Chapter 124: The Will of Fire!

After the intense battle, Konoha rose from the ashes.

As the newly appointed de facto second-in-command of Konoha, Fujinaka Genma was even busier.

As a result, his engagement to Hyuga Mio was entirely handled by his mother, Kushina Uzumaki, and the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi’s wife, Pipahuku.

Three days later.

Hyuga Hizashi arrived at the Root headquarters with nine Hyuga clan members, while Uchiha Shisui arrived with nine Uchiha clan members, reporting to Fujinaka Genma.

In reality, these twenty were not the only ones selected; members from other Konoha clans would also enter Root for training.

These twenty from the Uchiha and Hyuga clans were the first wave.

Fujinaka Genma glanced at Hyuga Hizashi, Uchiha Shisui, and the others, then nodded calmly: “Follow me. I will personally teach Itachi your first lesson in Root.”

Fujinaka Genma turned and walked at the front, with Yamato and Jin on his left and right.

Currently, his personal protection duty was rotated among Yamato and the Five Virtues—Jin, Yi, Li, Zhi, and Xin; Yuinobu Ryuma had been assigned a heavier task: organizing and assigning combat operations within Root.

Inside the base, Uchiha Shisui and the others followed Fujinaka Genma into a spacious classroom, where each desk held a book.

After sitting down, Uchiha Shisui picked up the book.

“The Will of Fire…”

Uchiha Shisui whispered, his eyes sharpening instantly.

The book’s title was *The Will of Fire*; the authors listed were Hiruzen Sarutobi, Minato Namikaze, and Fujinaka Genma.

He couldn’t help flipping to the first page—and found an introduction.

This introduction detailed the origin of the Will of Fire, and to Uchiha Shisui’s astonishment, he saw a name— Jinjide name, forbidden to both the Uchiha clan and Konoha.

Uchiha Madara!

For a moment, Uchiha Shisui’s breath caught—he could hardly believe it.

Not just him; the other nine Uchiha clan members felt the same.

The first introduction openly mentioned Uchiha Madara, and stated that Konoha’s founding and the birth of the Will of Fire originated from Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara, the then-head of the Uchiha clan.

Instantly, Uchiha Shisui and the other nine Uchiha members were filled with emotion.

The Uchiha clan’s awkward status in Konoha stemmed fundamentally from Uchiha Madara’s defection.

As a result, despite being one of Konoha’s strongest clans and one of its founders, the Uchiha had gradually been marginalized.

The battle between Uchiha Madara and Hashirama Senju profoundly influenced Hashirama Senju’s subsequent policies toward the Uchiha.

Thus, modern Konoha no longer officially acknowledged the Uchiha clan’s status—only maintaining superficial respect, keeping them confined to the Police Force.

Now, this introduction unmistakably recognized the Uchiha clan’s contributions to Konoha—and Uchiha Madara’s place in history.

Recall that in Konoha’s Ninja Academy, the history of Konoha’s founding was written with deliberate omissions; Uchiha Madara’s name had vanished.

The Uchiha clan was mentioned only in passing.

Within the Uchiha clan itself, only those with seniority even knew Uchiha Madara had existed.

One could imagine the turmoil in Uchiha Shisui and the others’ hearts.

A sense of being respected, being acknowledged, swept through them.

“No wonder Lord Genma achieved this…”

Uchiha Shisui looked up at Fujinaka Genma, his eyes filled with reverence.

Fujinaka Genma sensed his gaze, met his eyes, smiled, and declared loudly: “Sit down and read this book on the Will of Fire. Truly understand Konoha. I give Itachi half an hour.”

“Yes, Lord Genma!”

Uchiha Shisui and the others responded in unison.

The excitement was not limited to the Uchiha; Fujinaka Genma’s own-written introduction also honored the Hyuga clan, affirming their glory and status.

Of course, it was not only the Hyuga—other clans were also mentioned, though to varying degrees.

Fujinaka Genma was pleased with their reactions.

Of course, the full effect would require time to assess.

This was his attempt to resolve the issue of the Uchiha clan—and even the Hyuga clan—being pushed to Konoha’s margins.

The attempt began by addressing their mindset.

After all, mindset is the guiding principle of action!

The widely accepted mindset in Konoha was the Will of Fire.

What was the original Will of Fire?

It was Konoha’s founding ideal: the shared vision of Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara—to prevent children from being sent to war.

Its core principle was protection.

The older generation protected the younger; extended further, it meant protecting one’s family, then the village.

Extend further still: protect the Land of Fire.

Extend further: protect the entire ninja world.

Of course, Fujinaka Genma did not elaborate on the last two extensions.

It was not yet the right time.

…

In the classroom, Uchiha Shisui and the other twenty sat and continued reading.

After the introduction came Chapter One; Uchiha Shisui and the other Uchiha members froze when they saw the title.

The chapter title: *Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara*.

The Will of Fire was only a few sentences—Fujinaka Genma was no literary master.

So how to expand this idea, make it accepted and deeply rooted?

Naturally, through famous people and deeds.

This book, *The Will of Fire*, was edited by Hiruzen Sarutobi, but before writing, Fujinaka Genma and Hiruzen Sarutobi had discussed it at length.

He did not want a mere exposition of the Will of Fire—he wanted a targeted book capable of spiritual purification.

Thus, its composition was highly purposeful.