Inside the office, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Fugaku sat together, eating snacks and sipping tea as they looked out through the blinds toward the training field, chatting leisurely.
The Third Hokage took a sip of tea and sighed with emotion.
"Uchiha Mai, Obito, Asuma, Yūhi Kurenai… they're all very talented children.
Mai and Asuma aside, I've also read Obito's report cards. His theoretical knowledge is a complete mess, but his practical combat ability is above average.
What's interesting is that in every practical subject, once he's had some time to get used to it, his level improves significantly.
That kind of performance reminds me very much of Jiraiya back then—someone who looked like dead wood that couldn't be carved, yet was actually a ninja with great potential. His future is promising."
"He's just an ordinary child," Fugaku replied modestly—though inwardly, he was panicking badly.
The Hokage praising a young Uchiha?
What did that mean?
Was it genuine approval… or a warning?
Fugaku leaned strongly toward the latter.
After all, that little brat Mai had been beating up Asuma far too frequently lately. The old man was probably losing face.
Hiruzen smiled, set his teacup down, and continued his commentary.
"That little girl Kurenai inherited her father's excellent genjutsu talent. In the future, she too can become an outstanding ninja.
Nohara Rin and Might Guy may have average talent, but among civilian ninja, they're quite good—especially the latter. His perseverance alone is enough to be set up as a model example for Konoha."
"They're all good children. All of them have bright futures ahead."
The ninja world wasn't just about fighting and killing.
It was about human relationships.
Civilian ninja were becoming more numerous in Konoha, and geniuses like Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and "Master Minato" were emerging one after another.
Public support had to be secured.
Why keep Nohara Rin and Might Guy?
Those who understood, understood.
Politics—nothing shameful about it.
The Third Hokage then changed the topic.
"However, as ninja of Konoha, talent alone is not enough. One must also understand the Will of Fire.
"Back then, when Lord Tobirama and I went to the Land of Lightning to sign a peace treaty, we were ambushed by the rebel Kinkaku and Ginkaku. We were forced into a desperate situation.
"Dozens of Konoha's core forces were about to die there.
"At that moment, Lord Tobirama spoke. He asked: Who is willing to die with me—to act as bait and hold back Kinkaku and Ginkaku?
"Everyone hesitated for a moment.
"Only I stepped forward without thinking.
"The ending, you all know.
"Lord Tobirama appointed me as the Third Hokage, then sacrificed himself to buy precious time for the main force to retreat.
"At that time, I was not the most outstanding among them. Danzō—who was also Lord Tobirama's student—was stronger than me.
"So why did Lord Tobirama choose me?
"Because I had grasped the Will of Fire."
A ruler must establish legitimacy.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's legitimacy lay in that moment—stepping forward to die with Tobirama.
Because of that, over the years, he would mention it whenever possible, then conveniently segue into a lecture about the Will of Fire.
What exactly was the Will of Fire?
No one could define it clearly.
Sometimes it meant selflessness.
Sometimes sacrifice of the individual for the greater whole.
Sometimes preserving hope as a burning flame.
Its very vagueness was extremely advantageous to Hiruzen.
Because it was vague, the Hokage alone held the right to interpret it—according to mood and necessity.
The final authority of the Will of Fire rested with the Hokage.
"The Hokage-sama's spirit of sacrifice is something all of us should learn from," Fugaku applauded loudly, smoothly flattering along with the old man's raised backside.
The straight man throws the setup.
The partner must catch it.
"It's merely the choice anyone who understands the Will of Fire would make," Hiruzen said modestly, waving his hand—casually pushing those who hadn't stepped forward back then, such as Danzō, Koharu, and Homura, to the opposite side of the Will of Fire.
Excellent punch.
After finishing his ideological reinforcement, Hiruzen finally returned to the main point.
"So, I'm quite curious.
"Only two of those children may join Minato's team. The remaining four will be eliminated.
"When faced with such a situation… who will be the first to comprehend the Will of Fire and step forward voluntarily, choosing to withdraw for the sake of the others?"
Here it comes.
Konoha's signature routine—the little test during team assignments.
A test, of course, wouldn't be limited to grabbing bells.
"It will definitely be your son, Asuma!"
Fugaku immediately slapped on another layer of flattery.
"Hokage-sama, your understanding of the Will of Fire is far beyond ours. Asuma, raised under your guidance, must surely possess deep insight into it.
"Though he bullies classmates, collects protection fees, skips class, pranks teachers, and smokes… I still believe he's a good child.
"At the critical moment, he will make the right choice."
Honestly, what even is the Will of Fire?
Isn't it just whatever Sarutobi Hiruzen says it is?
The Uchiha had always been a thorn in the Hokage faction's side, and Danzō's group constantly preached the Uchiha threat theory.
Being clan head was exhausting.
Fugaku's daily routine involved flattering the Third Hokage—not to the point of groveling, but certainly bending low.
"Not necessarily."
So da ka na.jpg
The Third Hokage casually dropped a classic Duel Monsters line and smiled.
"It's also possible that Uchiha Mai will be the first to step forward.
"I hear he has good relationships with Might Guy and Yūhi Kurenai, and he's of the same clan as Obito.
"Aren't the Uchiha known as the clan of love?
"To sacrifice oneself for the sake of friends—that would be great love."
"For Mai… that is indeed possible," Fugaku nodded. "Among the Uchiha, no one is more gentle in how he treats others."
"Then let us wait and see," Hiruzen said with a smile.
—
On the training field, the six children were all stunned after hearing Namikaze Minato's words.
What did he mean?
Only two could pass—and the other four would be eliminated?
That elimination rate was absurdly high.
If they were eliminated, wouldn't years of effort go completely to waste?
Uchiha Mai's mind began calculating rapidly.
Only two people being allowed to join Minato's team was probably true.
But the claim that the remaining four would be unable to become ninja?
Highly suspicious.
Konoha loved playing mind games on children.
Among the six present, even the weakest—Nohara Rin—was considered above average among civilian ninja.
Even if she couldn't enter an elite team, there was no way she'd be discarded.
Especially now, when the ninja world was surging with undercurrents and every great village was in an arms race—
There was no chance Konoha would let capable manpower go to waste.
The real situation was far less cruel than Minato's words suggested.
Which meant—
Standing out in this little game and earning a place in Minato's team was absolutely necessary.
And there was no psychological burden in doing so at all.
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