CHAPTER 1
c1 - The Mummy in the Corner
Life in Konoha remained simple and unadorned.
Though the battles on the frontlines were growing fiercer, their effects on the village were subtle just an undercurrent of unease beneath the usual bustle.
News from the battlefield arrived frequently, with tales of Hatake Kakashi's exploits spreading like wildfire. At just six years old, he had already been promoted to Chunin, and now, as a freshly minted Jonin, he was hailed as Konoha's youngest genius in history. His mastery of the White Light Chakra Sabre his father's legacy only further solidified his reputation.
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At the Ninja Academy, changes were evident. The curriculum had shifted drastically fewer theory lessons, more combat training.
The war demanded it.
"Starting now, the emphasis will remain on live combat exercises. The most outstanding students will be granted early graduation, allowing them to become proud shinobi of Konoha!"
Yoshino-sensei's announcement sent a ripple of excitement through the classroom. The students erupted in cheers, rubbing their palms together in anticipation.
It was as if early graduation was a direct ticket to becoming the next Kakashi, basking in the glory of the village.
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In the far corner of the room, a lone figure swathed in special bandages lazily lifted his head.
Konoha must be struggling. The war is only getting worse. They're rushing to send us to the frontlines.
Shiranui Yuuji leaned back against the wooden desk, his fingers absently brushing over the worn fabric wrapped around his arms.
The Third Shinobi World War was brutal far more vicious than its predecessors. Konoha, outnumbered and outgunned, was fighting on four fronts. Even with Namikaze Minato's brilliance and legends like Sakumo and Kakashi setting new records, the losses were staggering.
Yuuji had long anticipated this moment. Yet now, as reality set in, he found himself sighing. Whatever. The preparations aren't perfect, but they'll have to do. My body has finally adapted to the radioactive energy emitted by Godzilla.
That was his biggest secret. Unlike the famed clans who traced their heritage to the Sage of Six Paths, his power came from something entirely different.
A titan slept within him, Godzilla.
In other words, Shiranui Yuuji was an anomaly, a pseudo-Jinchūriki. He wasn't host to a Tailed Beast, but the entity in his body was just as fearsome.
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For years, he had worked to control its influence. The nuclear radiation his body emitted was real and constant. Without careful suppression, his mere presence could have unforeseen consequences.
He chuckled to himself. I've been considerate enough to keep my chakra in check. The people in this room should be thanking me for not killing them.
If he loosened the bandages even slightly, the radiation would leak. No one would drop dead immediately, but genetic mutations? That was another matter.
The Uchiha in the front row might suddenly awaken their Sharingan.
The Hyuga might evolve their Byakugan ahead of schedule.
It was a terrifying thought.
Though the world of shinobi had never encountered nuclear radiation, there were techniques akin to nuclear explosions like the Bijuudama. Godzilla, however, was a living, walking disaster zone. Its mere presence could corrupt the land, poisoning entire ecosystems.
Yuuji wasn't sure how powerful the Godzilla inside him was, but the continuous radiation was undeniable.
Yet, in the past two years, he had made great strides. Refining chakra allowed him to suppress the radiation to some extent. The progress was steady, and in half a year, he was confident he could completely control it finally abandoning these restrictive bandages.
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At the front of the class, Yoshino-sensei let out a quiet sigh as he scanned the room. The energy in the students' eyes worried him. They saw graduation as an honor, not fully grasping what awaited them on the battlefield.
How many of them would survive this war?
"Yuuji, show some enthusiasm," Yoshino called out. "Aren't you interested in the prestige of graduating early?"
His words fell on deaf ears.
The entire classroom turned toward the bandaged boy, already knowing what to expect.
Yuuji didn't even bother to lift his head fully. "Got it, Yoshino-sensei. So, can we end class now?"
Laughter erupted around the room.
Only Yuuji had the audacity to say what they were all thinking.
Despite his laid-back attitude, he was well-liked.
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He tapped his fingers on the desk, lost in thought.
This batch of students…
Kakashi had already graduated at five.
Might Guy had left at eight.
But for Obito, Asuma, Ebisu, and the others, the battlefield awaited them at around eleven.
Yuuji knew what would happen. Obito would cry when he first saw the horrors of war, but Minato would be there to save him.
Right now, though, none of them knew the fates that awaited them.
The standard Academy training period was six years. But that was about to change it would soon be shortened to four.
The war had been raging for over two years. Konoha needed reinforcements.
Sooner or later, even Shiranui Yuuji would be sent to fight.
He exhaled softly, looking at his classmates.
Some of them wouldn't live to see peace.
He just had to make sure he wasn't one of them.
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