Chapter 254: The Third Topic
These words completely overturned the one-sided narrative of "the Village above the individual" and "unconditional obedience" that some high-level officials had deliberately created in the past, placing "people" and "bonds" back at the core of the Hidden Leaf Village spirit.
The venue fell into a deathly silence.
Everyone's gaze involuntarily turned toward the silver-haired figure in the front row.
Sakumo Hatake.
This former "White Fang of the Leaf," though currently in an Edo Tensei body and unable to truly shed tears, had eyes that were trembling violently.
His hands resting on his knees were tightly clenched into fists, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force.
How many years had it been... Back then, because he saved his companions, the mission failed. Upon returning to the Village, he faced criticism. From the villagers to some high-level officials, and even the companions he had saved, they all chose silence or accusation under the pressure of public opinion.
He saw through the hypocritical faces of the Third Hokage and others, who appeared to defend him on the surface but actually condoned or even fueled the fire. He saw even more clearly how pale and powerless the "Will of Fire" they preached was in the face of practical interests and power struggles.
The collapse of faith is more despair-inducing than the touch of a blade.
Ultimately, disheartened and unable to see a path forward, he chose to end his own life in his home with the short sword that had accompanied him throughout his life.
He thought his name would forever carry the stigma of "failure" and "coward," deliberately forgotten or distorted in Hidden Leaf Village's history.
He never imagined that he would actually see and hear this day with his own eyes and ears!
Vindication!
Such a public, such a thorough, such a... resounding vindication!
From the newly appointed, incredibly powerful Sixth Hokage.
At this supreme meeting deciding the future direction of Hidden Leaf Village, he was being vindicated!
An Edo Tensei body has no tears, but the grievances and indignation accumulated over decades, along with the surging excitement and solace of this moment, almost caused his Soul to tremble and break free from this Edo Tensei body.
Kakashi's eyes were red; for countless days and nights, he had been grieved and conflicted over this matter.
He hadn't expected that today, his father's grievances would finally be cleared.
"Father! Lee! Kakashi's father... he... he finally..."
Might Guy's voice was so choked with sobs that he could barely finish a sentence. Tears mixed with snot, but he didn't care at all.
"Guy-sensei! I understand! This is youth! Never-giving-up bonds and the ultimate blooming flower of justice!"
Lee shouted loudly while crying, trying to vent his emotions with his usual hot-blooded slogans, but the only effect was making the crying louder.
"Yeah!"
Might Duy nodded heavily. Although he couldn't make a sound of crying, his tightly held arms and the light flashing in his eyes explained everything. The three of them hugged each other and wailed, completely ignoring the gazes of others.
The crying of the three was unrestrained, loud, and full of sincere emotion, standing out exceptionally in this solemn venue.
But strangely, their crying didn't stir the emotions of many people.
Because more people were the silent majority in that tragedy, or even accomplices in the slander.
Only a few were happy for Sakumo Hatake.
Naruto stood quietly behind the podium, not interrupting this vent of emotion. He understood that this was not just solace for Sakumo Hatake alone, but a collective emotional release and farewell for Hidden Leaf Village to a distorted period of its own history.
When the crying gradually subsided into intermittent sobs and heavy breathing, Naruto spoke again. His voice was a bit softer than before, yet deeper:
"I know that bringing up old matters today touches upon many people's pain and makes everyone re-examine the past."
His gaze swept across the venue, over faces that were complex, sorrowful, relieved, or pensive.
"Regarding the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi."
Naruto mentioned that name, and the atmosphere in the venue froze once again.
"When we look at a person, especially someone in a complex position with great responsibilities, we cannot simply summarize them as 'black' or 'white'."
Naruto's tone was objective and calm.
"People are complex and contradictory. We must learn to view a person dialectically and comprehensively, seeing both their achievements and their mistakes."
He paused slightly, as if organizing his words:
"The Third Hokage, in the early stage of his reign, especially after the Second Hokage's sacrifice when Hidden Leaf Village was facing internal and external troubles and was in a precarious state, did indeed step forward. With his wisdom and prestige, he held Hidden Leaf Village's Foundation, led the Village through its most difficult period, and achieved precious post-war recovery."
This contribution of his cannot be erased.
Many people in Hidden Leaf Village, including the Seniors present, have directly benefited from that period of relative stability.
Naruto acknowledged Hiruzen Sarutobi's achievements, but then changed the subject:
"However, in the Late Stage of his reign, especially as his age increased, his energy declined, and... the influence of certain people around him grew, many problems in Hidden Leaf Village began to sprout and spread."
His voice became low:
Hidden Leaf Village's strength was significantly weakened during the Late Stage of his reign.
This was reflected not only in the lack of successors for top-tier combat power but also in the growth of internal corruption, factional infighting, and the way tumors like the Root organization acted recklessly under the guise of 'for the Village'.
"He may not have acted out of malice; he might even have thought he was balancing parties and maintaining stability."
"But this unprincipled compromise, tolerance of the dark side, and deviation from the true core of the 'Will of Fire' ultimately caused Hidden Leaf Village to lose much of its Origin Qi and sowed the seeds of many tragedies."
The experience of Senior Sakumo Hatake is just one painful example.
Naruto did not engage in fierce criticism; he simply stated the facts calmly and analyzed them.
"We bring these things up today not simply to blame or negate our predecessors, but to take history as a lesson and clarify the direction for the future."
His eyes became firm and bright again:
"We must inherit the precious legacy of our predecessors in protecting and developing Hidden Leaf Village, while also thoroughly settling and correcting the errors and shortcomings they left behind."
"Only in this way can Hidden Leaf Village truly step out of the shadows of the past, gather a new, healthy, and upward-moving force, and meet future challenges."
"The third topic is not only about education but also about the complete reshaping and rebirth of the Hidden Leaf Village spirit."
Please consider carefully and cast your vote.
Furthermore, as a sub-proposal for the third topic.
Naruto's gaze turned toward a certain direction in the front row, where the three people whose "tears of youth" had not yet fully dried were hugging in a slightly comical pose.
The corner of Naruto's mouth seemed to curve up imperceptibly, but his tone remained formal:
"I propose to nominate Might Guy as the new Principal of the Hidden Leaf Village Ninja Academy."
Might Guy, who was crying for Kakashi's father, suddenly looked up.
Huh? Me?
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