Interview from the Third Hokage

In the lounge.

"I don't want to."

Qing Xuan's answer was exceptionally blunt, showing not the slightest hesitation.

The Third Hokage was not surprised by this.

Ryuu Uchiha had been just as blunt when asked questions back then.

Being Hokage is too tiring, I just want to be a salted fish.

A flicker of pain flashed in the old man's eyes, but he wasn't angry. He simply asked, "Why not?"

He expected another reason about being a "salted fish" or something similar, but the next answer completely surprised him.

"If there is no sky, one should know wisdom to prepare for opportunity. If there is no earth, one must follow the original to seek profit. Based on heaven and earth, the dangerous path returns to the righteous path. This is the ultimate of man, the talent of a leader."

The Third Hokage stared dumbfounded at the series of eloquent pronouncements from the child before him.

Then, he saw the child lower his head in shame, "I don't have the talent to be a leader, so I'm not suited for the position of Hokage, and therefore I don't want it."

Uchiha Qing Xuan proved he lacked talent by showcasing his talent.

Even the Third Hokage was at a loss for words for a moment.

The old man silently took a deep drag from his pipe. It was then he realized that Uchiha Qing Xuan was different from his father; he was even more mischievous.

"That's a great summary. I think you're very talented, just like..."

Looking at Qing Xuan's tender face, he thought of another Uchiha and said, "Just like Itachi, who at the young age of seven could think like a Hokage."

The previous statement resonated deeply with the Third Hokage himself. He felt this child's talent might even surpass Itachi's, especially since the latter had lived in exile in the Land of Wind and never received a systematic education.

What if he received proper guidance...

At this moment, the Third Hokage was suddenly struck by a desire to nurture this talent. Although the child was still young, he couldn't help but ask, "Have you considered your future path?"

Qing Xuan had initially thought this meeting with the Hokage would be a simple conversation, but as the topic deepened, he suddenly felt the nervousness of a job interview. This desire to "land the job" made him face it seriously.

"Life is only lived once, there's no need to force yourself down a path you dislike. It's okay to live or die as you please! However, no matter which path I choose, I will never forget to protect the people I cherish."

He carefully considered his words, trying his best to give the answer the Hokage wanted.

"I love this village. The moment I stepped foot here, I fell in love with it! It's peaceful, stable, and full of vitality. Uncle Shikaku and the others saved me from Sunagakure, Uncle Hizashi brought me home, Uncle Fugaku led the clan members out of the village to meet me, Uncle Nawaki bought me delicious food, and even the old lady selling snacks on the road gave me an extra skewer of dumplings because she thought I was cute..."

He became more and more emotional as he spoke. The Third Hokage could sense the sincerity in his words, which brought him some comfort.

"These are things I never saw in the Land of Wind, things I longed for! This feeling is perhaps family to me; everyone is like family. In my eyes, this village is like a giant family, and the ninja of this village will fight, risk their lives, and even sacrifice themselves to protect the village and the people they love! This is like... like..."

Seemingly unable to find the perfect words to express his thoughts, Qing Xuan scratched his head in frustration.

At this moment, the old man's voice, filled with a smile, sounded in his ear.

"Just like this forest where leaves dance. Wherever leaves dance, fire burns. The light of fire will illuminate the village, and it will make new leaves sprout..."

"Yes! That's it!"

Qing Xuan clapped his fist into his palm and jumped up.

Then, he met a pair of eyes filled with comfort and anticipation.

"Uchiha Qing Xuan."

The Third Hokage looked seriously at the boy before him. Although this child was a bit mischievous, his eyes had always been so clear.

"Become my disciple!"

"Huh?"

Qing Xuan was a bit stunned. The interview was successful, but what was this about becoming the Hokage's disciple? Had he tried too hard?

"I can, but..."

Qing Xuan scratched his head and asked the old man before him uncertainly, "If I become your disciple, will Uncle Nawaki have to call me 'Little Martial Uncle'?"

What kind of bizarre title was that? The Third Hokage was also a bit bewildered. He looked at the child before him again, even starting to wonder if his decision had been too hasty.

The warm sunlight began to intensify, and the time slowly approached noon.

After Qing Xuan left, the sound of a cane approached from afar, and then the lounge door was pushed open with a bang.

"Hiruzen..."

The midday sun streamed into the room through the doorway, but it cast a thick shadow around the newcomer.

Such a commotion did not stir the Third Hokage in the slightest. The old man's hand holding the brush was steady, and his writing was vigorous and powerful.

After finishing the last stroke, he slowly raised his head, turned to look at the person striding in, and muttered softly.

"Still so reckless."

Danzo completely ignored the Third Hokage's words. The cane in his hand tapped the floor rhythmically, his steps were decisive, and his entire demeanor was one of swift action.

He went straight to the point.

"You're going to take Uchiha Qing Xuan as your disciple?"

The Third Hokage was not surprised by this. He placed the scroll he had just finished writing on the floor to dry, then curled one leg up, sat beside it, and puffed on his pipe, squinting as he admired his masterpiece.

"Don't you already know?"

Danzo found this relaxed attitude extremely offensive. He clenched the cane in his hand tightly, his exposed left eye growing even more somber.

"But he's Uchiha! And we have absolutely no trace of him for the past six years! He..."

"You want to say hand him over to me?"

Suddenly, a question interrupted Danzo. The old man, who had been leisurely, had somehow straightened up. His sharp gaze was something that hadn't been seen in many years.

"Hiruzen, you..."

Hiruzen's demeanor made Danzo feel somewhat unfamiliar. Even when he had sent people to assassinate him a few years ago, he hadn't shown such a stern expression.

However, the Third Hokage didn't give him another chance to speak. Instead, he fired off questions, his voice like that of an enraged Mighty Lion.

"Just like his father? Taken to Root by you for the same reason? And then trained into a qualified Root member?"

At this moment, the resentment that had been building in the old man's heart for years was finally released. The sudden pressure made even Danzo's expression change.

Hiruzen's words made him lose himself repeatedly.

[In my eyes, Danzo-sama is the best candidate for Third Hokage!]

[Minato Namikaze is like a tree facing the sunrise; his future is destined to be in the sunlight, bathed in his own radiance! I am different from him... I don't have his personality, nor can I tolerate everything like he can! Selfishness, vindictiveness, and pettiness are my essence! Therefore, I am destined not to be Hokage! I can only walk another path, becoming this deeply buried Root, and in doing so, I can still provide ample nourishment to the great tree that is Konohagakure!]

[Danzo-sama! You and I are different from Minato Namikaze and you...]

At this moment, the child's words seemed to echo in his ears across the chasm of history.

"Ryuu Uchiha..."

Danzo murmured, "He's different. He was born for Root..."

"No! You're wrong!"

At this moment, the Third Hokage's voice was almost frantic.

"He could have stood in the sunlight!"