The Road Ahead

"Lord Hokage, the Ido within Yakumo's heart was born from the darkness of her own inner self. You could say Ido is another Yakumo. In fact, from my perspective, whether it's the birth of Ido or the actions of the Kurama Clan Head and the others, it all stems from the same principle: things were never clearly explained!"

Ueno Kei spoke, enunciating every word.

"Humans are strange creatures. Sometimes, things that don't even exist are conjured up by our own wild imaginations. Groundless speculation is the most terrifying thing of all. The hostility between people and the origins of hatred stem from a lack of trust and a lack of understanding. When these feelings deepen, hatred is born, and slaughter follows."

As Ueno Kei spoke, he slowly lowered his head. The Third Hokage listened quietly from the side, showing no intention of interrupting, though his gaze toward Ueno Kei grew increasingly complex.

Ueno Kei continued to speak his mind. Since he had already said so much, he had shed his final reservations; some things truly didn't need to be overthought, and besides, the Third was not that kind of person.

Slowly, Ueno Kei recounted the events that had transpired between him and Kurama Yakumo—Yakumo's remorse, Ueno Kei's hesitation, and the link between the randomness and inevitability of the situation.

This stirred waves in the Third Hokage's heart. He did not know what kind of emotions those two children had held for each other at that time.

In the Third Hokage's view, for two children only ten years old, Ueno Kei and Kurama Yakumo had experienced lives that were far too rugged and helpless.

Perhaps this was precisely why they lacked the innocence and simplicity of other children, possessing instead a touch more maturity.

Quietly, the Third Hokage had originally only intended to understand a bit of Ueno Kei's feelings.

Whether it concerned the events between him and her, or the things Ueno Kei had been carrying, the Third Hokage had initially had no specific agenda.

But at this moment, the Third felt that if he didn't say or do something, would the mental burden on this youth be too heavy, potentially leading to something unfortunate in the future?

The Third Hokage's gaze gradually became distant.

Back then, there was also a youth—dressed in white, just as intelligent, just as mature and calm. Compared to Ueno Kei, that youth in white had the highest aptitude for ninjutsu the Third Hokage had ever seen.

Yet, the two shared similar experiences: the death of both parents and an early, frequent encounter with life and death.

The Third Hokage felt deep self-reproach; at that time, he had failed to notice the change in him. Just as Ueno Kei said, humans are strange creatures, and the complexity of the heart is not something anyone can truly fathom.

The Third had already let one youth go astray, and he did not want to see the same thing happen a second time.

Especially with this youth before him—Ueno Kei. To the Third, Ueno Kei was a child he had brought back to the village himself. Given his performance and his intellect, the Third believed he had both the duty and the ability to prevent this child from walking the same path as that youth in white.

This was one of his responsibilities as Hokage. At that moment, the faint thought in the Third Hokage's heart swelled instantly, becoming increasingly irrepressible.

"Kei, humans are indeed complex creatures, but the relationships between people are far from what you imagine. Perhaps a lack of communication and understanding leads to estrangement and hostility, but as long as we strive for mutual understanding and trust, I believe that this sense of estrangement and hostility will surely vanish."

The Third Hokage said slowly and gently.

Ueno Kei's eyes flickered slightly. Recalling his twenty-plus years from his past life and the decade in this one, a trace of gloom flashed across his face, as if he remained unmoved by the Third's words.

For Ueno Kei, his life was a tangible reality, and it was unrealistic for the Third Hokage to change his perspective with a few light, airy words.

Truth be told, Ueno Kei had no clear path for his life or his future, whether in the past or the present. For him, he lived only because of his mother's final cry for him to survive, and the vow to avenge his parents was etched into his heart at every moment.

That was the only reason he lived like a human!

Before avenging his parents, Ueno Kei would not allow himself to die easily. But after the revenge? Ueno Kei had not considered it, nor did he want to think about it.

Yet, there was a terrifying possibility: living a mechanical life like a walking corpse.

One only had to look: aside from Naruto, Ueno Kei had no one else in Konoha to talk to. After all, while people were slightly resistant to Ueno Kei because of his contact with Naruto—whom they loathed—they did not shun Ueno Kei the way they shunned Naruto.

Over these three years, everyone knew Ueno Kei was an orphan. Unlike Naruto, the people of Konoha were relatively tolerant and sympathetic toward Ueno Kei.

Under these circumstances, it would not have been difficult for Ueno Kei to make friends if he had taken the initiative. Yet, had Ueno Kei ever taken the initiative? He had not.

Not only that, but Ueno Kei also exuded an aloof atmosphere that kept others at a distance.

One thing Ueno Kei did not realize was that the Third Hokage had occasionally observed him over these three years. The number of children the Third Hokage personally brought back to the village was small, and the Third was not a bleeding heart; ultimately, it came down to a sense of affinity.

The Third Hokage had maintained a necessary understanding of Ueno Kei's situation over these three years.

Otherwise, the mere fact that Ueno Kei, an orphan from outside the village, was associating with Uzumaki Naruto would have been enough for the Konoha Anbu to have a "talk" with him about his life and ideals.

It was only because of the Third Hokage that Ueno Kei had remained undisturbed until now.

After all, no matter how powerful an institution Konoha's was, it could not suspect that someone brought into the village by the Hokage himself was a spy.

Having survived this life-and-death situation, the special relationship between Ueno Kei and Kurama Yakumo was enough to make the Third pay extra attention to this youth.

"Kei, conflict is inevitable. Everyone has something they wish to protect. Yet, it is precisely to protect what is most precious that one must struggle and fight with others, even to the point of triggering a Great Ninja War!"

The Third Hokage said calmly.

"Kei, mutual understanding between people may be difficult, perhaps even impossible to fully achieve, but I still believe it will come. The First Hokage established Konoha Village, and the inheritance of the Will of Fire is a spirit, a philosophy! Kei, people fight in order to protect! This is very important. But there will come a day when people will surely eliminate the barriers between them, understand one another, and trust one another. I firmly believe that such an era will come, as long as we steadfastly push toward it, step by step."

"This! This is the essence of the Will of Fire!" the Third Hokage said in a slow, firm tone.