Hiruzen Sarutobi stood tall at the center of the stage, his very presence commanding silence. There was no burst of chakra, no dramatic gesture—just an aura of quiet authority honed through decades of leadership. His eyes, sharp and wise, scanned the sea of young hopefuls, and the chatter died without a single word. Even the breeze seemed to still.
When he finally spoke, his voice was calm and steady, yet it carried like thunder across the grounds.
> "The Will of Fire," he began, "is the flame that binds us—the belief that each generation protects the next."
He spoke of the First Hokage's compassion, of the Second Hokage's sacrifice, weaving tales of valor and unity. To the wide-eyed children below, it was inspiring, moving—almost sacred.
"The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, was the heart of this village—his dream of unity gave birth to Konohagakure," Hiruzen began, his voice steady with reverence. "With unmatched Wood Release and healing abilities, he brought clans together through compassion and strength. Beside him stood his brother, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju—brilliant, pragmatic, and fiercely protective. His innovations laid the foundation of our shinobi system: the Academy, the Chūnin Exams, the ANBU. Together, they weren't just powerful—they were visionaries who forged peace from chaos. Their legacy is the Will of Fire itself—a belief that each generation must protect the next with unwavering resolve."
But Shin, arms crossed and eyebrow raised, couldn't help the internal smirk forming on his face.
Ah yes… the legendary Talk-no-Jutsu. Only second to Naruto's in raw persuasion power.
He had to admit, though—the old man was good. Hiruzen's words wrapped around the children's hearts like a warm fire on a cold night.
He's not just giving a speech, Shin mused. He's crafting loyalty, planting seeds of devotion in these little minds like a true master. Despite the cheeky thoughts, Shin found himself nodding along. The manipulation was subtle, almost beautiful, and incredibly effective.
Tch. This geezer could probably sell fire to a Uchiha, he thought, reluctantly impressed.
As Hiruzen's speech drew to a close, he allowed a moment of silence to hang in the air, letting his final words settle like embers across the gathering. His eyes, sharp despite his age, scanned the crowd until they found Minato.
"And of course," he said, voice laced with pride, "Minato Namikaze… a shining beacon of talent and discipline. A young man destined to leave his mark on this village."
Minato, clearly caught off guard, offered a sheepish nod—his usual calm momentarily cracked by the public praise.
Then Hiruzen's gaze shifted, steady and deliberate, toward Shin.
"And Shin…" he said, voice slowing as if weighing each word, "possesses a rare chakra—dense, fire-like, and eerily reminiscent of a certain someone from a past generation."
His lips curled into a faint, unreadable smile.
Shin tilted his head slightly, a brow raised. That vague grandpa tease again, he thought.
Then, Hiruzen listed a few more names and ended with, "...and Akio Uchiha," before rambling off eight other names.
"These young ones, including Shin ,Minato and others have the potential to lead the next generation and protect the legacy of our village."
Shin sighed internally.
This old man is relentless, he mused. He's not giving a speech—he's assembling a squad of future poster boys. Still, he couldn't help but respect the artful way Hiruzen planted seeds of duty and pride into every heart watching.
Hiruzen continued, his tone shifting to a more instructive cadence.
"At the Academy, you will not only learn ninjutsu, taijutsu, and basic chakra control, but also strategy, history, and the responsibilities that come with your strength."
His gaze swept the children again, locking them in place with an invisible grip of authority.
"Every six months, there will be an internal assessment. Those who perform exceptionally will receive special training privileges, clan recommendations, and—if deserving—even personalized tutelage from elite shinobi."
The room buzzed softly with excitement and anxiety, dreams quietly ignited in young hearts. Finally, with a warm smile, Hiruzen offered his parting words:
"You are the roots that will become the future branches of the Will of Fire. Grow strong… and protect each other."
With that, the speech ended, and the tension gradually dissolved into chatter and movement.
Shin turned to Akio, offering a casual wave.
"Later, akio ."
Akio grinned. "Don't fall behind, Fire Boy."
Shin chuckled, then caught Minato's eyes. The blond gave him a respectful nod, which Shin returned with a hint of a smirk. No words were needed.
With the ceremony over, Shin walked away with Kazuma and Kazuro flanking him. As the crowd dispersed behind them, Shin couldn't help but think:
Academy's going to be interesting… especially if that exam gets me closer to the truth—or to power.
---
That night, the shin's household was alive with celebration. A grand feast had been laid out—grilled river fish, steaming rice, spiced vegetables, and Kazuma's rare homemade plum wine for the adults. Shin dug in with the appetite only a newly admitted Academy student could have, the pride on his grandfather's face adding extra flavor to every bite. Laughter echoed through the room, mostly Kazuro's gruff but warm voice recounting old missions, while Kazuma nodded along with quiet satisfaction.
Then, as the plates began to clear and the warmth of the evening settled in, Shin leaned back and swept his gaze toward Kazuro, eyes sharp.
"Grandpa… aren't you forgetting something?"
Kazuro blinked, caught mid-sip of his wine. For a heartbeat, confusion flickered across his face before realization dawned.
He groaned. "Tch… that damn bet."
Kazuma raised a brow, clearly amused.
Shin grinned. "You said if I got into the top three, you'd teach me something 'worthwhile.'"
Kazuro sighed in defeat, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright, alright. I'll teach you my signature jutsu."
Shin straightened in his seat, anticipation flaring in his eyes. "Really? What is it? C'mon, just tell me!"
The old man stood up slowly, eyes gleaming with the kind of pride he rarely showed. "Meet me tomorrow morning at my place. I'll show you then."
Shin groaned. "You're killing me here! Just the name, please?"
Kazuro's lips curled into a crooked grin. "Barrier Jutsu."
Shin's eyes widened in excitement, and his heart thumped harder.
Barrier Jutsu…? That sounds serious—and I've never heard of it, he thought.
And with that, the night ended—not just in celebration, but in the quiet promise of power, legacy, and the beginning of something greater.
—Chapter End.
Ps - ( Hello readers!! I hope you all enjoy the chapter...I know it is a short chapter but please excuse me for this one time esteemed readers. As I am sick today 😭😭....and coming to the barrier jutsu i hope you bare with me and be patient..i Am trying something unique here 🙏🏻)
Please give me your power stones 🥺 🙏🏻