A/N: I am grateful to afhamimi for becoming patron on Patreon. Your contribution are greatly appreciated, and they enable me to continue creating and providing valuable content. Thank you for your support and belief in my work.
p.s. - Btw My new Fanfic is out , remember to check it out later - Rise of Uzumaki (ROU)
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Standing tall on the classroom podium, Nagato commenced his speech, delving into the subject of the recently encountered "Child of Prophecy."
"A few days ago, a fellow ninja approached me and declared, 'You are the Child of Prophecy, destined to bring change to the ninja world.' Initially, I didn't react with astonishment or arrogance. Instead..." Nagato paused, reflecting on the words of Jiraiya and his own contemplations at the time.
"I questioned whether this individual sought to deceive or manipulate me," Nagato admitted, his skepticism shining through.
"However," he continued, "Akihiko-sensei has always instilled in me the value of independent thinking and seeking my own answers when faced with challenges. He taught me to analyze complex situations autonomously, cautioning against the blind acceptance of rumors and excessive trust in the words of strangers. 'Ground yourself in reality, face it head-on, and make decisions based on what truly exists,' he would say. 'Remain rooted and unaffected by empty promises and illusions. Embrace the present and seize its opportunities.'"
Nagato acknowledged Jiraiya's esteemed stature in the ninja world, adding, "Considering the person who spoke to me holds considerable influence, I find it highly improbable that they would engage in fraudulent endeavors."
"Hence, the question arises: Am I genuinely the Child of Prophecy?" Nagato posed, pointing towards himself.
Recalling his conversation with Akihiko, Nagato shared, "It was when I confided in Akihiko-sensei that he expressed something profound: 'In this world, there is no such thing as a predetermined Child of Prophecy. If such a notion exists, it resides within us, within ourselves.'"
"At that very moment, a realization struck me," Nagato remarked, gesturing as if an epiphany had illuminated his mind.
Nagato shifted his gaze towards the window, casting his description upon the Land of Grass, which had risen anew from its ruins. "Majestic and elegant structures, expansive roads, and bountiful harvests now adorn our land," he illustrated. "Joy has returned to people's faces, and life has flourished."
"However," Nagato emphasized with a shake of his head, "this achievement was not solely attributed to me, the purported Child of Prophecy. It was the unified effort of every individual in the Land of Grass!"
Stretching his arms wide, Nagato emphasized the power of togetherness. "Hand in hand, we rebuilt our homeland from ashes. We cultivated once barren fields, constructed homes, and laid down extensive roads. Together, we have elevated our lives," he proclaimed. "This wasn't the work of one solitary soul but the collective endeavor of each and every person."
"Thus, in that enlightening moment, I finally grasped the true significance behind the words of Akihiko-sensei," Nagato declared, directing his gesture towards his attentive classmates. "Indeed, we are all bearers of our own destinies! Through our individual efforts, we carve out meaningful lives, safeguard our loved ones, and shape the trajectory of our shared future!"
As Nagato concluded his speech, a wave of applause filled the classroom, accompanied by admiring smiles directed his way. It became evident why Nagato held the esteemed title of the academy's top student, his exceptional essay leaving a lasting impression on all.
Eiji Uzumaki, the esteemed teacher of the class, wore a beaming smile of pride as he observed his exceptional student. Taking a moment to compose himself, he made a grand announcement, "The distinguished essay on the topic of 'Child of Prophecy,' assigned by our superiors, belongs to none other than Nagato! Let us all applaud his remarkable achievement! His piece titled 'Everyone is a Child of Prophecy' is truly extraordinary!"
After sipping from his teacup at the podium and gently placing it back down, Eiji's eyes, slightly reddened and shimmering, scanned the students before him. Among them were members of the Uzumaki clan, the Chinoike clan, and mostly ordinary individuals hailing from the Land of Grass.
A wave of emotion swept over him, and he let out a soft sigh. "After the devastation of the Land of Whirlpools, the Uzumaki clan members who managed to escape faced persecution throughout the ninja world. Some of you might already know that I, your teacher, was among those who fled. Many of my classmates escaped alongside me."
His gaze turned distant, clouded by memories. "During those dark times, we held onto hope, yearning for a savior, a Child of Prophecy, to emerge and guide the Uzumaki clan out of the abyss," Eiji confessed, his voice carrying a mix of longing and sorrow.
"Yet, one year passed, then two, and three... There was no sign of any Child of Prophecy, not even among our former allies who once shared a deep bond with the Uzumaki clan. They seemed oblivious to the catastrophe we were enduring. Countless enigmatic individuals hunted down our clan, and many lives were lost during our escape, until..." Eiji trailed off, his voice heavy with the weight of those arduous days.
