Uchiha Masaki's Fury

Orochimaru personally demonstrated the Summoning Jutsu, summoning a blue snake.

The Blue Snake spoke in human language and lowered its head before Orochimaru. "Lord Orochimaru."

Orochimaru said to the Blue Snake, "Take out the contract scroll."

The Blue Snake opened its mouth, its belly writhing as it spat out the scroll containing the contract with Ryūchi Cave.

Orochimaru looked at Chiyu. "Open the scroll, write your name in blood, then press your bloodied handprint with your dominant hand. That will complete your contract with Ryūchi Cave."

Chiyu opened the contract scroll, which was sticky and slimy on the outside.

The last name on it was Orochimaru's. Chiyu did not recognize any of the names before it.

Chiyu bit his finger open, signed his name on the contract scroll, and then pressed down his bloody handprint.

After signing the contract, Chiyu closed the scroll and handed it to the Blue Snake.

The Blue Snake swallowed the contract scroll back into its stomach and said, "Lord Orochimaru, Lord Chiyu, I'll return to Ryūchi Cave first."

Smoke once again enveloped the Blue Snake. When it dispersed, the Blue Snake had vanished from the spot.

Orochimaru then tossed a scroll to Chiyu.

Orochimaru introduced it to him. "This contains my secret techniques. Practice them yourself. If there's anything you don't understand, write it down first. I'll return once every half month. Tell me the questions you encounter, and I'll answer them for you."

Next, Orochimaru began laying out Chiyu's training plan. "Continue your physical conditioning and reaction training as usual in the mornings. Change things up in the afternoons; you no longer need to keep practicing those low-level ninjutsu.

"Since you have acquired the Uchiha Clan's Fire Release Ninjutsu, focus on studying the Fire Release Ninjutsu within it from now on.

"I just looked through the Fire Release Ninjutsu in that scroll. Techniques such as the Great Fire Dragon Jutsu and Great Fire Annihilation both require you to master the shape transformation and nature transformation of Fire Release Chakra.

"You already have experience training the shape transformation and nature transformation of Lightning Release Chakra, so I won't teach you again. Figure out how to master it yourself.

"You also need to practice the Summoning Jutsu in the afternoons. Once you have completely mastered it, switch to practicing my secret techniques.

"In short, manage your time properly."

Orochimaru had always been quite assured when it came to Chiyu.

Chiyu was exceptionally hardworking and disciplined in his training. Orochimaru did not need to urge him at all.

Although his training load had become heavier, Chiyu was brimming with motivation.

If he followed this training plan, he would definitely make breakthrough progress.

"Alright, start training on your own now. I have matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving first. If you have an urgent matter and need me, you can go directly to the Hokage Office. Or, once you have mastered the Summoning Jutsu, summon a snake from Ryūchi Cave and it will be able to find me."

"Yes, Teacher Orochimaru."

After Orochimaru left, Chiyu immediately began training according to the new plan.

Uchiha Clan compound.

After Uchiha Fugaku returned, he immediately went to find his father, Uchiha Masaki.

The moment Uchiha Masaki saw his son return, he asked, "Fugaku, how did it go? Chiyu must have accepted those two scrolls and the Uchiha Clan's gesture of goodwill, right?"

Before Uchiha Fugaku could speak, Uchiha Masaki continued on his own, "His eyes must have gone wide, right? Those are Fire Release Ninjutsu passed down through generations of the Uchiha Clan. Even Orochimaru could never know them. On top of that, there are the even more precious Sharingan usage notes. He must be deeply grateful to our Uchiha Clan by now."

Uchiha Fugaku answered with an ugly expression, "No, Father. Chiyu did not accept our goodwill. He... burned both scrolls!"

Uchiha Masaki froze, his expression shifting constantly.

Uchiha Masaki asked Uchiha Fugaku again in disbelief, "You said he burned the scrolls?"

Uchiha Fugaku nodded. "That's right. He also made it clear that he would not accept the Uchiha Clan's apology."

Uchiha Masaki furiously slammed his fist onto the table.

The entire table was smashed to pieces.

"He's an abandoned child cast aside by our Uchiha Clan. What gives him the right?! Who does he think he is? He's still not one of the Hokage's people!"

Uchiha Masaki's face flushed red with rage, the veins on his neck bulging.

Uchiha Fugaku was also furious.

The Uchiha Clan was, after all, the foremost ninja clan. Even if Chiyu would not accept their apology, did he have to treat them in such an almost humiliating manner?

The room fell silent, with only Uchiha Masaki's heavy breathing audible.

After quite a while, Uchiha Masaki finally calmed down.

Though Uchiha Masaki was angry, he remained rational.

After all, if he could not stay rational, he would never have become clan head.

Uchiha Masaki said coldly, "Since that brat Chiyu refuses a toast only to drink a forfeit, leave him alone. Fugaku, there is something you need to do next."

Uchiha Fugaku nodded. "Please tell me, Father."

Uchiha Masaki said solemnly, "Tomorrow, I will convene another clan meeting to restrain the clansmen. Afterward, you will monitor them, especially those few troublemakers. You must keep a close eye on them.

"The moment you discover that they have done anything out of line, report it to me immediately. I will deal with them personally.

"The Uchiha Clan must begin changing now. If we wait any longer, things may reach an irreversible point.

"Fugaku, I predict that turmoil will certainly erupt in the ninja world within a year. When that time comes, Konoha will definitely need the Uchiha Clan's strength.

"This war will be an opportunity to change everyone in Konoha's view of the Uchiha Clan. The Uchiha Clan can no longer remain so arrogant.

"You know what the clansmen are like. If the Uchiha Clan wins in the war, they might start looking down on everyone else. That is why we must begin changing now.

"Otherwise, after the war ends, it may be time for the Hokage to purge the Uchiha Clan.

"There is not much time left for the Uchiha Clan. The foundation of the Uchiha Clan must never be ruined in our hands!"

Uchiha Fugaku responded with a grave expression, "I understand, Father. I will keep watch over them."

After Uchiha Fugaku left, Uchiha Masaki still could not let go of the matter involving Chiyu. He was extremely furious.

But Uchiha Masaki could not touch Chiyu.

Chiyu was now protected not only by Orochimaru, but also by Hiruzen Sarutobi, and even Mito Uzumaki.

When Chiyu had first returned to Konoha, Mito Uzumaki had proposed adopting him, but Hiruzen Sarutobi had rejected it.

Since Chiyu was also a member of the Senju Clan, Mito Uzumaki would certainly protect him as well.

Chiyu already did not regard the Uchiha Clan as worthy of notice. Once he grew up and fully became one of the Hokage's faction, would he not target the Uchiha Clan at every turn?