"Consider it a gift," Heiyan said casually, handing the scroll to Fugaku Uchiha.
"This..."
Fugaku's heart pounded violently as he heard those words.
Because within this scroll lay detailed cultivation insights into the Scorch Release Kekkei Genkai.
A quick glance revealed everything—from basic One-Handed Hand Seal training, to advanced fusion of Fire Release and Wind Release, all the way to fully formed Scorch Release techniques.
Everything was covered in detail.
These cultivation insights were naturally all Heiyan's own work.
During this period, while developing [Storm Release], he compiled together Hanzo's [Storm Release] scroll, Pakura's shared experiences regarding [Scorch Release], and his own self-discovered cultivation methods.
Finally summarizing them into a complete training guide for Kekkei Genkai involving escape-style techniques.
This scroll contained specifically the Scorch Release portion.
No—I shouldn't keep reading.
Coming back to his senses, Fugaku forcefully shifted his gaze away from the scroll with great difficulty.
Then he returned the scroll to Heiyan.
"Heiyan, this gift is too valuable—I cannot accept it."
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Fugaku spoke slowly, his gaze filled with resolve.
And for good reason.
In the world of ninja, ninjutsu—especially advanced techniques—were always the most valuable assets.
One must understand: over six years at Konoha's Ninja Academy taught practically nothing beyond the Three Body Techniques.
Even simple chakra-control practices like tree-climbing or water-walking were only passed down by jounin instructors after graduating as a genin.
Shinobi born into clans had an easier path, as they received teachings from their elders or fathers.
Commoner shinobi, however, had a much harder time. To learn advanced techniques, they could only rely on dangerous missions or battlefield achievements—paying with their lives for knowledge.
Most ninja, if obtaining an A-rank technique, would treat it like a family treasure never to be revealed.
High-level secret techniques could even serve as the foundation for powerful clans.
Take Konoha's legendary Ino-Shika-Cho trio—each founded on a major secret technique: the Mind Body Switch Technique, the Shadow Imitation Technique, and the Expansion Jutsu, respectively.
As for Kekkei Genkai...they ranked among the rarest secrets of all.
[Scorch Release], for example.
That's precisely why Fugaku felt Heiyan's gift was far too precious—he couldn't possibly accept it.
"Just think of it as making friends."
Heiyan tossed the scroll back to Fugaku, cutting off any protest before it could form as he added, "If you feel uneasy about it, then as repayment, once you awaken Mangekyou Sharingan, please tell me what's written next on this stone tablet."
With that said, he gestured toward the stone tablet with a slight smile.
"To be honest, I find mythological tales quite fascinating."
Of course, Heiyan's true intentions weren't about the content itself.
What truly interested him wasn't the writing—but the stone tablet itself.
Seemingly casual about giving away [Scorch Release] insights, but actually carefully planned.
On one hand, Heiyan was sure to take the Six Paths stone tablet and forge it into a Meteor Hammer. This Scorch Release scroll could serve as compensation for the Uchiha clan.
On the other hand...
From spending time together recently, Heiyan had discovered that Fugaku Uchiha was actually a pretty good guy worth befriending.
After all, among the Uchiha clan, Fugaku was one of the few sane ones. Although he also had the flaw of arrogance and self-importance, aside from that, he valued relationships, possessed a strong sense of responsibility, and was ultimately a trustworthy person.
Plus...
Fugaku's two sons—Itachi and Sasuke—were both crucial figures who influenced the fate of the ninja world in the original timeline.
And in this current timeline, Fugaku had infiltrated Madara Uchiha and Black Zetsu's faction. This meant Heiyan could indirectly monitor Madara and Black Zetsu through Fugaku.
Therefore, for various reasons, Heiyan decided to draw closer to Fugaku Uchiha.
Even becoming genuine friends wouldn't be bad.
"Friend..."
Fugaku Uchiha murmured this familiar yet foreign word.
Everyone has friends.
But for Fugaku, who had carried the title of prodigy since childhood, he had always stood out from the crowd. Combined with his aloof personality and mature mindset, he found it difficult to truly connect with his peers.
That all changed when Heiyan appeared.
"Alright, I'll accept it."
Fugaku Uchiha finally let himself be convinced by Heiyan, changed his mind, and solemnly put away the scroll.
He would carry this act of generosity with him forever.
The two chatted for a while longer, feeling much closer to each other now.
Before leaving the hidden room,
Heiyan gently caressed the stone tablet again, a hypothesis arising in his mind.
"Perhaps after mastering Sage Art, I might be able to move this stone tablet. After all, the only power rivaling Six Paths chakra is natural chakra."
He murmured under his breath.
Then, without wasting another moment, Heiyan turned and left.
At the edge of a hot spring, stood a modest three-story house.
Not long after returning home, Heiyan received an unexpected visitor.
It turned out to be Hiashi Hyuga, the eldest son of the Hyuga clan.
But what surprised Heiyan even more was Hiashi's next action.
"Heiyan, please allow me to follow your path of cultivation!"
Hiashi cut straight to the chase. His eyes burned with intensity as he clearly stated his purpose.
Before Heiyan could respond, under his astonished gaze, Hiashi suddenly dropped down onto his knees.
Then, placing both hands forward on the floor in a V-shape, his upper body slowly bent forward until finally his forehead touched the ground.
[Dogeza]! An act of absolute humility and respect.
After suffering defeat at the Valley of the End, reflecting continuously throughout an entire day and night, Hiashi had finally realized that the techniques of the Hyuga clan were incapable of defeating true experts.
Therefore, he resolved to learn from Heiyan—the one who had defeated him—and swore to forge a completely new path.
"I'm afraid there's nothing much I can teach you."
Heiyan shook his head and rejected Hiashi Hyuga's request.
It wasn't that he didn't want to teach.
That was because most of his techniques required the Sage Transformation—an ability Hiashi could never master.
"I... I understand..."
Hiashi replied softly. Although he had expected this outcome, disappointment still showed on his face.
"Heiyan-sama, I'm sorry to have bothered you."
He stood up and bowed deeply to Heiyan, showing his sincere apology.
Then, he turned away in silence.
"Wait."
Heiyan suddenly called him back. "I haven't finished speaking yet. Why are you in such a hurry to leave?"
"Eh..."
Hiashi was first taken aback, then overwhelmed with surprise and joy.
Looking at Heiyan with great expectations, hope reignited in his heart.
"Seeing your determination, it's clearly not just a momentary impulse. Alright then, although I can't teach you myself, I might be able to introduce you to a teacher."
Heiyan pushed the door open and stepped outside, saying, "If you trust me, come along."
Introduce me to a teacher?
Hearing those words, Hiashi didn't hesitate. Like a drowning man clinging to a lifeline, he quickly fell into step behind him.
A quarter of an hour later,
The two arrived one after another at an old wooden house outside Konoha's outskirts.
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