Chapter 39: Dead Branches and Young Buds

"Now it's your turn, Torifū."

Torifū exhaled softly and took a step forward. He was still slightly perplexed by the apprehensive expressions he had observed on Hiruzen and the others' faces as they spoke about their Will of Fire. But as he now stood before the two revered figures of Konoha Village, preparing to articulate his own deeply held conviction, a subtle flutter of nervousness stirred within him.

"Don't be nervous, Torifū. Just tell us what your Will of Fire is," Hashirama said, his tone warm and reassuring. He had always held a particular fondness for this young disciple of his. From their very first encounter, the child had displayed a remarkable and genuine love for the village.

Since then, Hashirama had found himself observing Torifū, sometimes consciously, sometimes without even realizing it. And Torifū had consistently exceeded Hashirama's expectations. From the moment he entered the Ninja Academy, he had demonstrated an exceptionally high aptitude for ninjutsu, and he possessed a natural ability to mediate disputes among his classmates with surprising ease.

He also held unique and insightful perspectives on the intricate relationships between the various clans and the village as a whole. The more Hashirama reflected on Torifū's character and potential, the more he eagerly anticipated hearing his articulation of the Will of Fire.

"Where the leaves dance, the fire burns ever brighter."

[T/N: Blud decided to go hardcore.]

The collective gaze of the group turned towards Torifū, each pair of eyes carrying a hint of confusion. The Hokage had explicitly instructed everyone to articulate their own Will of Fire, so what was Torifū doing reciting what sounded like a well-known saying?

"Withered branches and leaves will turn into nourishment, nurturing the tender buds of early spring."

A mixture of dawning understanding and lingering confusion flickered across the faces of the young ninjas, while Hashirama and Tobirama exchanged a look of profound relief. The younger generation might not fully grasp the deeper meaning embedded in Torifū's words, but the two elder statesmen understood perfectly, for they recognized themselves as the "withered branches" that would inevitably become nourishment for the future.

"Why do you say that, Torifū?" Hashirama asked gently, prompting him to elaborate.

Torifū took a few deliberate steps forward until he stood at the very edge of the Hokage Rock, his gaze sweeping over the sprawling expanse of Konoha Village below. Then, he turned back to face his sensei and the others, the wind from the summit ruffling his snow-white hair, yet unable to diminish the burning conviction in his eyes.

"I am sensei's disciple, and I bear the responsibility of inheriting my sensei's will, but I also possess my own unique Will of Fire!" Torifū declared, his voice clear and resonant.

"Konoha Village is like a growing, vibrant tree. We, the younger generation, are the tender new buds, full of potential and promise. And the teacher, Lord Tobirama, and the esteemed elders are the strong branches that shield us from the harsh winds and driving rain, providing us with guidance and protection."

He paused for a moment, his gaze thoughtful. "But one day, inevitably, those strong branches will begin to wither, to decay with the passage of time, and eventually, they will fall. Yet, even in their fall, they will not be lost. Instead, they will decompose, returning to the earth as vital nourishment, feeding and strengthening the tender buds that will one day grow into sturdy branches themselves."

Torifū's voice gained intensity. "And in the future, we too will mature, becoming the branches that shelter our own descendants from the storms. One day, we too will face the inevitable process of withering, and we too will return to the earth, becoming nourishment for the generations that follow."

His gaze swept across the faces of his companions. "But as long as we can witness the tender buds we have diligently protected growing strong and flourishing, we will not fear the eventual decline. We will embrace it as a natural part of the cycle."

"Everyone will eventually grow old, and the relentless currents of time will continue to flow onward like a powerful torrent. But through this continuous cycle of growth, protection, and nourishment, only Konoha Village will endure and continue to prosper, generation after generation."

As Torifū finished articulating his profound and insightful Will of Fire, a moment of stunned silence hung in the air. Then, as if a silent signal had been given, someone began to applaud. The sound quickly spread, and soon everyone present was clapping enthusiastically. Torifū could see in their eyes that these were not perfunctory claps, but genuine expressions of respect and understanding from the depths of their hearts.

Among the most enthusiastic was Naori. Gazing at Torifū, who stood with such confident poise on the Hokage Rock, a powerful sense of pride swelled within her chest. It was as if she wanted to proclaim to the world, Look at him! This is my best friend, Uchiha Naori's! Look how truly exceptional he is!

Hiruzen and the others also looked at Torifū with newfound respect. Initially, there had been a touch of envy, a quiet wondering why this newcomer had so quickly gained the favor of the First Hokage and been accepted as his direct disciple. But now, they genuinely admired Torifū from the bottom of their hearts, recognizing the wisdom and depth of his understanding.

Hashirama himself gazed at the confident and spirited young man standing on the Hokage Rock, and a wave of nostalgia washed over him. He couldn't help but recall the distant days of his youth, when he and Madara had stood on this very spot, dreaming together about the future they would build. At that time, they had both envisioned creating a village that belonged to them, nestled beneath this very cliff. Now, the village was a thriving reality, constantly growing and prospering, but his old friend was nowhere to be found.

