Naruto: I, the villain template, was hailed as a savior.

Chapter 86 The Will of Fire, and the Explosion (Seeking monthly votes!!)

"What exactly is the Will of Fire? And why do you all want to become Hokage?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile resembled that of a kind old man as he asked, "If one of you answers correctly, I will let you return to your seats and listen to the lesson."

Wait a minute, aren't these two issues?

Hearing the inexplicably added question, Kushina couldn't help but mentally complain.

Such a theoretical question, requiring a standard answer, was quite difficult for her, as a transfer student from elsewhere.

Kushina, who has now earned the nickname "Red Hot Chili Pepper" with her fists, was unusually embarrassed under the kind and gentle gaze of the Third Hokage.

She could only cast a pleading look at Minato beside her, no longer caring about the unpleasantness that had happened between them before.

"Ahem!"

Noticing Kushina's gaze, Minato's face inexplicably flushed, and he subconsciously straightened his back.

He cleared his throat, paused for a moment, and then answered after organizing his thoughts: "The Will of Fire, just as you and Mr. Fujiki said, is actually a selfless spirit."

"The Will of Fire: Where leaves dance, fire will never cease; its light will continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout."

"The meaning of this sentence is that fallen leaves are used to praise the older generation, burning fallen leaves are used to symbolize the heroic sacrifice of the older generation, and new leaves are used to symbolize the younger generation."

"The younger generation is the hope for the future. The older generation must trust and protect them. The sacrifices of the older generation are not meaningless, but will inspire the young people to become the pillars who will shoulder the future and hope of Konoha..."

At this point, Minato suddenly paused, hesitated, and looked up at the podium.

"Hmm, why did you stop talking?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile became even warmer as he encouraged, "That was very well said. It seems Minato-kun did his homework after school, but it seems he only studied the textbook."

"You're a very smart child, and I guess you must have your own ideas, right?"

After he finished speaking, the entire classroom fell silent. Countless eyes turned to Minato, seemingly wanting to see what insights he would offer, or perhaps wanting to see him make a fool of himself.

Of course, most people wanted to see Kushina make a fool of herself, especially those kids she had beaten up.

Seeing that the third-generation grandfather seemed to be deliberately making things difficult for them, they couldn't help but laugh as if they had someone backing them up. They had long forgotten that they were the ones who bullied Kushina first, and that they were only beaten up by her because they were not strong enough.

In fact, the evil of children is the purest form of evil, untainted by any self-interest.

"Yes, I read this book, 'The History of Konoha and the Will of Fire,' after I got home from school yesterday."

Minato took a deep breath, looked intently at everyone, and said with admiration in his voice, "I originally just thought of it as a collection of stories, but after reading it, I was deeply moved."

"The First Hokage was a key figure in the formation of the Will of Fire. His two younger brothers both died in the brutal war, and his purpose in establishing Konoha was to prevent such tragedies from ever happening again."

"The older generation wanted to protect the children, to let them grow up in peace, to prevent them from being drawn into the cruel war, and to ensure that they would not die because of the war. This was the original Will of Fire."

As he was speaking, Minato suddenly paused, glanced at the students looking ahead, and changed the subject: "I do have great respect for the First Hokage, but what I really want to talk about is the Second Hokage."

"The Second Hokage dismissed the Senju clan, and the Senju clan members voluntarily gave up their surname and integrated into Konoha, becoming nourishment for this great tree."

"Perhaps you don't know, although the Senju surname has disappeared, there are actually many former Senju people around us, and I even guess that some of you here may have parents who are Senju people."

Having said that, Minato looked at the surprised and whispering classmates, and then asked in a gentle tone, "Why did the Second Hokage do this?"

"Why?" someone blurted out.

The students in the classroom instinctively looked in the direction of the voice, wanting to see who had spoken their minds.

To their astonishment, they discovered that it was Ms. Fujiki, who was sitting in the last row in the corner against the wall, and looked embarrassed after realizing what had happened.

"Pfft!" Kushina, who had been pretending to be dead, couldn't help but laugh out loud, but then shrank back when everyone looked over.

There's really no way to explain it, it's just too funny.

