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In the Uchiha Clan Territory, within the family courtyard.
Uchiha Yoru said with a sacred and reverent tone, "Uchiha Itachi, do you know the origin of the village's name 'Konoha'? And why our place is called the Land of Fire? And why our Land of Fire's Kage is called 'Hokage'?
This question left Uchiha Itachi with a blank and puzzled expression. Not just him, even Shisui, who stood nearby, looked skeptical, as he was not very clear about this either.
Seeing this, a hint of cunning flashed in Uchiha Yoru's eyes, though his face showed a fervent and determined look.
"The First Hokage's Wood Release stabilized the world, which is why the village is called 'Konoha.' And the Uchiha Clan's ancestor, alongside the Senju Clan, during the Warring States Era, established the current Five Great Nations Era through their combined efforts.
At this point, it was clear that Uchiha Itachi was not aware of these facts. Shisui, however, turned pale and exclaimed in shock, "Big Brother Yoru, this is taboo!"
But looking at Shisui's changed expression, Uchiha Yoru shook his head and gave him a long, meaningful look, "Shisui, our ancestors may have made mistakes, but what about their contributions? Shouldn't their contributions be acknowledged? Are you going to deny the Uchiha Clan's past?"
"During the chaotic Warring States Era, the average lifespan of both shinobi and civilians was around thirty years, and shinobi families would send their children to battle at the age of five or six. But in the current Five Great Nations Era, during times of peace, shinobi go to battle around the age of ten, and the average lifespan of both shinobi and civilians has increased to over fifty years. This is the contribution of the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan in establishing this era!"
Uchiha Yoru's serious mention of these facts and his objective perspective made Shisui, though uncomfortable, acknowledge the truth. Uchiha Itachi, on the other hand, seemed to have opened a new world, his eyes shining with hope.
"The Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan, who established the Five Great Nations Era, jointly founded the current Land of Fire and Konoha. The name 'Konoha' comes from the Senju Clan's Wood Release, and the title 'Hokage' of the Land of Fire originates from the Uchiha Clan's Fire Release.
At this point, Uchiha Yoru's face showed pride and confidence. He patted Uchiha Itachi's shoulder and said, "The true Will of Fire is the Uchiha Clan's Fire Release igniting the Senju Clan's Wood Release tree, with the leaves burning and dancing in the sky. This is the origin of the Will of Fire."
"Where the leaves of Konoha dance, the fire burns eternally. The flames will continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout." Uchiha Yoru murmured this, and Uchiha Itachi and Shisui both looked at him with a glimmer of hope.
"This is the Will of Fire, meaning that under the dancing leaves of the Senju Clan's Konoha, the Uchiha Clan's fire burns eternally. The Uchiha Clan's Fire Release will be the light that protects Konoha, while the Senju Clan's will protect the new future and allow it to sprout again."
Uchiha Yoru exuded a sacred aura, like a beacon of light in the darkness, guiding the two who were lost in the shadows.
These words were not just idle talk. Konoha was indeed established by the Senju and Uchiha Clans, along with many smaller clans. Otherwise, why would the First Hokage's Wood Release and the Second Hokage's Water Release be called Hokage? That would be ridiculous.
Indeed, the village's Kage is not called the Wood Kage, Water Kage, or even the Forbidden Jutsu Kage, but rather Hokage. At this moment, young Uchiha Itachi seemed to have opened a new perspective, and his face showed excitement. He nodded earnestly, "Teacher Yoru, Uchiha Itachi understands. The village protected by the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan is the true Will of Fire."
Seeing Uchiha Itachi find his life's purpose, Shisui looked somewhat bewildered, feeling something was off, but upon further reflection, Big Brother Yoru was right. Wasn't the Uchiha Clan supposed to protect Konoha?
Looking at the two, Uchiha Yoru smiled and nodded, "The Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan jointly founded Konoha, becoming the unshakable rulers of this land. Many smaller clans then came to join, including the Nara Clan, Akimichi Clan, Yamanaka Clan, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the Shimura Clan. The Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan took on the responsibility of protecting the weak."
"This is the past contribution of the Uchiha Clan, a contribution that cannot be erased from the entire shinobi world. Next, let's talk about the mistakes."
