Chapter 18: The Will of Fire and a New Desk Mate
After the initial commotion died down, and thanks to Tsunade's introduction, Hyuga Shinra and Senju Nawaki were officially acquainted.
Nawaki, true to his boisterous nature, immediately slung a familiar arm around Shinra's shoulder. "Don't you worry," he declared loudly. "Once we're in the academy, I'll have your back!"
"Alright then," Shinra replied, a playful glint in his starry eyes. "If I get into any trouble, I'll be sure to find you. I hope you won't regret those words later."
"A future Hokage always keeps his promises!" Nawaki proclaimed, thumping his chest proudly.
As the new student assembly was about to begin, the man himself appeared on the central stage: the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen. He wasn't the old man Shinra remembered from the anime; this was Hiruzen in his prime, a shinobi at the absolute peak of his power.
Taking the podium, Hiruzen launched into a lengthy speech. He began with the founding of Konoha by the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama. He spoke of the village's prosperity and the chaos plaguing other nations, painting a picture of Konoha as a harmonious paradise amidst a world of turmoil. He extolled the virtues of the "Will of Fire," the power of the First and Second Hokage, and the sacred duty of every Konoha shinobi to protect their home.
"I hope you will all grow into powerful ninja who will guard Konoha," he concluded, his voice resonating across the field. "Where the leaves fly, the fire is endless. The flames will continue to illuminate the village and let new leaves sprout. This is our Konoha's Will of Fire, passed down from the First Generation to this day. I hope you will carry it forward forever."
His words ignited a passionate fire in the hearts of the children. Beside Shinra, Senju Nawaki was practically vibrating with fervor, his blood boiling with patriotic zeal.
Hyuga Shinra, however, was fighting off drowsiness. He had heard variations of this speech too many times to be moved. More importantly, the selfless, communal spirit of the Will of Fire was fundamentally at odds with his own nature.
Shinra believed in a simple creed: "Every man for himself, or heaven and earth will destroy you." He was, at his core, a pragmatist and a survivalist. The people he cared about could be counted on one hand. If the rest of Konoha were to perish before his eyes, he wouldn't shed a tear. His daily smiles were a mask, behind which lay a chilling detachment. In some ways, his cold rationality was similar to Sosuke Aizen's, though he lacked the man's world-ending ambition. Coming to this world, even with a system, his goal was never domination. He dreamed of a peaceful life, free from want, watching the world change from a comfortable distance with beautiful company.
"Little Shinra, you don't seem very impressed with the old man's speech," Tsunade remarked from behind him, having noticed his constant yawning.
"Aren't you the same, Sister Tsunade?" he deflected.
"I've heard it a hundred times. It gets old," she said, waving a dismissive hand. "But don't change the subject."
Shinra smiled faintly. "The true Will of Fire died with the First Hokage. No one since has truly embodied it. Perhaps one day it will be rekindled, but not today."
Tsunade frowned, falling into thoughtful silence. She was acutely aware of the constant political infighting between Konoha's clans. From that perspective, the Will of Fire did seem more like a convenient ideal than a lived reality.
To Shinra, the Will of Fire was a beautiful fantasy, sustainable only if every citizen was a selfless paragon like Hashirama or Naruto. Otherwise, it was merely a slogan. It was an ideal suited for a select few, not for the masses.
Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke all morning. When he finally finished, Shinra let out a quiet sigh of relief, a genuine feeling of admiration surfacing. The man's stamina for public speaking is truly impressive. Looking at the inspired, fervent faces of his future classmates, he had to admit the brainwashing—for lack of a better word—had been remarkably effective.
The morning session concluded, and after lunch, it was time for class assignments.
Everyone unpacked their lunch boxes. When Shinra opened his, it was so large and densely packed that Senju Nawaki stared, his jaw nearly hitting the floor.
"You... you can eat all that?!" Nawaki stammered.
Shinra just smiled and dug in, letting his actions speak for themselves. Tsunade, who understood the metabolic demands of the training he was undertaking, simply chuckled. The astonished gazes from other children and their parents didn't faze Shinra in the slightest. He was walking his own path; the opinions of others were irrelevant.
After the meal, the teachers began announcing class lists. Shinra's name was called for Class A. He also heard several other familiar names: the future Ino-Shika-Cho trio, the Hyuga brothers Hiashi and Hizashi, Namikaze Minato, Uchiha Mikoto, and Senju Nawaki.
He headed to Class A with Nawaki, Tsunade having already departed.
Inside the classroom, which was still only partially filled, Nawaki turned to him. "Shinra, let's sit together!"
"I prefer to sit alone," Shinra declined politely. Nawaki looked disappointed but didn't press the issue.
However, after rejecting Nawaki, Shinra walked without hesitation to the desk where Uchiha Mikoto was sitting and took the seat beside her.
Nawaki shot him a betrayed look. So this is what you meant by 'alone'?
Feeling the intensity of Nawaki's stare, a chilling thought crossed Shinra's mind. Is he... into me? He quickly dismissed it and turned his attention to his new desk mate.
"My name is Hyuga Shinra," he said, his voice calm and friendly. "I'll be your deskmate from now on. I look forward to working with you."
Uchiha Mikoto looked up at his strikingly handsome face, a delicate blush instantly coloring her cheeks. "M-my name is Uchiha Mikoto," she whispered softly. "It's nice to meet you, Hyuga-san."
"Please, just call me Shinra," he said, leaning in slightly with a warm smile. "Otherwise, it feels too formal."
Mikoto's blush deepened. In their culture, using a first name implied a certain closeness. But combined with his appearance and the subtle, system-enhanced charm he projected, she found herself unable to refuse. His request didn't anger her; instead, it sent a flutter through her heart.
"Alright... Shinra-kun," she managed, her voice barely audible as she looked down at her desk, a shy smile gracing her lips. "I'll be in your care."