Reality Of War

Konoha Village, Uchiha Clan Training Ground.

The setting sun cast a golden glow over the area as a young boy, drenched in sweat, practiced the Clone Jutsu.

"Clone Jutsu!" Obito shouted.

Bang!

A puff of white smoke appeared, but nothing else.

"Ah! Failed again!" Obito scratched his head, frustrated.

"Why can Yoruichi-sensei do it so perfectly? Why is Kakashi so good at it? And why can't I do it!?"

Obito clenched his fists. He had always dreamed of becoming a genius ninja, someone who could make a name for himself, rise to Hokage, and earn the respect of the entire village. Yet, reality hit hard. He had no talent, and that truth stung more than he could admit.

From the corner of the training ground, murmurs could be heard.

"That's Obito, always training so hard."

"Yeah, but it's no use. His parents died early, and he doesn't have anyone to guide him."

"I heard he came back crying today... probably failed again."

The words stung like kunai. Obito's shoulders trembled, and he roared, "I'm not a failure!"

With anger boiling inside, he stormed back home.

---

At home, Obito slammed the door shut. His grandmother called out, "Obito, dinner's ready!"

"I'm not hungry!" he yelled back, locking himself in his room.

Dropping to the ground, Obito started doing push-ups furiously.

"…197…198…199…200!" He gasped for air, sweat dripping onto the floor and forming a puddle beneath him.

His arms gave out, and he collapsed. But Yoruichi-sensei's words echoed in his mind: "You drag your comrades down. You bring shame to your clan."

Gritting his teeth, Obito forced himself to get up. "No… I won't stop!"

---

Meanwhile, at Rin Nohara's house, her parents smiled as they sat with her.

"Rin, so you're officially a Genin now?" her father asked.

Rin nodded. "Yes, and Yoruichi-sensei is amazing. By the way, have you two heard of him?"

"Yoruichi? No, what about him?"

Rin rested her chin on her hand, a thoughtful look crossing her face. "Kakashi said Yoruichi-sensei is really strong. I want to learn more from him."

Her mother chuckled. "Then make sure to pay close attention during training."

"Mm-hmm!" Rin nodded enthusiastically.

---

In another corner of the village, Kakashi sat alone, eating instant noodles. His father was away on official business, leaving him by himself.

As he ate, Kakashi replayed Yoruichi-sensei's words in his mind. "He's not like other teachers. He's… different," Kakashi muttered.

Despite Obito's constant failures, Yoruichi had somehow managed to help him pass basic training. Kakashi couldn't tell if Yoruichi was being too lenient or if he just had an unorthodox way of teaching.

---

At the same time, Yoruichi sat at a dinner table, eating with Kushina, Tsunade, and Uzumaki Mito.

Tsunade, visibly exhausted, sighed, "The medical department is so busy I haven't slept in days."

Kushina frowned. "What happened this time?"

Tsunade took a sip of tea before explaining. "There was a riot in Kirigakure. The lower-ranked ninjas—especially civilians and those with Kekkei Genkai—rebelled. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen suppressed them, but it was brutal. A lot of people died, including many of our spies stationed there."

Yoruichi leaned forward, curious. "The Seven Ninja Swordsmen?"

Tsunade nodded. "Yeah. Juzo, Fuguki Suikazan, Jinpachi Munashi, Ameyuri Ringo, and the rest. They're brutal, especially under the leadership of the current Mizukage. Mist Village is living up to its nickname: the Bloody Mist."

"Bloody Mist?" Yoruichi asked.

"It's their academy's tradition. Students must kill their classmates during exams. It's survival of the fittest, but only for the civilian students. The noble clans are exempt," Tsunade explained bitterly.

Kushina slammed her fist on the table. "That's awful!"

Tsunade shrugged. "That's how it is. But Konoha is sending teams to monitor the situation near Kirigakure. Jiraiya is leading the mission."

Yoruichi raised an eyebrow. "Jiraiya-sensei? Isn't he the academy principal?"

Tsunade rolled her eyes. "Being a principal doesn't mean he stays at the school. He's still a ninja, and this mission needs someone like him. Besides, there aren't enough shinobi to go around. With border disputes popping up, even academy students might be sent out if it gets worse."

Kushina's face darkened. "Academy students on the battlefield? That's insane!"

Tsunade sighed. "That's the reality of war, Kushina."

Yoruichi listened in silence, gripping his chopsticks tightly.

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