Indeed, I don't quite understand the depth of your current pain. Why does a loving family have to be divided into main and branch families, and why does the main family enslave the branch family members? And unfortunately, you are one of those who are enslaved."
"..."
Ayane bit her lip, stubbornly meeting Shiraishi's gaze, completely fearless.
"Then let's think a bit deeper. What do you think of this village?"
"The village?"
"Simply put, do you think the village's current practices are right? Is the Will of Fire correct?"
"Are you an idiot? Of course, the Will of Fire is correct. It's the seed of will spread by the First Hokage-sama."
Ayane answered straightforwardly.
For those who grew up in Konoha Village, the First Hokage was a very great and remarkable ninja.
He ended the strife of the Warring States period and established the one-country, one-village system.
Konoha's current glory is inseparable from the outstanding contributions of the First Hokage.
Ayane's words made Shiraishi clap his hands, seemingly applauding her answer.
"Is that so? The God of Shinobi was indeed a remarkable man. But why does the Will of Fire, which explicitly mentions protecting young children, now send children under ten to the battlefield? Doesn't that seem very contradictory?"
"Of course it's..."
At this point, Ayane couldn't answer.
Instead, she froze.
Although she wanted to refute, what Shiraishi said didn't seem to be a baseless argument.
Because such things were truly happening within Konoha Village.
"Still haven't seen the truth of the matter? Let's look at it from another angle. The Will of Fire strives to make everything within equal and loving, so why does your Hyuga family's tradition continue? Could it be that after you were branded as a 'slave,' you would truly love anyone again? See the main family who enslaved you as family? Then you truly are remarkable. You shouldn't have fallen into such utter humility, have you?"
After hearing Shiraishi's 'Will of Fire' deconstruction, his rebellious remarks, Ayane's eyes immediately grew complicated. Leaning against the tree, she couldn't say a word, her heart caught in a struggle.
Thinking carefully, what Shiraishi said wasn't heresy, but the truth laid bare before everyone.
Indeed, she had been branded with the Caged Bird Seal by the main family, marked as a 'slave.' What was there left in the Hyuga clan for her to deeply love?
The Will of Fire always promoted love and mutual aid, that everyone would be one family. Yet, it condoned the cruel traditions of the Hyuga clan. Why didn't the Hokage restrict and abolish it?
Were branch family members born to be slaves to the main family?
Were the lives and dignity of branch family members so insignificant?
Why did they do this?
Treating clansmen as 'slaves,' was that what a so-called family should do?
At this moment, Ayane only saw the cold-blooded and ruthless side of her family.
Ayane also suddenly realized how hypocritical and ridiculous the 'Will of Fire' she had learned was.
Gradually, everything in this village made her feel incredibly dirty and disgusted.
"What... do you plan to do? I don't believe that you, who hid your strength in school, don't have some unknown purpose?"
Ayane hesitated for a moment, asking softly.
"I do have a purpose, but saying it's 'unknown' is a bit much. In your eyes now, could I be even more hypocritical than the Hyuga clan and Konoha?"
Shiraishi laughed a little and said.
Ayane's words made him disagree.
He wasn't doing anything illicit.
He was merely explaining the truth to Ayane, helping her emerge from despair and regain her composure.
And this truth, Ayane couldn't refute, nor did she need to.
Because everything Shiraishi said was based on truth. No matter how much one tried to cover it up or smear it, these were undeniable facts.
Shiraishi stepped back, releasing Ayane's body. His calm smile contained an undeniable power that immediately made Ayane lose herself:
"I just simply find this village, and this world, rather boring. Whether it's the war going on outside or the Will of Fire practiced in the village, to me, they are all just incredibly boring things."
Shiraishi didn't feel his posture was arrogant; he was merely speaking his true thoughts.
Although the Will of Fire was a will created by the God of Shinobi, Shiraishi believed that anyone with sufficient understanding of society would disdain such an illusory and empty will.
There was nothing commendable about this will.
Not only was its content vague, but even those who inherited this will couldn't fully implement it.
This was the greatest tragedy.
Ultimately, it was the difference in Shiraishi's and the ninja world residents' understanding of society and the world, as well as their levels of comprehension, that led to this ideological divergence.
"So, Ayane, entrust all your hatred and grievances to me. I will bear this pain with you, because we are now the ones who truly understand the truth of the Will of Fire."
Shiraishi spoke in a gentle voice, steadily extending his hand.
Ayane also involuntarily reached out her hand. In that brief moment, she felt that her future days would be entirely dominated by the boy in front of her.
But she didn't feel any regret.
She hated her family.
She also began to despise this village full of hypocrisy and emptiness.
She wanted to live more authentically, to live a life of flesh and blood.
She didn't want to be anyone's slave; she wanted to live happily and freely.
Shiraishi placed his other hand on Ayane's face, gently wiping away the tears from her eyes.
"That's good. I'll wipe away your tears for you. Remember one thing: always show hatred for the main family in your eyes, because the more you hate them, the more at ease they will be with you."
"...Yes, I understand, Shiraishi-kun. To be honest, I didn't expect you to be such a terrifying person..."
Ayane pressed her long black hair, revealing a sigh-like smile, a faint blush coloring her face.
"Terrifying?"
Upon hearing Ayane's assessment, Shiraishi shook his head and laughed:
"What are you saying? I'm not even a ninja right now, just an unknown person in the ninja world. You must remember that, Ayane."
Shiraishi looked up at the moon, which had already risen in the night sky. The moonlight was gentle and serene, casting a warm glow into the dark forest.
"Tonight's moonlight is truly beautiful. It seems tomorrow will be a clear day..."
"Yes..."