Bloodline Blade!

I grew increasingly bewildered, yet my gaze remained uncontrollably fixed upon the blade.

It was an impeccable blade.

The blade was slender and slightly curved, emitting a faint blue glow in the darkness, as beautiful as a work of art.

As if summoned, I reached out my right hand, preparing to grasp the hilt wrapped in red cord.

Just then, little Itachi in my arms stirred. He opened his dark, liquid eyes and curiously reached out his hand, about to touch the blade first.

"Meow!"

Suddenly, that black cat let out a strange cry from Cat Granny's arms, lunged instantly, and bit fiercely toward Itachi!

What is going on!

The sudden turn of events left me only enough time to block with my own arm in front of Itachi! Immediately after, a cold, wet, searing pain shot through my arm! I threw the black cat off my arm in pain and accidentally brushed against the blade.

The next instant, all the information flooded into my brain.

The moment I touched the blade, the genjutsu cast upon it instantly enveloped me, explaining everything about this place.

It turned out that this was the secret chamber where the Uchiha clan stored their weapons throughout the generations, located in a different space from the ninja world, much like the Toad clan's Mount Myōboku or the Serpent clan's Ryūchi Cave.

And this old woman was the lamplighter who had guarded the secret chamber for years, known as Cat Granny.

After coming to this world, things not mentioned in the original work were gradually revealing themselves; a vast, mysterious, and unknown ninja world was unfolding before me bit by bit.

This was a realm completely foreign to me. The plot points I possessed from the original work seemed somewhat laughable in the face of such incomparable power.

The genjutsu enveloping me continued to operate, carrying the undying will of the ancestors, whispering to me the secret chronicles of this ancient clan.

And here, only those with the chosen bloodline could be reverse-summoned inside and, according to the rules of the Uchiha clan, take away one treasure.

The more I saw, the more excited I became—

Because here, there was also an unprecedented treasure waiting for me!

[Demon Blade Murasame]!

"The demon blade and evil sword that never breaks, capable of controlling fire, riding the wind, calling down lightning, and coexisting as one with its master..." I read its information, my excited heartbeat accelerating, muttering the words aloud.

"Is this for me..." I asked, my hope mixed with disbelief and a touch of trepidation.

I had heard the great name of Murasame in my previous life; it was a blade from mythology.

Legend has it that the famous Japanese sword "Muramasa," after killing a thousand people, would automatically become the demon blade "Murasame," and after slaying someone, water would flow from the blade to wash away the blood. This scene was like rain washing leaves, hence it was called "Murasame."

That is so edgy, isn't it!

"Don't get so excited, keep reading." It was Cat Granny's voice.

I slowly gripped it tighter.

"Murasame will grow and progress alongside its master, until it stands with its master at the peak of the secular world."

"Prosper together, perish together."

"If the blade breaks, the master dies; if the master perishes, the blade vanishes."

Wuwuwu, I wiped away a tear, moved.

Although I didn't understand what "growing together" meant, this blade was just as temperamental as I was; it really had spirit!

I held it loosely, the patterns on the blade shimmering coldly in the setting sun; the more I looked at it, the more I liked it.

Although it was my first time using it, this blade fit me perfectly, without any hesitation or obstruction, as if it were born with me.

"Hmm, looks pretty good." Cat Granny nodded with satisfaction, unfurled the scroll with a swish, and said to me, "Uchiha Akatsuki, come here."

I moved two steps closer to her and suddenly noticed a vacant weapon slot on the huge, dark wall in front of me; it was shaped like a gourd, which was very strange.

I pointed at it and asked curiously, "What is this?"

The old woman glanced at it and replied in a low voice, "That is a Gunbai; it was taken by someone nearly a hundred years ago."

The name of this weapon was very familiar, so I couldn't help but ask again, "Taken by whom?"

She looked at me, then her eyes went vacant, as if recalling that era.

Then, her lips moved, and under the reflection of the setting sun, she slowly spat out the name of an ancient god.

"Uchiha—Madara."

Holy crap! I was stunned!

At this moment, Murasame was resting quietly in my hand, the blade light sharp, the red cord hanging low, its heavy weight causing my heart to sink a little as well.

Cat Granny stroked the scroll and pointed to a blank space on it: "Write your name on the scroll, and you will become the owner of Murasame."

