Darkness

Genma had also studied Konoha's Will of Fire very seriously.

From the First, Senju Hashirama, to the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, and then to Sarutobi Hiruzen, who led the village now, he had learned about it from every angle.

The First had united the various ninja clans and ended the war with the aim of reducing casualties and protecting children. This was the Will of Fire in its earliest form, and the heart of what held Konoha together.

The Will of Fire of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, was something Genma had summed up as order and protection.

Compared to Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama had been colder and more ruthless. Order was the framework, and protection was the core. For the sake of all Konoha, he had been willing to sacrifice individuals.

In other words, he could coldly sacrifice a few to protect many.

The Anbu had been established as a tool for Senju Tobirama to maintain order.

His wariness of the Uchiha Clan had also been an expression of his resolve to maintain order, even at the cost of sacrificing individuals.

So, when faced with a naturally evil Uchiha brat, the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, would have killed him without hesitation.

Senju Hashirama wouldn't have. He would have been more forgiving toward children, even if they were Uchiha.

And Sarutobi Hiruzen, standing before him now, probably wouldn't have, either.

Of course, Senju Tobirama had possessed the strength and determination to put his beliefs into practice.

So, near the end of the First Shinobi World War, when Kinkaku and Ginkaku's pursuit force was on his heels, he had chosen to sacrifice himself so that his subordinates could escape.

Setting aside the Flying Thunder God, Senju Tobirama's actions had unquestionably given tangible form to his Will of Fire.

He had also set an example for Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others.

But from Genma's outsider's perspective—even looking at things as if from above—Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo had each inherited and carried forward different parts of Senju Tobirama's ideals.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had inherited Senju Tobirama's gentler side. Or rather, he had inherited more of Senju Hashirama's ideals, advocating for the village's protection and using gentler methods to safeguard Konoha, the framework of "order."

But he also knew that trees needed more than just warm sunlight.

That was why he needed Danzo, who had inherited Senju Tobirama's dark and ruthless side.

But Danzo was even more extreme than Senju Tobirama and lacked his resolve. Over time, he had become little more than a shadow, obsessed with power struggles and the Hokage Position.

Whether Sarutobi Hiruzen had deliberately arranged for himself and Danzo to represent Konoha's light and darkness, or had simply recognized the flaws in his own character, the village's current balance of power had already been established.

And barring any surprises, it would endure for many years, planting countless seeds of trouble.

In the end, Sarutobi Hiruzen had lived by the ideal of sacrificing himself to protect the village, passing on the spirit of the Will of Fire. But even if he hadn't known about the dirty things Danzo had done, he still bore responsibility as his leader.

For example, Danzo's theft of Uchiha Shisui's Sharingan.

Perhaps Orochimaru had wanted to give the Hokage the ending he deserved.

Of course, Genma might not have been entirely objective in thinking this way.

But judging Sarutobi Hiruzen's actions on their own, he did seem overly cowardly, unless one brought conspiracy theories into it.

Wasn't that why Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo were such close friends? They understood each other so well.

As Sarutobi Hiruzen's speech ended, Genma's thoughts gradually returned to the present.

Watching Sarutobi Hiruzen walk away, Genma felt that he still needed to keep observing him calmly.

He didn't understand the Sarutobi Hiruzen before him well enough yet.

Half an hour later.

Under a tree outside the Hokage Building, Genma held a dark blue Chunin vest and a Ninjutsu Scroll, making Shizune and Yamashiro Aoba green with envy.

But Genma wasn't particularly fond of the Chunin vest. "The protection it offers is just so-so. My armor's better."

Shizune held her own vest and smiled. "That may be true, but for most people, this vest is more convenient than armor."

Yamashiro Aoba nodded in agreement.

He thought Genma's armor was too heavy and made him less nimble.

It was only suited to someone with monstrous stamina.

Of course, besides envying the vest, he envied the Ninjutsu Scroll in Genma's hands even more.

