The Answer

"Will of Fire? Protecting the things most precious to you?" Ueno Kei murmured, as if asking himself.

"That's right! The Ninja World Wars and the mutual slaughter—they were caused by people's lack of understanding of one another and their differing beliefs. But when the First founded Konoha, he also worked hard and sought harmony between the hidden villages and peace in the world. The First spent his entire life striving for an era of mutual understanding between people. Those ideals have been passed down from generation to generation."

The Third Hokage met Ueno Kei's gaze and spoke each word deliberately.

The Third Hokage had no idea how much his words would affect Ueno Kei. Of course, he didn't expect a few simple words to fill the gap in Ueno Kei's heart.

It was unlikely that Ueno Kei would change.

The Third Hokage's purpose was simply to plant a seed in Ueno Kei's heart, allowing it to take root and slowly grow, gradually changing his outlook. That was the Third Hokage's true aim.

At that moment, Ueno Kei felt something he couldn't quite put into words. If he still couldn't understand the Third Hokage's intentions, he would have to be terribly foolish.

He could tell that the Third Hokage was trying to guide him.

But the Will of Fire? Protecting the things most precious to him? Those things seemed far too abstract to Ueno Kei. Was there really anything in his life right now that he would risk his life to protect?

In the end, even Naruto was merely like a brother to Ueno Kei. He wasn't truly family.

What was more, in his previous life, Ueno Kei had died after being betrayed by his subordinates and coldly ignored by his family.

His real family had treated him that way. In this life, he had finally received a little warmth from those simple, sincere parents, and just as he had started to feel a little more a part of this world, it had been cruelly torn away.

Aside from revenge, did my life really have any meaning? Ueno Kei thought bitterly, his eyes utterly dim.

A warm weight settled lightly on Ueno Kei's head. He looked up to see the Third Hokage's rough hand gently stroking his hair.

"Kei, you still have a long road ahead of you. You'll find your own answer someday." The Third Hokage smiled kindly. The creases in his face and his age spots made him look so very warm.

"Yes, Lord Hokage," Ueno Kei replied softly. That was right. He still had a long road ahead. First, he would avenge his parents. As for what came after that? He would think about it later. It was fine to feel lost for now. Perhaps one day he would find his own answer. Perhaps.

Gradually, Ueno Kei's expression brightened.

A faint smile touched Ueno Kei's lips. He looked up and said with a hint of respect and gratitude, "Thank you, Lord Hokage."

The Third Hokage smiled and shook his head.

Just when Ueno Kei thought their conversation was about to end,

the Third Hokage gazed at Ueno Kei for a moment, then suddenly said something that made Ueno Kei's eyes widen. For a moment, he had no idea how to react.

Konoha, the Hokage Office Building.

The Third Hokage stood behind his desk in his Hokage robes, a pipe clenched between his lips and his hands clasped behind his back as he looked out over Konoha.

His gaze was deep yet distant, as if lost in thought. Nara Shikaku stood off to one side. Just as Nara Shikaku opened his mouth to say something,

suddenly,

"Hiruzen, what exactly are you thinking? Why did you keep the matter of the Kurama Clan from me? And why did you let that whole bunch of traitors go?" A gloomy voice rang out inside the Hokage Office Building.

Nara Shikaku's expression changed. He immediately turned around and saw an old man who had suddenly appeared in the room. White bandages wrapped from his forehead down over his right eye, and there was a scar on his chin.

Seeing the newcomer, Nara Shikaku immediately dropped to one knee and said, "Lord Danzo!"

The newcomer was the Third Hokage's former teammate. Now, he led Root, an organization independent from Anbu, and was one of Konoha's elders: Shimura Danzō.

Unlike the other two advisors, this old man held real power, and his own strength was extraordinary as well. Nara Shikaku couldn't help feeling a chill whenever he faced him.

The Third Hokage sighed and then waved a hand. Nara Shikaku understood what he meant. He bowed to the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzō, then left the Hokage's office.

After Nara Shikaku had left,

the Third Hokage slowly turned around. His cloudy eyes seemed utterly lifeless as he said softly, "Danzo, the matter of the Kurama Clan was just a misunderstanding. They haven't betrayed Konoha, have they? I've already dealt with it, so don't get involved."

That was right. After Ueno Kei had passed out that day, the Third Hokage had also found the two Kurama brothers, Yeqiong and his sibling, unconscious and gravely injured. Their wounds were too severe, though.

The Third Hokage had no choice but to order Anbu to take them back to Konoha Hospital first.

It had to be said: as expected of a jonin, Kurama Yeqiong regained consciousness after just one night.

What exactly passed between the Third Hokage and Kurama Yeqiong afterward was unknown to outsiders. Nara Shikaku didn't know either. He only knew that afterward, Kurama Yeqiong had used the Kurama Clan's special channels.

He issued a secret order for all the clan members to return to their former base within the Land of Fire.

It was undeniably a very risky decision. Never mind that the Kurama Clan's two strongest jonin were now both seriously injured—even if they were in perfect health, it would be easier for Konoha to crush the entire clan than to crush an ant.

No one knew what promise the Third Hokage had made to Kurama Yeqiong to convince him to bring the whole clan back.

Although being wanted by Konoha would also be dangerous, it was precisely the Kurama Clan's movements that had alerted Shimura Danzō of Root.

No matter how much the Third Hokage tried to keep it hidden, Shimura Danzō had eventually found out. After that, he quickly learned the whole story. After all, Shimura Danzō knew the details of what had happened back then just as well.

If the Third Hokage weren't protecting the Kurama Clan now, Shimura Danzō might already have ordered Root to wipe them out.

The Third Hokage's actions had infuriated Shimura Danzō, which was why he had come to confront him.

"Hiruzen! What did you say? A misunderstanding? Hmph. As far as I'm concerned, the Kurama Clan are traitors through and through. They should be wiped out without mercy!" Shimura Danzō said ominously.

As he spoke, a terrifying killing intent radiated from Shimura Danzō. After all, he was a man who had fought countless battles, and his hands were stained with plenty of blood.

Hearing Shimura Danzō's words, the Third Hokage felt a severe headache coming on. His bloodlust was too great, and his methods were too extreme and bloody. If they were dealing with an enemy, that would be one thing.

But his methods were just as bloody when dealing with people from his own village. Although his intentions were always to protect Konoha, the Third Hokage couldn't accept Danzō's way of doing things.

What had happened with the Uchiha before—something like that absolutely could not happen again.