I have high hopes for this Tl
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As a transmigrator, Chiba Shiraishi felt that he should possess the basic qualities expected of one.
Remaining calm and integrating into a new world as quickly as possible was the most important task at hand.
Although there were many unscientific aspects of this world—such as people moving like fleas in the streets, leaping onto rooftops eight or nine meters high in just a few bounds, breathing fire from their mouths, or invisibly summoning water—these surreal, fantasy-like scenes had left Shiraishi stunned more than once.
What kind of magical world was this?
Superhumans?
More importantly, there wasn't just one superhuman; in this village called Konoha, there were countless of them.
Only later did Shiraishi learn that these "superhumans" were beings known as "ninja."
They used a special energy called chakra. Their astonishing jumping ability and their mastery of various miraculous ninjutsu were all inseparable from it.
After a few days of adjustment, Shiraishi finally realized that he had arrived in an extraordinary world.
He also gained a very clear understanding of his current identity.
He was an orphan in Konoha Village. He had spent his early years growing up in the Konoha Orphanage, and after recently turning six, he had been tested and found to have the aptitude to become a ninja. As a result, he was required to leave the orphanage and live independently.
Shiraishi had taken over this body on the very day he left the orphanage.
This made him complain inwardly—what kind of terrible orphanage kicks someone out at just six years old?
They were practically forcing him to fend for himself.
According to the information provided by the orphanage, his parents had died on the battlefield shortly after he was born. It was said that when they died, they weren't even twenty years old. Their remains couldn't even be fully recovered, leaving behind only cold names carved into the Memorial Stone.
However, as the child of fallen heroes, the village higher-ups still provided Shiraishi with certain benefits. After becoming independent from the orphanage, his tuition at the Ninja Academy was fully waived, he received a monthly allowance, and he would eventually inherit his parents' estate.
From this perspective alone, Shiraishi felt that Konoha Village still retained a trace of humanity.
But everything had to be viewed as a whole. Over the past few days, Shiraishi had heard street gossip in Konoha more than once.
As a result, he arrived at a deeply unsettling conclusion.
As long as someone was an official ninja, regardless of age, they had to follow the village's orders and go to the battlefield to fight.
From Shiraishi's observations, because the Second Great Ninja War was currently underway, Konoha sent a large number of children under the age of ten to the battlefield every year.
Ten years old?
Even younger than that?
Going to the battlefield?
Even as a joke, this was going too far!
They actually needed children under ten to fight in a war?
It was said that some six- or seven-year-olds with exceptional talent graduated early from the Ninja Academy and were sent directly to the battlefield…
Confusion and unease immediately filled Shiraishi's heart.
Just how desperate was Konoha's front line that they had to send children under twelve into battle?
Were they insane?
This Konoha Village… could it actually be a terrorist organization?
Had he really joined a terrorist organization?
Thinking of this possibility, Shiraishi looked at the Ninja Academy admission notice in his hand with a complicated expression as he sat on the ground, his face full of despair.
It's over. I've definitely joined a terrorist organization!
Once he entered the Ninja Academy, he wouldn't just be taught various deadly combat techniques—he would likely be brainwashed into becoming a killing tool for the village's higher-ups…
Looking at the beautiful village bathed in sunlight, Shiraishi felt a chill run down his spine.
Run?
Run where?
The strength displayed by those ninja was only the tip of the iceberg, yet they could crush him like an ant. Shiraishi didn't believe he could escape from this "terrorist organization" in his current state.
After a period of intense internal struggle, Shiraishi decided to take things one step at a time. When the right opportunity arose, he would have to escape from this village.
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◎
Konoha Year 30, April.
Ninja Academy.
Not long after leaving the orphanage, Shiraishi had to attend the Ninja Academy—it was his only path forward.
He had also accepted his current, extremely dangerous situation. Konoha Village was a "terrorist organization," and before he gained enough power, he absolutely could not alert the enemy or arouse suspicion.
One wrong move could draw attention, leading to investigation—and then a silent disappearance.
Because of this, Shiraishi couldn't help but grow wary of the seemingly simple and harmless villagers around him.
He began to feel that the kind smiles on their faces were actually cunning, fox-like, even devilish… while he himself was as innocent and defenseless as a rabbit.
Every face seemed filled with the intent to devour him, their teeth metaphorically stained with blood and sin.
This was the rational conclusion Shiraishi had reached about his current situation.
Blending into the crowd, Shiraishi entered the Ninja Academy at eight in the morning. Some children arrived alone like him, while others were accompanied by their parents.
The scene was lively, almost like a festival.
Shiraishi did not choose to stand silently off to the side, emitting an aura of isolation.
That would have been foolish.
He couldn't afford to attract attention. He had to remain ordinary and unremarkable, avoiding anything that might make him stand out.
Before classes officially began, Shiraishi and the other new students had to attend the opening ceremony.
The ceremony itself was extremely simple. A section of the playground had been marked off, and hundreds of new students were lined up by height, facing a series of long-winded, tedious speeches from the adults.
The man speaking on stage was a middle-aged figure wearing a Hokage robe, his gentle, spring-like smile highly infectious.
Shiraishi knew that this man was the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The current leader of this "terrorist organization"—Konoha Village.
A fearsome figure who had inherited the will of the previous two leaders, the First and Second Hokage.
Instinctively, Shiraishi labeled that kind and friendly smile as extremely dangerous.
To him, Hiruzen Sarutobi's speech was dull and uninspiring.
It was nothing more than a typical indoctrination routine.
Praising the greatness of the Will of Fire.
Declaring that Konoha Village was bright and righteous.
Claiming that everyone was one big family.
Then, from a historical perspective, recounting the great achievements of the previous Hokage—praising them to the skies and stirring the emotions of the audience.
Everyone present resonated with it.
Everyone except Shiraishi.
However, in order to avoid drawing attention, Shiraishi also put on an expression of excitement and admiration like the others, as if he were truly inspired by the achievements of the past Hokage.
This was what you call political correctness.