The faint light of dawn passed through the delicate window lattice and fell across the soft bed in Pakura's home.
Chiya quietly opened his eyes and felt the steady warmth of Pakura and Yugito's breathing beside him.
The two women were curled up on either side of him like cats, their faces still carrying a lazy blush of satisfaction.
He did not wake them.
He gently got out of bed and dressed himself.
After leaving a light kiss on each of their smooth foreheads, he quietly left the room like a shadow blending into the morning breeze.
He left Loran Town.
Instead of returning to the Hokage Building in Konoha to handle official affairs, he went directly to the depths of the Uchiha Clan's territory.
On the surface, this place was no different from the other parts of the clan compound.
However, hidden beneath several cleverly arranged barriers was a secret entrance leading underground.
As Chiya walked down the stone steps, the air gradually became cooler, carrying a faint mixture of disinfectant and the strange scents of various medicinal materials.
At the end of the passage stood a heavy metal door covered in sealing formulas.
Chiya condensed chakra at his fingertips and touched several specific points on the door.
The door silently slid open, revealing a massive research facility brightly lit behind it.
This was one of Orochimaru's secret bases in Konoha and currently the place where he was investing the most effort.
Various precise instruments inside the laboratory emitted faint lights, while cultivation tanks contained strange tissue samples that were difficult to identify.
Scrolls and research materials were scattered everywhere.
At the center of the laboratory, Orochimaru was completely focused on a complicated barrier model.
Orochimaru wore his signature loose kimono.
His pale face was expressionless, while his golden, snake like pupils stared intently at the changes in the model.
He was completely immersed in his own world and had not even noticed Chiya's arrival.
Chiya did not disturb him either.
He simply stood quietly in the shadows near the entrance and observed the model.
Time slowly passed.
Orochimaru finally completed this stage of the adjustments. He let out a long breath, stuck out his tongue, and licked his slightly dry lips.
His eyes showed a mixture of excitement and exhaustion.
Only then did he seem to sense something.
He slowly turned his head and saw Chiya standing at the entrance.
"Oh my, Chiya, when did you arrive?"
Orochimaru's voice carried his distinctive hoarse quality.
There was not much surprise in it, as he had long since become accustomed to Chiya's sudden appearances.
"I just got here."
Chiya stepped into the laboratory, his eyes sweeping across the dazzling array of experimental equipment and research materials.
"Looks like things are progressing well."
Orochimaru let out a low laugh, his golden snake eyes filled with fanaticism.
"I have to say, Chiya, your idea is truly brilliant! Combining the characteristics of multiple Kekkei Genkai and constructing a barrier with the ability to regulate itself, this is practically art! Once it succeeds, Loran Town will become one of the strongest fortresses in the entire shinobi world!"
He walked over to the barrier model and pointed at several key nodes.
"The biggest difficulty right now is energy stability and compatibility. Different chakra natures are extremely difficult to merge with one another... I need to find a kind of adhesive, a foundation capable of containing and coordinating these different forces."
At this point, Orochimaru looked at Chiya again, his eyes filled with curiosity.
"Speaking of a foundation, Chiya, about the Sage Body you mentioned last time..."
Chiya knew Orochimaru would eventually ask about it.
Part of the reason he had come this time was precisely for this.
"The Sage Body, or rather, one's affinity for and control over natural energy, is indeed one of the possible keys to solving the problem of energy compatibility."
Chiya spoke calmly and revealed something that instantly made Orochimaru's pupils contract.
"While I was away, I encountered an interesting child."
"Oh?"
Orochimaru's interest was completely aroused.
"His name is Jugo."
Chiya slowly continued.
"He has a special constitution that allows him to absorb natural energy on his own."
"He can naturally absorb natural energy?!"
Orochimaru's voice suddenly rose.
His golden pupils narrowed into two thin lines from extreme excitement, and he almost instantly rushed in front of Chiya.
"Where is he?! This constitution... is practically a perfect research specimen! No, a treasure! If I can uncover the secret behind his constitution, the fundamental problem with the barrier may be solved! And perhaps even my research into Senjutsu..."
Seeing Orochimaru become so excited that he could barely contain himself, Chiya raised his hand and pressed it against his shoulder.
He interrupted Orochimaru's endless stream of ideas.
"I already brought him back. He is temporarily staying in Loran Town."
Extreme joy instantly erupted across Orochimaru's face, and he turned around, ready to rush outside.
"Loran Town? I'll go there right now!"
"Wait."
Chiya's voice carried a coldness that allowed no argument, causing Orochimaru to stop in his tracks.
"Orochimaru, I am allowing you to study Jugo's constitution in order to advance the completion of the barrier, and also to help him control the power that could run wild at any moment."
Chiya stared directly into Orochimaru's eyes and spoke word by word.
"Remember my requirements. First, you absolutely cannot cause irreversible damage to his body. Second, all research must be conducted within completely safe limits, and Jugo must either willingly agree or at least not strongly resist it. If you dare treat him like a lab rat or cause some consequence that cannot be cleaned up..."
Chiya did not finish the sentence.
However, his cold gaze and the sudden increase in pressure were enough to make Orochimaru's back turn cold.
Orochimaru knew very well the methods and strength of the man before him.
He also understood that Chiya was completely serious.
The fanaticism on his face slightly subsided, replaced by a complicated expression containing both helplessness and understanding.
He spread his hands.
"Chiya, you're still as cautious as ever. Don't worry. I also cherish this 'living treasure'. I'll treat him like the most precise instrument, and all research will be based on the principles of being harmless and controllable. After all, a healthy and sustainable research subject is far more valuable than a corpse. Isn't that right?"
