The Uchiha Clan Would See a Great Revival

"Of course!"

"As long as an imprisoned soul is willing to grant them to me, I can acquire the abilities it bestows, including but not limited to ninjutsu, bloodlines, kekkei genkai..."

!!! This...

This was far too powerful!

Elder Nobuhiko and Uchiha Izumi couldn't help but feel shaken.

Then Elder Nobuhiko realized something and spoke urgently. "Sasuke, how could you reveal such important information so carelessly?"

As he spoke, he glanced at Uchiha Izumi.

The meaning behind his words was clear.

Izumi hurriedly said, "Sasuke, Elder Nobuhiko, I'll keep this secret! Please believe me!"

"It's not that I don't trust you." Elder Nobuhiko's expression darkened. "There are plenty of jutsu in the Ninja World that can forcibly invade someone's mind and extract information. How can you guarantee you won't be captured by someone with ill intentions?"

"I..." Uchiha Izumi was at a loss for words.

"Elder Nobuhiko," Sasuke said, "I brought her here because I know what I'm doing. Please don't worry."

"Well..." Elder Nobuhiko pondered for a moment, then stroked his beard. "Normally, since you know what you're doing, Sasuke, this old man shouldn't interfere."

"But the power of the Soul Space is simply too extraordinary. Not a word of it can be allowed to leak. Whatever measures you have, use them at once. I'm sure Izumi understands how serious this is."

"That's right!" The innocent Izumi nodded firmly. "Sasuke, this secret is far too important to you. If there's a way to make sure I can't reveal it, please use it on me!"

Sasuke glanced at Elder Nobuhiko.

He saw him make a subtle signal.

Apparently, based on Izumi's reaction earlier, he had determined that this was her first time learning the secret, too.

Although he didn't know how Sasuke would keep the information from leaking, his perspective was limited to the Ninja World. He assumed it must be a Cursed Seal similar to the Root's Cursed Tongue Eradication Jutsu.

Worried Uchiha Izumi might resent Sasuke for it, he had deliberately played the villain.

"Elder Nobuhiko, you're worrying too much."

Since Sasuke hadn't deliberately altered his spiritual form, and was so much taller than Izumi, all he could do was gently pat her thigh to reassure her. Then he explained, "The Soul Space's rules affect every soul and consciousness that enters. They can't reveal its secrets, and there's no jutsu in the Ninja World that can uncover them from someone's mind."

"So, Izumi-chan, Elder Nobuhiko, don't worry."

"That's a relief!" Uchiha Izumi immediately let out a sigh.

I didn't know the Soul Space had a rule like that... Elder Nobuhiko marveled silently, then breathed out. "It seems I was worrying over nothing."

"This just proves how much you care for the younger generation," Sasuke said with a grin. "So I'm sure Elder Nobuhiko, who cares for his juniors so much, won't be stingy with his abilities, will he?"

"You little..." Elder Nobuhiko pointed at Sasuke, seemingly at a loss for words. "Passing my power down intact to the next generation of the clan has always been my greatest wish. Now that the opportunity is right in front of me, how could I possibly be stingy?!"

Faced with an elder who had devoted himself wholeheartedly to the Uchiha Clan, Sasuke couldn't help but feel respect. "I was thinking too small..."

"All right, Sasuke. Tell me, how do I pass my abilities to you?"

"Just think it, Elder Nobuhiko."

It was that simple?... Elder Nobuhiko was shaken once more, then nodded. "All right!"

Without hesitation, he focused his thoughts!

'Ding!'

'Would you like to bestow all abilities upon the Lord of Souls?'

Lord of Souls...

Did "souls" here mean the Soul Space, or all souls?

The thought flashed through his mind. Elder Nobuhiko focused his thoughts: 'Yes!'

Then the notification sounded in Sasuke's mind.

'Ding!'

'Congratulations, master. You have obtained all of Uchiha Shin's abilities.'

'Would you like to extract and fuse them?'

Worried that fusing them might prevent him from awakening his own Sharingan, Sasuke didn't rush to extract them.

At the same time,

Elder Nobuhiko felt something strange. He realized that he had bestowed his abilities, yet found he hadn't lost them. The power of the Soul Space shook him once again!

As expected!

