“Not bad, kid.” Sakumo Hatake looked at Akira with admiration.
“To possess this kind of strength at such a young age…” “If I remember correctly, there was a Jonin among them.” Even if it had been an ambush, that kind of achievement could no longer be described as mere genius.
It was monstrous.
“I just got lucky.” Akira scratched the back of his head sheepishly before continuing, “But I’d like to ask you to keep this a secret.” “What do you mean?” “I mean hiding the fact that I killed the Jonin.” “The official story should be that I held him back until Brother Sakumo arrived and finished him off.” “…Why?” Sakumo looked puzzled.
“Shouldn’t someone with talent let it be known?” “If you do, the Hokage will definitely pay attention to you.” This kid…
“No matter how talented someone is, it means nothing if they don’t survive long enough to grow.” Akira shook his head.
“A ten-year-old killing a Jonin…” “That has never happened before.” “If enemy spies learn about it, my safety won’t be guaranteed.” More importantly…
He also had to guard against the Third Hokage and the ambitious Danzo.
Those two were far more calculating than they appeared.
Sakumo thought about it for a moment before nodding.
“Alright.” “I’ll keep your secret.” The more he considered it, the more reasonable Akira’s words seemed.
So he’d do as the boy requested.
He never considered any other possibility.
“I’m just glad you’re both alright.” Sakumo sighed.
“I don’t know what happened to the village.” “How did those Hidden Cloud ninja manage to leave?” “Could something be wrong with the barrier?” As he spoke, confusion filled his face.
Why had Konoha discovered it so late?
Could there be an insider?
The thought immediately made his expression turn serious.
That wasn’t a trivial matter.
He would have to report it to the Hokage.
… “That’s everything.” After recounting the entire incident, Akira looked toward the Third Hokage.
“If Brother Sakumo hadn’t arrived…” “I probably would’ve been killed.” The Third Hokage nodded thoughtfully.
Taking a slow puff from his pipe, he glanced at Sakumo, signaling him to confirm the story.
“That’s right.” “That’s exactly what happened.” For some reason, Sakumo instinctively chose to conceal the truth.
Even from the Hokage himself.
“You really were fortunate.” The Third Hokage looked at Akira with apparent relief.
“Otherwise, the consequences could’ve been disastrous.” Then, as if asking casually, he continued, “From what you’ve said…” “You awakened a Bloodline Limit?” “Yes.” Akira nodded.
At this point, if he didn’t reveal at least some talent, it might create even greater trouble later.
“Show me.” A gleam flashed through the Third Hokage’s eyes.
A civilian ninja…
Who had awakened a Bloodline Limit.
Those were exactly the kind of people he liked most.
Akira nodded.
Extending his hand, he manipulated his strings into a small figurine of the Third Hokage holding his smoking pipe.
“Oh?” The Third Hokage accepted it in surprise.
Examining it carefully, he discovered there wasn’t the slightest visible seam.
Such precise control…
Had this child really mastered his technique to this extent already?
Which meant…
He hadn’t just awakened this Bloodline Limit recently.
Thinking that, the Third Hokage smiled kindly.
“Akira.” “What do you think about the Will of Fire?” Akira inwardly sighed.
As expected…
Here it comes.
“Wherever the leaves dance, the fire burns.” “The light of the fire illuminates the village, allowing new leaves to sprout.” “In simple terms…” “The Will of Fire is a spirit of selflessness.” “It means hoping there are no barriers between the clans within the village, so everyone can work together for Konoha.” “It means every member of every clan shouldn’t sacrifice themselves only for their own family’s benefit, but instead place the greater good first and contribute to the village.” “It means protecting every comrade within the village.” “Everyone in Konoha is one family.” “There should never be divisions between powerful clans and ordinary people.” “There should never be different classes among those who call Konoha home.” The more Akira spoke…
The more passionate he became.
He looked every bit like the most devoted believer in the Will of Fire.
Meanwhile…
The Third Hokage’s eyes grew brighter and brighter.
The more he looked at Akira, the more pleased he became.
Excellent.
This child was truly excellent.
He was a genuine inheritor of the Will of Fire.
Entrusting the Nine-Tails’ Jinchūriki to someone like him wouldn’t be a problem at all.
It seemed all the effort he had put into arranging this incident hadn’t been in vain.
Beside them, Sakumo looked at Akira in astonishment.
So this child possesses such lofty ideals?
Now…
He finally understood why Akira had asked him to hide the truth earlier.
The boy wanted to quietly grow stronger first…
So he could better protect Konoha.
“Very good.” “What you said is absolutely correct.” The Third Hokage nodded in satisfaction, his gaze becoming even more benevolent.
“Alright.” “You may go now.” “If you encounter any difficulties…” “Come see me.” “As for Kushina…” “I’m counting on you.” “Don’t worry!” Akira raised his head confidently.
“Kushina is someone precious to me.” “I’ll protect her.” “Sakumo.” “See him out.” “Understood.” Sakumo nodded.
It was clearly a dismissal.
He led Akira out of the office.
After the two left, the office door opened once more.
Shimura Danzo walked in, his expression as cold as ever.
“I want that child.” A ten-year-old capable of killing multiple Chunin.
Even if he’d relied on the clever use of his abilities…
That was still strength.
If someone like that entered the Root…
His talents would be utilized to their fullest.
“No.” The Third Hokage rejected him immediately.
“That child is a firm believer in the Will of Fire.” “He belongs under the sunlight.” “And don’t forget…” “The reason we arranged all of this.” “If the Nine-Tails’ Jinchūriki also falls into darkness…” “You know exactly what the consequences would be.” At that point…
The Jinchūriki would no longer be a useful military asset.
He would become a ticking time bomb.
No one could predict when he might suddenly lose control.
If that happened…
Konoha would face an unimaginable catastrophe.
Having fought in both the First and Second Great Ninja Wars, the Third Hokage understood better than anyone how terrifying a Tailed Beast truly was.
It was a natural disaster.
A living weapon beyond the power of ordinary humans to resist.
Who wouldn’t covet such power?
After all…
It was a force capable of changing the outcome of an entire war.