After leaving the training ground, Chiya returned home and spent some time talking with Mikoto from the heart.
Then he left again and headed toward another rather impressive residence within the Uchiha Clan compound.
This was the home of Konoha's advisor and Chiya's cousin.
Uchiha Fugaku.
When Fugaku saw Chiya arrive, he immediately welcomed him inside.
His expression was respectful, with a trace of family warmth hidden beneath it.
"Lord Chiya."
Fugaku bowed slightly.
Although they were cousins, the difference in their status within the clan and their strength made Fugaku maintain the proper etiquette.
"Brother Fugaku, there are no outsiders here. There's no need to be so formal."
Chiya casually sat down across from him, waved his hand, and spoke in a relaxed tone.
Only then did Fugaku relax a little and personally pour him a cup of hot tea.
"What brings you here today?"
Chiya picked up the teacup. The rising steam briefly blurred his expression.
He gently blew on it, took a sip, then looked at Fugaku and got straight to the point.
"It's about Itachi."
"Itachi?"
Fugaku froze for a moment. Confusion and an almost unnoticeable hint of nervousness flashed through his eyes.
"Did that boy... offend you at the training ground?"
In his mind, if a four year old child had drawn Chiya's personal attention, it was probably not something good.
Chiya laughed.
"Quite the opposite. That child has a pure heart and outstanding talent. I like him very much."
Fugaku let out a sigh of relief, but became even more puzzled.
Putting down his teacup, Chiya calmly looked at him.
"I plan to take Itachi as my disciple and personally guide his training."
"Itachi has already agreed. I came today just to inform you."
"W... What?!"
Fugaku's eyes widened in disbelief, almost thinking he had misheard.
The teapot in his hand trembled slightly, and several drops of hot tea splashed onto the table.
Take Itachi as a disciple?
Uchiha Chiya, Konoha's strongest ninja.
The pillar of both the Uchiha Clan and Konoha, wanted to accept his four year old son as a disciple?
"Lord Chiya... Are you serious?"
Fugaku's voice trembled with excitement, and he unconsciously used an honorific.
He knew exactly what this meant. It was not only Itachi's opportunity.
It was also the greatest honor for his family line, and would even have a profound impact on the entire Fugaku branch of the Uchiha Clan.
The current Uchiha Chiya was already comparable to the God of Shinobi.
"Of course I'm serious."
Chiya answered calmly, as if it were something insignificant.
"I value his talent and his character. If he is properly nurtured, he may one day become one of the Uchiha Clan's pillars."
"We're willing! A thousand times willing!"
Fugaku became so excited that he almost stood up.
He forced himself to suppress the surging emotions inside him, but the excitement in his face and eyes was impossible to hide.
"To receive your guidance is a blessing Itachi could only earn after several lifetimes!"
"Rinbi and I... We... We truly can't thank you enough!"
He was so emotional that he could barely speak coherently and could only bow deeply once again.
Chiya lightly raised a hand.
"There's no need."
"Since you agree, then it's settled."
"Let's pick a day for both of our families to have a meal together."
"Yes! Yes! Everything will be according to your arrangements!"
Fugaku nodded repeatedly, unable to stop smiling.
With the important matter settled, the atmosphere inside the room became much more relaxed.
The two drank tea and reminisced about old times.
From playing by the Naka River as children, to the strict teachings of the clan elders, and later joining the Police Force.
Fugaku sighed with emotion.
"Thinking back now, it feels like another lifetime."
"Back then, we were constantly worried about the Uchiha Clan's future, and even..."
"But now, under your leadership, Chiya, the Uchiha Clan has not only escaped its difficult situation, but has also gained glory unlike ever before."
"All those voices in the village have disappeared."
"Now, wherever people mention the Uchiha Clan, who doesn't do so with respect?"
"This is all thanks to you."
His words were filled with sincere gratitude and admiration.
As one of the Uchiha Clan's elites, he understood better than ordinary clansmen just how drastically the clan's status had changed.
The relationships with villagers and other clans that once required careful handling had become much smoother.
When Uchiha children walked through the streets now, they no longer received fearful or distant looks, only admiration and respect.
Listening to Fugaku's emotions, Chiya remained calm, showing no sign of pride.
He slowly rotated the teacup in his hand, his gaze seeming to pass through the walls and toward somewhere far away.
"Honor and status come from strength, but they are never permanent."
Chiya's voice was low and composed.
"Brother Fugaku, the power of the Sharingan can easily intoxicate its owner. Sometimes it can also make us lose our way."
"What we seek should not simply be superficial respect."
"How we truly become part of Konoha while possessing this power, how we protect Konoha."
"How we make this great tree grow even stronger because of the Uchiha Clan's existence, instead of becoming something others see as unique or even threatening."
"That is the challenge that truly matters."
He paused before looking directly at Fugaku.
"The rise and fall of a clan depends on people's hearts, but it also depends on the greater situation."
"We stand high now, but we must see farther and walk more steadily."
Hearing those words, the excitement on Fugaku's face gradually faded, replaced by deep contemplation.
Carefully thinking over Chiya's words, his heart trembled.
It was true. The recent glory and smooth success had made him somewhat carried away, almost forgetting how difficult things once were.
Chiya's words were like a bucket of cold water that instantly brought him back to his senses.
"You're right. I've become too complacent."
Fugaku nodded solemnly.
"The Uchiha Clan's future is still far from being completely secure."
Chiya nodded slightly and said no more.
Some things only needed to be said once.
After chatting a little longer, Chiya stood to leave.
Fugaku personally escorted him to the entrance.
Just as Chiya was about to step over the threshold, he suddenly paused.
As if remembering something, he slightly turned his head and casually glanced at Fugaku's eyes.
