Chi!
The sound was barely audible, like a single drop of blood falling onto stone, but it marked a moment that would fundamentally alter not just Sasuke's capabilities, but the entire trajectory of his life. As tears slowly traced crimson paths down his pale cheeks, each droplet carried with it the weight of trauma that had pushed his mind and body beyond every threshold he had previously known.
The Sharingan in his eyes, which had been spinning with desperate fury just moments before, suddenly began to undergo a transformation that defied every principle of gradual development that typically governed the evolution of dōjutsu abilities. The three rotating black tomoe that had marked his previous level of achievement started to contract toward the center of his pupils, drawn together by forces that operated beyond conscious control.
As the tomoe reached the convergence point, they suddenly exploded outward again, but this time they formed something entirely new and magnificent. The pattern that emerged between the intersections was unlike anything that could be achieved through normal training or incremental advancement—it was the mark of power born from the deepest wells of human emotion.
The design resembled a hexagram, its lines flowing with geometric precision that spoke to both beauty and terrible purpose. Each curve and angle seemed to pulse with contained energy, while the overall pattern radiated an aura of supernatural capability that made the air around Sasuke seem to shimmer with potential.
Mangekyō Sharingan!
The transformation brought with it new forces that went far beyond simple enhancement of existing abilities. This was power that operated according to entirely different principles, granting access to techniques that most ninja would consider mythical in their scope and devastating potential.
Sasuke's left eye continued to shed tears of blood as the newly awakened Mangekyō trembled with the effort of containing energies that his young body had never been designed to channel. His gaze locked onto Itachi with laser-like intensity, the hatred and grief that had triggered this evolution now finding focus through supernatural means.
"Have you finally opened your eyes?" Itachi's voice, emanating from within his towering Susanoo construct, carried a note of satisfaction that seemed strangely out of place given the circumstances.
There was something in his tone that suggested this outcome had been not just anticipated, but actively desired. The relaxation that crept into his words spoke to someone whose carefully laid plans had finally reached their intended conclusion.
WHOOSH!
Without conscious direction or understanding of what he was doing, Sasuke's newly awakened power responded to the intense emotions that continued to rage through his system. Black flames suddenly erupted across the surface of Itachi's Susanoo, their appearance so sudden and unexpected that even the legendary defensive construct seemed to recoil from their touch.
The flames were unlike any fire that existed in the natural world. They burned with an inner darkness that seemed to absorb light rather than create it, while their heat carried implications that went far beyond simple temperature. These were flames that would consume anything they touched, continuing to burn until their target was completely annihilated.
The black fire continued to expand across Susanoo's surface, each tongue of flame seeking new areas to devour while fresh tears of blood began flowing from Sasuke's left eye. The effort of channeling such power through an untrained dōjutsu was clearly taking a severe toll on his physical system.
"Amaterasu?" Itachi's eyes narrowed as he recognized the technique that his brother had somehow managed to manifest without any prior training or understanding.
This was one of the most feared abilities associated with the Mangekyō Sharingan, a power that had been passed down through generations of Uchiha legends as something that only the most exceptional individuals could ever hope to master.
"You used your ability immediately after awakening your eyes," he observed with what might have been pride mixed with concern. "Is your hatred for me really that intense?"
The same dramatic awakening that had captured Itachi's attention was being observed by several other figures whose presence had gone undetected throughout the entire confrontation. Shisui Uchiha, whose concealment had been so perfect that even ANBU operatives had failed to notice him, felt his palm clench involuntarily as he witnessed the completion of something that had been years in the planning.
Within his closed fist, a specially prepared signal marker was crushed with deliberate force, its destruction triggering a communication network that had been established for exactly this moment.
Swish!
When the marker shattered, its counterpart—attached to a carefully selected tree elsewhere in the courtyard—suddenly flashed with brief but intense light. The illumination served as a beacon that allowed several figures to emerge from concealment that had kept them invisible throughout the entire confrontation.
Minato Namikaze appeared first, his distinctive blonde hair catching the moonlight as he rapidly assessed the scene before him. Beside him, Uchiha Yoruki materialized with the fluid grace that marked him as one of the clan's most accomplished warriors, while his dark eyes immediately locked onto the manifestation of Amaterasu that continued to devour Itachi's Susanoo.
Both men quickly observed that Sasuke had indeed awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, and more importantly, that he was already demonstrating one of its most dangerous associated abilities. The black flames that danced across the battlefield spoke to power that could reshape the strategic balance of the entire ninja world if properly developed.
