Will of Fire

The entire Class B had only about a dozen people, none of whom were familiar faces—or perhaps because they were all still young, their features hadn't fully developed, making it impossible for him to tell if anyone he knew was there.

As for names, there were so many characters in the Hidden Leaf, countless extras, and only a few he could remember.

"Hmph!"

Hitomi let out a cold snort and followed her classmates to the assembly on the training ground.

"Heh!"

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

He got up and walked at the very back, trailing the others to the training ground.

Stepping out of the classroom and turning a corner, he happened to run into another class coming the other way. Among the crowd of people, his eyes locked onto a certain white-haired kid at first glance.

"Now that's a familiar scent!"

The moment he saw Kakashi, it felt like a single glance spanned a thousand years, freezing him in place as his mind conjured up the image of two sausage lips beneath Kakashi's mask.

"Are you okay, classmate?" a soft, timid female voice came from beside him, a delicate hand waving in front of his eyes.

Snapping back to reality, Kaede put on a warm, sunny smile and spoke apologetically to the girl in front of him.

"Sorry, I was blocking your way. I spaced out just now and didn't notice. My apologies. I'm Uchiha Kaede from Class B. Which class are you from?"

He extended his hand to greet her.

Let's start making friends with you!

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

Shyly looking at the handsome boy in front of her, Rin felt her face burning hot.

Kaede watched as a blush quickly crept up the little girl's pretty face and nodded in satisfaction. This is how a girl should react when she sees me—unlike that one person... she's just messed up.

Wait... what was her name again?

Kaede studied the girl closely: short brown hair, big dark brown pupils, dark red knee-high socks, a red bracelet on her wrist, and the most distinctive feature—two purple markings on her face.

So this is Rin? That Rin...

Kaede's smile stiffened for a moment. This is the woman who made Obito turn the ninja world upside down!

"We're going to be late," Rin reminded him weakly.

Everyone in the school building had already left for the opening ceremony on the training ground, leaving just the two of them dawdling behind.

"Oh! Almost forgot the main thing. Let's hurry."

The two of them ran on their short legs, quickly reaching the school training ground. By then, the ceremony had already started, and Kaede took his place at the back of the line, enduring Kimura Oishi's murderous glare.

Dressed in the Hokage's robe, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, took off his hat and began passionately preaching the Will of Fire to the children below.

In essence:

Where leaves dance, fire burns ever brighter. The flames will continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout. Everyone in the village is one family, with no hierarchy between the talented and the ordinary.

As the future hope of the village, you should inherit the will of the successive Hokage. One day, you will become the pillars bearing the future, working with the Hidden Leaf to create a peaceful world.

The Third Hokage's gentle smile, like that of a kind elder, guided them with soft, warm words full of charisma. It made the many children in the audience cheer and get excited.

Their little faces flushed red, blood boiling, as if they wanted to grab a kunai and charge onto the battlefield right now.

"Scary rhetoric—it even got me a little fired up!"

The Third was saying that everyone in every clan shouldn't just sacrifice for their clan's interests, but should prioritize the big picture and contribute to the village.

His words sounded grand and noble, but he only talked about giving without mentioning any benefits at all, which quietly reminded Kaede of that certain something from legend...

Yet, ridiculous as it was, this kind of talk thrived in the Hidden Leaf, and the vast majority believed in it.

"Maybe that's the cruelty of this turbulent ninja world! Even with such empty theories, people are still willing to accept them, because this... is the hope for peace!"

Kaede was like an outsider, letting the Third's words go in one ear and out the other. He followed the crowd, cheering when they cheered and clapping when they clapped.

Finally, the Third said, "Then, aim to become a ninja and work hard with all your might."

With his speech over, the Third Hokage was still very busy.

Everyone returned to the classroom and sat down!

Next to him sat a fuming Uchiha Hitomi, who still hadn't managed to snag her seat.

"Everyone, quiet down. Before we officially start class, let's do some introductions! Tell us what you like, what you dislike, and your dreams, that sort of thing.

I'll go first.

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

Standing at the podium, Kimura Oishi stared daggers at Kaede, a smirk curling at the corner of his mouth.

Kaede stood firm, meeting the teacher's death glare head-on.

"What I dislike most, huh, is a brat who's mischievous and late on the very first day. I've got my eye on you. My dream is to make my students into excellent ninjas."

Now, starting from the first row, introduce yourselves."

Kaede: Hit me if you dare... go on, hit me.

"My name is Kimura. I like ninja games. I hate people who call me fat."

A chubby kid in the first row spoke up first.

"No offense, but you really are fat! One person taking up a whole desk and chair."

Kaede silently grumbled in his mind, a smile rising in his eyes.

"Jerk!"

A faint mutter came from beside him. Kaede knew it was that girl's spiteful resentment again.

"My name is Ebisu. I like fish cakes and grilled crab. I hate dishes with carrots in them. My dream is to become an excellent ninja teacher."

"My name is Shiranui Genma. I like roast pork. There's nothing I particularly hate. My dream is to become a qualified ninja."

Beside Ebisu, a kid with a calm face spoke flatly.

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

"My name is Uchiha Hitomi. I like sweet dumplings. I hate someone who bullies me. My dream is to become a strong ninja like my father."

Kaede: Say what you want, but why are you looking at me?

"My name is Uchiha Kaede. I like learning ninjutsu. I hate someone who hates me. As for my dream... I wonder if becoming Hokage counts?"

The sunny, handsome Kaede spoke in a flat tone, arrogantly lifting his chin. At this moment, he was a qualified Uchiha, prideful with a hint of disdain for the whole room.

He fired a broadside, and the effect was excellent.

It stirred jealous anger in the little boys and made the little girls' eyes sparkle with stars—except for that one crazy girl who hated him.

Kaede: A handsome, gentle male god like me, and there's a girl who hates me? She must have a screw loose.

"Heh! Uchiha Kaede, is it? I've got my eye on you. Teacher will be paying special attention to you—consider it for the sake of your dream!"

Ha! You clearly just want to find fault with me. It's only because I was a little late, isn't it? No need to go this far.

Kimura Oishi looked at the youthful boys and girls brimming with vitality in the classroom.

"It feels like I've gone back to the old days... Ninja Academy—what a nostalgic place."

"Today, we'll only cover one lesson: what it means to be a ninja. A ninja is someone who endures for the sake of their goal. For the dream in their heart, they endure hardship and strive tirelessly.

For the village and the people they love in it, they endure the risk of death and countless difficulties, becoming someone useful, completing missions, and protecting everything they hold dear.

A ninja is not a tool! They are people who keep striving for everything they love.

..."