The Ninja Academy.
The training ground was already filled with a large number of new students preparing for enrollment, along with their parents.
Leading Konan there, Jin looked around but didn't spot any familiar figures.
His own graduating class included the parental generation of characters from the original work like Namikaze Minato, Uzumaki Kushina, and Nara Shikaku.
And from what Jin knew, the generation of Hatake Kakashi, Yuhi Kurenai, and Might Guy had just been born.
Therefore, Konan's enrollment age was somewhat awkward, falling right between these two generations.
It felt like there was no one particularly worth befriending.
"Long time no see, Jin."
A voice came from the side.
Jin and Konan turned to look.
Two individuals with white eyes came into view.
The newcomers were a boy around thirteen or fourteen years old, and a loli about five or six years old, similar in age to Konan.
"Oh~ It's Hiashi-senpai. Long time no see."
Jin greeted him.
Hyuga Hiashi was a year older than Tsunade's brother, Nawaki. When Jin entered the Academy, Hiashi was in the graduating class.
They hadn't spoken much, but they were acquainted.
"And this is..."
Jin looked at the loli beside Hiashi.
"Uh... this is my fiancée, Hyuga Hikari."
Hiashi said somewhat awkwardly.
'Damn, she's almost ten years younger, right?'
Jin thought Hiashi was pushing the limits.
But then, he felt he wasn't in a position to judge others.
After all, Jin himself had his eyes on Hinata, who was over twenty years younger than him.
Speaking of which, if Jin were to say to Hiashi, 'If you do not disdain me, Sir, this Jin is willing to acknowledge you as father-in-law', he wondered if Hiashi would try to fight him to the death?
'But maybe it was fine.'
Jin immediately told Konan to get along well with Hikari.
After all, they would be family in the future.
"You really awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan?"
While the two little girls got to know each other and started playing together, Hiashi seized the opportunity to ask Jin in a low voice.
"Oh? It seems this matter has already spread within Konoha."
Jin revealed a knowing smile.
Hiashi opened his mouth but didn't know what to say for a moment.
At least based on Jin's response, it seemed to be true.
The reason he took the initiative to greet Jin, with whom he wasn't particularly close, was because, as the heir of the Hyuga Clan's Main Family, he needed to build good relations with the strong individuals in the village.
Although the relationship between the Hyuga Clan and Uchiha Clan wasn't great either, it at least wasn't as confrontational as that between the Uchiha Clan and Senju Clan.
"Everyone, quiet please. Next, Hokage-sama will give a speech."
At that moment, the teacher on the podium called out.
Then, Hiruzen, whose hair wasn't completely white yet, as he was not yet fifty years old, stepped onto the podium.
After clearing his throat, he spoke with a benevolent expression:
"Where tree leaves dance... one shall find flames... the fire's shadow will illuminate the village... and once again tree leaves shall bud anew..."
"This is the Will of Fire."
'Here we go again.'
Jin showed an extremely disdainful expression.
'Damn, every time new students enroll, this old bastard comes out to brainwash these kids.'
"Konan, just treat these words as fart. Don't listen to them."
Jin leaned down and reminded Konan.
'Damn, they say Kotoamatsukami is the strongest Genjutsu, but in my opinion, this [Will of Fire] is the real strongest Genjutsu, right?'
'So many people in Konoha are fooled by it like idiots.'
Although Konan didn't understand why Jin said that, she would definitely follow his instructions.
So she obediently nodded.
[Hashirama: @Jin, I think what Saru said is correct. Why do you have such a big problem with it, Jin-kun?]
In the chat room, Hashirama @ed him.
[Jin: Heh, if these words came from your mouth or Tobirama's, there would indeed be no issue. But coming from the mouths of Sarutobi Hiruzen or Shimura Danzo, it's simply a huge joke.]
The Will of Fire is quite simple to explain.
It means the older generation should dedicate themselves to become the soil for the younger generation, paving the way for them.
Even though Jin didn't like Tobirama at all, he had to admit that Tobirama truly embodied this.
When he was pursued by Kinkaku and Ginkaku, even though he wasn't old yet, he still chose to sacrifice himself to allow Hiruzen and the others to escape. That alone proved it.
And Hashirama goes without saying.
But what about people like Hiruzen and Danzo?
They completely reversed it.
They make the younger generation sacrifice themselves to become nourishment for consolidating their own power.
White Fang, Sannin, Namikaze Minato, Uchiha Shisui...
So many young strong individuals died or left.
Yet these four old fogies of the Konoha Council tightly held onto Konoha's highest power for nearly half a century.
By the time of the Konoha 12 era, just one Orochimaru nearly destroyed Konoha.
Just think, if even one of the above-mentioned strong individuals had remained in Konoha, Orochimaru wouldn't have been able to cause such a stir.
It's just so ridiculous.