[T/N: A huge thank you to Gilb for supporting me on Patreon! Your support really motivates me to keep writing, and I'm so grateful for it. Hope you all enjoy this chapter! Send him your blessings—thanks to him, I'm locked into churning out chapters consistently now, lol.]
"Eh? Isn't that Torifū?"
A woman's gentle voice drifted from behind Torifū. He found the voice immediately familiar, and when he turned around, his recognition was confirmed.
"Aunt Mamiko, I didn't expect to run into you here."
The person who had called out to him was Katō Sakon's wife, Katō Mamiko. Their families lived in close proximity, and as a result, Torifū's parents and the Katō family had forged a strong and warm relationship. After the tragic passing of his parents, Katō Sakon and his wife had extended extra care and kindness towards Torifū, fostering a deep sense of respect and affection within him for them.
At this moment, Torifū noticed that Mamiko was cradling a small infant in her arms. The child appeared to be around two years old and possessed striking, vibrant blue hair.
"Aunt Mamiko, did you bring Dan out for some playtime?" Torifū inquired, his gaze softening as he looked at the baby.
Mamiko's face was adorned with a kind smile. "Yes, Dan has been quite restless at home today, so I thought a little fresh air and sunshine would do him good."
Torifū stepped closer, intending to playfully interact with young Dan, but the toddler promptly turned his head away, resolutely choosing to ignore Torifū's attempts at attention.
Mamiko seemed slightly embarrassed by her son's reaction. "Dan is still a little shy around people he doesn't see often, and since you don't visit our house as much these days, he doesn't recognize you very well."
Torifū waved his hand dismissively, indicating it was no trouble. While he generally enjoyed the company of children, engaging with a two-year-old was a different kind of challenge. Having failed to elicit any reaction from the young Dan, Torifū's interest waned slightly. Dan was still very young, and there would be plenty of opportunities for playful teasing in the future.
Torifū had always held a particular fondness for Katō Dan, even though the character hadn't made numerous appearances in his memories of the future. Dan's unique Spirit Transformation Technique had left a profound impression on him. The ability to detach one's soul from the physical body for the purpose of assassinating an enemy was incredibly powerful! Only a handful of ninjutsu in the entire ninja world allowed for such manipulation of the soul.
However, Torifū was also acutely aware of the significant drawbacks of this technique. Once the soul left the body, the physical form became immobile and utterly vulnerable, an easy target for any attacker. And tragically, it was ultimately this very technique that led to Dan's premature death, shattering his aspirations of becoming Hokage at a young age and leaving an enduring scar of grief on Tsunade's heart.
"Torifū, are you also out for a walk?" Mamiko asked, her tone friendly. She realized she hadn't seen him around the village much lately.
Torifū scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Ah, it gets a little lonely at home sometimes, so I decided to come out for a stroll."
Hearing Torifū's simple explanation, a hint of sorrow flickered in Mamiko's eyes. She and her husband had been very close friends with Torifū's parents. The sudden and early departure of his parents to the pure land had been a shock, leaving behind this young, six-year-old child. Thankfully, he was well-provided for, at least in terms of basic necessities.
"If you ever feel lonely in the future, please don't hesitate to come over to Auntie's house," Mamiko said gently, her voice filled with genuine warmth.
A wave of warmth spread through Torifū's chest, and he nodded gratefully.
They continued to chat for a while. Unlike Kosuke and his friends, Mamiko had apparently learned from some source that the Hokage had taken Torifū as a direct disciple. And when she heard that he was already participating in missions at such a young age, she couldn't help but feel a surge of maternal worry. She repeatedly cautioned him to be extremely careful during missions, emphasizing that preserving his life was the most paramount concern.
As the sky began to deepen into the hues of twilight, the two started to walk in the general direction of their homes. Mamiko, in her gentle concern, was much like a mother figure to Torifū, offering a continuous stream of well-intentioned nagging, mostly centered around taking good care of his health, getting enough rest, and not overworking himself.
Torifū found himself surprisingly enjoying the familiar feeling of an elder's gentle admonishments, which brought him a sense of comfort and security.
When they reached the entrance of the Kumotsuru Clan compound, Mamiko offered one final piece of advice. "Rest early, Torifū. Hokage-sama's training must be very demanding. Good luck with everything!"
With a warm smile, she turned and continued towards her own home. Torifū watched Mamiko disappear into the evening shadows before finally entering the gates of his clan's territory.
Once inside, he opened his character illustration book. With a mental command, he unlocked the entries for Katō Dan and Uchiha Setsuna, earning a total of 1000 Peace Points. This marked the first time he had actually met Katō Dan since the system had awakened within him. And Uchiha Setsuna, though through unfortunate circumstances, had certainly proven to be a useful source of additional Peace Points for Torifū.
After a quick wash, Torifū lay down on his comfortable bed and drifted into a peaceful sleep.
...
Late that night, within the Uchiha clan grounds, an elderly figure stood motionless in front of a traditional house, his gaze fixed on the star-dusted expanse of the night sky.
It seemed as though fate often delighted in heaping further misery upon those already burdened by sorrow. This old man had endured the successive loss of his beloved son and daughter-in-law. His remaining young grandson had resorted to forbidden medicine, tragically depleting his life force, leaving him in a state barely distinguishable from death.
And now, Uchiha Setsuna, the eldest grandson upon whom the old man had placed all his remaining hopes and dreams, was inexplicably missing.
"You said you were going to avenge your brother," the old man murmured, his voice thick with unshed tears, "but the one responsible is still walking freely. You're probably buried in some forgotten foreign land by now."
As he spoke, two trails of blood and tears streamed down his weathered cheeks, his voice finally breaking into soft sobs. The three tomoe of the Sharingan in his eyes began to spin rapidly, the intricate pattern morphing and condensing until it formed a shape eerily similar to a shuriken.
