The air inside the Hokage Building's archives room carried the distinctive dusty scent of old files, and light streamed through the high windows, casting dappled shadows on the neatly arranged Scroll racks.
Chiyo's fingers brushed over the side seals of the Scroll marked "Class S Secret," finally stopping on a dark Scroll marked with the words " Orochimaru."
With a slight movement of his fingertips, he broke the complex Sealing Jutsu and unfolded it.
The information in the Scroll wasn't particularly detailed, but it clearly pointed in one direction.
The mountainous region bordering the Southwest Border of the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass.
Recent unusual disappearances and faint traces of chakra experimentation have been analyzed by the Anbu and linked to Orochimaru's activities.
" Southwest Border..."
Chiyo murmured to himself, his gaze deep and thoughtful.
Orochimaru, a former Konoha, was ultimately led astray by his obsession with Forbidden Technique and the mysteries of life, which led him to turn his back on the village.
Although the Third was heartbroken, he seemed to still harbor a lingering affection for his genius disciple. These intelligence reports were less like clues for the manhunt and more like tacitly approved surveillance records.
Cooperating with Orochimaru is tantamount to seeking help from a tiger.
He possesses the research capabilities that Chiyo desperately needs, his understanding of Forbidden Technique, and special methods that may be effective against White Zetsu, but his danger and uncontrollability are equally immense.
Just as Chiyo was weighing the pros and cons and considering whether it was worthwhile to personally go to that remote place to find Orochimaru, the long-lost mechanical voice in his mind suddenly rang out again.
[Task triggered.]
[Mission Objective: To persuade Orochimaru to willingly return to Konoha.]
[ Mission Reward: One random Mangekyo Dōjutsu or Secret Technique.]
Chiyo raised an eyebrow slightly, a ripple of emotion stirring within her.
Orochimaru returning to Konoha?
And he has to be "willing" to do it?
This task is far more difficult than the previous "hijacking" series.
Orochimaru is extremely ambitious and independent, and he has long been disillusioned with the Konoha High Command. It is almost impossible to win him back sincerely through conventional means.
"Willingly..."
Chiyo stroked his chin, his eyes gleaming.
Forcing it would be too costly and wouldn't meet the mission requirements.
Enticement?
Orochimaru seeks Eternity life and the truth of the world, Konoha certainly provides him with abundant research resources.
But it may not fully satisfy his bottomless thirst for knowledge and...
Experimental requirements with extremely low ethical standards.
Suddenly, a name flashed through his mind like lightning: his disciple, Shisui Uchiha.
Shisui's gentle yet resolute eyes appeared before me. More importantly, he possessed the Kotoamatsukami, known as the "strongest Genjutsu "!
The ability to subtly alter another person's will and change their thoughts without them noticing...
If we use Kotoamatsukami to make Orochimaru "willingly" believe that returning to Konoha and cooperating with us is the best way to achieve his ultimate goal...
The idea was incredibly tempting, but it also made Chiyo feel a sense of unease.
How is abusing this power any different in essence from Madara Uchiha's " Infinite Tsukuyomi," which he so scorned?
They all resort to any means to distort the will of others in order to achieve their goals.
But right now, there seems to be no more direct and effective method.
To deal with extraordinary people, extraordinary measures may be necessary.
Chiyo's Divine Pursuer sharpened and turned cold; he had already made up his mind.
He carefully restored Orochimaru's Scroll to its original state, resealed it, and put it back in its place as if no one had ever touched it.
Then, he moved swiftly and silently left the Hokage Building, heading towards the Uchiha Compound.
The Uchiha Compound, bathed in sunlight, was peaceful and serene, seemingly a world apart from the hustle and bustle of the village center.
On the Uchiha Training Ground, the crisp sound of shuriken hitting the bullseye could be heard continuously.
Chiyo slowed her pace and turned her gaze to the center of the Training Ground.
A lithe young man was patiently instructing an even younger child.
The young man had a handsome face and a gentle gaze that carried a maturity beyond his years; he was none other than Shisui Uchiha.
The child beside him, who looked only four years old, had a pair of big, round, clear black eyes and a fair, delicate face. He was intently imitating Shisui's movements, clumsily but earnestly throwing a small shuriken.
This child is Itachi Uchiha.
Chiyo's gaze lingered for a moment on Itachi's innocent and pure face.
This child, in the original story's trajectory, will bear an extremely heavy burden of "righteousness," personally stain his own flesh with the blood of his loved ones, and ultimately face destruction.
The executioner who wiped out his clan, Itachi, Itachi, the filial son, the spy of Konoha, the tragic embodiment of the Uchiha...
A series of labels flashed through his mind.
But at this moment, Chiyo looked at the pure light in the child's eyes and his complete trust and reliance on Shisui, and his heart stirred slightly.
He's still so young, everything is still uncertain, and anything is possible for his Mirai.
If he can be properly guided from a young age, with his talent, he might become the true pride of the Uchiha.
Just then, the system Prompt Tone sounded unexpectedly again.
[Task triggered.]
[Mission objective: Take Itachi Uchiha as Disciple.]
