Chapter 102: Forbearance? Then Haven't All My Efforts Been for Nothing?!
This question immediately put Akiyama Makoto on high alert. The answer seemed simple enough; he just had to follow Sarutobi Hiruzen's lead. Normally, as a civilian who wasn't even a ninja, what right did he have to define the Will of Fire? And yet, Hiruzen was asking him to do just that.
"No need to hold back. Speak freely. We are used to thinking like ninja. Perhaps it's time we listened to the opinions of a civilian."
Hiruzen smiled kindly, but Makoto didn't believe his words for a second. The Will of Fire was not just a slogan; it was tantamount to Konoha's political platform, the bottom line used to unite everyone. As a ninja, one had to sacrifice for the village when necessary, becoming the flame that nurtured Konoha's new leaves. As a civilian, one had to endure the hardships of war and strive for the village's revival and strength.
There was no right or wrong in this; its very existence did not allow for questioning. Although Hiruzen wasn't asking him to question it, he was asking him to offer a different perspective, which in itself was pushing him onto a tightrope.
Why was he doing this? And what kind of answer did he want?
He hadn't gotten an answer from his simulations before, which meant that something must have changed in the short time since his last one. Had his relationship with Kurenai Yūhi warmed up too quickly, causing Hiruzen's displeasure? After all, Sarutobi Asuma should have already begun his pursuit of her by now. For Hiruzen to feel displeased that he was getting close to his future daughter-in-law would be normal. Or was it because Danzō was fanning the flames, wanting Hiruzen to take this opportunity to test his allegiance?
Without any intelligence, even with his experience as a Kage's advisor, he couldn't figure it out.
Time passed, second by second. He, who was pretending to be deep in thought, was running out of time. Many of his friends in the audience also grew nervous, realizing that if he didn't answer this question well, losing face would be a minor issue; he might even incur the dislike of many people. It seemed Hiruzen hadn't just come to support him, but to test him.
Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps came from the distance.
Might Guy, leading Lee and Neji, ran over quickly. Guy was even shouting loudly.
"Lee! Neji! The last three hundred meters! Full-speed charge!"
"Come on! Let your youth burn!"
"Oooooh!" Lee shrieked, transforming into a gust of wind.
Neji's face was dark, but he also sped up.
Only after the three of them got closer did they sense that the atmosphere wasn't quite right.
Hiruzen knew Guy's strength and naturally wouldn't make things difficult for him. "Guy, thank you for your hard work on the mission. Find a place to sit."
"As you command, Lord Hokage." Guy was, of course, respectful in the face of the Hokage. He just glanced at Makoto with a puzzled expression, not yet realizing what was happening. But when he followed Hiruzen's gaze to him, he immediately understood: he was being put on the spot.
Just as he was wondering if he could help, Makoto suddenly laughed.
"Lord Hokage, may I be allowed to tell a story?"
Hiruzen chuckled. "You're an author. You're naturally best at telling stories, and I love listening to them. Go on."
Makoto nodded. "The story begins on the day I almost died, and then struggled back to life."
He briefly recounted the story of how he was nearly beaten to death just for yawning late at night, and then rescued by others. Many ninja already knew about this incident; after all, Konoha was a small circle. They just hadn't expected him to dare to tell this story in front of so many people, as it was tantamount to exposing the scandal of discord between Konoha's ninja and its civilians.
Sure enough, Hiruzen's smile also became a little stiff. He had indeed wanted to test him, but he hadn't intended for him to slap him in his old face.
Fortunately, Makoto then changed the subject, not commenting on the issue itself.
"I ask everyone to consider: with such an experience, what kind of expectation would I have for the Will of Fire?"
He looked around, and only after seeing everyone begin to think deeply did he say, "My answer is that the Will of Fire should be a will of unity, a method that allows everyone, regardless of whether they are ninja or civilian, to live equally in Konoha, and to work together for the prosperity of the village."
"I hope that one day, there will no longer be a class gap between the great clans, ordinary families, and common people in the village. I hope everyone can be integrated into one big family, and the barriers between people can be completely eliminated."
"I know this may be very difficult, but I will try to do it, as an ordinary person. I ask everyone to witness my efforts."
After he finished speaking, no one applauded, because they were all looking at Hiruzen.
He seemed expressionless, but in reality, he felt a faint toothache. The Will of Fire that Makoto spoke of was naive and idealistic. But this understanding of it came from the First Hokage. It was his original vision for the village, the original version of the Will of Fire. It was under Hashirama's influence that the Senju clan had integrated into the village, choosing to sacrifice their own clan for Konoha's development and growth.
The result, of course, was that the Sarutobi and other original partner clans rose to power. And today, with the Uchiha clan destroyed, the Sarutobi had become the largest clan in Konoha. In other words, the current power structure of the village was a product of the original Will of Fire's legacy. Hiruzen theoretically could not oppose the First Hokage's ideals. But if he were to inherit and promote this version of the Will of Fire, he would have to turn on his own clan, which was absolutely impossible.
At this point, Hiruzen felt as if he had shot himself in the foot. Before coming, he had listened to Danzō's advice and had originally intended to use this opportunity to discipline him, to make him understand that he could only be a follower of the Will of Fire, and that even if he became famous, he had to write ideologically correct works.
But instead, he had brought out the theories of the First Hokage, leaving Hiruzen with no way to accuse him of being wrong. It was just as Danzō had said: this young man was not willing to follow him one hundred percent and had his own ambitions. However, what Danzō said wasn't entirely correct either. A person with the ideas of the First Hokage might not listen to his commands, but he probably wouldn't be a harm to Konoha either. As for whether he might say one thing and do another, Hiruzen wasn't worried.
Many of Konoha's influential ninja were present today, and his words would spread throughout the village. Unless he wanted to have no place to stand in Konoha, he could only walk the path of the First Hokage from now on. One had to know that in Konoha, rumors could kill. The result of him practicing the First Hokage's Will of Fire would certainly be him hitting a wall everywhere. When he finally gave up, Hiruzen could come and discipline him then—at least, that's what Hiruzen thought.
"Mm, very much in the ideal style of the First Hokage. No wonder you started your novel with Uchiha Madara."
Hiruzen clapped lightly, and only then did the ninja and civilians in the audience begin to cheer for him.
Makoto waved with a smile. He knew he had passed this test. But it was only just passing. What Hiruzen had expected was for him to unconditionally support his Will of Fire. After all, in his eyes, he should be considered his direct subordinate.
But how could he have known that in Makoto's eyes, he only had a few months left to live? There was no way he would be foolish enough to tie himself to him at this time. What's more, with his current strength, he would not allow himself to become Hiruzen's puppet, to be manipulated by him for the next few months. Even if he sicced that dog named Danzō on him, it was impossible!
What's that you say? Forbearance? The Makoto from three months ago would have certainly chosen forbearance. But today, after working so hard to get here, if he still practiced forbearance, then haven't all his efforts been for nothing?!
Afterward, Hiruzen verbally praised him a few more times and then returned the stage to him.
His book signing officially began. People bought the book and then lined up to wait for his signature.
Hiruzen naturally didn't want his signature. He just symbolically bought a book and then returned to the Hokage's Office. There, Shimura Danzō was waiting for him.
Danzō was, as always, expressionless, but when he spoke, Hiruzen could almost hear the mockery jumping from his mouth.
"Sarutobi, I told you. He is an unstable element. He will not obediently follow you."
"Let me deal with him now while he's still small, before his fame grows and he stirs up trouble in Konoha."
Hiruzen ignored his words and instead asked a rather direct question.
"Danzō, aren't you a little too interested in him?"
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