[Sarutobi Hiruzen clearly expects Naruto to ask something.]
[However, Naruto merely glances at him.]
["That just means if you light a fire here, it'll burn fast. The more trees there are, the bigger the fire."]
["If burning leaves fly away, they'll ignite other trees. As long as there are trees, it'll keep burning."]
"Hahahaha—!"
Laughter erupts across the shinobi world.
Only Konoha remains comparatively quiet.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face turns awkward.
["Ahem. This is a kind of will—the Will of Fire. Konoha's unique will," Sarutobi Hiruzen says, nearly sitting in the firepit.]
[He never expected Naruto to answer like this.]
["Oh." Naruto replies flatly, poking the firewood to make the flames burn stronger.]
['This old bastard is definitely trying to teach me some ideology… just like those strange voices in my head.']
['Hmph. What he's saying isn't even one-tenth as effective as those whispers.']
["You're still young. You'll understand when you grow up," Sarutobi Hiruzen sighs.]
["This is why Konoha has always existed in the shinobi world and remained the Number One Village."]
["Where leaves dance, fire burns endlessly—symbolizing the continuation of life and an unyielding spirit."]
["Old leaves burn themselves to protect new buds."]
["The Will of Fire means everyone in the village has no divisions, working together for Konoha."]
["Because everyone in the village is family."]
["I believe you'll also work hard to protect the village."]
Many on Konoha's side smile as if hearing scripture.
"One can always trust the Third Hokage."
"Yes, the Will of Fire—what a great ideal!"
"Protect the village! We're all family!"
...
Before anyone in the chat can speak—
A system prompt rings out in everyone's mind.
[Ding—]
[Rewarded Quiz Begins!]
[All participants, prepare yourselves!]
Rewarded quiz?!
Many are stunned—they'd almost forgotten about this.
[Ding—]
[Question: After hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's Will of Fire, how will Uzumaki Naruto react, and what will he think internally?]
[Choose one of the following options:]
Naruto is shocked and looks inspired.
Inner thoughts: "So this is the Will of Fire! Everyone is family—families should tolerate each other!"
The moment Option 1 appears—
Countless people in Konoha select [1].
No need to think.
The Will of Fire is the greatest ideal!
Born a Konoha person, die a Konoha ghost!
Even the Third Hokage himself chooses [1]—why hesitate?
However, many still haven't chosen.
Most are from ninja clans.
Naruto jumps excitedly and asks if understanding the Will of Fire will let him become family with everyone.
Inner thoughts: "That's great! As long as I understand it, I won't be lonely anymore!"
Uh…
Many who picked [1] start regretting it.
Option [2] clearly fits better.
Naruto looks at Sarutobi Hiruzen like he's an idiot.
Inner thoughts: "Did this old bastard take the wrong medicine? After how those assholes treated me, I'm supposed to see them as family? Will of Fire? Just a slogan to fool people. Uncle Teuchi and Sister Ayame aren't ninja and probably don't even know about the Will of Fire—but they're far more like family than those who claim to understand it."
The moment [3] appears—
Anyone with a brain chooses it immediately.
No one knows that the instant Option [3] appears,
Kushina—brows tightly knit in the Pure Land—chooses [3] without hesitation.
She is the first person to select it.
On Konoha's side, many stare in disbelief.
How could this be the answer?
How could the Will of Fire be viewed like this?
And how many times has Black-Frame Naruto already cursed the Third Hokage?!
Deidara: "Isn't the answer obvious?"
Deidara: "A bunch of idiots—perfect targets for my art!"
Kurotsuchi: "Brother Deidara?"
Kurotsuchi: "You're not dead yet?"
Hidan: "Idiot Dara. Leader said not to expose ourselves so easily."
Ōnoki: "Akatsuki, huh? That's not the focus right now. I chose [3]—it's painfully obvious."
Hearing this, many Konoha ninja look visibly angry.
Fourth Raikage: "Hahaha—surely no one actually chose [1] or [2], right?"
…Unfortunately, plenty did.
"Great, Mikoto~"
"I'll definitely get this right. My Naruto could never be that stupid!"
"Mikoto, there's a revival reward in the quiz~"
"When we're revived, let's beat those old bastards to death and leave with Naruto and Sasuke!"
Kushina grips Mikoto's pale hand, speaking excitedly.
Uchiha Mikoto smiles faintly, a bit uneasy.
"I answered a bit late… not sure if it'll count."
Kushina's red hair is still standing straight up.
Nine strands—no more, no less.
Mikoto dares not say much, afraid Kushina might explode.
Even though she trusts her friend,
Kushina in this state is terrifying.
Terumī Mei: "I chose [3]."
Mei: "For Black-Frame Naruto, this option is the only reasonable one."
Mei: "What Konoha gave him was nothing but coldness—something that breeds disgust and hatred."
Haruno Sakura: "Not entirely! There's also Ichiraku Ramen! Both Uncle Teuchi and Sister Ayame treat Naruto kindly in both worlds."
Rock Lee: "Yes! And us too!"
Yamanaka Ino: "We're not like those idiots."
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Are you trying to disrupt Konoha's internal unity?"
Yamanaka Ino: "You old bastard—how do you even have the nerve to say that?!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "???"
Ino immediately covers her mouth.
She let her true thoughts slip.
Then she realizes—why should she be afraid?
This old bastard might not even survive past the Chūnin Exams.
"Ino."
A gentle female voice speaks.
"Mom~" Ino freezes and turns.
Her mother approaches, concern on her face.
Yamanaka Lino rubs Ino's head gently.
"It's okay. Even if the sky falls, your father and I will hold it up."
"Mm~!" Ino instantly becomes obedient.
Uchiha Madara: "If I had to guess, Hashirama, you definitely chose [1] or [2]."
Senju Tobirama: "Reluctantly, I admit—big brother probably did."
But—
Contrary to both their expectations—
Senju Hashirama: "Hahaha~ we're already dead, so I'll sit this one out. I didn't choose anything."
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