A few days later.
Konohagakure's First Training Ground.
This largest training ground in Konohagakure was previously opened only during large-scale or Joint Chūnin Exams.
Rather than calling it a training ground, its structure was closer to a "stadium" or a "performance hall."
The spectator stands could accommodate over ten thousand people, making it convenient for Konohagakure to invite nobles and shinobi allies from various countries to participate.
This had once been an idea of Senju Tobirama.
Through the "Joint Chūnin Exams," he intended to observe the strength of the participating hidden villages while displaying Konoha's power, thereby obtaining intelligence to a certain extent and restraining the outbreak of war.
At the same time, they could conveniently earn some revenue from tourism and ticket sales as a supplement to the village's finances.
Overall, it was a method with advantages outweighing its disadvantages.
But precisely because of this, among the examinees who had participated in previous "Joint Chūnin Exams," not a single one had been a proper genin…
Having comprehensive strength at the level of a chūnin was the norm, and some hidden villages would even slip in special jōnin…
In such a setting, who actually became a chūnin was fundamentally unimportant—the goal was to deter the other side through military force.
But in today's First Training Ground of Konohagakure—
There were no foreign shinobi or nobles, only passionate Konoha shinobi and the village's own civilians.
Those participating were genuine ninja academy students, and even Minato was truly just a chūnin…
He had applied for promotion to jōnin only after completing the Flying Thunder God Technique; the paperwork was still being processed, and the official document had not yet been issued.
"Ohhh! What a sight that makes one's blood boil…" Might Duy looked at the enthusiastic Konoha shinobi and wiped his tears.
"This is youth!"
Every person wore a smile from the bottom of their heart, shouting loudly to cheer the children on.
Since the end of the Second Shinobi World War, the village had not seen such joy and fervor for a long time…
Or rather, only when Senju Hashirama had been alive had Konohagakure possessed a similar atmosphere.
On the high platform—
Danzō kept his face taut to maintain his cold and hard image before the public.
But in reality, with his lips moving while his face remained still, he asked in a low voice: "Hiruzen, why are the shinobi so enthusiastic…?"
"Isn't it just sparring between children? What's there to watch!"
Even the "Darkness of the Shinobi" had been shaken by the atmosphere before his eyes.
What ninja academy advanced class was this?
It was practically like a grand celebration assembly held after achieving total victory in a large-scale war!
"Under normal circumstances, there truly wouldn't be much to watch…"
"But do you think the village's benefits for shinobi were given out for nothing?" Hiruzen replied with a genial smile.
"Coming to cheer for the children is only one aspect. The main reason is to celebrate the establishment of the shinobi security system. This celebration also belongs to them."
Danzō nodded thoughtfully.
Shinobi were repressed.
For hundreds of years, having been treated as tools, they were now suddenly, tangibly feeling the institutional nature of these safeguards.
It was like bathing in sunlight—an itch in everyone's heart.
To the point that they urgently wanted to do something for the village; otherwise, they always felt unworthy…
And the ninja academy students just happened to become that outlet.
The village provided a backstop for subsidies and bereavement compensation for elderly people living alone, and offered public-welfare consolation to disabled shinobi…
On top of that, the nobles' vigorous adulation of Konohagakure.
Quite a few jobs that in the past would have gone to samurai or wandering shinobi just to save money—now, in order to get a familiar face in the village, they were doing their best to come to Konoha shinobi instead…
About this point, Hiruzen was fairly satisfied; it showed his daimyō little brother had done a pretty decent job…
He had already proven part of his value.
He had successfully promoted "Sage Region Pills" among the nobles.
All these factors piled together.
They finally let most shinobi—who had been run ragged—catch their breath for a moment or two, no longer so worried that the invisible sickle behind them would, at some point, cut down them and their families…
"Only after an individual's survival and safety needs are institutionally guaranteed will they have the leeway to do other things…"
"Danzō, remember: safeguards and the village's vitality are positively correlated."
"And institutional safeguards will also give rise to a sense of community…"
"That's also why so many shinobi are willing to take out their secret techniques and special skills and share them with the ninja academy students for free, even though there's no blood relationship between them."
Hiruzen said with a genial smile, "So? Do you see the Will of Fire burning?"
Danzō nodded subconsciously.
What he was actually thinking was: if one day he bared his fangs at Hiruzen, with things as they were now, all Hiruzen would have to do was raise his arm and call out—
No, it wouldn't even be that troublesome.
Perhaps he would only need to reveal the slightest hint of dissatisfaction with him, and countless shinobi would come tearing at him…
Even though he was the Hokage's assistant!
And as for dealing with enemies, that went without saying.
