Chapter 10

"Indeed, I don't quite understand the pain you are feeling now. Why must a loving family be divided into the main house and the branch houses, and why must the main house enslave the branch houses? And even more unfortunately, you are one of those being enslaved."

"..."

Ayane bit her lip, staring defiantly at Shiraishi, showing no fear.

"Then think deeper. What do you think of this village?"

"The village?"

"Simply put, do you think the village's current practices are right? Is the Will of Fire correct?"

"Are you an idiot? The Will of Fire is of course correct. It is the will that the First Hokage, a great and remarkable ninja, passed down."

Ayane answered straightforwardly.

To those who grew up in Konoha, the First Hokage was a very great and remarkable ninja.

He ended the chaos of the Warring States period and established the system of one country, one village.

Konoha's current glory is inseparable from the outstanding contributions of the First Hokage.

Ayane's words made Shiraishi clap his hands, seemingly applauding her answer.

"Is that so? That great ninja was indeed a remarkable man. However, why does the Will of Fire, which clearly mentions protecting young children, now send children under ten to the battlefield? Isn't this very contradictory?"

"Of course..."

At this point, Ayane couldn't answer.

She was stunned.

Although she wanted to refute, what Shiraishi said didn't seem to be baseless.

Because this was truly happening in Konoha.

"Still haven't seen the truth? Let's look at it from another angle. The Will of Fire strives for equality and mutual love within, so why does your Hyuga family's tradition continue? After being branded as a 'slave,' can you really love anyone? Can you see the main house that enslaves you as family? You must be truly remarkable. You shouldn't have been reduced to such a lowly state, right?"

After hearing Shiraishi's heretical analysis of the 'Will of Fire,' Ayane's eyes became complex. Leaning against the tree, she couldn't say a word, her heart struggling.

Upon careful thought, what Shiraishi said wasn't twisted or evil, but the truth that everyone could see.

Indeed, the main house of the Hyuga clan had branded her with the Caged Bird Seal, marking her as a 'slave.' What was there left for her to deeply love about the Hyuga clan?

Always preaching mutual love and unity, the Will of Fire, yet allowing the cruel traditions of the Hyuga clan to continue—why doesn't the Hokage restrict or abolish them?

Are branch house members naturally destined to be slaves to the main house?

Are the lives and dignity of branch house members so insignificant?

What right do they have to do this?

Is treating clan members as 'slaves' what a family should do?

At this moment, Ayane saw only the cold and ruthless side of her family.

She suddenly realized how hypocritical and laughable the 'Will of Fire' she had learned was.

Gradually, even everything in this village made her feel incredibly dirty and nauseous.

"You... what do you plan to do? I don't believe that you, who hides your true strength at school, have no hidden agenda?"

Ayane hesitated for a moment and asked softly.

"There is a purpose, but calling it hidden is a bit excessive. In your current eyes, can I be any more hypocritical than the Hyuga clan and Konoha?"

Shiraishi laughed and said.

Ayane's words were something he couldn't agree with.

He wasn't doing anything shameful.

He was just explaining the truth to Ayane, helping her out of despair and to regain her strength.

This truth, Ayane couldn't refute, nor did she need to.

Because everything Shiraishi said was based on the truth, no matter how it was covered up or smeared, it was a fact.

Shiraishi took a step back, releasing Ayane's body. His steady smile contained a force that left no room for doubt, making Ayane immediately lose her composure:

"I just find this village and this world rather boring. Whether it's the war going on outside or the Will of Fire practiced in the village, to me, they are all incredibly boring."

Shiraishi didn't think his attitude was arrogant; he was just expressing his true thoughts.

Although the Will of Fire was established by that great ninja, Shiraishi believed that anyone with sufficient social awareness would disdain this hollow and empty will.

This will has nothing commendable about it.

Not only is its content hollow, but even those who inherit this will cannot fully implement it.

This is the greatest tragedy.

Ultimately, the difference in social and world cognition and understanding between Shiraishi and the residents of the ninja world led to this ideological deviation.

"So, Ayane, entrust all your hatred and grievances to me. I will share this pain with you, because we are now the ones who truly understand the truth of the Will of Fire."

Shiraishi spoke in a gentle voice, steadily extending his hand.

Ayane couldn't help but extend her hand as well. In this brief moment, she felt that her future would be dominated by this boy in front of her.

But she felt no regret.

She hated her own family.

And she began to dislike this village full of hypocrisy and emptiness.

She wanted to live more genuinely, to live with blood and flesh.

She didn't want to be anyone's slave; she wanted to live happily and freely.

Shiraishi placed his other hand on Ayane's face, gently wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"That's good. I'll help you wipe away your tears. Remember, always show hatred towards the main house, because the more you hate them, the more they will trust you."

"…Yes, I understand, Shiraishi-kun. Honestly, I didn't expect you to be such a terrifying person…"

Ayane pressed her black hair, a sigh-like smile on her face, a faint blush on her cheeks.

"Terrifying?"

Hearing Ayane's evaluation, Shiraishi shook his head and laughed:

"What are you talking about? I'm not even a ninja yet, just an unknown person in the ninja world. Remember that, Ayane."

Shiraishi looked up at the moon that had already risen in the night sky. The moonlight was gentle and serene, casting a warm glow that added a touch of warmth to the dark forest.

"The moon tonight is truly beautiful. It seems tomorrow will be a sunny day…"

"Yes…"