The Will of Fire

Class B had only a dozen or so students, and not one of them looked familiar. Maybe they were all still so young that their features hadn't matured yet, making it hard for him to tell whether he knew any of them.

As for their names, there were so many people in Naruto, and so many minor characters. He could only remember a few.

"Hmph!"

Hitomi huffed in displeasure and followed her classmates to the schoolyard.

"Hah!"

Kaede couldn't be bothered to bicker with this little girl.

He got up and walked at the back, following everyone else to the schoolyard.

He stepped out of the classroom and turned the corner, where he ran right into another class. Among the countless students, one silver-haired boy immediately caught his eye.

"So this really is a familiar sight!"

The moment he saw Kakashi, it felt like a lifetime had passed in the blink of an eye. He froze in place, his mind filled with images of the two sausage-like lips beneath Kakashi's mask.

"Are you all right?" a timid girl's voice came from beside him, and a delicate hand waved in front of his eyes.

Coming back to himself, Kaede smiled warmly and apologetically at the girl before him.

"Sorry, I'm blocking your way. I spaced out and didn't notice. I'm really sorry. I'm Uchiha Kaede from Class B. Which class are you in?"

He held out his hand in greeting.

I'll start making friends with you!

"Hello, I'm Nohara Rin from Class C. Nice to meet you!"

Looking shyly at the handsome boy before her, Rin felt her cheeks growing warm.

Kaede watched as a blush quickly spread across the pretty girl's face and nodded in satisfaction. This was how a girl should react when she saw me—not like that other person... She was seriously messed up.

Wait... What was her name again?

Kaede studied the girl before him. She had short brown hair, large, dark-brown eyes, dark red knee-high socks, and red bracelets on her wrists. Her most distinctive feature was the pair of purple markings on her cheeks.

So this was Rin? That Rin...

Kaede's smile stiffened. This was the woman who would make Obito turn the Shinobi World upside down!

"We're going to be late,"

Rin reminded him timidly.

Everyone in the school building had already left for the schoolyard to attend the opening ceremony. Only the two of them were still dawdling behind.

"Oh! I almost forgot what we were supposed to be doing. Let's go!"

The two of them hurried to the schoolyard on their little legs. The ceremony had already begun. Under Kimura Oishi's murderous glare, Kaede took his place at the back of the line.

The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, clad in his Hokage robes, had removed his hat and was passionately preaching the Will of Fire to the children below.

The gist of it was:

Wherever the leaves dance, the fire burns on. The firelight will continue to illuminate the village and help new leaves sprout. Everyone in the village is family, and there is no hierarchy between people based on whether they are exceptional or ordinary.

As the future hope of the village, you must inherit the will of the Hokage who came before you. One day, you will become pillars who bear the future and build a peaceful world together with Konoha.

The Third Hokage's gentle smile made him seem like a kind old man, speaking softly as he guided them. His words were infectious, and the children all around cheered excitedly.

Their little faces flushed, their blood boiling. They looked as if they wanted to grab their Kunai and head straight to the battlefield.

"What terrifying rhetoric. Even I'm getting swept up in it!"

The Third Hokage was telling every member of every clan to look beyond sacrificing themselves solely for their clan's interests and instead serve the greater good by working for the village.

His words sounded noble, but he only spoke of sacrifice and never mentioned a single benefit. Kaede couldn't help thinking of that thing people talked about...

And yet, this laughable rhetoric was widespread in Konoha, and the vast majority of people believed in it.

"Maybe this is the cruelty of a war-torn Shinobi World. Even people are willing to accept an empty theory like this because...it's a hope for peace!"

Like an outsider, Kaede let the Third Hokage's words go in one ear and out the other. He cheered when everyone else cheered and clapped when everyone else clapped.

At last, the Third Hokage said,

"Then work hard and persevere, with the goal of becoming a ninja."

After concluding his speech, the Third Hokage was still very busy.

Everyone returned to the classroom and took their seats!

Uchiha Hitomi sat beside him, fuming. She still hadn't managed to claim a seat.

"Everyone, settle down. Before we start class, let's introduce ourselves. You can also tell us what you like and dislike, and share your dreams.

"I'll go first.

"My name is Kimura Oishi, and I'm the homeroom teacher for Class B. I like takoyaki. As for what I dislike..."

Kimura Oishi stood at the front of the classroom, glaring at Kaede with a sly grin.

Kaede sat unflinchingly, meeting his teacher's deadly stare.

"What I dislike most is naughty brats. You dared to show up late on the very first day, so I'll remember you. My dream is to help my students become excellent ninjas.

"Now, let's start with the first row."

Kaede: Go ahead, hit me... Come on, hit me.

"My name is Kimura. I like ninja games, and I hate it when people call me fat."

A chubby boy in the first row spoke up first.

"I mean no offense, but you really are fat! You take up a whole desk by yourself."

Kaede silently quipped to himself, amusement rising in his eyes.

"Scoundrel!"

A quiet mutter came from beside him. Kaede knew another girl was expressing her malicious resentment.

"My name is Ebisu. I like fish cakes and grilled crab. I dislike food with carrots in it. My dream is to become an excellent ninja teacher."

"My name is Shiranui Genma. I like char siu, and there's nothing I dislike. My dream is to become a capable ninja."

The boy beside Ebisu had a calm expression and spoke nonchalantly.

Class B had only a dozen or so students, and soon it was the last row's turn.

"My name is Uchiha Hitomi. I like sweet dumplings, and I dislike someone who bullies me. My dream is to become a powerful ninja like my father."

Kaede: If you're going to say that, why are you looking at me?

"My name is Uchiha Kaede. I like studying Ninjutsu, and I dislike someone who dislikes me. As for my dream... I wonder if becoming Hokage counts?"

With his sunny, handsome looks and calm tone, Kaede lifted his chin proudly. At that moment, he was a proper Uchiha, exuding arrogance and disdain for everyone in the room.

He'd fired off an insult at everyone, and it worked beautifully.

The boys glared at him jealously, while the girls' eyes sparkled—except for that crazy girl who hated him.

Kaede: I'm such a handsome, gentle heartthrob, yet there's a girl who hates me. There must be something wrong with her head.

"Heh! Uchiha Kaede, right? I'll remember you. I'll be keeping a close eye on you, all for the sake of your dream."

Hah! You just want to pick on me. I was only a little late. Was that really necessary?

Kimura Oishi looked at the lively boys and girls in his class.

"It feels like I've gone back to the old days. The Ninja Academy really is a place that brings back memories."

"Today, we'll only have one lesson: What is a ninja? A ninja is someone who endures in pursuit of a goal. For the sake of their dreams, they endure hardship and strive without rest.

"For the village and the people they love in it, they endure the danger of death and countless hardships, becoming useful people who complete missions and protect everything they cherish.

"A ninja isn't a tool! Ninjas are people who keep striving for the sake of everything they love.

..."