"If he continues to use his dōjutsu power at this rate, he will suffer severe backlash," Tsunade observed with the clinical concern of someone whose medical expertise allowed her to recognize the signs of dangerous chakra overextension.
Her voice carried the authority of the legendary Sannin whose knowledge of human physiology was considered unmatched throughout the ninja world. The warning was delivered with the kind of urgency that suggested immediate intervention was necessary to prevent permanent damage.
Swish!
Before her words had even finished echoing across the courtyard, Minato had already vanished from his position using movement techniques that made him appear to teleport rather than simply moving very quickly.
He materialized directly in front of Sasuke with timing so precise that it suggested supernatural awareness of exactly when and where to intervene. The young Uchiha, despite his emotional state and physical exhaustion, was still able to detect Minato's approach through the enhanced perception granted by his newly awakened Mangekyō.
Seeing the Fourth Hokage's face at this moment only served to intensify the hatred that was already burning in Sasuke's chest. Here was the man whose policies and political maneuvering had created the circumstances that had forced his family into such desperate measures. Here was the leader whose authority had been used to justify everything that had just transpired.
But before Sasuke could channel his rage into another devastating technique, Minato's palm had already made contact with his chest. The movement was so swift and precise that it seemed almost casual, but the results were immediate and comprehensive.
Buzz!
A sealing formation spread outward from the point of contact, its intricate patterns glowing with soft light as they imposed absolute control over Sasuke's chakra system. The technique was designed not to harm but to completely suppress the flow of energy that made advanced jutsu possible.
Sasuke found himself unable to condense chakra for any purpose whatsoever, making further use of Amaterasu impossible regardless of his emotional state or determination. Even the Mangekyō pattern in his eyes began to fade as the energy required to maintain its activation was systematically cut off.
"Get away from me!" Sasuke snarled with the kind of pure hatred that made his voice barely recognizable as human.
His movements spoke to someone preparing to launch a physical attack despite the futility of such action against an opponent of Minato's caliber. The rage that had been channeled through supernatural abilities just moments before was now seeking any possible outlet for expression.
"Sasuke, stop this immediately!" The voice that cut through his fury carried enough authority and familiarity to penetrate even his current emotional state.
Mikoto Uchiha stepped forward from her position beside Tsunade, her expression showing the kind of maternal concern that transcended political considerations or strategic planning. Her eyes were fixed on her younger son with the intensity that only came from watching someone she loved destroying himself through uncontrolled emotion.
Hearing his mother's voice, Sasuke froze in place as if he had been struck by lightning. The attack he had been preparing against Minato died before it could be launched, replaced by confusion that cut through his rage like a blade through silk.
"Mother?" The word escaped his lips as barely a whisper, carrying with it the bewilderment of someone whose entire understanding of the situation had just been called into question.
His fierce expression gradually began to relax as he processed the implications of his mother's presence. If she was here, safe and apparently unharmed, then perhaps the situation wasn't as catastrophic as he had believed.
Minato, who had made no move to defend himself against Sasuke's planned attack, looked down at the young ninja with eyes full of genuine guilt and regret. The expression was that of someone who understood the full weight of what he had just put another human being through, regardless of the strategic necessity that had motivated such actions.
"I'm sorry, child," he whispered, his voice carrying the kind of personal remorse that went far beyond political considerations or military objectives.
But even as he spoke, Minato was already moving to address the more immediate practical concerns that demanded attention. He stepped away from Sasuke and approached Itachi, whose Susanoo was still being consumed by the black flames of Amaterasu.
The red chakra construct remained raised in its defensive posture, but the black fire continued to burn with relentless intensity. Amaterasu was legendary for never being extinguished until its target was completely consumed, and even something as powerful as Susanoo represented nothing more than condensed chakra in the face of such absolute destruction.
"Fire Sealing Technique!" Minato announced as he unrolled a specially prepared scroll that had been designed specifically for containing supernatural flames.
His hands moved through sealing sequences with the kind of fluid precision that spoke to extensive preparation and practice. This wasn't an improvised response to an unexpected situation—it was the implementation of carefully planned countermeasures for exactly this scenario.
The black flames of Amaterasu began to respond to the sealing technique, their essence being drawn away from Susanoo's surface and pulled into the scroll with inexorable force. The process was both beautiful and terrifying to watch, as power that could burn through virtually anything was contained and neutralized through human ingenuity and preparation.
