In the Hokage's office.
"I will lead the troops on the border." Hiruzen said with certainty.
"..."
"Don't joke around, Hiruzen. If you leave Konoha, the situation will become more dangerous." Koharu finally said.
Hiruzen looked at his two comrades. "To be honest, we lack reliable ninjas. Kakashi's squad is watching Kumo, and Shisui is watching Kiri. Danzo is also watching Suna, who will likely move as well."
"If we don't finish the fight against Iwagakure quickly, it's us that at disadvantage." Hiruzen said.
"What about Tsunade? She could return to the village now." Koharu said.
"I've sent Anbu to track her down. Will she return to the village? Maybe she will return to the village if I die." Hiruzen knew Tsunade was disappointed in him, and he wouldn't blame her for that. Now, Hiruzen had a new student with extraordinary potential, and he didn't want to make a decision he would regret, one that would disappoint his student again.
"Don't say like that, Hiruzen." Homura said.
"Sandaime-sama, I agree with Koharu-sama. You can't just go to the border. If Kumo, Suna, and Kiri find out, they might attack the village." Shikaku said.
He added, "Of course, I agree with your opinion to finish the fight with Iwa immediately, but I suggest, we waiting to see how the situation develops. If it worsens, I won't stop you from going to the border."
"As Shikaku said, we are really lacking ninjas now. What about the other clans?" Homura asked.
"The Hyuga clan will help if Kumo attacks, and there are already some Hyuga ninjas in Kakashi's squad. But, of course, the Hyuga alone are not enough for that." Hiruzen then thought, "What about the Uchiha clan? We can send them to the Kumo and Kiri borders."
"Hiruzen, if you let them participate in this battle, they might become even more uncontrollable afterward." Homura said.
"What will happen if I leave and abandon the village to the Uchiha?" Hiruzen asked Homura.
"That..."
"This time, I agree with Hiruzen. The Uchiha will be much more dangerous if they remain in the village. Especially if Hiruzen not there, they might stage a coup. Do you want that to happen?" Koharu said to Homura.
"..."
Shikaku and Inoichi, who had overheard them discussing their concerns about the Uchiha clan, could only remain silent. As clan leaders, they were certainly angry at the village elders for being wary of their own clan. However, the Uchiha clan's problem was complicated by the Kyubi incident, and the elders were suspicious of the clan.
This could have all been prevented, if, before his death, Minato had told Hiruzen who was behind the Kyubi incident. Perhaps the situation with the Uchiha Clan wouldn't be this bad.
So, the village elders couldn't really be blamed for their suspicion of the Uchiha, because they didn't have any information about Sharingan users from outside the village.
"Before I move, the Uchiha clan will remain in the village." Hiruzen looked at Inoichi and Shikaku. "Let Takigakure going deeper into our territory and surround them before they join with Iwa and Kusa."
"Asuma and the other jonin will help." Hiruzen said.
"Yes." Inoichi and Shikaku responded.
"..."
"..."
———————————————————
Somewhere in the Uchiha District.
"Has everyone gathered?"
"Yes, everyone who supports you has gathered."
He looked at the clan members who had come to support him.
"All right, everyone. We will begin the meeting."
"..."
"As you all know, our clan is in a very bad situation, not only because of the village, but also because some of our clan members have betrayed us and chosen to side with the village." He continued, "Under Fugaku's leadership, our clan has not improved, but has instead worsened." He said with emotion.
"We have become lower than other clans. Even civilians look down on us!"
"..."
"Once again, we will confirm whether Fugaku intends to carry out the coup. Or does he prefer to be a dog of the village until we all die?" The ninja, who was not given a name by the author, said.
"..."
"I agree."
"Me too."
Many agreed with his plan.
"If Fugaku doesn't want to carry out the coup, then I will nominate myself as the new clan leader to carry out our mission for the glory of the Uchiha clan." He said again.
"I agree."
"Agreed."
The others agreed with his plan.
'What will you do now, Fugaku?' he thought to himself.
"..."
"..."
———————————————————
At the academy.
"Naruto, you must not read it in class or when others are around, understand?" Souji said to Naruto.
"What? But why?" Naruto asked, wanting to continue reading.
"It will distract you. I only allow you to read it at home, on holidays, and when you're not training until I hear back from the publisher." Souji replied.
"Ugh, okay, but wouldn't it be good if the others read your story, Dad?"
