"Hey—Danzo! Did you see that?!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen grabbed the boy beside him and shook him hard.
"The master is smiling at that kid!"
Danzo's face went green.
"Stop shaking me, Hiruzen! I'm going to throw up!"
Hiruzen released him, still staring in disbelief.
Something felt very wrong.
Their teacher was famous for being strict, blunt, and borderline merciless.
Yet right now…
He was looking at that white-haired kid like he'd just found buried treasure.
Uchiha Kagami, standing nearby, murmured softly.
"So it's him…"
Hiruzen's ears twitched.
He hooked an arm around Kagami's shoulder.
"Kagami. You know something. Talk. Now."
Kagami sighed.
"That boy is Amakaze Kaede."
"He became the First Hokage's apprentice yesterday."
Hiruzen froze.
Then slowly sat down on the ground.
"…I shouldn't have asked."
Danzo crossed his arms.
"Most of the village already knows."
Hiruzen looked around.
Everyone nodded.
Betrayal.
Utter betrayal.
Kagami added, "You guys seriously don't recognize the Amakaze Clan?"
Danzo spoke calmly.
"Ancient clan. Extremely small."
"They specialize in mist and cloud-based chakra techniques."
"And anyone who knows their reputation avoids provoking them."
Hiruzen blinked.
"So… Kaede already mastered clan techniques?"
Utane Koharu adjusted her glasses.
"Hiruzen, a six-year-old doesn't become the Hokage's apprentice for nothing."
Hiruzen jumped up.
"I knew that! I was just testing everyone!"
Silence.
He coughed.
"…Okay, I didn't know. Explain."
Danzo sighed.
"Simple. His talent is abnormal."
Koharu laughed.
"You really are hopeless."
Hiruzen puffed up.
"If I wasn't here, this team would be gloomy all day!"
Annoyingly…
No one disagreed.
"Monkey! Get over here!"
Tobirama's voice rang out.
Everyone instantly straightened and sprinted over.
"Good morning, Master!"
Tobirama nodded.
Hashirama smiled warmly.
"Good morning, kids."
His eyes scanned the group.
"Kagami, where's your sister?"
Kagami stiffened.
"…We were racing. I forgot."
Hashirama pinched the bridge of his nose.
Teenagers.
Footsteps rushed up the slope.
A girl appeared, hands on her knees, breathing hard.
Uchiha Shiori.
She shot Kagami a murderous glare.
Kagami looked away.
With Tobirama and the Hokage present, she swallowed her anger.
Hashirama clapped his hands.
"Alright. Let's introduce everyone."
"Kaede, you first."
Kaede stepped forward.
"Amakaze Kaede. From the Amakaze Clan."
"Nice to meet you."
Shiori followed.
"Uchiha Shiori. Kagami's younger sister."
Then came the rest.
Sarutobi Hiruzen.Shimura Danzo.Utane Koharu.Mitokado Homura.Akimichi Torifu.Uchiha Kagami.
Kaede quietly studied them.
Not legends.
Not future political figures.
Just kids.
Confident.
Bright.
Burning with potential.
Like the morning sun.
Hashirama turned toward the village below.
Everyone followed his gaze.
Smoke rising from kitchens.
Merchants opening stalls.
Children walking toward school.
Peaceful.
Alive.
"This village," Hashirama said softly.
"One day…"
"It will belong to you."
No one spoke.
Something warm settled into their chests.
Not pressure.
Not duty.
Belonging.
A seed took root.
One day, it would grow into a towering tree.
"Wherever leaves dance," Hashirama said,
"The Will of Fire burns on."