Naruto: Forbidden Arts and an Immortal Agenda

In Aozora's living room.

Itachi Uchiha kept flipping through The Will of Fire.

But beyond the introduction, what else could be found inside it? Aside from the abstract concept of the "Will of Fire," all that remained were just glorified tales praising heroes and their deeds.

Itachi stopped turning pages but had neither conceded defeat nor believed himself mistaken.

He paused before replying, "Brother Aozora, don't you think your statement's a bit rushed?"

"You claim the Sannin and White Fang alone won two Great Ninja World Wars. I won't deny their great contributions, but that shouldn't erase Hokage-sama's merits. Without his strategic planning from behind the scenes, the Second Great Ninja World War definitely wouldn't have ended so quickly."

"Did you read this somewhere?" Aozora asked. "In The History of Konoha?"

Itachi nodded.

Aozora shook his head with a smile. He'd gone through six years of compulsory schooling in Konoha. He'd read that story-filled book just as many times as Itachi had.

"And you actually believe that book? It's called *The History of Konoha*, yet it only records events since Sarutobi became Hokage. Why does it skim over everything from the First and Second Hokages' eras? Why does it describe such a monumental event as Konoha's founding in less than a hundred Chinese characters?"

Itachi found himself speechless.

Aozora continued, "Have you ever read your clan's history? How does it describe Konoha's origins?"

After a moment's thought, Itachi replied, "The Uchiha and Senju reconciled, ending the chaotic era by establishing Konoha. Clans like Sarutobi and Shimura joined them..."

Aozora pressed on, "And how does that version describe it?"

Without hesitation, Itachi answered, "Uchiha, Senju, Sarutobi, and other ninja clans jointly founded Konoha..."

Then he fell silent.

Uchiha history might not be entirely accurate, but could The History of Konoha really be trusted?

Seeing this, Aozora knew doubts about Konoha's upper echelons had already surfaced within Itachi.

Straightening his posture, he quietly watched the young Uchiha.

If this were a debate, he'd push every advantage relentlessly.

But this wasn't about winning an argument—it was about correcting this precocious youth's ideology.

He willingly gave Itachi time to think, allowing him to truly understand his clan's suffering and recognize Konoha's leadership for what they were.

After a long silence, Itachi remained deep in contemplation.

Sighing, Aozora said, "That's enough for today! I'll leave you with two questions to consider carefully when you return home."

Looking up, Itachi's eyes showed confusion.

"Brother Aozora, please ask."

Aozora raised one finger.

"The first question!"

"'The Will of Fire' demands sacrifice—but should it come willingly, or be forced upon people?"

Willingly meant personal choice for a select few.

Forced meant compliance demanded from everyone.

Though differing by just one word, these meanings stood worlds apart.

Aozora wanted Itachi to understand: "The Will of Fire" represents a noble moral ideal. You can demand this from yourself, but cannot impose your personal moral pursuits onto others.

"Willingly? Forced?"

Itachi murmured, repeating the words.

He understood the meaning behind both terms—he was considering the significance of Aozora's question.

Before Itachi reached any conclusion, Aozora raised two fingers.

"The second question!"

"Whose Konoha is this really?"

"Is it the Leaf elders sitting in the Hokage Tower, or all the villagers living in Leaf?"

Itachi had already confronted him twice about inciting discord between the Clan and the Village.

By asking this question, Aozora hoped Itachi could realize that while the village elders could represent Leaf, they did not equate to the entirety of it.

With that, he simply waved his hand, signaling Itachi to get lost.

When it comes to Sanguan (a person's core worldview, values, and outlook on life), external guidance can only serve as a reference — true understanding must come from self-reflection.

If Itachi could ever get his head straight, Aozora would still treat him as his beloved little brother. He might even be willing to teach him some profound spiritual techniques in the future, helping him become a guardian deity of the Clan.

However, if Itachi remained arrogant and self-righteous, Aozora would offer guidance just one more time before considering himself free of obligation.

Itachi walked out of Aozora's estate, dazed, clutching the Will of Fire.

As he stepped through the gate, his face looked haggard, dark shadows beneath his wide tear-filled eyes brimming with sorrow.

Had his clothes been even slightly disheveled, endless rumors would have surely spread behind his back.

He paused and gazed back at the secluded estate for a long while.

Previously, having read the teachings left by their ancestors, he had grown disgusted by the narrow tribalism of his clan.

He had thought he had risen above tribal loyalty and gained a higher perspective.

Yet today's conversation with Aozora made him realize—he had been too conceited.

So conceited as to believe he stood higher than the entire Uchiha Clan, so conceited as to think his decisions were wiser than those of every other Uchiha.

Did his father, Shisui, and Aozora truly lack vision? Were their choices really wrong?

Itachi needed time to rethink deeply—the relationship between the clan, the village, and himself.

The two questions Aozora posed now weighed heavily on his mind.

Beyond the high walls, Itachi cast one last lingering glance at the figure in the courtyard before turning and leaving.

Shortly after Itachi departed, Aozora quickly hung a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the courtyard gate.

From yesterday's self-test, he fully met the requirements for Soul Division.

If an average soul strength was rated at 1, Soul Division required at least 1.5. Yet Aozora possessed a soul strength of 2.5.

With the spiritual inheritance from his past life combined with the naturally strong spirit typical of the Uchiha, such a high soul strength wasn't surprising.

Since he met the conditions, Aozora couldn't wait to begin cultivation.

The practice of Soul Division was extremely dangerous and required a safe, undisturbed environment.

His own estate had thus become his chosen training location.

He selected his home specifically because it fulfilled both safety and tranquility.

Before the night of the massacre, the Uchiha Compound was certainly one of the safest places in the Ninja World.

And the "Do Not Disturb" notice would prevent Tetsuka, Itachi, and Clan Head Fugaku from interrupting his cultivation.

Aside from these few individuals, Aozora had little interaction with other clansmen, so no one else would come to bother him.

After putting up the notice and locking the doors securely, Aozora returned to his bedroom and began cultivating Soul Division.

First, he reviewed the technique's instructions once more before sitting down in meditation.

Only when he had calmed his heart and reached his optimal physical and mental state did Aozora begin the process of splitting his soul.

Soul Division—first, one must split the soul into two halves.

To begin, he would use a Secret Jutsu to forge a [Soul Blade], then wield it to cleave his soul apart.

This slash must be swift and decisive, sharp and precise. 

If the strike is sloppy, even a saint couldn't endure the pain of soul-severing for long. 

If the angle is off, at best Soul Cultivation will fail, at worst the soul will scatter and dissipate [soul-scattering]. 

Fortunately, Aozora was a skilled practitioner of the blade—he felt confident even with the Soul Blade technique. 

Over the next few days, Aozora stayed locked inside, following the inheritance teachings to nurture the Soul Blade within his Spiritual Sea. 

Gradually, the Soul Blade solidified, transforming from a hazy, intangible cloud-like blade into a thick, ancient gray blade. 

Aozora knew the moment had arrived. 

He stilled his mind and turned his awareness inward. 

A golden sphere rose up from the mist in his Spiritual Sea. 

After aiming carefully, Aozora declared firmly, "Slash!" 

As the word left his lips, so did the blade! 

The golden sphere cleaved in two. 

Following that came indescribable pain. 

This agonizing pain, relentless as fire coursing through his veins, plunged Aozora into unconsciousness.

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