Chapter 442 - 13

Chapter 13 TrialFang Xu sat up straight: "Please go ahead."Hiruzen Sarutobi said: "The first thing is about this afternoon."Fang Xu's heart sank.Hiruzen Sarutobi continued: "I've already had someone ask about those three kids. It wasn't arranged by Asuma, but they did take it upon themselves to cause trouble for you because of the conflict between Asuma and you at the Ninja Academy."Fang Xu did not interrupt.Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed."Asuma is my son. He didn't mastermind this matter, but his identity affected you. As his father, I cannot pretend I didn't see that."He looked at Fang Xu with a serious tone."Therefore, I apologize to you on behalf of Asuma."Fang Xu immediately said: "Hokage-sama, there's no need for that. Those three people are at fault on their own."Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand."I can tell whose fault it is. But as the Hokage and as a father, I should make my stance clear."Hearing this, Fang Xu felt a bit more at ease. At least the Third wasn't here to hold him accountable for fighting back against those three.Hiruzen Sarutobi paused for a moment, his gaze falling on Fang Xu's face."The second thing is that I wanted to come see you."Fang Xu was slightly stunned.Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice softened a bit."Your father, Naoto, was a very capable Jonin under my command back then. When he sacrificed himself for the Village, you were still very young."Fang Xu fell silent.The original body didn't have many memories regarding his parents, but that vacancy had always been there.Hiruzen Sarutobi continued: "Over the years, the Village has provided you with relief funds and living arrangements according to the rules. But as the Hokage, I truly cared too little about you due to my busy schedule."At this, a trace of apology appeared on his face."Seeing you today, I realized that Naoto's child has grown up, and is even more outstanding than I imagined."Fang Xu's heart stirred; the Third really had seen it.Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't spell everything out, only saying: "Your father gave a lot for the Village. Now you have also started training hard, which is a good thing."Fang Xu said in a low voice: "I just want to have the ability to protect myself and protect the Village in the future."This sentence was half-true; protecting himself came first. Protecting the Village wasn't out of the question either.Hiruzen Sarutobi was very satisfied with this answer."It's good that you have this mindset."He picked up his teacup, then put it down again."I will have someone raise your relief funds by one tier. In the future, there will be many places where you need to spend money for training, and the Village will not mistreat the orphans of Ninjas who sacrificed themselves for the Village."Fang Xu's breath paused slightly.Raise the relief funds by one tier? This was too important for him right now.Lightning Body Tempering burned money, a bigger appetite burned money, Ninja tools, scrolls, and medicines all cost money in the future.Just a moment ago, his heart ached a bit from spending money on three bowls of ramen, but he didn't expect the Third to directly deliver such massive help.Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him, his tone gentle yet carrying anticipation."Fang Xu, grow up well. When you have the ability in the future, contribute more to the Village."Fang Xu had been worrying about his training expenses. Raising the relief funds by one tier was like providing timely help to him right now.He stood up and bowed seriously, "Thank you, Hokage-sama."Hiruzen Sarutobi accepted Fang Xu's bow, but did not get up immediately.He held his pipe in his hand, his gaze falling on Fang Xu, his tone still gentle."Sit down, you don't need to be so restrained all the time."Fang Xu sat back down.He knew very well in his heart that after talking about the relief funds, since the Third came over specifically tonight, it was definitely not just for this single matter.Sure enough, Hiruzen Sarutobi changed the subject."Fang Xu, you've also learned the will of fire at the Ninja Academy, right?"Fang Xu's heart tightened; it was coming.The relief funds were pacification, caring for orphans was to close the distance, and this current question was the true probing.Things like the will of fire were not ordinary slogans in Konoha.Answering too emptily was like reciting a book; answering too coldly would easily be perceived as having no place for the Village in his heart.Especially since he exposed his Lightning Activation ability today, the Third definitely wanted to confirm whether he was worth cultivating and whether he would become a destabilizing factor.Fang Xu didn't rush to answer.He lowered his head and thought for a few seconds before looking up and saying: "Hokage-sama, if it's just the answer from the textbook, I can recite it."Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't interrupt, only nodding.Fang Xu continued: "But if you ask about my own feelings, the deepest feeling the will of fire gives me is sacrifice."Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand holding the pipe paused for a moment."Sacrifice?""Yeah."Fang Xu's tone was very serious."The Village didn't just appear out of thin air. Houses, streets, the Ninja Academy, the mission system, and children like us growing up safely were all exchanged for by people carrying the dangers ahead."He paused."My parents were Ninjas, and they sacrificed themselves for missions. Teachers in school teach us knowledge, and the Village issues relief funds to orphans because the previous generation took over the responsibility.""So I think the most core thing of the will of fire is not how loudly you shout, but whether you are willing to take risks for others at critical moments."Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him, the smile on his face fading a little, but it wasn't dissatisfaction.On the contrary, his gaze became even more serious.This kind of answer satisfied him much more than simply reciting "Where the leaves dance, fire burns on."It wasn't rare for a child to be able to recite slogans.Being able to understand the will of fire from sacrifice and responsibility showed that he had truly thought about it.Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly said: "Don't you think sacrifice is very heavy?""Heavy."Fang Xu nodded, not pretending to be hot-blooded."That's why I think it's important. If sacrifice were easy, then there wouldn't be anything worth respecting about it."Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart stirred.This kid was more sober-minded than he imagined.Fang Xu said again: "Of course, I'm still just a student at the Ninja Academy. Saying things like sacrificing for the Village is too fake. What I can do right now is study hard, train hard, and not let my parents' and the Village's care go to waste."This sentence was very steady; he didn't impulsively pledge loyalty, nor did he make himself sound overly great.Hiruzen Sarutobi was even more satisfied instead.If a youngster started by saying they were willing to instantly give up their life for the Village, that might not be true.Being able to understand that one is weak right now and willing to grow step by step was the kind of person worth cultivating.Hiruzen Sarutobi asked again: "Then how do you view Konoha?"This time, Fang Xu smiled.This question was equally not simple. If the will of fire was ideology, then the Village was reality.If he spoke too petty, the Third would be disappointed; if he spoke too full, it would seem slick and insincere.Fang Xu thought about it and still chose to tell the truth."Konoha is very good."Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him.Fang Xu said: "At least it's very good for me. My parents are gone, but I still have a place to live, relief funds, and can go study at the Ninja Academy. Although the neighbors aren't particularly close, no one bullies me either."When he reached this point, his tone relaxed a little."The classmates at school are also good. Kurenai, Rin, and Might Guy are all very friendly. Although Obito is a bit noisy, he doesn't have bad intentions. The teachers teach seriously, and Ichiraku Ramen is also very delicious."