"Follow my steps closely, and land exactly where I do. You must not take even half a step wrong. One misplaced step will trigger a chain of traps, and your life will be in danger."
Fugaku gave Zongyan this warning with a solemn expression, without the slightest hint of a joke in his voice.
Zongyan's expression sharpened at his words. He immediately cleared away all stray thoughts and fixed his gaze firmly on Fugaku's feet, not daring to let his attention waver.
Seeing that he was ready, Fugaku said no more and stepped toward the altar.
Zongyan followed close behind, placing each foot where his father had just stepped while silently memorizing those footholds.
One behind the other, they steadily crossed the entire trapped area and arrived unharmed before the black altar at the very center of the chamber.
Once they were close, Fugaku stepped aside and stopped, deliberately avoiding the spot directly in front of the altar's center, then took a Summoning Scroll from inside his clothes.
He gathered chakra in his palm and poured it into the scroll-
Buzz-
White smoke suddenly gushed out, filling the entire chamber.
When the smoke cleared, a great heap of heavy, black rough iron ingots appeared with a crash, stacked in layers like a small mountain, burying half the altar.
Looking at the heap of iron ingots, Fugaku slowly spoke:
"You said before that the altar needed enough minerals to activate its bloodline purification."
"I used my authority as clan leader to requisition five tons of processed rough iron ingots from the clan treasury. That should be enough for your first bloodline purification."
Before Zongyan could reply, the heap of iron ingots moved on its own.
The bottommost ingots touching the altar's surface rapidly dissolved at a speed visible to the naked eye. As though melted by something, they turned into a dark stream that seeped into the ancient patterns on the altar's surface.
The next second, a crimson, blood-red light suddenly flared at the altar's core. A beam shot through the air and fell squarely upon Zongyan, enveloping him from head to toe.
Immediately afterward, a power of extreme, searing heat began gathering around his eyes, and waves of needlelike burning pain came from deep within his eye sockets.
"Ngh..."
Zongyan gave a muffled groan and instinctively covered his eyes. His whole body tensed slightly as he gritted his teeth and endured the sudden, agonizing tempering of his bloodline.
Fortunately, it faded as quickly as it had come.
The burning pain surged up like a tide, then swiftly ebbed away.
Zongyan slowly lowered his hands and blinked gently. When he opened his eyes again, the entire world was completely different.
The already clear sights within the chamber now seemed to have been peeled apart layer by layer, every detail magnified to the utmost.
The fine dust drifting through the air, the tiny cracks in the stone walls he had never noticed before... all of it appeared in his eyes with perfect clarity, down to the smallest detail.
His visual perception, motion tracking, and ability to perceive chakra all underwent a qualitative leap at that moment.
And deep within his own formerly dark, fathomless pupils, a single crimson tomoe had silently appeared.
Zongyan stared dazedly at the transformed world before him and could not help murmuring:
"So this is what the world looks like through the Sharingan..."
Before, he had only known how powerful it was through memories and hearsay. Only after experiencing it himself did he understand what it truly meant to have his "eyes opened."
At that same moment, inside the office in Konoha's Hokage Building.
Itachi appeared silently at the doorway and bowed slightly as he spoke:
"Lord Hokage, you sent for me."
Hiruzen Sarutobi had been sitting in the Hokage's chair reviewing documents. When he saw Itachi arrive, he immediately rose slowly, much of his official sternness fading into a gentle, kindly expression.
He took the initiative to step forward and ask after Itachi's well-being, his manner exceptionally warm:
"Itachi, thank you for your hard work. You were summoned in such a hurry when you had only just returned from your mission."
At these words, Itachi lifted his eyelids slightly, an indescribable weariness passing through his heart.
Here we go again.
Another lesson on the Will of Fire was about to begin, wasn't it?
How many more times did he have to listen to these same old tests of allegiance and ideological lectures?
Though thoroughly impatient inwardly, Itachi showed none of it. His expression remained respectful and composed as he replied evenly:
"Everything is for the village."
The smile in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes deepened at his words. He studied the boy before him with a gentle gaze, his eyes full of appreciation and regard.
He stepped forward and lightly patted Itachi's shoulder, his manner as warm as though he were reassuring a younger member of his own family:
"You have always been mature and sensible, one of the finest prodigies among Konoha's younger generation. The village has always placed great trust in you."
After these preliminary pleasantries, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally eased into the main subject:
"I have already learned the full details of what happened in the alley this evening."
He kept his tone calm, with a measure of reassurance:
"This was not your fault. I will keep Danzo properly in check. Nothing like this targeting your clansmen will happen again, so you need not worry."
At these words, a fierce surge of indignation suddenly rose within Itachi.
What did he mean, "not your fault"?
What did he mean, "I will keep Danzo in check"?
He wanted to brush the whole thing aside with a few casual words, without any intention of holding Danzo accountable at all.
The more gently the Third spoke, the more clearly Itachi heard him.
The high command's attitude was exactly the same as before: muddle through, assign equal blame to both sides, and ultimately let the matter drop.
But however displeased he felt, he could not show it on his face.
He lowered his eyes and listened quietly.
Seeing how docile and obedient he looked, Hiruzen Sarutobi softened his tone further, but the question he asked was anything but light:
"Itachi, in your heart, how exactly do you view the village and your clan?"
This concern had weighed on the Konoha High Command for years. Every young Uchiha prodigy had to give their answer to this question.
This was the ultimate purpose of summoning Itachi today.
He wanted to know whether this prodigy, Uchiha Itachi, sided with his clan or with Konoha.
Inside the dim, silent office, the atmosphere grew increasingly heavy.
Itachi remained silent with his eyes lowered for a while. When he raised them again, he calmly met Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze:
"For a shinobi, the village's safety always comes before a clan's honor or disgrace."
"The Uchiha are a blade that protects Konoha, not a barrier that divides it."
"A clan that abandons the village will only head toward destruction, and a village without clans to protect it cannot endure either."
"I am a shinobi of Konoha first, and a member of the Uchiha clan second."
Every word of these few brief sentences struck exactly the right chord with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
After hearing them, the Third felt immensely reassured. Those fine words once again pushed the suspicions and concerns that had lingered for years back into the depths of his heart.
Genuine relief and conviction filled his expression, and he slowly nodded in great satisfaction.
The dusky lamplight fell on his aged, gentle face as he began slowly expounding the Will of Fire he had upheld throughout his life:
"Itachi, that you understand this is a blessing for Konoha."
"You must remember-where leaves dance, fire burns on without end."
"The firelight will continue to illuminate the entire village, driving away darkness and safeguarding peace. After the burning flames die down, they will nourish the earth, allowing new leaves to keep sprouting, growing, and flourishing."
His gaze grew distant, carrying the weathered weight and hopes of passing years, and he continued earnestly:
"We shinobi of the older generation are the raging flames that burn ourselves to protect the village."
"And you exceptionally gifted young people, with your hearts set on the greater good, are Konoha's new leaves, the fresh sparks that will carry on the firelight and inherit the duty of protection."
He paused, looking deeply at Itachi:
"A clan's honor or disgrace is ultimately a minor matter! Protecting the village, protecting one another, and protecting every bond and all the peace on this land are a shinobi's true original purpose, and the ultimate truth of the Will of Fire."
His words were selfless and broad-minded, every sentence subtly reinforcing Itachi's stance of placing the village above all else.
Itachi listened quietly with lowered eyes, his expression as respectful as ever, without the slightest sign of anything amiss. He attentively heard out the Third's lecture on the Will of Fire, occasionally nodding slightly to show he was listening.
But beneath those lowered eyelids, his heart had long since left this room.
Before you continue