Shikamaru scratched his head and looked at the group of young ninjas who were happily eating.
Except for little Sakura, the others had gathered at the Akimichi clan's yakiniku restaurant. Compared to them, Sakura had no family influence that would allow her to skip the academy exam.
Because the second-generation heirs of the ninja clans had all refused the test, Sakura unexpectedly became the top student of her age group.
At this time, Uchiha Itachi had not yet lost his family, and Sasuke was still the beloved little brother of his onii-chan.
Didn't Choji say earlier that it didn't matter whether they took the exam or not?
Kiba Inuzuka and Akamaru were also eating enthusiastically.
Shikamaru scratched his head helplessly.
"So… whether we take the exam or not doesn't matter?"
"Wouldn't that embarrass the Hokage?"
Because of his high intelligence, Shikamaru had always thought more deeply than other children his age.
Naruto took a big gulp of his drink, wiped his mouth, and smiled at his young friends.
"Do you know what the Will of Fire is?"
Shikamaru rubbed his chin and recited:
"Where the leaves dance, the fire burns.The fire's light will continue to shine on the village and allow new leaves to grow."
He had read the first chapter of the Ninja Academy textbook several times.
"Pfft—"
Naruto snorted mockingly.
"Do you know why the Konoha ninja forehead protector has that symbol?"
The group of young clan heirs became curious and shook their heads.
Naruto cleared his throat and smiled.
"Today, I'll tell you about the origin of Konoha and the real purpose of the Will of Fire, which was created by the First Hokage."
The young ninjas immediately protested.
"Wasn't it because Senju Hashirama was tired of the wars between clans that he gathered everyone to create Konoha?"
"Too shallow!"
Naruto looked at them with disdain.
"Senju Hashirama was called the God of Shinobi. Do you really think he needed to discuss things with every clan?"
"The only opinion he truly cared about was his friend—Uchiha Madara!"
"The Senju and Uchiha were the only two clans from the Warring States Era that truly mattered! They were descendants of the Sage of Six Paths. The other clans were only descendants of disciples from the old ninja sect, far weaker than these two!"
Hearing this, Sasuke's ears turned red with excitement.
He had never imagined that his clan was so great.
At that moment, Kiba Inuzuka scoffed.
"The Senju clan? You mean Tsunade's family? There's barely anyone left in that clan. Tsunade became the 'Princess of Tsunade' because she was adopted by the previous daimyo. How can that be a powerful clan from the Warring States Era?"
"Ridiculous."
Naruto looked at him with contempt.
Shikamaru explained calmly:
"I've read the clan records. The Senju clan really was one of the founders of Konoha. But after many wars, they gradually disappeared."
Sasuke frowned and asked unhappily:
"That weak clan can be compared to the Uchiha? Are you sure your information is correct?"
Shikamaru replied firmly.
"I read the books. I can't be wrong. If you don't believe me, check your own clan records."
At that moment, Aburame Shino suddenly spoke.
"Stop arguing. Just listen to Naruto's story."
Everyone turned toward him in surprise.
"Who are you? Where did you come from?!"
Shino:"..."
Naruto interrupted their argument and began telling them the story of the rivalry between Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara.
Even Sasuke and Shikamaru listened with great interest.
When they heard about the brutal battles during the Warring States Era, the children gasped in shock.
They were especially fascinated by the story of how the two young clan leaders once met by a river.
Later, they trained together and developed their ninja abilities.
The young ninjas were filled with admiration.
When Hashirama said:
"I want my younger brothers to grow up safely, without being dragged into endless wars,"
the children felt deep respect for the God of Shinobi.
"I never expected the God of Shinobi only wanted to protect his brothers…"
"So the Uchiha clan really helped found the village? Then why has there never been an Uchiha Hokage?"
"Is it true that our Ino–Shika–Cho clans joined Konoha voluntarily?"
"And how did such a powerful clan like the Senju disappear?"
Naruto started explaining from the story of Asura and Indra, the sons of the Sage of Six Paths, and continued all the way to the founding of Konoha.
The children were amazed by the grand history of the Warring States Era.
It was completely different from what they had been told at home.
For the first time, they heard what felt like the true history of Konoha.
They realized that the village had originally been created as a union to protect families from war.
After they finished eating and stood up, they also remembered their promise to Might Guy to run ten laps after the exam.
Watching the group of children who seemed to have understood something, Naruto smiled faintly.
Propaganda?
I can do that too.
Next, I'll teach you what "family" really means in this era…