I, Uchiha: Split Konoha

Chapter 40 Will of Fire = Uchiha (Combined)

Uchiha clan territory, inside the clan's courtyard.

At this moment, Uchiha Yoru, with a look of sacred reverence, said, "Itachi, do you know the origin of the name 'Konoha'? And why is this place called the Land of Fire? And why is the Kage of the Land of Fire called the 'Hokage'?"

These words left Itachi Uchiha looking bewildered. Not only him, but even Shisui beside him looked suspicious, as it seemed he wasn't quite sure about this either.

Upon witnessing this scene, a subtle cunning glint flashed in the depths of Uchiha Yoru's eyes, but his face revealed a fanatical and resolute expression.

"The First Hokage established the Wood Release technique, which is why the village is called 'Konoha' (Hidden Leaf Village). The Uchiha ancestors, who were on par with the First Hokage, joined forces with the Senju and Uchiha clans to transform the chaotic Warring States period into the current era of the Five Great Nations."

At this point, it was clear that Itachi Uchiha was unaware of these things, while Shisui Uchiha's expression changed drastically upon hearing this, and he hurriedly exclaimed in astonishment, "Brother Night, this is forbidden!"

However, seeing Shisui's drastically changed expression, Uchiha Yoru shook his head and gave Shisui a deep, meaningful look. "Shisui, our ancestors may have made mistakes, but what about their achievements? Achievements cannot be concealed, can they? Are you going to deny the Uchiha's past?"

"During the chaotic Warring States period, the average lifespan of ninjas and commoners was only around thirty years old, while ninja clans would go to the battlefield at the age of five or six. But in the current era of the Five Great Nations, the age at which ninjas go to the battlefield in peacetime is around ten years old, and the average lifespan of ninjas and commoners has increased to over fifty years old. This is the achievement of the Senju and Uchiha clans in creating this era!"

When Uchiha Yoru solemnly mentioned this matter, and spoke from an objective perspective, Uchiha Shisui, though somewhat unnatural on the surface, had to admit the facts after hearing the words. Meanwhile, Uchiha Itachi, standing to the side, seemed to have opened up a new world, revealing a glimmer of hope.

"The Senju and Uchiha clans, who pioneered the era of the Five Great Nations, joined forces to create the present-day Konoha, the Land of Fire. It is because of the Senju clan's Wood Release that it is now called 'Konoha'. Similarly, the title of Hokage of the Land of Fire comes from the Uchiha clan, who used Fire Release."

At this point, Uchiha Yoru revealed a proud and self-satisfied expression, solemnly patting Itachi's shoulder and saying, "The true Will of Fire is the Uchiha's Fire Release igniting the Senju's Wood Release tree, with leaves flying everywhere and burning. This is the origin of the Will of Fire."

"Where the leaves dance, the fire will never cease. The firelight will continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout." Uchiha Yoru murmured these words to himself, which immediately brought a hopeful look to Itachi and Shisui beside him.

"This is the Will of Fire. It means that under the leaf-like leaves of the Senju, the flames of the Uchiha will never cease. The Uchiha's Fire Release will become the light that protects Konoha, while the Senju's will protect a new future that will sprout anew."

Uchiha Yoru exuded a sacred aura, as if he had transformed into a beacon in the darkness, guiding the two people who were deeply shrouded in gloom.

These aren't just random words. Konoha was originally founded by the Senju and Uchiha clans joining forces and then gathering together a number of smaller clans. Otherwise, with the First Hokage using Wood Release and the Second Hokage using Water Release, how could he be called Hokage? That's just nonsense.

As expected, the village's Kage was not called the Wood Kage, nor the Water Kage, nor the Forbidden Technique Kage, but the Hokage. At this moment, young Uchiha Itachi seemed to have a new perspective opened up, and he immediately showed excitement, nodding solemnly and saying, "Teacher Yoru, Itachi understands. The village that the Senju and Uchiha clans protect together is the true Will of Fire."

Seeing Itachi as if he had found his purpose in life, Shisui was somewhat taken aback and seemed to feel that something was wrong. But after thinking about it carefully, he realized that Yoru-nii was right. Wasn't the Uchiha meant to protect Konoha?

Looking at the two, Uchiha Yoru smiled and nodded, saying, "Back then, the Senju and Uchiha joined forces to create Konoha, becoming the undisputed overlords of this land. Subsequently, countless small clans came to join them, including the Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka, Sarutobi, and Shimura clans. The Senju and Uchiha also took on the responsibility of protecting the weak."

