Konoha: The Soul King from the Uchiha Clan

Chapter 26 Ideological Education Class

"Fine, apologize if you want."

"But I don't accept it. What will your response be then?"

Uchiha Shisui: "..."

Seeing Shisui's bewildered expression, Uchiha Gen chuckled and said, "Alright, I was just kidding. Of course I accept it."

"Now I'll tell you about Minato-senpai, Kakashi, and Rin. It might not be entirely accurate, so just take it as a reference."

"I understand, thank you."

Uchiha Shisui nodded emphatically. As a ninja, one must have the ability to analyze intelligence and judge its authenticity.

Then Uchiha Gen shared his views on the three of them, which were mostly full of praise.

In this situation, it's natural not to speak ill of your former teammates.

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Shisui gained a general impression of the three and breathed a sigh of relief.

The young clan leader has high hopes for this matter, and it's also a great thing for the Uchiha clan. He might become the Hokage's disciple like his grandfather, Uchiha Kagami. He absolutely cannot mess it up.

"By the way, Shisui, how's the situation at the Mist Hidden Battlefield?"

Uchiha Shisui snapped out of his reverie and shook his head, saying, "The losses at the front lines are considerable. Before I returned, the situation was still at a stalemate."

"I don't understand why the Hokage only sent a small number of people instead of a large force to support us..."

Most likely, it's to weaken the power of the major clans in Konoha, but they probably won't go too far. They should be sending a large force to support them soon.

Although Konoha's military strength is currently weak, it could still form a large force if it really wanted to.

In fact, there was no need to send a large force; Konoha's high-level combat power, along with a portion of elite ninjas, would have been enough to end the war.

While thinking this way, Uchiha Gen said aloud, "The higher-ups must have considerations we don't know about. We should trust the Hokage."

"Xuan, you're right."

"We are not in a high enough position, so it is easy to overlook some things and make wrong decisions."

"The Hokage and the others are in a high enough position, and they have more information to help them make a more comprehensive judgment."

Uchiha Gen: "???"

I just said it casually, and you started to manipulate me?

If this continues, this guy will inevitably be fooled by Danzo and others until he loses his way, thus comprehending a distorted version of the Will of Fire.

No, I need to take this opportunity to give Shisui some inside information so he won't be easily fooled.

"Shisui, do you mean the higher-ups are definitely capable of considering everything?" Uchiha Gen asked, feigning disbelief.

"No, that's not it. Everyone makes mistakes to some extent. What I really mean is that we are more thorough than others."

Phew... at least I haven't completely fallen into it, there's still hope.

"If the higher-ups have to sacrifice the interests of certain groups to achieve the desired outcome, such as the Uchiha clan, what are your thoughts?"

Uchiha Shisui paused for a moment, a thoughtful expression on his face, before saying, "If the sacrifices aren't too great, I think it's worth it for Konoha. What do you think?"

Uchiha Gen smiled and said, "I think..."

"I think the idea of ​​sacrificing the interests of a certain group is flawed, but if the interests are not significant, it is acceptable for the sake of Konoha."

Uchiha Shisui smiled upon hearing this, as their thoughts were largely the same.

"The premise is for the sake of Konoha, not for the sake of Konoha's higher-ups."

Uchiha Shisui's body trembled slightly upon hearing this, and he looked at Uchiha Gen in shock...

"Shisui, you need to understand one concept: the Konoha leadership is not entirely the same as Konoha itself."

Therefore, the interests of Konoha's leadership are not entirely equivalent to the interests of Konoha itself.

Do you understand what I'm saying?

Uchiha Shisui nodded as if he understood, then shook his head.

"For example, a family may have many talented people and be prosperous, but these talents are unruly and the most outstanding talents have threatened the position of the family patriarch and elders."

"At this time, the family will become more prosperous if it continues to develop, but at the same time, the patriarch and elders will gradually be replaced by the younger generation."

"At this point, the interests of the family's senior management had already clashed with the interests of the family as a whole."

"Faced with this situation, what would happen if someone with a weaker desire for power stepped down and gave way to a more capable person? What would the other way around?"

Uchiha Shisui said with a solemn expression, "Suppressing or even eliminating them, at the cost of jeopardizing the clan's bright future, to preserve their own power and status."

"Yes, this applies to families, villages, and nations alike."

"So, do you understand what I said before?"

Uchiha Shisui said solemnly, "I understand."

"So what would you choose?"

Let me first tell you about my own choice.

"I can sacrifice some interests for the sake of the collective, but I will not allow my own interests to be harmed in the slightest for the sake of the collective leadership."

