Chapter 231: The Horrified Fugaku Uchiha
It had to be said, Genichi was truly surprised that Itachi Uchiha had managed to develop the Kekkei Genkai so quickly.
After all, how old was Itachi right now?
Eight!
Because of Genichi's influence, he hadn't even graduated from the Ninja Academy yet.
Although Genichi had high hopes for Itachi, he had estimated it would take at least a few years, during which time he himself would "freeload" the results from the "cheating" future.
Of course, Genichi was more than happy to see this outcome.
It meant that the first piece of his Kekkei Mōra puzzle was already complete.
As for being wary of Itachi, that was nonexistent.
Itachi was indeed a genius.
But in the face of a "cheat," genius was just the entry ticket.
If he wasn't a genius, Genichi wouldn't have sought him out in the first place.
"Very good. You've completed this mission exceptionally well."
Genichi looked at Itachi with a smile. "You must have felt it, right?"
"Your physical constitution is improving."
Itachi nodded. "I did feel that way during training."
Genichi said, "That is the greatest benefit of developing a new Kekkei Genkai. You'll slowly come to understand this in the future."
"In a little while, have Clan Head Fugaku go to the Hokage Tower and apply for you to enter the 'Experimental Class'."
"Experimental Class?" Itachi was puzzled. "Genichi-sama, what is that?"
Genichi was coy. "You'll find out when the time comes. In short, it's a place that will be good for your future."
"Now then... what should I give you as a reward?"
"Itachi, is there any ninjutsu or genjutsu you want to learn?"
"Hmm, fūinjutsu is also an option."
Itachi hesitated.
He didn't really need many ninjutsu right now.
He could learn Fire Style at home. Of the other nature transformations, he had only mastered Yang Release because of the Kekkei Genkai development.
He hadn't mastered any others.
So...
Seeing the hesitant Itachi, Genichi perceived his inner thoughts and smiled. "Is it about the Sharingan?"
Itachi was startled.
Genichi said, "It's not hard to guess. Especially if I don't treat you like an eight-year-old child."
Ignoring his own rebirth, he too had been very mature at that age.
Eight years old?
He hadn't acted like an eight-year-old back then, either.
Itachi understood. "Genichi-sama, have you mastered a different way to awaken the Sharingan?"
Genichi said, "Yes... and no."
"Itachi, what do you know about the Sharingan's awakening?"
Itachi replied, "I asked Shisui-niisan about this. He said it requires a huge spiritual shock."
"Both Father and Shisui-niisan advised me not to rush it."
Genichi nodded. The Sharingan's awakening was, for the most part, passive.
Of course, it could also be active.
For example, by actively killing a close relative, a good friend...
"You just said it. It requires a huge spiritual shock."
Genichi continued to explain, "This so-called 'spiritual shock' actually refers to a massive, sudden change."
"It refers to gaining love, and then losing it."
Itachi lowered his head slightly. Although neither his father, Fugaku, nor Shisui had explained this specific point, a boy of his intelligence had naturally guessed it.
"Is this why the Sharingan is called a curse?"
Itachi clenched his fists.
If that was the case, he would rather never awaken the Sharingan.
He looked up suddenly. "Genichi-sama, what did you mean by 'yes and no'?"
Genichi said, "Setting the Uchiha clan aside, and looking at it purely from the perspective of cultivating a Kekkei Genkai, the Sharingan is the fusion of Yin Release and Yang Release, forming a new nature transformation—dōjutsu. Your 'Fiery-Eyes Golden-Gaze' also has a unique dōjutsu power, which is its new, fused nature."
Itachi nodded.
Genichi continued, "Therefore, theoretically, anyone can awaken the Sharingan. The prerequisite is that they master the correct Yin Release and Yang Release nature transformations, and then fuse them precisely."
"But it's important to know that even the fusion of the same two natures can result in different Kekkei Genkai."
"That's why I emphasized 'theoretically'."
Itachi immediately understood. "Genichi-sama, do you mean I need to analyze the two nature transformations of the Sharingan and find their critical fusion point, so that I can cultivate it myself, rather than obtaining it passively?"
Genichi nodded. "I tried that before. I mastered the Yin Release aspect, then attempted it... I failed, and the result was the 'Mirror Eye'."
"At that time, I had overlooked the Yang Release nature transformation, so I failed."
"Later, I succeeded, but I took a shortcut."
As he spoke, Genichi opened the Mangekyō Sharingan on his forehead.
Itachi's eyes widened in shock.
Genichi closed the eye. "The reason I succeeded was that I used the Uchiha clan's method of awakening."
Itachi was stunned once again.
