Mo Chen, Do You Have the Will of Fire?

In truth, plenty of Genin graduated from the Ninja Academy each year, but only a small number ever received the village's support.

For one thing, Konoha was still just a village, and its resources were limited.

For another, it was rare for civilians to produce a truly outstanding talent.

As for Ninja Clan children, most were trained by their own families and weren't all sent to the Ninja Academy.

Even among this year's graduates, one of the Konoha Nine was only there to make up the numbers.

As for the rest, at least judging from their records, none of them seemed particularly promising.

Endo Hiroshi lowered his head. "In terms of both strength and character, Mo Chen is the most outstanding newcomer I've seen in years. He only lacks a solid foundation."

"Give him a chance, and I'm sure he won't disappoint Third Lord."

Third Lord was surprised to hear Endo Hiroshi speak so highly of him.

The "most outstanding newcomer" Endo Hiroshi mentioned certainly didn't include Ninja Clan children.

Endo Hiroshi had been in charge of civilian recruits for years, yet he'd never once put in a good word for any of them.

Third Lord trusted Endo Hiroshi's judgment. Mo Chen clearly had something going for him.

But even if Endo Hiroshi hadn't spoken up, Mo Chen's powerful new ability had already guaranteed that he'd receive attention.

"I understand." Third Lord smiled, careful not to slight Endo Hiroshi. "You rarely make requests like this. I'll give the matter serious consideration."

"Thank you, Third Lord!" Endo Hiroshi bowed, then said, "I'll take my leave."

"Teacher Hiroshi... thank you!"

Just before Endo Hiroshi went out, Mo Chen, who had been silent all this time, called out to him and thanked him.

Endo Hiroshi's attitude toward him had truly taken Mo Chen by surprise.

The other man gave him a small smile, waved, and left the office.

Once Endo Hiroshi was gone, only Third Lord and Mo Chen remained in the office.

"Mo Chen, I apologize for Chie Mai and Ryota's behavior."

Third Lord rose and came over to Mo Chen, patting him on the shoulder. With a sigh, he said, "Their views are rather extreme. That's a failure of the village's education, and as Hokage, I can't escape responsibility."

Mo Chen obligingly put on a moved expression and said, with a hint of emotion, "Please don't say that, Third Lord. This has nothing to do with you."

"Konoha is one big family. Everyone here is family to me!" Third Lord turned to gaze out the window and sighed softly. "Wherever the leaves dance, fire will continue to burn. Its light will shine upon the village and help new leaves sprout."

"What this means is that young people are the hope of the future. Those of us from the older generation will trust and protect you, and sacrifice ourselves for the young so you can become the pillars who carry the future."

"This is the Will of Fire passed down to me by the First Hokage and Second Hokage. Mo Chen, is there anyone you want to protect?"

Mo Chen knew Third Lord was testing him, but he couldn't help thinking sarcastically: Wherever the leaves dance, the fire gets out of control. Its light will illuminate the village and turn new green leaves into fertilizer.

There was nothing wrong with the Will of Fire itself, but later generations of online commenters had interpreted it as a brainwashing slogan.

Why?

The Konoha High Command preached the Will of Fire while standing by to watch others die. They even brought about the deaths of their own villagers, then reaped the benefits.

If you couldn't practice what you preached, then no matter how beautiful your slogans sounded, they only showed how hypocritical you were.

As Mo Chen saw it, Third Lord was already eager to preach the Will of Fire to him and ask if he had anyone he wanted to protect.

The goal was to bind him with the Will of Fire and draw him toward the Hokage faction.

Only if Mo Chen devoted himself wholeheartedly to Third Lord would the latter trust him and spend resources cultivating him.

Of course, even if Mo Chen felt some resistance, he still had to rely on Third Lord for now.

In Konoha, Third Lord was the biggest backer he could get.

"My parents died when I was young, and I don't have any relatives or friends around me. If you ask who I want to protect, I honestly don't know." Mo Chen's face took on a slightly lost expression.

"I see." Third Lord exhaled a long ring of smoke and sighed. "That is a problem. But you can be like me. As long as you have the will to protect, everyone in the village can be family."

"Can I... really?" Mo Chen sounded uncertain.

"Of course. I believe you can do it!" Third Lord patted Mo Chen on the shoulder again and smiled. "Sincerity can be met with sincerity. As long as you offer your own, the other person will feel it."

"Everyone in Konoha has inherited the Will of Fire. We're all the same. So, Mo Chen, do you have the Will of Fire?"

"Yes!" Mo Chen nodded resolutely, looking at Third Lord with admiration. He said excitedly, "I want to protect everyone. I want to protect Konoha. If I do, can I become as great as you someday, Third Lord?"

"Hahaha!" Third Lord laughed heartily. "Of course. But if you want to set your sights on becoming Hokage, you'll have to work hard. It's a very difficult path."

"I'll definitely do it!" Mo Chen's face was full of determination.

"Excellent. I believe in you!" Third Lord laughed again, delighted.

Mo Chen looked silently at the old face covered in age spots. He wore a shy smile, but inside he sneered.

That old bastard had started brainwashing him right away. Did he really think Mo Chen's two lifetimes amounted to nothing?

When it came to acting, Mo Chen was no worse than anyone else.

Knock, knock, knock!

Just then, someone knocked on the office door.

Third Lord composed himself and sat back down in his chair. His expression calm, he said, "Come in!"

A person wearing an Anbu mask soon walked in and knelt on one knee. "Third Lord, Yamato reporting for duty."

Yamato?

Mo Chen's thoughts stirred. He roughly understood what was going on.

Third Lord really did have a sharp eye.

"Get up." Third Lord gestured, then tossed Yamato the piece of black material on his desk that had come from Mo Chen's new ability. "Take a look at this."

"What is this...?" Yamato paused, confused, but examined it carefully all the same.

After a long while, Yamato said, sounding somewhat surprised, "Third Lord, where did this come from?"

"I want you to confirm whether this thing's nature is..." A hint of anticipation showed in Third Lord's eyes.

Yamato was a little excited. "I'm certain. This is definitely Wood Release!"

"Really? It's Wood Release?" Third Lord shot to his feet, unable to hide his excitement, though some doubt remained in his voice. "But why does it look black? Is it because the ability has mutated, or...?"

"No." Yamato shook his head. "This is much purer than my Wood Release. Its color and texture are the result of the user's weakness. He hasn't yet mastered the nature transformations of water and earth, which caused the technique to go awry."

"Give the user time to train, and he'll definitely master true Wood Release. I won't claim he'll match the First Hokage, but he'll be far stronger than I am."

"Wonderful!" Third Lord exclaimed, his face alight with excitement. "If I put the user in your hands, can you ensure he masters true Wood Release?"

Yamato sucked in a sharp breath.

Had Konoha really gained someone with a true Wood Release kekkei genkai?

Though shocked, Yamato immediately assured him, "I'll give it everything I have and devote myself to training him."

As he spoke, Yamato glanced at Mo Chen from the corner of his eye.

A Wood Release kekkei genkai was unquestionably the village's highest secret.

Since Mo Chen was here, and Third Lord hadn't avoided discussing Wood Release in front of him, that could only mean one thing: the boy standing before him was the one who possessed the Wood Release kekkei genkai.