Konoha, Year 33, February.
This year's winter was even colder than usual, with snowflakes fluttering down from above, turning even the sky a pale white.
The cold winds raged through every corner of Konoha Village. In such frigid weather, unless something important came up, most people would choose to sit by the fire at home and wait out the harsh winter.
But for the students of the Ninja School, they still had to come to class as usual.
In Class 4-A, Ruri wore a black long-sleeved shirt and pants, a white scarf wrapped around her neck. Her long black hair, smooth as silk, flowed down to her waist. Propping her chin on her palm, she gazed out the window, admiring the snowy scene beyond the glass.
The playground was blanketed in silver. In times like this, she really wished she could skip school and spend the whole day at home.
Suddenly, a noisy commotion erupted outside.
The peace in the classroom was broken. Ruri frowned impatiently, thinking these guys were as annoying and persistent as ever, buzzing like flies.
"Is it too noisy for you?"
Hakushi returned, carrying a convenience store bag filled with hot milk tea and hamburger steaks.
Of course, all paid for with Ruri's money.
"Of course. But school is the only place where they can let themselves be happy, after all."
Ruri took her share of hot milk tea and a hamburger steak from the bag.
"Ayane, do you want some? I bought an extra."
Hakushi turned to look at Ayane on the other side.
"No, thank you."
Ayane smiled apologetically, stood up from her seat, and walked toward the door.
Hakushi watched Ayane's retreating back and sighed. "You know, she seems even less sociable than you, Ruri. She used to play together with us."
Danger flashed in Ruri's eyes as she stared at the convenience bag in Hakushi's hand and asked, "Since when did I give you permission to use my money to buy food for other people?"
"Uh... Well, that's... I just thought, we're desk neighbors, and, um, this—"
"Are you planning to starve tonight and tomorrow morning? Who do you think is feeding you right now?"
"...Got it."
"Just remember to check with me in advance next time. I hate it when people help themselves to my things without saying anything."
"That's what you care about? Understood, next time I'll let you know first."
Hakushi sighed again, sat down at his desk, took a sip of his milk tea, then took another big bite of his steaming hamburger steak.
"By the way, what was all that commotion about outside just now?"
Ruri asked as she drank her milk tea.
"You don't know? Some students in our grade want to graduate early. Today's the day for special selection exams. There are three people from our class aiming to graduate two years early, and, oh, Namikaze Minato from the class next door is one of them too."
Hakushi relayed everything he knew.
"That blond pretty boy? From what you said, he's top of Class B."
"Even if he is Class B's number one, he's still no match for you, the best in Class A," Hakushi said with absolute confidence in Ruri, grinning.
"I never underestimate anyone."
Although she said that, Hakushi's compliment was clearly well received.
Soon, class began. Homeroom teacher Fujimura Daiga entered from outside the classroom and started the lesson.
The fourth-year curriculum was much more complicated than the first to third grades. They had more to learn, which was a big help for regular civilian students, but for someone like Hakushi—who could have graduated through self-study long ago—neither indoor nor outdoor classes were meaningful.
So, except for the course on the Will of Fire, Hakushi and Ruri would do what they liked during class.
Hakushi took out a pen and ruler, starting to sketch drawings in his notebook, annotating them with notes and equations.
This was in preparation for an important experiment that night—doing the theory here, then applying it in practice.
It had been over three months since the research into Natural Energy began.
In these past three months, Hakushi had managed to guide out Natural Energy, but the energy he guided was still not very stable.
And even if he succeeded in drawing out Natural Energy, without the right method, it would quickly dissipate and evaporate, turning back into intangible air, returning to nature.
So the next experiment was to make Natural Energy stay in physical form longer, giving him enough time to understand it and put it to use.
Time passed quietly like this.
◎
Early March.
Every so often, flurries of snow would still fall from the sky. The weather had warmed just a little, but it was still very cold.
On this chilly day, something happened—something no one expected. It shattered the peace and tranquility of Konoha Village.
—Hidden Sand Ninja raided the Land of Fire's borders, causing severe losses to the Konoha Squad there, and officially declared war on Konoha.
Just a little more than a year after the war in the Land of Rain had ended, the flames of battle ignited again in the Land of Fire.
And this time the opponent was the Hidden Sand Village, one of the Five Great Ninja Villages.
The Third Kazekage led the troops himself, bringing a great number of Hidden Sand Ninja to provoke a war with Konoha.
Konoha Village was enveloped by a visible tension and heavy atmosphere.
It was only last October that the war in the Land of Rain had ended. Now, just half a year later, war had come again.
And this time, the ones picking a fight with Konoha were the Hidden Sand Ninja, whose overall strength was far greater than that of the Hidden Rain Ninja.
As one of the Five Great Nations, their mobilization speed and ninja quality were on a whole other level compared to the Hidden Rain Ninja.
The Hidden Rain Ninja's rise and fall depended entirely on their leader, Hanzou.
But Hidden Sand was different. Their leader was the Third Kazekage, one of the current Five Kage, said to be the strongest Kazekage in history.
He was supported by talented subordinates, with Advisor Chiyo and her brother standing out—all famed and powerful ninja in the Ninja Realm.
What's more, Hidden Sand had created a formidable Puppet Squad, which had caused huge trouble for the other Great Ninja Villages in past wars.
This time, Hidden Sand came in force—this would not be a fight so easily settled.
It was as if the Land of Rain conflict was only the opening act for Konoha's true entrance into the Second Great Ninja War. The real fighting was just beginning.
The tension, like a gathering storm, pressed down on all Konoha Ninja. Led by the Third Hokage, Konoha's leadership called an emergency meeting.
That very night after the meeting, large numbers of active-duty Konoha Ninja left the village to reinforce the Land of Fire's border.
The major ninja clans also sent their elite ninja to battle the Hidden Sand Ninja.
War was on the verge of breaking out.