Main World.
Konoha Year Twenty-Two, summer.
Konoha, Hokage Building.
In the third month after Danzo's rebellion ended, Konoha was still shrouded in a heavy atmosphere. The traces of smoke and fire had been washed from the walls of the Hokage Building, but the names of those who had died in battle remained etched in everyone's hearts. Hiruzen Sarutobi stood at the window, gazing at Konoha below. He wore the Hokage hat and the Hokage's white ceremonial robe. The character for "fire" was carved into the hat-Tobirama Senju had carved it himself. But at that moment, there was no smile on his face, only exhaustion in his eyes.
"Third Hokage, the clans' private schools... have all opened."
Mitokado Homura stood behind him, his voice low, carrying a trace of unease he could hardly conceal.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's brow furrowed slightly.
"All of them?"
"All of them."
Mitokado Homura nodded.
"The Hyuga, Aburame, Inuzuka, Kurama, Ino-Shika-Cho... and the small and medium-sized ninja clans are all building their own schools. Their children have all stopped attending the Ninja Academy."
Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent for a long time.
"Why?"
"Because of Danzo's rebellion."
Mitokado Homura's voice was calm.
"During Danzo's rebellion, the Hokage faction's strength suffered a devastating blow. The Anbu lost nearly ninety percent of their members, Root was completely wiped out, and the Shimura Clan was nearly exterminated. When the clans saw that the Hokage faction had weakened, they began to... act openly."
A bitter curve tugged at the corner of Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth.
"Act openly... well put."
He turned, walked back to his desk, and sat down.
"What are they teaching in these private schools?"
"Clan secret techniques, clan precepts, and... the Will of Fire."
There was a hint of helplessness in Mitokado Homura's voice.
"But their 'Will of Fire' is different