The Will of Fire (Part 1)

By early May, the temperature had gradually begun to rise. At the Ninja Academy, many were still heatedly discussing the two students who had graduated early not long ago.

The shurikenjutsu lesson had just ended when Obito Uchiha sat down on a bench by the playground, looking dejected. He gazed up at the sky, having completely lost his usual vitality.

"You're spacing out here again. Is something wrong, Obito?"

Rin Nohara's energetic voice appeared once more. Seeing the look of concern on the girl's face, Obito whispered in low spirits:

"I wonder if I really lack the talent of the Uchiha clan."

"Even that guy Might Guy has graduated, and he's formed a three-man squad with Shu Furukawa and Kakashi."

"They've already started taking on missions. Perhaps by the time I graduate, I'll end up as a subordinate to those guys."

Most of their classmates viewed the three who had graduated as geniuses. Being surpassed by geniuses only led to loud praise for them, followed by mocking remarks about the Uchiha clan's "dead-last."

"Obito's grades are actually very good too!"

Rin Nohara sat down beside Obito to offer praise, then looked at him and continued:

"It's alright, you've already worked very hard. Although there are still some issues with the theory exams, your overall grades are already among the top."

"Rin, I, uh... I'm only good at a few subjects!"

Being praised, Obito felt incredibly nervous seeing the girl earnestly encouraging him. In the end, he shyly turned away and whispered:

"Thank you, Rin. You're the only one who always supports me."

"You two are whispering again!"

Kurenai Yuhi suddenly appeared behind them. The girl's teasing almost made Obito jump. As soon as he turned to look, he stammered and hurriedly moved to leave:

"I... I'm going to go buy some drinks..."

Watching Obito stumble away, Kurenai Yuhi blinked, then pulled Rin Nohara aside and asked curiously:

"He didn't participate in the activities before; was it because he was afraid of being compared to others? What a strange Uchiha."

Thinking back to how Obito had huffily refused to join the group activities not long ago, Rin Nohara shook her head slightly and explained simply:

"Obito just wants to be recognized by more people. He has lived alone since he was very young; he actually longs to have more friends."

Different upbringings shape different personalities. Kurenai Yuhi couldn't fully grasp it. The girl looked up, lost in thought, and said:

"Is that so? But Shu doesn't seem to have those troubles."

"They've received a C-rank mission. I haven't even left the village yet. My father says it's dangerous outside the village, but I still want to go out and see."

Thinking of Shu Furukawa, who had completely left the medical team two months ago to follow Tsunade, Rin Nohara responded with a hint of envy:

"Geniuses are always a bit special, I suppose!"

The two girls stopped discussing these matters, but when Kurenai Yuhi mentioned Kakashi, Rin Nohara still wore a look of longing.

Although she wasn't sure what would happen after she graduated, Rin Nohara was very much looking forward to being on a team with Kakashi. During the afternoon class, the girl even began to fantasize:

"If Kakashi could serve as the captain, that would seem quite nice..."

Late at night, in the dense forest on the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rice Fields, the members of the resting merchant caravan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The middle-aged leader, nearly 40 years old and slightly plump, looked apologetic. After dinner, he took the initiative to walk over to Shikaku Nara and whispered respectfully to the group:

"I am very sorry, Mr. Nara. I didn't expect there to be ninjas from Takigakure."

"We will provide compensation once we reach our destination. This is a small token of our appreciation from everyone; as for the assessment of the commission, I leave it to you."

Shikaku Nara, who had only recently been promoted to Jonin, looked at the group bowing in apology and sighed helplessly:

"This was indeed quite troublesome. For the sake of the friendship between Mr. Oshima and us, I will help with the assessment."

Upon receiving this assurance, the group's faces lit up with joy. One had to know that any battle involving ninjas was at least a B-rank mission, and Konoha had strict ratings for commissions; they were clearly in the wrong this time.

Having experienced a battle and lost four guards, the remaining dozen or so people now looked at the three youths sitting on the ground with awe.

The three, who had kept their distance from the caravan, were obscured by the shadows of the night. Might Guy's face was pale, and he was struggling to suppress his discomfort while forcing down a few rice balls.

Kakashi wore his mask, successfully hiding his emotions, but seeing Guy's lack of appetite, he still said in a low voice:

"There's no need to push yourself to this extent. Aside from the guys from Takigakure, the others were just wandering ninjas."

Shu Furukawa, carrying a short blade, appeared completely unaffected. While eating rice balls and dried meat, he responded simply:

"Since they came to attack, they should have been prepared to be killed."

"Only the dead are the safest. I don't want to encounter another ambush before reaching the Land of Rice Fields. This is a warning to them."

The ninjas who had feigned death to try and slip away had all been finished off by Shu Furukawa. Perhaps because he had experienced months of bloody nightmares, he felt no psychological fluctuation toward the killing.

"Shu is right. Our first C-rank mission cannot fail."

"I have already steeled my resolve... Ugh..."

Might Guy took the initiative to speak, his serious expression completely different from how he was at the academy. After speaking, he began to wolf down his rice balls, then chewed the dried meat fiercely, eventually choking until he couldn't speak.

"There's really no helping you..."

Kakashi, who handed over the canteen, returned to his dead-fish eyes. As a Chunin who had already experienced real combat, he was simply taken aback by how clean and efficient Shu Furukawa's kill had been.

Shikaku Nara, who sat down beside them, was quite satisfied with his team members' performance. To show his encouragement, he said with a chuckle:

"It seems my worries were unnecessary. You truly live up to the reputation of the geniuses Lady Tsunade holds in high regard."

"Guy, you performed well too. There is no need for sympathy toward enemies who obstruct the mission."

"Kakashi, trust your companions. Besides, here is some good news: upon reaching our destination, the reward will increase to 100,000 Ryo. The merchant caravan has a decent relationship with the Nara Clan, and there will be additional compensation later on."

The doubled income made Might Guy's eyes light up. For a ninja on a mission, the cost of ninja tools and supplies was a massive expense, and among the four of them, his equipment was the worst.

Seemingly sensing what his team member was thinking, Shikaku Nara, sitting cross-legged, stroked his chin and said with a relaxed expression:

"Guy, don't forget the Three Prohibitions of Shinobi. As an outstanding ninja, do not let yourself be controlled by money."

The so-called Three Prohibitions of Shinobi concerned alcohol, women, and money. Knowing their captain was joking, Shu Furukawa smiled and added:

"That's right. It's only a few tens of thousands of Ryo, so don't take it to heart. The captain isn't a stingy fellow."

The Nara Clan, which dealt in the medicinal herb business, was indeed very wealthy. Knowing Might Guy's family situation, Shikaku Nara laughed heartily and made a generous promise:

"The extra income shall belong to you all!"

"Compared to the mission, outstanding juniors are what matter most."

"Remember, while a ninja must follow the rules, when a mission goes wrong, your companions come first. This is the Will of Fire that has been passed down!"

"..."