The following morning, the blazing sun hung high in a cloudless sky.
Although Konoha's temperatures were sweltering in July, Uchiha Aozora, standing beneath the shade of towering trees, felt little of the heat.
The dense canopy blocked the direct sunlight, and after converting a significant amount of Fire-attribute chakra, Aozora could clearly feel his resistance to heat had improved considerably.
At this moment, his eyes were tightly shut as he visualized the various wooden targets positioned throughout the forest.
Suddenly, his eyes snapped open.
In the instant they did, a cold glint seemed to flash from his gaze.
At the same time, both sleeves of his robe flared as he moved.
In the blink of an eye, four kunai shot forward.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The kunai sliced through the air—not in straight lines.
Instead, like slender birds in flight, they skimmed past flowerbeds, curved around tree trunks, pierced through the treetops, and deftly avoided every obstacle as they flew along separate paths.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
One after another, the four kunai struck their wooden targets.
Uchiha Aozora first smiled in satisfaction—then frowned.
He was pleased with the evolved effects of "Object Control." After its advancement, he could simultaneously manipulate four thrown kunai, altering their trajectories freely at any moment.
What troubled him, however, was the immense consumption.
Each throw required a large amount of chakra. Controlling a single kunai for one minute consumed roughly the same chakra as creating a shadow clone.
"It seems nurturing a personal bound spirit weapon is far more cost-effective…"
After evolving, Object Control now included knowledge on refining and nurturing spirit weapons within the Heavenly Book.
To refine a bound spirit weapon, one first needed a rare natural treasure capable of containing true energy. The treasure would then be carried at all times (or stored within the dantian for those with profound cultivation), cleansed daily with true energy. Once compatibility was achieved, a portion of the practitioner's consciousness would be split and infused into it.
The longer the nurturing process, the deeper the bond between weapon and owner—making control easier and energy consumption far lower.
Translated into ninja-world terms, it meant:First, find a piece of chakra-conductive metal, then nourish it daily with chakra, and finally fuse a split fragment of one's spirit into the metal.
"The only problem is…""I'm broke."
Chakra-conductive metal was absurdly expensive.
Unless Uchiha Aozora sold his house, there was no way he could afford enough chakra-conductive metal to forge a weapon.
And selling the house wasn't an option.
Even if he wanted to, no one would buy it. The Uchiha district was spacious, every household already had its own residence, and outsiders weren't allowed to purchase property within the clan grounds anyway.
Chakra-conductive metal was a broad term referring to special metals capable of accepting chakra infusion and fusing with it, dramatically enhancing ninjutsu power.
Beyond chakra conduction, these metals often possessed additional extraordinary traits—some could regenerate by absorbing blood, others could store and release Lightning chakra.
Legendary craftsmen had forged divine weapons from such metals: the Seven Ninja Swords of Kirigakure, Tobirama Senju's Thunder God Blade, and more.
Their fame drove collectors mad, pushing the price of chakra-conductive metal to unimaginable heights.
"Too expensive. Nurturing a spirit weapon is off the table."
"For now, ordinary ninja tool throwing will have to do."
"Next, I'll study genjutsu—and continue converting chakra in preparation for cultivating Ki Fire."
With his training direction decided, Uchiha Aozora put away his kunai and headed home.
As he neared his house, he spotted a young boy—around five or six years old—standing in front of his courtyard gate.
By the time Aozora approached, the boy had already turned around.
The child had delicate features, long eyelashes at the corners of his eyes, and faint tear troughs beside his nose, giving him a surprisingly mature appearance.
"Itachi, Itachi, check it out!"
Aozora teased Uchiha Itachi lightly. When Itachi showed no reaction, Aozora shook his head in boredom.
"Here to see Shisui? He's off on a border mission."
Itachi looked serious as he replied,"No. I came specifically to see you, Brother Aozora."
"Oh?" Aozora pushed open the gate."Next time, just come inside. Don't treat yourself like an outsider—Shisui dotes on you even more than I do."
Itachi's face flushed slightly."That's not true… Shisui just takes extra care of me because I'm young."
He didn't enter the house, however, and instead said,"I'm here to inform you about the clan assembly this afternoon."
Aozora frowned.
After the Nine-Tails incident, there had been countless clan meetings—large and small—but he had never been included.
Most of them were simply gatherings to complain about the village's suspicion toward the Uchiha, which accomplished nothing.
Seeing Aozora's hesitation, Itachi added,"It's being convened by Father. I heard there's an official order to announce."
After thinking for a moment, Aozora asked,"When and where?"
"Two o'clock this afternoon. The Council Hall."
"I'll be there on time."
With the message delivered, Aozora offered,"Itachi, have some water before you go."
"No need. I still have others to notify."
After sending Itachi off, Aozora kept wondering why the clan head had summoned everyone—especially since even a genin like him had been formally notified.
He was so lost in thought that he barely tasted his lunch.
After eating, Aozora took out his genjutsu scrolls and studied Hell Viewing Technique and Mist Servant Technique for a while.
At 1:30 p.m., he changed into the clan's deep-blue long robe and left home.
Although the Council Hall was within the clan grounds, it was located atop a nearby mountain, so the journey took some time.
At 1:40, Uchiha Aozora reached the summit and saw the towering archway before the Council Hall.
Beneath it stood members of the Uchiha clan, all dressed in deep-blue robes emblazoned with the clan's fan crest on their backs.
Some wore their hair long, others short, gathering in small groups as they chatted.
"Shin'ichi, I heard your wife is pregnant?"
"Yeah, haha! Remember to prepare a red envelope when the child's born."
"Of course! I'll start saving now—my nephew's getting a big one."
"…"
"Manpower's been tight lately. The Police Force has a backlog of cases."
"Tell me about it. I haven't had a proper break in ages."
"…"
Listening to the clan members share their joys and worries, Aozora felt their emotions vividly.
They were just ordinary people.
No one was born evil.
Tobirama Senju once said that the Sharingan was synchronized with emotional power—that as hatred grew, so too did an Uchiha's strength, making them prone to falling into darkness.
Was Tobirama right?
Uchiha Aozora thought it was nonsense.
In such a twisted ninja world, whose heart was truly pure?
In endless wars where loved ones and friends died one after another, how many could truly remain emotionally stable?
Were only the Uchiha susceptible to drastic changes of heart—turning love into hatred?
No.
Such people were everywhere in the ninja world—countless.
So why were the Uchiha singled out as examples, while others believed it without question?
In Aozora's eyes, it all came down to the Sharingan.
When other ninjas underwent drastic emotional shifts and their spiritual power surged, there were no outward signs.
But when an Uchiha experienced trauma—
The Sharingan awakened.
That trait was simply too visible.