Chapter 101: Sasuke, the Filial Son – If I Mistakenly Thought Father Was Dead, Could I Awaken My Eyes?
For most academy students, especially orphans like Naruto or children from civilian families, hand seals were still clumsy and awkward. But those from prominent clans were different.
Take Sasuke, for example—he could already form seals with impressive speed.
Earlier, when Mikoto was teaching Naruto the Shadow Clone Technique, Sasuke had secretly memorized the key points. He planned to practice them himself later, once his chakra grew stronger. To catch up to his brother, Itachi, the Shadow Clone Technique was something he absolutely had to master.
Now that Mikoto was free, Sasuke tugged on her sleeve. "Kasan, I want to learn ninjutsu too."
Mikoto smiled warmly. "Sasuke, haven't you already mastered the Three Basic Techniques? What more could Mother teach you?"
Sasuke shook his head stubbornly. "Not those. Other ninjutsu! You already taught Naruto the Shadow Clone Technique, so you have to teach me something too!"
He hugged her arm, acting spoiled.
Mikoto laughed softly. "Alright, alright… how about Mother teaches you the Great Fireball Technique?"
But Sasuke immediately pouted. "No! Father already taught me that one. Pick another!"
Mikoto's brows lifted slightly. This was the first she'd heard of it. "Oh? You're studying the Great Fireball?"
A hint of embarrassment flickered on Sasuke's face. "W-well… not yet. I haven't succeeded."
Mikoto chuckled, amused by his honesty. "That's nothing to be ashamed of. The Great Fireball may be a C-rank ninjutsu, but it's not easy. Many Uchiha children struggle with it at first."
Sasuke relaxed a little. "I knew it wasn't just me. No wonder it's so hard!"
Mikoto then listed a few other Fire Release techniques from the clan's records. After all, the Uchiha were famed for their Fire Release—alongside the Sarutobi clan, they were considered the strongest fire users in the shinobi world.
"What rank are those?" Sasuke asked eagerly.
He had seen Naruto learning a B-rank technique. He couldn't allow himself to fall behind.
Mikoto immediately saw through his thoughts and smiled knowingly. "Those are all C-rank techniques, Sasuke. As for B-rank… it's still too early. Your chakra isn't enough yet."
Sasuke's shoulders slumped. Not enough chakra again? Is mine really that low?
Mikoto leaned down and cupped his cheek. "Don't compare yourself to Naruto. His advantage is his vast chakra reserves, thanks to his Uzumaki heritage and the Nine-Tails sealed inside him. But you, Sasuke—you carry the Uchiha's greatest strength: the Sharingan."
Sasuke's frustration softened. That's right. I have the Sharingan. With it, his strength would soar, just like his brother's.
"When can I awaken mine?" he asked earnestly.
Mikoto thought for a moment before replying. "Awakening is both simple and difficult. It usually requires a powerful emotional trigger. Strong feelings often awaken the eye."
Sasuke frowned, puzzled. "Emotional trigger? What does that mean?"
His little face scrunched in concentration before he asked, "Then, Mother, how did you awaken yours?"
At this, even Naruto perked up, pretending to busy himself but clearly listening.
Mikoto's eyes grew distant as memories surfaced. She hesitated, but under her children's expectant stares, she finally relented.
"It was… on the battlefield," she said softly. "At the time, your father and I had only just begun… to care for each other. One day, he led a squad to intercept enemy shinobi and didn't return. A messenger brought word that he'd been killed. Believing it was true, I was overwhelmed by grief… and in that moment, my one-tomoe Sharingan awakened."
Sasuke blinked. "That simple?"
Mikoto smiled faintly. "Yes. That simple."
Sasuke's eyes lit up. "Then if I mistakenly think Father is dead, can I awaken mine too?"
Mikoto nearly dropped her fan. This unfilial child!
Her gaze sharpened. "In theory, yes. But in practice, no—because no one can kill your father."
Her voice carried complete confidence. Fugaku had told her in private that with his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, he was unmatched in the shinobi world. Though there were a few he could not easily defeat, none could hope to kill him.
Still, even with his reassurance, she couldn't help but worry whenever he left for the front lines. That was simply the nature of love.
For the rest of Konoha's shinobi, who knew little of Fugaku's true strength, their doubts were even greater. But Fugaku had used the Cloud's invasion as a rallying cry, binding the clans together under the banner of defending the village. With Tsunade, the Legendary Medical Ninja, accompanying them, morale had steadied.
And so, Fugaku led the Konoha forces across the night, a tide of shinobi moving under the stars.
For him, it was strangely refreshing. After a past life spent trapped in offices and paperwork, this was his first true campaign since arriving in the shinobi world. The feel of chakra running through his legs, the wind rushing past his face, the freedom of leaping between trees—
It was exhilarating.
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