His gaze was calm, yet it seemed to possess a power that could see through everything, causing Fugaku's heart to skip a beat.
"Oh, right."
Chiya's voice was very light, almost carried away by the wind.
"Your eyes... seem much deeper than the last time I saw them."
"It seems you've also reached that stage."
Those light words exploded like thunder in Fugaku's ears.
His body instantly stiffened, his pupils shrinking violently as he instinctively wanted to deny it.
"Chiya, I..."
However, Chiya gave him no chance to explain.
He merely gave Fugaku a meaningful look, a look that seemed to say, "I already know everything."
Then a faint smile that revealed nothing appeared on his lips before he turned and left.
Leaving Fugaku standing frozen at the doorway, cold sweat instantly soaking his back.
How...
How did he know?
The Mangekyō Sharingan...
This was his greatest secret. He had not even told his closest wife.
Yet Chiya...
Had seen through it with only a single glance?
Fugaku remained standing at the doorway for a long time, unable to recover as stormy waves churned within his heart.
That final glance from Chiya seemed to have completely seen through him.
It filled him with unprecedented awe and...
A trace of indescribable fear.
After leaving Fugaku's home, the faint smile on Chiya's face quietly disappeared.
Fugaku awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan had been within his expectations.
As one of the Uchiha Clan's elites, after experiencing the brutality of the Third Great Ninja War and possessing such a strong desire to protect both the clan and the village.
Especially after Chiya's rise.
The Uchiha Clan's situation had greatly improved, making that desire to protect even stronger.
After experiencing intense emotional stimulation, awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan was not difficult.
However, the power of those eyes, along with the mindset of their owner, had to remain under his control.
He did not return to his own residence.
Instead, he headed directly toward Uchiha Shisui's home.
Shisui had apparently just returned.
He was sitting in the courtyard, wiping his short sword.
Upon seeing Chiya arrive, he immediately put down what he was holding and respectfully bowed.
"Teacher."
"Mhm."
Chiya nodded, signaling that there was no need for excessive courtesy.
The two sat down at the stone table in the courtyard.
"Teacher, have you come because you have something for me to do?"
Shisui asked first, his eyes clear and sincere.
Looking at the young man before him, who had been called the strongest genjutsu user of the Uchiha Clan in the original story.
His eyes still retained a rare purity.
"Shisui, aside from increasing your visual prowess, what is your Mangekyō Sharingan's unique ability? What exactly does it do?"
Shisui froze slightly, clearly not expecting Chiya to ask so directly about his greatest secret.
But his trust in Chiya was absolute.
After only a brief hesitation, he answered honestly.
"Teacher, my Mangekyō Sharingan's unique technique is called Kotoamatsukami."
Shisui organized his thoughts before explaining in detail.
"It is a genjutsu that can manipulate another person's thoughts and alter their will without them realizing it."
"It has two activation methods."
"One gradually changes the target's perception and thoughts without their awareness. The process is extremely subtle and almost impossible to notice."
"The other forcibly changes the target's will within a short period of time, making them carry out a specific command set by the caster. However, this method consumes an enormous amount of power and has an extremely long cooldown."
After speaking, Shisui quietly looked at Chiya, waiting for his instructions.
He believed Chiya would never ask this question without reason.
After listening, Chiya remained silent for a moment, lightly tapping the stone table with his fingertips.
It was exactly the same as in the original story from his previous life.
The power of Kotoamatsukami was indeed so powerful that it was almost unfair.
He raised his eyes and looked sharply at Shisui.
"Shisui, I need to borrow this power of yours for something."
"Yes."
Shisui straightened his back, his expression turning serious.
"I want you to accompany me to the southwestern border to search for Orochimaru."
Chiya slowly said.
"Once we find him, secretly use Kotoamatsukami on him."
"Make him truly believe from the bottom of his heart."
"That returning to Konoha, serving me, and working for me is the best path to achieving his pursuit of eternal life and the truth of the world."
"That it is also his deepest desire."
Even someone as calm as Shisui could not help but freeze upon hearing this order.
Use Kotoamatsukami on Orochimaru?
Make him willingly return to Konoha and swear loyalty?
The news was so shocking that Shisui could not react immediately.
Everyone knew about Orochimaru's betrayal and how dangerous he was.
But Shisui was still Shisui.
He quickly calmed himself, his mind racing.
He instantly understood Chiya's intention.
To subdue one of the Legendary Sannin without shedding blood.
Not only would it remove a massive hidden threat, it would also grant Konoha and Lord Chiya an immeasurably powerful ally.
It truly was a brilliant move.
It was just...
Using Kotoamatsukami in this way...
A faint trace of struggle flashed through Shisui's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination.
He believed in Lord Chiya's judgment.
He believed everything Chiya did was for a better future for both the Uchiha Clan and Konoha.
Compared to what they stood to gain, perhaps the method itself was not so important.
Especially when the target was the dangerous missing nin, Orochimaru.
"I understand, Teacher Chiya."
Shisui took a deep breath, his eyes becoming completely resolute.
"I will complete this mission."
"I will definitely make Orochimaru willingly return!"
Seeing how quickly Shisui understood and accepted the order without hesitation, a trace of satisfaction appeared in Chiya's eyes.
He patted Shisui's shoulder.
"This matter is extremely important. Be careful."
"Orochimaru is incredibly cunning and has very sharp perception."
"Do not reveal your Sharingan or your intentions in front of him."
"When the opportunity comes, finish it with one strike."
"Yes! I will proceed carefully and will not fail your trust!"
Shisui solemnly promised.
"Prepare yourself. We leave immediately."
Chiya stood up and instructed.
"Understood!"
Watching Shisui leave to gather his things.
Chiya stood quietly in the courtyard, his gaze deep and distant.
Orochimaru.
It has been several years.
How have you been?
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