Land of Fire, Konoha Village.
Mixed among a group of children, Shinomiya Aoha, like the others, surveyed his surroundings with curious eyes. Only compared to other children, his gaze contained less numbness and unease.
But this slight difference went unnoticed by anyone.
"You've worked hard."
After verifying the leading jonin's identity, the guards outside the village gate said with some emotion while letting them pass.
"If not for Minato-sama turning the tide and foiling Iwagakure Village's scheme, who knows how long this war would've lasted," the leading jonin also sighed.
"By the way, you just got back, so you don't know yet. Just a few days ago, defeated Sunagakure also signed a new peace treaty with us. This way, only Kumogakure remains without news, but they're no threat either. The war will surely end soon."
"Really? That's wonderful! Enough talking, I need to bring these brats to turn in the mission first. I'll treat you to drinks after your shift change!"
"It's settled then, haha."
Entering the famous Konoha Village, Aoha tried his best to hide himself, not letting himself stand out, while recalling the news just heard.
Seemed the current time point was precisely when Konoha stood again at the ninja world's peak, forcing other major nations to sign defeat agreements.
Jiraiya and the Sannin should have already successively left, but this war's ultimate victor remained Konoha, this camel.
The next period should be relatively peaceful, until that major event occurred, then forcibly dragged the Third Shinobi World War that should've dragged back into the quagmire.
While recalling plot details from this period, Aoha mixed among other children and arrived all the way to Konoha Hospital.
"This is the last batch, right?"
After confirming mission procedures, a medical ninja wearing a Konoha Village forehead protector asked in a flat tone.
The leading jonin putting away the mission scroll nodded. "All war orphans that could be gathered are here. Forty-two total. My mission is complete. I'll leave the rest to you."
That medical ninja nodded, then several more people came out from inside, leading these war orphans in.
Though major ninja villages urgently needed population increases, bringing these war orphans back wasn't the end. Next required a series of examinations, treating their physical and psychological wounds. After all, most who survived had injuries and illnesses, and having experienced despair like relatives being killed, saying they had no psychological issues was pure self-deception.
So bringing them first to the hospital for treatment more easily won their favour, also provided an opportunity to relax them and eliminate some potential troubles.
Conveniently, information could be recorded, good prospects discovered for focused cultivation, like bloodline limits. Though rare, among war orphans gathered during several ninja world wars, always a few fish slipped through the net, just like drawing prizes.
After being fussed over for an entire afternoon, Aoha had to admit Konoha had some skills in this area, especially the medical ninja model Tsunade established, truly eye-opening.
Even someone like him, a small body housing an adult soul, after being carefully treated by these gentle older sisters, getting bathed and changed into clean new clothes, relaxed considerably and developed considerable goodwill toward Konoha.
Needless to say, for other little brats. Their originally lifeless little faces seemed to regain vitality, their gazes filled with anticipation.
"Name."
"Shinomiya Aoha."
"Do you remember which village you lived in before?"
"Yes, Tangerine Village."
"What family members did you have? Are any still alive?"
"Only parents, both dead."
When Aoha answered questions, he performed very calmly, but the questioner was accustomed to it. Children like him, who'd become numb from suffering tremendous changes and blows, were far too common. But they'd be fine after some time had passed.
"Have you received ninja training or possess any special talents?"
He knew this was the key point that would decide what identity he'd use to remain here.
First, becoming a ninja was necessary.
Since the mission required him to go undercover here, and rewards were linked to the magnitude of trouble he caused, an ordinary person's identity wasn't suitable.
Second, as an undercover agent, being too ostentatious wasn't good either, or he'd easily be exposed.
So after thinking, he still decided to expose part of his special qualities, then secretly develop slowly in the shadows.
Though this increased exposure risk and might even invite suspicion, first, his identity withstood investigation, second, as long as he grasped well the degree between mediocrity and excellence, there should be no problem.
So he hesitantly glanced at the gentle older sister before him, then fearfully lowered his head.
All these reactions were fully captured by the other party, then he heard the older sister inquire in an even gentler voice: "Don't be afraid. Konoha is a harmonious big family. From now on, you're already a member of this big family. We ask these things only to help you. After all, some special abilities come with great risks. If not careful, they might harm others. Don't you agree?"
Acting as if convinced, Aoha gathered courage to say: "I don't know if this counts as a special ability, but during that period hiding everywhere, once when I encountered danger, I discovered my skin suddenly became very hard."
While earnestly listening to his narration, the older sister writing rapidly, brightened, then gently guided: "Can you show big sister?"
After hesitating, Aoha still nodded, then slowly extended his right hand while activating [Hardening] in his mind.
LV0 [Hardening] merely added a layer of keratin to his right hand's skin.
But after the other party witnessed this change, she was quite surprised, her expression gaining some excitement. Probably didn't expect to truly win the lottery.
This ability, even if not a bloodline limit, should be quite rare.
The gentle older sister nodded secretly, reached out to touch his right hand, discovering it indeed hardened somewhat. Though only compared to ordinary flesh and blood, not harder than stone or steel, he was only a four or five-year-old child who'd just awakened this ability recently. Surely great potential remained to be tapped.
Then she inquired about more information regarding the ability and some details before satisfactorily setting down her pen.
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Pokémon: I Really Didn't Want to Become a Trainer
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One Piece: Signing in Naruto Character Cards
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