Starting as a Ninja in the Naruto World

"Lord Emiya will be leaving Konoha."

The higher-ups of Konoha had already accepted this as an inevitable fact.

However, no one could come up with a valid reason to convince him to stay.

Before leaving Konoha, Emiya Shigen remained fully focused on treating patients at Konoha Hospital, leaving behind valuable medical knowledge for the village. Even his assistant, who had been monitoring him closely, couldn't help but feel ashamed of themselves.

Of course, Tobirama Senju would never experience such emotions.

As long as Hashirama Senju's lifespan issue remained unresolved, Tobirama was acutely aware of the heavy responsibility he carried for Konoha. He would always choose the course of action most beneficial to the village.

At Konoha's Training Ground 3.

Two young shinobi stood facing each other.

These were Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō, teenagers around fourteen or fifteen, who had distinguished themselves during Tobirama's short-term training program. Just as during their time at the ninja academy, they now stood as each other's final opponent.

"Danzō," Sarutobi Hiruzen said, looking earnestly at his friend. "Let's not go too far in this match. I don't want to hurt you."

"You think you're going to win, don't you?"

Young Shimura Danzō gritted his teeth, his face filled with anger at what he perceived as humiliation. "Hiruzen, don't underestimate me! This time, I won't lose to you!"

The outcome of this battle was still undecided, yet this idiot was already declaring his victory?

In the past, it was true that Danzō had more losses than wins.

But this time was different. For the sake of achieving the highest score in this special training, Danzō had worked harder than ever before and mastered even more jutsu!

As soon as Tobirama gave the signal to start, Danzō's figure darted forward, swiftly drawing his ninja blade to strike!

"Still so impatient…" Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a slight smile, shaking his head. From his tool pouch, he pulled out two shuriken and sent them flying at sharp angles.

The two shuriken sped toward Danzō from the left and right!

However, Danzō swung his blade and deflected one shuriken, then quickly raised the hilt of his sword to block the other.

Young Danzō was no stranger to Hiruzen's exceptional shuriken-throwing technique. He was well aware of the level of skill Hiruzen had achieved in this area. In fact, Hiruzen's mastery of shuriken was so advanced that even roof tiles and pebbles became lethal weapons in his hands!

No one could deny…

Sarutobi Hiruzen was a true prodigy.

Though many people thought his personality was too carefree, they had to admit that his grades were outstanding, and his foundational ninja skills were rock-solid!

Whether it was basic chakra refinement, taijutsu, shuriken-throwing techniques, the Three Basic Techniques, or standard ninjutsu, this young man trained with unmatched enthusiasm. He never dismissed these foundational skills as unimportant.

Clang!

A sharp metallic clash rang out.

Hiruzen hooked his fingers around a kunai, expertly using it to block Danzō's blade. His demeanor immediately turned serious.

Danzō fixed his gaze on Hiruzen's face, slashing three times in rapid succession with his sword, but Hiruzen deflected each strike with his kunai.

"So, you've studied swordsmanship too…" Danzō said bitterly, glaring at his companion.

"Just the basics," Hiruzen replied modestly.

The short kunai danced in his hands, holding its own against Danzō's longer, sharper blade.

Clearly, this was an act of humility.

Because even Danzō's self-proclaimed swordsmanship couldn't get the better of Hiruzen, his pride took a hit. Frustration welled up in him.

With a quick burst of strikes, Danzō forced Hiruzen to retreat, then opened his mouth and unleashed a Wind Release ninjutsu:

"Wind Release: Vacuum Wave!"

This Wind Release technique was as treacherous as it was sharp.

Even though Hiruzen anticipated the attack and tilted his head to dodge it, the blade-like gust of wind still managed to slice off strands of his hair.

"That's dangerous!" said a bespectacled boy standing beside Tobirama. He looked nervously at his sparring friends. "We're supposed to be comrades…"

"Hiruzen will dodge it," Tobirama replied indifferently, unfazed by the other boy's alarm. "Fights between shinobi are never gentle sparring matches. One mistake can cost your life."

Of course, Tobirama spoke with confidence.

If the two boys became too serious or the fight turned life-threatening, he was fully capable of intervening and putting an end to the match.

After all…

He was renowned as the fastest shinobi alive.

Still…

Tobirama couldn't help but notice something concerning.

Danzō's combat style was becoming excessively aggressive, even employing underhanded tactics meant for enemies against his own comrades. If it weren't for Tobirama's presence—or if Hiruzen hadn't been as skilled as he was—Danzō's treacherous Wind Release could have seriously injured his opponent.

Wind Release…

Truly Danzō's specialty.

"Wind Release: Shuriken!"

Danzō produced a diamond-shaped shuriken between his fingers, coating it with a layer of Wind Release chakra. The whirling winds around it grew razor-sharp as he hurled it forward!

"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"

A sturdy stone wall rose to block the wind-infused shuriken.

"Tch!"

Danzō scoffed, showing his disdain. He grabbed his blade and charged forward, leaping over the stone wall to slash at Hiruzen, who was hiding behind it.

Crack!

A log was sliced in half.

"Substitution Jutsu…"

Danzō instantly recognized the piece of wood as a telltale sign of the most basic ninja technique. His eyes darted around, searching for Hiruzen's real location.

"When did he—"

Thud!

A sudden kick landed on Danzō's wrist, sending his sword flying!

But Danzō quickly retreated to the wall, pressing his back against it. He spotted Hiruzen and grabbed his ankle, blocking the follow-up kick. With a strong throw, he flung Hiruzen's body away!

"That was unexpected, Danzō…"

Hiruzen landed gracefully, unbothered, and even smiled as he complimented his friend. "Your reactions are much quicker than before."

"I haven't wasted the results of my training…"

Danzō replied coldly, pulling out a kunai from his pocket. His chakra reserves were running low. He needed to end this fight now, using the opportunity to unleash his ultimate move!

"Wind Release: Vacuum Sword!"

Danzō exhaled a blast of Wind Release chakra onto the kunai, transforming it into a spectral wind blade. Wielding the blade, he charged forward once again!

"Hey, hey, isn't that cheating?"

Hiruzen said in surprise, staring at the long, wind-enhanced blade. He drew a kunai and lunged to meet Danzō head-on.

The two young shinobi began a new round of intense combat.

This bout was more ferocious than any before, thanks to the significant improvements they'd made during Tobirama's training program.

However, the outcome seemed to follow a familiar pattern. As the Konoha leadership's consensus pick for the next generation's most promising ninja, Sarutobi Hiruzen's superior taijutsu and swordsmanship shattered Danzō's last hope.

At the end of the fight, Hiruzen still had plenty of chakra left. His fist stopped inches from Danzō's face.

"It's over, Danzō," Hiruzen said, holding back for his friend's sake. He had fought defensively throughout, avoiding the use of techniques that might hurt Danzō, relying instead on taijutsu to secure victory.

"Hiruzen…"

Danzō raised his fingers, a mocking smile on his face. "Do you really think you've won?"

In the next moment—

Something unexpected happened!

Dark markings appeared on Hiruzen's arm, spreading across his body and binding him in place.

"The Curse Mark of Self-Paralysis."

"During the battle, I planted a sealing technique on you whenever we made contact…"

"When the seal is complete, the caster can activate it at will to paralyze the target."

Tobirama's voice echoed from the sidelines, emotionless as he explained the sealing technique Danzō had used. He then announced the result of the match.

"Hiruzen, you lost."

"This fight was decided by your overconfidence."

"You two, come with me. I have a mission for you. This mission might change the future of Konoha and the entire shinobi world…"