I, Uchiha: Split Konoha

Chapter 199 The Wings of a Book

"However, there is one point in your philosophy that I cannot agree with."

At this moment, Nagato was no longer the indifferent person he once was; he was in a state of fervent excitement after meeting a kindred spirit.

"The number of bloodline ninjas in the world is as numerous as the fish crossing the river. The prejudice between people is like a mountain, not to mention that some are in the Land of Fire and some are in the Hidden Cloud Village. Under such hatred, how can they unite as one? Even if this person appears, how can he quell the hatred?"

"Therefore, I believe that what the ninja world lacks is someone like the First Hokage, the god of the ninja world, who can suppress the ninja world with his own strength."

Nagato excitedly voiced his thoughts, thoughts he had never dared to reveal to outsiders or even his own people over the years.

After all, his ideas were too advanced for others to understand, and most people would just think he was crazy.

Seeing Nagato's fanatical and obsessive expression, Uchiha Yoru feigned a carefree smile and waved his hand, saying, "This is just a book, an ideal world. People only have another ideal world after experiencing too much suffering, so it shouldn't be taken seriously."

"However, I do agree with what you said."

Hearing someone acknowledge his beliefs for the first time filled Nagato with an indescribable excitement, while Uchiha Yoru wore a relaxed smile.

Between the two, one seemed to be meticulously debating the path this ideal world should take, as if it were his own ambition. The other, with a relaxed smile, seemed to be explaining how to make the ideal world in his book more logical.

"However, just as you said, even if a powerful being can suppress the ninja world like a god, such as the legendary Sage of Six Paths, there is a problem: while this powerful being is still alive, the ninja world may be at peace, but human lifespans eventually come to an end. What will happen then?"

Nagato was stunned by the rhetorical question, while Uchiha Yoru continued to shake his head and sigh, "Just like the First Hokage, the god of the ninja world, who suppressed the ninja world when he was alive, and whose death led to the outbreak of the ninja war."

The two people, one was being meticulous, and the other seemed to be discussing the logical consistency of the book.

Seeing Nagato's stunned expression, Uchiha Yoru slowly took out his red book from his weapon pouch. "Since you like this book so much, Nagato, then this book is for you."

After leaving behind the book with the author's manuscript, Nagato seemed lost in confusion, while Konan, who was listening nearby, seemed quite moved and got up to see him off.

At this moment, in Konan's eyes, the other person was no longer an ordinary ninja, but a like-minded person with the ideal of peace in the ninja world.

"Take care, sir."

Uchiha Yoru naturally sensed this change in attitude. Facing Konan, who was radiating respect, he shook his head and said, "Konan, you should talk to Nagato more often. He's become a bit withdrawn; he seems to be lost in the world of the book."

Uchiha Yoru seemed to be describing the patient's condition from the perspective of a medical ninja, but Konan's usually cool face showed a rare smile of gratitude after listening.

"Take care, sir. Konan will take good care of Nagato."

Xiao Nan, bowing deeply, had a hint of melancholy in her eyes, yet the conversation between the two people from different worlds resonated with each other.

The other party believed that Nagato had become withdrawn due to years of disability and started to immerse himself in the fantasy world of the book. However, only Konan knew that this was the direction they had been striving for.

"Itachi, let's go."

After stepping outside, Uchiha Yoru called out to Itachi and the two figures, one big and one small, and walked back onto the street. Their figures gradually disappeared into the ordinary inn.

The two stepped onto the thick snow, and Itachi Uchiha, unusually, showed curiosity as he turned to look at his teacher.

"Mr. Ye, may I read your book?"

During their conversation, he sensed his teacher's philosophy in the book, and the ideas within resonated with him, as if it were the Will of Fire—no, it was an upgraded version, no longer confined to a single village or country, but a philosophy of peace that took the entire ninja world as its starting point.

Why is there war in the ninja world? What restrains the evil in human nature? Several stories seem to tell the whole story. The evil in human nature can be controlled by mutual understanding. If the person is kind-hearted, it's fine, but what about the person with malice? The ultimate goal always points to one thing: power!

Only when those with power communicate with each other can they achieve mutual understanding, even if the other party is evil and they dislike them, they are forced to accept it.

