Fang Xu sat up straight. "Please, go ahead."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "The first matter concerns what happened this afternoon."
Fang Xu's heart sank.
Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, "I've already had someone question those three children. Asuma didn't arrange it, but they did take it upon themselves to trouble you because of the conflict between you and Asuma at school."
Fang Xu did not interrupt.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed.
"Asuma is my son. He didn't orchestrate this, but his status affected you, and as his father, I can't pretend I didn't see that."
He looked at Fang Xu, his tone earnest.
"So, I apologize to you on Asuma's behalf."
Fang Xu immediately said, "Lord Hokage, there's no need for that. Those three were responsible for their own actions."
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved a hand.
"I can tell who is responsible for what. But both as Hokage and as a father, I should make my position clear."
Hearing this, Fang Xu relaxed a little. At least the Third Hokage hadn't come to hold him accountable for fighting back against those three.
Hiruzen Sarutobi paused briefly, his gaze settling on Fang Xu's face.
"The second matter is that I wanted to come see you."
Fang Xu was taken aback.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice softened a little.
"Your father, Naoto, was a very capable Jonin under my command back then. You were still very young when he gave his life for the village."
Fang Xu fell silent.
The body's original owner hadn't had many memories of his parents, but that emptiness had always been there.
Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, "Over the years, the village has provided you with compensation and living arrangements according to the rules. But as Hokage, I really have given you too little attention because I've been so busy."
As he spoke, his expression grew more apologetic.
"Only when I saw you today did I realize that Naoto's child had already grown up, and was even more outstanding than I'd imagined."
Something stirred in Fang Xu's heart. The Third Hokage had indeed seen it.
Hiruzen Sarutobi did not spell it out, merely saying, "Your father gave much to the village. Now you've begun training hard too. That's a good thing."
Fang Xu said quietly, "I just want to be able to protect myself in the future, and protect the village too."
That was half true and half false. Protecting himself came first. Protecting the village wasn't out of the question, either.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was very satisfied with that answer.
"It's good that you have that intention."
He picked up his teacup, then put it down again.
"I'll have your compensation raised by one level. Your training will involve plenty of expenses in the future. The village won't neglect the children of ninja who gave their lives for it."
Fang Xu's breathing briefly caught.
Raise my compensation by one level? That was far too important to him right now.
Lightning Body Tempering burned through money, his growing appetite burned through money, and ninja tools, scrolls, and medicine would all cost money in the future.
Just moments ago, he'd been wincing at the cost of three bowls of ramen. He hadn't expected the Third Hokage to bring him such substantial help.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him, his tone gentle but expectant.
"Fang Xu, grow up well. Once you're capable, contribute more to the village."
Fang Xu had been worrying about his training expenses. An increase of one compensation level was a lifeline for him right now.
He stood and bowed earnestly. "Thank you, Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen Sarutobi accepted Fang Xu's bow, but did not get up immediately.
He held his pipe in his hand, his gaze resting on Fang Xu, his tone still gentle.
"Sit down. There's no need to stay so stiff."
Fang Xu sat back down.
He knew perfectly well that although the matter of compensation was settled, the Third Hokage couldn't possibly have made a special visit tonight just for that.
Sure enough, Hiruzen Sarutobi changed the subject.
"Fang Xu, you've learned about the Will of Fire at the Ninja Academy too, haven't you?"
Fang Xu tensed inwardly. Here it comes.
The compensation was meant to reassure him, and the concern for an orphan was meant to bring them closer. This question was the real test.
The Will of Fire was no ordinary slogan in Konoha.
If his answer was too abstract, it would sound like rote recitation; if it was too cold, he could easily be seen as having no place for the village in his heart.
Especially since he'd revealed his Lightning Activation ability today, the Third Hokage surely wanted to confirm whether he was worth nurturing, and whether he would become a destabilizing factor.
Fang Xu did not rush to answer.
He lowered his head and thought for a few seconds before looking up. "Lord Hokage, if you only want the textbook answer, I can recite it."
Hiruzen Sarutobi did not interrupt, merely nodding.
Fang Xu continued, "But if you're asking how I personally feel, what strikes me most deeply about the Will of Fire is sacrifice."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe-holding hand paused.
"Sacrifice?"
"Yes."
Fang Xu's tone was very earnest.
"The village didn't come into existence out of thin air. The houses, the streets, the Ninja Academy, the mission system, and the fact that children like us can grow up in peace-all of that was earned by people facing danger on the front lines."
He paused.
"My parents were ninja. They died on a mission. The teachers at school teach us, and the village pays compensation to orphans. That's also the previous generation taking on that responsibility."
"So I think the heart of the Will of Fire isn't how loudly you shout, but whether you're willing to shoulder risks for others when it matters."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him. The smile on his face faded a little, but not out of displeasure.
On the contrary, his gaze became more serious.
This answer pleased him more than simply reciting, "Where leaves dance, fire burns on."
There was nothing unusual about a child being able to recite slogans.
Being able to understand the Will of Fire through sacrifice and responsibility showed that he had truly thought about it.
Hiruzen Sarutobi said slowly, "Don't you think sacrifice is a heavy burden?"
"It is."
Fang Xu nodded, without pretending to be fired up.
"That's why I think it matters. If sacrifice were easy, there'd be nothing about it worth respecting."
Something stirred in Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart.
This child was more clearheaded than he'd imagined.
Fang Xu added, "Of course, I'm still just a student at the Ninja Academy. Talking about sacrificing myself for the village would be too false. What I can do now is study hard and train hard, so my parents' and the village's care won't have been wasted."
That was a measured statement. He neither impulsively declared his loyalty nor made himself sound especially great.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was all the more satisfied.
If a youngster opened his mouth and immediately declared himself willing to give his life for the village, it might not be sincere.
Someone who understood that he was still weak and was willing to grow step by step was someone worth nurturing.
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked another question. "Then what do you think of Konoha?"
This time, Fang Xu smiled.
This question was no simple matter either. If the Will of Fire was an ideal, then the village was reality.
If his answer was too limited, the Third Hokage would be disappointed; if it was too sweeping, he would seem glib.
Fang Xu thought it over and chose to tell the truth.
"Konoha is a good place."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him.
Fang Xu said, "At least, it is for me. My parents are gone, but I still have somewhere to live, compensation, and the chance to study at the Ninja Academy. I'm not especially close to the neighbors, but none of them bully me."
At this point, his tone lightened a little.
"My classmates are nice too. Kurenai, Rin, and Guy are all very friendly. Obito is a bit noisy, but he doesn't mean any harm. The teachers take their lessons seriously, and the ramen at Ichiraku Ramen is delicious too."