After successfully sealing the supernatural fire, Minato turned his attention to Tsunade with the kind of meaningful look that spoke to predetermined arrangements and shared understanding of what needed to happen next.
"If you would," he requested with formal politeness that emphasized the gravity of the situation.
Tsunade nodded her acknowledgment and immediately rushed toward the room where Fugaku's apparently lifeless body waited for her medical expertise. Her movement carried the urgent efficiency of someone whose skills might mean the difference between life and death.
At the same time, Mikoto approached her younger son, whose body remained frozen in place by the combination of emotional shock and chakra suppression. Her eyes were filled with the kind of heartache that only came from watching a beloved child suffer trauma that could have been prevented through different choices.
She reached out with gentle hands and began to wipe the blood from Sasuke's cheeks, her touch carrying all the comfort and reassurance that words could never provide. The crimson stains on his face served as visible reminders of the price that had been paid for his advancement in power.
Sasuke's lips moved with obvious effort as he struggled to form words through the emotional devastation that continued to overwhelm his system.
"Mother," he finally managed to say, his voice hoarse and barely audible. "Uchiha Itachi killed Father."
The accusation was delivered with the kind of broken certainty that spoke to someone whose faith in everything he had believed about his family had been completely shattered. Even though his mother's presence suggested that the situation might not be as terrible as he had believed, the evidence of his own eyes remained undeniable.
Even though Mikoto had known the complete truth from the beginning and had been instrumental in planning every aspect of what had just transpired, seeing Sasuke in such a state of devastation filled her with the kind of maternal anguish that made her question whether any strategic objective could justify such cruelty.
She pulled her son against her, one hand stroking his back with the kind of gentle, repetitive motion that had comforted him since childhood, while her voice carried the soothing tones that had always been able to calm his fears.
"No, darling," she said softly but firmly. "Your brother didn't do that terrible thing, and your father is not dead either."
"What?!" Sasuke's shock was so complete that it seemed to physically impact his entire body.
His voice cracked as he struggled to process information that contradicted everything he thought he had witnessed with his own enhanced perception.
"But I clearly saw that Father's chakra was already..." he began, his words trailing off as he tried to reconcile his Sharingan's observations with his mother's reassurances.
"Sasuke." The voice that called his name came from the main hall, carrying tones that were both familiar and impossible according to everything he thought he knew about the current situation.
Sasuke's pupils contracted dramatically as he turned his head toward the source of the voice. Through the window that had been broken during the earlier confrontation, he could see a figure that made his mind reel with confusion and desperate hope.
Fugaku stood framed in the doorway, very much alive and apparently unharmed. A smile had appeared on his usually serious face—an expression so rare and unexpected that it seemed almost as impossible as his survival had been.
"It seems this child has lived up to your expectations," Fugaku observed with obvious satisfaction as he looked toward Minato and Uchiha Yoruki. "The plan has been completed successfully."
"I'm truly sorry, Fugaku, Mikoto," Minato replied, his face solemn and his voice carrying the weight of someone who understood the full scope of what he had asked this family to endure. "The necessity of what we've done doesn't make it any less cruel."
"What in the world is going on?" Sasuke struggled free from his mother's embrace, looking around at the assembled figures with confusion that bordered on panic.
His mind felt completely blank, unable to process the contradictions between what he had witnessed and what he was now being told. The carefully constructed understanding he had built of the evening's events was crumbling, leaving him without any framework for interpreting what was happening around him.
He stared at Itachi, who had also lowered his head slightly in what might have been shame or regret. The brother who had seemed so cold and determined just minutes earlier now appeared to be struggling with emotions that made his previous behavior seem even more incomprehensible.
"Allow me to provide a brief explanation," Tsunade announced as she emerged from the room where she had been examining Fugaku.
Her voice carried the clinical authority of someone whose medical knowledge allowed her to speak with absolute certainty about physiological matters that might seem impossible to others.
"Everything you witnessed tonight was actually an elaborate deception that has been planned for an extended period," she continued, her gaze fixed on Sasuke with the kind of direct honesty that demanded attention.
"Itachi did not attack Fugaku in any way. Your father's chakra disappeared because he had taken a specially prepared drug that I created—a substance designed to suppress chakra flow and create the appearance of death while leaving the subject completely unharmed."
