Heavens, Lord Uchiha

That guy, he was my favorite.

Inside an inn in Tanzaku Town, Land of Hot Water, the blonde beauty gazed at the flame-patterned jade pendant hanging against her chest, silver light flickering in her eyes once more.

"It seems I dreamed of you again."

She sat up, clutching the jade pendant, as if she had returned to that dawn twenty-some years ago.

Returned to the Land of Rain, where a raging, turbulent sea of fire had incinerated more than half the country.

Nawaki, and you too, both of you on that very day...

"Lady Tsunade? Lady Tsunade, are you awake?"

Outside the door, a young woman knocked.

"...Is that you, Shizune? What is it?"

Hearing her apprentice's voice, Tsunade snapped out of her memories.

She tucked the jade pendant away against her chest with care and rose to open the door.

Behind the door, the black-haired girl held out a letter.

"A stranger delivered this this morning, saying it was specifically for you."

"A letter for me? Don't tell me those debt collectors are back again?"

Tsunade took it suspiciously, but before she could even open the envelope, she caught a familiar, snakelike stench.

"Orochimaru..."

Realizing who it was, Tsunade's expression darkened instantly.

"Orochimaru... Lady Tsunade, is that the one who defected from the village because of human experimentation..."

Shizune's face paled in shock.

"Mm, that's the one."

Tsunade nodded, tore open the envelope, and glanced at it, her expression growing even gloomier.

"Tsunade, it has been a long time. I hope you are well..."

Shizune leaned in, reading the words on the letter aloud in a soft voice.

"...Recently, during an interesting experiment, I discovered a fascinating phenomenon... Tell me, do you believe in the reincarnation of chakra?"

"That stinking snake, desecrating the dead again. He really is a man who never changes his ways..."

Staring at the text, Tsunade felt like a volcano about to erupt, her eyes turning bloodshot.

Shizune knew the contents had infuriated her master and dared not say another word, merely scanning the rest of the letter quickly.

...Aside from that, I have something to discuss with you, Tsunade. I know you are very angry right now, but the following matter will certainly interest you.

"A few days ago, downstream of the Naka River, I found an interesting person on the verge of death. Coincidentally, just like that person, he carries the same blood."

Tsunade bit her lip, reading the final words on the letter one by one.

"From this little fellow, I obtained even more interesting news. Tsunade, will you come to see me? I guarantee, I will not disappoint you."

"Haa..."

Sitting in a dango shop, Sakuya closed his eyes, happily enjoying the sweetness in his mouth.

The Uchiha Clan were masters of flame; their secret fire techniques were numerous and complex. Almost every Uchiha who received the clan's training from a young age possessed exquisite mastery over Fire Style.

Sakuya was no exception.

The Uchiha genius identity provided by this simulation not only possessed superb taijutsu, skilled ninja tool projection, and exaggeratedly fast reaction times, but his mastery of Fire Style was also top-tier.

No, to be more precise, Fire Style was the area this body excelled in most.

This body had mastered every secret Fire Style technique of the Uchiha Clan, and each one had been cultivated to an incredibly high realm.

In his hands, flames were like breath; releasing them or letting them burn was entirely up to his will.

The only pity was that because this body's chakra affinity was pure fire, he was completely ignorant of other elemental techniques, making the Sharingan's ability to copy techniques useless for him.

But even so, relying on his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, Fire Style techniques, excellent taijutsu, and shuriken manipulation, he had already reached the pinnacle of Konoha's elite jonin. He was far stronger than the Sannin of this era, perhaps even on par with the White Fang of Konoha.

You're right, this is the Uchiha: the Three-Tomoe Sharingan enhances observation, dynamic vision guarantees a high floor for taijutsu, making it as beautiful as a dance, and it can copy techniques, play with flashy ninja tool throws, and possess astonishing Fire Style mastery that makes other ninjas scream the moment they see it...

"Sakuya-kun, how is the taste of this dango?"

Seeing him eating with such gusto, Orochimaru asked with a smile.

His sleeves and hair tips were stained with a bit of ash, faintly revealing a scorched scent—just moments ago, he had been peeking at Sakuya familiarizing himself with his body, and after being discovered, he had simply engaged in a brief skirmish with him.

As for the result...

Orochimaru had lost quite miserably.

Sakuya's astonishing Fire Style mastery was a conclusion drawn from that very clash with Orochimaru.

"Mmm, the taste is quite good."

Sakuya nodded, "Many thanks for the treat, Senior Orochimaru."

"Heh, it is merely a small sum."

Orochimaru gazed into Sakuya's pitch-black pupils, a flicker of forbidden desire stirring within his heart.

Yet, those dark thoughts lasted only an instant before Orochimaru buried them deep within.

At the very least, for now, Orochimaru remained a renowned Jonin of Konoha and the most prized disciple of the Third Hokage—a figure of unimpeachable standing.

"Truly impressive, Sakuya-kun."

Sitting across from Sakuya, Orochimaru could not help but exclaim, "As expected of the Sharingan, the pride of the village's noble clans."

"You are overthinking it, Senior Orochimaru. The reason I am this strong is simply because I put in much more effort and sweat than the average person."

Sakuya said with a light chuckle.

I didn't see any effort, and all that sweat was just on me.

Orochimaru's eye twitched, nearly breaking his composure, but he managed to maintain the demeanor of the Cold Lord.

"That said, is Sakuya-kun always this grueling in your daily routine? With so many Ninja Tool Launchers, even with the Sharingan, a single moment of carelessness could cost you your life."

As a comrade, Orochimaru offered a polite reminder, "Even when training, it is better to take things slowly."

"In ordinary times, perhaps, but the external environment is growing increasingly dire. If I don't train with my life on the line now, it will be difficult to... survive in the coming war."

Sakuya did not act like the typical Uchiha, showing off his eyes to Orochimaru, nor did he spout empty platitudes about Konoha or the Will of Fire. Instead, he touched upon a topic that stirred something deep within Orochimaru.

"...Survive?"

"Correct."

Sakuya nodded, "When people are killed, they die. I do not wish to die; that is all."

"How... truly interesting."

Orochimaru's gaze gradually grew intense.

He, too, possessed a profound interest in living and in immortality, but under the tutelage of Hiruzen Sarutobi, he had always suppressed those thoughts with the Will of Fire. Now, hearing Sakuya speak, that desire suddenly surged forth, clawing at his heart like a cat, becoming instantly unbearable.

"Sakuya-kun."

He pressed further, "What is your purpose in wanting to live forever?"

"Naturally, it is to witness even more beautiful scenery."