"When the leaders of a group do not consider the interests of the group but only their own interests, they have already betrayed the group and are traitors to the group."

Uchiha Shisui carefully considered Uchiha Gen's words before saying after a while, "Gen, you are right. I will only sacrifice my own interests, even my life, for the collective."

Uchiha Gen laughed, then said, "Shisui, you must know about the Will of Fire, right?"

"Of course I know, this is the first lesson at the Ninja Academy, and it's emphasized every year."

"The specific meaning is: Where leaves dance in the air, fire will never cease. The firelight will continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout."

"The specific meaning is: young people are the hope of the future, and the older generation should trust and protect them. The sacrifices of the older generation are not meaningless, but will inspire young people to become the pillars of the future."

The implied meaning is: For the sake of Konoha, we should not be afraid to sacrifice ourselves. Sacrificing ourselves is to protect Konoha. Our own family members and villagers are the heroes of Konoha, and people should take them as role models!

Zhi Shui spoke fluently and smoothly, without pausing at all.

"Do you think I'm right?" Uchiha Gen asked seriously.

"I think so."

Normally, Shisui would have said yes without hesitation, but he hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"I think so too."

Shisui breathed a sigh of relief; thankfully, his understanding hadn't been shattered again...

"The Will of Fire means that individual interests should be sacrificed for the collective good, right?"

Zhi Shui nodded.

"Does Shisui understand the specific relationship between individual interests and collective interests?"

Shisui thought about it seriously for a while before saying, "Is it a mutually dependent relationship?"

"Yes, Shisui is indeed clever."

Upon hearing this, Shisui smiled sheepishly.

"Under normal circumstances, individual interests and collective interests are fundamentally aligned."

"For example, if the village improves, it's easier for talented individuals to improve as well, you understand?"

"I understand, but why 'easy' instead of 'certain'?"

"Because sometimes, when the collective interest is harmed, individual interests can be preserved, or even better, just like the example I gave earlier."

Zhi Shui nodded, indicating that he understood.

"When individual interests conflict with collective interests, in the long run and from the perspective of the overall situation, collective interests should indeed take precedence."

"In other words, personal interests should be sacrificed, but..."

Uchiha Gen emphasized, "But such sacrifices have limits. We cannot sacrifice personal interests without limit, otherwise we would be putting the cart before the horse."

"A collective that sacrifices individual interests without limit has gone astray."

"Shisui, do you know the original intention behind the founding of Konoha Village?"

Shisui shook his head; he hadn't had time to study, search for, or contemplate history yet.

"I have consulted the clan's records and asked the older generation. I learned that the original intention of establishing Konoha Village was to prevent children from going to the battlefield and to promote peace."

"If one day, some people, in order to seize more profits, use seemingly legitimate excuses to force children to go to war..."

"You say this is putting the cart before the horse?"

"Yes!" Uchiha Shisui replied resolutely, his eyes bright.

"Um... Gen, do you have a problem with the higher-ups in Konoha? I have a feeling you're hinting at something."

Uchiha Shisui scratched his head and said.

"I have no objection to the Hokage," Uchiha Gengen said insincerely.

"I have a problem with that person who is known as the Darkness of the Ninja World."

"You are probably more familiar with the existence and conduct of the Roots than with Shisui."

"It's only because we Uchiha are strong enough, and our clan leader is powerful enough, otherwise, it's uncertain whether we geniuses would still be able to stay in the Uchiha..."

Uchiha Shisui suddenly realized, "So that's how it is. The Root region really isn't a good place."

"Okay, that's all for today."

"Then I'll take my leave now. I'll come to see you again when I have the chance. You know so much."

"You're welcome anytime, I'll give you a ride."

"Okay, thank you."

The two left the living room, and Uchiha Gen watched Shisui leave with a thoughtful expression, his mind racing.

After this lesson in ideological education, Zhi Shui shouldn't be so easily overlooked by the greater good, right?

Observe from now on. If it turns around, that's fine. If it doesn't, learn a Danzo move. But if you want to go a step further, try a double-handed dig!

Uchiha Gen turned around and went back inside to cultivate, entertain himself, and sleep.

The next day, everything was calm, and Uchiha Gen continued his training and daily life according to his established routine.

The same thing happened on the third day.

It wasn't until the fourth day that Anko brought news that Orochimaru wanted to see him. Uchiha Gen went home to wash up and then rushed to the agreed location.

The author's writing isn't that profound, so if there's anything unreasonable, just enjoy it and don't take it too seriously. You can offer suggestions, but please refrain from personal attacks.

(End of this chapter)