Konoha, Year 57
Ninja Academy Classroom
In an empty classroom, Sakura sat alone, diligently completing her exam on the "Will of Fire."
Iruka and Mizuki, the two academy teachers, observed from the front of the classroom.
Iruka watched the young girl working away on her test and couldn't help but feel a bit sentimental. He remembered when she first started at the academy—a quiet girl, always sticking close to her friend Ino, and timid. Now, here she was, already taking her graduation exam after only two years.
While she wasn't on the level of Konoha's famed prodigy, Kakashi Hatake, she was still remarkable. It was rare to graduate at five, become a Chunin at six, and then reach Jonin by twelve, as Kakashi had done.
Yet, Iruka had witnessed how hard Sakura had worked, quietly and consistently, earning her own achievements.
"Iruka-sensei, I'm finished."
Eight-year-old Haruno Sakura held out her completed test to Iruka.
"Alright, Sakura. I'll grade this in time for the afternoon session," Iruka replied with a gentle smile. "You can take a break for now. Remember, the graduation exam won't be as physically demanding as the promotion exams; we're mainly assessing the three basic techniques."
He added this casually—he knew Sakura was already proficient in the Three Basic Techniques and had little doubt about her passing.
"Yes, I understand, Iruka-sensei."
After watching Sakura leave, Iruka didn't check the test paper himself. Instead, he headed straight to the Hokage's office; after all, it was Hokage-sama himself who would be reviewing her answers.
The Will of Fire
"Wherever leaves dance, fire burns. The flames will continue to illuminate the village and nurture new leaves."
This was how Sarutobi Hiruzen understood the Will of Fire.
But, as he examined Haruno Sakura's graduation test, he found her interpretation to be... surprising.
Haruno Sakura's "Will of Fire"
"Fire is the origin of civilization.
Will is the unyielding spirit of humankind.
In the past, the First Hokage, Lord Hashirama Senju, gathered all ninja clans together to establish Konoha within the Land of Fire. His aim was to create a village that would protect children from the battlefield—a vision that gave birth to the original Will of Fire.
The Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, gave his life to protect Konoha, ensuring its peace and prosperity amidst constant conflict. After the First Hokage passed, wars broke out, and Tobirama ultimately sacrificed himself for Konoha. This was his Will of Fire.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, took up the mantle during turbulent times, ending the Second Great Ninja War, stopping the Third, and risking his life during the Nine-Tails attack, even as his body grew old and weary.
Now, after nearly ten years of peace, old wounds are beginning to heal, and yet the signs of another war are apparent. Konoha, as a resource-rich land, will likely be the primary target.
We must stay vigilant in times of peace, prepared for the possibility of danger.
While the Lands of Wind, Earth, and Lightning mostly consist of deserts, rocky cliffs, and mountains, the Land of Fire is a nation abundant in resources. Through controlling the prices of essential goods like grain and iron, Konoha can strategically weaken these other nations.
First, by inflating the price of grain and deflating the cost of iron and medicine, we can quietly gather wealth. The increased revenue will strengthen Konoha while creating internal tensions in other nations.
Within five years, as food prices rise and supplies dwindle, tensions will escalate among the Lands of Wind, Earth, and Lightning. We can leverage this situation to form an alliance, possibly with the Land of Earth, and then neutralize the others one by one.
During this time, Konoha will strengthen its hold over smaller neighboring lands, sending forces to protect those who agree and subdue those who resist. Through friendship or force, Konoha will rise above.
When the Land of Earth eventually begins to resist our influence, we will negotiate with the Tsuchikage to achieve mutual benefits. By doing so, we can take on the Land of Lightning from a position of strength. When our forces are ready, Konoha will dominate, leaving any remaining nations unable to resist our influence.
The Will of Fire, then, is to ensure Konoha's ultimate strength so that every citizen is protected and lasting peace is established."
Sarutobi Hiruzen felt his hand tremble slightly as he read through the paper. This wasn't the typical "Will of Fire" he was used to—this was a carefully crafted plan by an aspiring strategist.
Haruno Sakura's interpretation of the Will of Fire wasn't just rhetoric; it was a meticulous blueprint for using Konoha's resources to establish dominance over neighboring lands without immediate bloodshed.
The Hokage could scarcely believe that such an ambitious plan came from this quiet, pink-haired girl.