Boring Will of Fire

Boring Will of Fire

The next morning.

After washing up, Naruto had just been about to stroll around the streets when he remembered that the Third Hokage had put him under house arrest yesterday. Disappointed, he returned to his room. Looking at the snow-covered streets, he did morning exercises to pass the time.

Because of his age, Naruto's morning exercises were merely simple stretches and did not involve any high-intensity training.

First, he was still too young. Second, he had no effective methods for taijutsu training. Blindly messing around would only hinder his physical development in the future.

After an unknown amount of time had passed, Naruto heard stones striking his door. When he opened it, he found several boxes in the hallway.

Recalling what the old Third Hokage had said yesterday, these were probably the "reading materials" and survival supplies he had asked the Anbu to deliver during Naruto's confinement.

After carrying all the cardboard boxes inside and putting them away, Naruto eagerly opened the box filled with books.

There were around a dozen books inside. Naruto glanced at their covers, which bore titles such as "Geography of the Ninja World," "History of Konoha," and "Will of Fire."

Naruto directly ignored "Will of Fire" and "History of Konoha," picking up "Geography of the Ninja World" instead.

He knew enough about the plot of Naruto, but he knew nothing about the human geography and local customs of the ninja world. These books could make up for his shortcomings in that regard.

"Geography of the Ninja World" was not very long. Naruto finished reading it in an hour and gained a general understanding of the ninja world's geography.

The geography of the ninja world struck him as extremely strange, completely contrary to the geographical knowledge he had learned in his previous life.

The Land of Rain, where it rained all year round, and the arid Land of Wind were clearly at the same latitude, yet their rainfall levels were worlds apart. Perhaps it had something to do with Chakra. After all, this was a world with supernatural powers.

After mocking it a little, Naruto picked up "History of Konoha," a mysterious smile appearing on his face. He was confident that he knew more about Konoha's history than that old Third Hokage.

After reading a few pages, Naruto froze slightly. "History of Konoha" had been edited far too heavily.

Its assessment of the Senju was fairly objective, but it exaggerated the importance of Hiruzen, Shimura, and the Ino-Shika-Cho clans during the village's founding, downplayed the Uchiha's role, and deliberately cut down the sections on the Uchiha's achievements...

Unable to even mock it, Naruto set "History of Konoha" aside and turned his attention to "Will of Fire."

Although he was not very familiar with the Will of Fire, he still opened the book. After all, the old Third Hokage had sent over so many books specifically so that he would read this one.

What if the old Third Hokage stopped sending books to relieve my boredom if I didn't read it?

Hokage's Office.

After dealing with his official duties, the Third Hokage took out a crystal ball and switched the image to Naruto's room.

Then, the Third Hokage slowly lit his tobacco and watched Naruto read the books he had sent over. When he saw Naruto pick up "Will of Fire," he chuckled happily.

Caring for the Jinchuriki and ensuring that the Jinchuriki did not go wrong were also part of his daily duties as Hokage.

Although no one knew who had spread the rumor that Naruto was the Demon Fox, it had indeed brought negative consequences to Naruto and greatly reduced the Jinchuriki's stability.

But as long as the Will of Fire remained, Naruto would surely return to the right path and become a ninja useful to the village.

Just then, a black shadow flashed past. The Anbu responsible for the investigation mission knelt on one knee before the Third Hokage.

The Third Hokage put away the crystal ball and looked at the Anbu. "How did it go? Have you found out who spread the Demon Fox rumor?"

The Anbu hesitated, seemingly concerned about something. "Third Lord..."

The Third Hokage glanced at the Anbu. "Speak freely."

After choosing his words, the Anbu said, "According to my investigation, aside from spies outside the village, there were also people within the village spreading the Demon Fox rumor. It even involves other members of the village's upper ranks..."

Hearing this, the Third Hokage narrowed his eyes slightly and raised a hand, signaling that the Anbu did not need to continue.

Who among the village's upper ranks could spread such rumors other than his old friend Danzo?

After resuming his position as Hokage, he had already granted Root enough authority. Yet Danzo had still extended his claws toward Naruto, attempting to influence him.

This had completely exceeded the limits of his tolerance. It was time to give him a warning.

At that moment, the Anbu kneeling on the ground cautiously asked, "Third Lord, do you think we should clarify the Demon Fox rumors?"

The Third Hokage gave the Anbu a deep look, then shook his head. "Let things take their course for now. Clarifying the rumors at this time would only confirm Naruto's identity as a Jinchuriki."

"Yes, Third Lord."

The Third Hokage took out the crystal ball again and fell into thought as he watched Naruto reading. Logically speaking, he should immediately order the Demon Fox rumors to be clarified.

But before making the decision, he hesitated. Maintaining the status quo was the best choice for him as Hokage.

Only by enduring enough suffering and loneliness would his image in Naruto's eyes become even greater.

Still, it was not good for Naruto to always be alone like this, and he did not have much time to keep him company. Perhaps he should take the initiative to find Naruto a few friends.

Thinking this, the Third Hokage said to the Anbu, "Have the Head of the Nara Clan come to the Hokage Building. I have something to discuss with him."

Inside Naruto's room.

After spending most of the day, Naruto finished reading "Will of Fire."

To be honest, Naruto did not feel much hostility toward the contents of "Will of Fire," though he did not feel much goodwill toward them either.

The core of the Will of Fire was only one sentence: Wherever the firelight of Konoha danced, the fire would never cease. The firelight would continue to illuminate the village and cause new leaves to sprout.

Its general meaning was as follows:

The young were the hope of the future, and the older generation had to trust and protect them. The sacrifices of the older generation were not meaningless; they would inspire the young and turn them into pillars capable of bearing the future.

This sentence was more like a slogan meant to unite people's hearts. It did not carry much practical meaning.

During the eras of the First Hokage and Second Hokage, their actions themselves represented the Will of Fire. The Third Hokage could only use the Will of Fire to win people over and maintain the Konoha Ninja Clan alliance, keeping it from collapsing.

Naruto did not know how many people in the village were willing to believe in the Will of Fire or possessed the Will of Fire.

But there were certainly more people who shouted the slogan than those who truly put it into practice, and even more who used that slogan to seek personal gain.

Naruto would not become a supporter of the Will of Fire, but neither would he be foolish enough to openly oppose the slogan.

After all, there was nothing wrong with the slogan itself. The ones at fault were those ridiculous people.

Having sorted this out, Naruto felt a little bored. He casually tossed "Will of Fire" aside, lay down on the sofa, and began taking an afternoon nap.

This was only the first day of his confinement. He had no idea how many more days it would last.

But it did not matter to him. He had food and clothes, as well as all kinds of books to relieve his boredom.

However, while Naruto slept soundly, the Four Symbols Seal on his stomach also released a trace of fiery red Chakra.