Will of Fire…
Once again, Jiraiya heard this familiar phrase he had learned from childhood in Aomi's words, and his memories became a bit blurred.
When did it all begin?
It seems to have been over the past three or four years, Aomi naturally became synonymous with the Will of Fire in Konoha.
Starting with a perfect score on the Will of Fire exam— "Where the leaves dance, the fire also burns endlessly…"
This phrase spread throughout Konoha, becoming a catchphrase, and was included in the syllabus as a mandatory knowledge point, hailed as the best interpretation and explanation of the Will of Fire.
And thereafter, Aomi himself seemed more like the embodiment of the Will of Fire, caring for classmates whose talent was not outstanding, actively sharing high-tier ninjutsu, integrating the internal forces of the Uchiha Clan, and invisibly dissolving the village's internal strife…
Even Jiraiya had to admit, even if Senju Tobirama were to be resurrected…
This Second Hokage, who had strong opinions against the Uchiha Clan, would most likely find no fault with Aomi; he indeed is a perfect Uchiha imbued with the Will of Fire.
At this moment.
Before Jiraiya lies the conflict between the Will of Fire and the prophecy of Mount Myoboku!
Aomi is a perfect inheritor of the Will of Fire, yet the Grand Toad Sage, comparable to the Six Paths Sage, holds a different view…
So, what should be done?
After all, Mount Myoboku is his home; where could a family be deceived?
Since the Grand Toad Sage has spoken, Aomi definitely harbors a hidden crisis that needs to be addressed…
But Konoha is also cherished by Jiraiya, yet Aomi has exhausted himself guarding it, doing far better than he ever could.
"Born from taboo, the Child of Prophecy bears thoughts of peace but brings forth war, overturning the Ninja World, bound by disciple ties, utilizing the power of Mount Myoboku to guide and eliminate the crisis for the world…"
Jiraiya recalled the instructions of the Grand Toad Sage, deciding to harden his heart and speak.
However, as Jiraiya looked into Aomi's somewhat perplexed eyes, the blood-soaked Sengoku style armor sent a shiver through his heart.
An uneasy emotion spread through Jiraiya, to the extent that he forgot the speech he had prepared, his mouth feeling glued shut.
If not for Aomi rushing to support…
The Hidden Rock Battlefield would have long been destroyed by Tailed Beast Balls and Dust Release, where would today's great victory be?
The combined force of two Jinchuriki and the Third Tsuchikage, could he and Namikaze Minato withstand them?
They couldn't…
Onoki could firmly suppress Jiraiya, while Roshi's Lava Release Chakra Mode restrained Namikaze Minato, even if fighting by exchanging blows, Hidden Rock's resources far exceeded those of Konoha.
In efficiently killing ordinary ninja, no matter how fast Namikaze Minato is, he could not surpass two Jinchuriki in Tailed Beast Transformation.
Frankly speaking, Jiraiya had to admit that the pressure Aomi faced was greater than theirs.
The Uchiha unit he led, though elite, faced Mist ninja skilled in Water Release, restraining Dojutsu, without capable help, being the sole top-tier combatant on the Hidden Mist Battlefield.
Plus, with Root's new weapons proving so useful, even amid the obvious competition between Namikaze Minato and Jiraiya for the Hokage position, Aomi still assigned them Root liaisons and sufficient resources, but they simply didn't actively explore and utilize them effectively…
Aomi has already reached his limits; whether in character, disposition, or any aspect, there's nothing to fault.
After experiencing the war, seeing the Hidden Rock ninja long ready to pounce, Jiraiya's prior thoughts that Aomi instigated the conflict vanished completely, replaced in his heart by admiration…
This is buying time for the village!
Jiraiya calculated inwardly, the development of Tobirama series weapons precisely under Aomi's command in Root until the onset of war, also aligning with the timeline from a firm response to the Five Great Hidden Villages to the Chunin Exams' joint efforts…
If not for that, where would today's advantage be?
Achieving such results in roughly a year, in Jiraiya's mind, even if Senju Tobirama were here, it wouldn't have been possible!
Not Tobirama, but surpassing Tobirama, Aomi…
As Konoha's undeniable war hero, before Aomi's gaze, Jiraiya inexplicably felt uneasy.
Aomi was fighting for the village, while he intended to discuss Mount Myoboku's prophecy of world peace with him, isn't that somewhat…
"Jiraiya, I've said before, we are all comrades under the Will of Fire in Konoha…"
Aomi chuckled at the hesitant Jiraiya, patting his shoulder in encouragement like an elder, reiterating: "Just speak frankly, we're all on the same side, no need to overthink it."
Upon hearing Aomi's words, Jiraiya's heart trembled even more…
Did Aomi see them as one of his own?
No wonder so much of the Tobirama series weaponry was allocated to the Hidden Rock Battlefield…
Guilt filled Jiraiya's heart, but recalling the advice of the Grand Toad Sage, he forced himself to say: "Aomi, then I'll be honest…"
"The Grand Toad Sage made a prophecy, that a Child of Prophecy would emerge in the Ninja World, determining its future as either peace or destruction, necessitating guidance under the power of Mount Myoboku to quell the crisis…"
Aomi and Jiraiya locked eyes, with Aomi's brows furrowing.
And as Aomi's brows furrowed, Jiraiya's face gradually reddened, as if boiling, his voice growing softer: "After much consideration, I feel the Child of Prophecy is you, Aomi…"
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