Naruto: Reborn with the Template System

Even though Orochimaru's [Sensei Killing Plan] didn't shake the world like the original [Konoha Collapse Plan], he still managed to hit a few key targets.

The death of Sarutobi Hiruzen? Frankly, Guts didn't see it as all that impactful. The old man's life or death wouldn't change much in the long run.

What mattered more was everything else that followed.

First: with Rasa's confirmed death, Sunagakure was in disarray.

Since Sand had been the aggressor in this incident, they had no choice but to swallow their pride and extend goodwill toward Konoha.

In response, Namikaze Minato personally entered negotiations with Baki and other senior Sunagakure officials.

After several intense political meetings, they agreed to resume diplomatic relations.

Second: the vacant Kazekage seat.

With Rasa gone, Sand Village had no suitable heir with Kage-level strength.

But ever since Gaara's drastic change in personality, Baki saw a glimmer of hope. Maybe… just maybe, this strange, silent boy could lead.

So Baki took Gaara and his siblings back to the village, with the idea of grooming him as the next Kazekage.

Meanwhile, Namikaze Minato began sending squads of Chūnin and Jōnin to scout and investigate Oto Village.

As for the Chūnin Exam results

One day, Kurenai found Hanabi and Hinata during training, smiling gently.

"Lord Hokage wants to see you," she told them.

The two girls left and returned an hour later with big news.

Hanabi, brimming with pride, flashed her new Chūnin forehead protector and the green vest only Chūnin were permitted to wear.

"Look! I passed! I passed!" she beamed.

Compared to Hanabi's excitement, Hinata seemed unsure.

"Me…? I passed too?" she asked softly, almost in disbelief.

Kurenai chuckled and rested her hands on Hinata's shoulders.

"You still need to work on your confidence… but your strength is already far above the average Chūnin. There's no problem at all."

Later, Tsunade reminisced aloud, "At Hanabi's age, the only others I remember making Chūnin this young were Guts, Kakashi, the Sannin, Uchiha Shisui, and Itachi."

"Anyone else?" Guts asked curiously.

Kurenai frowned. "Hmm… I'm not sure. Anko—how about your Tenth Squad?"

Anko sighed dramatically. "Nope! Those three idiots embarrassed me too much this time!"

Then she grinned darkly. "But at least I won't have to watch that pig Chōji inhale mountains of barbecue with a Chūnin stipend."

Guts chuckled under his breath.

"Must be because they didn't get to shine in the third round."

He wasn't wrong.

Shikamaru's sharp judgment was what earned him a promotion in the anime during his match against Temari. But here? He never got the chance.

Still, gold always shines.

If not now, then next time...Shikamaru's brilliance wouldn't be denied for long.

Nearly a month passed.

One afternoon, outside the village at the public training ground, Guts sat beneath the familiar shade of the tree he'd grown up under.

His eyes were closed.

Inside the system's virtual space, he was facing off against a new opponent, Kokabiel—a side villain from the world of High School DxD.

Though Kokabiel had only appeared for a few episodes, his strength was no joke. Even an intermediate Issei could level mountains not to mention a demon king level powerhouse.

But even so, Guts in base form beat him easily.

Afterward, the system flashed an updated report:

[Daily Achievement: Training Complete | Template Character: Issei Hyoudou | Completion Rate: 9.05%]

Guts looked up at the sky.

It was nearly noon.

Grrrr…

His stomach grumbled.

"Kurenai must've made lunch already, right?" he muttered, standing up and heading toward the village gate.

Unlike in his childhood, when he'd been poor enough to hunt in the forest for scraps, things were different now.

Tsunade might no longer be Hokage, but Guts still held power equal to Danzo's, including financial authority.

Kurenai now cooked elaborate meals for him every day.

And as she got older, she was slowly retiring from the life of a ninja, settling into the role of a full-time wife.

Guts didn't mind.

While strong women like Tsunade or Terumi Mei had their appeal, there was something special about a woman waiting at home with a warm smile and food on the table.

Just before Guts re-entered the village, he noticed a crowd near the gate.

Shikamaru, Naruto, Chōji, Kiba, Neji, even Hinata and Hanabi were all gathered, looking tense. Sakura stood behind them, worried.

"Sensei!" Hinata called, spotting him first and waving.

Guts approached casually.

"What's this? Spring picnic?"

"Guts-sensei!" Naruto ran up, eyes wide with urgency. "Please! Come with us...we need to rescue Sasuke!"

Guts blinked. "Rescue? What do you need me for? I'm not a medic."

"No, no...it's not that!" Shikamaru cut in. "Oto's ninja took Sasuke. Lord Hokage ordered us to retrieve him."

Guts glanced at the group.

The lineup wasn't bad.

With Hinata and Hanabi's current strength, they could handle most of the Oto Five. Only Kimimaro might be a real threat.

He turned to the two girls.

"If you can't win...run. Understand?"

The two nodded.

"Guts-sensei!" Naruto pleaded again. "Please come! My dad said most Jōnin are out on missions. We couldn't find anyone else!"

"Please, Sensei…" Sakura joined in, eyes desperate.

Guts looked at both of them.

Then he asked flatly: "Was Sasuke taken… or did he leave willingly?"

Naruto and Sakura fell silent.

Sakura recalled her encounter with Sasuke that morning.

The look in his eyes… the cold goodbye…

He'd chosen to leave.

"So, he went willingly," Guts said quietly.

"If that's the case… why bring him back?"

He looked straight at them.

"What will you do? Drag him home once… then chase him again when he runs away a second time? Then a third? Keep playing hide and seek until when?"

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