The Will of Fire…
Once again, from Kazuki's words, Jiraiya heard that familiar term he had learned since childhood. His memories became blurry for an instant.
When did it all begin?
It seems to have been three or four years ago, when Uchiha Kazuki naturally became the symbol of the Will of Fire in Konoha.
It all started with a perfect answer on a test about the Will of Fire: Where the leaves dance, the fire never goes out…
That phrase spread throughout the village, becoming a famous quote.
Since then, Kazuki became the embodiment of that philosophy. He paid attention to less talented comrades, shared advanced techniques, integrated the Uchiha into the village structure and, without anyone noticing, reduced Konoha's internal conflicts.
Jiraiya had to admit it: even if Senju Tobirama himself were resurrected…
That second Hokage, who deeply distrusted the Uchiha, would probably not find any fault with Kazuki. He was, without a doubt, a perfect Uchiha, possessing the true Will of Fire.
And now, at this moment…
In front of Jiraiya was the dilemma between the Will of Fire and the prophecy of Mount Myōboku.
Kazuki was the ideal inheritor of the Will of Fire. But the Great Toad Sage had a different view.
What should he do?
Mount Myōboku was his home, and family does not betray one another. If the Great Toad Sage had spoken, then Kazuki must represent a hidden threat that must be resolved…
But Konoha was also his priority, and Kazuki had done more than anyone to protect it.
'The child of prophecy, born of taboo, with the desire for peace in his heart but destined to bring war. He will shake the shinobi world to its foundations. He and I will be sensei and disciple, and it will be my duty to guide him with the power of Mount Myōboku to eliminate the threat...' Jiraiya remembered the Great Toad Sage's words and, with a heavy heart, prepared to speak.
But when he saw Kazuki's inquisitive eyes and the blood soaking into his Sengoku-style armor, a feeling of anxiety washed over him. Suddenly, he forgot the speech he had prepared. His mouth seemed sealed.
If Kazuki hadn't come as reinforcement...
The battlefield against Iwagakure would have already been razed to the ground. There would not have been a crushing victory like now.
Could he and Minato have resisted two Jinchūriki and the Third Tsuchikage?
No...
To be honest, Kazuki had faced even greater pressure than his and Minato's.
Although the Uchiha troops he led were elite, they had to fight against the Kiri-nin who were proficient in the Water Release and Hiding in Mist Technique that nullified the advantages of the Sharingan. He had no capable aides around him, and he was the only top-tier fighter on the Kiri battlefield.
Despite the rivalry for the position of Hokage, Kazuki did not hesitate to provide them with Root weapons and logistical support. It was they who failed to take advantage of it.
Kazuki had already done the impossible. In strategy, in vision, in action, there was no fault in him.
After witnessing the war and seeing how Iwagakure was already prepared to attack, Jiraiya discarded any doubt that Kazuki had provoked the conflict. Instead, he began to admire him.
He had bought time for the village!
Jiraiya mused: the development of the Tobirama series weapons coincided with the period when Kazuki took command of the Root and responded firmly to the Five Great Villages, until the Chunin Exams were used as a containment strategy.
If he hadn't made those decisions, would Konoha be in such an advantageous position now?
Achieving such a drastic change in a year was something that, in Jiraiya's eyes, not even Tobirama would have achieved.
As the undisputed war hero of Konoha, Jiraiya felt strangely insecure under Kazuki's gaze.
Kazuki was fighting for the village, while he came to talk to him about the prophecy of Mount Myōboku and world peace. Didn't that sound ridiculous?
"Jiraiya, I've told you before. We are all comrades under the Will of Fire." Kazuki looked at Jiraiya who wanted to speak but didn't know how to start and, with a smile, patted him on the shoulder, encouraging him like a mentor would do, before emphasizing again: "Speak plainly. We are from the same village, there is no need to beat around the bush."
Hearing Kazuki's words, Jiraiya's heart trembled...
Kazuki really considered them as comrades!
Guilt washed over him. But remembering the prophecy, he gathered his courage and said, "Kazuki, I'll tell you straight..."