"It's fine if they buy my book and read it, Naruto." Souji added. "If they know you have a copy before the book is sold, won't they just borrow it from you? Will you lend them the first copy I made for you? What if they accidentally damage it? What if they lose it?"
"Um... all right." Naruto said reluctantly.
Ino and the others approached them. "Hello, Naruto. Hello, Souji-kun."
"Yo." Shikamaru and Choji greet them.
"Yo, Shika, Choji, and Ino." Naruto and Souji replied.
"..."
"Hey, have you heard that the situation on the Konoha and Iwa border is getting worse?" Ino asked.
The others nodded.
"Yesterday, Dad and I heard about it from people too." said Naruto.
"Shikamaru, do you know anything about it?" Choji asked, making the others look at Shikamaru.
"..."
"Haa...troublesome... I heard from my father that the situation is very bad. He rarely comes home because of it." Shikamaru then whispered, "I accidentally overheard my parents talking. My father said that this situation could turn into the Fourth Shinobi World War."
Ino covered her mouth with both hands. Choji stopped eating his potato chips. Naruto fell silent when he heard the word "war," and so did Souji.
"..."
"What if that happens? Will we also have to fight?" Choji asked.
Ino remained silent.
"I don't know. But, judging by the history of the previous Shinobi World Wars, many children from the academy became additional troops."
"..."
"Does that mean we have to kill our enemies?" Choji asked worriedly.
"..."
For those living in a peaceful era, killing and being killed are cruel things, but they are common in times of war.
"It's not about killing, it's about protecting what is most important to you." Souji said, then he added, "Everyone has their own reasons for fighting. Your enemies fight for their village, and so do you. There is no one who is completely right or completely wrong in this world."
"..."
"If you don't want to kill your enemies, you can allow yourself to be killed by them. But what about your family? Will you beg them not to kill your family and allow yourself to be killed instead?" Souji continued, "What if they break their promise? What if your family chooses to fight and die? Would your death be in vain?"
"..."
"Making mistakes is natural. Regret is natural, too. But if you don't learn from either of it, then suffering is what you'll get."
"..."
They were all silent. What Souji said was too heavy for them, even for Shikamaru.
"Well, you don't need to overthink it. Leave everything to the adults. Our job is just to make sure we live well until the time comes." Souji said this while stroking Naruto's hair.
Naruto, who had been silent and preoccupied with negative thoughts, felt calmer when Souji stroked his hair.
Souji smiled at them and said, "Seeing you like this, just because of my words, shows that you want to learn and prepare yourselves."
"..."
They just nodded without saying anything.
"Oh, come on! Where's the sweet and cheerful Ino?"
"Eh?"
Ino's face turned red, and she covered her face with both hands.
[Thoughts: Kyaa!!!!!!]
"..."
Shikamaru and Choji who saw Ino like that and somehow managed to return to normal.
"What kind of training do you want to do?" Souji said.
"..."
"What do you think is the most important thing for us?" Shikamaru asked.
"Basic and control." Souji added. "What is taught in the academy is actually quite good, although there are still many shortcomings."
"In the academy, we only learn the basics. But that's not enough for you, the purpose of our training is to reinforce the basics taught in the academy. Then, we gradually move up to the next level." said Souji.
Shikamaru nodded and said, "I understand."
Naruto whispered to Choji, "Do you understand, Choji?"
Choji, who had gone back to eating his potato chips, shook his head. "No." he said.
"..."
Ino, who had come back to her senses from her daydream, couldn't say anything. She looked at Naruto and Choji and said, "You two..."
"Ino, do you understand?" Naruto asked.
"Hmph, of course." Ino replied proudly.
"..."
They then went back to talking about normal topics.
Not long after, Iruka came to their class and called on Souji.
"What is it, Iruka-sensei?" Souji asked.
"Someone is looking for you. He said it's about the book." Iruka said.
"Oh, all right."
"He's in the office."
"Okay, thank you, Sensei."
"You're welcome." Iruka replied.
"..."
Souji walked toward the office.
"..."
"Ah! Souji-sama!" The bookstore owner called out.
Souji nodded and said, "I don't know your name yet." Souji asked.
"My name is Honda, Souji-sama."
"All right, Honda. So, how is it?"
"It's amazing, Souji-sama. Just as I expected from the Third Hokage's student. If you allow it, I will print and publish the book as soon as possible!" Honda said enthusiastically.
