Chiya followed Mikoto through the streets of the Uchiha Clan's district.
The last light of the setting sun fell across the old-style residences, coating everything in a warm golden hue.
A breeze passed through, and the cherry blossom trees lining both sides of the road swayed gently.
Petals fell like snow, and a faint fragrance of cherry blossoms drifted through the air.
Mikoto's family estate was simple and elegant.
The cherry blossom tree in the courtyard was in full bloom at that moment, and pale pink petals had covered the stone path, like a soft carpet laid out underfoot.
The stone lanterns in front of the estate gave off a gentle light, reflecting off the blossoms, a sight of quiet beauty.
The moment Chiya stepped into the courtyard, he saw Uchiha Sosuke standing on the steps in front of the estate.
His hands were clasped behind his back, and his gaze was deep as he watched them approach.
His white hair stood out in the light of the setting sun, and the wrinkles on his face were carved deep by years of time, yet his eyes remained sharp.
"Grandfather!"
Mikoto called out happily and walked forward quickly.
Sosuke's expression shifted at once, turning from sharp to warm.
"Mikoto is back. Did you bring the senbei?"
Mikoto nodded obediently and held up the bag of senbei she was carrying.
Uchiha Tesshoku Senbei.
Uchiha Kome Senbei.
Sosuke nodded with a chuckle, then his gaze moved to Chiya.
"You came."
His voice was low and steady.
Chiya had long grown used to the old man's ability to change his expression on a whim.
He gave a slight bow.
"Elder Sosuke, sorry for the intrusion."
Sosuke waved a hand and gestured to Mikoto.
"Go prepare tea. I have a few things to talk over with Chiya."
Mikoto blinked and looked from her grandfather to Chiya, then back again.
"Alright, Grandfather."
With that, she turned and walked toward the inside of the house.
Sosuke turned and walked toward the sitting room, and Chiya followed close behind.
The two moved through the corridor. The wooden floor gave off soft sounds underfoot, and the surroundings were so quiet that only the rustle of wind through the cherry blossoms could be heard.
Inside the sitting room, Sosuke took the seat at the head and pointed to the place across from him.
"Sit."
Chiya nodded and sat down, his gaze calm as he looked toward Sosuke.
The atmosphere in the room was somewhat heavy.
Sosuke did not speak right away. He looked Chiya over in silence, as if examining something.
After a moment, Sosuke finally opened his mouth.
"During this period, whether inside the Uchiha Clan or in the police force, you have done well."
Chiya was slightly surprised. He had not expected Sosuke to praise him so directly.
That was rare.
"This is what I should be doing. The honor of the Uchiha must be woven into the core of the village."
Sosuke let out a low sound, and a trace of approval passed through his eyes.
"Your actions have indeed raised the standing of the Uchiha in the village by quite a bit. The younger members of the clan have already begun to look up to you as an example."
Chiya smiled modestly.
"The future of the Uchiha needs to change. I only did what was my part to do."
The sound of Mikoto's footsteps came from nearby.
"Grandfather, Chiya-nii! The tea is ready!"
Mikoto looked at her grandfather's serious expression and did not dare to say anything more.
She gently set the two prepared cups of tea in front of them.
After quietly sending Chiya an encouraging look, she left with small steps.
Sosuke lifted his teacup and took a sip. His gaze became deep.
"Chiya, do you know why I have always held some reservation toward you?"
Chiya shook his head.
"Please tell me, Elder."
Sosuke set down his teacup, his voice low.
"Your way of thinking is too idealistic. I have always had doubts about that."
"The past of the Uchiha is filled with lessons written in blood and tears."
His eyes suddenly took on a complicated look.
"Setting aside the era of the warring ninja clans, just thirty years ago, the Uchiha went through an internal conflict that nearly wiped out the entire clan."
Chiya's brow furrowed slightly. He had vaguely heard of this period in history.
But the clan had always kept silence about it, and very few people ever brought it up.
"After Uchiha Madara left Konoha, the position of Uchiha clan head was left empty. The first few years passed without incident, but later, as the strength of the Uchiha clan members grew, ambition began to take root. Conflicts within the clan grew worse and worse, and things became impossible to contain. Some people, in order to awaken the Sharingan and gain power, began killing their own kin, fighting over authority, and slaughtering one another."
"As long as the Uchiha possesses that technique, they will never lose. This belief had been passed down from the era of the warring clans all the way to after the village was founded."
