Konoha's Inherent Mini-Game

In the office, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Fugaku sat sipping tea and enjoying snacks, chatting and laughing as they gazed through the blinds at the training ground in the center.

The Third Hokage took a sip of tea and remarked with emotion, "Uchiha Mai, Obito, Asuma, and Yuhi Kurenai—they are all very gifted children."

"Setting aside Mai and Asuma, I have also reviewed Obito's report card. His theoretical knowledge is a complete mess, and his combat performance is merely above average. What is strange, however, is that for every type of combat subject, he shows significant improvement after a period of exposure."

"This performance is very much like Jiraiya back in the day; he seemed like a piece of rotten wood that couldn't be carved, but in reality, he was a ninja with great potential. His future is promising."

"He is just a very ordinary child, not worthy of such exaggeration from the Hokage," Fugaku said modestly, though he was panicking internally.

The Hokage faction was praising a young Uchiha for having potential—what was the meaning of this? Was it a sincere compliment or a warning?

Fugaku believed it was the latter. After all, that little brat Mai had been beating up Asuma far too frequently lately, and the old man was likely losing face.

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled, set down his teacup, and continued his critique: "That little girl, Kurenai, has inherited Shinku's excellent talent for genjutsu and will surely become an outstanding ninja in the future."

"Rin Nohara and Might Guy, while their talents are average, are quite good among civilian ninjas. Especially the latter; his level of motivation is enough to be held up as a model for Konoha."

"They are all good children with bright futures."

The world of ninjas is not just about killing; it is about human relationships and worldly wisdom.

Currently, the number of civilian ninjas in Konoha is growing, and with geniuses like Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Minato emerging one after another, the hearts of the people must be won over.

Why keep Rin Nohara and Might Guy? Those who know, know. It's politics; there's no shame in it.

The Third Hokage shifted the topic, saying, "However, as a ninja of Konoha, talent alone is not enough; one must also understand the Will of Fire."

"Back in the day, when Tobirama and I went to the Land of Lightning to sign a peace treaty, we were unexpectedly ambushed by the rebellious Kinkaku and Ginkaku, and were forced into a desperate situation."

"Seeing that dozens of Konoha's core forces were about to perish in the Land of Lightning, Tobirama spoke up. He asked: Who is willing to die with me and act as a decoy to hold off Kinkaku and Ginkaku?"

"Everyone hesitated for a moment, but I was the only one who stood up without a second thought. Everyone knows the final outcome."

"Tobirama designated me as the Third Hokage of Konoha, then marched generously to his death, buying precious time for the main force to retreat."

"At that time, I was not the most outstanding one. Danzo was a disciple of Tobirama just like me, and his strength back then was even superior to mine."

"Why did Tobirama designate me as the Third Hokage? Because I had grasped the Will of Fire."

As a ruler, one must establish their own legitimacy. Sarutobi Hiruzen's legitimacy was rooted in that moment he stood up and said he would die alongside Tobirama.

Regarding this incident, the Third Hokage had taken every opportunity over the years to mention it, then ramble on about the Will of Fire.

In truth, no one could clearly define what the Will of Fire actually was.

Sometimes it was selflessness; sometimes it was sacrificing the small self to preserve the greater good; sometimes it was the Coreflame that kept hope alive...

Such vague definitions were extremely advantageous to Sarutobi Hiruzen as Hokage. Because the definition was ambiguous, the Hokage could interpret it according to his mood and needs.

The final right of interpretation for the Will of Fire rested with the Hokage.

"The Hokage's spirit of sacrifice is worthy of all our study," Fugaku said, clapping his hands and flattering the Third Hokage.

When the comedian delivers the punchline, the straight man must follow up.

"It is merely the choice that anyone who has grasped the Will of Fire would make."

Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand modestly, conveniently casting those who hadn't stood up back then—such as Danzo, Koharu, and Mitokado Homura—to the opposite side of the Will of Fire.

What a strike!

After some boasting to consolidate his legitimacy, Sarutobi Hiruzen turned the topic back to the main issue: "Therefore, I am curious."

"Only two people can join Minato's team; the other four will be eliminated."

"When they face this situation, who will be the first to grasp the Will of Fire, step forward, and choose to voluntarily withdraw to fulfill the others?"

Here it comes, the classic Konoha routine: the small test during team assignments!

As for tests, there were certainly more ways than just grabbing bells.

"It must be your son, Asuma!"

Fugaku offered another round of flattery, fawning, "Your understanding of the Will of Fire, Hokage, is something we can only look up to."

"As Asuma is your son, having been influenced by you, he must have a very profound understanding of the Will of Fire."

"Although he bullies classmates, collects protection money, skips classes, pranks teachers, and smokes at school, I believe he is a good child."

"At the right time, he will make the right choice."

Hilarious. What the Will of Fire actually is depends entirely on what Sarutobi Hiruzen says, so of course the understanding is profound.

The Uchiha had always been a thorn in the side of the Hokage faction, and that group of idiots led by Danzo frequently touted the Uchiha threat theory.

As clan head, Fugaku lived a truly exhausting life; his daily flattery of the Third Hokage, if not sycophantic, was at least very obsequious.

"That is not necessarily true."

Sore wa dou kana.

The Third Hokage dropped a classic line of arrogance from a card game, laughing, "It is not impossible that Uchiha Mai might be the first to step forward."

"I hear that he has a good relationship with Might Guy and Yuhi Kurenai, and he is of the same clan as Obito."

"Isn't it said that you Uchiha are a clan that values love above all else? To be willing to sacrifice oneself to fulfill a friend—that is great love."

"As for Mai, it is indeed possible. Within the Uchiha, no one is kinder to others than he is," Fugaku nodded.

"Let us wait and see," Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a smile.

In the center of the training ground, the group froze upon hearing Namikaze Minato's words.

What did he mean? Only two people could pass, and everyone else would be eliminated? Wasn't that elimination rate a bit too high?

If they were eliminated, wouldn't years of hard work go to waste?

Uchiha Mai calculated rapidly in his mind; it was likely true that only two people could join Master Minato's team. However, the claim that the four eliminated individuals wouldn't become ninjas was doubtful.

Konoha had always enjoyed playing tricks on children.

Among the six people present, regardless of theoretical knowledge, even Rin Nohara, who was the weakest in terms of raw strength, could be considered quite outstanding compared to civilian ninjas.

Even if they couldn't join an elite team, they wouldn't be sent packing.

Furthermore, the ninja world was currently rife with undercurrents, and every major ninja village was engaged in an arms race; it was even less likely that they would prevent capable individuals from becoming ninjas.

The reality was far less cruel than what Master Minato had described.

Therefore, standing out in this game to join Master Minato's team was both necessary and completely free of any psychological burden.