Two and a half days passed in the blink of an eye.
Chiya had trained intensively inside the secret chamber in the Uchiha Clan's district, and had finally mastered the forbidden jutsu and Fire Release techniques that Uchiha Izumi had left behind.
He opened his eyes, and the three-tomoe Sharingan flickered with an eerie light in the darkness.
"System, open the panel!"
[Name: Uchiha Chiya]
[Age: 18]
[Chakra: 20 units]
[Kekkei Genkai: Sharingan (Mangekyo), Ice Release]
[Skills: Mangekyo Dojutsu: The Far Shore of the Yellow Springs, Cycle of Cause and Effect. Forbidden Jutsu: Izanagi, Izanami. Medical Ninjutsu Mastery, Fire Release Mastery, Genjutsu Mastery. Body Flicker Technique, Shadow Clone Technique, Three Body Technique, and others.]
[Susano'o Unlock Progress: Ocular Power (Forging Proficiency): 95%, Chakra Volume Requirement: (Met), Chakra Control Requirement: (Met)]
The forbidden jutsu training was complete, and the Fire Release entry had also changed to show the word mastery.
The word mastery was the system's unified term for reaching a certain level.
Fire Release Mastery meant that the Fire Release training had reached a sufficient level, and the number of techniques learned was enough.
Only then would the word mastery appear.
'Ocular power is at 95. If I help Lady Mito complete her control over the Nine-Tails today, it should just about reach 100.'
Chiya murmured quietly, then put away the scroll beside him, stood up, and walked out of the secret chamber.
The moment he stepped out of the room, an Anbu ninja appeared before him in a flash.
"Uchiha Chiya, Clan Head. The Hokage requests that you proceed immediately to the area outside the village. You are not permitted to bring any other police force members."
Chiya gave a slight nod.
"Understood."
The Anbu ninja's figure flickered and vanished.
Chiya's gaze grew slightly heavy.
'As expected. The Third still made sure to take precautions.'
He thought for a moment, then called for Uchiha Fugaku.
"After I leave, have the police force strengthen patrols inside the village, especially in key areas. There must not be any mistakes."
Fugaku's expression tightened.
"Clan Head, has something happened?"
Chiya spoke calmly.
"Just a precaution. The safety of the village is equally important."
Fugaku nodded with gravity.
"Understood. I will make the arrangements."
With everything settled, Chiya left the clan district alone.
As soon as he stepped outside the village, an Anbu ninja came to stand before him.
"Clan Head Chiya, follow me."
Chiya nodded.
The two moved one after the other, heading west.
About ten miles outside the village, in a secluded stretch of forest, a small temporary compound stood quietly.
The trees around it were dense and the place looked ordinary, but in truth it was filled with hidden danger.
The moment Chiya entered the edge of the forest, he sensed several subtle threads of chakra locking onto him.
His expression did not change, and he continued forward.
Soon, a massive barrier came into view, a pale blue curtain of light enclosing the small compound, with powerful chakra pulses radiating off it as the inscribed seals shifted and flowed.
Outside the barrier, Anbu and Root ninja stood in tight formation, their eyes sweeping the surroundings with vigilance.
Chiya was brought to the entrance of the barrier.
Hatake Sakumo was already waiting there.
He was dressed in full Anbu attire, his white hair drifting slightly in the wind, his gaze steady and sharp.
"Chiya."
Sakumo gave a small nod, his tone even.
"Captain Sakumo."
Chiya returned the nod in greeting. Their eyes met, and Sakumo gave him a look that said all was well.
He then stepped aside to open a path.
"Go in. Lady Mito is already waiting for you."
Chiya stepped through the barrier, and the curtain of light behind him slowly closed.
He felt how different the chakra inside was from outside, and it was clear the space had been completely sealed off.
Outside the barrier.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado had all changed into combat attire, their expressions grave.
The Third Hokage held his pipe, his gaze deep as he looked toward the barrier.
"I hope everything goes smoothly."
Koharu said in a low voice.
Homura pushed up his glasses.
"With Hatake Sakumo present, there should not be any problems."
Hiruzen said nothing, only drew a long, deep breath from his pipe.
Inside the barrier, Chiya pushed open the door of the small compound's room, and a faint scent of medicine drifted out to meet him.
The room was plainly furnished. Uzumaki Mito sat on the bed, her expression gentle, though the exhaustion between her brows was impossible to hide.
"You came, child."
Mito smiled softly, her voice warm.
Chiya gave a slight bow.
"Lady Mito, sorry for the intrusion."
Mito waved a hand.
"No need to be so formal. Just be at ease."
Her manner caught Chiya slightly off guard.
This wife of the First Hokage seemed to hold no hostility toward him, an Uchiha, and instead carried the warmth of an elder toward a younger person.
Hatake Sakumo stood to one side, his gaze watchful but respectful.
At that moment, an Anbu ninja pushed the door open and stepped in, speaking in a low voice.
"Everything is ready. We can begin."
Chiya gave a nod and looked toward Mito.
"Lady Mito, I am going to begin."
Mito smiled gently.
