Inside the office, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Fugaku sat together enjoying snacks and tea, chatting casually as they looked through the venetian blinds toward the center of the training field.
The Third Hokage took a sip of tea and sighed with emotion. "Uchiha Mai, Obito, Asuma, Yūhi Kurenai… they're all very talented children. Leaving Mai and Asuma aside, I've reviewed Obito's records as well. His theoretical knowledge is a mess, but his practical combat ability is above average. What's strange is that in every category of hands-on training, once he's had time to familiarize himself, his performance improves dramatically."
"That kind of growth reminds me very much of Jiraiya back in the day - someone who looked like hopeless deadwood at first glance, but was actually a ninja with great potential. His future is promising."
"He's just an ordinary child, hardly deserving such high praise from the Hokage," Fugaku replied modestly, though inwardly he was panicking hard.
When someone from the Hokage's faction praised a young Uchiha's prospects, what did that really mean? Genuine appreciation - or a warning?
Fugaku leaned toward the latter. After all, that little brat Mai had been beating Asuma far too frequently lately. The old man was probably having trouble saving face.
Hiruzen smiled, set his teacup down, and continued his commentary. "That girl Kurenai has inherited her father Shinku's outstanding talent for genjutsu. She'll become an excellent ninja in the future as well. As for Nohara Rin and Might Guy, their talents are average, but among civilian-born ninjas, they're still quite good. Especially the latter - his level of determination is worthy of being upheld as a model for Konoha."
"They're all good children. They all have bright futures ahead of them."
The ninja world wasn't just about fighting and killing - it was about human relationships.
With the number of civilian ninjas in Konoha steadily increasing, and geniuses like Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Minato emerging one after another, public support was something that absolutely had to be secured.
Why keep Nohara Rin and Might Guy? Anyone who understood politics understood why.
The Third Hokage suddenly changed the subject. "However, being a ninja of Konoha requires more than just talent. One must also understand the Will of Fire."
"Back then, Lord Tobirama and I went to the Land of Lightning to sign a peace treaty. Unexpectedly, we were ambushed by the rebel Kinkaku and Ginkaku forces and were pushed to the brink of annihilation. Dozens of Konoha's core fighters were about to perish on enemy soil."
"At that moment, Lord Tobirama spoke. He asked: 'Who among you is willing to die with me, to serve as bait and hold back Kinkaku and Ginkaku?'"
"Everyone hesitated - for just an instant. Only I stepped forward without a second thought. The ending, as you all know, is history."
"Lord Tobirama personally appointed me as the Third Hokage, then gave his life without hesitation to buy precious time for the main force to retreat."
"At that time, I was not the most outstanding among us. Danzō, who trained alongside me under Lord Tobirama, was actually stronger than I was back then."
"So why did Lord Tobirama choose me as the Third Hokage? Because I had comprehended the Will of Fire."
For those in power, legitimacy had to be established. Hiruzen's legitimacy stemmed from that moment - when he stepped forward and declared his willingness to die alongside Senju Tobirama.
Because of that, the Third Hokage would bring this story up whenever he got the chance, tying it neatly into yet another explanation of the Will of Fire.
As for what the Will of Fire actually was, no one could really define it clearly.
Sometimes it meant selflessness. Sometimes it meant sacrificing the individual for the greater good. Sometimes it meant preserving hope like an unextinguished flame.
This ambiguity was extremely advantageous to Hiruzen. Because the definition was vague, the Hokage could interpret it however he wished - according to circumstance and need.
The ultimate authority on the Will of Fire rested with the Hokage himself.
"The Hokage's spirit of self-sacrifice is something we should all learn from," Fugaku said, clapping enthusiastically and smoothly flattering the Third Hokage.
In comedy terms, when the straight man sets up the punchline, the partner has to catch it.
"It was merely the natural choice of anyone who has truly grasped the Will of Fire," Hiruzen replied modestly, waving his hand - while casually pushing those who hadn't stepped forward back then, such as Danzō, Koharu, and Homura, onto the opposing side of the Will of Fire.
A masterful move.
After finishing his self-praise and reinforcing his legitimacy, Hiruzen finally returned to the main topic. "That is why I am very curious."
"Only two of them may join Minato's team. The other four will be eliminated."
"When faced with this situation… who will be the first to comprehend the Will of Fire, step forward, and voluntarily withdraw to fulfill the others?"
Here it comes - Konoha's signature routine. The little test during team assignments.
After all, tests didn't come in only one flavor. Bell-grabbing wasn't the only option.
"It will definitely be your son, Asuma!" Fugaku immediately delivered another round of flattery. "Your understanding of the Will of Fire is beyond our reach, Hokage-sama."
"Asuma grew up immersed in that philosophy. Surely he understands the Will of Fire deeply. Though he bullies classmates, extorts protection fees, skips class, pranks teachers, and smokes, I believe he is a good child."
"When the time comes, he will make the correct choice."
Honestly, what even was the Will of Fire? It was whatever Hiruzen said it was - of course his understanding was 'deep.'
The Uchiha had always been a thorn in the Hokage faction's side, and Danzō's group never missed a chance to spread the theory that the Uchiha were a threat.
Life as clan head was genuinely exhausting for Fugaku. Constantly flattering the Third Hokage - maybe not outright groveling, but certainly bending over backward.
"That's not necessarily the case."
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With a classic overconfident line straight out of a card-game anime, the Third Hokage smiled and said, "Uchiha Mai stepping forward first is also entirely possible."
"I've heard that he gets along well with Might Guy and Yūhi Kurenai, and that he shares clan ties with Obito."
"Aren't the Uchiha known as the clan of love? Willingly sacrificing oneself to fulfill one's companions - that would be a greater love."
"If it's Mai, then yes, it's certainly possible," Fugaku nodded. "Among the Uchiha, no one is kinder in how they treat others than he is."
"Then let us wait and see," Hiruzen said with a smile.
On the training field, the six students froze after hearing Namikaze Minato's announcement.
What did this mean? Only two could pass, and the rest would be eliminated? That elimination rate was absurdly high.
If they were eliminated, wouldn't years of effort be completely wasted?
Uchiha Mai quickly ran the numbers in his head. That only two could join Minato's team was likely true. That the other four would be unable to become ninjas, however, was highly questionable.
Konoha had always loved playing mind games with children.
Among the six present, even the weakest - Nohara Rin - was still quite capable compared to civilian-born ninjas.
Even if they couldn't enter an elite squad, there was no reason to reject them outright.
More importantly, with the ninja world in turmoil and all villages racing to expand their military strength, it was impossible that Konoha would discard capable manpower.
The reality was far less cruel than Minato's words made it sound.
Which meant that standing out in this game and joining Minato's team was not only necessary - but could be done without any psychological burden at all.
(End of Chapter)
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