Will of Fire

The is a recurring element throughout the Naruto series. It is an ideal, and the life philosophy Hashirama Senju lived by and held, which has since been passed on to many ninja from Konohagakure. The 'Will of Fire' states that every true Leaf shinobi must love, believe, cherish and fight for the village's sake, as many previous generations had done before them.

According to Hiruzen Sarutobi, the 'Will of Fire' is what gives the Shinobi of the Leaf the strength to fight even against all odds "within every Leaf Shinobi burns the 'Will of Fire'," referring to willpower and strength of character. Hiruzen Sarutobi also disclosed that the true strength behind the 'Will of Fire', and the true strength of a Shinobi is something that can only be realized once you have protected something or someone who is precious to you, and that this was one of his first lessons in his youth.

The 'Will of Fire' represents all of the hopes and dreams that an older generation holds for the next one. While the 'Will of Fire' can represent the collective wishes and dreams of Village Hidden in the Leaves as a whole, the 'Will of Fire' may also represent the wishes and dreams of an individual. Like a torch, the 'Will of Fire' is something that can, and is, passed down from generation to generation; father to son, mother to daughter, brother to brother, sister to sister, and sensei to student.

One example is when Asuma Sarutobi was killed, his hopes and dreams were passed on to Shikamaru Nara, who would in turn pass it on to Asuma's and Kurenai Yuhi's unborn child. Another example is Naruto Uzumaki passing on techniques and ideals to Konohamaru Sarutobi. Minato Namikaze, passing on his faith that his son, Naruto, will restore Konohagakure after it's destruction.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shikamaru Nara and Naruto Uzumaki are all shinobi who have explicitly fought motivated by their 'Will of Fire'.