"What's wrong with that?"
Hyūga Akira had his own views on the matter.
"Don't treat those ninja as people. Each of them has more or less innocent blood on their hands. You only need to see them as prey."
"Assassination, poison, intimidation—use whatever means necessary as long as it helps you grow stronger."
Akira was earnestly imparting his own philosophy.
Nagato listened and asked cautiously,
"Teacher… aren't you a bit biased against ninja?"
"Am I?" Akira stroked his chin. "I'm a ninja myself. How could I possibly have a big problem with ninja?"
As a Leaf ninja, he had the resolve to kill other ninja—and the resolve to be killed in turn, just to see whether the resurrection system had any flaws.
Of course, while such thoughts crossed his mind, he still valued his own life greatly. Unless absolutely necessary, he had no intention of testing the revival mechanic.
Nagato listened and found himself unable to refute him.
Akira placed both hands on Nagato's shoulders, his expression grave.
"Nagato, you must understand this: the moment you become a user of chakra, you must be prepared to kill—and to be killed. If you don't have that resolve, then hide your power forever."
One of Akira's key teachings to Nagato was this:
don't think of yourself as a ninja, but as a chakra wielder.
Ninja were tools.
Chakra wielders were those who used power.
By rejecting the identity itself, you wouldn't trap yourself in the same position as ninja.
Nagato didn't fully understand the difference, but he vaguely sensed that Akira's teaching felt… off.
"Then, teacher," Nagato asked curiously, "does this chakra wielder identity have anything to do with the Rain Village?"
"No," Akira shook his head. "Remember this—you are not a ninja. You are fundamentally not on the same side as ninja. You can cooperate with them, disguise yourself as one, but you do not belong to them. No ninja faction has anything to do with you. In the future, you can even create a faction that belongs solely to chakra wielders."
For example—Akatsuki.
Or Akatsuki.
Although Yahiko would found it, the one who truly brought it to prominence was Nagato.
Nagato nodded, half-understanding.
"In the end, I'm only giving you suggestions," Akira said solemnly. "What path you walk in the future—that's for you to choose."
To Akira, the most important thing he taught Nagato wasn't techniques, but ideology.
He believed that in Nagato—the one who would one day seek a true path to peace—these teachings had already planted a seed. Sooner or later, it would take root and grow.
That was, of course, assuming Akira didn't wipe out the entire ninja world before then.
As someone who loved peace so deeply, he probably wouldn't go that far… right?
Akira silently reinforced his fragile "peace-loving" persona in his heart.
"Yes," Nagato nodded seriously.
He had no idea just how dangerous a figure his teacher was to the future of this world.
After all, to monsters, a fully grown player was nothing short of a nightmare.
"Keep training," Akira said. "How far you can go from here depends entirely on you."
Akira knew full well that the identity he was giving Nagato would expose him to countless dangers in the future.
But he trusted that a certain old man surnamed Uchiha would make sure Nagato grew up safely. A few hardships didn't matter—as long as he stayed alive, there was hope.
The future would become very interesting.
That day, Akira didn't leave. From beginning to end, he carefully explained everything to Nagato in detail.
He wanted to make sure Nagato wouldn't stray too far down the wrong path.
Akira didn't know whether Jiraiya would still teach Nagato as he had in the original history. After all, Akira had flapped his butterfly wings pretty hard.
The future had already become completely unknown.
When night finally fell, Nagato collapsed to the ground in exhaustion. Suddenly, he looked toward the cave entrance in confusion.
"Teacher… it seems like someone's coming."
"Hm?" Akira looked outside in surprise and activated his Byakugan.
His vision pierced through the cave, through layers of trees, and caught sight of several figures rapidly approaching.
"Monsters delivering themselves to my doorstep?" Akira's face lit up with excitement.
"Teacher, is someone really coming?" Nagato asked uncertainly.
Akira glanced at Nagato meaningfully. The boy could already passively sense chakra—Kagura's Mind Eye.
After a moment's hesitation, Akira said,
"Go hide deeper inside. No matter what, don't come out unless I call you."
Nagato looked at the uncontrollable smile on Akira's face.
Something very dangerous was clearly about to happen—
so why did his teacher look happy?!
Nagato didn't ask any questions. He simply nodded and quickly ran deeper into the cave.
Just as Akira had said, he was only a weak apprentice chakra wielder, completely lacking in combat ability.
Akira stepped out of the cave and looked toward the three figures drawing closer.
Then his brows furrowed. The excitement on his face faded, replaced by irritation.
From even farther away, a massive chakra presence was approaching fast.
Murakami Hana.
Did this guy have nothing better to do all day?
As for the three approaching figures, Akira didn't even need to think about who they were—the fat ninja.
He hadn't expected the man to come looking for him on his own.
A chūnin drop was far better than a genin's.
And the two extra genin were a nice bonus.
What annoyed Akira was that this idiot had no sense of subtlety and had dragged Murakami Hana along.
How was Akira supposed to kill him and get drops now?
At best, he'd only get some experience points.
Soon, under the cover of night, Akira saw the three figures emerge from the forest, leaping directly in front of him.
"Well, well—we meet again, kid," the fat ninja sneered. His breathing mask had been shattered, fully exposing the malice on his face.
Akira swept his gaze over the group.
Two unfamiliar genin.
One chūnin.
Murakami Hana was still on the way—he'd need a bit more time.
Akira's hands rapidly formed the seals for Shiranui.
Could he kill the fat man in such a short window?
The fat ninja had no idea what Akira was planning. He just said viciously,
"No matter how talented you are, a dead genius won't draw any attention."
Whoosh—
Akira didn't waste a single word.
With a flick of his hand, the bronze blade appeared, flames igniting along its edge as he charged straight at the fat ninja.
Murakami Hana would arrive in one minute.
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