"Ahem. Class is starting."
The room snapped into silence instantly.
Even after only four days, they trusted me.Listened to me.A strange warmth.
[Lecture Completed][Evaluation: A][Reward Granted: Water Style — Water Formation Wall]
A flood of new information surged through my mind—The structure of water chakra,Its circulation patterns,Hand signs,And the technique's defensive mechanics.
This wasn't just a jutsu.It was the full attribute manipulation for Water.
So the system filled in the missing knowledge by default.Smart.Adaptive.
Good job, System.
After school, Shisui and I headed to the training site by the southern river.
"You've mastered Great Fireball well," I said. "Today, I'll teach you something new."
I clapped my hands.One seal—A breath—And three massive fire dragons burst from my mouth, spiraling into the sky before crashing into the river with a hiss loud enough to shake the trees.
Steam exploded upward.
Shisui's jaw dropped.
"Big Dragon Fire Jutsu… three dragons… and one seal…"
His eyes glimmered with awe.
Perfect.
"Watch closely," I said. "I'll show you again."