After dinner, the servants moved naturally to clean up while Uchiha Gen led his father-in-law and subordinates to the living room for tea.
Before everyone left, Gen repeated his earlier orders, and the room grew heavy with understanding. The gravity of his words had sunk deep.
Ever since his previous life, Uchiha Gen had despised the idea of outsiders holding privileges over others. Yet some people had been kneeling for so long that they'd forgotten how to stand, still clinging to an outdated mindset.
If privileges must exist, they should only belong to his people. But in this world, too many had misplaced their loyalties.
In his past life, as an ordinary man, he could do nothing but vent when faced with such injustice, maybe a few curses muttered online or under his breath. But this life was different. Now that he had the power to change things, he would never again allow such disgustingly unfair scenes to play out before his eyes.
He didn't care about the relationships between villages or nations. He was fiercely protective of his own and utterly lacked what others might call "broad-mindedness."
To him, unity was the foundation of every strong faction or country, without it nothing could stand. Without unity, even a mushroom-cloud couldn't rise.
After the guests left, light footsteps echoed from the corridor. Gen looked up to see Mikoto and Sasuke approaching.
"It seems you two have something to discuss with me," Gen said with a smile, setting down his teacup.
Mikoto returned a gentle smile. "Yes. This child wants to ask you something."
Gen raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What kind of question needs your mother to escort you? Are you afraid I'll refuse?"
Teasing lightly, he gestured for them to sit.
Mikoto, dressed in a black knit top, knee-length skirt, and sheer stockings, sat beside him, elegant and composed. Sasuke sat opposite, straight-backed but clearly nervous.
Gathering his courage, he spoke. "Clan head… it's about the Chunin Exams. With so many strong shinobi from the Ten Great Villages, I'm afraid I'll shame the Uchiha name. I want to strengthen myself."
Gen smiled faintly. "Your power already surpasses that of a normal Genin. Even against a Special Jonin, you have a chance to win. You still lack confidence?"
He paused, a thought stirring. "Sasuke… do you want to awaken your Sharingan?"
Sasuke nodded rapidly, like a chick pecking grain. "Mm! I do! I want to awaken my Sharingan! I asked Mom and my brother, but they couldn't help. I thought only someone like you, who has awakened the Mangekyo would know how."
Gen fell silent, then said slowly, "I do have a method… but I worry you might not endure it. If your mind collapses…"
Of course, with his protection, that could never truly happen but it needed to be said. Both to test Sasuke's resolve and to shield himself from Mikoto's inevitable concern.
Sasuke's eyes lit up. "You really have a way?! I can endure it! I definitely won't collapse!"
Gen turned to Mikoto. "What do you think?"
"Husband," she asked softly, eyes full of trust, "what method do you intend to use?"
"If I tell you now, Sasuke will be mentally prepared. That could affect the outcome."
Mikoto hesitated briefly, then nodded. "Fledglings must eventually spread their wings. I believe Sasuke can handle it."
"Very well, then…"
At the sound of his name, Sasuke instinctively looked up and his vision was swallowed by a pair of Mangekyo Sharingan.
Under Gen's overwhelming ocular power, Sasuke's consciousness faded. All memory of the real world vanished, replaced by the life he might have lived in another world one that mirrored the original story.
Mikoto's Sharingan spun to life, immediately sensing the genjutsu. "You're using genjutsu to awaken Sasuke's Sharingan? Will that really work?"
"Don't worry," Gen replied calmly. "My genjutsu has reached the point where illusion and reality are indistinguishable. The target never realizes it's false."
Truthfully, he could have used this method on Shisui or Itachi long ago both had the potential to awaken the Mangekyo but he never did.
In the beginning, it was because his power wasn't yet sufficient, and the risk of failure was high. But as he grew stronger, he no longer needed to rely on anyone else.
He could shoulder all the storms of the shinobi world alone. Why force those two to endure the unbearable pain that came with the Mangekyo?
If not for his own unique advantage, Gen would never have chosen the traditional awakening method either. That pain was carved into the soul, a scar that never faded.
Only those truly obsessed with power would willingly trade a lifetime of agony for an unchangeable past.
The Eye that Reflects the Heart cannot rewrite what has already happened. No matter how profound one's ocular jutsu becomes, it cannot overturn fate itself.
Such is the price of insight.
Mikoto nodded silently, eyes full of worry as she watched Sasuke's vacant face.
Moments later, she gave Gen's chest a light slap, pretending to be angry. "What are you doing?"
Gen had picked her up and set her on his lap with a smirk.
"Can't an old married couple show a little affection?"
He kissed her soft cheek, his hand brushing against her silk-covered leg.
"Of course you can but not here," Mikoto whispered. "If Sasuke wakes up, how will that look?"
She caught his wandering hand with both of hers, giving him a meaningful glare.
"I'm just holding you," he teased.
"Liar…" she muttered, cheeks faintly pink.
Gen chuckled but relented, simply keeping her close while they watched.
Within the genjutsu, Sasuke's expression shifted constantly, grief, fear, rage, all passing across his young face as he relived the life he'd never lived.
Then came that night.
The night of the Uchiha Clan's downfall.
As the illusion played out, Sasuke's emotions surged violently—disbelief, sorrow, terror, hatred, despair. His body trembled uncontrollably, cold sweat beading across his forehead.
"He's about to wake up," Gen murmured, setting Mikoto down and stepping forward.
Mikoto followed quickly, her expression tense.
Just what had he made their son endure?
A minute later, Sasuke's entire body shook. Sweat poured down, soaking his hair and clothes. The sight made Mikoto's heart seize. She clutched Gen's arm tightly.
Gen placed a hand over hers to calm her and quietly formed a soundproof barrier to block the noise.
Then—
"AHHHH!"
A piercing scream ripped through the silence. Sasuke broke free from the genjutsu, gasping desperately for air.
His breath came fast and shallow, like a broken bellows. Sweat streamed down his face, his eyes bloodshot and trembling.
And then, they turned red. Two black tomoe spun into existence.
Gen smiled gently. "Congratulations, Sasuke. You succeeded."
Not only had he succeeded, he'd surpassed expectations. In the original history, Sasuke's eyes had awakened only a single tomoe that night. Now, he had two.
Was it because he was older and stronger? Or was it Gen's method?
Sasuke raised his head slowly, staring blankly at them. Then, without warning, he lunged forward—throwing his arms around both Gen and Mikoto, burying his face between them.
"Clan head… Mom…" His voice broke. It was too terrifying… too terrifying…"
His small body trembled uncontrollably. Whatever he'd experienced had scarred him deeply.
Mikoto wrapped her arms around him, soothing him with gentle words while shooting Gen a sharp, accusing glare.
Her eyes clearly said: What exactly did you make him see?