Chapter 31: Indra’s Chakra (1/2)

Once, before Konoha was established, during the Warring States Era.

Fire Style was once synonymous with the Uchiha.

The Uchiha, wielding the Sharingan, had incinerated countless enemies on the battlefield with their powerful Fire Style techniques.

In the vast ninja world, only the Senju clan could stand against them.

Later, the Uchiha and Senju set aside their differences and together founded Konoha.

The ninja world ushered in a new system of ninja villages, and ninjas entered a new era of survival.

Over time, Konoha experienced two Great Ninja Wars, with the third war having just begun not long ago.

The old and powerful families of Konoha, those ancient and mighty clans, still bore the Uchiha's mark.

Even as the Uchiha moved their clan's base within Konoha, they had seemingly become the village's guardians…

And to this day.

As that fire dragon spiraled above the exam arena!

As the Uchiha youth stood with his fingers raised, seemingly hesitating whether to incinerate his opponent completely!

The fear that had once dwelled in the souls of their ancestors, regarding the Uchiha clan, was not something just Hinata Qingchuan could feel.

"Fire Style… it can be used like this?"

An Akimichi clan member could no longer suppress his astonishment, forgetting about the chips in his hand, his voice trembling.

"So this is what the Uchiha are like…"

"..."

Fugaku didn't express any shock, appearing calm, but Mikoto, who held his hand, could most acutely sense her husband's excitement.

Gently stroking her stomach, she said, "Child, you have a very powerful big brother."

"Orochimaru…"

Wearing a hat, and having seen this technique from the crystal ball, the Third Hokage took a drag from his cigarette. His aged face showed little joy.

No one knew what the old man was truly thinking, not even Orochimaru, who was closest to him.

"This child, during the second Chunin exam, used this technique to encircle the Forest of Death and ignited a large portion of the forest with Fire Style."

"I had to stop the exam. The fire took the rescue teams three hours to extinguish."

"I've heard about it, Sensei." Orochimaru spoke with a serious tone.

"It was my oversight. I still underestimated this child's talent. His current strength has far exceeded the limits of the Chunin exam…"

"I should have anticipated this."

Orochimaru took the responsibility upon himself.

But how could the Third Hokage possibly pursue it?

Not to mention that the Uchiha had already borne the cost of this incident for Konoha, the Third Hokage's goal at this moment was not to assign blame.

Another exceptionally gifted Uchiha…

Danzo's concerns were not without reason, but he was more inclined to emulate the approach of his former teacher.

"Keep this child close to you from now on, Orochimaru… do not forget my instructions."

Orochimaru smiled slightly, "Understood, Sensei."

The key to reconciling the Uchiha and Konoha?

Orochimaru hadn't forgotten the child's dreams that day…

To become clan leader, protect Konoha, and rise in the ninja world, becoming great and powerful.

To Orochimaru, the concerns of his teacher were undoubtedly unnecessary.

This child had yet to touch those things.

And Konoha's higher-ups only needed to abandon some prejudices; there was no need for any bridge.

In the dark corner.

Danzo watched the figure with cold eyes. The sunlight did not reach this old man, and no one could discern his expression.

"Elder Danzo, the Insect Squad has intercepted an urgent distress call from Ryuya."

A ROOT ninja appeared, bowed slightly, and whispered the report.

"Inform the Insect Squad to withdraw from the battlefield, remain silent, and prepare to execute the extermination mission against the Uchiha."

Danzo continued to stare fixedly at the youth in the sky, saying: