Third of the Benevolent Fire Era

The previously noisy classroom fell silent in an instant.

Even Naruto, usually the naughtiest of them all, stared wide-eyed, his mouth slightly open. He seemed to want to say something, but couldn't find the right words.

Sasuke still stood with his arms crossed, but he couldn't help glancing sideways at Denji. There was less of his usual arrogance in his eyes and more scrutiny.

His older brother was always talking in his ear about the Will of Fire, the Will of Fire. He didn't really understand it, but he figured his brother was always right.

Earlier, when his brother had asked him about it, he hadn't been able to answer.

But today, after hearing Denji speak, Sasuke felt he understood the Will of Fire a little better. Now he could show his brother.

In Hinata's pale eyes was a tenderness that seemed almost transparent. Her eyes were slightly red and shimmering with tears.

Yamanaka Ino hadn't expected such a handsome, sunny smile to hide such a sad past. Her heart gave a little pang, and her maternal instincts flared. She liked the transfer student even more now. Denji's face seemed more mysterious, somehow more captivating.

His words were simple and direct, without any flowery language. Yet the experiences the boy had lived through in the Land of Rain only made the Will of Fire seem more precious.

Iruka blinked, seemingly surprised that Akimichi Denji could deliver such a speech. At first, he'd only intended to conduct a little test without making it obvious.

But it seemed Akimichi Denji had passed with flying colors.

In the shadows, the Third watched through a Ninja Art Orb. A smile spread across his face, and he nodded in satisfaction before switching off the projection.

He really hadn't been wrong about him.

This boy had a bright future.

It only strengthened his resolve. Even if someone came from another village, as long as they could be molded and continually inspired by the Will of Fire, they could be made to serve him.

Danzo, did you see? I was the one who was right.

Akimichi Denji sat down, then froze as a system prompt popped up.

[Wish fulfilled: I was the one who was right.]

[Wish Points +1]

The words seemed strangely familiar. Thinking back to his speech, he realized that some peeping old geezer must have heard him.

He showed no sign of it on his face.

"Good. Very good."

Iruka praised Akimichi Denji's speech, then turned to explain the lesson at the blackboard.

"Everyone gave good answers, and Akimichi Denji's was excellent.

"The Will of Fire is a key idea our Third has emphasized and promoted. It's something every one of us needs to learn.

"It's more important than ninjutsu.

"A shinobi without guiding principles isn't a good citizen of Konoha.

"And the one who spread the Will of Fire far and wide is our great Third: the sun of Konoha, the Professor of Ninjutsu, the tallest mountain and longest river in the Shinobi World, the source of the warm light that shines on us all—Sarutobi Hiruzen..."

Loyal! Devoted!

Denji recalled how the Hokage Lecture Hall from his previous life had described Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, posthumously judged by Hokage historians to be the virtuous Hokage of the Benevolent Fire Era, had been hailed as a prodigy from a young age. He studied under the Second Hokage, Tobirama, and was widely read, with knowledge of countless techniques. Before he was even twenty, he had already become a pillar of the village.

As he grew older, he was kindhearted and valued loyalty. With the Will of Fire as his guiding principle, he sought to bring the villagers together and advance the art of ninjutsu.

He abolished harsh policies, promoted education, and established the Ninja Academy.

Yet people called him kind when he was really indecisive, and wise when he was really blinded by sentiment.

He tolerated Danzo's Root organization far too much, allowing the Anbu to run rampant and the Uchiha Clan to become the target of suspicion, until tragedy was inevitable. Trying to have it both ways, he lost both. White Fang's suicide and Shisui's downfall both happened with his tacit approval.

When Orochimaru returned to attack, he used the Reaper Death Seal to seal away both his arms.

He promoted education and nurtured talent, which benefited the village; he also indulged evil and nurtured villains, which was his failing.

All in all, he was a complicated politician.

From Denji's perspective, Sarutobi Hiruzen had treated Naruto terribly. His own student's grandson had sealed the Nine-Tails inside his own flesh and blood for the sake of the village, then entrusted the child to him as he lay dying.

Shippuden also recorded that the Fourth Hokage had wanted the villagers to see Naruto as a hero, and had died sealing the demon in the hope that they would honor his wish.

But Naruto had been subjected to the villagers' rumors, and the Third never set the record straight. He forbade people from discussing the matter, but that only deepened the villagers' resentment.

The Chronicle of Fire, Annals of the Benevolent Fire Era, Volume Four, said: "The Benevolent Hokage was forgiving by nature, humble and frugal, and loved his people, but he lacked the resolve to issue strict commands. He forbade the palace attendants from discussing the Nine-Tails incident, punishing violators severely. At the time, the young and ignorant Martial Hokage amused himself with nothing but collecting goods. Many among the people were resentful, but the Benevolent Hokage took his side, breeding resentment above and below."

As a result, Naruto had grown up being sold expired food by the villagers.

He'd treated Naruto like a tool, plain and simple.

Fortunately, Naruto hadn't turned into Homelander.

As Denji pondered this, he suddenly felt someone staring at him. He turned and saw Yamanaka Ino.

Yamanaka Ino was still a little girl. Her hair was tied in a ponytail, and her side-swept bangs covered part of her face. Her sky-blue eyes gazed curiously at Akimichi Denji.

There was a strong emotion in Ino's eyes.

He knew Yamanaka Ino was a typical fangirl who liked Sasuke Uchiha because he was handsome.

Later, she married Sai because he had a handsome, melancholy look.

A replacement for her old flame, Ino's Sasuke.

A young girl's crush was only natural.

"You seem really amazing. You came here from the Land of Rain, right?"

"That's right," Akimichi Denji replied.

"Your skin looks even paler than mine."

"Thanks for the compliment."

"Your hands are so small."

Despite her cool exterior, Yamanaka Ino was incredibly outgoing!

Akimichi Denji spread his fingers and said with absolute certainty, "My hands are definitely bigger than yours."

As if. I'm the eldest son of the Akimichi Clan, and I've put points into my physique.

See that chubby kid in class? He's my half-brother.

Small hands? One slap and I'll send you flying.

But Yamanaka Ino didn't back down. If anything, she got more excited. Whenever she tried talking to Sasuke, he'd just give her a cold shoulder and barely answer, if he bothered to say anything at all.

But today, he answered every single thing she said. Her life suddenly felt like it had finally reached a warm spring.

So this is the Will of Fire? It's so warm!

"I don't believe you. Let's compare." As she spoke, Yamanaka Ino held out her hand and placed it against Akimichi Denji's.

"Sure. Look, my hand really is bigger than yours."

Akimichi Denji shrugged.

When she saw that her plan had worked, Yamanaka Ino excitedly stamped her feet beneath the desk. She clenched her other hand into a fist and pumped it enthusiastically under the desk.

"Okay, you might be right." As she spoke, she reluctantly let go of Akimichi Denji's hand.

Congratulations, you've fulfilled a wish: Yamanaka Ino's affection. Wish Point +1.

Akimichi Denji glanced at Yamanaka Ino.

Was this what an honest fangirl was like? She'd fulfilled a wish just by holding hands. That affection of yours... I'd say you've fallen for someone else, haven't you?

But Akimichi Denji didn't turn her down.

Yamanaka Ino would grow into a curvy beauty—no, a gorgeous woman!

A real man should drive a big car, and you had to learn how from a young age.

Following the teachings of the great master, Denji lived by the rule: never miss a good girl, and never let a bad girl get away!

Mostly, though, he just wanted the Wish Points.