Heaven hadn't abandoned the Uchiha Clan!

Sasuke was the one I'd been waiting for!

In Sasuke's hands, the Uchiha Clan would see a great revival!

And I, Uchiha Shin, would witness this historic moment!

Having confirmed his belief once more, Elder Nobuhiko felt that heaven had treated him well. He could barely contain his excitement.

Then, remembering something, he asked, "Sasuke, your Rasengan... Could it be...?"

Understanding what he meant, Sasuke nodded. "That's right."

"How did you convince him?" Elder Nobuhiko was very curious.

"I just threatened him with his child."

"His child?" Elder Nobuhiko knew Minato's wife had been pregnant before she died, but he hadn't known if the child had been born safely.

"That's right." Sasuke nodded. "The current Nine-Tails Jinchuriki of Konoha—the 'demon fox' the villagers talk about—is their child."

"The Fourth couldn't deal with the entire Nine-Tails, so he used the forbidden Dead Demon Consuming Seal, sacrificing his soul and half the Nine-Tails to the Death God. He sealed the other half of the Nine-Tails inside their child."

"After a roundabout journey, I eventually obtained that half of the Nine-Tails through the Soul Space."

So that was what had happened that night?... Elder Nobuhiko's thoughts stirred.

But... when the Fourth sacrificed himself, Sasuke was only...

That didn't matter!...

What mattered was that he was born into the Uchiha, bore the Uchiha name, and had the blood of the Uchiha Clan flowing through his veins!

Putting that question aside, Elder Nobuhiko asked curiously, "That half of the Nine-Tails..."

"After being altered by the Soul Space, that half of the Nine-Tails has changed completely, inside and out." After a brief explanation, Sasuke snapped his fingers, and Setsuna appeared.

"Hm? Master, what's wrong?" Setsuna looked confused to have suddenly been transported there. Then she curiously glanced at the two strangers. "Who... are they?"

Looking at the little fox with her adorable, dazed expression, Elder Nobuhiko widened his eyes in disbelief. "Is that really the Nine-Tails?"

"Yeah." Sasuke nodded. "But her name is Setsuna now."

Then he turned to the two and introduced them. "Setsuna, this is the Great Elder of my clan, Uchiha Shin.

"This is Uchiha Izumi."

Setsuna glanced at them and gave a couple of snorts. "So, you're Elder Shin and Izumi. You may address me as Lady Setsuna. And remember, don't compare noble Lady Setsuna to that coarse beast. Understood?"

Calling herself noble Lady Setsuna? She was... so cute! Uchiha Izumi's eyes sparkled.

Lady Setsuna?... Elder Nobuhiko was at a loss for words.

But Setsuna wasn't deliberately suppressing her chakra, and the vast amount inside her proved she was indeed a Tailed Beast. She also had nine tails.

Her appearance and personality didn't seem right, but Sasuke had explained things beforehand, so Elder Nobuhiko could only go along with her. "Lady Setsuna, it's a pleasure to meet you."

She was a Tailed Beast, after all. Calling her "Lady" wasn't a big deal, as long as it made her happy.

"Hm?"

!!! He really called me that?

Setsuna's eyes widened in surprise.

"Ahem~" Then she realized her expression probably didn't suit the moment. She cleared her throat twice and gave Elder Nobuhiko an approving look, her nine tails swaying lightly from side to side.

Was she... pleased?... Watching Setsuna's swaying tails, Uchiha Izumi ventured, "Lady Setsuna, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Mm." Setsuna gave a dignified little nod and cast Izumi an approving glance.

Except her grin nearly reached her ears...

And her tail... was wagging even faster...

She was just too adorable!... Uchiha Izumi's heart melted.

Sasuke shook his head with a smile, then said, "All right, Elder Nobuhiko. Uchiha Izumi grew up outside the clan and never received formal ninja training, so her grades haven't been good since she started at the Ninja Academy."

"But as you know, awakening the Sharingan at five proves her talent is exceptional. I was wondering..."

Hearing this, Uchiha Izumi took her eyes off Setsuna and looked nervously at Elder Nobuhiko.

"Then leave her to me!" Elder Nobuhiko stroked his white beard. "I'll do everything I can to train her into a powerful kunoichi!"