"I happen to have the manuscript I prepared for this book, which contains many of my interpretations. If you don't mind, Itachi, I'll give you this book."

Uchiha Yoru took out a book from his weapon pouch that was exactly the same as the one he had just given to Nagato, and smiled, making a joking remark.

"However, Itachi, you must remember one thing: everyone should have their own thoughts, instead of just copying others. So you can read this book, but you should judge right and wrong from your own perspective."

It's unclear whether Itachi Uchiha understood or not; all he saw was the young Itachi respectfully accepting the red-covered book with both hands and carefully placing it into his weapon pouch.

Uchiha Yoru's eyes were filled with a smile at this scene; he had already begun to plan what he wanted to do.

The first step is to spread your ideas and let more people know about and even accept them, especially on the front lines of the border, where books become the best spiritual remedy to pass the time in such a monotonous environment.

Moreover, the most captivating aspect of the book's opening is the theory of bloodline, the idea of ​​the supremacy of bloodline ninjas, which quietly began to circulate among bloodline ninjas on the front lines.

Bloodline ninjas represent strength and often occupy high positions in ninja legions. As a result, the commoner ninjas will gradually discover that powerful bloodline ninjas like to read a book, which will naturally attract them to read it as well.

After all, most novels in the ninja world start with ordinary people and have clichéd plots, which are nothing compared to the rich emotional color that this book brings.

In particular, this book contains a lot of personal opinions, which may not be apparent at first glance, but as readers delve deeper, they will be attracted by the ideas within, which will gradually become a vague and confused understanding for them.

Most ninjas abhor war and yearn for peace, especially those who have just experienced the Third World War and know its cruelty. If this book were set in the peaceful era at the beginning of the story, it probably wouldn't be as appealing.

After all, humans are forgetful creatures. More than a decade after the war, the new generation does not understand the cruelty of war, and the older generation gradually forgets it. Naturally, the intellectual resonance brought by this book will be diminished.

"Teacher Ye, I understand."

The young Itachi Uchiha nodded firmly. He understood what his teacher meant, but he was also a ninja who longed for peace, and he wanted to see what the book was about.

As the two people, one big and one small, returned, they found themselves at the other end.

……

Inside the inn, Nagato leaned against the bed, constantly flipping through the somewhat old book. Every page showed signs of wear and tear, and even contained the original author's notes and various explanations.

When the book was closed, an unusual blush appeared on Nagato's usually indifferent face, which worried Konan, who was standing nearby.

"Nagato, are you alright?"

"Konan!" Nagato took a deep breath, revealing his eerie Rinnegan with its rings of light. This time, his once cold eyes held a new firmness.

"I think you absolutely must read this book. It's no longer just a simple book; it's an idea! A book that embodies the philosophy of peace in the ninja world, and it fills a void in our long-standing concepts."

At this moment, Nagato regarded this red-covered book, "My Struggle," as his most precious treasure. Konan, reading it, was also momentarily stunned. She nodded and said, "Okay, I will study this book carefully."

She had never seen Nagato so resolute. In her eyes, Nagato was powerful, but he had only inherited Yahiko's ideals. The ideals he was so committed to were actually empty. But this time, she saw a true and unwavering will in Nagato's eyes.

In the original work, Nagato had fought for it for so many years, but he was moved by the protagonist's words. Besides the protagonist's halo, the more important point is that Nagato's ideals were always empty. The ideals he firmly believed in were mostly inherited from Yahiko.

"Konan! I need to recover my body before I can collect the Tailed Beasts!"

Nagato's resolute words immediately brought a bright smile to Konan's face. Nagato had finally lived out his fighting spirit, instead of living in pain and guilt.

"Every year before the start of spring, an elder from the Fire Temple goes to the Daimyo's residence in the Land of Fire. They should already be on their way. We just need to investigate thoroughly."

As Konan spoke, a strand of red hair fluttered before Rinne's eyes, and Nagato's gaunt face revealed the brilliance of his youth. He said in a deep voice, "Alright! This time, our target is the Sage Art of the Fire Temple."

"I will find out the truth in three days at most," Xiao Nan nodded firmly.

"If we fail to find the Fire Temple's method of cultivating immortal techniques, then the Fire Temple will be our next target!"

