Few People Understood the Will of Fire

"What are you talking about? I don't understand a word..."

"Nothing, Teacher. Goodbye."

Shisui waved goodbye.

He still hadn't understood, and continued searching for the answer.

Kyoichi watched the two of them leave and sighed inwardly.

In Konoha, the Uchiha weren't the only clan that had carved out a corner for itself, practically becoming a village within the village.

There was another clan like that.

The Hyuga Clan!

At least the Uchiha sent people to study at the Ninja Academy every year. The Hyuga Clan, on the other hand, hardly sent anyone to the academy. Most of their education was conducted within the clan.

However.

Only the Uchiha were targeted. The Hyuga had never suffered any policy-based suppression, and the reason wasn't merely that the Uchiha Clan was supposedly "harboring ulterior motives."

Even so.

Even if Shisui became Clan Head and led his people to become "good" Uchiha, Danzo might not be willing to lower his blade.

When it came to his attitude toward the Uchiha, he was even more extreme than the Third Hokage.

If Shisui couldn't figure out the reason for the divide between the Uchiha and Konoha's civilians, there was no need to elaborate on these matters.

Kyoichi turned around and headed for Ichiraku Ramen.

As for the Third Hokage...

What was there to worry about?

The Third Hokage and Danzo were different, after all.

Kyoichi had only interacted with Shisui because of their teacher-student relationship, allowing Shisui to help the civilians together with Obito and work for free. The Third Hokage would have to thank him for that!

He arrived at Ichiraku Ramen.

Just as he was about to sit down, a figure hurried toward him.

Whoosh~

A sound rang out.

A masked Anbu shinobi appeared.

"Kanda Kyoichi, Lord Third has ordered you to go to the Hokage Building."

"Me?"

"Yes."

"All right. I'll be there right away."

Kyoichi was surprised.

However.

The other party had a clear target. He was obviously here for Kyoichi.

Without thinking too much about it, he followed the Anbu shinobi toward the Hokage Building. Both of them used the Body Flicker Technique and moved extremely fast, reaching the Hokage Building in just a few seconds.

"Lord Third, I've brought him."

"You may leave."

"Yes!"

The Anbu shinobi vanished.

Inside the office, only the Third Hokage and Kanda Kyoichi remained.

The Third Hokage removed his hat and stood up with a kindly smile, looking Kyoichi up and down before sighing, "I didn't expect you to have grown so much after all these years!"

"Lord Third, you know me?"

Kyoichi was slightly surprised.

"Of course. Your grandmother and my teacher were close relatives. When you were born, I even held you in my arms."

The Third Hokage spoke with a kindly smile.

"This... I don't think Grandma ever mentioned that."

Kyoichi scratched his head bashfully and gave an awkward smile.

However.

He knew the truth in his heart.

Whether that had really happened was hard to say—

Most likely, it hadn't.

But there was no need to expose him. The Third Hokage had been using all sorts of gestures to draw closer to him ever since he entered the room. Clearly, he wanted to win Kyoichi over.

That was better than Yuanju.

"Hehehe, if you count it up, you're practically my nephew. Sit down. Let's chat like family."

"Thank you, Lord Third."

Kyoichi bowed.

Only after the Third Hokage sat down did he pull over a chair and take a seat.

The Third Hokage picked up his pipe and lit it with a kindly smile before saying, "How have you been feeling since returning to the village after being injured?"

"If I'm being honest, you may not believe me, but after recovering from my injuries, I feel like my body has become stronger. And the power of my Water Release seems to have increased as well."

Kyoichi truthfully revealed part of the information.

The smile on the Third Hokage's face grew even brighter. After taking a puff, he said, "Silly child, you have Senju bloodline in your body. Your Senju bloodline has awakened."

"Huh? Really?"

"That's right!"

The Third Hokage became even more pleased.

Kanda Kyoichi had held nothing back and reported everything honestly.

This was excellent!

After taking another puff, he said, "I've also heard about your performance at the academy. These are wartime conditions, and the academy's grade structure and graduation schedule are in chaos. Following the usual procedures is of little use. Your flexible teaching methods have worked very well!"

