14. Participating In The War

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In a different world, Luffy masters Observation Haki by 7 and Conqueror's Haki by 9. Setting sail at 14, he quickly awakens Gear Fourth. Known for pushing his limits and demanding the same from his crew, Luffy confronts challenges head-on. During the Summit War, he boldly declares his dominance over Akainu.

Discover a Luffy who challenges the bounds of strength and leadership! 📚🏴‍☠️

Join the journey, p@treon.com/CosmicKaminari (For this story, I am making the chapters on the go so it will take a few days to start it)

Also,🚀 Help Wanted! 🚀 Our Power Stone collection is looking lonelier than a sock without its pair! Throw a stone or two into the mix—it's simpler than finding a matching sock on laundry day and twice as helpful! 

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Ishigami Hara didn't care much about Uchiha Izuna's thoughts.

Meanwhile, Nawaki had been clamoring to go to the battlefield for some time now, and it seemed that even his teacher Orochimaru and the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, were finding it hard to refuse him.

Nawaki's identity complicated matters. As the grandson of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, and a true Senju descendant, he carried the weight of the Senju family name. If Nawaki had kept quiet, it might have been easier to manage, but once he voiced his desire to join the war, it became common knowledge throughout the village. Even the Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, couldn't simply deny his request, despite his authority.

The influence of the Senju name made it difficult for Sarutobi Hiruzen to oppose Nawaki's wishes. As Konoha was in the middle of a war, and with the village eager for victory, Nawaki's willingness to head to the battlefield was seen as a morale booster. His declaration was perceived as an inspiration to the village.

Given the situation, Sarutobi Hiruzen found himself in a bit of a dilemma. On one hand, he wanted to protect Nawaki, but on the other, he couldn't afford to dampen the village's spirits by denying the Senju heir's request.

Unable to reject Nawaki outright, Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to Orochimaru, hoping that he could persuade his student to reconsider. After all, Nawaki's identity made him too significant to risk. If Nawaki went to the battlefield and encountered serious danger, it could have a devastating impact on Konoha's morale. The Senju name held a special place in the village, and as the First Hokage's grandson, Nawaki carried the hopes of many.

This was the environment in which Ishigami Hara crossed paths with Orochimaru again.

Compared to their last meeting, Orochimaru's condition had improved significantly.

At this point in time, Orochimaru had not yet developed into the dark, enigmatic figure he would later become. He was still one of the revered Konoha Sannin, known for his dedication to the village and his widespread popularity.

"Teacher!" Nawaki exclaimed excitedly upon seeing Orochimaru approach.

"When do we set off?" Nawaki asked eagerly, unable to contain his impatience.

Orochimaru's expression froze for a moment, his usual composed demeanor cracking slightly as he forced a smile. The smile looked almost unnatural, as though it didn't quite belong on his face.

Nawaki, more perceptive than usual, frowned, sensing that something was off. "Did the Third Hokage send you to persuade me, teacher?" he asked, suspicion creeping into his voice.

Orochimaru remained silent, casting a brief glance to the side.

"Hara-kun," he said, acknowledging Ishigami Hara, who responded with a respectful bow.

"Orochimaru-sama," Ishigami Hara greeted.

Without warning, Orochimaru posed a sudden question. "What do you think of war?"

The question seemed abrupt, but Ishigami Hara understood Orochimaru's intent and answered thoughtfully, "War is dangerous. It takes many lives, causes people to lose loved ones and possessions, and leads to irreversible tragedies."

Orochimaru nodded slightly before turning to Nawaki. "And what do you think of war?"

Nawaki, with his head held high, responded confidently, "Konoha will win the war!"

Orochimaru held back a sigh. He admired his student's determination, but a sense of unease about Nawaki's character lingered in his mind. "Are you truly ready for that?"

Without hesitation, Nawaki nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, teacher. I'm ready."

Orochimaru paused for a moment before speaking again. "It seems I have no choice, then. The Third Hokage asked me to persuade you, but clearly, I cannot change your mind."