'This is even more astonishing than my methods of controlling Root shinobi!'
'No need to plant cursed seals, and no need for control and brainwashing—it comes from spontaneous belief…' Danzō slowly clenched his fists and sighed inwardly.
'Even if Tobirama-sensei were revived, Hiruzen's prestige right now probably wouldn't fall too far short of his!'
So that was how the Will of Fire was played?
"Get your expression and remarks ready for later, Danzō." Hiruzen suddenly dropped that line.
Danzō was taken aback—what was Hiruzen planning to do?
Then—
Hiruzen's figure flashed, and in an instant he appeared at the center of the training ground. Using chakra to amplify his voice, he greeted the shinobi present: "Have you all been waiting long?"
The Hokage's appearance instantly ignited the atmosphere of the venue!
Parents stood on tiptoe, waving the towels in their hands; the ninja academy children screamed and jumped.
Even the jōnin who had originally been watching with folded arms lowered them and saluted with their gaze, warmth in their eyes impossible to hide.
The waves of cheers rose layer upon layer, crashing against the surrounding walls of the training ground, shaking the ground until it trembled slightly.
Under other circumstances, Hiruzen's appearance certainly would not have caused such a huge sensation…
But human emotions follow the atmosphere.
One person's cheer can stir those around them, forming a chain reaction. Once the mood is heated, the surging torrent of collective emotion makes originally restrained behavior turn bold and fervent.
And Hiruzen's arrival, following the momentum, pushed the entire training ground's emotions to their peak!
The Hokage smiled inwardly.
Choosing to appear at the very moment when the atmosphere in the training ground was at its most fervent…
Was to precisely anchor the "popular support" brought by the safeguards onto himself—binding his personal prestige tightly to the shinobi security system, while at the same time establishing a "people-friendly" Hokage persona in the flow of events.
Compared with emphasizing his own achievements in a formal setting, this would appear natural and would not make others feel it was deliberate.
"Everyone, I have seen the fire in your hearts…" Hiruzen raised his hands, gesturing lightly toward his own eyes, then toward the spectator stands, slowly turning in a circle.
The Konoha shinobi held their breath slightly.
Every single person felt that the Hokage was looking at them, greeting them personally!
"This ninja academy advanced class event, able to receive such support and enthusiastic participation…"
"Is because in today's Konohagakure, every shinobi is, under the connection of the Will of Fire, more closely linked together…"
"Even without blood ties, every Konoha shinobi is family who can entrust their back to one another!" Hiruzen spoke in a steady and powerful voice.
"I promise everyone that what the village does for you will not stop at one or two measures…"
"Further supplementation of medical care, future improvements to existing benefits, and the refinement of ninja tools for academy students and shinobi…"
"All of it is being steadily advanced according to plan!"
"But please remember—this has never been the achievement of the Hokage alone. It is the blood and sweat of every person in Konoha that has upheld these tangible changes!"
"In the days to come, I ask you all to continue lending me your strength…"
"Let us stand shoulder to shoulder and shape the village into the form Hashirama-sama once envisioned—so that the seeds of the Will of Fire may blossom and bear fruit upon Konoha's soil, enduring without end!"
Thunderous cheers at the scene gave Hiruzen the most passionate response.
Quite a few shinobi even felt their chakra surge and boil along with it.
They almost wished to blast a few Great Fireballs into the sky on the spot, detonating this exhilaration high among the clouds!
Danzō watched Hiruzen at the center of the platform with a complicated expression…
This scene was so immersive that one could almost grow intoxicated by it.
When he became Hokage, would he be able to receive such affection as Hiruzen did?
Immediately, Danzō let out a self-mocking smile.
In his own estimation, becoming Hokage would not be a problem…
But being loved like Hiruzen was—was likely unrealistic…
His reputation was relatively complicated.
'Each person has his own style. His is the style of the First. I uphold the legacy of Tobirama-sensei. That means I am more like Tobirama-sensei…'
Danzō consoled himself inwardly. 'It's not certain I won't surpass Hiruzen in the future. And it's not as if I couldn't learn this… hm.'
Yet for some reason, a certain scene suddenly surfaced in his mind.
—Hiruzen sparring with Orochimaru in order to test the village's emergency response…
At the time, he had been criticized for arriving late, but after issuing a military pledge, he had also received some applause.
It had to be said, even for the Darkness of the Shinobi, that feeling had been gratifying…
And at this moment—
Hiruzen suddenly pointed in his direction.
"Next…"
"Allow me to introduce to everyone several Konoha shinobi who have made outstanding contributions to the village's development!"
Danzō's pupils shrank abruptly!
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