What Souji wrote was actually quite simple. The story, titled 'Tragedy of Love', told the story of Romeo and Juliet, but with a change. Romeo was Senjuuichi Morino, and Juliet was Uchiwa Yukie. Of course, the story was actually much more inclined towards Hashirama and Madara.
The story begins during the Warring States period when Senjuuichi Morino accidentally met Uchiwa Yukie while playing on the riverbank. They didn't mention their clan names when they first met, and from then on, they often met secretly and played together.
They also shared dreams. Morino dreamed of creating a place where differences could coexist and peace could be achieved through mutual understanding. Yukie wanted to live in safety and peace with the people she loved.
One day, however, when Morino and Yukie went to meet, their families followed them. It was then that Morino's and Yukie's clan names were finally revealed. Morino was from the Senjuuichi Clan, and Yukie was from the Uchiwa Clan.
Suddenly, a fight broke out. Morino and Yukie didn't want to fight each other, but they were forced by their families. They both fought, and in the end, neither won. And then, They decided to end their friendship and return to their respective clans.
Ironically, as their friendship ended, love began to grow between them. The longing they felt fertilized their feelings. Many years later, they finally met again on the battlefield.
That meeting was like rain that watered their feelings, allowing them to bloom. From that first meeting on, they met again and again. Battles were where they met, and fighting was their way of showing love.
When Morino and Yukie became leaders of their respective clans, they decided to end the conflicts within their clans and make their shared dream a reality.
Then, their two dreams came true. Morino succeeded in creating a place where differences were accepted and complemented by an effort to understand each other's feelings. Yukie could live safely and peacefully with her family.
As time went on, their feelings became unbearable, but they were both too ashamed to express them first.
Eventually, Morino wrote a letter to Yukie confessing his love and desire to be with her for the rest of his life. At the same time, Yukie wrote a letter stating that she loved him. She said that if he loved her, he needed to come to the place where they first met.
She gave her letter to her servant, Kurogaze, to deliver to Morino. Kurogaze met the letter carrier from Morino and took the letter, but did not give it to Yukie.
And the truth, Kurogaze was a victim of the battle between the Senjuuichi and Uchiwa clans. He lost his beloved mother because of it. To avenge her death, he changed the contents of Morino's letter. It said that Morino did not love Yukie and would soon marry another woman. Likewise, he changed the contents of Yukie's letter. There, he wrote that Yukie did not love Morino and preferred to leave with another man.
Kurogaze held their two letters. That night, it snowed. Yukie waited alone for Morino's arrival. The cold weather did not dampen her passionate feelings. She waited patiently for the man she loved.
Yukie didn't know how long she had been waiting. She could barely feel her fingers. Then she thought Morino couldn't come because of the weather. Disappointed and heavy-footed, she went home to a house that didn't offer her the warmth she had hoped for.
The next day, Yukie received a letter from Morino, delivered by Kurogaze. After reading the letter, Yukie was shocked and couldn't say anything. Her heart was broken.
Feeling sad and hurt when she saw and remembered Morino, Yukie decided to leave with her family, but they chose to stay. Yukie, whose heart was truly broken, finally left alone on a snowy night.
The next day, Morino received a letter from Yukie, also delivered by Kurogaze. Seeing the contents of the letter, Morino was also shocked. However, he didn't believe it right away, so he went to Yukie's house. When he arrived, he found the house empty. Her family explained that Yukie had left without stating a clear reason.
Morino was heartbroken to hear that, but he didn't give up. Morino assigned Kurogaze, Yukie's former trusted servant, to find Yukie. However, Kurogaze sabotaged the search, so they couldn't find her.
Soon after, the Morino family pressured him into marriage. Morino refused at first, but eventually gave in to the repeated pressure and married the woman they had chosen for him.
Kurogaze deliberately leaked information about Morino's marriage to Yukie. Yukie knew this but could only remain silent.
Time passed, and Morino had a child with his wife. His life felt peaceful yet empty. Even with the passage of time, his love for Yukie did not diminish. Instead, his feelings grew stronger. In the end, his body and mind could no longer contain his feelings. He fell ill because of it and died with immense longing and regret.
As for Yukie? She disappeared, and no one knew, where she is. With a broken heart and a weak body, she died in silence and solitude.
"..."
'I think... It's okay...'
"..."
"..."