Before he could finish, Nawaki cut him off with excitement. "So you agree, teacher?" he cheered, his enthusiasm spilling over.

Orochimaru remained silent, but his lack of a response was confirmation enough.

"I will go too!" a voice suddenly chimed in. It was Uzumaki Kushina, who had been quietly listening all this time. She raised her hand, determined to join as well.

Orochimaru blinked, clearly not expecting this. "..."

"Alright, alright, let's all go together! Hara, you're coming too! The three of us can form a small team!" Nawaki exclaimed excitedly.

Ishigami Hara's expression remained neutral. Internally, Uchiha Izuna scoffed, his voice echoing disdainfully in Hara's mind. "What a brainless fool, no different from Senju Hashirama."

Ishigami Hara calmly replied, "You should be grateful he doesn't resemble the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama."

"Hmph! Senju Tobirama, that cunning bastard!" Uchiha Izuna growled, his tone filled with bitterness. "Kid, you've got talent, but remember—true strength as a ninja comes from real combat, from life-or-death experiences. Without that, you'll never fully develop."

Ignoring Izuna's comments, Ishigami Hara turned to Uzumaki Kushina with a sigh. "Kushina, don't even think about it. As the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, the village will never allow you to leave. You know this."

Kushina huffed, crossing her arms and turning away, her face full of displeasure.

"Oh, right!" Nawaki suddenly realized. "Kushina, you're a Jinchūriki. You can't leave the village until you've fully mastered the Nine-Tails' chakra."

Ishigami Hara added, "And not only that, but you're also restricted to the Senju compound. Your movement is limited for now."

"Ugh! Damn it!" Kushina growled, clearly more frustrated now. Her long red hair swayed in agitation, as if stirred by her rising temper.

Orochimaru finally spoke up, his voice calm but commanding enough to quiet Kushina. "Nawaki, if you're determined to go to the battlefield, I'll take you. But you must not act recklessly."

"Yes, teacher!" Nawaki replied eagerly, fully compliant. At this point, it seemed that no matter what Orochimaru said, Nawaki would agree without hesitation.

Orochimaru then turned his gaze to Ishigami Hara. "And as for you..."

"I'll go as well," Ishigami Hara said, nodding slightly.

He understood that to grow as a ninja, he would need to face the crucible of battle. Like Nawaki, he knew that real strength could only come from blood and fire, the harsh trials of war. In fact, Ishigami Hara had anticipated this moment for a while. With his exceptional learning ability, he realized that war would be his greatest teacher, and he had no reason to resist it.

Another factor guiding Ishigami Hara's decision was the promise he made to Uzumaki Mito.

Orochimaru nodded with a faint smile. Having Ishigami Hara accompany Nawaki to the battlefield made him feel more at ease about his student's safety. In fact, his real purpose in coming wasn't merely to persuade Nawaki—it was to ensure Ishigami Hara's involvement.

Ishigami Hara's talent was well-recognized within the village. Due to Uzumaki Mito's influence, Sarutobi Hiruzen had already marked him as someone to be nurtured as a future leader. In addition, Ishigami Hara had a calm, measured personality, unlike Nawaki's impulsiveness. Orochimaru knew that having someone like Ishigami Hara as Nawaki's teammate would be a great asset, balancing out Nawaki's brashness.

Thus, Orochimaru's visit today wasn't just about persuading Nawaki—it was to ensure that Ishigami Hara joined the war effort, effectively acting as a safeguard for Nawaki. Orochimaru's decision may seem cold, but in reality, it was a calculated move, and even Sarutobi Hiruzen had thought along similar lines. The Third Hokage hadn't arranged this earlier because of other concerns.

After all, Ishigami Hara was Uzumaki Mito's chosen successor, and the village's leaders had to tread carefully when involving him in sensitive matters.

"In that case, I'll be counting on you, Hara-kun," Orochimaru said with the same smile, though he didn't need to explicitly state his intentions. He knew that Ishigami Hara understood the responsibility he was being asked to shoulder.

Ishigami Hara nodded silently.