Shuoye Uchiha was still deep in thought when faint footsteps approached from behind.
He came back to himself and turned. Several young members of the Uchiha clan were walking toward him. Their expressions carried a mix of anxiety and anticipation.
"Lord Shuoye… how should we face the battles ahead?" one of them asked, his voice unsteady. Fear flickered in his eyes—alongside hope.
Before Shuoye could respond, a crisp mechanical tone rang out in his mind.
[System Notification]
Other members have begun cultivating the Zanpakutō system.
Host may receive feedback rewards.
Randomly awakening one Supreme-type Zanpakutō ×1.
A warm current surged through his body. Something deep within him stirred—like a sealed force beginning to breathe.
A faint smile touched Shuoye's lips. He rose to his feet and faced them fully, his gaze steady and bright.
"We need to establish another Soul Hall," he said. "Gather more of our people. I will introduce you to a new power—one called the Zanpakutō. Every Uchiha will learn to wield it. It will become the foundation of a new combat system for our clan."
"Zanpakutō?"
A trace of confusion crossed Shisui Uchiha's eyes.
"Yes." Shuoye nodded. "Think of it as a new form of ninjutsu. By awakening the flow of your own heart, you will find a blade born from your soul."
"Just… a sword?"
Fugaku Uchiha frowned slightly. He found it difficult to imagine how a mere weapon could change the Uchiha's dire situation.
"You'll understand in time," Shuoye replied with a quiet smile, offering nothing more.
But in his mind, he could already see it—
An entire clan, each wielding their own Zanpakutō. Spiritual blades drawn in unison. A pressure so overwhelming it would shake the world.
At that moment, deep within the forest beyond the village—
A figure stood hidden in shadow.
It was Orochimaru.
He watched in silence, eyes sharp as a predator's. His gaze was fixed on the direction of the Uchiha compound.
Konoha had been changing. And the transformation of the Uchiha clan fascinated him more than he cared to admit.
What are they cultivating… to emit such pressure?
Then—
His eyes caught sight of a familiar figure.
Kushina Uzumaki.
The moment he recognized her, a flicker of greed ignited in his gaze.
A gift from heaven… the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki.
Kushina walked along the path, head lowered in thought, unaware that danger was drawing closer.
Orochimaru slipped through the undergrowth like a phantom. The darkness swallowed him whole; only his eyes betrayed the hunger within.
"Kushina… what perfect bait," he murmured softly, calculations already forming.
Just then, two childish voices drifted down a distant road.
"Brother, do you think I can join the Soul Hall?"
"With how talented Sasuke is, he definitely can in the future."
Orochimaru's attention shifted at once.
Uchiha children?
How convenient.
His interest in Kushina cooled in an instant. Compared to the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, the Uchiha were far more enticing now.
Walking side by side on the path were two boys.
Sasuke's expression was earnest.
Beside him, Itachi's eyes were calm and deep, already thinking several steps ahead—especially about their future… and the possibility of joining the Soul Hall.
Then—
A chill brushed against his senses.
It was subtle. Like a serpent's tongue flicking through the air.
Itachi reacted instantly.
He shifted half a step aside.
The strike cut through empty air.
A figure emerged slowly from the shadows.
It was Orochimaru—though only one of his many clones.
"Sharp reflexes, Uchiha brat."
His voice was smooth, almost amused. But beneath it lay a cold curiosity.
Such talent at this age…
If nurtured properly, this boy would be invaluable—especially for the research of reincarnation techniques.
Sasuke's face tightened. Fear crept in, but concern for his brother outweighed it.
Itachi, however, remained composed.
His Sharingan opened slowly.
Crimson tomoe rotated within his pupils, catching every subtle movement on the battlefield.
"Lord Orochimaru… what are you doing here?" Itachi asked, already recognizing him. His guard was fully raised.
Orochimaru sensed the vigilance and chose not to press the attack.
The strength Itachi had displayed wasn't yet enough to threaten him—but it was enough to intrigue him.
To recruit a talent like this, brute force would be foolish.
A faint smile curved his lips.
"Your name is Itachi, correct? Your eyes… they're quite unusual."
He stepped forward.
With each step, chakra rolled off him in heavy waves—neither fully hostile nor entirely restrained. Testing. Measuring.
Itachi's gaze did not waver.
His hands moved swiftly through seals, the red in his eyes deepening.
"Mm~"
Without warning, Orochimaru's face appeared inches away. Their noses nearly touched.
"You truly are Uchiha," Orochimaru murmured. "At such a young age… and you could detect even my infiltration technique."
Then he straightened and retreated several meters.
Itachi slowly withdrew his Sharingan. The red faded from his eyes.
And in the silence that followed—
Observation Haki spread outward.
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