With a deep breath, he forged ahead, overwhelmed by emotion. "Finally, our leader emerged. He guided the Uzumaki clan out of the abyss, facing the relentless pursuit of the entire ninja world. He embraced us, offering a haven of warmth and solace, stabilizing our lives once more. Without his intervention..."
His gaze shifted to the Uzumaki clan members standing at the back. "Perhaps we would still be in exile, or worse, we may have perished. I would not stand here, teaching each and every one of you," Eiji reflected, his words brimming with heartfelt gratitude.
As he concluded his speech, a student raised his hand and stood up, curiosity evident in his voice. "If that's the case, isn't our leader the Child of Prophecy and the savior of the Uzumaki clan?"
Eiji Uzumaki welcomed the student's inquiry, acknowledging the curiosity in his voice. "Indeed, our leader was the savior of the Uzumaki clan, the embodiment of the Child of Prophecy for our people," Eiji affirmed, a warm smile gracing his face as he surveyed his attentive students. "Many of you in this class were also rescued by our leader or were children who had lost hope during the war. During that time, our leader stood as your savior too. However..."
He paused momentarily, allowing his words to resonate. "As our leader himself expressed, where in this world can we find a definitive Child of Prophecy? We are all Children of Prophecy, and if we aspire to shape our own destinies, we must rely on ourselves! If we wish to build our nation and forge a stronger, brighter Land of Grass, we must unite our efforts!"
With a pointed finger directed at a student in the front row, he exclaimed, "You are a Child of Prophecy!" Then, he shifted his gaze to another student. "And you, too, are a Child of Destiny!"
"You, and you, and all of you! Even I, the elders, and our leader! We are all Children of Destiny!" Eiji declared with unwavering determination. "Instead of seeking an elusive Child of Prophecy like that powerful ninja, let us place our trust in our own capabilities and seize the present moment! Let us dedicate ourselves to diligent study and become the pillars of the Land of Grass!"
As his final words resounded in the room, applause erupted, filling the space with fervor and admiration. The once-confused expressions on the children's faces had transformed into a newfound sense of confidence and purpose. They looked to their teacher, then to the Land of Grass, and gazed into the distance with clarity. Together, they all realized: "We are all Children of Prophecy!"
Even Elder Yoshinori, who happened to be walking past the classroom window during a brief respite from his relentless research, couldn't help but pause and observe the scene. A smile graced his face as his slightly teary eyes beheld the children, their eyes shimmering with hope.
"Children of Prophecy, huh?" he murmured to himself, deeply moved by the sight. "This is the future of the Land of Grass!"
Yoshinori had heard of Jiraiya, the Third Hokage's disciple and one of Konoha's legendary Sannin, who seemed fixated on the notion of the Child of Prophecy. Shaking his head, overwhelmed by emotion, he chose not to disrupt the classroom and silently continued on his way.
As he walked, his thoughts shifted to Akihiko, acknowledging the leader's unparalleled wisdom and insights into the entire shinobi world. Yoshinori understood that seizing the present was the key to shaping the future, just as Akihiko had often emphasized.
Yoshinori realized his previous misconception. Akihiko was not merely someone akin to the First Hokage; the leader possessed a breadth of perspective that surpassed even that of a "god of shinobi," he mused to himself, acknowledging the remarkable qualities of their esteemed leader.
"By the way, there was an unexpected breakthrough in yesterday's experiment. I must inform the leader about it at the appropriate time," Yoshinori reminded himself, determined to have a meaningful conversation with Akihiko in due course.
…
Time flew by swiftly, and as predicted, the conclusion of the Second Great Ninja War marked the beginning of a peaceful era for the shinobi world. Minor conflicts occurred sporadically at the borders, but large-scale wars were a thing of the past. Each country and village focused on rebuilding and healing the scars left by the war in a tranquil environment.
In the blink of an eye, three years had passed, and the tranquility remained unbroken.
After Nagato's impactful essay titled "Everyone is a Child of Prophecy" circulated throughout the Land of Grass, an unprecedented wave of motivation and enthusiasm swept across the region. Every individual recognized themselves as a Child of Destiny for their homeland and wholeheartedly contributed their strengths to the growth and prosperity of the Land of Grass.
As a result, within a little over two years, the Land of Grass experienced a tremendous leap in development, surpassing even the lofty expectations of Akihiko. The progress achieved was beyond imagination.
In this moment, Akihiko found himself in the research institute adjacent to the academy, carefully examining a cylindrical object that had been handed to him by Elder Yoshinori. His face lit up with excitement as he exclaimed, "Could this be... a chakra condenser?!"
Had they finally achieved the long-awaited success they had been working towards?
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