The Answer

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

"Yes! The ninja wars and the mutual slaughter—all of this is caused by people's lack of understanding and their differing beliefs. But when the First Hokage founded Konoha, he strove for and pursued harmony between ninja villages and peace for the world. The First Hokage spent his entire life seeking an era of mutual understanding between people. These are the wills that we have passed down from generation to generation."

The Third Hokage looked into Ueno Kei's eyes, speaking every word with deliberate weight.

The Third Hokage did not know how much his words could influence Ueno Kei, and of course, he did not harbor the naive hope that a few mere sentences could bridge the chasm in the boy's heart.

It was unlikely that Ueno Kei would change so easily.

The Third Hokage's goal was simply to plant a seed in Ueno Kei's heart, to let it slowly take root and sprout, gradually altering his perspective. That was the Third Hokage's true intent.

At that moment, an indescribable feeling stirred within Ueno Kei. If he still didn't understand the Third Hokage's intentions by now, he would have to be truly foolish.

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

But the Will of Fire? Protecting the things most precious to him? Those concepts were far too ethereal for Ueno Kei. At this moment, did he really have anything worth risking his life to protect?

After all, even Naruto was, in Ueno Kei's heart, merely someone akin to a brother; he was not true family.

Furthermore, in his previous life, Ueno Kei had died after being betrayed by his subordinates and ignored by his cold-hearted relatives.

If even his true family had been like that, the tiny sliver of warmth he had finally received from his simple, honest parents in this life—the warmth that had just begun to make him feel like he was integrating into this world—had been cruelly destroyed.

Is there really any meaning to my existence other than revenge? Ueno Kei thought, his heart bitter, his eyes devoid of any light.

A slight weight settled on his head, followed by a sensation of warmth. He looked up to see the Third Hokage's rough, large hand resting atop his head.

"Kei, the future is still long. You will surely find your own answer." The Third Hokage smiled gently, the wrinkles and age spots on his face making him look so warm.

"Yes, Lord Hokage," Ueno Kei replied softly. That's right, my path is still long. I'll start by avenging my parents. As for the future? I'll deal with that later. It's fine to be lost for now; perhaps in the future, I will find my own answer. Who knows?

Gradually, Ueno Kei's expression brightened.

A faint smile touched the corners of his mouth. He looked up, his tone filled with a hint of respect and gratitude: "Thank you, Lord Hokage."

The Third Hokage smiled and shook his head.

Just as Ueno Kei thought the conversation was coming to an end, the Third Hokage stared at him for a moment before suddenly uttering a sentence that made Ueno Kei's eyes widen, leaving him momentarily unsure of how to react.

Konoha, Hokage Office Building.

The Third Hokage, dressed in his Hokage robes with a pipe clamped between his teeth, stood behind his desk with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing out at Konoha Village.

His eyes were deep and unfocused, as if he were lost in thought. Nara Shikaku stood to the side, and just as he opened his mouth to speak, a voice suddenly cut through the room.

"Hiruzen, what exactly are you thinking? Why did you hide the matter of the Kurama Clan from me? And to think you actually let that group of traitors go!" A gloomy voice echoed through the Hokage's office.

Nara Shikaku's expression shifted. He turned immediately to see an old man who had appeared in the room out of nowhere. A white bandage covered his forehead and right eye, and a vertical scar marked his chin.

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

The man was none other than the Third Hokage's former teammate, the leader of "Root"—which had since separated from the Anbu—and one of Konoha's elders: Shimura Danzo.

Unlike the other two advisors, this old man held real power, and his personal strength was extraordinary. Nara Shikaku couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart whenever he faced him.

The Third Hokage sighed slightly and waved his hand. Nara Shikaku, understanding the gesture, bowed to both the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzo before exiting the office.

Once Nara Shikaku had left, the Third Hokage turned slowly. His clouded eyes, devoid of any vigor, spoke in a low voice: "Danzo, the Kurama Clan affair was merely a misunderstanding. They didn't betray Konoha, did they? I have already handled this matter; you need not interfere."

It was true. On that day, after Ueno Kei had fallen unconscious, the Third Hokage had found the Kurama Yeqiong brothers severely wounded at the scene. Due to the severity of their injuries, the Third had ordered the Anbu to take them to Konoha Hospital.

It had to be said, they were Jonin for a reason; after only one night, Kurama Yeqiong had regained consciousness.

What exactly was discussed between the Third Hokage and Kurama Yeqiong remained unknown to outsiders, and even Nara Shikaku was unaware. However, shortly after, Kurama Yeqiong used the Kurama Clan's special channels to issue a secret order for all clan members to return to their original territory within the Land of Fire.

It was an incredibly risky decision. Not to mention that the two strongest Jonin of the Kurama Clan were currently severely injured, even if they had been in perfect health, it would have been easier for Konoha to crush the Kurama Clan than to crush an ant.

It was unknown what kind of promise the Third Hokage had made to Kurama Yeqiong to convince him to bring the entire clan back.

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

No matter how much the Third Hokage tried to hide it, Shimura Danzo eventually discovered the truth. He quickly learned the entire sequence of events, as he was well-versed in the history of those years.

If the Third Hokage hadn't been protecting the Kurama Clan, Shimura Danzo might have already ordered Root to wipe them out.

It was this very action by the Third Hokage that had infuriated Shimura Danzo, leading him to confront the Hokage.

"Hiruzen! What are you saying? A misunderstanding? Hmph, in my eyes, the Kurama Clan are traitors through and through, and they should be eradicated without mercy!" Shimura Danzo said, his voice sinister.

As he spoke, a terrifying killing intent radiated from him. Shimura Danzo was a man who had survived countless wars, and his hands were stained with much blood.

The Third Hokage felt a splitting headache upon hearing this. The killing intent was too heavy, and the methods were too extreme and bloody. If this were directed at an enemy, it might be one thing, but to treat people of his own village with such brutality—even if the intention was for the sake of Konoha—was something the Third Hokage could not accept.

The incident with the Uchiha in the past... such things must never happen again!