Genichi smiled. "It's not what you're thinking... It was by using another method to obtain that spiritual shock."
"For example, you sometimes feel a deep sadness, don't you? When you recall a certain event?"
Itachi nodded, looking thoughtful. "Do you mean... genjutsu?"
Genichi said, "You're very smart."
"But genjutsu alone isn't enough. A normal genjutsu can only affect your spirit; it cannot affect your physical body."
"That's the first reason. The second is that it's difficult for a normal genjutsu to stir up sufficient sadness, anger, or other emotions. And for an Uchiha, it's very easy to see through."
Itachi looked up at Genichi, his eyes filled with reverence and anticipation. "Genichi-sama, can you teach me this method of awakening the Sharingan?"
Genichi nodded. "That's not a problem."
"However... on the genjutsu side, I trust your talent. The other part requires the Electromagnetic Release Kekkei Tōta, which is used to influence the body's organs to secrete hormones, thereby achieving the emotion on the physical side... You can understand it as the 'correct Yang Release nature transformation'."
"You combine that with a genjutsu to create a false spiritual shock, because you haven't truly experienced something that would cause your spirit to mutate."
"Of course, it's very difficult to hypnotize yourself with genjutsu. Even with hormonal manipulation, it might still be insufficient."
Itachi was shocked. He hadn't expected it to be so complicated, and it even involved another... Kekkei Tōta!
Genichi said, "I can teach you the method. But, for you personally, I can also use this same method to awaken your Sharingan for you."
"However, not right now."
"You're still too young. Awakening the eye too early isn't a good thing for you."
"Intense emotion is damaging to the body. That kind of spiritual shock can cause internal injuries to your organs."
"When you turn twelve, I will awaken it for you."
Itachi nodded quickly. "Yes, Genichi-sama!"
He had no objections.
Although Itachi had just developed a Kekkei Genkai in less than a year...
...it was precisely because of this that he understood how difficult it truly was.
He had already realized that mastering a Kekkei Tōta like Electromagnetic Release was probably just the beginning, just one of the basic conditions.
How long would it take him to master this method himself?
Ten years?
Twenty?
Itachi couldn't be sure.
But no matter what, since such a method existed...
Itachi hesitated.
Genichi smiled. "You can tell Clan Head Fugaku about this matter."
Itachi was instantly overjoyed and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Genichi-sama!"
"Alright, that's enough about the Sharingan."
"Now, I'll teach you a genjutsu."
Genichi thought for a moment. "I'll teach you... hmm, Kyōka Suigetsu."
"It's a genjutsu that combines Water Style and Yin Release. It'll be a good opportunity for you to practice your Water Style nature transformation."
He remembered that Itachi did have an affinity for Water Style.
Itachi had no objections. At the moment, there wasn't any particular jutsu he was dying to learn.
...
After Genichi (the main body) returned home with Tsunade, he learned what had happened from his Shadow Clone and was quite pleased.
As for the Sharingan...
In the experiment base, the technology was already quite mature. Mangekyō aside, awakening other levels of the Sharingan was a simple matter.
Whether it was possible to directly awaken the Mangekyō in an Uchiha was still uncertain.
They had never experimented on one.
On this point, Genichi was very disappointed in Fugaku Uchiha.
I gave you the chance, but you're really useless.
Of course, "your position determines your perspective."
He could guess what Fugaku was thinking.
Genichi didn't really care.
...
On the other side.
When Itachi returned home, he immediately found his father, Fugaku Uchiha, and demonstrated his "Fiery-Eyes Golden-Gaze."
Fugaku was both shocked and delighted.
Last year, he hadn't really cared if his son could complete Genichi's task. He just felt that having Genichi's guidance would be a great benefit to his son.
He had never expected this.
Hahaha!
The normally stern Fugaku couldn't help but laugh out loud.
The Uchiha clan now had another dōjutsu!
But the next shock was even greater.
When Itachi clearly told him that Genichi had a method to awaken the Sharingan, Fugaku froze.
He had actually suspected it, but he hadn't wanted to believe it. He felt it was impossible for anyone to achieve.
For the Uchiha clan, having a better way to awaken the eye was, of course, a good thing.
But for that method to be in the hands of an outsider... that was not a good thing.
If it were anyone else, perhaps they could try to steal it.
But Genichi... a single one of his clones could probably flatten the entire Uchiha clan.
At this moment, Fugaku Uchiha knew very well that he was facing a choice.
A choice concerning the life and death of the entire Uchiha clan.
Seeing his father fall into silence, Itachi decided to hide one thing.
He did not mention that Genichi had offered to teach him the awakening method.
