The Will of Fire

"???"

A promise made fifty years ago?

What promise was made fifty years ago?

Upon hearing Fugaku Uchiha's words, Ishigami's face froze, and his gaze involuntarily drifted toward the window.

What promises do you have? Why not just say them here?

Is it necessary to go through more than 50 years and let others speak for us?

But after seeing the faint smile on Madara's lips, he knew... it must be true.

However, this sudden glance back caught the attention of Fugaku Uchiha, who involuntarily looked behind him but found nothing.

What is this child looking at?

For some reason, I always feel like there's something strange about this child?

Standing in front of this child, he always felt as if several eyes were watching him, but he didn't notice anything.

Well, it's not like he didn't find anything at all. At least he discovered his eldest son, who was secretly hiding in the shadows.

Of course, he guessed what Itachi was planning, but he didn't pay much attention to it.

"Ishigami-kun." Fugaku Uchiha's gaze fell on Ishigami again. He opened his mouth, about to say something, but then paused, as if he didn't know how to start the conversation.

Did Madara Uchiha prepare a gift for you fifty years ago?

He hesitated for a moment, then asked in a calm tone, "Do you know about your family?"

"???"

family?

What family?

How come he didn't know?

Not only was Shi Jian completely bewildered, but even Uchiha Itachi, who was eavesdropping from the shadows, frowned.

Shijian...family?

Could they also be from a powerful ninja clan?

Is his father seeking an alliance?

But why is he looking for a child, and why has he never heard of him in the village before?

"It seems you don't know." Seeing Ishigami's expression, Fugaku Uchiha immediately understood. After a sigh, he took out a piece of paper from his pocket, hesitated for a moment, and then decided to speak directly. "Your grandfather or great-grandfather saved Madara Uchiha's life. To express his gratitude, Madara Uchiha prepared a gift for your clan back then, promising that if anyone from your clan came to Konoha, it would be given to you by a member of the Uchiha clan!"

Before Shi Jian could react, he handed the paper in his hand to him and then turned and left.

He had only taken a few steps when he stopped again, his cold tone ringing out once more, "I've heard about your clan's affairs. Although Madara Uchiha defected from Konoha, the Uchiha clan will remember the kindness shown to them back then. If you encounter any trouble, you can come to me!"

After saying that, he turned to leave, but stopped again by a big tree. After a moment of silence, he spoke in a calm tone.

"Don't worry, I didn't do anything; I'm just here to fulfill a promise!"

After saying that, he turned and left without lingering.

Upon hearing his father's words, Itachi Uchiha leaned against the giant tree and remained in place, not coming out immediately.

He wasn't surprised that his father had found out about him.

But... was it an agreement?

Did he save the life of the legendary ninja, Madara Uchiha?

A legend involuntarily flashed through Itachi's mind, and his eyes widened in shock as he looked at Ishigami, who was staring blankly at the paper his father had handed him. He muttered to himself, "That legend is actually true?!"

"???"

On the other side, Shi Jian had also clearly seen what the thing in his hand was.

Property deed!

A property deed!

Moreover, this location is a house on a bustling commercial street.

Shi Jian looked up at Uchiha Madara with an excited expression, "Madara-sama, this is...?"

At this moment, even Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju, who were standing to the side, looked at him with some surprise, seemingly not expecting that this proud Uchiha clan leader would actually do such a thing.

"Hmph, here you go, kid. You seem to have always wanted a house, how boring. Consider it repayment for the money I borrowed from you before!" Under everyone's gaze, Uchiha Madara crossed his arms and snorted coldly. "I only decided last night. I didn't expect that after so many years, it would only be handed over to you at this time. Well, this is not bad! It seems that the future Uchiha has not forgotten this old man."

What are you waiting for? Hurry up and put it away, get somewhere else. I don't have time to keep watching you here!

"Thanks, Madara!" In that tone... Shi Jian could still detect a hint of arrogance.

As expected, it's the Uchiha clan!

But he didn't hesitate and just smiled as he put it away.

But just as he put it away, he seemed to remember something, and looked up at Madara with a puzzled expression. "Madara, what about the life-saving grace you mentioned..."

"I was just talking nonsense. Humph, I don't need anyone to save me!"

"..."

Nonsense?

That's right, their family wasn't in Konoha back then. Wait... Shi Jian remembered that legend from before, and his lips twitched.

Damn it, could it be that he never had any impressive ancestors from the beginning?

It's all because of... boasting in the past?!

At that moment, Madara Uchiha's voice rang out again, "Hey, kid, what are you standing there for? Get moving! And who was that guy just now?"

"Uchiha Fugaku? The current head of the Uchiha clan." After putting away the property deed, Shijian shook off the jumbled thoughts in his mind. Then, as if he had heard something, he looked up at the person opposite him, his tone helpless, "Looks like I'll have to wait until next time. The new students have already gathered, and it's time for the Hokage to speak. Should I close this now and we can talk later?"

However, just as the stone stream was about to close, Hashirama Senju on the opposite side intervened and stopped it.

"The Hokage is speaking? Wait a minute, keep it on, keep it on! Let's hear what the future Hokage will have to say?"

"..."

Hearing Hashirama Senju's words, Ishigami could only reluctantly agree. He then walked towards his class, where all the students had arrived, including several familiar figures.

That's... Uchiha Sasuke?

But why is she looking at me so strangely?

Shi Jian didn't think much of it and went to his seat. Soon after, the class assembled and, led by the teacher, went to the playground.

The Hokage was already waiting there, and not only the freshmen, but also the upperclassmen were there.

Upon seeing the Hokage on the stage, all the children fell silent and dared not make a sound. At the same time, the voice of the Third Hokage rang out.

but……

"I'm so bored!"

This statement was not made by Ishigami, but by Hashirama Senju on the other side, yet Ishigami still expressed his approval.

Leaders' speeches... are always the same old thing. Whether they're addressing adults or children, leaders basically use the same three tricks: looking back on the past, focusing on the present, and looking to the future. The content may vary slightly, but the framework is basically the same.

Suddenly, just as Ishigaki and Hashirama Senju were yawning...

"Where the leaves dance, the fire will never die; its light will continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout!"

The classic Will of Fire has finally arrived.

These words immediately startled the three Hokage on the opposite side: Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, and Madara Uchiha. They looked at the Third Hokage with some surprise as he spoke these words.

Who would have thought that the future Hokage would have such insights?!

Before Tobirama Senju could say anything to Madara Uchiha, Hashirama Senju slammed his right fist onto his left, grinning as he said, "Where leaves dance, fire will never die. The firelight will continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout... That's a good saying. I'll say it when I become Hokage in a few days!"

"Idiot, that's what Hiruzen said in the future. If you say that too, then..."

Tobirama's face darkened upon hearing this, but he hadn't finished speaking.

At that moment, the Third Hokage's voice rang out again, "This is the Will of Fire summarized by the First Hokage. I hope every child will remember the First Hokage's Will of Fire and carry on his legacy!"

"..." x3

These words immediately silenced the three of them, who all stared at Hashirama Senju, who was chuckling to himself.

Shi Jian, in particular, twitched his lips: Damn it, the Will of Fire summarized by the First Hokage!