Hiruzen Sarutobi took the diary and opened it.
The moment he looked through it, the words in the diary immediately drew him in, leaving him deeply engrossed and unable to pull himself away.
That damned, visible Will of Fire.
The diary entries had begun at the end of last semester.
July 1st.
Hiruzen Sarutobi clearly remembered that day. It was when he had gone to the Ninja Academy to speak about the Will of Fire.
Uchiha Tunan's performance in the audience had caught his attention as well.
He had never expected this little fellow to gain so many unique insights from just one speech.
Many of those insights were things even he had never considered.
And judging from the contents of the diary, his status as Hokage was clearly higher in the boy's heart than that of his parents and clan members.
More than ninety percent of each diary entry was about him.
His parents and clan members were mostly mentioned only in passing.
This child had awakened the Sharingan at only six years old and could even briefly exchange blows with Kakashi.
He was already a rare genius.
With just a little training, along with the occasional personal instillation of the Will of Fire...
He would surely become a trusted confidant in the future.
By the time this child grew up, he probably would not disobey even if asked to personally destroy the Uchiha Clan.
He was one of his own. He had to be properly nurtured and protected.
At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi had already regarded Uchiha Tunan as one of his own.
"This little fellow is someone who can inherit the Will of Fire. Do you think he needs any help right now?"
The Anbu were all astute people. The moment they heard Hiruzen Sarutobi ask that, they naturally understood that he intended to cultivate and win over Uchiha Tunan, so they immediately responded:
"Your subordinate investigated it. When Uchiha Tunan's parents left, they left him quite a bit of money.
However, he seems to have spent most of it on many unnecessary books.
Your subordinate means the ninja books kept in the cabinet.
His money should no longer be enough to cover his ordinary living expenses.
Your subordinate opened the refrigerator in his home. There were only vegetables inside, no meat.
If this continues, he will likely become malnourished."
Short on money...
That made sense. Before awakening the Sharingan, he had ranked at the bottom in both ninjutsu and taijutsu. It was only natural that he would want to become stronger.
Buying a large number of ninja books was normal too. It was just that the little fellow had probably realized after reading them that those books could not improve his strength at all.
He could consider it money spent on a lesson.
But since the boy was one of his own, he naturally could not be treated poorly.
This was also a good opportunity to bring them closer together.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction and handed the diary to the Anbu.
"Very good. It seems you are quite meticulous. Return the diary to that little fellow.
Do not let anyone discover that you were there."
"Yes."
The next second, the Anbu vanished.
The following day, Uchiha Tunan was attending class.
Outside the classroom, a ninja teacher called Mizuki Uno, who was teaching, out and spoke to him for a few moments.
Mizuki Uno immediately returned to the classroom and said to Uchiha Tunan, "Tunan, someone is looking for you in the classroom office."
Uchiha Tunan nodded, stood up, left the classroom, and followed the ninja teacher to the classroom office.
As he walked down the corridor, Uchiha Tunan had already roughly guessed who was looking for him.
After all, aside from his classmates and clan members, he did not know anyone in Konoha.
It could not be his classmates. If it were his clan members, whatever it was could wait until he got home.
Moreover, the system had not notified him that his parents had died, nor was there anything that would make his clan members come looking for him at school.
That made it obvious. The only person who could be looking for him was the Third Hokage.
"The person looking for you is inside. Go in yourself." When the ninja teacher reached the office door, he stopped and had Uchiha Tunan enter alone.
Clearly, the person inside held a very high position in Konoha if a ninja teacher was standing guard outside.
That meant the visitor could only be the Third Hokage.
Wearing a puzzled expression, Uchiha Tunan pushed open the door and looked inside.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was seated behind the desk, looking at him with a kind expression.
The confusion in Uchiha Tunan's eyes faded, and the expression on his face swiftly turned into a mixture of surprise and joy.
His mouth opened, but he was too excited to say anything. As though he had encountered his idol, he was too timid to take a step forward.
He could only stand there blankly.
"Tunan, right? Come in quickly and close the door." Hiruzen Sarutobi was extremely satisfied with Uchiha Tunan's appearance.
"Oh! Okay." Uchiha Tunan clumsily shut the door, rushed to Hiruzen Sarutobi's side, and scratched his head with a silly grin.
"Child, there is no need to be nervous. Although I am the Hokage, in my eyes, all of you are like my own children." With a kind expression, Hiruzen Sarutobi reached out and gently stroked Uchiha Tunan's head.
Uchiha Tunan narrowed his eyes in enjoyment, as though he were receiving the caress of a family member.
"I came to see you this time because I heard that your parents have gone to the front lines to fight, leaving you alone at home.
You have had it hard lately. If you have any difficulties in your daily life, you can tell me." Like an old grandfather next door, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke with concern.
Uchiha Tunan looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, immediately adopting a resolute expression as he said:
"Lord Hokage, I have not had it hard at all. It is not like you, working day and night for the villagers.
The war is so intense now. You must have many things to handle every day.
Even though you are so busy, you still took time to care about me. I..."
As Uchiha Tunan spoke, his voice became choked with sobs. Then he used his sleeve to wipe away his tears.
"Good child, you are Konoha's future.
Wherever the leaves dance, the fire burns on.
As long as you grow up healthy, no amount of hardship on my part will be in vain."
After Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, he picked up the envelope on the desk and stuffed it into Uchiha Tunan's hand.
"I actually noticed you long ago. I watched your match with Kakashi as well.
The Sharingan is indeed powerful, but your physical condition truly cannot keep up.
Take this money and buy something good to eat. Build up your body.
Training is something that consumes a great deal of energy and focus.
If you do not have enough money, you can come to the Hokage's office and find me anytime.
In any case, I have nowhere to spend that little salary of mine. It can be used to nurture Konoha's next generation."
Upon hearing that, Uchiha Tunan looked at the envelope in his hand and swallowed.
Like a child who had thought of something delicious.
Then he shook his head and pushed the envelope back.
"No, Lord Hokage. You work so hard. You should be the one buying more good food and taking care of your health.
If your body gives out, Konoha will be finished too.
I can find food myself."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was even more satisfied with Uchiha Tunan's response. He stuffed the envelope back into Uchiha Tunan's hand and clasped it with his large, thick palm.
"Take it, child. Konoha will still need you to inherit the Will of Fire in the future."
By then, Uchiha Tunan's face was covered in tears. He looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with deep emotion and said:
"Thank you. No one has ever treated me this well.
I will work hard to become an outstanding ninja, carry forward the Will of Fire,
uphold your ideals, Lord Hokage, and swear to protect Konoha to the death."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and nodded. "Very good. I look forward to the day you become a ninja.
I also came this time because I wanted to hear your views on the Will of Fire."
Before you continue