Will of Fire

"Lord Hokage, he's here."

After speaking, the Anbu ninja left at a signal from Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage.

"Greetings, Lord Hokage!"

Uchiha Yufeng lowered his head and bowed to the Third Hokage.

"Yufeng, how have you been lately?"

The Third Hokage rose from his seat and walked up to Uchiha Yufeng, speaking kindly.

"Thank you for your concern, Lord Hokage. I've been doing all right. Did you call me here today for something?"

The Third Hokage looked at Uchiha Yufeng, sensing that he had become much steadier than before, and sighed.

"Yufeng, I know you were deeply saddened by your parents' passing. I have seen it all. But what has happened cannot be changed. You must still look ahead."

"Your parents were both outstanding ninjas of the village, heroes of Konoha.

"They risked their lives carrying out missions and protecting the village because they wanted to protect you—to protect the countless children like you in this village!"

Yufeng sneered inwardly. That familiar spiel. Looks like the old man is at it again.

The Third Hokage paused.

"Wherever leaves dance, fire burns. The fire's shadow illuminates the village and lets new leaves sprout. When one wishes to protect those precious to them, a ninja's true strength reveals itself!

"This is the Will of Fire your parents inherited! It was also why they became ninjas!"

After his impassioned speech, the Third Hokage turned and looked seriously at Uchiha Yufeng.

"The village will not forget its heroes. We discussed it a few days ago. For descendants of heroes in circumstances like yours, the village will provide additional monthly subsidies and living supplies. Remember not to waste money. Buy more of what you need!"

Uchiha Yufeng put on an excited expression, his gaze blazing.

"Thank you, Lord Hokage! Starting tomorrow, I'll study hard and train diligently! I'll inherit my parents' will and become a ninja who contributes to the village, just like Father and Mother did!"

"Good, very good!"

A gratified smile appeared on the Third Hokage's face as he patted Uchiha Yufeng's shoulder.

"Yufeng, you're a good child! I believe in you!"

"Thank you for your trust, Lord Hokage!"

"Oh, right, Yufeng. I've also sorted out the things your parents left behind and placed them here. I believe the things inside will help you understand the Will of Fire even better!"

His parents' belongings?

After saying that, the Third Hokage walked to his desk and handed the prepared small box to Uchiha Yufeng.

At the Third Hokage's signal, Uchiha Yufeng opened the box.

"These are ninjutsu scrolls. This is the Ninja Tool Pouch Father used before. This..."

Uchiha Yufeng rummaged through it, just about to pull out a conspicuous book from the box when—

"Yufeng, these are relics your parents left for you. You should go home and look through them properly."

Uchiha Yufeng acknowledged him and put the items back into the box.

Yet inwardly, he wondered, What is the Third Hokage up to? Is he simply trying to brainwash me?

Though Uchiha Yufeng did not understand what the Third Hokage was doing, he knew that if the man truly wanted to tamper with something, he could do so through the relics as well.

"Yes, Third Hokage."

Just as Uchiha Yufeng was about to leave, the Third Hokage spoke again.

"Oh, right. How has your younger brother Shisui been lately?"

Shisui?

"As his older brother, you must take responsibility for caring for your younger brother! This, too, is an important embodiment of the Will of Fire!"

Uchiha Yufeng immediately bowed deeply to the Third Hokage.

"Yes, Lord Hokage! I will certainly take good care of my younger brother."

Seeing Uchiha Yufeng state his position, the Third Hokage nodded.

"All right, Yufeng. It's getting late. I'll have someone escort you home."

With that, the Third Hokage waved Uchiha Yufeng away.

Uchiha Yufeng left the Hokage's Office.

The moment he stepped outside, an Anbu ninja came up to him.

Uchiha Yufeng remained silent as the two headed toward the Uchiha Clan.

Inside the Hokage's Office.

"Hiruzen, why not consider placing Uchiha Shisui in my Root for training?"

After everything had fallen quiet, a bandage-wrapped man stepped out from the shadows of the Hokage's Office. From the looks of it, he had clearly heard every word spoken there.

This man was Danzo, leader of Root.

