Mochen, do you have the Will of Fire?

In reality, a considerable number of Genin graduate from the Ninja Academy each year, but the number truly nurtured by the village is quite limited.

Firstly, Konohagakure is, after all, just a village with limited resources.

Secondly, it's genuinely rare for outstanding talents worthy of attention to emerge from the common populace.

As for the Ninja Clans' children, most are trained within the family and don't necessarily attend the Ninja Academy.

Take this graduating class, for instance. Among the Konoha Nine, one is just there to make up the numbers.

The rest, at least based on their records, are all practically useless.

Endo Hiroshi said with his head down, "In terms of strength and mindset, Mo Chen is the most outstanding newcomer I've seen in years. All he lacks is a solid foundation."

"As long as he's given an opportunity, I believe he absolutely won't disappoint Third Lord."

The Third Hokage was surprised by Endo Hiroshi's assessment.

The "most outstanding newcomer" he mentioned certainly didn't include children from Ninja Clans.

This was because Endo Hiroshi had been responsible for commoner newcomers all these years, yet he had never spoken so highly of any of them.

The Third Hokage trusted Endo Hiroshi's judgment; Mo Chen must have some merit.

However, even if Endo Hiroshi hadn't mentioned it, Mo Chen's awakening of a powerful ability already guaranteed he would receive attention.

"I understand!" The Third Hokage, not wanting to offend Endo Hiroshi, said with a smile, "It's rare for you to speak up like this. I will seriously consider this matter."

"Thank you, Third Lord!" Endo Hiroshi bowed, then said, "Then, this subordinate shall take his leave!"

"Teacher Endo... Thank you!"

Before Endo Hiroshi left the office, Mo Chen, who had been silent until then, called out to him and expressed his gratitude.

Endo Hiroshi's attitude towards him had indeed exceeded Mo Chen's expectations.

The latter merely gave him a slight smile, waved his hand, and left the office.

After Endo Hiroshi departed, only the Third Hokage and Mo Chen remained in the office.

"Mo Chen, I apologize for the actions of Chie Mai and Ryota."

The Third Hokage stood up and walked beside Mo Chen, patting his shoulder. He sighed and said, "Their ideas are rather extreme. This is a problem with the village's education, and I, as the Hokage, cannot escape responsibility."

Mo Chen, playing along, put on a touched expression and said with a hint of excitement, "Please don't say that, Third Lord. This matter has nothing to do with you."

"Konoha is one big family. Everyone here is family to me!" The Third Hokage turned to look out the window and sighed softly, "Where the leaves dance, the fire is born and never ceases. The flames will illuminate the village, allowing new leaves to sprout."

"This means that the youth are the hope for the future. We, the older generation, will trust and protect you, sacrificing ourselves for the young, inspiring you to become pillars who bear the future."

"This is the Will of Fire passed down to me from the First and Second Hokage. Mo Chen, do you have anyone you wish to protect in your heart?"

Mo Chen knew this was the Third Hokage's test, but he really wanted to retort: Where the leaves dance, the fire rages uncontrollably. The flames illuminate the village, turning new green leaves into nutrients.

The Will of Fire itself wasn't wrong, but it had been interpreted as a brainwashing concept by later netizens.

Why?

The Konoha higher-ups spoke of the Will of Fire, yet they always watched others sacrifice, even orchestrating the sacrifices of their own villagers, before reaping the benefits.

If actions don't align with words, no matter how beautiful the slogans, they will only reveal hypocrisy.

In Mo Chen's opinion, the Third Hokage was eagerly promoting the Will of Fire to him now, asking if he had anyone he wanted to protect.

The goal was to bind him with the Will of Fire, making him lean towards the Hokage faction.

Only by being loyal to the Third Hokage could Mo Chen earn his trust and resources for training.

Of course, even with some internal resistance, for the current Mo Chen, he did need to rely on the Third Hokage.

In the current Konoha, the Third Hokage was the strongest pillar of support.

"My parents passed away early, and I don't have many relatives or friends. If you insist on asking who I want to protect, I don't know," Mo Chen's face showed a hint of confusion.

"Is that so!" The Third Hokage exhaled a long puff of smoke and sighed, "This is indeed a problem. But you can be like me. As long as you have the heart to protect, then everyone in the village is family."

"Can... can I?" Mo Chen wasn't very confident.

"Of course, you can! I believe you can do it!" The Third Hokage patted Mo Chen's shoulder again and smiled, "Sincerity can be reciprocated. As long as you offer your genuine heart, the other party will surely feel it."

"Everyone in Konohagakure inherits the Will of Fire; we are all the same. So Mo Chen, do you have the Will of Fire?"

"Yes!" Mo Chen nodded firmly, looking at the Third Hokage with admiration, and said excitedly, "I want to protect everyone, I want to protect Konoha. Will I be able to become as great as you, Third Lord, in the future?"

"Hahaha!" The Third Hokage burst into hearty laughter. "Of course, but if you aim to be Hokage, you'll have to work hard. That path is very arduous."

"I will definitely achieve it!" Mo Chen's face was filled with determination.

"Very good, I believe you!" The Third Hokage laughed heartily again.

Mo Chen silently looked at the old face covered in age spots, putting on a shy smile on the surface, while inwardly sneering.

This old geezer is brainwashing me right from the start. Does he really think my two lives are fake?

When it comes to acting, I'm not inferior to anyone.

Knock, knock, knock!

Just then, the office door was knocked.

The Third Hokage composed his expression and sat back down in his office chair, saying calmly, "Come in!"

Soon, a person wearing an Anbu mask entered and knelt on one knee, saying, "Third Lord, Yamato is here to report."

Yamato?

Mo Chen's heart stirred, and he roughly understood what was happening.

He hadn't expected this guy, the Third Hokage, to be so perceptive.

"You may rise!" the Third Hokage gestured, tossing a piece of black substance from Mo Chen's new ability on the desk to Yamato. "Take a look at this first!"

"This is..." Yamato paused slightly, somewhat confused, but he still examined it carefully.

After a while, Yamato said with a hint of surprise, "Third Lord, where did this come from?"

"I want you to confirm if the essence of this thing is..." The Third Hokage's eyes held a trace of anticipation.

Yamato became a little excited. "I can be absolutely sure, this is definitely Wood Release!"

"It's really Wood Release?" The Third Hokage shot up from his seat, his face unable to hide his excitement, yet he still had some doubts. "But why does it look black? Is it because the ability has mutated, or...?"

"No!" Yamato shook his head. "This nature is much purer than my Wood Release! The reason for this color and texture is that the user's strength is too weak. They haven't mastered the nature transformation of water and earth yet, leading to deviations during the casting process."

"As long as the user is given time to train, they will definitely be able to master true Wood Release. I wouldn't dare say they can compare to the First Hokage, but they will definitely be far stronger than me."

"That's wonderful!" The Third Hokage's joy was evident. "If I hand the user over to you, can you ensure they master true Wood Release?"

Hiss!

Yamato gasped. Konoha actually had a true Wood Release Bloodline Limit user?

Despite his shock, Yamato immediately assured him, "Your subordinate will certainly do his utmost and devote himself to cultivating the individual!"

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

Regarding the Wood Release Bloodline Limit, this was undoubtedly the village's highest secret.

Since Mo Chen was able to be present here, and the Third Hokage didn't avoid mentioning Wood Release in front of him.

This meant that the Wood Release Bloodline Limit user was this young man standing before him!