Just as Bei Xuan walked up to the group, Tsunade nee-san stepped forward and slapped him on the back, causing Bei Xuan to stumble.
“Not bad, kid, you didn’t embarrass me.”
Upon hearing this, Bei Xuan immediately gave Tsunade nee-san a resentful look. Ever since he met Tsunade nee-san, he had always been at a disadvantage with her.
“Lord Third.” x2
Minato Namikaze and Bei Xuan greeted Hiruzen Sarutobi.
“Hahahaha, just call me Grandmaster or Grandpa Third. Calling me ‘Lord’ is too formal. You two are excellent; the future of Konoha will depend on you to protect it.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled, looking at the two. As for Bei Xuan’s golden light, he did not ask about it.
“Grandpa Third.”
“Grandmaster.”
“Hahahaha, good. Are you interested in taking a walk with me? It’s been a long time since we’ve all strolled together.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile to Tsunade nee-san and the others.
… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …
Hiruzen Sarutobi led the group through the streets of Konoha, constantly encountering villagers still chatting or cooling off outside their homes.
Along the way, everyone greeted Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Bei Xuan and the others naturally followed, listening to Hiruzen Sarutobi recount interesting anecdotes from when he was with Tsunade nee-san and her teammates.
Soon, they arrived in front of the Hokage Building. Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at the Hokage Rock in the distance, then turned to Bei Xuan and Minato, asking,
“What do you think Konoha is? What is the Fire Will? I want to hear your perspectives. Bei Xuan, you go first.”
Bei Xuan, who had long guessed that Hiruzen Sarutobi would ask this question, lowered his head, pondered for a moment, and then spoke.
“Konoha is like a forest, and everyone in Konoha is a tree in that forest. Old trees extend their branches to shelter new saplings from wind and rain.
When an old tree falls, it transforms into nutrients in the soil, nourishing the land to nurture saplings into towering trees while also giving birth to new trees.
Everyone eventually dies. The vast world does not remember a person’s death, but the new trees become proof of the old tree’s brilliant life.
And it is through this continuous witnessing that a legacy is formed, and the Fire Will is this will of continuous witnessing and continuous legacy.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi listened intently to Bei Xuan’s words, then burst into laughter. Yes, isn’t the Fire Will all about legacy?
Whether it was the Second Hokage, who inherited the First Hokage’s will, or himself, who inherited this will from his teacher, and now these children around him, who have inherited his will.
Aren’t they all the most accurate embodiment of the Fire Will?
“Minato, what about you? What is your Fire Will?”
“It’s a bond, a bond that unites everyone in the Village. I want to be the bond that brings the entire Village together as one!”
Minato scratched his head, a very bright smile on his face.
“Is that so? Then Minato, you must work hard. I also very much want to see that day arrive.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Minato’s smile. Perhaps, through this child, the hope of uniting everyone could truly be realized.
“Alright, let’s stop here for today. I also need to go home. Biwako has been nagging me about coming home late, hahahaha.”
“Old man, it’s not like you don’t have Hokage assistants. Why do you work so hard?”
“Hahahahaha, you’ll know when you become Hokage, won’t you?”
“Tch, I don’t want to be Hokage! My dream is to become a God of Gamblers!!”
“Hahahahaha, a God of Gamblers who always loses?”
“Idiot Jiraiya, you want to get beaten again, don’t you?!”
Bei Xuan, who had been observing everyone, for the first time gained a true understanding of the Fire Will. Although his words were borrowed, they indeed fit the people before him.
Regardless of their future or who they were, at least for their disciples, the people before him were truly dedicated.
Even after learning of Orochimaru’s dirty deeds, Hiruzen Sarutobi, as Hokage, still let Orochimaru escape, and Orochimaru would also shed tears over Nawaki’s death and pursue another path.
However, it was impossible for Bei Xuan to fully endorse Hiruzen Sarutobi’s Fire Will. Understanding the true Fire Will is one thing; being able to live up to it is another.
But it was clear that the disciples of the evil Senju Tobirama had not lived up to the Fire Will; instead, they had turned it into a tool for political stability.
“Kid, what are you thinking about? Want to come gamble a few rounds with me?”
Tsunade nee-san pulled the dazed Bei Xuan over, saying with a sly smile.
Upon hearing this, Bei Xuan felt completely uneasy. Although his mind was that of an adult, his body looked like nothing more than a seven-year-old child, didn’t it?
“Just kidding. A sacred place like a casino isn’t for kids. Let’s go. Remember to be at my house on time tomorrow, and remember to bring a bento. But make a bit more; today’s wasn’t enough.”
With that, she waved her hand and turned to leave.
Watching Tsunade nee-san’s retreating figure, Bei Xuan couldn’t connect the words “casino” and “sacred” in any way. He sighed, silently mourned for his future for five more seconds, then turned and walked home.
In the following period, Tsunade nee-san continuously taught Bei Xuan Medical Ninjutsu, and also taught him Machamp and Summoning Jutsu.
Although she had said she would only teach Bei Xuan and not take him as a disciple, she still taught him everything she could.
As for Ninjutsu, she allowed Bei Xuan to enter the Senju Clan’s archives to study on his own.
Bei Xuan even found the evil Senju Tobirama’s Water Release insights in the archives, but Ninjutsu like Flying Thunder God were not found.
However, Bei Xuan could understand. Although these were Ninjutsu created by Senju Tobirama, they were also forbidden jutsu he left for the Village as Hokage, so it was naturally impossible for copies to be kept within the Senju Clan.
The Hokage’s authority superseded the clan’s—this was something Tobirama had always believed.
“Kid, interested in coming to the hospital with me for an internship? Your Medical Ninjutsu should be put into practice now.”
One day, Tsunade nee-san found Bei Xuan, who was practicing Palm Sage Technique, with a smile on her face that looked ominous.
Immediately after, Bei Xuan began his bitter life as Tsunade nee-san’s assistant. At first, it was fine, just Helping Hand injured people by bandaging their wounds.
Then, he began to continuously use Medical Ninjutsu to treat the wounds of various injured individuals.
Later, after Bei Xuan learned Palm Sage Technique, all of Tsunade nee-san’s tasks were handed over to Bei Xuan, and Tsunade nee-san only made an appearance for major surgeries.
Tsunade nee-san, under the guise of “training Bei Xuan,” also let him know that there were very few Medical Ninja in the hospital who had mastered Palm Sage Technique.
After all, Palm Sage Technique is a very difficult A-rank Medical Ninjutsu to master.
All of this passed peacefully, until one day, the hospital director asked why Tsunade nee-san always collected his salary for him…
Bei Xuan, now eight years old, quietly looked at Tsunade nee-san, who sat at the desk looking flustered, his face devoid of any expression.
“Ahem, why does a child need so much money? Aren’t I saving it for you? I’ll naturally give it to you when you need it.”
“Oh, is that so? Then I want it now. Tsunade nee-san wouldn’t embezzle a child’s money, would she?”
As he spoke, Bei Xuan held out his hand, quietly watching Tsunade nee-san’s performance.
“Oh dear, I told you I’m keeping it safe for you. Don’t you believe me~?”
Tsunade nee-san leaned forward, resting her chin on Bei Xuan’s hand, and spoke to him in a very sweet, syrupy voice.
“…”
“Thump~ Thump~ Thump~”
Looking at Tsunade nee-san, who was pressed against his hand and continuously blinking, Bei Xuan’s heart couldn’t help but pound again.