"This is the merit the Uchiha clan once possessed, a merit that cannot be erased from the entire ninja world. Now, let's move on!"

At this point, Uchiha Yoru's previously sacred gaze dimmed, as if his firm belief had faltered. Shisui clearly knew what was about to be said and hesitated to speak, but then he remembered that Itachi, as the son of the clan head, would naturally know these things, so he remained silent.

"With the establishment of Konoha in the Land of Fire, it became the strongest overlord on this land without any challenge. This led other forces, who did not want to be swallowed up, to establish other large and small countries, which is the origin of the current situation in the ninja world."

"After the Warring States period, the current Ninja World era has emerged. However, at this time, the Senju and Uchiha clans, who founded the Land of Fire, have diverged in their ideologies."

"Disagreement?" Itachi Uchiha asked curiously, while Shisui, who was standing to the side, recalled the history he had read in the clan's records and his heart sank to a low point.

Looking at the two of them, Uchiha Yoru sighed with some melancholy, "The Senju believed that peace was hard-won and did not want to go to war with other countries. In order to maintain peace and balance the strength of the major ninja villages, they distributed the tailed beasts to the five great nations."

"The Uchiha, however, do not think so. They believe that the current peace is only temporary, and that lasting peace requires bloodshed. They intend to join forces with the Senju to unify the ninja world. They believe that the pain will be temporary, but it will bring lasting peace to the ninja world. This is the origin of their disagreement."

"Later..." Uchiha Yoru stood from an observer's perspective and slowly recounted the course of the conflict between the Senju and Uchiha, as well as the reasons why the Uchiha eventually became part of the police department.

After Uchiha Yoru finished speaking, Shisui frowned and pondered. The records he had read and what Yoru had said were almost entirely correct. However, after reading this history alone, he had always believed that his clan was wrong, which led to the conflict between his clan and the village. Therefore, he had always regarded it as a taboo. But today, as an observer, listening to someone else's story seemed to open up a different world for him.

Now, Shisui is not pondering the origins of the conflict between his family and the village, since he already knows all of that. Instead, he is contemplating the events leading up to the conflict.

Were the Uchiha clan wrong? Then were the Senju clan right?

Peace was shattered with the fall of Senju, and war broke out. The tailed beasts, meant to balance the five great nations, were transformed into war machines. World War I! World War II! And the brutal World War III! How long has it all been? It seems Senju hasn't even recovered yet.

So, is the Uchiha clan right? It doesn't seem so.

At this moment, Shisui was filled with confusion. Where was the direction of peace? The Uchiha brought war in the wrong direction, but the Senju also ultimately caused war.

Just as Shisui was filled with doubt, the young Uchiha Itachi, despite his precocious maturity, was only six years old at the time. Upon learning the true Will of Fire, a look of pride immediately appeared on his face.

"Teacher Yoru, Itachi understands. The Will of Fire is what the Uchiha and Senju clan used to protect countless weak people."

At that moment, a concept that would make Itachi proud for the rest of his life was instantly formed in his young and confused mind: I, the Uchiha, am here to protect the village.

Seeing this, Uchiha Yoru smiled. What he said was not a lie. It was originally the Senju and Uchiha who protected Konoha. But what if Itachi finds out that the people he protected want to overthrow those who once protected him?

As can be seen from the original work, in Itachi's mind, the Hokage is a sacred being who protects the village, while the Uchiha have become a destabilizing factor. Now he wants to reverse this. The Uchiha are the ones who protect Konoha, but now countless people in the village want to overthrow and destroy the one who once protected him. So what should you do?

"That night, teacher, about the history of the village you mentioned, if there were only one Konoha, the Land of Fire, in the ninja world, would there be no war?"

Nearly six years old, Itachi Uchiha voiced his doubts. After all, he was only six years old, and after learning about the true Will of Fire, he was naturally very interested in the history of the village. At the same time, he was full of questions about the past disagreement between the Uchiha and Senju.

Practice has proven that the Senju's peace ideals failed, or at least only lasted for a short period of time.

However, the simple confusion of six-year-old Itachi Uchiha opened up a new direction for Shisui, who was also lost in confusion.

Looking at Shisui's constantly changing expression and Itachi's innocent and yearning question, Uchiha Yoru gave a wry smile and shook his head, saying, "Itachi, you're still young. I can't give you an answer to this question, and no one in the ninja world can give you an answer either. This answer has never appeared before, so there is no right or wrong yet."