At this point, Uchiha Yoru's previously sacred gaze dimmed, as if his firm belief had faltered. Shisui clearly knew what was coming next and hesitated to speak, but then remembered that as the son of the clan leader, Uchiha Itachi needed to know these things, so he remained silent.
"With the establishment of the Land of Fire and Konoha, they became the unshakable rulers of this land. This led to other forces forming their own countries to avoid being annexed, which is the current state of the shinobi world."
"After the Warring States Era, the current shinobi era emerged. However, the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan had differing views on how to proceed."
"Differences?" Uchiha Itachi looked curious, while Shisui, recalling the clan's historical records, felt a deep sense of despair.
Looking at the two, Uchiha Yoru sighed with a touch of melancholy, "The Senju Clan believed that peace was hard-won and did not want to go to war with other countries. For peace and balance among the great shinobi villages, they distributed the Tailed Beasts to the Five Great Nations."
"The Uchiha Clan, however, had a different view. They believed that the current peace was only temporary and that a lasting peace required bloodshed. They intended to unify the shinobi world with the Senju Clan, enduring short-term pain for long-term peace. This is the origin of the differences."
"Later..." Uchiha Yoru, taking an objective stance, slowly recounted the conflict between the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan and the eventual formation of the Uchiha Clan as the Police Force.
After Uchiha Yoru finished, Shisui frowned in deep thought. The historical records he had read matched what Big Brother Yoru had said, but after reading them alone, he had always believed the clan was wrong, leading to the conflict with the village, and thus considered it taboo. However, today, as an observer, listening to someone else's account, it seemed to open a different world for him.
Now, Shisui was not thinking about the conflict between the clan and the village, which he already knew, but about the events leading up to the conflict.
Was the Uchiha Clan wrong? Then was the Senju Clan right?
Peace, following the fall of the Senju Clan, led to war. The Tailed Beasts, meant to balance the Five Great Nations, became war machines, leading to the First, Second, and brutal Third Great Shinobi Wars. How long ago was all of this? It seemed the Senju Clan was not right either.
So was the Uchiha Clan right? It seemed not.
At this moment, Shisui was filled with confusion. Where was the path to peace? The Uchiha Clan's path to war was wrong, but the Senju Clan ultimately led to war as well.
While Shisui was lost in thought, young Uchiha Itachi, despite his early maturity, was only six years old. Upon learning the true Will of Fire, his face showed a hint of pride.
"Teacher Yoru, Uchiha Itachi understands. The Will of Fire is the Uchiha Clan and the Senju Clan protecting the countless weak."
At this moment, in the young and confused mind of Uchiha Itachi, a proud and lifelong belief took root: the Uchiha Clan protects the village.
Seeing this, Uchiha Yoru smiled. What he said was not a lie. The Uchiha Clan and the Senju Clan did protect Konoha. But what would happen if Uchiha Itachi learned that the people he protected were now trying to overthrow those who once protected them?
From the original story, it is clear that in Uchiha Itachi's belief, the Hokage is the sacred protector of the village, while the Uchiha Clan has become an unstable factor. Now, he was reversing this: the Uchiha Clan is the protector of Konoha, but the village is now trying to overthrow and destroy those who once protected it. What would he do then?
"Teacher Yoru, if the shinobi world had only the Land of Fire and Konoha, would there be no war?"
The six-year-old Uchiha Itachi, still young, asked this question out of curiosity. After learning the true Will of Fire, he naturally became very interested in the village's history and the differences between the Uchiha Clan and the Senju Clan.
Practice has shown that the Senju Clan's peace ideology failed, or at least only lasted for a short time.
The simple curiosity of the six-year-old Uchiha Itachi opened a new direction for the confused Shisui.
Seeing Shisui's changing expression and Uchiha Itachi's innocent and hopeful question, Uchiha Yoru smiled bitterly and shook his head, "Uchiha Itachi, you are still young. I cannot give you an answer to this question, and neither can anyone in the shinobi world. There has never been an answer, so there is no right or wrong."
"Ha ha, you are only six years old. Why think so much? Your primary goal now is to graduate from the Ninja Academy, become the pride of your clan, and lead the Uchiha Clan to continue protecting Konoha. This is your life goal. Don't overthink it."
