Reborn in Konoha; I Think I’m Cultivating Immortality

The method for extracting chakra might seem common, but in truth, it's not.

Shinobi inherit their knowledge through traditions—whether passed down by a mentor, family, or village. 

For ordinary people, gaining access to the method of chakra extraction is extremely difficult. Even if they do obtain it, training alone without guidance makes achieving anything significant nearly impossible.

After all… what's the use of having chakra without knowing any techniques?

Chakra. Techniques.

Lacking both of these foundational aspects of shinobi strength, the idea of a small village cultivating its own shinobi is nothing more than a pipe dream.

"You must come from a shinobi village. Otherwise, you wouldn't say something so naive. A village like ours…what ability or qualification do we have to train our own shinobi?"

A middle-aged man spoke to Hui with a bitter, self-deprecating smile, his expression tinged with sorrow.

Hui fell silent. These rogue shinobi were so weak that he could eliminate them with the flick of a finger. 

But what good would it do? The world was rife with rogue shinobi. Unless he eradicated every single one of them, the situation would persist indefinitely.

Even if Hui mobilized Konoha's resources, it would be impossible to completely eliminate such issues from the shinobi world.

The only solution would be to unite the entire shinobi world, establish a new system, and fundamentally change everything.

"Sigh, honestly, we really envy those who live in shinobi villages. You have shinobi to protect you, and you never have to worry about surviving. Unlike us, who could die at any moment at the hands of rogue shinobi," the man continued, looking at Hui with eyes full of envy.

"Some of us have even thought about joining a shinobi village, but… leaving the land where our ancestors have lived for generations is a difficult decision to make. And even if we muster the courage to relocate, we'd likely die on the way—at the hands of bandits or rogue shinobi.

"Even if we somehow made it safely, the shinobi villages wouldn't accept us. They'd suspect us of being spies from rival villages.

"Just like that, we're stuck here, living a life of constant fear.

"We suffer oppression without the power to resist. We yearn for a better future, but the future isn't in our hands.

"We… we're nothing more than ants in this world.

"This is our fate."

Hui remained silent, unable to find the words to refute the man's statement.

Because he was right. This was the reality of the shinobi world—the harsh truth for ordinary people in small nations.

This was something Hui had never seen or heard during his time in the Land of Fire or Konoha. In this world, being born in one of the Five Great Nations was already a stroke of luck. To be born in one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages?

Although the Five Great Nations experienced wars, they also enjoyed long periods of peace. 

And even during wars, the conflicts were mostly between shinobi, sparing the ordinary citizens of the Five Great Shinobi Villages from much impact, unless they had family members serving as shinobi.

Even then, when a shinobi died in service, their village would take care of their family.

Compared to the lives of ordinary people in small nations and villages, living in a major shinobi village was akin to living in paradise.

"Enough, let's not talk about this anymore. It's pointless. Let's focus on collecting this month's supplies," another middle-aged man said, patting his companion's shoulder. His expression was one of resignation, having long accepted this reality.

Years of enduring such oppression had dulled his initial anger into numbness. Now, he merely sought to survive, day by day. 

As long as he could keep his family alive.

The group began to gather their belongings and prepare to leave. Their visit to the tavern had merely been an outlet for their frustrations.

Now, they had to return to figuring out how to scrape by another day.

Watching their retreating backs, Hui suddenly spoke up.

"Although you might not believe me right now, I want you to know that this world will change.

"The future will be beautiful and bright.

"When that time comes, everyone will live in peace and safety. No one will have to endure the threat and oppression you're facing now.

"So, I implore you—live on. Survive.

"Because as long as you're alive, there's always hope.

"As long as you're alive, anything is possible!"

Hui's words made the group pause. They turned to look at him, their gazes filled with confusion and disbelief.

"Will such a light truly exist in this world?" a young man murmured in confusion.

"It will. I promise," Hui replied firmly.

The young man stared at him, stunned. After a long moment, the group finally left, though their hearts felt a little different.

As Hui watched them disappear into the distance, he stood in place for a while before deciding to leave as well.

When he approached the counter to pay, the tavern owner spoke up.

"This one's on the house. Because… I also hope to see that future you spoke of," the plump owner said. 

Despite his weathered face and cloudy eyes, a faint glimmer of hope shone through as he looked at Hui.

Hui paused, then smiled.

"It will appear. And it won't be long—you'll see it.

"Since you're treating me to this drink, consider it my gift in return. I hope you'll like it."

With that, Hui waved and left, leaving the owner confused.

Once Hui was gone, the owner chuckled to himself.

"What an interesting young man… I hope I really can see that day," he murmured, a faint smile on his face. 

Somehow, he felt lighter, as though he'd become a frew years younger.

Leaving the village, Hui wandered for a while before sensing something nearby.

"Five genin? Such meager strength, yet enough to plunge an entire village into despair. What a cruel world," Hui muttered to himself.

He turned and began heading toward the rogue shinobi.

…

Days passed, and the villagers nervously awaited the arrival of the shinobi to claim their hard-earned supplies. 

Their expressions ranged from numb resignation to anger, despair, and quiet sobbing.

However, the shinobi never came.

On the third day, someone discovered their corpses.

The bodies were stiff and starting to decay, but the terror on their faces was unmistakable. 

Whatever they had seen before their deaths had left them in utter despair.

Next to the bodies lay a kunai, engraved with a single character:

Light (光)

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