Chapter 2: Willpower

"So, Uncle, do you regret it?" Uchiha Kiyoshi asked tentatively.

Hatake Sakumo's eyes were deep, and his face was marked with the signs of age, bearing the weight of a middle-aged man's experiences.

"Yes, I left too much psychological burden on Kakashi. It wasn't something a father should have done," Hatake Sakumo replied with a sigh.

Uchiha Kiyoshi said, "Actually, I've always felt that what happened five years ago wasn't your fault."

Hatake Sakumo shook his head with a wry smile.

"It's been a long time, and I don't need to dwell on it anymore. Besides, I doubt I could explain it all clearly."

Hatake Sakumo then shifted his focus and began to examine the restaurant's decor and surroundings.

"I have a vague sense that I've been to this place before. It looks familiar... Is there anyone else in this restaurant?"

Uchiha Kiyoshi gestured with his hand and said, "So far, it's just the two of us, but more people will join us in the future. I mean... people pulled from the Pure Land."

Hatake Sakumo's mind immediately turned to the two figures he had seen on the Hokage Rock. If they reappeared in the world, it would have a profound impact on the entire ninja world.

At this point, he found the restaurant intriguing and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Who's your next candidate?"

"Uchiha Madara."

"Ah."

Hatake Sakumo's reaction was swift. Uchiha Madara, the former leader of the Uchiha Clan and a figure associated with great power and ambition. He had once teamed up with Senju Hashirama to establish the first Hidden Village. His Sharingan could control the Kyūbi, and he was rumored to be a symbol of evil and ambition. According to popular belief, he had killed the First Hokage.

Hatake Sakumo stood up abruptly.

"Why would you want to revive him? Isn't that just causing trouble for Konoha?"

Uchiha Kiyoshi calmly raised his hand, signaling Hatake Sakumo to sit back down.

"Please, have a seat first. Listen to me; there's a rationale behind resurrecting him. We all grew up with the belief in the 'Will of Fire.' How could I act against Konoha?"

Hatake Sakumo raised an eyebrow, finding Uchiha Kiyoshi's last statement somewhat dubious. He couldn't help but ask, "Are you suggesting that you're doing this for the good of Konoha?"

Uchiha Kiyoshi  sighed inwardly, realizing that his claim about acting in Konoha's best interest might not be entirely convincing, even though he didn't personally believe in the "Will of Fire."

Hatake Sakumo sat down again, awaiting Uchiha Kiyoshi's explanation.

Uchiha Kiyoshi's expression turned serious as he explained, "Because of the ongoing war, the cost of transporting various raw materials has significantly increased. Woodcutters are afraid to venture into the wilderness to gather firewood, and the Land of Lightning no longer supplies natural gas to the Land of Fire. So, I believe that Uchiha Madara's Fire Style jutsu could be immensely helpful. By letting him unleash his Fire Style, we can significantly reduce the costs associated with buying fuel and make a profit."

Hatake Sakumo was momentarily stunned by the explanation. Then, he looked at Uchiha Kiyoshi  with an expression of disbelief.

"You can't be serious," he said incredulously.

Uchiha Kiyoshi's demeanor remained serious, and he responded with conviction, "I am entirely serious."

Hatake Sakumo still shook his head, skeptical of the idea.

"While you are the manager of the Pure Land Channel, I feel compelled to advise you that the potential threat posed by Uchiha Madara is greater than we can imagine. He has the potential to harm the entire ninja world. Moreover, if it's just about using Fire Style for cooking, I can handle it as well."

Uchiha Kiyoshi  shook his head slightly, offering a rebuttal, "No, you're not as proficient as him, and your fire is not as potent. Cooking in a restaurant requires a much larger flame than cooking at home, and your chakra is insufficient compared to his. Furthermore, it's not just about the size of the flame; it's about the duration."

Judging from Kakashi's performance, Uchiha Kiyoshi believed that the Hatake Family might have a genetic predisposition towards lower chakra reserves. Thus, he couldn't rely on Hatake Sakumo's chakra strength.

Hatake Sakumo was left momentarily speechless, taken aback by the unexpected comparison. The notion of comparing his abilities to Uchiha Madara's did not sit well with him.

However, he realized that it was Uchiha Madara, "the most ruthless ninja," who was being compared to him, which made it somewhat more palatable.

Uchiha Kiyoshi had contemplated the possibility of asking Senju Hashirama to use Wood Style to supply firewood and furniture. But when he considered that Uchiha Madara, known as "the most ruthless ninja," would use his formidable Fire Style jutsu to ignite kitchen stoves, he was quickly swayed in his decision.

Such was the allure of Uchiha Madara.

In any case, since they were all coming, there was no rush to dictate the order.

Hatake Sakumo quickly came to accept this fact, feeling that as long as the managers were confident in their abilities, there was no need to worry excessively.

"One more question, will Uchiha Madara listen to you?" Hatake Sakumo asked curiously.

Uchiha Kiyoshi  replied with a calm and assured tone, "He may not like it, but as the channel manager, I have control over the physical condition and even life and death of those summoned."

Uchiha Kiyoshi possessed this authority granted to him by Xiangshengtang. Without it, calling forth Uchiha Madara would be tantamount to committing suicide. On one hand, any attacks or attempts to control the summoned individual against Uchiha Kiyoshi were ineffectual; on the other hand, Uchiha Kiyoshi  could deplete the summoned person's chakra at will.

Hatake Sakumo rubbed his temples with his fingertips, feeling overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the revelations. He needed a moment to collect his thoughts.

Taking a deep breath, he continued, "Is there anything I can do for you now?"

Uchiha Kiyoshi  responded with an affirmative "hmm."

"Even though we have few people, let's gradually open the restaurant. Uncle, can you cook? A chef is essential, of course."

Hatake Sakumo stood up and replied with a smile, "Cooking is something I excel at. In the past, it was just Kakashi and me at home, and I prepared all our meals."

Uchiha Kiyoshi  nodded in approval.

"Excellent. With your culinary skills, things will be much easier. Now, let's discuss another matter."

Uchiha Kiyoshi  leaned forward, placing his hands on the table and focusing intently on Hatake Sakumo.

"Uncle, is there anything you wish to do?"

Hatake Sakumo raised his head, pondered for a moment, and softly murmured while lost in thought, "There are many things I want to do. Right now, I just want to see Kakashi. In the future, I hope to see Kakashi in a wedding attire...no, his bride, in a wedding dress, walking down the aisle hand in hand with Kakashi, pledging their love to each other."

Uchiha Kiyoshi didn't want to mention the fact that, according to the original storyline, his son was still a bachelor at the age of fifty.

"Let's just say it's a bit closer; for now, I just want to reunite with Kakashi," Uchiha Kiyoshi replied.

Hatake Sakumo nodded, then smiled, "But given the current situation, I can't leave."

Uchiha Kiyoshi concurred, "That's correct, but I can go out on your behalf."

[The source of wish power has been successfully activated: Hatake Sakumo.]

[As per the wishmaster's request, the consciousness suspension function has been granted.]

[Consciousness Suspension Function: May the Lord's consciousness be placed within your body, allowing you to experience the outside world through your five senses.]

The voice of the Guseido system echoed in Uchiha Kiyoshi's mind.

The term "willing force" referred to the power of one's will. This power could be derived from individuals summoned from the Pure Land. By helping them fulfill their wishes, the power of will could be harvested.

By expending the power of will, the designated soul could be revived from the Pure Land.