Forbidden Ground Secret Records Seek Fire Seed, Clan Extermination Doubts Surface

Before the stone gate of the Uchiha forbidden grounds, the Mangekyo Sharingan in Sasuke's fingertips glowed with a scarlet light, resonating with the clan crest engraved upon the stone. With a soft "click," the cracked stone gate slowly swung inward, and an ancient aura, sealed away for a millennium, rushed out to meet them. Naruto followed closely behind Sasuke, the Tailed Beast necklace at his neck growing slightly warm as the Nine-Tails chakra within him began to subtly echo the energy emanating from the forbidden grounds.

"Be careful." Sasuke raised a hand to stop Naruto, his gaze sweeping across the passage within. Fluorescent stones emitting a ghostly blue light were embedded in the stone walls on both sides, illuminating the history of the Uchiha clan carved into the rock. From the alliance between the first Uchiha and the Senju clan to the oaths sworn by successive clan heads to protect Konoha, each mural was clearly defined. However, when the two reached the end of the passage, the content of the murals suddenly became distorted—the final mural, which should have recorded the Uchiha clan's annihilation, was covered by a layer of black chakra markings, leaving only a pair of blurred Mangekyo Sharingan patterns.

"This is..." Naruto reached out to touch the mural, only for Sasuke to grab his wrist. "Don't touch it." Sasuke's Mangekyo Sharingan spun rapidly. "This mark carries the energy fluctuations of Kotoamatsukami; it's very similar to the aura on Ying Zhishui." No sooner had he spoken than the black mark on the mural surged, transforming into a dark golden chain that lashed out toward them.

Sasuke immediately activated Susanoo, its blue arm blocking his front and shattering the chain. Yet, the fragmented chain transformed into countless fine threads of chakra that merged into the surrounding stone walls. In an instant, the fluorescent stones on both sides of the passage extinguished, and countless Demon Eater phantoms crawled out from the darkness, their bodies covered in dark golden patterns—they were the puppets controlled by Ying Zhishui.

"It seems Ying Zhishui anticipated we would come here." Naruto immediately entered Tailed Beast Mode, golden chakra wrapping around his body as he punched a charging Demon Eater phantom into pieces. Sasuke manifested the sword of Susanoo, black flames clinging to the blade; with every swing, he incinerated swaths of the Demon Eater phantoms.

The two fought side by side, pushing deeper into the forbidden grounds. Passing through the passage, they arrived at a circular secret chamber. On a stone pedestal in the center of the room floated a yellowed scroll, the cover inscribed with the four characters "Secret Record of Protection" in ancient Uchiha script. Just as Sasuke reached out to take the scroll, dark golden runes suddenly lit up in the four corners of the chamber, and a barrier instantly formed, trapping them inside.

"Uchiha brats, you took the bait after all." A cold voice drifted from outside the barrier as three ninjas in black robes slowly appeared, their cuffs embroidered with the exclusive mark of Ying Zhishui. The lead ninja raised his hands to form seals. "Lord Ying guessed long ago that you would come looking for the Guardian Fire, and specifically ordered us to wait here."

Naruto roared and launched an attack at the barrier, but the Tailed Beast Bomb was absorbed the moment it touched the surface. "It's useless," the lead ninja sneered. "This is a 'Consciousness Cage' created by combining the power of Kotoamatsukami with Uchiha barrier techniques. The stronger your attack, the sturdier the barrier becomes."

Sasuke's gaze fell upon the Secret Record of Protection on the stone pedestal, his Mangekyo Sharingan glowing red. He realized that the ancient script on the scroll was constantly changing, seemingly conveying a message. "Naruto, stop attacking the barrier," Sasuke said in a low voice. "Look at the scroll." Naruto followed Sasuke's gaze and saw the text on the scroll gradually clarify, eventually transforming into an image—in it, Shisui held the Secret Record of Protection, his expression grave as he spoke to the viewer: "If future generations of our clan face a crisis, they must combine the ocular power of the Mangekyo Sharingan with Tailed Beast chakra to break the seal of the Guardian Fire. Remember, the Guardian Fire is not only the hope of the Uchiha, but also the key to sealing the rift to the other dimension."