"Genma, what jutsu did you choose? It must be S-rank!"

"What does the Scroll of Sealing look like?"

"Are there a lot of forbidden jutsu in it?"

Yamashiro Aoba asked one question after another.

Shizune was curious too. "It's such a rare opportunity to choose a jutsu from the Scroll of Sealing."

Genma shrugged. "I might disappoint you."

"I didn't get to see the actual Scroll of Sealing. I only got a catalog, and I was limited to genjutsu."

Shizune looked a little disappointed. "Huh, only genjutsu?"

"What a shame."

Genma smiled. "It's still pretty good. Used well, genjutsu can easily decide the outcome of a battle."

Yamashiro Aoba said, "Genjutsu may well be the best fit for you. So what kind of jutsu did you choose?"

"The Bringer-of-Darkness Technique. A visual genjutsu. They say the Second Hokage developed it, and it's A-rank."

Genma explained with a smile.

Whether Senju Hashirama or Senju Tobirama had developed this genjutsu, Genma strongly suspected it had been designed specifically to counter the Uchiha.

Just then, Hatake Sakumo came over from the Hokage Building and called to the three of them. "Come on. I'm treating you to barbecue to celebrate Genma and Shizune becoming Chunins."

"And Aoba, don't get discouraged."

"With your strength, becoming a Chunin won't be a problem. You can apply for the exam again in November."

Aside from the regular Chunin Exams held each year, Konoha allowed ninja to apply on their own as well.

However, if they failed the exam, they had to wait three months before applying again.

Yamashiro Aoba didn't seem bothered by failing the exam. He answered calmly, "Sakumo-sensei, I'm absolutely confident. After all, I'm Genma's teammate."

When it came to Yin Release, or sensing, he had received guidance and help from Genma, too.

Hearing Yamashiro Aoba's words, Genma and the others couldn't help but smile. Then they headed to the barbecue restaurant together.

Meanwhile.

At Ichiraku Ramen, the four of them were celebrating Kakashi becoming a Chunin.

But Uchiha Obito, with a first-aid bandage stuck to his face, was in low spirits.

"Obito, your skills aren't bad. It's just..."

Namikaze Minato searched for the right words. "You're not steady enough, calm enough, or focused enough."

"If you could manage that, becoming a Chunin should be easy for you."

Uchiha Obito brightened. "Really?"

Nohara Rin immediately backed him up. "Of course Sensei wouldn't lie. Obito, we all believe in you!"

Uchiha Obito's spirits gradually recovered. "Thanks, Rin."

"Unlike certain people..."

Kakashi gave a quiet scoff. "If you don't get rid of those bad habits, you'll be a Genin forever!"

"And Rin, don't indulge him so much."

"Minato-sensei, you too."

Namikaze Minato hadn't expected to be criticized as well. He scratched his head awkwardly. "Haha, it's not that bad!"

Uchiha Obito was furious. "Kakashi, don't get so smug. I'll become a Chunin for sure."

"And once I awaken my Sharingan, I'll beat you for sure!"

Kakashi curled his lip in disdain. "Hmph!"

Namikaze Minato put down his chopsticks and held them both back. "Obito, even if you're a Genin, you're still a capable ninja. You need to grow up."

"And you, Kakashi—you've become a Chunin, so you need to take on more responsibility."

"I'm not asking you to indulge Obito more. I'm asking you to treat him with the right attitude."

Kakashi fell silent, but he took the words to heart. "If he won't listen next time, I'll teach him a lesson and make him change."

Nohara Rin immediately brightened at that.

Uchiha Obito was unconvinced and couldn't help muttering, "I'm not afraid of you!"

Nohara Rin immediately fixed him with a stern look. "Obito!"

Uchiha Obito's bravado instantly faded. His face reddened, and he didn't dare say another word.

Namikaze Minato smiled and patted them both on the shoulder. "All right, we've reached an understanding for now. Hurry up and eat!"