Chapter 131: I am the Firestarter, and You are the Firewood

The Will of Fire is to burn everything to the ground.

Such shocking words were the first to leave Dan's mouth, leaving everyone present, including the Third Hokage, stunned.

Before anyone could recover, Dan turned to the clan heads and Jonin, and said with "sincere" emotion:

"For the sake of Konoha, you all should take the initiative to set an example, to become the first batch of firewood, to burn yourselves to illuminate the village.

Rest assured, your sacrifices will become nourishment, allowing the great tree of Konoha to grow even stronger.

And I, Uchiha Dan, am not some Hokage's assistant, but a humble firestarter. I only wish to serve Konoha quietly and diligently, dedicating my life to the Will of Fire."

This was Dan's inauguration speech.Though it was only a few sentences, they were heartwarming words that touched the soul.

Especially when Dan, with a passionate expression, declared that he would dedicate his life to Konoha, he almost moved himself to tears.

However, Dan waited for a while, but did not hear any applause.

The Konoha clan heads and Jonin in front of him all had their mouths wide open, their eyes wide, each of them looking terrified and feeling a chill.

Once upon a time, they thought Danzo was dark enough, using his status as the Hokage's assistant to demand people everywhere, kidnapping the genius of each clan to brainwash them in the Root.

But now compared to Dan, Danzo seemed like an amateur.

Dan had clearly stated.

He is the firestarter, the people of Konoha are the firewood, and his job is to throw the firewood into the fire, letting the burning flames illuminate Konoha, bringing "warmth" to the "villagers".

What kind of Will of Fire is this?!

"What's wrong with you all?"

Dan looked at everyone's expressions, puzzled.

In his view, hasn't the so-called Will of Fire always been like this? Why do these people look like they've just realized it.

"Dan!" A shout came from the crowd.

It was the hot-blooded youth Might Guy, who couldn't stand Dan's nonsense and bravely stood up.

He looked at Dan with determined eyes, representing everyone behind him, and bluntly questioned him:

"If you so righteously say that the Will of Fire is to regard everyone as burning firewood, then as the Hokage's assistant, why don't you lead by example and be the first to sacrifice for the village?"

As soon as he finished speaking.

"Well said!" Everyone echoed, wanting to see how Dan would argue.

Dan shook his head and laughed silently:

"It seems you all superficially believe that the Will of Fire is the village forcing you to sacrifice, making you seem very important. No, this is your opportunity, one that many people want but can't get!"

Before anyone could refute, Dan strode up to Guy, looked down at him and continued: "Take your father, Might Dai, for example. He was mediocre, a Genin in Konoha for twenty years, often ridiculed and mocked, even having to beg his teammates not to kick him out of the team.

Despite Might Dai always messing things up, the village always supported him, even assigning him simple tasks like catching cats and serving as a maid for noblewomen.

It wasn't until the Third Great Ninja War broke out that Dai finally found the opportunity to burn himself, using the Eight Gates to defeat the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

Although he died, he became a hero of Konoha, forever living in the hearts of the villagers.

If Dai hadn't become firewood, he would probably still be the Genin who was laughed at, never able to hold his head high, and would have died unknown.

Similarly, without Dai's voluntary sacrifice.

Might Guy, do you think you could have become a Jonin and have the qualifications to stand here and talk to me?"

These words left Might Guy speechless.

His mind was slow, and he had no way to logically refute Dan for a while. He could only blush and ask Dan: "But back then, weren't you always advising my father not to go to the battlefield, not to become firewood?"

In Guy's view Dan was clearly a fickle person. What he had said before, he had completely reneged on so quickly.

How could such a person be trusted by everyone and serve as the Hokage's assistant?

In response to Guy's question.

Dan sighed: "I'm ashamed to say that at that time, I was not an honorable Konoha ninja, but just an ignorant, short-sighted ordinary person."

Then, he looked at the Third Hokage next to him, his eyes full of gratitude: "But the Third Hokage, with his words and deeds, made me understand what the true Will of Fire is, and made me realize how shallow I was in the past. The Third Hokage promoted me from a commoner to the Hokage's assistant, and I, Uchiha Dan, will not let him down!"

Upon hearing this, the Third Hokage's face twitched unnaturally, and he forced a smile.

Dan's words were not over yet.

His gaze passed over Might Guy and looked at the people of Konoha, raising his voice: "If one day, I, the firestarter, also get the opportunity to burn myself. Then I will not hesitate, I will closely follow the footsteps of the Third Hokage, and dedicate myself to the great Will of Fire."

These words, ready to face death, but everyone heard it, there was a premise.

That is, the Third Hokage must sacrifice first, and then Dan will follow in sacrifice.

