Chiya left the ANBU and walked in the direction of the Uchiha Military Police headquarters.
The last rays of the setting sun fell across his body, casting a long shadow behind him.
His steps were steady, his gaze deep, as if he was thinking about something.
Masaki followed closely behind him, his expression complicated, opening his mouth several times as if wanting to speak but stopping himself.
Finally, as they passed by the empty training ground, Masaki could no longer hold back.
He rushed forward and stopped, dropping to one knee in front of Chiya with a thud, his voice low and firm.
"Clan Head!"
Chiya looked at Masaki kneeling on the ground, his expression calm.
"Masaki, what are you doing?"
Masaki raised his head, his eyes flickering with regret and resolve.
"Clan Head, I... I was wrong.
My mind was once filled entirely with the village, filled entirely with the so-called 'Will of Fire,' and I kept neglecting the foundation of the clan. Now, after experiencing the sacrifices of our clansmen and everything that followed, I have finally come to my senses.
The ideals you spoke of before are the true future of the Uchiha Clan, the true future of Konoha."
Chiya watched him quietly. After a moment, he reached out and helped him to his feet.
"Stand up, Masaki. I am glad you have come to understand."
Masaki stood, looking at Uchiha Chiya with a trace of unease in his eyes.
"Clan Head, are you not angry with me? I once strayed from the clan's position..."
Chiya shook his head, his tone gentle but firm.
"Masaki, you are an elite of the Uchiha Clan. Being able to recognize the importance of the clan is more important than anything else.
The clan is the foundation of the village. A village without its clans is like a tree without roots. It will wither in the end."
Masaki stared blankly at Chiya, as if he was truly understanding his words for the first time.
Chiya continued.
"Clans form naturally. A home is where feelings are placed, and a clan is the gathering of all those feelings.
The village is the existence that clans united to protect together.
Without clans, the village loses its meaning."
These words struck like lightning, completely clearing away the fog in Masaki's heart.
He thought back to his own past blindness, his fanatical pursuit of the "Will of Fire," while neglecting the most fundamental bond of clan and family.
Now, he finally understood. The clan and the village were not opposites. They complemented each other.
People come first, then a home, then a clan, and from that a village is born.
"Clan Head..."
Masaki's voice was a little choked.
"Thank you for giving me a chance to correct my mistakes. I... from this day forward, I, Masaki, am willing to give everything for the clan."
Chiya patted his shoulder, approval in his eyes.
"Having that resolve is enough."
Masaki took a deep breath and made up his mind.
"Clan Head, I want to resign from my position in ANBU and return to serve the clan."
But Chiya shook his head.
"No. You cannot leave ANBU yet."
Masaki was startled.
"Clan Head, why is that?"
Chiya's gaze was deep.
"ANBU is the core institution of the village. Without Uchiha members involved, how would we be able to obtain intelligence in time?
You staying in ANBU is also contributing to the clan."
Masaki was silent for a moment, then nodded heavily.
"I understand. Clan Head, rest assured. I will definitely fight for more benefits for the clan."
Chiya smiled faintly.
"Go. Remember.
No matter where you are, you are the pride of our Uchiha."
Masaki bowed deeply, then turned and left. His retreating figure carried a new sense of resolve and purpose.
Chiya watched Masaki leave, the corner of his mouth curving slightly upward.
Masaki had come around. The purpose of taking him along to see Aoki this time had been achieved.
From now on, someone else would be able to provide intelligence to the clan.
In addition to Hokage adviser Uchiha Fugaku and ANBU member Uchiha Yashiro, there was now also Uchiha Masaki.
The last light of the setting sun fell across the surrounding grass, casting a golden glow over everything.
Chiya walked with satisfaction in the direction of the Uchiha Military Police Force.
He had just reached the ground floor when he heard hurried footsteps approaching.
"Chiya-nii!"
Mikoto ran out from inside the Military Police Force headquarters to Chiya, her face filled with worry.
"Are you alright..."
Chiya reached out and ruffled her head, his voice gentle.
"Don't worry. It was just some minor matters."
Mikoto let out a breath of relief, concern still visible in her eyes.
"That's good... I was afraid they would try to do something against Chiya-nii."
Chiya smiled.
'Do something against him?'
'They don't have the strength for that right now.'
Chiya looked up at the sky, checking the time, and changed the subject.
"It is getting late. Let's head to the training ground."
Mikoto nodded, the worry on her face gradually replaced by excitement.
"Okay! I want to try a new genjutsu today!"
The two left the Military Police Force headquarters.
When they arrived at the open area of the training ground, Mikoto quickly formed hand seals, and the two-tomoe Sharingan began to flicker faintly.
Her movements were much more fluid than they had been a month ago, and her chakra control was more precise as well.
"Genjutsu, Narakumi no Jutsu!"
The surrounding scenery twisted in an instant, as if falling into an endless abyss.
Chiya stood in place, a trace of approval flickering in his eyes.
He waved his hand lightly and the genjutsu was broken.
"Not bad. You have improved greatly."
Chiya remarked.
"But the distribution of chakra can still be refined a little more."
Mikoto nodded seriously.
"I will keep practicing!"
In the time that followed, Chiya patiently guided Mikoto in her training.
Her Fire Style and genjutsu had advanced rapidly under Chiya's instruction, and her strength was far beyond what it had once been.
The sun gradually sank in the west, leaving only the two figures on the training ground.
Just as Chiya was about to end the day's training, a rustling sound came from behind a large tree.
Both of them turned their heads at the same time and saw a red-haired head peeking out from behind the trunk.
Uzumaki Kushina.
"Kushina?"
Mikoto called out in surprise.
Uzumaki Kushina leaped out from behind the tree, her face lit up with a bright smile.
"Hehe, did I scare you!"
Chiya raised an eyebrow.
"What brings you here? Did you finish learning the sealing jutsu?"
Kushina pouted.
"Lady Mito said I was making fast progress and gave me a half-day off today as a special reward!"
She moved over to Mikoto's side, grabbed her arm in a very familiar way, and said with a grin.
"Mikoto-nee, it has been so long! I missed you so much!"
Mikoto smiled as well.
"It has been a while. You have not been coming to play with us lately."
Kushina scratched her head, looking a little embarrassed.
"It cannot be helped. Lady Mito's lessons are very strict..."
Her eyes suddenly lit up as she looked toward Chiya.
"Chiya-nii, I heard you have been amazing lately. Even the Suna-nin envoy was scared off by you?"
Chiya laughed.
"Who told you that?"
Kushina lifted her chin proudly.
"I heard it from Lady Tsunade herself!"
Chiya shook his head and said nothing more.
But Kushina pushed forward with enthusiasm.
"Chiya-nii, can you spar with me? I want to get stronger too!"
Mikoto laughed from the side.
"Kushina, aren't you learning sealing jutsu?"
Kushina waved her hand.
"I have to study sealing jutsu, but I can't fall behind in real combat skills either!"
Chiya looked at her eager, expectant eyes and smiled helplessly.
"Fine. As a special exception, I will do a simulated sparring session with you today."
Kushina immediately cheered.
"Yes!"
"I have learned a lot of sealing jutsu! Don't let your guard down, Chiya-nii!"
"Come at me then!"
"Hmph, Chiya-nii, I will defeat you sooner or later!"
"Then I will look forward to that. You cannot beat me with just your mouth!"
"..."
Under the setting sun, the three figures moved across the training ground.
The bond between the three had not grown distant from their brief time apart.
If anything, the distance between their hearts had grown closer.