Naruto: Scourge of the Ninja World

News of Hatake Sakumo becoming the principal of the Ninja Academy quickly spread throughout the village.

Most people were surprised, as just days ago, Konoha's White Fang was still considered one of the village's top combat forces—now he had suddenly transformed into an educator and principal.

The contrast was far too drastic.

However, the acceptance of Hatake Sakumo taking on the role of principal was remarkably high.

After all, having such a powerful figure educating the next generation was undoubtedly a huge benefit to the village.

Some children who hadn't even enrolled yet were absolutely thrilled.

Where there's agreement, there's also opposition.

Sure enough, at this very moment, a dramatic scene was unfolding at the Hokage Building.

Sarutobi Hiruzen + Hatake Sakumo vs Shimura Danzo + Koharu Utatane + Mitokado Homura.

The battle was intense.

Both sides were holding firm to their arguments, shouting past each other in a heated exchange.

"This is utter nonsense! The Ninja Academy was founded by our teacher, the Second Hokage, Tobirama-sama!"

"It was meant to help the village cultivate powerful shinobi!"

"Hatake Sakumo, how dare you undermine the laws left behind by the Second Hokage! This is betrayal!!!"

Danzo had assumed the role of coffin-bearer, metaphorically lifting the Second Hokage's casket to accuse Hatake Sakumo and Sarutobi Hiruzen of their actions.

Joining in the coffin-carrying act were Koharu Utatane and Mitokado Homura.

In this matter, the two surprisingly shared the same stance as Shimura Danzo.

Danzo had originally invited Akimichi Torifu to join their coffin-bearing ensemble, but Torifu was busy opening a barbecue shop and declined his offer.

Seeing that Torifu wasn't interested in the matter, Danzo didn't push him. After all, having the three of them was more than enough.

"Hiruzen, in this case, Danzo isn't wrong."

"What you two did was way over the line!"

Mitokado Homura's expression was extremely grim. In his eyes, arbitrarily changing the Academy's assessments was a major taboo.

Koharu Utatane didn't speak, but her face said it all.

"Hmph, I won't deny that the law was left by our teacher, but it no longer suits the village's current needs."

"The comprehensive strength of a ninja is what really matters. You can't generalize everything based solely on ninjutsu."

"It's not like Konoha lacks taijutsu specialists!"

"Don't you all know how strong taijutsu is?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen held his smoking pipe, facing the pressure of the coffin-carrying trio without the slightest fear, and counterattacked with stern words.

"Gekko Chizan doesn't know any combat ninjutsu, but with his mastery of stealth techniques, can you really say he's weaker than your average elite jōnin?"

Gekko Chizan: Weak, I'm super weak. I don't know how to fight at all. My combat ability is just a mid-level chūnin at best!

"Hmph! Pursuing ninjutsu training blindly while ignoring other aspects is a flaw that needs to be corrected!"

"I admit ninjutsu is powerful beyond question, but the three of you—our ages are increasing, and our chakra reserves are no longer what they once were."

"In that case, does sheer ninjutsu power still hold the same value? Without a powerful physique, without physical strength, even mastering countless jutsu becomes meaningless!"

Firing on all cylinders, Sarutobi Hiruzen was like a blazing sun—his intense radiance forced the coffin trio to momentarily retreat.

"Even so, you still can't change the law. The will of the Second Hokage must not be altered."

"If you want to train more talent, you can always set up additional courses instead of altering the final assessment!"

Shimura Danzo clung stubbornly to the importance of the law and the Second's will, which made Sarutobi Hiruzen grit his teeth in frustration.

"All of you know how powerful the Third Raikage was."

"And his strength didn't come from Lightning Release ninjutsu—it came from his indestructible body."

"Don't you want to nurture powerful shinobi like the Raikage?"

Hatake Sakumo folded his arms across his chest and spoke with a smile, stating a simple fact.

The Raikage's strength came from physical prowess—without that foundation, would he have been so fearsome?

"There are students in the current Academy growing through taijutsu. I'm not trying to overthrow the Second Hokage's will."

"I want to fulfill the Second's will—by developing the unique potential in every ninja."

"Just like Gekko Chizan—even without outstanding combat power, he's still the absolute pinnacle in intel and stealth operations."

"I want to cultivate more people like him. Only then can Konoha burn like wildfire, its legacy unending!"

As a seasoned veteran, once Hatake Sakumo unleashed his presence, ordinary people couldn't withstand it.

Although the coffin trio had survived countless battlefields—

Aside from Shimura Danzo, the other two hadn't fought in years. Their presence was nowhere near what it used to be. In an instant, they were completely overwhelmed by Hatake Sakumo's pressure.

Feeling the sharp edge of Konoha's White Fang, the two's expressions gradually subdued.

The key point was that everything Sakumo said was true. The likelihood of war was increasing.

Yet the village's military strength had barely grown. At this rate, even ungraduated children might end up on the battlefield in the next war.

"Even so, you shouldn't have done this so openly, announcing it in public."

"You've shown blatant disregard for the Second Hokage's legacy."

Koharu Utatane finally spoke up after holding it in for so long, but Hatake Sakumo was thoroughly unimpressed.

"Does face even matter right now?"

"The village is being pressured on three fronts—Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure are all getting restless."

"I'm not exaggerating—if we don't change something soon, the disaster that awaits this village doesn't need me to spell out."

"Let me be clear: the reforms to the Academy are happening. I won't allow students with unique talents to be buried and forgotten!"

"Oh, and by the way—Old Chen has accepted my invitation. He'll be coming to teach taijutsu at the Academy soon."

(T/N: Chen—a Taijutsu specialist, founder of the Leaf Dragon God, with Strength on par with a jōnin.)

"I believe with his guidance, the students' physiques and taijutsu will improve dramatically."

Upon hearing this, the coffin-carrying trio froze.

They all knew Chen's temperament—

He was like a foul-smelling, unmovable rock. Though incredibly strong, no one had ever been able to persuade him to do anything.

Who would've thought Hatake Sakumo could actually get him on board...

Clearly, this had been in the works for a long time—perhaps even an inevitable conclusion in Sakumo's eyes...

Danzo's face turned the color of ash. Knowing he had lost this round, he pulled out his classic line one more time:

"Hiruzen! You'll regret this!"

"When problems arise at the Academy, let's see how you face our teacher!"

"Hmph!"

Watching Danzo storm off, Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane realized there was no longer room for negotiation.

And, honestly, what Sakumo was doing really was for the good of the village—what reason did they have to oppose him?

Thus, in this battle—

The coffin-carrying trio suffered a crushing defeat!

The Ninja Academy reform officially began!

...

Some readers have mentioned that the timeline seems off.

I based this on a rough timeline I found on my own.

Year 17 of Konoha – First Shinobi World War ends.

Year 37 of Konoha – Second Shinobi World War ends. Kakashi is born the same year.

Year 41 of Konoha – the start of this story, when Kushina is kidnapped and Minato rescues her.

Year 42 of Konoha – Kakashi graduates early.

Currently it's Year 43 – Hatake Sakumo goes on a mission (prelude to his suicide)...

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