I've always had a competitive relationship with Fugaku.

Orochimaru fell silent.

He had not forgotten his earlier attempt to "correct" Ruohuo.

But after Ruohuo stated his grand "dream" in the most "innocent" tone imaginable...

Orochimaru found that he no longer knew how to respond.

To become the Uchiha clan head and safeguard the stability of Konoha.

That sounded normal enough; perhaps it was a dream every young Uchiha harbored.

But... to lead the Konoha Military Police Force to dominate the Ninja World?

To establish laws for the Ninja World? To maintain the stability of the Ninja World?

Child, you may not realize it.

Your dream is, in reality, no different from ruling the Ninja World.

And a "dream" like ruling the Ninja World is something every Kage of every village likely harbors in their heart.

Furthermore, the act of leading the Uchiha out of Konoha—doesn't that essentially mean defecting from the village?

To put it mildly, one might call it seceding from the ninja village.

But those higher-ups certainly won't see it that way, child...

What interested Orochimaru most, however, was Ruohuo's interpretation of the "Will of Fire."

Those who violate the law shall be burned to ashes by the "Will of Fire"...

So that's what you meant when you shouted "Will of Fire" before unleashing your jutsu?

"I must say, your dream... is truly astonishing, Ruohuo-kun."

Orochimaru asked, "I am curious, have you mentioned this to Clan Head Fugaku?"

Conquering the Ninja World... was this truly the naive thought of a child, or was it a reflection of the ambitions of Fugaku, this young clan head?

Even without explicitly sensing his teacher's gaze.

Orochimaru, who had already designated himself as the Fourth Hokage, was indeed acting with the mindset of a Hokage.

Admittedly.

He was more interested in inheriting the position of Hokage and possessing the highest authority in Konoha than in inheriting his teacher's Will of Fire.

But that did not prevent him from becoming a competent Kage...

"No."

Ruohuo looked at Orochimaru with a serious expression. "Clan Head Fugaku and I have always been rivals; it's just that his Will of Fire is currently far stronger than mine."

"Until I am certain I can defeat him, I cannot expose my ambitions."

"..." Orochimaru was momentarily choked for words.

Such an answer was something he had never expected.

Well, the logic behind this answer could be traced; after all, this child had just been trying to "agree to disagree" with Fugaku...

Orochimaru decided to adjust his way of thinking, otherwise, he felt he wouldn't be able to keep up with this child's train of thought.

"Teacher Orochimaru, can you keep this secret for me?"

Ruohuo suddenly said.

"...Of course." After a brief hesitation, Orochimaru replied, "I am very happy that you chose to share your dream with your teacher."

"As your teacher, I naturally support your dream and will keep it confidential for you... Ruohuo-kun, I look forward to the day you become the Uchiha clan head."

The child was still young, after all.

Once he recognized the reality of things, his declaration of a "dream" might change.

As for the child's misunderstanding of the "Will of Fire"...

Orochimaru actually felt that it wasn't half bad.

After all, this Will of Fire also requires some heat, doesn't it?

"Hearing that my teacher supports my dream puts my mind at ease," Ruohuo said with a sigh of relief.

Orochimaru returned the smile.

"Then I'll trouble you, Teacher, to submit my application for the Chunin Exams."

Orochimaru's smile stiffened slightly...

"The Chunin Exams?"

"Yes! Once I become a Chunin, my Will of Fire will become even stronger."

"Hm?" Orochimaru was stunned. What had he just heard?

He watched as Ruohuo looked at his own fist, saying with a solemn face, "I have already mastered all of Clan Head Fugaku's Fire Style, and once I obtain the Will of Fire of a Chunin, I will be able to challenge Clan Head Fugaku!"

"Rest assured, Teacher. I won't let you down. As long as I can become a Chunin, I have a twenty percent chance of defeating Clan Leader Fugaku!"

"..."

A long silence followed.

Orochimaru found that keeping up with this child's train of thought was not a simple matter.

Take this strange concept of the Will of Fire, for instance...

Just how exactly did Chunin Oki teach him?

"Ruohuo..." Orochimaru felt it was necessary to correct the misconceptions in Ruohuo's thinking; otherwise, communication might become quite troublesome.

"The Will of Fire is a spirit, a legacy, it is not—"

"I know that, Teacher Orochimaru!"

Ruohuo interrupted him with an expression that suggested it was only natural.

"The Will of Fire is the source of power for Konoha ninjas. The stronger the Will of Fire, the stronger a Konoha ninja becomes!"

"That is indeed true," Orochimaru said patiently, "but the strength of the Will of Fire lies within the heart and cannot be quantified. It has nothing to do with whether or not you become a Chunin."

Orochimaru guided him gently, "Look, you just graduated from the Ninja Academy and received your ninja headband. Did you notice any obvious changes?"

"Of course I did!"

Ruohuo raised his voice, "Teacher, I have clearly felt the change. My Will of Fire has indeed grown stronger!"

Orochimaru felt a headache coming on, "But..."

"Teacher, look!" Ruohuo presented the facts, immediately revealing his Two-Tomoe Sharingan.

"After I became a ninja, I clearly felt my Will of Fire improve significantly. Even my eyes have become stronger!"

"..."

Looking at the Two-Tomoe Sharingan in Ruohuo's eyes, Orochimaru suddenly felt a bit... unsure of himself!

He remembered that Ruohuo had only possessed a One-Tomoe Sharingan just a moment ago, still in the initial stage of awakening!

How could it... evolve just by putting on a headband?

Coupled with the fact that during his assessment, Ruohuo had used the Wind Style he had "learned" as Fire Style—a matter he hadn't even had the chance to investigate yet...

Could this child actually be right? The thought suddenly appeared in Orochimaru's mind.

Could the "quantifiable Will of Fire" that Ruohuo believed in actually exist?

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly.

So, what exactly is this unknown power?

Is it a Kekkei Genkai other than the Uchiha Sharingan?

Or perhaps a special ability of the Sharingan itself?

If only he could study it properly...

An inexplicable urge began to quietly sprout within Orochimaru's heart...

"Teacher..."

Unaware, Ruohuo's voice grew softer.

"If you think I can't defeat Clan Leader Fugaku, it's not like I can't challenge him later."

"But becoming a Chunin is the fastest way for me to obtain the Will of Fire right now, so Teacher..."

"Teacher will help you, Ruohuo."

Orochimaru suddenly interrupted with a smile, "Just as I said, I will support your dream."

"Eh?" Now it was Ruohuo's turn to be stunned. He was being this agreeable?

Wait...

Teacher, while you're talking, could you please not stick your tongue out so far?