"Wait, wait... I need to clarify this!" At this moment, all the excitement dissipated along with the genjutsu, and my rationality was returning.

"Clarify what?"

"You told me that the Gunbai next to Murasame was taken by Uchiha Madara?"

"Yes," Cat Granny replied without the slightest hesitation. "It hasn't even been a hundred years."

My god...

I was finally starting to panic, the kind of panic that hits you when you win a billion-dollar lottery—it was simply too hot to handle!

"So... is the Murasame stronger, or is the Gunbai stronger?" I asked, trembling.

"I have already told you, it grows alongside its master. Its strength depends on you, understand?"

"If you remain a good-for-nothing, then it will remain a piece of scrap metal forever."

"Then, what about it right now?" I pulled a bitter face. "It isn't just some pathetic little blade, is it?"

Cat Granny said impatiently, "Do you want it or not? If you don't, I'll give it to your brother!"

I broke down, pointing at the baby sucking his fingers in my arms and shouting, "He can take it too??!!"

"Since he was able to enter this place, it means his bloodline has been recognized. Of course he can take it," Cat Granny said dismissively.

I lowered my head and began counting Uchiha Itachi's legendary artifacts, including the Yata Mirror, the Totsuka Blade, and the Yasakani Magatama—the more I counted, the more I fell apart! Uchiha Itachi, so you got all these legendary items from here!

If I add the Murasame blade to that, wouldn't he be invincible?

No, I absolutely cannot give it to him!

Don't let the fact that this little guy looks harmless now fool you; who knows when he might suddenly stab me in the back!

"You can't give it to him, give it to me!" I decided instantly, filled with righteous indignation.

"Fine, then sign here," she said, bored, picking at her fingernails.

Damn it, when other people get legendary artifacts, their combat power skyrockets, and the next second they're appearing out of nowhere, invincible under the heavens!

And me?

I'm just like someone signing for a package!

How pathetic!

Forget it, forget it. Maybe I'm a growth-type protagonist!

The setting sun was like blood, and weapons stood like a forest.

I held a brush and, stroke by stroke, left my name on the far right of the long scroll: [Uchiha Akatsuki].

Looking to the left of the scroll, there was an entire column of names. Among them, I immediately spotted the arrogant and domineering [Uchiha Madara], and further ahead, the steady and imposing [Uchiha Tajima]. The scroll continued to extend forward, and I no longer recognized those ancient names.

This scroll was tattered and worn, but the names left upon it imbued it with an inviolable, sacred aura. I felt as if I could see that Warring States period—a time of rising dust, scorching flames, endless conquest, and heroes vying for supremacy. It was awe-inspiring.

In the moment I left my name, I felt as if I stood alongside them, fighting together with the ancestors of the Uchiha clan.

I'm fired up now!

"Pick out some more hidden weapons to take back for your clansmen," Cat Granny said, rolling up the scroll solemnly and carefully tucking it into her chest.

"You will never have the chance to enter this place again."

Looking around at the treasures in this room, I only hesitated for a moment before scooping up little Itachi and scouring the armory.

"We've struck it rich, my dear brother! Hurry, grab some, it's free!"

Soon, I had a huge pile of hidden weapons, and I even stuffed Itachi's hands full of items until he was on the verge of tears.

When I returned to the clan head's mansion from the secret chamber, I still felt as if everything were a dream. But looking at the pile of gleaming, sharp hidden weapons scattered on the floor, and touching the cold, heavy, and silent—yet seemingly battle-ready—[Murasame] behind my waist, I couldn't possibly dismiss it all as a dream.

"Only the chosen bloodline can enter the secret chamber..." I recalled the words I heard during the illusion, my heart pounding wildly.

Besides me taking the Murasame, there was actually that god-like man who had taken the Gunbai.

Will I become someone like Uchiha Madara?

I hugged Itachi tighter, feeling a bit short of breath, but the little guy in my arms suddenly squirmed, babbling as he reached out his little fleshy hand to touch my face. Even though it was just a light touch, it miraculously made me feel at ease.

I held the soft baby, pressed against his little face, and rubbed gently, my heart finally settling down.

"Itachi... my brother..."

To share the fate of having the same blade—how wondrous that is.

Ever since Itachi came into my life, I haven't felt so lonely in this house anymore. It's as if something has bound us together, making me feel completely at peace whenever I touch him.

