Chapter 42: Will of Fire, Konoha First
In Konoha's Forest of Death, a figure ran continuously through the dense woods.
And behind him, a black shadow flickered in and out of view, capable of using Body Flicker from one tree to another in the blink of an eye.
"How strange..."
Watching Naruto's running posture, Shisui felt something was odd.
Because his running form wasn't like a ninja's – leaning the body forward, arms held straight and angled behind the body, drifting with inertia, center of gravity pushed forward, power generated from the feet.
Instead, his hands swung continuously at his sides, and his center of gravity was relatively higher.
"Is it because no one taught him? The ninja running posture clearly generates force faster, right?"
Shisui scratched his head, somewhat puzzled.
However, observing continuously, he gradually discovered the advantages of this running posture.
This running form seemed to increase balance, reduce body burden, and allow for more natural, energy-saving running.
"Right, Menma-nii."
Meanwhile, as little Naruto ran through the forest, he asked inwardly: "Why did you have me write those ideological homework and practice routines in that notebook before?"
"And I could only write good points, not bad ones."
"Naturally, it was for certain individuals who like to peep into others' privacy to see."
Menma's tone was meaningful as he smiled: "Let them see the Will of Fire they firmly believe in, see just how outstanding it is."
That so-called diary was merely little Naruto's ideological homework, plus some daily training routines.
Who writes a diary seriously?
Besides, who writes their true feelings in a diary? Can words written down still be called true feelings?
The topic for that day's ideological homework was "An Appreciation of the Will of Fire".
The main central idea expressed was "Konoha First".
Of course, only the positive aspects of the Will of Fire and Konoha First were selected for analysis and appreciation.
"'Where leaves dance, fire burns. The fire's shadow will illuminate the village, and again, leaves will sprout anew.'"
"'The Will of Fire is the core tenet of Konoha Village, the villagers' responsibility towards Konoha.'"
"'If you live in a house and the roof leaks, then repairing the roof is your responsibility, so that the next generation can also live here.'"
Menma also helped polish it by 'a billion' bits (slang for 'a lot').
It roughly expressed his admiration for the Hokage, love for Konoha, and desire for friends.
But the shortcomings of the Will of Fire were discussed face-to-face by Naruto and Menma within the seal space.
"Huh?"
Menma seemed to suddenly notice something, a playful look appearing on his face: "Naruto, don't take the detour today. I'm going to give you a practical assessment, a surprise inspection of your learning progress."
"...Oh."
Naruto scratched his head upon hearing this, quickening his pace somewhat.
He didn't detour around the bustling streets as usual, instead running straight towards them.
And Uchiha Shisui, following behind him hidden in the trees, was also momentarily stunned.
"What's going on? Why didn't Uzumaki Naruto take the detour today? Is he going to buy something?"
A question rose in his mind, but he still quickened his Body Flicker speed and followed.
Arriving on the street, he immediately saw two groups facing off. Each side had over a dozen people, and the surrounding crowd of onlookers was growing larger.
One group wore symbols resembling the fan emblem; they were members of the Uchiha clan.
The other group bore the Sarutobi family crest; they were members of the Sarutobi clan.
Among both factions, several people were bruised and swollen, clearly having clashed already.
The leader on the Sarutobi side looked furious but was forcefully suppressing his anger, warning: "Uchiha Yashiro! Don't push things too far!"
"The violent enforcement incident hasn't even been resolved, and now you dare to bully us Sarutobi clan members!"
Conversely, the Uchiha clan members looked disdainful, making no effort to hide their arrogance.
The man addressed as Uchiha Yashiro stood at the very front, saying scornfully: "It was your clansman causing trouble while drunk on the street, insulting our Uchiha clan. As the Police Force, we naturally have to take you away according to regulations!"
"You're using public office for private vengeance!!"
"Private vengeance?"
Looking at the indignant Sarutobi clansman, Uchiha Yashiro laughed contemptuously: "Your clansman violated Konoha's regulations first. How is it private vengeance for us to act?"
"Exactly! If you hadn't violated the rules first and then resisted arrest, why would we have used unconventional methods on your clansman?"
The argument between the two sides grew increasingly heated.
The Sarutobi clan members all looked dissatisfied and aggrieved, while the Uchiha clan members looked excited, seemingly eager to teach them a lesson.
Both sides were restless, on the verge of breaking into an armed brawl again at any moment.
The surrounding crowd also grew larger, but most were accusing the Uchiha clan of being unreasonable despite being in the right, expressing understanding and sympathy for the Sarutobi clan.
And amidst the crowd, a small figure wearing a hood hid.
"Naruto, have you clearly analyzed the cause and process of the incident? Based on this event, what are your thoughts on the Will of Fire?"
Menma's playful voice sounded again.
Naruto scratched the back of his head somewhat troubledly: "My understanding of the Will of Fire is that the predecessors dedicate themselves to illuminate their descendants, extending hope and the future to the next generation."
"But it seems different from the Will of Fire I imagined. It seems... it seems..."
Naruto thought for a long time but couldn't find the right adjective.
Menma smiled: "Do you feel the Will of Fire has been distorted? That it has completely lost its original intention?"
Distorted...
"Yes, that's the feeling."
Naruto realized: "It seems like someone misinterpreted its original meaning, gradually pushing it towards an extreme."
The core expressed by the Will of Fire is "Konoha First". Konoha is everyone's home, needing everyone to protect it. Only Konoha Village is the true, unique existence itself.
At first glance, this idea isn't wrong.
But if misinterpreted or misunderstood by those with ulterior motives, then the Will of Fire becomes a "weapon".
The most typical example is the view Shimura Danzō and others hold towards the Uchiha clan.
"Although you haven't done anything yet, I think you'll definitely cause trouble in the future, so I must treat you unjustly now, suppress you, alienate you, and make you do the dirty work."
Then, when the Uchiha clan is pushed to the extreme and voices of dissatisfaction arise,
"Ah, see? You really aren't loyal to Konoha. Since you're going to cause trouble, then we have to deal with you."
This reflects the most hypocritical aspect of "Konoha First".
Because the definition of this "Konoha" is often decided by the Konoha leadership, and in their eyes, the definition of Konoha does not include the Uchiha clan.
It just highlights the idea: "Loyalty that isn't absolute is absolute disloyalty".
(End of Chapter)
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