Naruto: From Ninja Academy to an Early Grave

After lunch, Konohagakure, Hokage's Office.

Having been summoned by the ANBU, Makoto was reading an urgent intelligence scroll sent from Sunagakure.

Over the years, the ninja world's basic technology had advanced rapidly. Telegraphs, telephones, and similar inventions had long since become commonplace, and even the internet was beginning to emerge.

However, shinobi villages occupied a unique position. As the highest military institutions of their respective nations, they were very different from ordinary cities and remained cautious about using certain forms of rapid communication, subjecting them to strict regulation.

There was no helping it. This was still the age of shinobi. Even if relations between the villages appeared friendly on the surface, they remained wary of one another behind the scenes. There was no way they would allow communication cables to connect their villages.

If telephone lines existed between them, just imagine how convenient that would be for spies.

As a result, communication between shinobi villages still relied on the old-fashioned method of flying summon beasts.

The contents of the report were simple.

The Fourth Kazekage's son and One-Tail Jinchūriki, Gaara, had been captured while carrying out a mission outside Sunagakure. The shinobi assigned to his team had suffered severe injuries and were currently on the verge of death.

In Makoto's world, there had never been a Konoha Crush plan. Rasa, the gold-panning enthusiast, was naturally still alive and well, and Gaara had never succeeded him as the Fifth Kazekage.

However, ever since that Chūnin Exam in Konoha years ago, the gourd-carrying boy's personality had changed somewhat. After Makoto had patted Shukaku on the head, the tailed beast had become much more cooperative, and its relationship with Gaara had gradually improved.

Still, without Naruto's power of friendship and emotional healing, Gaara had never become the Naruto of another world's "second wife." He remained a dangerous individual, and under normal circumstances, only his older brother and sister dared to team up with him.

This time, it was the three siblings' mission that had gone wrong.

After finishing the report, Makoto said, "It seems the Akatsuki have finally begun moving."

Minato nodded.

"Looks that way. Just like in Boruto's world, they're starting with Sunagakure. But are we really going to let everything unfold according to the established timeline without intervening beforehand?"

In this world, Makoto had only told Minato about the Akatsuki's plans and the Eye of the Moon conspiracy. No one else knew anything about it.

Makoto reminded him, "Minato-senpai, don't forget our objective. You want to achieve the unification of the ninja world. With Konoha's current strength, we certainly have the power to do it."

"But how many Konoha shinobi would have to die in the process? And how much hatred would we accumulate?"

"If we force unification through Konoha's military might, we'll spend the next one or two generations suppressing revenge-driven rebellions from hardliners in every village."

"Only when the people of the ninja world feel a genuine threat to their survival—when they understand that enemies beyond the heavens exist whom they cannot defeat—and then combine that realization with sufficient incentives, can we persuade everyone to unite voluntarily at the lowest possible cost and eventually achieve true unification."

"During that process, it's better for other villages to suffer casualties than for Konoha to lose its own people."

"To be honest, the greater their losses, the fewer obstacles we'll face during unification."

Minato sighed.

"I understand the logic. It's just..."

He shook his head.

"I've been too soft-hearted. You're right. This is the smallest price necessary to achieve our ideal."

"Then what do you think about Sunagakure's situation? Unlike Boruto's world, I have a hard time believing the Akatsuki would follow exactly the same plan. That would be far too foolish."

Makoto replied, "Don't worry about it. The mastermind behind the scenes won't change their ultimate objective. We'll respond to all changes by remaining unchanged."

"Konoha now has enough confidence to face anything."

Minato nodded.

"All right. Then should we accept Sunagakure's request?"

"In his letter, Rasa asked us to dispatch shinobi skilled in medical treatment and tracking. He even specifically requested your presence."

"I understand the first part, but as for asking you to go personally... I'm worried there may be some scheme targeting you."

Makoto smiled.

"If they want me to come, then I'll make the trip."

"And if there really is a plot waiting for me, I'll make sure they understand that before absolute power, all conspiracies are nothing more than chickens and dogs."

Minato chuckled.

"Fair enough. I believe you."

"What about accompanying personnel? Who do you want to bring?"

"Team 7 and Team 8 from Naruto's generation."

After thinking it over, Minato nodded.

"That does fit Sunagakure's requirements."

"Still, these kids are all pillars of Konoha's future. Make sure you protect them."

Naruto of Team 7 was his son.

However, Makoto knew that Minato wasn't being biased when he said that.

As Hokage, he viewed all of these younger shinobi as his own children.

Makoto replied, "As long as I'm there, don't worry."

...

One o'clock in the afternoon, outside Konoha's main gate.

Sasuke maintained his usual image as the cool and aloof senior.

Sakura was completely entranced by her idol's breathtaking looks.

Kiba was brimming with enthusiasm.