"Mangekyo Sharingan," he whispered, his voice laced with a strange mixture of disbelief and something akin to manic laughter. "Hahahaha, I never expected to awaken the Mangekyo just before my own life flickers out."
The old man's voice was bordering on hysteria, and for a fleeting moment, he couldn't discern whether his overwhelming emotion was joy or profound sorrow. Fortunately, this part of the clan grounds was on the periphery, inhabited only by his direct lineage.
"It seems it's not my time to die just yet!" he declared, his voice hardening with newfound resolve.
The old man abruptly turned his head, his gaze locking onto the frail form of his dying grandson lying motionless on the bed inside the house. A fierce, burning hatred ignited in his crimson eyes.
"I will make you all pay the price!"
...
One day later, in the early morning light, Torifū, Naori, Hiruzen, and the other members of their team gathered at their usual spot atop the majestic Hokage Rock.
This marked the third day since their return to the village after their recent mission, and the deadline for the personal assignment given to them by Hashirama had finally arrived. Although a lingering hint of uncertainty could still be seen on some of their faces, the palpable panic and helplessness that had plagued them before were noticeably absent.
Just as Hiruzen was about to tentatively inquire about his companions' understanding of the Will of Fire, Tobirama utilized his signature Flying Thunder God Technique to swiftly bring Hashirama to their location.
"Children, good morning! Hahahaha!" Hashirama greeted them with his usual booming cheerfulness.
Seeing the Hokage in such a jovial mood, a collective sigh of relief swept through the group. They had all been secretly dreading the possibility of incurring the Hokage's displeasure with a poorly articulated answer, which might very well result in an unwelcome physical reprimand.
Tobirama's expression, as always, remained inscrutable, offering no clue to his current disposition. "You should all be well aware of what day this is, correct?"
Hearing his stern tone, everyone immediately straightened their postures and replied in unison, their voices clear and resolute.
"Then I sincerely hope that the answers you provide today will not disappoint us," Tobirama stated, his gaze sweeping across their faces.
Despite his somewhat severe words, Tobirama's intention was merely to apply a touch of pressure. These young ninjas had been under his tutelage since their early years, and he had a fairly good idea of what each of them would say, give or take a few nuances.
Furthermore, since he and his brother were jointly responsible for their disciples' development, it was necessary for one of them to occasionally play the role of the strict disciplinarian. Otherwise, the children would lack a healthy sense of respect and their behavior might become unruly.
"Monkey, you're up first!" Tobirama declared, his sharp eyes catching Hiruzen's subtle attempt to blend into the background.
Hiruzen internally groaned. He wanted to protest, to somehow delay his turn, but he knew there was no escape. With a deep breath, he steeled his nerves and began to speak.
"My Will of Fire is… protection."
Hearing this, Hashirama's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly, the slight reaction quickly masked and unnoticed by the others.
"Protection? And what exactly does that entail, Hiruzen?" Tobirama pressed, his gaze unwavering.
"Because… I truly love this village, and I deeply care for everyone who lives within it. Every time I return to Konoha after a mission and see the smiling faces of the people, it fills me with a renewed sense of energy and purpose." Hiruzen explained earnestly.
"So, my Will of Fire is to protect this village, and to protect everyone within it!" he concluded, his voice gaining conviction.
Tobirama nodded slowly. While Hiruzen's articulation of the Will of Fire bore a certain resemblance to his brother's core beliefs, he sensed that Hiruzen's words were genuine and not merely an attempt to curry favor. This was truly his will.
"I sincerely hope that you will always remember the words you have spoken today, Hiruzen, in all your future endeavors," Tobirama stated, his tone carrying a note of solemnity.
"Next, Danzo."
Danzo, upon hearing his name, stepped forward. Although he had a firm understanding of his own Will of Fire, a flicker of uncertainty gnawed at him. He couldn't shake the worry that expressing it openly might somehow offend the two powerful adults before him.
"My Will of Fire is… suppression," Danzo declared, his voice steady despite his inner apprehension.
The single word hung in the air, causing both Hashirama and Tobirama to fall into a brief but noticeable silence. Danzo continued, elaborating on his chosen word.
"The so-called suppression, in my view, is to relentlessly enhance the overall strength and capabilities of our village. We must wield such overwhelming power that other villages will be forced into submission, ensuring they never dare to entertain the thought of becoming our enemies."
After Danzo finished his explanation, a prolonged silence descended upon the two brothers. This extended quietude only amplified Danzo's unease, and a knot of nervousness tightened in his stomach.
However, Hashirama and Tobirama weren't offended by Danzo's perspective. They simply recognized that his approach was rather… forceful. Yet, they couldn't deny that the underlying principle had a certain validity in the current volatile state of the ninja world.
Due in large part to Hashirama's unparalleled strength, Konoha currently held a position of absolute dominance among the five great ninja villages. No other village dared to openly challenge Konoha's authority. All of this stemmed directly from Hashirama's immense power.
"Danzo," Tobirama finally spoke, his voice measured, "your idea has merit, but there must be an inviolable boundary. And that boundary is that you must never, under any circumstances, harm anyone within our own village! Do you understand?" His tone was serious, carrying an implicit warning.
Hearing Tobirama's firm words, Danzo bowed deeply. "I understand completely, Sensei," he replied respectfully before retreating back into the group.
Following Danzo, Koharu, Homura, Akimichi Torifū, and Kagami each articulated their own understanding of the Will of Fire. While their interpretations weren't entirely flawless, they all managed to convey a fundamental understanding of the concept and thus passed this initial assessment. Hashirama, however, advised them all to reflect further on their words and strive for a deeper and more refined understanding.
Finally, Tobirama's gaze settled on Torifū.
"Torifū, it's your turn."