Who Awakens the Eternal Mangekyō
Shhh—
In the next instant, Shiranui Genma and his two teammates vanished from the Hokage's office along with Uchiha Fugaku. When they reappeared, they were standing in what looked like a bedroom.
Inside, two beds stood side by side. On one sat Uchiha Sasuke, his body wrapped in bandages. On the other sat Hatake Kakashi, also heavily bandaged.
"Father…""Hokage-sama? Why are you here?"
Both Sasuke and Kakashi were surprised by Fugaku's sudden arrival.
"I heard you were injured, so I came immediately."
As Fugaku spoke, his sharp gaze swept over Sasuke. Judging from the thick layers of bandages, the boy's injuries were no small matter. Yet, considering they had encountered a Wood Release user and survived, that was fortune enough.
"I'm sorry, Hokage-sama," Kakashi said apologetically. "I failed to protect them."
"Against a Wood Release shinobi, the fact that you all survived is already remarkable," Fugaku replied, shaking his head.
He knew all too well the power of Uchiha Obito. With his near-unbeatable space-time jutsu, Obito stood among the very strongest of Kage-level shinobi. For Kakashi to have forced him to retreat was… unexpected.
Fugaku's eyes flicked toward Kakashi's covered left eye."The ocular jutsu I implanted in your left eye—it's been activated?"
"Yes," Kakashi admitted quietly, his expression dim.
That left eye had been Obito's final gift to him—yet he hadn't been able to protect it. In the end, he'd been forced to use it to unleash a forbidden technique just to survive.
"This eye held great power," Fugaku said calmly, "but for a non-Uchiha, it also brought great strain. Losing it may not be a bad thing."
He paused, then added, "Of course, if you feel the Sharingan still suits you, I can authorize a transplant—a three-tomoe Sharingan. The choice is yours."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama," Kakashi replied, shaking his head. "But that won't be necessary."
Just as the Fifth Hokage had once told him, that eye had always been a burden. He had kept it not for its power, but because it was Obito's legacy. Now that it was gone, he felt… free.
Fugaku nodded slightly. "Then tell me—how did you manage to repel the Wood Release user?"
Kakashi hesitated for a moment before answering. "To be honest, even with your implanted jutsu activated, I was no match. We only survived thanks to Sasuke."
"Sasuke?" Fugaku's brows lifted in surprise as he turned toward his son.
"Father," Sasuke said, his pale face showing a faint, proud smile. "My eyes… awakened."
"They awakened?" Fugaku's composure broke into visible delight.
He knew Sasuke had already reached the stage of the three-tomoe Sharingan. So this could only mean—he had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
With Mangekyō eyes, it was no wonder they could fend off Obito. Sasuke's strength had surely reached Kage level. Working alongside Kakashi, it was only natural they prevailed.
"This battle may have been perilous," Fugaku said warmly, "but to have survived and awakened your Mangekyō is a blessing in disguise. Remember this fight well—it's a valuable lesson in your path forward."
"Yes, Father." Sasuke nodded firmly.
Because the medical facilities outside Konoha were inadequate—and because Akatsuki could strike again at any time—Fugaku ordered the wounded returned to the village. Shiranui Genma and his team expended nearly all their chakra transporting Kakashi and the others safely back to the Konoha Hospital.
After a few days of recovery, Sasuke was brought home.
When Fugaku returned from the Hokage Tower and opened the door to Sasuke's room, he found his son sitting quietly, a kunai engraved with black markings resting in his hand.
"What are you doing?" Fugaku asked.
"To defeat the Wood Release user," Sasuke replied, "I must learn the Flying Thunder God Technique. I'm studying its formula."
"Ambition is good," Fugaku said approvingly, "but your body is still healing. Don't push too hard."
"I understand," Sasuke nodded. "I'll be careful."
"Good. How's your recovery?"
"Almost complete. A few more days and I should be fine," Sasuke said, before hesitating slightly. "But… ever since I used the Mangekyō, my vision has started to blur."