The moment the image dissipated, the chakra within Sasuke and Naruto surged simultaneously. Sasuke's Mangekyo Sharingan released red chakra, and Naruto's golden Tailed Beast chakra surged in response. The two forces intertwined, forming a beam of gold and red light that shot toward the barrier.

"How is this possible!" The lead ninja's expression changed drastically; he tried to reinforce the barrier, but it was too late. The moment the beam struck, the dark golden runes on the barrier began to shatter, and the Consciousness Cage collapsed with a loud crash. Sasuke seized the opportunity to rush forward, kicking the lead ninja away while grabbing the Secret Record of Protection from the pedestal.

The moment the Secret Record of Protection was in his hands, the scroll unfolded automatically, revealing its contents. It turned out that the Guardian Fire of the Uchiha was not a physical flame, but a spark of chakra left behind by the first Uchiha clan head, hidden beneath the Fire Temple in the mountains behind Konoha. The spark contained the power to suppress the black mist of the other dimension and served as the key to opening the Uchiha secret treasury. Even more shocking was that the record contained a hidden clue regarding the Uchiha annihilation—on the night of the massacre, besides Itachi, a third-party force had participated, and the chakra fluctuations of that force were remarkably similar to the black mist of the other dimension.

"A third-party force?" Sasuke clenched his fists, a intense killing intent flashing in his eyes. He had always believed the truth of that night was exactly as Itachi had said, never expecting there to be hidden circumstances behind it. Naruto patted Sasuke on the shoulder. "Don't be impulsive. Let's find the Guardian Fire first, then investigate the truth of the massacre."

Just as the two prepared to leave the forbidden grounds, the floor of the secret chamber began to shake violently. The three black-robed ninjas formed seals in unison. "Lord Ying has ordered that even if we must destroy these grounds, we are to leave you here!" They injected their own chakra into the ground, and countless dark golden chains erupted from the earth, coiling toward them. At the same time, stones from the ceiling of the chamber began to fall, and the entire forbidden area began to collapse.

Sasuke immediately activated his full-body Susanoo, shielding Naruto behind him while swinging his sword to sever the incoming chains. "Let's go!" Sasuke charged toward the entrance of the passage, with Naruto following closely behind. But just as they were about to dash out, the lead black-robed ninja suddenly detonated his own chakra. "Want to leave? It won't be that easy!"

The violent explosion instantly engulfed the passage. Sasuke used Susanoo to protect Naruto, but they were blown away by the shockwave. The two landed heavily on the open ground outside the forbidden area, the Secret Record of Protection falling to the side. Sasuke struggled to his feet, only to find the three black-robed ninjas gone, with only the lingering scent of dark golden chakra in the air as proof they had been there.

"Sasuke, are you okay?" Naruto asked, supporting Sasuke with concern. Sasuke shook his head and picked up the Secret Record of Protection. "We must head to the Fire Temple immediately and find the Guardian Fire. The remnants of Ying Zhishui have already set their sights on us; if we are a step late, they might get there first."

The two immediately rushed toward the Fire Temple. Meanwhile, on the rooftop of the Konoha Hospital, Su Ye was staring at the Rinnegan in his hand. After the recent battle, the energy of Nagato's Rinnegan had been heavily depleted, its scarlet glow dimming. Suddenly, the Rinnegan released a faint red light, and a blurred image flashed into Su Ye's mind—in the image, deep underground beneath the Fire Temple, a golden flame was burning, surrounded by dark golden chakra of the same origin as Ying Zhishui's.

"The Guardian Fire." Su Ye's heart tightened, and he immediately flew toward the Fire Temple. He knew that the remnants of Ying Zhishui must have already sent people to the Fire Temple ahead of time; a new battle for control was about to begin.

Outside the Fire Temple, a monk in red robes stood before the mountain gate; it was Dilu, the abbot of the Fire Temple. Dilu sensed the abnormal chakra fluctuations in the air and gripped the Vajra in his hand. Suddenly, three dark golden figures darted from the shadows, rushing into the Fire Temple. "Stop!" Dilu roared, swinging his Vajra as he smashed toward the three. But the trio was incredibly fast, easily dodging the attack and breaking into the temple.

