Chapter 90: Hagoromo, It's Your Family Again!

In Makoto's perspective, the Third Ninja World War was undeniably chaotic. It seemed like everyone was at odds, attacking each other and ultimately ganging up on Konoha.

Kumogakure launched assaults on both Sunagakure and Konoha, while Iwagakure joined in the chaos by attacking Konoha and siphoning resources from Kumogakure. Iwagakure also decided to throw a surprise party for the Third Raikage, complete with a "gang-up" theme. In the midst of this turmoil, Sunagakure repelled Kumogakure's advances.

Although the villages had a beef with each other they all targetted Konoha at some point.

Even the normally uninvolved Kiri Ninja felt the need to join the war. They couldn't afford to seem out of place, so they, too, confronted Konoha. Then they had the brilliant idea to attack Suna, and, of course, got betrayed by Iwa after forming an alliance. Classic ninja politics, really.

In the Third Ninja War, Konoha faced nearly insurmountable odds.

It's all thanks to the existence of Minato that Konoha 'won' the war.

"Ten thousand ninjas from Iwagakure surrounded the Third Raikage. Yahiko met an unfortunate end at the hands of Danzo and Hanzo. Nagato, well, he decided that the dark side had better cookies and joined the Sith... I mean, turned to the dark side. Madara Uchiha manipulated Obito into his service. Mighty Dai, in a fit of selflessness, sacrificed himself, which had the miraculous effect of turning the fearsome Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist into The Treacherous Sannin of the Mist."

Makoto recollected the major events of the Third Ninja World War.

If history followed its original course, Nohara Rin would have had the pleasure of being skewered by Kakashi's Raikiri, Obito would succumb to darkness and madness, and Might Gai's father would sacrifice himself to protect his son.

Shisui, on the other hand, emerged unscathed, earning himself the moniker of Shunsuin Shisui during the Third Ninja War.

But of course, because this world is all sunshine and rainbows, Makoto just couldn't stop feeling that something dreadful must have happened during that time, something Shisui was probably desperate to avoid.

"There's not much time left..."

Makoto remembered that not long before Obito's descent into darkness, Kakashi had just been promoted to Jounin at the young age of twelve.

Kakashi and Obito were of the same age, and Obito is currently only eight years old. In other words, there were only four years left to alter the course of events.

The situation with Might Gai didn't seem insurmountable. I mean, what can the seven ninja swordsmen even do? They're like a third-rate version of the "Seven Warlords of the Sea." There isn't even a Mihawk in their ranks to rescue them from mediocrity.

Obito's situation, however, posed a more complex challenge. On the surface, it appeared as a tragedy triggered by the ravages of war, but it was, in reality, a meticulously orchestrated conspiracy.

To alter Obito's darkening fate, Makoto's adversaries were not merely Iwagakure and Kirigakure ninjas but also Uchiha Madara and the enigmatic Black Zetsu lurking in the shadows.

In an optimistic scenario, his primary foe was an old man dependent on a life-sustaining tube and a mysterious black creature.

In a less optimistic scenario, his adversaries included the Avatar of Indra, Uchiha Madara, the sole possessor of the Renningan in the ninja world, and Kaguya Otsutsuki's third son.

And he, Hosakawa Makoto, was but a Chunin instructor in the ninja school.

"Makoto, what's on your mind?" Kushina's voice broke Makoto's reverie.

As Makoto considered the political and economic state of the world, he sighed and replied, "I was pondering how the war might impact Konoha."

"Konoha isn't as vulnerable as Sunagakure. Anyone considering war with Konoha must weigh the consequences," Kushina asserted confidently in Konoha's strength.

"Hosakawa's concerns are valid. Once a war begins, anything can happen," Minato cautioned with a more pessimistic outlook. While Makoto questioned whether the war might extend to Konoha, Minato believed it was an inevitability.

In times of peace, being recognized as the foremost ninja village could deter potential aggressors.

However, with the outbreak of war, Konoha's status as the leading village made it a prime target for those seeking recognition through its conquest.

After Minato and Kushina finished their meal, Makoto headed out of the main city to continue teaching his disciples.

His first task was to instruct Might Gai on Soru. Following the grooming lesson, Makoto oversaw a race between Obito and Might Gai.

In this friendly competition, Might Gai managed to maintain a slight advantage and emerged as the victor, although neither of them managed to break through their established limits.

Makoto had a rule in place – any time they surpassed their limits, the new result would serve as the benchmark for the next challenge, not the original limit.

Naturally, daily breakthroughs were a tall order, and Makoto wasn't discouraged by their consistent progress.

This training method proved to be quite effective, and Might Gai's proficiency improved at an accelerated rate.

Interrupting Shisui's practice, Makoto said, "Take a break from training for now, Shisui. Today, I'll teach you a new Fire Release ninjutsu."

Makoto introduced the technique, saying, "This one's called Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson. It's a B-level Fire Release jutsu that's particularly lethal at short to medium distances."

Taking Shisui to an open space, Makoto demonstrated the technique. "Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson!"

*whoosh*

*****swish*****

Forming the required hand seals, Makoto expelled a large burst of flames. While spewing the flames, he swiftly threw more than a dozen shurikens toward a wooden target in the open area.

*****Thud*****

*****slash*****

********crack********

The shurikens passed through the flames, merging with them, and transformed into more than a dozen small fireballs that struck the wooden target. The sharp shurikens severed the wooden target's limbs and penetrated its body, while the flames set it ablaze, reducing it to ashes.

The combination of sharp shurikens and the fiery power of the Fire Release makes it challenging to evade or block at close range and inflict substantial damage when hitting the target.

[You taught your disciple Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson. You received: Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet (proficient level)]

After providing explanations and several demonstrations, Makoto instructed Shisui to practice the technique on his own.

"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson"

Shisui replicated Makoto's actions, breathing out flames and launching shurikens, effectively impaling the wooden target with the blazing shurikens.

However, some shurikens were not embedded with flames.

After some time, Makoto checked Shisui's progress. The proficiency level of the Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson had reached thirty-two, requiring him just a bit more practice to become proficient.

As expected, Shisui displayed remarkable learning abilities, grasping the technique quite rapidly with Makoto's guidance.

Two days later, Obito believed he had attained the strength necessary to undertake the challenge and applied for another showdown with Makoto.