A technique?
Never lose?
Chiya already had a faint answer forming in his mind.
"As ambition fed on itself, the arrogant and proud Uchiha could no longer stop the killing. The madness of the Sharingan consumed all reason, and people used Izanagi recklessly to rewrite reality."
Chiya understood.
It was Izanagi, as he had suspected.
Sosuke's voice carried a heavy sigh, as if he had returned to that bloody period.
"In the end, it was Izumi who stepped forward. While saving her companions, she used Izanami, forcing those who saw her to confront their own mistakes and accept their fate, and she brought the internal conflict to an end. Afterward, the clan listed Izanagi and Izanami as forbidden jutsu and banned clan members from practicing them freely. That is what allowed the Uchiha to continue on in peace until today."
Uchiha Izumi.
Izumi, Uchiha Izumi?
That name was not unfamiliar to him.
She was a legendary figure in Uchiha history.
The creator of the forbidden jutsu Izanami.
Sosuke's gaze fell on Chiya, and his tone grew serious.
"Chiya, you are now the head of the Uchiha Clan, and the clan members have placed great hope in you. But power and strength are a double-edged sword. One moment of carelessness, and history repeats itself."
Chiya nodded with gravity.
"I understand. I will think carefully about the future of the Uchiha."
Sosuke stared at him for a long moment, then suddenly reached into his robe and took out an old scroll, extending it toward Chiya.
"This is something Izumi left behind. I am now entrusting it to you."
Chiya took the scroll and slowly opened it.
His eyes moved across the contents, and his heart gave a jolt.
What was recorded on the scroll was Uchiha Izumi's lifelong mastery of genjutsu, Fire Release ninjutsu, and also...
Forbidden jutsu!
Izanagi and Izanami!
"This..."
Chiya looked up toward Sosuke.
Sosuke spoke plainly.
"Before she passed, Izumi said that these techniques could only be passed to someone with the ability to control them. Chiya, I hope you will put these powers to good use and not betray her expectations."
Chiya drew a slow breath and put the scroll away with care.
"I will keep the Elder's words in mind."
Sosuke's expression eased somewhat. He lifted his teacup.
"The tea is getting cold."
Chiya took the hint and picked up his own cup for a small sip.
The tea was clear and fragrant, with a lasting aftertaste, as if it could wash away the dust that had settled on the heart.
At that moment, Mikoto walked in carrying a tray of snacks, a sweet smile on her face.
"Grandfather, Chiya-nii."
Sosuke glanced at her, and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
"Mm, set it down."
Mikoto placed the snacks on the table obediently.
Her eyes moved between the two of them, as if trying to read something from their expressions.
Chiya smiled at her and gave a small gesture to let her know there was nothing to worry about.
Sosuke stood up.
"You young ones talk. I am just an old man and will not get in the way."
With that, he took up his walking cane and made his slow way out of the sitting room.
Only after Sosuke's figure disappeared at the far end of the corridor did Mikoto let out a long breath and press a hand to her chest.
"That scared me. Why was Grandfather so serious today?"
Chiya smiled and tucked the scroll away securely.
"Elder Sosuke just cares about the future of the Uchiha."
Mikoto blinked and asked curiously, "Chiya-nii, what did Grandfather say to you?"
Chiya reached over and ruffled her hair with a mysterious smile.
"That is a secret."
Mikoto pouted, but quickly broke into a smile again.
"Alright, I will not ask then. But Chiya-nii, are you staying for dinner tonight? I bought your favorite ingredients this morning!"
Chiya looked at the expectation in her eyes and nodded.
"Sure. I am hungry anyway."
Mikoto's face lit up immediately, and she took Chiya's hand.
"Then let us go to the kitchen right now! I will show you the new dish I learned!"
The last light of the setting sun poured through the window and fell across the two of them, their shadows overlapping on the floor.
"By the way, Mikoto, have you heard the name Uchiha Izumi before?"
Mikoto stopped in her tracks and gave Chiya an odd look.
"Chiya-nii, that is my grandmother's name!"
Grandmother?
Chiya glanced back toward the corridor where Sosuke had disappeared.
Well, well.
No wonder a man as rough-looking as Sosuke had such a beautiful granddaughter. It all came down to inheriting the grandmother's side.
Though, when you think about it, to have won over the genius of that era, Uchiha Izumi, old Sosuke was something else entirely.