A hush spread over the crowd, every child standing a little taller.

  The Third Hokage, his aged yet wise eyes sweeping over the gathered children, smiled.

  "gratutions to all of you for passing the entrance exam. Today marks the beginning of your journey as shinobi of Konoha."

  His voice carried across the academy grounds, smooth yet weighted with authority.

  "Today is a day I will never fet, and I hope you woher. You stand here, at the threshold of a jourhat will ge your lives forever. The road ahead is filled with challenges, but also opportuo grow."

  The children listened in sileheir eyes wide with admiration. Some ched their fists iermination, others swallowed nervously.

  "You may feel nervous, and that's okay. Everyone does wheake their first step into the unknown. But know this—eae of you carries something uhin you. A heart full of ce, a spirit ready to fight, and a dream that burns brighter than any obstacle in your path. That is the Will of Fire—the bond we share, the love we hold for this vilge, for our rades, and for those we must protect.

  The fire will never go out. No matter what happens.

  Some of you may believe that the path of a ninja is about power—about jutsu, about strength."

  Hiruzen's gaze sharpened.

  "But strength isn't just about how many teiques you know, or how strong your body is. True strength es from your will, your resolve, and your ability to rise every time you fall. And you will fall."

  His tone dipped lower, pressing the weight of his words into the hearts of the children.

  "You will fail. And that's okay."

  A few flinched. Some pursed their lips. Others, the more naive ones, nodded along, believing every word as if it was scripture.

  "What matters is that every time you fall, you get back up—strohan before."

  Hiruzehe silence linger, letting his words settle into the young minds.

  "The Will of Fire does not let you quit. It pushes you forward. It drives you to fight for what is right, to protect those you love, and to carry the legacy of Konoha into the future."

  A slow smile returo his lips.

  "I believe in you. I believe in ead every one of you standioday.

  The future of Konoha rests in your hands.

  Take a deep breath, look around you. These are your rades, your allies, your friends. You are never alone."

  His words burned with finality.

  "The Will of Fire lives within you. And with it—there is nothing you ot achieve."

  He spread his arms wide.

  "So go forth, future shinobi of Konoha! The world is waiting for you. I know you will make us proud."

  A wave of cheers erupted from the children.

  (Kazeo's POV)

  'Damn it... even I'm getting goosebumps.'

  He stood among the crowd, his face impassive, but his heart pounding against his ribs.

  'If I was a normal seven-year-old, I'd be hyped beyond belief right now. Running straight into danger, eager to throw my life away for the vilge.'

  He inhaled sharply.

  'I o be careful of this Will of Fire nonsense.'

  Looking around, I saw it in the eyes of my peers—the fire had already been lit in their hearts. Some ched their fists, their bodies practically vibrating with newfouermination. Others, the more reserved ones, stood still, but their expressions had hardened.

  'It's a brilliant system.'

  For every anization—no matter how big or small—there exists a belief, an ideology that binds its people together. It makes them feel like they belong, like they have a purpose, like the anization is a part of them.

  The Will of Fire was exactly that.

  It blurred the lines of css and power, uniting the rid the poor, the strong and the weak. It kept envy at bay, ensuring that those who were surpassed by the geio pride instead of rese.

  A masterful strategy.

  Hiruzen was no fool.

  'And now… he's about to use me as a symbol for the others to chase after.'

  Hiruzen took a step forward. His voiow smoother, carried a sense of pride.

  "The highest score in both the written and physical exams was achieved by a civilian child."

  Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

  "I have decided to reward the top scorer of this exam. And I may reward future top scorers as well. So, work hard."

  Excitement buzzed in the air.

  "Now, Tanaka Kazeo, step forward."

  All eyes so me.

  I let out a small breath and stepped forward.

  I could feel their gazes burning into my skin—some envious, some eager, some curious.

  'Tch. This is exactly what he wanted.'

  The Will of Fire was most effective when there was something tangible to chase after. By rewarding the top scorer, he wasn't just encing me—he was motivating everyone else to surpass me.

  I schooled my expression into one of hesitant nervousness and stammered slightly.

  "Hokage-sama... I don't know what to ask right now. you, um... give me a month to think?"

  Hiruzen's eyes twinkled with uanding.

  A beat of silence passed before he nodded.

  "Very well. Your choice. But meet me in my offi one hour. I have something to discuss with yarding your future path."

  My stomach tightened.

  'He knows something.'

  For a fleeting moment, my mind raced through possibilities. Had he discovered something about my past? No… impossible.

  Regardless, I had no choice.

  I gave a polite bow. "As you and, Hokage-sama."

  Hiruzen gave me a final nod before turning away, casually ruffling the hair of a few other children as he left.

  I exhaled, barely taining my irritation.

  'He's good. Too good.'

  The Will of Fire speech, the reward, the expectations—he was crafting a narrative.

  And the others were eating it up.

  This is also part of his pn.

  Rewarding a civilian child in front of everyone would push the others to work harder, to strive to surpass him. It would awaken their petitive spirit, fuel their desire to be reized.

  Another move to igheir Will of Fire.

  Civilians beamed at me, hopeful. smen eyed me with mild i. Some children came to gratute me, while others issued challenges, vowing to beat me ime.

  I ighem all.

  I had more important things to worry about.

  'One hour. Then I'll see what he really wants.'

  Kazeo turned away, walking off without another word. It ast 2 PM, and he had better things to do. Like eating.

  ---

  One Hour Later – Hokage's Office

  He arrived at the Hokage's building. An Anbu appeared before him.

  "Hokage-sama is expeg you. Follow me."

  Kazeo nodded, the masked shinobi.

  I 't see his chakra. Not all Anbu or Root operatives reveal it. Makes sense. Alerting ao your strength is just stupid. I wonder why that Root operative didn't bother cealing his…

  He knocked on the Hokage's office door.

  "e in."

  Ihe room looked just like it did in the Naruto series. Papers stacked high, a heavy air of authority pressing down. Behind the desk, the Third Hokage sat, flipping through a file.

  The old man didn't look up as he spoke in a low voice.

  "I want to speak to him alone."

  Four Anbu flickered into view, kneeling briefly before disappearing from the room, activating something—seals, most likely.

  The Hokage finally looked at him.

  "Kazeo, take a seat."

  Kazeo tensed slightly, his mind rag. He dismissed even his Anbu guards… Why? What does he want to talk about that he doesn't want anyone else to hear?

  "I'm fianding, Hokage-sama," he said cautiously.

  The Third gave a small smile. "No, this will be a long talk. Sit."

  Kazeo hesitated before l himself into the chair.

  The Hokage closed the file and looked him straight in the eyes.

  "I have read your file. Your birth. Your lineage. Ahere is nothing special about your background.

  So tell me—

  Why is your soul s?"

  /////////

  To Be tinued...

  [Author here !

  Any plot for academy arc, you guys think of?

  ]