After all when it comes to leading by example, the priority of the Hokage is definitely ahead of the Hokage's assistant.

This is the only way to set an example, isn't it?

Alright, that's enough.

The Third Hokage couldn't stand it anymore at this point, coughed twice, stood up and took over Dan's words.

"Dan's understanding of the Will of Fire has some merits, but also some radical aspects..."

As soon as he opened his mouth, he started to make up for Dan.

It has to be said, the Third Hokage has been in office for forty years, and he hasn't done so in vain. At least in terms of speaking ability, he is already a master.

No one in Konoha can surpass him.

He spoke for a full ten minutes.

The people of Konoha quickly forgot Dan's "heresy" just now, and once again bathed their souls in the orthodox Will of Fire.

When the speech was over.

The Third Hokage happened to see a leaf the size of a palm falling from a tree on the side of the road. The wind blew it and it floated over his head.

Whoosh.

The Third Hokage reached out and caught the leaf.

Then.

He glanced at Dan, looked at the Uchiha people below the stage, and finally raised the leaf, saying loudly to everyone: "Wood and leaves are one. Without wood, there would be no flourishing leaves. Without leaves, the wood cannot survive for long. The village is the wood, the Uchiha and all the ninja clans are the leaves, they can't leave each other, they depend on each other forever. This is the meaning of Konoha!"

These sincere words moved many people present, deeply touched.

Especially for someone like Might Guy, who was so moved that he clenched his fists, his eyes already filled with tears, wishing he could sacrifice for Konoha right away.

It seems that everyone has once again believed in the Will of Fire.

The Third Hokage saw this and breathed a sigh of relief.

To prevent Dan from causing more trouble, he quickly announced:

The inauguration ceremony is over, everyone can go home and do what they need to do.

"Dan, I'm sorry, this ceremony was a bit simple. But it's a critical time, and time and conditions are limited, I hope you understand."

The Third Hokage stopped Dan.

Dan heard the meaning behind the Third Hokage's words, his eyes flashed, and he asked: "When do I start work?"

That's what he was waiting for.

"Why don't we four have a high-level meeting right now to discuss important matters? What do you think?" The Third Hokage immediately asked.

"Of course."

Dan nodded, readily agreeing.

He signaled to Fugaku, letting his brother-in-law take the Uchiha people back first, and not to worry about him.

Then, Dan, as the newly appointed Hokage's assistant, entered the Hokage Building with the Third Hokage and the two senior advisors.

Ten minutes later.

In the Hokage's office, three leather sofas surrounded a coffee table, and the Konoha council members each took their seats.

Here, countless high-level meetings have been held.

Only the position that Danzo had occupied for decades was suddenly taken over by Dan, making the other three people feel a bit uncomfortable for a while.

"Let's skip the pleasantries and get straight to the point."

The Third Hokage's gaze swept over the other three, getting straight to the point.

As soon as he finished speaking, he subconsciously picked up the pipe next to him, intending to take a puff, but then remembered that Dan was here.

After a slight hesitation, he quietly put the pipe away.

The Third Hokage's small action was noticed by Koharu and Homura, and he couldn't hide it from them.

The two looked at each other, then glanced at Uchiha Dan, who was sitting comfortably on a large sofa, and realized one thing: in the near future Dan will not only replace Danzo's position, but he may even go further than Danzo, posing a huge threat to the Third Hokage's power.

And this is actually what Koharu and Homura are happy to see.

Because the two manage Konoha's huge administrative machinery, often dealing with the Daimyo's office, and have even been personally approved by the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, holding a transcendent position in the village.

From the beginning to the end.

They are neither on the side of the Third Hokage nor on the side of Danzo, but truly do everything from the interests of Konoha.

For them whether it's the Hokage or the Hokage's assistant, if they can't check and balance each other, but one side completely overwhelms the other and monopolizes the power that will inevitably lead to the expansion of the ruler's ambition and the breeding of personal desires.

The things that the Third Hokage has done over the years, although the two advisors don't say it, they have seen it in their eyes.

Whether it's the rapid development of the Sarutobi clan, or the matter of the Fourth Hokage, you can see some of the personal interests of Sarutobi Hiruzen.

This kind of personal interest is not good for the village, so there must be someone like Danzo to check and balance the power and personal desires of the Third Hokage.

And Uchiha Dan can be said to be an upgraded version of Danzo.

Compared to Danzo, Dan is not only younger and stronger, but he is also ruthless and unscrupulous in his actions, he is practically the embodiment of darkness.

As for Dan's Uchiha identity, actually... it's not an insurmountable problem.

As long as Dan does a good job, carries more darkness for Konoha, he can get the approval of the two advisors, and even the favor of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.