[ Mission Reward: One random Mangekyo Dōjutsu or Kekkei Genkai.]
Chiyo's pupils contracted.
Two missions in one day, and both with such generous rewards!
A faint smile crept onto Chiyo's lips.
Should I take a weasel as my apprentice?
He was not at all opposed to this task.
This is not only the lure of system rewards, but also a challenge and correction to one's original destiny trajectory.
He wanted to see what kind of person this Uchiha seedling would grow into under his tutelage.
The Shisui in the Training Ground had an unusually sharp sense of perception, and seemed to have noticed the gaze coming from afar.
He turned his head sharply, and when he saw Chiyo standing quietly not far away, his face immediately showed a look of surprise and respect.
He quickly took the little weasel's hand and hurried over.
"Teacher!"
Shisui bowed respectfully, his tone filled with heartfelt admiration.
The little weasel imitated Shisui, bending down in a very convincing manner, its big eyes curiously peering at the legendary figure of the clan before it.
"Is Shisui teaching Itachi training?"
Chiyo smiled slightly, his gaze gently falling on the two of them, finally settling on Itachi.
"Yes, teacher. Although Itachi is young, he is very talented and hardworking."
Shisui smiled and ruffled Itachi's hair, his tone filled with love and pride for his younger brother.
Chiyo crouched down, looking directly at the tiny Itachi Uchiha.
Do you like it here?
Itachi seemed a little shy, but he still bravely looked directly at Chiyo Uchiha.
"I like it, Lord Chiyo."
Do you like shuriken?
"Like!"
The little weasel's eyes visibly brightened at the mention of this.
"That's what Shisui taught me! I want to become as powerful as Shisui, and in the future... I also want to be as strong as Lord Chiyo to protect everyone!"
Their childish words revealed a serious attitude.
Upon hearing Chiyo's smile deepened.
He reached out and gently patted the little weasel's shoulder.
"Very ambitious."
He raised his head and looked at Shisui, his tone casual yet carrying an undeniable weight.
" Shisui, Itachi is a promising talent."
Now that the war is over, and I've had a bit less to do lately, you can come and learn from me from now on!
These words stunned not only Shisui.
Even the few Uchiha clan members who were vaguely watching this scene showed expressions of shock.
Clan Leader...
Should I train them myself?
Is this a sign that they're about to take on apprentices?
And they even accepted a child who was only four years old?
Shisui was the first to react, and he was instantly overwhelmed with immense joy.
Shisui took good care of Shisui from a young age.
Shisui treated Itachi like his own younger brother.
I never imagined that my teacher would want to take him as a disciple today!
In Shisui's view, this is an immeasurable boost to Itachi's Mirai!
"Teacher, this is an incredible blessing for Itachi!"
He quickly pressed down on the still somewhat dazed weasel.
"Itachi, quick! Quickly thank Master Chiyo for accepting you as his disciple!"
Little Weasel didn't fully understand what this meant.
But he could sense Shisui's excitement and joy, and he knew what he should do!
He obediently bowed again, his voice loud and clear.
"Thank you, Lord Chiyo!"
Chiyo smiled and helped him up.
"From now on, call me Uncle within the family, and Teacher outside. Don't call me Adults anymore!"
"Yes!"
[bite!]
[Task: Recruit Itachi Uchiha as your disciple. Completed.]
[Rewards being distributed: Random draw in progress...]
[Congratulations, host! You have obtained the Kekkei Genkai, Steel Release!]
A completely new Kekkei Genkai knowledge, containing extreme hardness and enhanced power, instantly surged into Chiyo's body, rapidly merging with his original power system.
Steel Release, originating from the combination of Earth Release and Water Release, Kekkei Genkai that can greatly enhance the user's physical strength and bone hardness.
It can even transform chakra into an incredibly hard steel substance for attack or defense.
This is a pleasant surprise; it's a very useful enhancement ability.
I just don't know if it can be applied to Susanoo!
Chiyo felt increasingly pleased as he experienced the increased chakra within his body.
Chakra has surpassed 100, reaching 102!
Is this amount of chakra comparable to that of an ordinary Tailed Beast?
He looked at the tiny Itachi Uchiha in front of him again, his eyes now filled with genuine expectation.
"Alright, that concludes today's training."
Shisui, go and inform Fugaku that I will personally visit him later to explain this matter. You take Itachi back first."
"Yes, Teacher Chiyo!"
Shisui responded respectfully, a smile on his face. He pulled Itachi along and bowed again before leaving the Training Ground, turning back to look at him every few steps.
Chiyo stood there, watching their departing figures, her thoughts swirling.
I've taken on quite a few disciples during this period.
After I finish dealing with my recent tasks.
They still need to be properly nurtured.
These people are all important talents for Konoha's Mirai!
Taking Itachi as a disciple is only the first step.
Next, we need to deal with Orochimaru's situation.
As for Kotoamatsukami...
It seems I need to find a suitable opportunity to have a proper talk with Shisui.
After all, this matter is of great significance.
The sunlight cast a long shadow over him.