"Haha, you're only six years old, why are you thinking so much? Your primary goal right now is to graduate from the Ninja Academy, become the pride of your clan, and lead the Uchiha clan to continue protecting Konoha. That's your life goal, so stop overthinking."

Seemingly surprised by the correct answer, Uchiha Yoru burst into laughter, ruffled Itachi's hair, and completely forgot about all the questions. Meanwhile, a seed of simple doubt had been planted in young Itachi's heart.

Even at this time, six-year-old Itachi was already fantasizing that if the ninja world only consisted of the Land of Fire and Konoha, wouldn't there be no war on the border?

Meanwhile, Uchiha Shisui looked at his idol, Yoru, with a complex expression. "Under the Senju's peace ideals, the ninja world experienced three major wars in just a few decades. What if the Uchiha's ideals were implemented?"

Faced with Shisui's question, Uchiha Yoru immediately feigned surprise, then chuckled, "Shisui, don't overthink it. This is history. I'm just telling Itachi the truth, as it's the responsibility he needs to shoulder as the son of the clan leader."

Although he didn't say anything, Shisui lowered his head, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

The First Hokage's ideal of peace seems to have failed to bring about peace at all. Instead, it has turned the infighting between clans into the current conflict between nations. The biggest difference seems to be that countless small battles have turned into large-scale battles.

What difference is there between the countless clans in Konoha and the major nations of the ninja world? They're just smaller versions of each other.

Uchiha Shisui, however, saw something much more, which was why he was even more alarmed. The various clans within the village were ostracizing the Uchiha, likely not just because of their fear of the Nine-Tails, but also seemingly because of some vested interests.

The interests of the Uchiha clan!

Thinking of this, Shisui broke out in a cold sweat. The Nine-Tails' suspicion was just a signal that countless clans saw an opportunity to tear a piece of profit from the Uchiha.

"Thank you, Yoru-sensei. Itachi now understands the Will of Fire." At this moment, Itachi, who was only six years old, seemed to have found a ray of hope in his confused heart, and a childlike but firm smile appeared on his face.

Seeing the smile on Itachi's youthful face, Uchiha Yoru also showed a pleased expression and praised him, "Itachi, you're very good. Try to graduate as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Itachi Uchiha nodded firmly, "Don't worry, Teacher Yoru, I will definitely do my best."

Although Itachi is precocious now, he's still a six-year-old child. Uchiha Yoru squinted and saw Shisui standing to the side, seemingly terrified and pale-faced. He immediately made up his mind.

"Shisui? Shisui, what are you standing there for? Remember to teach Itachi more in the future."

Shisui was taken aback when he was patted on the shoulder. Then, under Uchiha Yoru's instructions, he forced a smile and nodded, saying, "Don't worry, Yoru-nii, I will definitely teach Itachi well."

It's obvious that the more mature Zhishui has now gone astray—no! It should be said that his thinking has gotten back on track; he's thinking too much.

However, this was something Uchiha Yoru was happy to see, and he chuckled and patted the other person's shoulder.

"Shisui, you can't do this. You're not even as good as Itachi. Look at Itachi, he knows that fire represents the Uchiha clan, and the Will of Fire is the Uchiha clan."

Beneath the casual, teasing tone, the three Uchiha present harbored three different thoughts.

Uchiha Yoru pondered silently, laying the groundwork every now and then, while at the same time he absolutely could not relax his supervision of Itachi, otherwise his cheap disciple would really benefit someone else.

As for Shisui, that's not the case. After all, Shisui's thoughts are already mature, and you can see it from the anime. Although Shisui is powerful, he likes to rely on others for spiritual support.

In the anime, Shisui placed his spiritual support in the Hokage lineage, which is why he chose to escape reality and commit suicide after his spiritual support collapsed.

To put it bluntly, they have great strength, but they prefer to rely on others for the future of their family rather than relying on their own strength to change everything.

At this moment, Shisui forced a smile, but in his heart he was secretly shocked. Now he could only hope that Lord Orochimaru would become the Fifth Hokage as soon as possible, then the Uchiha would have a chance.

The youngest member, Itachi Uchiha, was deep in thought. So the Will of Fire was proposed by the Uchiha clan, which meant that the Uchiha clan was equivalent to the Will of Fire. Upon realizing this, he smiled, but a question remained in his mind.

That is, what my school teacher recently talked about: who is stronger, the Third Hokage, the ancestor who pacified the chaotic world, or the First Hokage?

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(End of this chapter)