Everything Shop

"Lord Hokage, if the ninja world lacks figures like Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, war will never end, and the world will never know peace."

"It is precisely because I realize this that I have chosen to abandon the path of the ninja. My strength is insufficient to alter the future; the outcome remains immutable."

"The survival of the village has its own destiny. Rather than struggle, it is better to simply drift through life and live happily."

Bai Lin feigned an air of 'longing to return on the wind, yet fearing the jade towers and crystal halls,' finally letting out a sigh to express his melancholy.

This display of wisdom, rather than his previous sharp-edged demeanor, left Hiruzen Sarutobi even more unsettled.

For someone with such vision and perspective to truly choose a life of aimless drifting would be the greatest loss to Konoha!

As the Third Hokage of Konoha, if someone like Bai Lin possessed sufficient talent, he might even surpass his own disciples. If cultivated, he could perhaps become the most perfect Hokage Konoha has ever seen.

Even if not, he could become a strategist, one who would not pale in comparison to the Nara Clan.

Hiruzen Sarutobi could no longer sit still. He walked up to Bai Lin, his gaze so solemn it seemed to burn: "Little one, you are wrong!"

"How do you know you cannot change things if you never try?"

"Lack of strength and drifting through life are merely your excuses. I know you yearn for peace in your heart, and the villagers speak highly of you. Why not choose to fight for the future you desire? When I took on the mantle of Hokage, I faced the covetous eyes of every ninja village. For the sake of Konoha's peace, I still stood tall!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi patted his shoulder, his tone softening yet remaining firm: "As long as you are willing, I can cultivate you with all my might. When you have grown, I am willing to hand the position of Hokage to you, so you may attempt to change the outcome of the future."

"Lord Hokage!" Bai Lin pinched his thigh hard, tears welling up in his eyes to express his deep emotion.

He looked at Bai Lin, his eyes full of expectation: "Little one, do not let me down, do not let Konoha down, and above all, do not let yourself down."

"I can have my disciples take you on as an apprentice; you can rest assured regarding your ninjutsu training."

Bai Lin took a deep breath and slowly raised his head. The struggle in his eyes faded, replaced by an unprecedented firmness: "Very well! I accept! I will stand up, I will fight for peace, and I will become the one who changes the ninja world! Even if I am shattered to pieces, I will never retreat!"

"Good! Good! Good!" Hiruzen Sarutobi repeated the word three times, a smile of immense gratification appearing on his face. "I truly did not misjudge you! Go now, prepare yourself well, and I will notify you when the time comes."

Bai Lin left the Hokage's office with a strange, enigmatic smile.

Hiruzen Sarutobi also wore a look of extreme satisfaction.

"This child, Bai Lin, is worth focusing on. He is indeed the perfect candidate for the Will of Fire."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pulled out his signature pipe, lit it, and took a deep drag.

Amidst the swirling smoke, his gaze became distant and heavy: "The current situation is volatile, and war is not far off. If I can cultivate excellent ninjas who are no less capable than Tsunade, Jiraiya, or Orochimaru, Konoha will not suffer heavy losses in the coming chaotic times."

"However, his mind is too mature. I fear he might stray onto a crooked path. I actually saw the shadow of that man in him. Is it just an illusion?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi took another deep drag, his expression growing complex: "Orochimaru is my favorite disciple, and his talent is top-tier, but his personality is too obsessive; he is not suitable to mentor him."

"Jiraiya is free-spirited. I wonder if this little one is the so-called Child of Prophecy. I can have Jiraiya observe him when the time comes."

"Tsunade... well, the medical field is indeed not quite suitable for the little one, but to Tsunade, Konoha is her home. As long as there is any possibility of harm to the village, Tsunade will certainly correct his mistakes."

"Furthermore, through the pain of others and the cruelty of war, perhaps Bai Lin's resolve to protect Konoha will only grow stronger."

"Protecting those he wishes to protect will surely lead him to shine for Konoha. Fortunately, he is not of the Uchiha Clan, otherwise..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi dared not continue that line of thought.

The Sharingan is the mirror of the heart, carrying love, hate, and obsession. Once it falls into darkness, it is difficult to pull back.

The deeper the obsession, the more severe the fall. The greater that power, the more terrifying the backlash.

Hiruzen Sarutobi wrote several names on a scroll, deciding the outcome of this conversation with Bai Lin.

The sky had grown quite late, and the scent of cooking fires began to drift from the streets.

Bai Lin pushed open the door to the Everything Shop and saw his members chatting in small groups.

There were not many of them, mostly civilians—ordinary people without ninja talent.

However, there were a few special individuals: Minato Namikaze, Might Duy, and Uchiha Mikoto.

Minato Namikaze, naturally, went without saying; he was someone Bai Lin had raised since he was small.

Might Duy was the first member to join the Everything Shop with his own capital. Back then, Bai Lin was penniless—let alone renting this shop, he didn't even have pocket money at the orphanage. It was Bai Lin talking about "youth," "passion," and "bonds" that moved him.

Might Duy had poured out his life savings to help Bai Lin establish the Everything Shop, even though Might Duy was only a Genin with a low income.

Yet, Might Duy was incredibly enthusiastic about helping villagers. The Everything Shop's standards perfectly matched his obsession with "youth" and "passion."

Aside from completing Konoha ninja missions, he felt he was wasting time when idle, so he came to work at the Everything Shop.

He was the most diligent when it came to running errands, willingly doing trivial tasks like fetching water for the elderly or finding lost cats for children.

As for Uchiha Mikoto, it was a surprise. She had taken the initiative to offer her help. She was meticulous and kept the accounts clear, managing the shop's finances and chores in perfect order.

Bai Lin could see that she wanted to change the villagers' inherent prejudices against the Uchiha Clan and integrate into the village.

Despite being an Uchiha, she lacked their arrogance. She was gentle with everyone, and even when facing the occasional biased gaze from villagers, she always responded with warmth.

As the Everything Shop grew, Mikoto had brought a few other Uchiha members to work there, but they soon stopped coming.

After Bai Lin inquired, he learned that those people had been mocked and despised by their own clansmen, who said things like, "How can Uchiha blood be used for such menial labor serving civilians?" or "No wonder you can't awaken the Sharingan, you lack the pride of an Uchiha."

Those individuals had originally wanted to integrate into the village, but they could not withstand the rumors and gossip within the Uchiha, eventually leaving and never daring to mention "serving the villagers" again.

Seeing Bai Lin push the door open, the members inside instantly fell silent, sitting cross-legged in unison, neat and orderly.

Might Duy (Konoha Year 19, 16 years old, Genin)

Uchiha Mikoto (Konoha Year 23, 12 years old, Genin)