"So soon?" Fugaku frowned. "You must have overused your Mangekyō's powers during that fight."
"Father," Sasuke asked, his tone uneasy, "does the Mangekyō Sharingan really cause blindness the more it's used?"
Fugaku smiled faintly. "Yes, it does have that flaw—but there's a way to overcome it. You don't need to worry."
"What way?" Sasuke asked urgently.
"It's time you knew," Fugaku said. "Above the Mangekyō Sharingan exists a higher evolution—the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. An eye that surpasses the Mangekyō and never goes blind. My eyes," he said, pointing to his own, "are of that kind."
Sasuke's eyes widened. "Eternal Mangekyō… Father, how can I obtain it? Through awakening, like before?"
Fugaku shook his head. "No. For most, it cannot be gained through awakening. It requires… transplanting the Mangekyō eyes of one's closest kin."
Sasuke froze, shock flashing across his face."You mean—you gained yours that way?"
"No," Fugaku said. "Mine are unique. I awakened them naturally. But for you… awakening them on your own will likely be impossible. You can, however, obtain them through your brother's eyes."
"Itachi's eyes?" Sasuke said, conflicted.
He had indeed longed for greater power—but the idea of taking his brother's eyes filled him with hesitation. Despite Itachi's grave crimes, Sasuke still hoped for his redemption. He wanted his father to one day return those eyes to his brother.
"This isn't as cruel as it sounds," Fugaku explained. "It would benefit you both. His eyes would grant you the Eternal Mangekyō—and yours could do the same for him."
"Both of us… could have Eternal Mangekyō?" Sasuke's heart stirred at the thought. Mutual transplantation to gain eternal sight—it seemed the perfect solution.
"Exactly," Fugaku confirmed. His expression then turned cold. "But only if he truly repents. If not, I will never allow him to receive your eyes."
Then, his face softened once more. "Rest for now. Tomorrow, I'll arrange the surgery."
"Yes, Father." Sasuke said nothing more. He knew his father still held resentment over Itachi's betrayal, so he didn't press further. For himself, though—if this surgery benefited them both—there was no reason to refuse.
Meanwhile, at Orochimaru's Hidden Sound Village, uninvited guests had arrived once again.
Two figures appeared at the gates—one wearing an orange spiral mask, Uchiha Obito. The other, tall and broad-shouldered, with long black hair and crimson armor—Uchiha Madara.
Akatsuki had tracked Orochimaru's trail here.
"It's the Wood Release ninja!" a Sound shinobi shouted upon seeing Obito. Recognizing his terrifying power, none dared attack. They raised the alarm instead, rushing to report to Orochimaru.
"Bring out Orochimaru," Obito said coolly, amusement flickering in his single eye.
"You're mistaken," one of the shinobi said, trembling. "Orochimaru isn't here."
"If we've come," Obito replied, raising one finger, "then we already know he is. You have one minute. If Orochimaru doesn't show—Akatsuki will erase this village."
Cold sweat streamed down the shinobi's face.
Exactly one minute later, as Obito prepared to strike, a figure stepped from the village interior—a tall, muscular man with dark skin, long blond hair, and a body streaked with dust and ash.
The Third Raikage, resurrected.
Killed once before by Fugaku, he had clearly been revived through Edo Tensei.
A low, serpentine voice came from his mouth—not the Raikage's, but Orochimaru's."Is all this really necessary just because I left Akatsuki?"
Orochimaru was controlling the reanimated Raikage remotely. After Fugaku's earlier assault on the Sound Village, he had grown far more cautious, appearing now only through such avatars.
He had revealed Akatsuki's base to Fugaku partly out of coercion—and partly in hopes that Fugaku might eliminate them for him.
But now it was clear—Even Fugaku Uchiha had failed to destroy Akatsuki completely.
PS: Read Advance Chapters at patreon.com/c/Xentronix