The Uchiha's Path to the Top, Starting from Konoha

Chapter 52 is also a manifestation of the Will of Fire.

Completely convinced, Mito Uzumaki didn't give Takeo Uchiha another chance to speak. She immediately left the office to carry out the Hokage's will and informed all the major ninja clans of Konoha.

Kaori secretly glanced at her husband, who looked completely different from his usual self, and suddenly longed to hold him in her arms.

According to the rule of one person per day, Tachibana is currently in Uchiha Rinpoche's arms.

In the now-empty office, Uchiha Takeoshi noticed the somewhat uneasy Minamoto Kaori. In a flash, he pulled the girl's soft body into his arms and gently asked, "Kaori, are you scared?"

"...No, it just feels a little unfamiliar."

"It feels like I live in a different world from my darling."

Kaori rubbed her head against Uchiha Takeo's chest like a kitten, nestled against the warm and strong chest that had embraced her nightly for the past few days. Her clear eyes reflected Uchiha Takeo's gentle smile, her gaze filled with determination.

"But Kaori wants to access the world where Darryl resides!"

"Be it killing or conspiracy, Kaori will always stand behind Darling!"

"That would be very hard."

As their eyes met, Uchiha Wu'an saw no hesitation in the girl's blood-red eyes, and a genuine smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.

"Kaori, when we go to the Land of Lightning, I'll take you to catch a big cat and give it to you."

"Is it as cute as an orange tabby?"

"I've never seen it either."

Uchiha Muan thought for a moment, "But probably not. Tachibana is the cutest cat in the world, but she's been getting fatter and fatter lately."

"We can't let Fatty Orange continue like this, or he'll be lying on his belly sooner or later."

Kaori lowered her head, her face slightly flushed. At home, she would feed him a bite, and Uchiha would follow suit, turning one meal into two. It would be strange if he didn't gain weight.

"Kaori, you're so cute right now."

The girl's rosy cheeks stirred up the boy's fond memories of the previous night, and his hands moved unconsciously, making Kaori's face turn so red that it seemed as if it were about to bleed.

"Darling, are you going home tonight?"

"Kaori, what's the difference between this place and home? There are no outsiders here."

Uchiha Takeo, who was subtly changing the subject, slowly stopped moving as he looked at the girl's hesitant expression, unsure of how to refute her. Some things should not be rushed.

Even young girls have a sense of shame.

Seeing that Uchiha Takeoshi didn't push his luck any further, Minamoto Kaori relaxed. She gave her playful husband a reproachful look, then unhappily raised her swan-like long neck, opened her mouth and bit the boy's chin, then licked it like a kitten before pulling away.

"If you do that again, I'll really bite you."

Kaori's threat was like a thug's excited punch, making Uchiha Takeo want to bully the girl hard, make her shy, make her cry, and make her shrink into his arms like a cat.

Suddenly, Uchiha Wu'an paused, his mind filled with the memories transmitted by the shadow clone. He abandoned his playful thoughts and his expression turned serious.

"Kaori, this is the Hokage's office, be serious."

"Huh?!"

Seeing Uchiha Takehiro's changed expression, Minamoto Kaori instantly understood why Tachibana sometimes called him a scumbag.

After straightening their clothes, the two began working, with secretary Kaori Minamoto puffing out her cheeks, while Takeo Uchiha sipped his tea.

Soon, a series of somewhat chaotic footsteps sounded outside the door.

"Lord Hokage, I've brought your student with me."

"Hokage-sama!"

Led by Minako Uzumaki, the five little rascals, except for Tsunade Senju, entered the office with curiosity and nervousness. The first thing they saw was the young and handsome Third Hokage staring at them. They immediately started shouting at each other in a noisy and chaotic manner.

With a glance, Minako Uzumaki stopped the group of young girls from trying to suppress them. Uchiha Takeoshi then looked at the five people with great interest: Orochimaru, who was cold on the outside but warm on the inside; Jiraiya, who was bold and unrestrained; and Tsunade, who was full of spirit.

And there's the shy and insecure little white-haired boy, Hiruko, and the mature-looking silver-haired boy, Kato Dan.

Of the five, Kato Dan might be the worst in terms of performance, but his astral projection technique allows him to travel across distances and kill enemies. If used well, it is a sure-fire way to defeat the strong with the weak.

(I really wish I could film this scene and show it to them ten years later.)

"This isn't the place to talk. You kids, come with me to the rooftop."

Seeing that the five radish-heads had quieted down, Uchiha Wu'an led them to the rooftop with a wide view. Looking out, they saw the thriving Hidden Leaf Village.

"Tomorrow you will be the first batch of students to enroll in the Advanced Ninja Academy, and I will be your instructor. Just call me Teacher Wu'an. I hope you will set a good example for your future generations."

"Teacher Wu'an, I already have a ninja headband, can I skip school?"

Upon hearing this, Jiraiya, who always speaks his mind, raised his hand and asked a question, his face painted with oil paint showing a sullen expression of incomprehension.

He was already tired of school life and spent every day envying the life he would have as a ninja.

Tsunade followed suit, saying, "Teacher Wu'an, I don't want to study either. None of the previous graduates went on to the advanced program, and I don't want to either. It feels pointless."

After the two troublemakers finished speaking, the remaining three looked puzzled.

Uchiha Muan looked at the five children, whose average age was only six, and his gaze fell on Orochimaru, whom he valued most. He asked softly, "Orochimaru, what are your thoughts?"

Seemingly surprised to be asked to answer, Orochimaru hesitated for a moment before speaking clearly, "There are many powerful ninjutsu in the senior division. Teacher Wu'an probably wants us to have more time to learn and grow."

At the end of his sentence, Orochimaru, recalling the blood-red samurai giant he had seen, couldn't help but look at Uchiha Takeoshi with burning eyes, "Teacher Takeoshi, can the Sharingan transcend life and death?"

The other four radish-heads were also drawn to this statement, their eyes fixed intently on Uchiha Takeo.

"Transcending life and death?"

Uchiha Muan said meaningfully, "Orochimaru, when you gain my approval one day, I will give you a gift. As for whether the Sharingan can transcend life and death, you will have to explore and research it yourself."

Receiving envious glances from his friends, Orochimaru suppressed his excitement and said with a tense expression, "Teacher Wu'an, I will definitely gain your approval. Please wait and see."

"I look forward to that day."

Then, Uchiha Takeo's tone, both kind and somewhat serious, asked, "You should still remember the Will of Fire, right?"

"Remember!"

The five answered in unison.

"That's good."

"You who are currently only genin are like newly sprouted leaves, needing the light of a fire. The storms and hardships of the outside world will be borne by your seniors."

Uchiha Muan said in a heavy tone, "Just like in the First Shinobi World War, you all had relatives who practiced the Will of Fire and sacrificed their lives on the battlefield, which allowed Konoha and you to continue to maintain a peaceful and stable life."

"So please cherish your time at the Ninja Academy, work hard to grow stronger, and become a towering tree that shelters everyone from the wind and rain."

Bathed in sunlight, the young Third Hokage's black eyes shone like brilliant stars before the five, and every word he spoke touched their hearts.

"I hope everyone can grow up safely and happily at the Ninja Academy, forge deep friendships and bonds with their companions, learn from each other's strengths and weaknesses, help each other, and then by the time they graduate, they will be able to protect themselves and their companions, and protect the village."

"That's why the advanced department was established."

"It is also the Will of Fire of Konoha."

As the five people lowered their heads in shame, a long, drawn-out eagle cry echoed across the sky above Konoha.

(End of this chapter)