Perhaps, this is what it means to be brothers.

I laughed and played with Itachi for a while. When I looked up, I realized it was already dusk outside.

"We've been delayed for so long, you must be hungry." I carried Itachi into the kitchen and turned on the stove to prepare some milk for him.

Itachi made little noises as if trying to say something, carefully reaching out with his small, fleshy hand to touch my arm.

There were a few scratch marks and a bite mark left by the black cat earlier, and since I hadn't treated them, a few drops of blood were seeping out.

Because I had been so overly excited, I only just now started to feel the pain.

After treating it simply, I pinched his little cheeks and smiled:

"It's okay, big brother doesn't hurt."

"Yo, how heartwarming."

At that moment, a clear, bright voice drifted in from the window. I looked up to see a figure leaning casually against the sill in the sunset, his messy black hair fluttering slightly in the breeze, his gentle eyes fixed on me just as they always were.

"Shisui!" I was overjoyed, darting over in a flash to grab his arm, my face beaming with a smile.

"It's been half a month—is the mission finally over?"

"That's right, I finally managed to get a day off." He hopped into the room, first ruffling my hair before noticing little Itachi. He mischievously pinched the boy's round cheeks and leaned in to whisper, "Sometimes, I really envy you."

"What could you possibly envy him for?" I asked, feeling baffled as I opened the fridge to rummage for instant food. "You haven't eaten yet, right? Watch this young master show you what he can do."

Shisui shook his head with a bitter smile, rejecting my "dark cuisine," but his eyes suddenly caught sight of the Murasame I had tossed onto the table.

"This blade..." Just as he picked it up, I panicked and snatched it back, stammering an explanation: "I—I suddenly felt like practicing with a blade, so I just bought a random one. You should teach me when you have some free time."

"That's no problem at all." Shisui didn't suspect a thing, though he offered a well-meaning reminder: "Akatsuki, you aren't actually suited for long blades." He loosely circled my wrist with his fingers, applying a slight pressure to feel the bone structure.

"Your frame is truly a bit small, which makes your body appear frail, and your strength is slightly lower than your peers."

I raised an eyebrow, feeling a bit unconvinced.

Shisui was indeed right, which was exactly why I put even more effort into my taijutsu training, even if the results remained minimal.

"I have a short blade here I can give you. Using thrusting techniques combined with your Lightning Release chakra will be much more effective."

I looked at him, then at the Murasame in my hand, a sense of stubbornness rising in my heart.

But this blade was bestowed upon me by my ancestors!

"Just tell me if you're going to teach me or not!" I mischievously shoved Itachi into his arms and threatened, "Watch little Itachi for a while. If he cries, it's on you."

"I'll teach you, I'll teach you..."

Shisui just shook his head with a smile, wearing a look of utter helplessness.

While I was busy in the kitchen, he carried Itachi around, expanding his territory.

"Hm? Where did these things come from?" His attention landed on the pile of ninja tools on the floor. He picked up a string of shuriken, turning them over in his hand as a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

"The quality is even better than what the clan issues."

"To avoid unnecessary trouble, please follow the rules and don't reveal the existence of the secret room." Recalling Cat Granny's parting instructions, I could only bury my head and lie: "A... a girl from school gave them to me."

"Which girl would give you weapons?" Shisui stood up with a wicked grin, hooked a kunai onto his finger, spun it stylishly, and caught it in his grip.

"It would make more sense if a boy gave them to you."

"Right, right, right..." I was too lazy to bicker with him, so I walked out carrying a milk pot, inserted a thermometer, and watched as it slowly cooled down.

"It was a boy who gave them to me, said he's liked me for a long time and wants to be with me." I chuckled inwardly while keeping a perfectly straight face.

In the original story, Itachi was always teased by Shisui because he was young and naive, no match for an old fox like Shisui.

But I was different; my skin was just as thick as his. If Uchiha Shisui could mock me, I could certainly tease him back.

We both knew each other's mischievous nature all too well, yet we still couldn't help but engage in a fierce battle of wits.

Shisui fell silent again, just holding little Itachi and watching me with a smile. The golden sunset spilled in through the window, the aroma of fresh milk wafted through the room, and the baby's babbling and laughter rose and fell—for a moment, the years felt profound, and time stood still in perfect tranquility.