The Third Hokage had always loved playing these little mind games.
Now that he was aging and his strength declining, he relied on something called the "Will of Fire" to win hearts everywhere—talking smooth words, persuading others to sacrifice their interests for his rule.
What Will of Fire?
Wasn't it just empty-handed manipulation?
Shisui fell silent.
He had believed the Third Hokage's private meeting with him had been extremely discreet. He hadn't expected Akihito to perceive it so keenly.
Of course, even if Akihito exposed it to his face, Shisui wouldn't openly admit to acting as an informant.
After all, basic ninja discipline still applied.
Akihito smiled faintly at him.
"The Third Hokage told you this war was caused by me, didn't he?"
Shisui said nothing.
Sometimes silence was tacit acknowledgment.
Akihito continued calmly,
"Do you also believe Konoha should have handed over Hyūga Hizashi?"
"Or if one day something similar happens to the Uchiha, would you expect me to hand someone over as well?"
After a long pause, Shisui replied hoarsely,
"Self-sacrifice—that is the true nature of a shinobi."
"Sometimes, peace must be protected by unsung heroes in the shadows."
"Where the leaves dance, the fire burns on—"
Before he could finish, Akihito cut him off sharply.
"Don't preach the Will of Fire to me."
"It's all nonsense."
"Can the Will of Fire stop Kumogakure's ambitions?"
"Why not have the Hokage go to the front lines and reason with the Fourth Raikage?"
Akihito's tone dripped with disdain.
A simple brainwashing slogan—why did so many keep falling for it?
He spoke in a low voice.
"The 'Will of Fire' in the Third Hokage's mouth has long deviated from the First Hokage's original intent."
"What he weaves is merely a tool to maintain his rule."
"Back then, Sakumo Hatake wore the Hokage's haori—yet he ultimately took his own life."
"He carried out a classified mission. Why did the news spread across all of Konoha?"
"Why didn't the Third Hokage stop that spread?"
"The Senju clan once stood alongside us Uchiha. Why have they vanished?"
"The First Hokage's grandson, Nawaki, died on the battlefield—his organs removed."
"Are you certain that was the enemy's doing?"
"Would enemy ninja even know he was Hashirama's grandson?"
"Who coveted Wood Release? And who silently permitted it?"
"Our Uchiha clansmen often disappear without reason. Do you truly know nothing of that?"
"Your ancestor, Uchiha Kagami, died young. Do you think his death was entirely clean?"
"The Third Hokage shows no mercy to the Uchiha, yet bows before Kumogakure."
"Tell me—what does that mean?"
"Plenty of energy for internal struggle, but no courage against foreign enemies?"
The barrage of questions struck like thunder.
Shisui was left speechless.
Before he could respond, Akihito pressed further.
"'Where the leaves dance, the fire burns on.'"
"The flames illuminate the village and nurture new leaves."
"That's the Will of Fire, right?"
"Then why, three years ago, did the Fourth Hokage sacrifice himself?"
"Why didn't the Third Hokage die alongside the Nine-Tails instead?"
"Isn't he supposed to be the leaf that protects the village?"
Shisui trembled slightly.
His lips quivered—but no words came.
Silence stretched between them.
After a long while, Akihito sighed softly.
"Konoha was founded by the Uchiha and the Senju together."
"As Uchiha Clan Head, if I aim to become Hokage—what fault is there? What crime?"
"Is it the Uchiha who threaten Konoha—or is it Konoha that cannot tolerate us?"
"Think carefully, Shisui."
With that, Akihito turned and left.
Shisui continued onward, distracted and troubled.
Several days later—
The three-thousand-strong Konoha army arrived in the Land of Frost, bordering the Land of Lightning.
Akihito ordered them to set up camp and await Kumogakure's advance.
Land of Earth — Iwagakure Council Chamber
The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, sat high in the main seat while the elders argued heatedly below.
With Kumogakure declaring war on Konoha, Iwagakure naturally sought to seize the opportunity.
During the Third Great Ninja War, Iwa had committed enormous forces—only to fall short in the end.
Now that opportunity had appeared again, how could they let it slip?
The key question was—
Should they declare war on Konoha, or on Kumogakure?
It was not a decision to make lightly.
Though Iwagakure and Konoha had signed a peace treaty three years ago, it was little more than paper.
If the benefits were sufficient, written agreements meant nothing.
Moreover, Iwa's nightmare—the "Yellow Flash"—was dead.
Most elders believed they should strike Konoha.
During the last war, Namikaze Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique had slaughtered countless Iwa shinobi.
To call it deep-seated hatred would not be an exaggeration.
That said, Iwa's relationship with Kumogakure was hardly friendly either.
The Third Raikage had fallen due to Iwagakure's efforts.
That was patricide-level enmity.
The Fourth Raikage had long wanted revenge.
If Iwa attacked Konoha and Kumogakure turned its fury on them instead—
That would be disastrous.
The debate dragged on without resolution.
"Tsuchikage-sama, what is your decision?"
When consensus failed, it was time for Ōnoki to act.
"Ahem…"
He cleared his throat, and the chamber fell silent.
Having ruled for decades, his authority was unquestioned.
"It's not time yet."
"Wait until Konoha and Kumogakure are locked in bloodshed."
"Return and prepare. We must be ready to strike at any moment."
With that single decision, the matter was settled.
"Tsuchikage-sama is wise!"
"Such foresight!"
Ōnoki allowed himself a satisfied smile.
When Konoha and Kumogakure weakened each other—
He would reap the spoils.
What better outcome could there be?
Land of Wind — Sunagakure Council Chamber
The Fourth Kazekage had also convened the village leadership.
"Fourth Kazekage, why refuse to declare war on Konoha?"
"Have you forgotten that the White Fang killed my son and daughter-in-law?"
Chiyo demanded angrily.
Rasa forced a bitter smile.
"Chiyo-sama, Shukaku has only just rampaged. The village is still unstable."
"We cannot sustain another war."
The Land of Wind was already the poorest among the Five Great Nations.
And Shukaku's frequent rampages only worsened matters.
Rasa refused to intervene.
Chiyo snorted in frustration.
"If you remain so timid, I shall retire."
"There is opportunity, yet you hesitate."
"At this rate, Sunagakure will fall under your rule."
Rasa tried to reason with her—
But Chiyo, as a living fossil of the village, would not listen.
And who could argue with someone of her seniority?
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