"The reason for employing such an extreme and traumatic method was to fulfill the specific emotional conditions required for awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan."
Tsunade's words struck Sasuke's consciousness like physical blows, each revelation forcing him to reevaluate everything he thought he understood about his family, his brother, and the events that had just unfolded.
Sasuke stood motionless, one hand rising to pass through his hair and support his forehead as if the weight of these revelations was too much for his mind to bear. His expression showed the strain of someone trying to reconstruct their entire worldview while dealing with the lingering effects of both emotional trauma and dōjutsu overuse.
"Oh, so all of this was fake," he finally said, his voice carrying a strange mixture of relief and disbelief.
"Hahahaha!" Suddenly he began to laugh, the sound carrying an edge of hysteria as he struggled to suppress the discomfort caused by the initial backlash of channeling power through his newly awakened eyes.
He managed to remain standing despite the physical and emotional toll of everything he had endured, though tears continued to flow down his cheeks—now tears of relief rather than grief and rage.
If this had been any other situation, given Sasuke's typically proud and independent personality, he would have been furious at being deceived so thoroughly by people he trusted. The manipulation he had just experienced was comprehensive and cruel, designed to push him to the very edge of emotional breakdown.
But in this moment, the overwhelming relief he felt at learning that his worst fears had been unfounded completely overshadowed any anger at the methods that had been employed. The knowledge that everything he had witnessed was carefully orchestrated theater rather than genuine tragedy was sufficient to make the deception seem almost benevolent.
Because everything had been fake, his brother had not actually killed their father. The quarrels and rifts that had seemed to tear their family apart were nothing more than performance, carefully scripted elements in a plan designed to create the emotional conditions necessary for his advancement.
All of it had been done to fulfill the requirements for awakening his Mangekyō Sharingan—a goal that had apparently been considered important enough to justify putting him through such extreme psychological trauma.
Everyone else around him maintained solemn expressions, their faces reflecting the weight of what they had just participated in orchestrating. None of them could truly understand Sasuke's emotional state at this moment, caught between relief at learning the truth and shock at the revelation of how extensively he had been manipulated.
But the psychological impact of such a sudden reversal from devastating loss to complete relief was bound to have significant long-term effects on his mental state. This kind of emotional whiplash could easily lead to lasting psychological damage if not handled with extreme care.
Minato began walking slowly toward Sasuke, his hands clasped together in a gesture that suggested both respect and nervous anticipation. He couldn't predict how the young ninja would react once the full implications of what had been done to him began to sink in.
It wasn't that Minato feared the consequences of his actions from a political or personal safety standpoint. His concern was far more fundamental—he had never before deliberately subjected another person to such intense psychological pressure for strategic purposes, and the moral weight of that decision was beginning to manifest in ways he hadn't fully anticipated.
When he finally stood directly in front of Sasuke, the younger man's laughter suddenly stopped as if it had been cut off by a blade. His eyes gradually returned to their normal appearance as the suppression seal continued to prevent any chakra flow that might reactivate his dōjutsu.
Sasuke's gaze fixed on Minato with an intensity that spoke to someone whose understanding of the world had been fundamentally altered by recent events. There was something in his expression—a depth and maturity that hadn't been present before—that suggested the trauma he had endured had changed him in ways that went far beyond simply awakening new abilities.
"Really?" Minato was preparing to offer some form of apology or explanation when Sasuke suddenly interrupted him.
"No need to apologize," Sasuke said with a calmness that was somehow more unsettling than his earlier emotional outbursts had been.
Those dark, deep eyes studied Minato with a penetrating gaze that seemed to see far more than someone his age should have been capable of perceiving. The scorching intensity of his stare suggested that he was evaluating not just the man before him, but everything he represented about leadership, duty, and the prices that people were willing to pay to achieve their objectives.
"I just want to know exactly what circumstances could force someone who is now called the God of Shinobi to devise and implement such an elaborate plan," Sasuke continued, his voice carrying a weight that spoke to someone who had been aged beyond his years by what he had just experienced.
The question was delivered with the kind of directness that cut through political niceties and diplomatic language to demand fundamental truth. Sasuke was no longer the naive young ninja who had begun this evening believing that good intentions and family bonds were sufficient to overcome any obstacle.
He had been forced to confront the reality that even the people he trusted most were willing to subject him to extreme trauma if they believed the strategic benefits justified such actions. Now he wanted to understand what kind of threat or opportunity could possibly warrant such measures.
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