Nagato was more determined than ever before; he needed a healthy body to live longer. He even had a plan in mind.

He will recover his body, continue to implement Akatsuki's ideals, and then, after he has suppressed the ninja world and enjoyed peace, he will begin to pursue immortality. The longer he lives, the longer the ninja world will remain at peace.

Back at his hotel, Uchiha Yoru was unaware that his deliberate remarks earlier that day had such a profound impact on Nagato of the Akatsuki, filling in the void in Nagato's ideology and igniting his fighting spirit.

……

Time passed, and in the warm house under the snow, the young Uchiha Itachi's eyes shone with a fiery determination as he held the red book he regarded as a classic guiding light in his hands.

He would often jot down his thoughts in another notebook, carefully flipping through books he had read countless times, as if afraid of damaging the thin paper, and even feeling unworthy of leaving his own notes on them.

"Itachi, this is just another ideal world of mine, not yours, so you don't need to be so obsessed with it. You should start from your own point of view, and even put forward your own critical ideas."

Looking at Uchiha Itachi, who had recently become somewhat obsessed with his cultivation, Uchiha Yoru looked helpless, but the corners of his mouth curled up, revealing the excitement of being valued by others.

"No!"

With a solemn and gentle touch, he closed the red book that he regarded as the most important thing in his life. Itachi Uchiha looked at his teacher with a determined expression. This time, however, a strange fanaticism was hidden in his calm eyes.

"Master Yoru's philosophy is no longer limited to a single clan or village, but extends to the entire ninja world. Every time Itachi sees it, he gains new insights."

At this point, Itachi Uchiha felt even more ashamed. He used to look down on other ninjas, thinking they were just simple ninjas with little thought. But now, compared to his teacher, he realized he was no different.

His mind used to consist only of the village and his family, but now he realized that compared to Teacher Ye, he was nothing more than a firefly, how could he possibly compete with the bright moon?

Just then, a swift eagle from Konoha suddenly swooped down outside the window.

As the window was opened, a blast of cold air dispelled the warmth inside the room, and at that moment, Itachi Uchiha's expression turned serious.

Uchiha Yoru took the secret letter from Swift Hawk's leg, and his pupils shrank instantly when he saw the coded message inside.

"Oh no! Elder Di Kong was ambushed along the way, and his entire group was killed."

Upon seeing the intelligence, although he had expected it, Uchiha Yoru was still secretly shocked by the Akatsuki's decisive action, which was so swift.

"Itachi, retrieve the valuables and set off immediately."

"yes!"

Knowing the seriousness of the situation, Itachi Uchiha quickly got up, packed his things, and the two disappeared from the inn.

The two dark figures on Tanbata Street disappeared into the swirling snow.

The Temple of Fire.

Despite the heavy snowfall, a bloody stench permeated the sacred temple of the Land of Fire.

Corpses were everywhere. The figure of the Six Paths, dressed in a black uniform with red clouds, coldly erased the traces left by his ninjutsu within the temple.

Painful groans echoed from within the temple, where the Human Path of Pain was seen clutching the head of the abbot of the Fire Temple.

The old monk's face was blank, and saliva was uncontrollably dripping down his face. At this moment, his memories were being read by some kind of secret technique.

Under the terrifying power of the Human Path Rinnegan, no sealing technique in the mind can withstand it, and the memories in the mind can be read with ease.

Meanwhile, deep in the dense forest not far from the Fire Temple, in a dark tree hollow, a smile appeared on the gaunt face of Nagato.

"Konan, all the cultivation techniques for immortal arts within the Fire Temple have been collected."

Seeing this, Konan smiled and nodded slightly, saying, "Nagato, be careful to erase all traces. Akatsuki cannot be exposed yet."

The Fire Temple holds a high position in the Land of Fire. Their operation this time was a bit too blatant, so they need to carefully erase all traces. After all, it's not the right time for Akatsuki to be exposed yet.

"Celestial arts, indeed, are a wondrous existence."

In the battle against the high monk of the Fire Temple who had mastered Sage Mode, Pain's unexpected Sage Mode caught him completely off guard. If it weren't for the strange and powerful abilities of the Rinnegan, he would have been very difficult to deal with.

Thank you to all my brothers and sisters for your support.

(End of this chapter)