"Yes!"

Kyoichi beamed as he speculated about the Third Hokage's intentions.

He had mentioned Kyoichi's Senju bloodline and his performance at the academy.

Could he be planning to promote him?

"There's no need to be so nervous. I called you here to have a chat and, while I was at it, ask whether you'd be willing to take the Jonin Exam. After awakening your Senju bloodline, your strength has already reached Jonin level."

The Third Hokage took out an application form.

An application for the Jonin Exam.

Kyoichi needed to fill it out himself.

"The Jonin Exam?"

Kyoichi was stunned.

He had guessed that the Third Hokage might offer him some benefits, but he hadn't expected it to be a direct promotion exam for Jonin.

Jonin...

He fell into deep thought.

There were pros and cons. As a Jonin, he would have more authority and freedom, but his responsibilities would be greater as well, and the missions he took on afterward would be more difficult.

However.

Come to think of it.

The Third Hokage had already made his assessment of Kyoichi's strength. If Kyoichi refused to become a Jonin, the other party might instead grow suspicious.

With that thought, he scratched his head and said, "Lord Hokage, I'm only a Chunin. I'm worried that I'm not capable enough."

"Your strength is definitely sufficient. You can train in other areas. After years of war, there's a huge shortage of Jonin. We urgently need people to fill the gap, and it would be best if you could take one of those positions."

The Third Hokage sighed.

"If you think I can do it, Lord Hokage, then I'll give it a try!"

Kyoichi breathed a sigh of relief.

He took the form and signed his name on it.

"That's more like it. Skills can be cultivated, but spirit and will are what truly matter. There aren't many people left who can understand the Will of Fire."

The Third Hokage spoke with a kindly smile.

Kyoichi understood immediately.

Shisui!

See?

He had said it. The Third Hokage really did have to thank him!

Of course.

The Uchiha were probably stomping their feet in frustration right now. Their fine genius had gone to become a teacher, and after only a few days, he had turned into this mess. They might come looking for trouble with him soon.

However.

It didn't matter.

The Uchiha of this era were a bunch of spineless cowards.

When Madara left back then, they hadn't dared to follow him.

After Kagami died and the Third Hokage took office, layer upon layer of pressure gradually pushed them away from Konoha's center, yet they still hadn't dared to resist.

Only after they could no longer endure their circumstances had they thought of rebelling.

What had they been doing all that time?

Kyoichi looked down on the Uchiha of the present from the bottom of his heart—including Fugaku Uchiha.

He was an incapable man as well.

Weak and indecisive.

If Shisui could abandon his unrealistic fantasies and get rid of his naïveté, then even he would be far more qualified than Fugaku.

After leaving the office.

Kyoichi headed home, deep in thought.

The Third Hokage's attitude was obvious.

He was trying to recruit Kyoichi and hoped that he would join the Hokage faction.

For that purpose, he had even brought up their old connection through the Senju, dragging out every dusty, long-forgotten matter to build rapport. It was laughable, but it was enough to prove that the Third Hokage harbored no ill will toward him.

For the short term, Kyoichi didn't need to worry about the Third Hokage making a move against him.

He might even protect Kyoichi from Danzo's interference.

As long as Kyoichi guarded against methods used in secret, that was enough.

As for becoming a Jonin, there would be another war next year, and having a Jonin position would bring him many benefits.

Therefore.

He had to fight for the Jonin position.

It was just that...

"Now that I'm a Jonin, what am I supposed to do about my system?"

Kyoichi glanced at the Mentor System.

The system loved having him teach others. Once he became a Jonin, there was no way he could continue staying at the Ninja Academy.

However, he had been a temporary worker from the start. Even if he didn't become a Jonin, it seemed unlikely that he would continue working at the academy after recovering from his injuries.

Once Kyoichi thought of this, his thoughts became much clearer.

As a Jonin, he could apply to lead a team. At worst, he could make use of his "love of teaching" and give people guidance wherever he went.

It wouldn't be a problem!