Friction on the front lines had escalated into open clashes.
Kumogakure had already deployed ninja forces into the Land of Hot Water, the country bordering the Land of Fire. There were even rumors that the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki had appeared.
When Makoto heard this news, he immediately realized something.
The Third Great Ninja War was not far away.
Or perhaps it had already begun—just not on a full scale yet.
Because of his identity as a Root ninja, the original owner of Makoto's body knew slightly more information than ordinary shinobi.
Ever since Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of Konoha, committed suicide last year, the ninja world had been simmering with unrest.
Whether it was Kumogakure, Iwagakure, or Sunagakure, all of them were beginning to stir.
When Makoto had only watched the anime in his previous life, he thought the White Fang was just another famous powerhouse.
But after inheriting the original body's memories, he finally understood the weight behind that title.
Other famous ninja earned their reputations by defeating or matching powerful opponents.
The White Fang was different.
He became famous because of how efficiently he killed.
Armed with a chakra blade, he would transform into a merciless reaper on the battlefield. Whether it was a Genin or a Jōnin, once that flash of white light appeared—someone would die.
It wasn't that the White Fang stood above every shinobi in the world.
Rather, his combat style was perfectly suited for slaughtering enemies weaker than himself. Anyone below his level could easily be killed instantly.
With Konoha losing such a formidable warrior, the other ninja villages naturally began to eye them greedily.
Especially Kumogakure and Iwagakure.
Those two villages had suffered relatively light losses during the Second Great Ninja War, and after years of recovery, they believed they now had the strength to challenge the strongest village.
"Those damn Kumogakure ninja… can't they just behave for once?" Aya Ueda sighed. "It feels like war might break out again."
"If Lord White Fang were still alive, they definitely wouldn't be acting so arrogantly," Iketani Isamu said angrily.
"It's fine. We still have Lord Third Hokage, Orochimaru, and the others. We'll definitely win like before," Kimura Sugito said, trying to lighten the mood.
"If war breaks out, will teachers like us receive combat assignments too?" Makoto asked the question he cared about the most.
He really didn't want to leave the Ninja Academy.
Training on his own could still make him stronger—but how could it compare to having a system cheat?
"That depends on how intense the war becomes," Aya Ueda replied. "If things get really serious, some teachers might be assigned to different units according to their specialties."
Hearing that, Makoto silently prayed in his heart—to every god and immortal he could think of—that his name wouldn't be drawn anytime soon.
Or better yet, not drawn at all.
During the Third Great Ninja War, Konoha would fight almost every one of the other four great villages. The conflict was extremely fierce.
When the time came, they definitely wouldn't ignore the manpower represented by Academy instructors.
Makoto wasn't afraid of going to the battlefield.
What he feared was going before he had properly developed his strength.
This war would be extraordinarily dangerous.
The Five Great Villages would fight each other like mad, all-out and without restraint.
And in the shadows, Madara Uchiha and Black Zetsu were secretly manipulating events.
"Teacher Hosokawa , you really don't need to worry," Kimura said confidently. "We're the number one ninja village. It'll never get so bad that even Academy teachers have to go to war."
"I'm not worried about fighting," Makoto replied with a smile. "I'm just asking so I can be prepared."
Of course, even if he didn't want to go, that was something he absolutely couldn't say aloud.
Makoto stopped talking and began practicing calligraphy.
He continued until the class bell rang, then headed toward Class 1 of the first grade.
Standing at the doorway, he looked into the classroom.
The looming shadow of war hadn't affected the children's happiness at all. The room was filled with cheerful chatter.
"Brother, how was that brilliant plan of mine?" Kamizuki Izumo asked curiously. "Did you manage to completely subdue your cousin?"
"Don't even mention it…" Hagane Kotetsu said with a depressed expression.
"Your plan was great, but my cousin is way too cunning! After I followed your strategy, he actually used the exact same tactic against me!"
At first, things had gone very well.
His cousin got scolded badly by his aunt.
But before Kotetsu could carry out the next step of the plan, his cousin retaliated with the same method.
Kotetsu was a kid—but his cousin was only one year older. He was still a kid too.
In the end, the two of them kept retaliating against each other, getting scolded and beaten repeatedly.
Finally, they had no choice but to declare a ceasefire and jointly classify the scheme as a forbidden technique.
"A truly devious opponent," Izumo sighed.
"Your cousin is too crafty. I can't think of any new strategies right now," he added apologetically.
"It's fine," Kotetsu said. "You already gave me several ideas. Why don't you tell me your troubles? I'll help you out this time."
Izumo hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"There's a girl next door that I really like… but I don't know how to get closer to her."
"That's easy," Kotetsu replied confidently. "Just give her something she likes."
Izumo thought about it and nodded.
"That makes sense. Whenever she passes by my house, she always looks at our flower garden. She probably likes flowers. And I don't think their family grows any."
"Then give her flowers! She'll definitely be grateful."
"Ahem. Class is starting."
Makoto lightly coughed twice.
The previously noisy classroom instantly fell silent, leaving only Makoto's voice as he began the lesson.
Although they had only spent four days together, the students already liked this teacher who taught in a relaxed and interesting way.
They naturally listened attentively.
[Lecture Complete]
[Evaluation: A]
[Reward Obtained: Water Release – Water Formation Wall]
When Makoto saw the name of the technique, information about it flashed through his mind.
This was a B-rank Water Release ninjutsu that created a wall of water in front of the user to block attacks.
One interesting detail came to mind.
Tobirama Senju's version of Water Formation Wall was different from everyone else's.
Instead of just creating a wall in front, Tobirama could create a 360-degree circular barrier, protecting himself from all directions.
Reviewing the knowledge that had suddenly appeared in his mind, Makoto realized something.
He had now also mastered Water Release chakra nature transformation, which he previously didn't possess.
Thinking about it, that made sense.
Without the corresponding nature transformation knowledge, he wouldn't even be able to use Water Release techniques.
Makoto silently gave the system a mental thumbs-up for being so considerate.
After school, Makoto brought Shisui Uchiha to the training location he had chosen earlier.
It was beside a small river in the forest south of the village.
"You've already trained the Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique quite well," Makoto said as he explained the day's training plan.
"Today, I'll teach you a new Fire Release technique."
As he spoke, Makoto clapped his hands together.
Instantly, he opened his mouth and released three enormous fire dragons.
Under Makoto's control, the fire dragons circled through the air before plunging into the river.
Large amounts of water instantly evaporated, and the surface of the river began to boil with rising clouds of white steam.
"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Technique…"
Shisui recognized the jutsu immediately.
He had once seen an Uchiha Jōnin perform it.
But that recognition only made him more shocked.
Makoto had released three fire dragons at once—and had formed only a single hand seal.
Shisui grew more and more curious about his teacher's true strength.
"Watch carefully," Makoto said calmly.
"I'll demonstrate it again."
Seeing Shisui's expression, Makoto knew the effect he wanted had already been achieved.
(End of Chapter 7)