After receiving Orochimaru's assurance, Chiya nodded.
He trusted Orochimaru's obsession with research, and he also trusted his ability to weigh his own interests.
As long as Jugo's safety was guaranteed, Orochimaru was undoubtedly the best person to uncover the secrets of the Sage Body and complete the barrier.
"Go. Sara knows where he is staying. As for the details, you decide how to handle them."
"Understood!"
Orochimaru licked his lips.
He could no longer restrain himself.
His figure flashed and transformed into a black shadow that disappeared into the end of the laboratory passage, rushing impatiently toward Loran Town.
Chiya watched the direction in which Orochimaru had disappeared, his expression calm.
He did not follow.
As for Orochimaru's work, once the boundaries had been clearly established, Chiya was still relatively confident in him.
Professional work should be left to professionals.
After leaving the cold underground research facility, Chiya bathed in the warm sunlight of the Uchiha Clan's territory.
He casually walked toward the training grounds inside the clan compound.
Before he even got close, he could hear the sharp sound of shuriken cutting through the air, along with the clear shouts of children.
After passing several training grounds, Chiya's eyes suddenly lit up.
At that moment, Uchiha Shisui was seriously instructing Uchiha Itachi on the training ground.
Shisui's movements were precise and smooth.
As he demonstrated, he patiently explained the angles and force required for throwing shuriken, as well as the techniques for generating power with the wrist.
Young Uchiha Itachi stared at him with a pair of clear black eyes and listened with complete concentration while imitating him.
Although his movements still carried the clumsiness of a child, his concentration and comprehension were far beyond those of his peers.
The shuriken he threw were already taking shape, and his accuracy was quite impressive.
Under the shade of a tree nearby, Uchiha Obito was yawning without any concern for appearances.
He looked sleep deprived and bored.
He clearly had little interest in this kind of basic training.
His eyes wandered from time to time as he scratched his hedgehog like spiky hair.
These three were all Chiya's disciples.
When Chiya approached, Shisui immediately stopped and respectfully bowed.
"Teacher!"
Uchiha Itachi also immediately stopped his movements and seriously bowed.
His round black eyes were filled with awe and admiration for this powerful clan uncle and teacher.
Obito, meanwhile, jolted upright and hurriedly got off the ground.
He scratched his head and gave an embarrassed grin.
"Teacher Chiya, you're here."
Chiya nodded at Shisui and Obito before turning his gaze toward Itachi.
"Shisui, how is Itachi's progress?"
Shisui's face showed undisguised admiration as he reported.
"Teacher, Itachi's progress is extremely fast. He has already mastered the basics of shurikenjutsu, and his chakra extraction and control are also far beyond those of his peers. His understanding of tactics and the principles behind ninjutsu is especially... astonishing."
He used the word astonishing, clearly shocked by Itachi's talent.
Chiya looked at Uchiha Itachi.
This little one truly deserved the reputation of being a genius in the original story.
He reached out and gently rubbed Itachi's head, his tone carrying a rare trace of praise.
"Well done. Keep it up."
After receiving Chiya's praise, Itachi's little face turned slightly red, and his eyes shone with happiness as he nodded firmly.
"Yes!"
Chiya then turned his gaze toward Obito, who looked somewhat uneasy.
"Obito, what about you? Have you encountered any problems with your training recently?"
Obito perked up when he heard himself being addressed, but then he frowned in frustration.
"Teacher Chiya, it's about the Mangekyō Sharingan... I still don't feel like I can use it smoothly enough, especially the ability of that 'Kamui' space. It consumes a lot of my eyes' power. Also, some time ago, I saw that stone tablet belonging to the clan..."
A look of understanding flashed through Chiya's eyes.
Obito's two Mangekyō Sharingan abilities were both related to space, so controlling them was naturally extremely difficult.
"The power of the Mangekyō Sharingan comes from intense emotions and ocular power. Your 'Kamui' involves the laws of space, so it is normal that it is difficult to control."
Chiya calmly explained.
"The key is precise ocular power output and sensing spatial coordinates. Don't rush for quick results. Start by practicing stable activation and deactivation of the Kamui space, and feel the subtle differences in spatial fluctuations. The high chakra consumption is partly because you have not yet mastered it, and partly because of your total chakra and control. You cannot neglect basic training."
He paused.
As for the stone tablet, he did not directly expose the fact that its contents had been altered.
Instead, he guided Obito.
"The contents of the stone tablet are ancient, and interpreting them requires powerful ocular power. Some records may not contain the entire truth and may even include distortions added by later generations. We should live in the present. You do not need to investigate the contents of the stone tablet too deeply. Improve your own strength and broaden your perspective. In the future, you will naturally be able to distinguish truth from falsehood."
Obito nodded as if he understood, but Chiya's guidance regarding the Mangekyō Sharingan made his eyes light up.
He felt as though he had finally found the right direction.
"Yes! Teacher! I understand!"
Obito clenched his fists, and all of his previous laziness disappeared as he became filled with renewed motivation.
Chiya looked at the three disciples before him.
Their personalities were different, but all three possessed extraordinary talent.
He nodded slightly in his heart.
"I'm free today as well. If there is anything you don't understand, just ask!"
They were the future of the Uchiha.
Proper guidance and cultivation were necessary.
"Obito, focus your ocular power first and use Kamui for me to see."
"Yes!"
...
On the training ground, Chiya guided the three of them.
The three disciples grew rapidly, absorbing knowledge like sponges!
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