Chapter 9: The Weight of Eyes
"It was mostly luck," Uchiha Akira said, brushing off the praise with a wave of his hand. "We caught them off-guard and exploited their initial overconfidence."
"There is no such thing as mere luck on the battlefield," Namikaze Minato replied, his gentle smile unwavering. "Skill creates its own opportunities. I can only imagine how pleased Fugaku will be when he hears this news."
Through his girlfriend Kushina's close friendship with Uchiha Mikoto, Fugaku's wife, Minato had cultivated a strong relationship with the Uchiha clan leadership. Their support was a cornerstone of his political standing. The stronger the Uchiha appeared, the firmer his own future as Hokage would be.
During this war, the Uchiha's reputation had soared. First, Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku earned the moniker "Wicked Eye." Then, the young prodigy Uchiha Shisui became known as "Shisui of the Body Flicker." And now, it seemed Uchiha Akira was poised to make his own legendary mark.
Konoha Camp – Uchiha Sector
Uchiha Fugaku's face was split by a wide, uncharacteristic grin as he walked from the command tent to the Uchiha quarters. He had lost count of the envious and respectful looks sent his way by other Konoha shinobi. The report that Uchiha Akira had been instrumental in defeating six of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen filled him with immense pride.
As clan head, the rise of powerful shinobi like Akira and Shisui was the ultimate validation of his leadership and the clan's vitality.
Uchiha Akira had just seen off a stream of clansmen who came to congratulate him. He had barely sat down to rest when Fugaku entered his tent.
"Akira, you've done something truly remarkable," Fugaku said, the usual sternness on his face softened by a gratified smile. "I didn't realize your strength had reached such a level. I'm not sure I could have done better myself."
"You flatter me, Clan Head," Akira replied, shaking his head.
The leader of the Uchiha could not be weak. Even if Fugaku wasn't the absolute strongest in the clan, he was undoubtedly among the top three. His authority demanded respect backed by power. Moreover, Akira suspected Fugaku might have already awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. If that were true, he was likely the most powerful Uchiha in Konoha at this moment. Shisui was gifted, but still young.
"Honestly," Fugaku continued, his smile fading into a more analytical expression, "your current combat prowess isn't far from mine, and it rivals Shisui's."
"I believe there's still a gap between myself and Shisui," Akira said modestly.
Despite being younger, Shisui was a prodigy among prodigies. Akira, with his transplanted single Mangekyō, knew there would be a disparity in pure ocular power. The true potential of the Sharingan was only unlocked with a pair.
"Akira." Fugaku's voice turned solemn. He fixed Akira with a serious look. "Have you… awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan?"
Akira's mind raced, weighing options. To increase his standing within the clan and smooth the path for his future plans, he needed more influence. The Mangekyō was the ultimate currency of power among the Uchiha. He made a decision.
"I suppose… you could say that," he answered, allowing a hint of complexity to color his tone.
"You could say that?" Fugaku's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean? Either you have or you haven't."
Akira raised a finger and pointed to his left eye. "Only the left eye has transformed into the Mangekyō pattern. The right eye remains a three-tomoe Sharingan."
"What?!" Fugaku's composure broke, shock plain on his face. "That's impossible! There is no record in our clan's history of such an asymmetric awakening!"
"See for yourself, Clan Head." Akira shrugged. Then, the pattern in his left eye shifted, the tomoe dissolving and reforming into the distinct, interconnected sickle-blade design of Kamui.
"It's… true," Fugaku breathed out after a long moment, his voice a mixture of awe and bewilderment. "A single Mangekyō… Such a thing exists." His expression then shifted to one of pity. A single Mangekyō could not unleash the eye's full, legendary potential. "You've set a precedent, Akira. But it is… a bittersweet one."
As patriarch, he understood the horrific emotional toll required to awaken those eyes. A second opportunity was rare, and the catalyst was never as potent as the first.
"I'm content," Akira said, his tone even. "Even one eye has brought about a monumental change in my capabilities." He then met Fugaku's gaze directly. "Clan Head… if I may guess, you have also awakened these eyes, haven't you?"
Fugaku was silent for several heartbeats, then gave a slow, solemn nod. "Yes. I opened mine… through blood and tears, some time ago."
"I thought as much," Akira said, showing no surprise. "And Shisui as well?"
"He has," Fugaku confirmed. "With you, that makes three within our clan who hold this power."
"It makes sense. Shisui's abilities at his age defy any other explanation," Akira reasoned.
"Indeed." Fugaku's voice dropped to a low, urgent register. "You must tell no one of your awakening. Not even others within the clan. This knowledge is dangerous."
"I understand," Akira replied immediately.
"Remember," Fugaku warned, his expression grave, "each use of the Mangekyō's true power places a heavy strain on the body and degrades your vision. You must be judicious, Akira. Use it only in moments of absolute, life-or-death necessity."
"Is there… a way to mitigate this? To prevent the blindness?" Akira asked, playing the part of the newly-awakened seeker of knowledge.
"There is." Fugaku nodded. "The Mangekyō is not our clan's ultimate pinnacle. That lies with the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. It is achieved by transplanting the Mangekyō eyes of another Uchiha into oneself."
He paused, his face somber. "The procedure carries an extreme risk of failure. In all our history, only Uchiha Madara is recorded to have succeeded, after receiving the eyes of his brother, Izuna. We believe the closer the blood relation between donor and recipient, the higher the chance of success."
A look of genuine regret crossed Fugaku's features. "The blood ties between you, me, and Shisui… are too distant. It is unlikely any of us will ever reach that true apex of our clan's legacy."
"I see," Akira said, absorbing the information. "Thank you for explaining this, Clan Head."
"It is nothing," Fugaku said, shaking his head. "It is my duty as your leader to guide you in these matters. It is what I must do."
(End of Chapter)
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