He paused and continued in a deep voice, "The Great Toad Sage has made a prophecy. According to his vision, a Child of Prophecy will appear in the shinobi world. His existence will determine whether the future of the world will be one of peace or destruction. To avoid disaster, he must be guided with the help of the power of Mount Myōboku…"
Kazuki narrowed his eyes and met Jiraiya's gaze. His expression turned serious.
Seeing his reaction, Jiraiya's face began to redden in nervousness. His voice slowly trailed off, "After analyzing it, I think… the Child of Prophecy is you, Kazuki…"
Minato watched the scene with a forced smile. He knew he couldn't do anything to help his sensei.
After all, Kazuki was not only Konoha's war hero, but after his victory in the last battle, he had become the undisputed candidate to be the Fourth Hokage. The attitude of the Third Hokage and Tsunade towards him, coupled with his lineage, made it clear that the position belonged to him.
There was no discussion. The Fourth Hokage could only be Kazuki.
As the leader of the Root and with deep connections to the most powerful clans in the village, Kazuki had consolidated his position both in terms of influence and strength. There was no one in Konoha capable of challenging him.
So what was this really about? Was Jiraiya trying to convince the next Hokage to follow the guidance of Mount Myōboku?
If Kazuki had been his disciple, it would be an easier topic to address, a private conversation would suffice.
But Kazuki was Tsunade's apprentice, heir to the legacy of the Shikkotsu Forest. That made things complicated.
Everything had changed since Kazuki won a war that seemed impossible to win. With the blood and bones of ten thousand Iwagakure shinobi, he had forged his way to the top.
"So, according to you, should I accept the guidance of Mount Myōboku to become the proper Child of Prophecy?" Kazuki asked in a calm voice, although his gaze was sharp.
Jiraiya let out an awkward laugh, "It's not exactly a guide, it's more like... it's..."
The words stuck in his throat. He didn't know how to respond. He looked at Minato for help, but his disciple looked away to the sky, pretending not to notice his desperation.
Minato smiled awkwardly, scratching his head: "Kazuki-kun, well… I don't know much about those prophecies either. I think it's best if Jiraiya-sensei explains it to you."
Even Minato, the Little Sun, couldn't stay out of it. He chose to distance himself from Mount Myōboku for the time being.
After seeing Kazuki slaughter ten thousand shinobi, Minato understood that there was no point in trying to convince him.
He will be the fourth Hokage, the strongest ninja in Konoha, and a war hero who saves people in times of emergency. Now he offends him for some prophecies of suspicion, so how can he, Namikaze Minato, survive in Konoha in the future?
Jiraiya could afford to wander the world if things got complicated, but Minato had a girlfriend, and besides… she was the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki. He couldn't leave Konoha.
If he said something inappropriate in front of Kazuki, the consequences could be unpredictable. It was better not to take any chances.
Minato was not a stubborn man like Jiraiya when it came to prophecies. He knew how to adapt.
Jiraiya's face froze. Why did even his good disciple seem unwilling to help him?
Are you going to let him face Kazuki alone!
This kind of thing really shouldn't happen...
Slowly, Jiraiya turned his head to meet Kazuki's narrowed eyes, whose expression was completely inscrutable.
Then, with a calm but sharp tone, Kazuki asked, "Jiraiya, I also have an interesting question for you. If Mount Myōboku and Konoha were on the brink of destruction at the same time… who would you save?"
Jiraiya blanked out. He instinctively wanted to answer, but… he realized it was too difficult a question.
On one side, Mount Myōboku, which watched over the peace of the shinobi world. On the other, Konoha, the village where he had grown up…
His face turned even redder. He lowered his head and muttered uncertainly, "That… that will never happen. Mount Myōboku has never been attacked by an enemy…"
Kazuki shook his head and exchanged glances with Minato. There was a mixture of disappointment and resignation in their eyes.
It's hopeless!
Kazuki looked at the forehead protector Jiraiya had on his forehead.
At least, in times of war, he had changed the oil symbol of Mount Myōboku to that of Konoha…
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