With a gentle smile, Hashirama walked up to Torifū and affectionately ruffled his snow-white hair. "As expected of my disciple, Senju Hashirama's student! Torifū, you will undoubtedly become an amazing ninja in the future!"

Hashirama praised Torifū unreservedly, because he felt a profound sense of reassurance. He knew that even if he were to depart one day, the village he had co-founded would continue to flourish, nurtured by the understanding and wisdom of future generations like Torifū.

Hashirama had rarely spoken to Torifū about his own Will of Fire, nor had he ever explicitly asked him to inherit his legacy. Yet, this young man, barely six years old, had already grasped the essence of his ideals and articulated his own unique interpretation with such remarkable clarity. What a truly exceptional genius!

Torifū felt a deep sense of satisfaction at Hashirama's heartfelt praise. His Will of Fire had been recognized and validated by his sensei. The words he had spoken today had come directly from his heart, with no intention of boasting or seeking attention.

[T/N: We know the truth, you can't hide from us!]

Because Torifū had already envisioned a simple yet fulfilling path for his future: to find a partner at the right time, raise a loving family, guide his children well, and serve as a respected elder of Konoha, ensuring the village remained on a prosperous course. Living such a peaceful life would be more than enough.

If, along the way, a few promising youngsters caught his eye and he could take them as disciples, leaving behind a small legacy, that would be an added blessing. But even if that didn't happen, Torifū wouldn't force it.

"Alright, Torifū, you can go back for now. It's Naori's turn."

Torifū bowed respectfully to Hashirama and returned to stand with the rest of the group.

Naori, who had been applauding Torifū with enthusiastic fervor, seemed to have momentarily forgotten that she was next to present her own Will of Fire. She only snapped back to the present when her name was called!

With Torifū's masterful articulation still echoing in the air, her own will suddenly felt inadequate and unremarkable in comparison. The thought of potentially facing criticism from Hashirama because of this filled her with dread. She was, after all, the only one among them who wasn't formally registered to a specific master! The others all had established mentors, while she was currently benefitting under the direct tutelage of the Hokage himself due to Torifū's influence.

With a noticeable lack of confidence, Naori timidly stepped forward and began to speak about her Will of Fire, a hint of nervousness lacing her voice.

"My Will of Fire is… integration and unity."

Seeing that her initial statement didn't elicit any particularly negative reactions from the two Hokage, Naori relaxed slightly and continued.

"Even before I started attending the academy, I often overheard villagers telling their children to be careful not to provoke the Uchiha clan after they started school."

Hashirama frowned slightly upon hearing this. He had also been vaguely aware of such sentiments. It was true that a significant portion of the Uchiha clan often displayed a certain arrogance and treated the common villagers with a condescending air, which had unfortunately tarnished their reputation among the general populace.

Hashirama felt somewhat constrained in directly intervening. As one of the two founding major clans of Konoha, it would be inappropriate for him to personally meddle in their internal dynamics. Perhaps it was precisely this reluctance to intervene that had allowed the arrogance and conceit within the Uchiha clan to fester and grow, further damaging their standing in the village.

"When I first heard these kinds of warnings," Naori continued, her tone tinged with a hint of bitterness and sadness, "I only felt a deep sense of hurt and confusion in my heart. Why should I, and others like me, be viewed with such negativity when we hadn't done anything wrong?"

As Naori spoke, her voice gained a touch of quiet determination. "As I grew older, I realized that there were many children within the Uchiha family who felt the same way I did. They all yearned to integrate seamlessly into the wider village community, to be accepted and treated like everyone else. But they often faced significant obstacles and setbacks simply because of the Uchiha's 'bad name'."

"I had always considered myself a talented member of the Uchiha clan, perhaps even a genius. I naively believed that I could easily change the prevailing negative perceptions people held towards the Uchiha."

A flicker of frustration crossed her features. "But I soon discovered that there was very little I, as a child, could actually do to make a significant difference. For a while, I felt incredibly frustrated and disheartened. But deep down, I refused to admit defeat!"

At this moment, the initial timidity that had marked Naori's demeanor completely vanished, and not a trace of nervousness remained in her voice. She stood tall and resolute before everyone, standing before the very ninjas she admired most, and eloquently expounding her seemingly weak and perhaps even unrealistic will.

"I want to integrate the Uchiha family and the rest of the village into one cohesive whole! I want everyone to unite, to break down the walls of prejudice and fear that exist between people!" Her voice resonated with conviction.

"Children of any clan should be able to become friends, to forge bonds of trust and become reliable partners, without the shadow of their family name casting doubt upon their character!"

In that moment, Naori shed any lingering airs of a privileged young lady and stood before them, not just as an Uchiha, but as a young ninja with unwavering beliefs and a burning desire for a more unified and harmonious Konoha.