Seemingly unable to find the right answer, Uchiha Yoru laughed, ruffled Uchiha Itachi's young head, and put the question out of his mind. But in the young heart of Uchiha Itachi, a simple and curious seed was planted.
Even at six years old, Uchiha Itachi was already imagining that if the shinobi world had only the Land of Fire and Konoha, there would be no war at the borders.
Beside him, Uchiha Shisui looked at his revered Big Brother Yoru with a complex expression, "Under the Senju Clan's peace ideology, the shinobi world has experienced three great wars in just a few decades. What if the Uchiha Clan's ideology had been implemented?"
Faced with Shisui's question, Uchiha Yoru feigned surprise and then laughed, "Shisui, don't overthink it. This is history. I'm just giving Uchiha Itachi an objective account, which he needs to understand as the son of the clan leader."
Though he said nothing, Shisui lowered his head, his mind filled with countless thoughts.
The Senju Clan's peace ideology seemed to have failed to bring peace, instead transforming the clan wars of the past into the current nation wars. The only difference was that many small conflicts had become large-scale wars.
What was the difference between the many clans in Konoha and the major nations of the current shinobi world? It was just a smaller version.
Uchiha Shisui saw more, which was why he was even more alarmed. The various clans in the village were excluding the Uchiha Clan, not just because of the fear of the Nine-Tails, but also for some interests.
The interests of the Uchiha Clan!
Thinking of this, Shisui felt a cold sweat on his back. The suspicion of the Nine-Tails was just a signal, showing the opportunity for other clans to gain a piece of the Uchiha Clan's interests.
"Thank you, Teacher Yoru. Uchiha Itachi understands the Will of Fire." At six years old, Uchiha Itachi seemed to have found a glimmer of hope in his confusion, his face showing a young and determined smile.
Seeing the smile on the young Uchiha Itachi's face, Uchiha Yoru also looked pleased and praised, "Uchiha Itachi, you are doing well. Try to graduate early."
Hearing this, Uchiha Itachi nodded firmly, "Teacher Yoru, rest assured. I will work hard."
Uchiha Itachi, though mature for his age, was still a six-year-old child. Uchiha Yoru, squinting his eyes, then noticed Shisui, who seemed to have scared himself pale. He had a plan in mind.
"Shisui? Shisui, what are you thinking about? Remember to guide Uchiha Itachi more in the future."
Shisui, who was snapped out of his daze by a pat on the shoulder, was momentarily stunned. Then, under Uchiha Yoru's reminder, he forced a smile and nodded, "Big Brother Yoru, rest assured. I will guide Uchiha Itachi well."
Clearly, the more mature Shisui had already taken a wrong turn, or rather, his thoughts had taken a turn for the worse, thinking too much.
However, this was what Uchiha Yoru wanted to see. He chuckled and patted Shisui's shoulder.
"Shisui, you can't be like this. You're not even as good as Uchiha Itachi. Look, Uchiha Itachi knows that fire represents the Uchiha Clan, and the Will of Fire is the Uchiha Clan."
In his casual teasing, the three Uchiha Clan members had three different thoughts.
Uchiha Yoru was deep in thought, laying the groundwork and ensuring he did not relax his supervision of Uchiha Itachi, otherwise, his adopted disciple might really end up benefiting someone else.
As for Shisui, he was not a concern. Shisui's thoughts were already mature, and from the anime, it was clear that though Shisui was powerful, he preferred to rely on others rather than change things with his own strength.
In the anime, Shisui relied on the Hokage system, which is why, when his mental support collapsed, he chose to escape reality by committing suicide.
In short, he had great power but relied on others for the future of the clan rather than using his own strength to change everything.
At this moment, Shisui forced a smile, but his heart was filled with shock. He could only hope that Orochimaru would quickly become the Fifth Hokage, giving the Uchiha Clan a chance.
The youngest Uchiha Itachi, however, was deep in thought. The Will of Fire was proposed by the Uchiha Clan, which meant that the Uchiha Clan was the Will of Fire, right? Thinking of this, he smiled, but he still had a lingering doubt.
That was, who was stronger: the strongest Third Hokage, who brought peace to the chaotic era, or the First Hokage?
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(End of Chapter)