Because the five of them were originally one soul—with shared memories and values from their transmigration—and because of the mysterious bond linking them together, there was no distrust between them.
Moreover, the Third Shinobi World War would break out in just a few years. If they didn't want to die, they had no choice but to work together.
So they spoke freely, holding nothing back.
The Land of Wind was perpetually swept by sandstorms. Tasaka Chisuke always wore goggles. At the mention of Guy's name, he couldn't help but complain.
"Tsk, tsk. You've really got it good in Konoha. Great environment, and you get to see so many familiar faces from the story. Unlike me—stuck in Sunagakure, getting tanned every day, and surrounded by nothing but strangers."
The others were just as envious of Kyosuke. He didn't bother being modest.
"I agree. Go ahead and envy me—I love that look on your faces. Obviously, I'm the main account, the chosen one. You guys are just my alternate accounts."
The moment he said that, chaos erupted.
How could they tolerate such arrogance? Suppression began immediately.
"Bullshit! I'm the main account! My story starts with my whole village wiped out, then endless battles. I've been growing through bloodshed—if that's not main-character material, what is?"
Ōoka Shin, who had survived multiple life-and-death struggles, had killing intent in his eyes—and the heaviest hand. He pinned Kyosuke to the ground. The scar on his left cheek twisted as he spoke, like a writhing centipede.
Kurasaka Kiichiro, chubby and fair-skinned, flicked Kyosuke's forehead repeatedly.
"Hmph! The moment I started learning kenjutsu, a swordsman showed up at my door. The moment I wanted to learn ninjutsu, a shinobi appeared. That's destiny responding to my wishes—textbook protagonist luck!"
Even pinned to the ground, Kyosuke refused to concede.
"Ōoka Shin, without us, you'd already be dead! What main account? And you, fatty—'destiny'? That's just your family's money hiring some second-rate fighters to amuse you. Look at me—sharp brows, bright eyes, high nose bridge. This face screams protagonist!"
Mizumori's pale blue eyes shifted left and right. He quietly repositioned himself behind Kyosuke and kicked him a few times, while pretending to mediate.
"Hey now, stop fighting. We were one person once—love and harmony, alright? Kiichiro, Shin, you won't kill him like that. Try harder."
Tasaka Chisuke adjusted his goggles and sighed dramatically.
"Ugh. I'm supposed to conquer the shinobi world with these idiots? Are you my golden finger—or my burdens? I'm exhausted. I don't think I can love anymore."
"You've only learned a few basic ninjutsu and not even a high-level one. What are you acting tough for? You can beat me up, but don't let him off easy!"
"Relax. I've already got several lives on my hands. What's one more today?"
"I come from a merchant family. If you want me to hit someone—especially my own brother—you'll have to pay extra."
"Stop it, stop it. You really won't kill him like that."
Over the years, the pressure on them had been immense.
They feared being killed.
They feared their shared ability being exposed and dissected for research.
They feared the coming Shinobi World War.
So they used jokes to relieve the tension.
There were many thoughts they couldn't share with anyone else. Only in front of themselves could they truly lower their guard.
After a while, the five of them sat down on the grass and resumed talking.
Rubbing his head, Kyosuke said, "Tomorrow I enter the Ninja Academy. I can openly train ninjutsu and refine chakra. That means less time for physical training. Who's going to pick up the slack?"
Ōoka Shin volunteered immediately.
"Don't worry. As we grow stronger, my situation will improve. I can start doing some physical training too."
His circumstances were the worst among them, so no one pushed him. Kiichiro even advised:
"Don't force it. If you die, we can't resurrect you—not even with the Impure World Reincarnation. I'll handle the physical training. Taijutsu and kenjutsu require stamina anyway."
Mizumori sighed and raised his hand.
"I need to speak. Stop focusing on stamina for a moment. I'm entering the Ninja Academy next month—same class as Zabuza Momochi. Help me figure something out. I really don't want to get killed by him."
Tasaka Chisuke spread his hands helplessly.
"Other than training harder and raising your strength, what else can we do?"
Kyosuke wiggled his brows at Mizumori.
"How about following Haku's route? Reform Zabuza with love. Maybe you'll become best friends. He's only six right now, same as us—just a kid. Shouldn't be too hard to handle."
Kiichiro nodded in agreement.
"Lowest cost, highest success rate. What else can you do? Defect during school? That'll just get you hunted down. I doubt Kirigakure's hunter-nin are weaker than Academy-graduate Zabuza."
With no better solution, Mizumori could only sigh.
Defeat Zabuza. Reform Zabuza. Defect.
None were easy.
Ōoka Shin frowned.
"Even though we share growth, we're clearly not geniuses. Our training speed is average. At best, we'll reach the peak of ordinary shinobi. We won't match true prodigies. In the future, we'd just be elite jōnin cannon fodder. We need another way to grow stronger."
Tasaka Chisuke looked at Kyosuke.
"This part depends on you. We know Konoha's future events best. You have the most opportunities."
Kyosuke felt a headache coming on.
"We all know the pattern. In this world, if you want to become truly strong, you rely on bloodline, inheritance, or technology.
We don't seem to have any kekkei genkai. So that leaves inheritance and technology.
If we can obtain senjutsu training, or Orochimaru's research, we can grow rapidly.
And if we get the chance, we should learn Fūinjutsu. In this world, sealing techniques are practically broken—they can restrain almost anything.
And… once we're strong enough, maybe we can even set our sights on the Tailed Beasts."
Ōoka Shin's gaze burned with urgency.
"What's your plan?"
Kyosuke nodded seriously.
"I'll perform well—try to get noticed by the big names. Even if it costs my life, I'll push forward. But if I die… once you're strong enough, remember to revive me. Even with the Impure World Reincarnation."
Ōoka Shin considered this.
"Start with Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze. That's safer. As for Orochimaru's research, once we have power, we can negotiate.
I'll also try to approach the Akatsuki. They should have just been founded. Yahiko is still alive, so it's relatively safe."
Kiichiro thought for a moment.
"If you're developing inside villages and the Akatsuki, I won't get involved with Kumogakure. Research requires funding. I'll focus on business and provide financial support."
Seeing everyone so determined, Kyosuke felt hope swell within him.
"Hahaha! I'll become Hokage. Chisuke can be Kazekage. Mizumori will be Mizukage. Shin will control the Akatsuki. Kiichiro will control the shinobi world's economy. With the entire world's resources, we'll surpass the Sage of Six Paths—
No.
We'll ascend to the level of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki herself!"
They indulged in a moment of daydreaming, envisioning the future.
Then Tasaka Chisuke stood up with a grin.
"Alright. Today my cheap old man taught me Wind Release: Great Breakthrough. I'll demonstrate. Watch carefully."
He performed the hand seals while explaining. The others observed intently. After practicing once each, they all grasped it with ease.
Kyosuke didn't refine chakra yet, so he didn't attempt it—but he memorized the hand seals. Once he officially learned chakra control and found a proper excuse for knowing ninjutsu, he could use it immediately.
Before they parted, Chisuke reminded him:
"Oh, Kyosuke—don't forget. We all have five-nature chakra affinities: Wind, Lightning, Water, Fire, and Earth. Whether you reveal that is up to you."
Kyosuke nodded.
"I know."
He hadn't tested his chakra nature yet, but Kiichiro, Chisuke, and Mizumori had—all five affinities.
They suspected their shared connection allowed them to combine their affinities into full five-nature chakra.
They might even possess Yin–Yan Release as well—
But for now, they had no way to confirm it.