"Go ahead, child. If you cannot hold on, I will help you."
Chiya drew a slow breath, placed his hand gently on Mito's forehead, and slowly closed his eyes.
His chakra flowed through his palm and into Mito's body, and his consciousness sank with it into her spiritual world.
In the dark space, Chiya opened his eyes and found himself standing before an enormous cage.
The cage was formed from golden chains, and several of them had already snapped, with crimson chakra showing signs of leaking outward.
Inside the cage, what was there seemed to have been disturbed by Chiya's sudden arrival.
A pair of crimson beast eyes snapped open, and savage chakra surged forward like a tide.
"A little Uchiha brat?"
The Nine-Tails' voice boomed like thunder, making the entire space tremble.
Chiya's expression did not change. His three-tomoe Sharingan looked directly at the Nine-Tails.
"Nine-Tails. Be quiet."
"You think you can order me around? Who do you think you are?"
The Nine-Tails let out a furious roar, and its massive claws slammed against the cage. The golden light on the cage flickered, and the entire space shook violently.
The tomoe in Chiya's eyes spun rapidly, and a genjutsu activated in an instant.
The Nine-Tails' movements faltered slightly, but it broke free quickly.
"A mere three-tomoe Sharingan, and you think you can control me?"
Chiya's lip curved slightly.
"Is that so?"
In the next moment, his eyes shifted suddenly. The three tomoe merged together and formed a six-petal blood-red Spider Lily pattern.
The Mangekyo Sharingan had been activated.
"That is..."
The Nine-Tails' pupils contracted. It had clearly recognized those eyes.
"Now. Be quiet."
Chiya's voice was cold.
The ocular power of the Mangekyo Sharingan erupted fully. The Nine-Tails' roar cut off abruptly, its enormous body forcibly suppressed, and it slowly sank down.
Its eyes, at some point, had already taken on the pattern of a six-petal blood-red Spider Lily.
"Lady Mito, you can go ahead and reinforce the cage now."
Outside, the furrow between Mito's brows eased, and she began forming hand seals.
At that point, the remaining golden chains on the Nine-Tails before him snapped loose.
One by one, golden chains flew out from her body and burrowed back into Mito.
Layer upon layer of new chakra chains formed a cage and locked around the Nine-Tails.
The sealing effect of the chains was far more secure than what had been there before.
Looking at the Nine-Tails, which was now nearly wrapped up like a bundle.
Chiya's eyes shifted, and the crimson Mangekyo faded away, returning to the three-tomoe state.
The Nine-Tails woke from the genjutsu.
Feeling the restraints on its body, it stared at Chiya with a vicious look.
"What a wretched pair of eyes. I cannot stand them."
The Nine-Tails bared its teeth and growled, but its tone was no longer as arrogant as before.
Chiya said flatly.
"For the next few years, stay quiet and do not cause Lady Mito any trouble."
The Nine-Tails let out a cold snort.
"You think this can hold me forever?"
"At least for now, you cannot stir up any waves."
The Nine-Tails stared at Chiya's eyes, then let out a vicious grin.
"Uchiha, one day, you will pay a price for what you did today."
Chiya was unmoved.
"Perhaps. But that day will not come the way you are hoping."
Outside, the thin wisps of Nine-Tails chakra that had been leaking from her body gradually pulled back.
In the distance, Hatake Sakumo saw this and the tension in his nerves eased slightly.
Outside the barrier, Hiruzen Sarutobi sensed the change in chakra.
A flicker of surprise passed through his eyes.
"It actually worked..."
Koharu and Homura exchanged a glance, and each saw the shock in the other's eyes.
Inside the room.
Chiya slowly opened his eyes and withdrew his hand.
"It is done."
He said quietly.
Mito let out a long breath, and much of the exhaustion on her face faded.
"Thank you, child."
Hatake Sakumo stepped forward.
"Lady Mito, how do you feel?"
Mito smiled gently.
"Much better. The Nine-Tails has been suppressed for now."
Chiya looked toward Sakumo.
"The task is complete. May I leave?"
Sakumo nodded.
"I will walk you out."
The two walked out of the room, and the Anbu ninja outside the barrier quickly cleared a path.
In the distance, Hiruzen and the others came forward to meet them.
"Chiya, good work."
The Third Hokage's tone carried a note of appreciation.
"It is what I am here for."
Koharu seemed about to say something, but in the end only nodded.
Homura pushed up his glasses.
"The power of the Uchiha truly lives up to its name."
Chiya did not respond. He simply looked toward the Third.
"Hokage, about the promise from before..."
Hiruzen smiled slightly.
"Do not worry. The advisor's position. I will arrange it as soon as possible."
Chiya gave a small nod.
"Then I will head back to the village."
With that, he turned and left. His figure stretched long in the light of the setting sun.
Hatake Sakumo watched his retreating form, and a trace of something complicated passed through his eyes.
On the road back to the village, a notification chimed in Chiya's mind.
"Congratulations, host. Ocular Power Forging Proficiency has reached 100%."
"Congratulations, host. Susano'o has been unlocked."