Yuka opened the sealed scroll left to her by Shennong, but because she couldn't control chakra, she was unable to break the seal.
She looked at Naruto Uzumaki. "Naruto, can you help me unlock the scroll?"
"Uh… this…"
Naruto felt awkward. He had used scrolls before, but those were textbooks or teaching materials—not sealed scrolls like this.
Seeing Naruto's predicament, Yuka turned to Moss. "Your Grace?"
Moss shook her head. "I don't have that ability."
She then looked at Sasuke Uchiha. "Can you help unlock the seal?"
Sasuke's eye twitched. Not only are they trying to stop me from taking what I need, but now they want me to unlock the seal? Do they think I'm free labor?
…Wait. Maybe I can make a deal.
Sasuke said, "You seem to know a lot about the Sharingan."
This female ninja monk could predict the future, which must be how she knew about the Sharingan and the method to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan. Makes sense.
Through their conversation in the sealed space, Sasuke had realized that their future enemies were not just Itachi Uchiha, but also the masked man who triggered the Nine-Tails' attack sixteen years ago.
Therefore, the Mangekyō Sharingan was a must.
Moss said, "I know a little."
It wasn't modesty—her knowledge came only from anime lore, which is not a perfect reflection of reality. The anime is just a simplified model of the real situation.
Sasuke asked, "How do you awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan? Answer me, and not only will I unlock this seal for you, you can ask for anything you want."
Moss pondered. "Alright, I'll tell you. But first, we have to talk about how the Sharingan awakens. By the way, the theory of explanation belongs to the Second Hokage."
Sasuke was momentarily stunned. This is a Sharingan awakening theory, so why does the explanation belong to a non-Uchiha, the Second Hokage?
Moss began to explain: "The Uchiha clan is meticulous and emotionally sensitive."
Sensitive?
Naruto glanced at Sasuke.
Sasuke just furrowed his brow and listened.
Moss continued: "The love of the Uchiha is deeper than any other family. But such people are more easily hurt in social interactions. Coupled with a family culture that prizes strength, being sentimental is mocked. Therefore…"
Sasuke's heart tightened. He leaned forward in anticipation.
Moss paused and added a personal observation: "Inside the Uchiha, a dark forest forms. Any Uchiha showing emotion faces 'mocking' attacks. Their strong pride makes them feel ashamed, so all Uchiha hide their feelings."
Really?
Sasuke recalled his youth in the Uchiha clan. Back then he didn't understand, but looking back, there was indeed a subtle oppression.
Was it because everyone was hiding their emotions? Then what about Itachi?
Sasuke frowned deeply.
Naruto, listening nearby, finally understood. He treats Sasuke as a friend; naturally, Sasuke must also hide his feelings.
I see now! I understand!
Moss went on: "When an Uchiha finally experiences love, those suppressed emotions are released, and their power awakens. But excessive love carries the risk of losing control. If that love is lost, it can be replaced by hatred, changing their personality drastically…"
Here, Moss thought about the emotional triggers for Super Saiyan awakenings in Dragon Ball, noting the similarity to Sharingan awakenings.
Sasuke listened tensely, and when Moss suddenly paused, he felt suffocated.
Then what? Hurry!
Sasuke was impatient but didn't dare shout. He just stared at Moss.
Moss continued: "After losing love, a special chakra emerges in the Uchiha's mind. This chakra transforms their eyes, creating the Sharingan—the mirror of their soul."
So that's how the Sharingan works… Sasuke finally understood the mechanics systematically. Knowing that the theory came from the Second Hokage made it even stranger.
"The Sharingan synchronizes with one's mind, allowing rapid power growth. But this power arises from hatred after losing love. The darker the heart, the stronger the ocular power."
Moss had just explained the Second Hokage's theory. The final part wasn't only a way to strengthen the Sharingan—it was also the method to awaken the Mangekyō.
"Hatred? The darker, the stronger…"
Sasuke recalled Itachi telling him, "Your hatred isn't enough," and everything clicked.
This theory is real!
Suddenly, Sasuke looked at Yuka. "If dark chakra comes from human hearts, could I awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan if I gain that power?"
Normally, he might have tried to cultivate more darkness in his heart.
But now he knew the origin of dark chakra.
If he could use dark chakra, maybe it would rapidly enhance his ocular power and awaken the Mangekyō!
Moss's eyes brightened. "Oh, that's a constructive idea! But I can't guarantee success."
Sasuke thought, So her future-seeing ability has limits.
Moss pondered a moment, then said: "I'm curious about how dark chakra interacts with the Sharingan. Let's try it."
Sasuke's heart leapt. Perfect! Success or failure, there's no harm. Fail, no loss; succeed, gain Mangekyō power!
Naruto clicked his tongue, hesitant, but he couldn't stop it.
At that moment, a mocking voice echoed in his mind: "If Sasuke awakens the Mangekyō, he'll leave you far behind."
It was Kurama's voice.
Although the reinforced seal reduced Kurama's influence over Naruto, he could still provoke Naruto mentally.
By making Naruto feel negative, Kurama could accelerate the seal's deterioration.
Minato's chakra was gone—no one else could reinforce the seal, right?
So… be jealous, Naruto!
Naruto didn't feel jealous; he just thought Kurama was noisy.