The usually strict Mr. Fujiki has suddenly become a well-behaved student, and even has questions he doesn't understand.

"Cough cough."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, standing on the podium, coughed lightly a few times. Seeing that everyone's attention had been drawn to him, he looked at Minato, who had been interrupted, and asked with a smile, "So, what's the reason? I'm curious too."

This quietly resolved Teacher Tengshu's awkward situation and interrupted the children's impending uncontrollable laughter.

"I think the Second Hokage's goal is to innovate on the basis of inheriting the Will of Fire."

Minato secretly breathed a sigh of relief, met the curious eyes that had returned, and continued, "He hopes that there will be no barriers between the clans of Konoha, and that they can work together for the future and hope of the village."

"Everyone in every tribe should not only sacrifice for the benefit of their tribe, but also prioritize the overall interests of the village. Everyone in the village is one family, and we must protect all our fellow villagers."

At this point, he looked at the children whose faces were still bruised and whose eyes were darting away, and said in a gentle and sincere tone: "There should be no discrimination or oppression between people because of the difference between powerful clans and ordinary people."

"Truly accept every companion you live with, instead of bullying them with prejudice, regardless of their surname, identity, gender, background, or..."

"A person's unique hair color and the dream they are willing to strive for."

Upon hearing this, Kushina suddenly raised her head, staring blankly at the figure in front of her, feeling her heart suddenly tremble.

Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes, looking at the child who seemed to be glowing, a hint of appreciation and deep meaning flashing in his eyes.

What an outstanding successor to the Will of Fire!

Originally, I just wanted to find any child who could form a bond with Kushina, but I didn't expect Minato to perform so well.

Born into a humble background, steady and mature, with a sunny and charismatic personality...

Although it may seem naive and immature, isn't that a strength?

As for talent and such...

Sorry, Konoha has no shortage of secret techniques and forbidden techniques. As long as you're not a complete waste, you're bound to find a path that suits you.

"Minato-kun is absolutely right, very good!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment, then first praised Minato, saying, "The First and Second Hokage were key figures in the formation of the Will of Fire."

"But the Will of Fire has been nurtured and cultivated for decades. It is something we have created together through our long-term struggle. Each of us should become an inheritor of the Will of Fire."

After saying that, he looked at the almost dejected child and smiled gently and kindly, "To know one's mistakes and correct them is what makes a good child with the will of fire. It's not too late now. Does anyone have anything to say?"

Upon hearing this, the children with bruises on their faces looked up, exchanged glances, and finally stood up, looking at Kushina behind Minato with shame.

"Kushina-san, we're so sorry!" They bowed in unison, tears welling in their eyes, and cried out, "We shouldn't have bullied you before, please forgive our mistakes!"

Seeing those who were bowing and apologizing to her, Kushina subconsciously shrank back, quietly moved her feet and hid behind Minato, whispering, "I... I hit you too, I want to apologize to you too."

"Hahaha."

The children straightened up, scratched their heads sheepishly, and the others couldn't help but smile, a burst of good-natured laughter erupting from them.

At this moment, the children in the classroom, including Hiruzen Sarutobi, all agreed that Minato's explanation of the Will of Fire was correct.

The older generation wants to protect children, allowing them to grow up in peace, so they won't be involved in cruel wars or die because of them.

However, no one could have imagined that before long, their revered third-generation grandfather would personally send his child, who was not even ten years old, to the battlefield. Even Hiruzen Sarutobi himself would not have thought that day would come.

If Yun Chuan were here, he would definitely burst out laughing.

No, perhaps, someone really did laugh.

"Kushina, you..." Minato turned to look at Kushina behind him, his eyes filled with tenderness and warmth.

Bright sunlight streamed in through the window, creating a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere in the classroom.

But at that moment, it seemed as if a bird flew by outside the window, casting a shadow on everyone's faces.

Standing on the podium, the kind-faced Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly felt a jolt in his heart, and the hairs on his body stood on end. He abruptly turned his head.

His pupils, as he looked out the window, gradually narrowed, reflecting the ethereal light and flames.

boom!!!

(End of this chapter)