Father's gaze and his capacity are still too narrow. He only sees the interests of the clan, Itachi thought to himself.
He doesn't even consider that having another path is, for the clan, simply another path.
...
That night.
After Tsunade was asleep, Genichi returned to his study to analyze the "Fiery-Eyes Golden-Gaze."
This dōjutsu wasn't difficult for him.
His Mirror Eye's perception was already stronger, and it retained more information after mirroring.
Besides, the concept for the "Fiery-Eyes Golden-Gaze" was his to begin with; he just hadn't had the energy to develop it himself.
Over the New Year, he had already mastered the Four-Tails' Lava Release.
"Before the next 'cheat' activates, I should have no problem mastering 'Fiery-Eyes Golden-Gaze'."
Genichi put down his pen, fairly confident.
After cleaning up, he first went to check on Tsunade.
Shizune was sleeping with her.
Genichi quietly left and went to Uzumaki Ina's room.
The sleepy Ina smelled his familiar scent and immediately latched onto him. "I want~~"
What could he do?
Naturally, he had to "give his all."
And this time, Genichi didn't "hold back."
He was afraid that if Ina didn't get pregnant soon, she'd get sick.
Besides, 26 was a good age to get pregnant.
Shizune could wait another seven or eight years.
...
The next day.
In the Hokage's Office.
Although he was already the de facto Hokage, Minato Namikaze, not yet officially inaugurated, did not sit in the Hokage's chair. He used Shizune's original desk.
As for Shizune, she had returned to take care of Tsunade after the handover.
However, Konan was still in the office, now serving as Minato's assistant.
Konan entered from outside, holding a document, and walked to Minato's desk. "Minato, this just came from Shizune."
Minato looked up and saw it was a scroll. He took it. "Thank you."
There was a seal on the scroll. Minato knew at a glance it was from Genichi. "Looks like someone else has cultivated a Kekkei Genkai."
He formed the seals to undo the jutsu and opened the scroll. As expected, it was a new Kekkei Genkai.
"It's a new dōjutsu... a combination of Fire Style and Yang Release..."
Minato didn't read the main content immediately. He picked up a sheet of paper tucked inside, which listed the developer's information.
"Itachi Uchiha... It's someone from the Uchiha clan."
"Wait!"
Minato's expression changed. "Itachi Uchiha... that's Clan Head Fugaku's eldest son... he hasn't even graduated from the Ninja Academy yet!"
He looked further down. Sure enough, it listed Itachi's age: eight years old.
Hiss!
Minato was astonished.
Genichi was called the greatest genius in Konoha's history, but even he hadn't developed a Kekkei Genkai at such a young age.
The Uchiha clan was about to produce an incredible talent.
Minato read on. When he saw the instructor's name was "Kinoshita Genichi," he understood.
Then he saw Genichi's note: Sarutobi Shinnosuke is also developing this same Kekkei Genkai.
Minato was stunned, then gave a wry smile. "Genichi really is... turning Kekkei Genkai development into a homework assignment."
"It's just... when Shinnosuke finds out..."
Minato shook his head.
Konan, sitting opposite, noticed his expression. "Is something wrong?"
Minato looked up and smiled. "No. It's from Genichi."
"A new Kekkei Genkai. It was completed by an eight-year-old Academy student."
"That guy Genichi has been assigning Kekkei Genkai development as tasks to different people."
Konan froze, then said in shock, "An eight-year-old child... developed a Kekkei Genkai?"
Minato nodded. "Yes. Although it was done under Genichi's guidance, it's still astonishing."
Konan was incredulous. "That's... that's like a joke."
She was still holding the Wood Style scroll and hadn't managed to cultivate it yet.
...
At Sarutobi Shinnosuke's house, Naruto was acting as Genichi's messenger.
After delivering the letter, Chigetsu gave him a snack, and he zipped off. Gaara and the other kids were waiting for him.
Shinnosuke wondered why Genichi would use a small child as a messenger. But when he opened the letter and read the contents, he shot to his feet, crying out, "What!?"
Chigetsu heard him from the kitchen. "What's wrong?"
Shinnosuke read the letter over and over. It was written in Anbu code, which he was all too familiar with from their time together.
There was no mistake.
He looked up at his wife with a bitter smile. "That Kekkei Genkai from Genichi... someone else already completed it."
Chigetsu was amazed. "Eh? Who?"
Shinnosuke said, "An eight-year-old Academy student."
Chigetsu was speechless. After a moment, she managed, "You're not joking, are you?"
Shinnosuke's hand lit with flame, burning the letter. "I'm going to the Hokage Tower to find out."
He had to see it for himself. Otherwise, his mind wouldn't be at ease.