The Third Hokage put his pipe to his lips. After a long silence, he finally spoke.

"Uchiha Shisui is Kagami's descendant. I do not want his descendants to enter the dark Root."

"It is precisely because he is Kagami's descendant that he should come to Root. My Root needs talents like him!"

Thinking of how Kagami Uchiha's Sharingan had repeatedly saved him from danger, a trace of greed flashed through Danzo's eyes.

The Third Hokage frowned.

"Uchiha Shisui is not suited for Root!"

Danzo sneered at that explanation.

"Hiruzen, you're not him. How do you know he isn't suited for it? Perhaps coming to my Root would mean he has found where he belongs."

"No. Kagami Uchiha was an Uchiha who possessed a perfect Will of Fire. I believe his descendants will be the same!"

The Third Hokage fixed Danzo with an icy stare.

"Danzo, I am the Hokage! Know your place. From now on, you must address me as Lord Hokage!"

"Hmph, Hiruzen. You'll regret this!"

Danzo's face flushed with anger. Leaning on his cane, he stormed out and slammed the door behind him.

Not once during their conversation did they mention Uchiha Yufeng.

After all, in their eyes, Uchiha Yufeng was merely an insignificant nobody. He was nowhere near as important as Uchiha Shisui, the Uchiha Clan's new genius.

Meanwhile, escorted by the Anbu, Uchiha Yufeng arrived home.

As he pushed open the door, Uchiha Shisui came out from the inner room.

"Brother, you're back."

"Here, catch!"

Seeing the box in Uchiha Yufeng's hands, Uchiha Shisui's eyes filled with curiosity.

"Brother, what is this?"

Uchiha Shisui did not sense much inside the box and could not help asking.

"Nothing much. Our parents' relics!"

A hint of seriousness appeared in Uchiha Shisui's eyes.

"Open it and take a look. If there's anything you need, take it with you."

"Huh? But isn't this..."

Uchiha Shisui was somewhat at a loss, but before he could finish, Uchiha Yufeng interrupted him.

"Open it!"

Seeing that Uchiha Yufeng was not joking, Uchiha Shisui obediently opened the box.

"Take these ninjutsu scrolls."

Uchiha Yufeng glanced over the several basic scrolls in the box, picked them up, and stuffed them into Uchiha Shisui's arms.

"Brother, I have people teaching me over at the Clan Head's place. I don't need these."

Uchiha Yufeng shook his head.

"What they teach over there may not cover these basics. They cannot be overlooked."

Hearing that, Uchiha Shisui pondered for a moment before smiling.

"Yes, Shisui will listen to Brother."

"These ninja tools..."

Before Uchiha Yufeng could finish, Uchiha Shisui shook his head vigorously.

"Brother, Clan Head has all kinds of ninja tools over there. Don't worry!"

Uchiha Yufeng nodded. After searching through the box several more times and confirming that nothing had been missed, he finally pulled out the conspicuous book from earlier.

Uchiha Yufeng flipped through it for a moment, and realization flashed in his eyes.

It was a history book about Konoha. That alone would have been fine.

But it was packed with a considerable amount of ideological propaganda.

Uchiha Yufeng sneered inwardly. This must be the Third Hokage's scheme.

Simply put, it was a book designed to brainwash readers into developing a Hokage's mindset.

Uchiha Yufeng raised his head and glanced at Uchiha Shisui.

This book did not seem to be meant for him, did it?

Was the Third Hokage trying to use his hand to pass it to Uchiha Shisui?

"Brother, what kind of book is that?"

Uchiha Yufeng casually tossed the book to Uchiha Shisui.

Uchiha Shisui opened it curiously.

"Amazing!"

Hearing Uchiha Shisui's exclamation and seeing his earnest expression, Uchiha Yufeng raised a hand and snatched the book back.

"Do you know what kind of book this is now?"

Seeing the seriousness in Uchiha Yufeng's eyes, Uchiha Shisui's heart skipped a beat.

"Isn't it just a book about the history of our Konoha?"

Uchiha Shisui smiled brightly.

"I've already read this book before."

At those words, Uchiha Yufeng's pupils contracted.