Chapter 47: The Conversation Between Tenchi and Mito
"Now, now, Tsunade," Mito said gently, patting her granddaughter's head. "Tenchi truly went too far this time. A little punishment like this is nothing to someone of his strength."
"Alright," Tsunade conceded, her head drooping.
Just then, a ninja burst into the office, his face panicked. "It's terrible! Uchiha Tenchi has attacked Lord Danzo in his cell!"
"What?! Why was Danzo in the cell?! Damn it! Tenchi, don't do anything rash!" Hiruzen exclaimed, rushing out of the office immediately. The others followed close behind. His primary concern wasn't for Danzo, but for the potential disaster if a ninja powerful enough to rival a village decided to break out and turn against Konoha.
Their hearts were filled with dread as they hurried to the prison.
"Report! Did Uchiha Tenchi break out?!" Hiruzen demanded of the guard on duty as soon as he arrived.
"Huh? Lord Hokage? What are you talking about? Who would dare to break into the prison?" the guard replied, looking utterly confused.
"Wasn't there a report that Uchiha Tenchi launched an attack inside the prison?" Hiruzen asked, now equally puzzled.
"Oh, that. He only attacked Lord Danzo. He didn't attempt a jailbreak."
Hearing that Tenchi hadn't acted recklessly, everyone let out a silent, collective sigh of relief.
"Take us to Uchiha Tenchi. Now."
"Right away, Lord Hokage."
They followed the guard into the prison depths. The scene that greeted them made them stop and stare. Tenchi was lying on his cot, fast asleep.
*'This boy... We were worried sick, and he's here taking a nap,'* Hiruzen thought, his irritation rising.
"Tenchi! Wake up!" Hiruzen roared.
"Huh? Who's disturbing my sleep?" Tenchi mumbled, rubbing his eyes. When he saw who it was, he sprang out of bed. "Brother Sarutobi! You're here! And Great Elder! Tsunade! You're all here too!" He began greeting them with surprising cheerfulness.
But when his eyes fell on the elderly woman beside Tsunade, he frowned. She looked familiar, but he couldn't quite place her. "And who is this?" he asked directly.
"Uchiha Tenchi," the woman spoke, her voice calm and measured. "It has been many years. You probably don't remember me. I am Uzumaki Mito. An old... acquaintance of your father's."
*'Uzumaki Mito!'* He remembered now. The wife of Hashirama Senju. He didn't know her well. Why was she here?
"Lady Mito. To what do I owe the pleasure?" he asked, his tone polite but guarded. He wasn't sure if her intentions were good or ill, but he would maintain courtesy.
"Little Tsunade brought me here," Mito explained. "I must say, I didn't expect the boy who was once under house arrest to become so powerful that he can challenge a nation single-handedly. If I guess correctly, you have awakened those eyes, haven't you?" Her gaze was sharp and knowing.
Hearing her question, Tenchi's expression turned serious. "Brother Sarutobi, Tsunade, Great Elder. Please leave us. I have matters to discuss with Lady Mito alone."
The Uchiha elder felt a thrill of excitement at the mention of "those eyes." He desperately wanted to stay and listen, but Tenchi's tone left no room for argument. He would have to ask later.
Hiruzen and Tsunade looked to Mito for guidance. She gave a slight wave of her hand, dismissing them. Once they were alone, Mito spoke again.
"Alright. They're gone. You may speak freely."
"As expected of the wife of the First Hokage," Tenchi said with a light, somewhat mocking smile. "Your influence in Konoha is immense. Even the Hokage must listen to you."
"There's no need for insinuations. Answer my question. Did you awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan?" Mito was unmoved by his teasing. At her age, her heart was as still as deep water.
"That's right. I awakened those eyes. The eyes that hold power akin to that of the Sage of Six Paths."
Mito's brow furrowed. In her experience, Uchiha who awakened the Mangekyo were always psychologically affected, their minds twisted by its power. It seemed Tenchi was no exception.
"Since you have awakened them, your time of sight is limited. And you are already being influenced by their power," she stated, her voice heavy.
"Lady Mito," Tenchi countered, "if I were truly under its influence, do you think I would be sitting here so calmly? As for my sight... while you may know the Uchiha well, do you truly believe that I, as an Uchiha, am not aware of the cost?"
He was now speaking to her as an equal. He feared no one in the ninja world and would not lower his head without cause.
"Hmph! Since you know, you should cherish the time you have left. Do not waste it on meaningless actions. Tsunade begged me to save you. I will suppress the matter with the Land of Earth this time. But let this be the first and last time. If it happens again, no amount of pleading from Tsunade will help you. You are on your own." Annoyed by his defiant attitude, Mito turned to leave.
Hearing that she hadn't come to cause trouble but was actually here at Tsunade's request to help him, Tenchi's demeanor shifted instantly.
"Lady Mito, wait!" he called out.
"What is it now?" she asked, turning back with a stern expression.
"Uh... well... I thought you had come to punish me today. My attitude was poor. I apologize." He bowed respectfully to her. For Tsunade's sake, he could swallow his pride.
"Oh? I thought you would be as stubborn and rebellious as your father," Mito remarked, her expression softening slightly at his apology. She did not leave.
"He is him, and I am me. I will never be like him. I could never be like him," Tenchi stated with firm conviction. He would never agree with Madara's path of infinite solitude.
"Also... please don't tell Tsunade about my bad attitude toward you," he added, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.
"Very well, I promise you." Mito sighed. "It is a pity. Such a promising Uchiha, soon to be lost to darkness. A true waste."
"There's no need for pity," Tenchi said, a genuine smile returning to his face. "My eyes will not go blind. Like him, I have obtained the light that never fades—the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan."
"What?! The Eternal Mangekyo?! That's impossible! Even Madara never understood the secret to that power! How did you achieve it?!" Mito was visibly shocked, her composure broken.
"Uh... that's a secret of the Uchiha clan. May I decline to answer?" Tenchi replied, tapping his temple.
"Very well. If it is a secret, I will not press you." She composed herself, then asked a more pressing question. "Who else knows this method? Is it... easy to achieve?"
Her mind was racing. If there was a known method to obtain that power, and it was easily replicated, then Konoha—and the world—could be thrown into chaos.
"Only I know the method. And as for awakening it... none of the current Uchiha are capable of it."
Hearing this, Mito felt a wave of relief. The Uchiha clan would remain as they were for the foreseeable future. The village was safe, for now.
"Tenchi," she said, her voice earnest. "I hope this method remains only with you and your direct descendants. Promise me you will not speak of it to anyone else. Can you do that?" She saw great potential in him.
"I promise. I will definitely keep this secret," Tenchi vowed, placing a hand over his heart.
Seeing his sincere promise, Mito felt reassured. Her request was not without its own considerations. Tsunade clearly had feelings for this young man, and from his actions, it seemed the feeling might be mutual.