...
At the same time.
On a rooftop, Genichi and Fugaku Uchiha stood side-by-side.
After a long, sleepless night of contemplation, Fugaku had decided to meet Genichi.
He knew this was the second time. Whether he accepted the goodwill Genichi was offering or not, he had to give a clear response.
Or an explanation.
"Thank you for your guidance of Itachi, Genichi-kun."
Fugaku first expressed his gratitude.
After a few pleasantries, Fugaku got to the point. "I have heard the details from Itachi. I just don't know if this method of yours is... mature."
Genichi said, "I believe it's mature. But it has, indeed, never been tested on an Uchiha clan member."
"All experiments so far have been conducted on White Zetsu clones."
Fugaku was silent. After a long pause, he asked, "What are your conditions, Genichi-kun?"
Genichi couldn't help but laugh. "I'm afraid you're mistaken, Clan Head Fugaku."
"To me, an ordinary Uchiha has no value."
"Only a genius like Itachi is qualified to be used by me."
"And as for the Sharingan... it holds no more secrets for me."
Fugaku was stunned.
Genichi continued, "Clan Head Fugaku, do you know why the Uchiha were pushed out of Konoha's center of power in the past?"
"It wasn't because the Uchiha were too strong."
"It was because the Uchiha are uncontrollable. And the stronger they get, the more uncontrollable they become."
"This all stems from the unique awakening method of this 'Eye that Reflects the Heart'. The more powerful the Sharingan, the more extreme the personality is likely to be."
"Three Tomoe might be manageable. But Mangekyō..."
Genichi shook his head. "Fugaku, do you know why Madara Uchiha left Konoha back then?"
Fugaku shook his head, lying unconvincingly.
Genichi didn't care. "Because the Second Hokage felt Madara was too radical, unsuited to be the Second Hokage."
"And also... because Madara found another path."
"The later contents of that stone tablet passed down in your clan. The method to awaken the Rinnegan... and a method to bring peace to the world."
Fugaku said in shock, "Genichi-kun... you can read all of it?"
Genichi didn't answer, continuing, "The method Madara saw was to become the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki, and then activate an ultimate genjutsu, pulling every single person in the shinobi world into an illusory world. That way, there would be no more war."
Fugaku's jaw dropped.
Genichi smiled. "Clan Head Fugaku, a peace where everyone is trapped in a genjutsu... do you agree with that?"
Fugaku swallowed. He suspected that if he said "yes," he would die on the spot.
But who would agree with such a sick idea?
Although he, too, was weary of war and death, Fugaku Uchiha wasn't insane. "That kind of peace... is completely illusory. It's not true peace at all."
"And I don't believe the tablet left by the legendary Sage of Six Paths would record such a thing!"
Genichi nodded. "I know, right? No sane person would believe it."
He wasn't mincing his words.
Genichi asked again, "Clan Head Fugaku, do you know why Uchiha Tekka betrayed the village?"
Fugaku's expression dimmed. "Because he learned some truths... and was used by Madara."
Danzō was dead. Orochimaru was dead. He could only blame Madara.
If Tekka had been like Obito, the Uchiha would have two pairs of Mangekyō now. What a pity...
Genichi shook his head at Fugaku's answer. "Danzō stealing Sharingan was just the trigger."
"The key was that Madara made Tekka realize that the Uchiha clan, by staying in Konoha, would inevitably be led to a path of destruction."
"Madara realized this when he left the village."
"Clan Head Fugaku... do you think that realization is correct?"
Fugaku frowned. "Right now, the clan's relationship with the village has eased significantly. Although some villagers look at us differently because of Madara and Tekka, on the whole, it's completely different from the past."
Genichi said bluntly, "That's because of my and Tsunade's decisions."
"What if Danzō hadn't died?"
"What if I hadn't interfered?"
"The Uchiha clan would have been destroyed. Because you, Fugaku, cannot suppress the voices within your own clan."
"At the same time, Danzō would never have let the Uchiha get close to Konoha's center of power."
"The Uchiha clan would have inevitably walked the path of a coup d'état. Fugaku... your Mangekyō... you saw this future once, didn't you?"
Fugaku's composure shattered. His face paled in horror.
He never imagined Genichi knew him so well. He had never revealed his Mangekyō's ability.
Fugaku's mind briefly shut down. It took him a long moment to recover, and he nodded with difficulty. "It... it is true."
"But things are completely different now. The Uchiha clan will never walk that path again."
Fugaku said this with iron-clad certainty.
He had to give this young man in front of him enough confidence. Otherwise, he was afraid Genichi would decide to wipe out the Uchiha clan.
(End of Chapter)
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