321. A New Interpretation of the Will of Fire

Just as everyone thought the entrance exam would conclude with Uchiha Itachi taking first place, a figure suddenly appeared in the training ground.

When the teacher, Daichun, who had experienced numerous brutal wars, recognized the newcomer, he was stunned.

The figure who had suddenly appeared was none other than the hero of Konoha, praised and revered by the villagers!

"It's Lord Danzo!" one student shouted, and soon the entire training ground erupted in excitement.

"It really is Lord Danzo!"

"Lord Danzo is here to watch our test!"

"Lord Danzo, you're my idol!"

In an instant, the children burst into cheers far louder than when Uchiha Itachi had won.

Back then, only the girls in the class had cheered.

But Danzo? He captivated everyone, boys and girls alike!

Even the teachers were swept up in the excitement, forgetting their duty to maintain order for several seconds.

Daichun quickly gestured for his students to calm down and not offend Lord Danzo, though he couldn't hide his own excitement, his smile unwavering.

The news of Danzo's arrival spread like a tsunami through the ninja school.

Students and teachers from all grades abandoned their classes and rushed to the training ground.

The school principal was baffled—were the students and teachers planning a rebellion?

But when he saw Danzo, he realized his mistake.

Why hadn't he gone to greet him earlier?


Stopping the students' enthusiasm now would be unwise, so he quickly organized the teachers to help maintain order.

With the help of the teachers and nearby ANBU ninjas, order was eventually restored.

Danzo, who had suddenly appeared, was invited by the principal to give a speech on the stage.

Today, Danzo wore his usual old-fashioned clothes, leaning on a cane.

His right eye was bandaged, but his left eye shone with a sharp, piercing light, devoid of the cloudiness often seen in the elderly.

As he looked at the children below, a kind smile appeared on his face.

The terrifying killing intent he had accumulated on the battlefield vanished, replaced by a gentle, spring-like warmth.

"Hello, children. I am Shimura Dan—" Before he could finish, his words were drowned out by waves of cheers.

For these children, born and raised in the flames of war, "Danzo" had become a symbol of indomitable spirit and invincibility.

He represented Konoha's hope for peace and the spiritual pillar for everyone. It was no wonder they erupted with such fervor.

Uchiha Itachi, who had been the center of attention moments ago, felt no sense of loss at being overshadowed.

Like everyone else, his face flushed with excitement as he gazed at Danzo on the stage.

The only one who remained calm was perhaps Shimura Kabuto, who, though not seeing Danzo daily, could meet him whenever he wished.

Still, seeing his teacher so revered filled Kabuto with joy.

As the teachers managed to quiet the cheers, Danzo finally began his speech.

Both students and teachers listened intently, as this was the first time Danzo had spoken at the ninja school.

In contrast, the Third Hokage, a fan of speeches, had often visited, repeatedly instilling his "Will of Fire" in the students and teachers.

Danzo's speech also touched on the Will of Fire, but his interpretation differed slightly from the Third Hokage's.

While the Third's Will of Fire emphasized contributions to the village and children, it often felt abstract and lacked substance.


People agreed with the idea but struggled to implement it.

To change this and establish a systematic ideological framework, Danzo aimed to start with these young minds, still untainted by complexity, like blank slates ready for guidance.

To this end, Danzo had compiled a new textbook titled *A New Interpretation of the Will of Fire*, detailing his understanding and elaboration of the Will of Fire.

This would serve as a crucial guide for shaping the students' thoughts.

Whether they fully grasped his message now or not, his ideas would permeate their student and ninja lives.

"So, my dear students," Danzo continued, "I want to tell you that the ninjutsu and knowledge you will learn are not meant to turn you into cold weapons.

Missions are never the ultimate goal; protecting the village and your loved ones is!

A ninja is first a human being, then a ninja. The power you possess is not for violence but for protection—protection of your family, your village, peace, and everything you hold dear.

At the same time, it must also be used to resist—resist enemy invasions, the injustices of the ninja world, and the bloodshed and madness.

Only then can we create a truly harmonious, happy, equal, and friendly new world. I hope to work with you all to strive for this beautiful new world!"

By the end of his speech, both teachers and students were fully immersed in the vision Danzo had painted.

It took several seconds before thunderous applause broke out.

Truthfully, many students couldn't fully grasp the deeper meaning of Danzo's words, but that didn't diminish their love for him and the village.

However, many of the school's teachers, particularly those who had lived through the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars, were deeply moved.

The Will of Fire they had been taught emphasized village interests above all else—missions were paramount, and a ninja's duty was to complete them.

This ideology had even led to the death of Konoha's legendary White Fang, Hatake Sakumo.

Now, Danzo was saying that the Will of Fire wasn't just about sacrifice but also about putting people first.

This sparked reflections among the older ninjas.

If Danzo had been in power back then, would the White Fang have taken his own life?

Among those deeply affected was Uchiha Itachi, the once-in-a-century thinker of the Uchiha clan.

As he listened to Danzo's speech, his eyes grew brighter.

Breaking his usual reticence, he raised his hand and asked, "Lord Danzo, if everyone truly follows what you've said, can the ninja world really achieve peace?"

This question caught the attention of many.

For those who had lived through two Great Ninja Wars, peace was their greatest desire.

Danzo smiled and walked over to Itachi, gently patting his shoulder.

"Peace isn't something easily achieved. Ideas can influence some, but they can't change everyone. Therefore, besides positive ideology, we need to establish a reliable system.

Only by combining the two can we maximize the chances of peace. Remember, this is just the maximum.

As for how to truly ensure peace and prevent its destruction, that will require you, the flowers of Konoha, to study hard, think deeply, and bring forth practical suggestions for a peaceful new world."

Finally, Danzo ruffled Itachi's hair and handed him a copy of *A New Interpretation of the Will of Fire*.

"My thoughts on the Will of Fire are all in here. If you have any questions, you can come to the Root and ask me."

With that, he looked up at the entire ninja school and declared, "This concludes my speech. Please strive for the rise of Konoha! Let us work together!"