Chapter 43: Uchiha and Sarutobi
Before Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara turned against each other, the Will of Fire held that the village's main purpose was to protect the next generation. This point was established during their youth.
"For all those who follow him, he will create peace with his own hands."
This actually already showed Hashirama's initial philosophy – helping relatives regardless of reason.
The village formed by everyone gathering together was the true village.
And at that time, Konoha's weight in his heart couldn't even compare to Uchiha Madara's.
But after turning against Uchiha Madara, Senju Hashirama bluntly stated: "Anyone who endangers the village's safety, even my own brother or relative, I will absolutely not forgive."
From this point on, Hashirama's so-called Will of Fire had already placed the village first.
Before Uchiha Madara "died", he also said bitterly: "This will become the village's darkness."
Facts proved him right.
That was the beginning of the Will of Fire's alienation and distortion.
The Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, spared no effort in inheriting the First's Will of Fire.
But he possessed neither the First's broad perspective that ignored clan boundaries, nor the First's strength that awed the ninja world.
So for the sake of the village, he chose to conduct human experimentation.
And precisely because of his personal hatred for the Uchiha, Senju Tobirama treated the Uchiha clan like potential enemies, unable to calmly consider the problem based on the actual situation.
And Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō respectively inherited parts of his so-called Will of Fire.
But unfortunately...
"The village, tied together by the bonds of comrades, should naturally protect every fellow villager. This is the true meaning and interpretation of the Will of Fire."
Little Naruto replied (in his mind): "But they turned their butcher knives on the very people they were supposed to protect."
Konoha First means sacrificing everything for the village.
But who defines "the village"?
Naturally, it's the Konoha higher-ups harboring selfish motives.
"The Will of Fire is rotten from the roots up."
Menma shook his head: "Not everyone possesses the lofty conviction and absolute strength of the First Hokage. This kind of Will of Fire, which seeks peace through compromise with external forces, is unsuitable for a Konoha that has lost its absolute deterrent capability."
Peace gained through struggle endures; peace gained through compromise perishes.
...
"How did Yashiro stir up trouble again?"
Meanwhile, Uchiha Shisui, hiding in the tree, watched the two groups in the distance, feeling a massive headache coming on.
He was currently executing a mission as an ANBU.
If he used his ANBU identity to stop Yashiro now, he'd probably be used as a pretext for trouble at the next clan meeting.
But if he didn't intervene...
"That guy Yashiro actually wants to make a move?!"
Shisui saw the three tomoe in Yashiro's eyes from afar.
Steeling his heart, just as he was about to rush out,
"What's going on? What are you doing?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen, followed by several ANBU, strolled over slowly, a smile still on his face.
With his arrival, the Sarutobi clan members present quieted down, their faces regaining composure.
Although Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't the Sarutobi clan head, it was clear they trusted him greatly.
"Lord Third."
Uchiha Yashiro, though somewhat unwilling, still forced himself to deactivate his Sharingan.
He stated sternly with a serious face: "A member of the Sarutobi clan reproached the Uchiha clan in broad daylight and attempted to resist arrest by the Police Force."
"Sigh."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's aged face looked even more melancholic. After a long sigh, he advised: "Putting the issue aside, we are all comrades from the same village. Even if a mistake was made, there's no need to be so aggressive. Just talk things through properly."
"If you do that, I believe the Sarutobi clan will also be reasonable and cooperate with the Police Force's work."
He then looked at the Sarutobi clan leader, asking with a smile: "Wouldn't you say so?"
"Yes, yes, yes!"
"That's right! We will definitely cooperate!"
The Sarutobi clan members nodded in agreement one after another, looking extremely obedient, completely lacking their previous anger and defiance.
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled satisfiedly, instructing the ANBU behind him: "Take them somewhere quiet. Causing such a scene in public affects the city's appearance."
Several ANBU members moved silently towards the Uchiha and Sarutobi clansmen.
"Wait!"
Uchiha Yashiro called out to stop them, his eyes narrowing slightly: "Lord Third, having the ANBU handle this matter might not be appropriate."
"Oh? What's inappropriate about it?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen wore a kind smile, but the gaze directed at him held no trace of amusement.
Uchiha Yashiro didn't back down, retorting with a cold smile: "ANBU's function is to protect the Hokage, prevent foreign enemy infiltration, conduct enemy reconnaissance, etc. Maintaining the village's public order should be the responsibility of our Police Force, correct?"
"Hehe."
Regarding Yashiro's offensive tone, Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't mind, saying with a chuckle: "One party involved in this conflict is the Uchiha clan, and the members of the Police Force are all Uchiha clansmen, so..."
Although he didn't finish, Yashiro and the Uchiha clansmen's faces darkened.
His meaning was clear: he believed the Uchiha clan would abuse their position for their own clansmen's private gain.
Anger surged in Yashiro's heart as he said furiously: "If I remember correctly, Lord Third is also a member of the Sarutobi clan, right?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's smile gradually faded as he said seriously: "From the day I became Hokage, everyone in Konoha is equal in my eyes! There is no distinction between clans!"
His resonant and forceful voice instantly struck a chord with the surrounding onlookers.
"Isn't the Uchiha clan going too far? How could Lord Hokage possibly use his position for his own family's private gain?"
"That's right! I believe Lord Hokage will treat everyone fairly!"
"Compared to the arrogant and rude Uchiha clan who use violent enforcement, I trust the Sarutobi clan more."
Several villagers initially just murmured amongst themselves, but gradually grew bolder, raising their voices.
"If you are dissatisfied with my decision, you can have Fugaku raise an objection at the high-level meeting."
Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled lightly, then his tone shifted: "But right now, you cannot disturb everyone's normal life here."
"Take them all away!"
He said no more, waving his hand for the ANBU to proceed.
But the Uchiha clansmen's faces flushed red with anger, activating their Sharingan one after another.
This group all supported Uchiha Yashiro's radical faction.
They were already extremely dissatisfied with the Konoha leadership.
Now, despite enforcing the law impartially, they were being targeted by the Third Hokage, and even the villagers were murmuring about their wrongdoing.
This stifling feeling was naturally unbearable for the perpetually proud Uchiha clan.
"Mov—"
Uchiha Yashiro clenched his teeth, just about to order resistance.
"Stop!!"
(End of Chapter)
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