Shino, meanwhile, remained his usual invisible self.

Hinata was sneaking glances at Naruto. Every time Naruto happened to look back at her, her face would immediately turn as red as an apple.

Ever since meeting his future son Boruto, Naruto had occasionally found himself wondering who his future wife would be.

Then he realized something from his memories.

There was a girl who had been secretly watching him for over ten years, from childhood all the way to the present.

As a result, he began paying attention to Hinata as well. To his surprise, he discovered that he quite liked this quiet and gentle classmate.

Unfortunately, she was the heir to the Hyūga Main Family. She didn't seem like the sort of person who would become Boruto's mother.

After all, Boruto didn't have the Byakugan.

At that moment, Makoto suddenly appeared in front of them.

Kiba greeted him enthusiastically.

"Yo, Makoto-sensei. Never thought we'd get to go on a mission with you again. Looks like this one's pretty dangerous. Perfect chance for me to show what I can do."

Unlike Team 7, Team 8 had remained under Yūhi Kurenai's leadership even after being promoted to chūnin.

Recently, however, they had become largely independent.

The reason was simple: Kurenai and Asuma were in the middle of a passionate romance and had accidentally ended up with a baby on the way.

Hiruzen was absolutely ecstatic.

Makoto replied, "It is dangerous. If things go badly, people could die."

"So Kiba, if you're scared, I'll allow you to withdraw."

Kiba immediately scoffed.

"Are you kidding, Makoto-sensei? Do I look like someone who's afraid of dying?"

"Woof!"

The now fully grown Akamaru barked in agreement.

Unfortunately, the dog couldn't speak human language. Only Kiba understood what he was saying, unlike certain huskies that were far more entertaining.

Makoto nodded.

"Good. In that case, let's set off."

"It's one-thirty in the afternoon right now. I expect all of you to reach Sunagakure within six hours."

"If anyone can't keep up, I'll have no choice but to remove them from the team halfway through."

"Any objections?"

Sasuke and Naruto silently nodded.

Shino looked completely unconcerned.

Only Sakura and Hinata felt the pressure.

As for Kiba, he was as overconfident as ever.

"Hmph, Makoto-sensei, you're seriously underestimating us."

"Akamaru, let's go!"

The group immediately set out westward, each using their own methods.

After so many years of training, even though they hadn't reached Constant Sage Mode like Sasuke and Naruto, they were still far stronger than their counterparts from Boruto's world at the same point in time.

Moreover, Makoto's training system placed tremendous emphasis on chakra control and mastering all five chakra natures.

Under his influence, anyone who didn't possess Wind Release as their primary affinity had almost unanimously chosen it as their secondary one.

Even if they couldn't fly yet, their travel speed was still astonishing.

At this point, compared to Sunagakure, Konohagakure had become the true master of Wind Release.

Even Akamaru could use it.

Under Kiba's command, the dog's body rapidly expanded. His fur lengthened, his frame became leaner, and wind swirled beneath his paws as he sprinted forward like an arrow released from a bow.

He looked almost like Sesshōmaru revealing his true form.

Shino was even more outrageous.

A special insect flew out from his body and immediately began growing larger in the wind. Before long, it had transformed into a gigantic beetle, allowing him to take to the skies as the team's air force.

While studying Makoto's Senjutsu system, neither clan had neglected their traditional combat partners.

The Inuzuka Clan trained together with their dogs, both sides growing stronger side by side.

The Aburame Clan, meanwhile, had developed special insects that fed on natural energy through generations of rapid breeding and refinement.

They no longer used their own bodies as massive insect hives.

Instead, they raised only a small number of Senjutsu insects within themselves.

Whenever needed, natural energy could be used to make those insects grow rapidly, turning them into breeding nests for other insects or even flying mounts.

These Senjutsu insects also served as mediums for absorbing natural energy and as early-warning systems.

No one was naturally fond of having countless holes inside their body. Since changing their insect-handling methods, finding romantic partners had become much easier for both the men and women of the Aburame Clan.

Makoto's natural energy system had fundamentally transformed the training methods of both the Inuzuka and Aburame Clans.

The six of them raced forward at breakneck speed.

Compared to Kiba and Shino, Naruto possessed an innate Wind Release affinity, while Sasuke had trained extensively in Wind Release as well. Both moved with incredible speed.

The ones who suffered were Sakura and Hinata.

Compared to the others, their strength was noticeably lacking.

Fortunately, whenever they began falling behind, Kiba and Shino lent them a hand by giving them rides.

Sasuke and Naruto also carried them on occasion when necessary.

Pink-haired Sakura was overjoyed.

She had never expected such an unexpected bonus.

As for Hinata, she had no reaction whatsoever.

The moment she leaned against Naruto's back, she fainted in spectacular fashion.