As expected, Sarutobi Hiruzen began to speak to Fenghuo—just as Fenghuo had anticipated. The main way to pass on the Will of Fire was through memories.
"Looking back to the Warring States Period, many ninja clans fought endlessly. The constant battles meant that ordinary people could never live in peace..." Hiruzen's voice was calm but heavy with sorrow.
This memory struck deeply within Fenghuo, who stood silently beside him. Meeting such a man, so burdened by history and duty, was both intimidating and inspiring. He resolved to work hard, to study diligently.
"Where the leaves fall, the fire still burns bright. The Will of Fire will continue to illuminate this village, nurturing new generations to come." Hiruzen's old eyes glistened with tears as he spoke, the emotion breaking through the stoic facade. "It is the sacrifices of those before us—the blood spilled by our ancestors—that have brought stability and prosperity to Konoha today!"
Fenghuo's own eyes welled up. It was nearly seven when he had arrived here, and now the clock neared eleven. Time had slipped away unnoticed.
"Old people tend to talk too much," Hiruzen chuckled softly. "Alright, seal the fire. It's time to rest."
Fenghuo frowned inwardly. Seal the fire? What exactly does that mean? Still, he was helpless but to obey.
After respectfully bowing on one knee, he moved outside to the large tree where he used a sealing jutsu to "seal the fire," and then melted silently into the shadows.
Around midnight, Hiruzen finally rose and headed home, accompanied by Fenghuo and the others under the cover of darkness.
Hiruzen's home was near the Hokage Tower, a large estate, yet completely quiet at this hour.
Dalin gestured for Fenghuo to take position on the roof to keep watch. Bamboo leaves rustled near the gate; Pheasant was stationed by the back door, and Dalin himself moved stealthily to patrol suspicious areas.
"I'm back."
In the main house's bedroom, Hiruzen's wife, Biwako Sarutobi, was awakened softly and whispered a few words.
"Sorry to wake you."
"Don't be ridiculous," she replied with a smile. The old couple exchanged a few lighthearted words, then extinguished the lights, leaving silence in the room.
Fenghuo stood on the roof, surrounded by night's quiet. Above, the bright moon cast gentle light like flowing water, while the leaves stirred softly in the breeze, rustling with a serene hush.
In this peaceful moment, Fenghuo's poetry blossomed, and he began reciting softly under the moonlight on the rooftop of the Sarutobi estate.
"When will the bright moon come? I ask the blue sky for wine, yet who knows the sorrow within?"
Suddenly, a small stone fell from above, striking Fenghuo's forehead precisely.
"Who throws stones at midnight for fun? Practicing the Little Flying Daggers, are you?"
Not far off, Dalin was perched on a tree, glaring at Fenghuo with disapproval.
Realizing his watch duty was still active, Fenghuo quickly fell silent.
Nothing else occurred throughout the night, and at dawn, Hiruzen woke after sealing the fire once more. He realized he had slept no more than five hours. With the heavy burdens he bore daily, it was no wonder he aged so quickly.
Shortly after, Biwako also rose, preparing breakfast after Hiruzen washed up.
Hiruzen smiled gently. "You don't need to make breakfast today."
Biwako looked puzzled.
Standing on the roof all night had chilled Fenghuo to the bone.
"Seal the fire!" Hiruzen called out, smiling knowingly.
Fenghuo sighed in resignation and jumped down from the roof. "What does the Hokage order?"
Hiruzen laughed softly. "I heard you're a good cook. Would you honor an old man with breakfast today?"
"Of course! It's my honor!" Fenghuo replied with determination.
But my heart is protesting! he thought. Sealing the fire? More like forced labor!
"In our world, you'd be sent to a reform camp for this," he muttered silently.
Biwako watched Fenghuo in surprise. "This child..."
"He may be young, but he's a genius! And quite the talented cook. Biwako, you're lucky today." Hiruzen pulled out his pipe and smoked contentedly.
"Be careful not to overdo it," Biwako warned. "Is he the one Asuma mentioned? I hear he already joined Anbu. What a prodigy."
"That's the kid," Hiruzen confirmed.
Fenghuo headed to the kitchen, mask in place but eyes on the verge of tears.
What kind of task is this?
No more shadows cooking for me now.
He washed vegetables, lit the fire, added oil, stir-fried, then shut off the flame, and put on his mask again to stir-fry.
Finally, he grabbed a handful of chili peppers and tossed them in.
Hot and sour cabbage—burningly spicy!
Spicy diced chicken—absurdly hot!
Eventually, conscience pricked him, and he made a milder third dish... still chili!
When the three dishes were set on the table, Hiruzen and Biwako both sneezed repeatedly from the peppers.
They exchanged glances, cautiously tasted the food, then nodded approvingly.
Biwako wiped tears and said, "The cabbage is delicious, but a bit too spicy."
Hiruzen agreed, "This dish is tasty... just a little too fiery."
The last bowl was almost purely chili—just looking at it made their eyes water.
"I heard Asuma said your family likes spicy food," Fenghuo explained firmly. "Don't blame me!"
Hiruzen took a sip of tea, shaking his head with a chuckle. "Fenghuo, you truly are a child."
Biwako covered her mouth to laugh.
Fenghuo maintained a calm expression, hiding his inner turmoil.
After a night of sealing the fire and ten bowls of tea, Hiruzen left for work with lips red and swollen from the spice.
At around seven, the Anbu team arrived to relieve Fenghuo's group.
After a long, exhausting night, Fenghuo finally ended his shift.
Meanwhile, in Konoha's police force headquarters, Uchiha Tenizumi looked at Uchiha Sanno and Uchiha Fugaku with a mixture of sorrow and anger.
His gaze seemed fixed beyond them.
When Tenizumi told Sanno about his mind being marked with a cursed seal by Anbu, Sanno surprisingly felt relieved and introduced Fugaku to him, cryptically stating that Fugaku would become the Uchiha clan's supreme leader in the future.
How could Tenizumi not be furious and heartbroken?
He had barely stepped into this world when they pushed him aside. Did they still care for his son at all? Was there no conscience left?
"Tenizumi, your talent is undeniable, but you are still too immature to bear the weight of the Uchiha clan," Uchiha Sanno sighed. "Please understand. Your current situation doesn't suit you for leadership."
"Father, that's not true! Even if I don't join Anbu, you never intended to pass the police force to me!" Tenizumi shouted in frustration.
"Enough!" Sanno slammed the table, eyes filled with disdain. "The police force isn't a toy. I could have passed it on if I wanted to. Since you joined Anbu, you should be excelling. Continuing this path... there's no future for you."
Tenizumi clenched his fists, his face flushed with anger.
"Fine. You may leave." Sanno waved dismissively.
Fugaku remained silent, finding it inappropriate to speak at this moment.
"Fuyue, don't mind him," Sanno said with a bitter smile. "This child has been spoiled by me."
Fugaku added that Tenizumi has potential but is rebellious in his youth. With time, he would mature.
Sanno smiled wryly.
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