Dilu immediately gave chase, only to find the three heading toward the forbidden grounds within the temple. Beneath the forbidden grounds lay the place where the Guardian Fire was sealed. "You dare trespass in the forbidden grounds of the Fire Temple!" Dilu activated the Six Styles and launched an attack at the three. The lead ninja sneered, raising his hand to release a bolt of dark golden chakra that struck Dilu. Dilu instantly fell into an illusion, his body freezing in place.

Just as the three were about to open the gate to the forbidden grounds, a golden beam of light descended from the sky, knocking the lead ninja away. Naruto landed beside Dilu and waved his hand to dispel the illusion. "Master Dilu, are you alright?" Dilu regained his senses, looking at Naruto and the arriving Sasuke. "It's you. That just now..."

"It's the remnants of Ying Zhishui," Sasuke said in a low voice. "Their target is the Guardian Fire beneath the Fire Temple." No sooner had he spoken than the other two ninjas opened the gate to the forbidden grounds and rushed underground. Sasuke and Naruto immediately gave chase, with Dilu following closely behind.

The underground passage was filled with a dense aura of chakra. The three reached the end of the passage, where a massive altar appeared; in the center of the altar, a golden flame was burning—it was the Guardian Fire. The two ninjas immediately rushed toward the flame, attempting to seize the spark. Sasuke instantly manifested the sword of Susanoo and slashed at them. But at that moment, the lead ninja suddenly darted from the shadows, holding a black crystal in his hand, and threw it toward the Guardian Fire.

The moment the black crystal touched the Guardian Fire, the flame fluctuated violently, and countless black vines erupted from the crystal, coiling around the Guardian Fire. "Oh no!" Sasuke's expression changed drastically. "That's a crystal of the black mist from the other dimension; he wants to pollute the Guardian Fire!" Naruto immediately released a Tailed Beast Bomb, firing it at the black crystal. But the moment the bomb approached, it was absorbed by the black vines.

Just as everyone was at a loss, a pale purple beam of light descended from the sky, striking the black crystal. The crystal shattered instantly, and the black vines dissipated along with it. Su Ye landed on the altar, the Rinnegan in his hand glowing red. "Glad I made it in time." He looked at the Guardian Fire, his Rinne Sharingan spinning slightly. "The power of the Guardian Fire requires the ocular power of both the Rinnegan and the Mangekyo Sharingan to activate. Sasuke, come here."

Sasuke immediately stepped forward, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Su Ye before the altar. Both released their ocular power, the pale purple and red chakra intertwining and pouring into the Guardian Fire. The golden flame instantly surged, illuminating the entire underground passage. Within the flame, a phantom slowly coalesced into shape—it was the first Uchiha clan head.

"Finally, someone has been able to activate the Guardian Fire," the phantom of the first clan head spoke. "The Guardian Fire can not only suppress the black mist of the other dimension, but also awaken the bloodline power of the Uchiha clan. Now, you must use the spark to reinforce the space barrier around Konoha and prevent Ying Zhishui from opening the gate to the other dimension." As his voice faded, the Guardian Fire transformed into a golden stream of light, merging into Sasuke's Mangekyo Sharingan.

Sasuke felt the power surging within him, a flash of surprise in his eyes. "Let's go," Su Ye said, looking at the others. "We need to return to Konoha immediately and use the Guardian Fire to reinforce the barrier. Ying Zhishui's next attack could come at any moment."

Just as they prepared to leave the underground passage, the altar suddenly shook violently. Stones from the ceiling of the passage began to fall, and at the same time, a dark golden spatial rift slowly opened in the center of the altar. Ying Zhishui stepped out from the rift, his body wreathed in even more powerful dark golden chakra. "I didn't expect you to actually activate the Guardian Fire. However, it is already too late." Ying Zhishui raised his hand, releasing a spatial ripple that shot toward them. "This time, I will completely destroy Konoha!"

Su Ye immediately activated his Rinnegan, releasing Shinra Tensei to block the spatial ripple. Sasuke and Naruto also released their power simultaneously, preparing for battle. Dilu gripped his Vajra, standing beside the three. "No matter who you are, you won't be allowed to harm the people of Konoha!"

Ying Zhishui sneered, his body transforming into countless spatial ripples as he surged toward them. A battle concerning the survival of Konoha began once more. This time, they possessed the power of the Guardian Fire, but the strength of Ying Zhishui far exceeded what it had been before.