After a mental scolding of "Be quiet," he quietly followed the others to the Sky Fortress power chamber, where Zero-Tails was bound.
Zero-Tails was wrapped in a yellow, semi-transparent cocoon, unable to move.
Moss asked curiously: "Zero-Tails, can you transform into a butterfly?"
Of course not. That cocoon, though created from Zero-Tails' power, was also a chain binding it—no real transformation was possible.
Zero-Tails ignored Moss, looking at Sasuke. "Boy with the dark eyes, release me, and I'll give you dark chakra."
Sasuke ignored it and looked at Moss.
Zero-Tails realized Moss was the one in charge and said again, "Release me, and I'll give you dark chakra…"
Moss waved. "Enough, can't you be a little original in your lines?"
Zero-Tails was speechless.
Moss reached out. "Just give me the dark chakra."
"Release me first," Zero-Tails said.
If I get out, I'm gone.
Do you think the mighty Zero-Tails bows to you? Dream on!
Moss said: "The ocean floor is uninhabited. Don't you want me to banish you there, where you can't absorb human darkness?"
Better accept the threat than force me to use the bracelet method.
"—!"
Sasuke, Naruto, Kurama, and Yuka were all stunned. Threaten a monster?
Is she really a monk? Isn't she supposed to be merciful?
Could Zero-Tails be threatened?
Inside the seal, Kurama thought: "Zero-Tails, don't embarrass us. Refuse her!"
The ocean floor isn't a problem—tailed beasts can survive anywhere.
But Zero-Tails didn't think so. It needed human darkness to survive. Without it, it would die.
The ocean has darkness, but only physical darkness—no hearts to feed on.
If banished to the ocean floor, it wouldn't last long.
"This is the dark chakra you wanted." Zero-Tails finally submitted, spitting out a dark mist.
Kurama looked disdainful. Ridiculous. Don't call yourself a tailed beast.
Moss used her Chicken Seal power to grab the dark chakra and moved it in front of Sasuke. "Before absorbing it, there's one thing."
Sasuke raised his hand to grab the dark chakra. "What?"
Moss said: "When awakening the Mangekyō, one or two dōjutsu may appear. The Sharingan reflects your soul, so the abilities come from your heart."
Sasuke understood. "You mean my inner self will manifest in the dōjutsu?"
Moss smiled. "Yes. Desire to control grants Tsukuyomi, to destroy grants Amaterasu, to escape gives Kamui, to change reality gives Izanagi."
Tsukuyomi, Amaterasu—those are Itachi's dōjutsu.
Sasuke recognized those two, but Kamui and Izanagi? Who wields them? Seen from future-seeing too? He noted the names for future reference.
Naruto thought: "Kamui… that's Kakashi-sensei's skill."
But he kept quiet. As a ninja, information is precious, and he wouldn't casually reveal it.
Moss asked: "Sasuke, which dōjutsu do you think you'll get?"
Sasuke considered briefly. "Amaterasu."
For a revenge-seeker, a direct attack ability fits best.
"Of course…"
Moss had expected this. "I think non-attack abilities might be more useful."
Even Tsukuyomi is more efficient than Amaterasu.
Sasuke recalled the earlier soul projection. Though it had no offensive power, if an attack struck during that moment, he could have died.
Thinking of that, he calmed down.
Initially, the joy of potentially awakening the Mangekyō made him see Amaterasu as perfect.
Now, thinking carefully, not really.
Amaterasu overlaps with Chidori in destructive power.
With mastery of Chidori, adding a direct attack ability wouldn't increase strength much.
If not Amaterasu, then what?
Sasuke lowered his head to think.
He instinctively remembered Moss demonstrating soul projection.
Soul… soul…
Then he thought of Naruto embracing Minato inside the sealed space.
Father, mother, I want to see you again…
No!
Sasuke stiffened. I'm a revenger; I can't show weakness.
But according to the Second Hokage's "dark forest" Sharingan theory, Uchiha must release love to awaken power. I don't need to suppress my feelings.
What I truly want…
Sasuke recalled the day's events, especially Naruto meeting his father, and finally understood what he sought.
—The soul!
Sasuke seemed to reach an understanding. He felt enlightened, calm, and began laughing, his shoulders shaking with it.
"Sasuke, are you okay?" Naruto asked, concerned.
Sasuke smiled, the Sharingan already activated.
His eyes glowed faintly red, and with that grin, he looked terrifyingly unhinged.
"I'm fine. Naruto, I've never felt better!"
Naruto thought: He's smiling, and you're fine? I've never seen him this cheerful.
Something's off…
Inside the sealed space, Kurama said gravely: "This Uchiha boy's ocular power is rising. He's about to awaken a terrifying dōjutsu."
Though often controlled by the Sharingan, Kurama didn't understand its mechanism.
But the wise, thousand-year-old fox speculated. The past Mangekyō holders awakened irrationally.
But Sasuke is different—he understands the principle and has clarified his mind. He's awakening rationally.
This dōjutsu will be precise and powerful!
A monster…
An Uchiha monster is about to be born.
Sasuke made up his mind and stepped forward, grabbing the dark chakra with his left hand.
The dark chakra flowed into his brain, resonating with his inner darkness instead of directly forming Sharingan chakra.
Then, chakra appeared in his mind to strengthen the Sharingan.
His ocular power surged!
Sasuke closed his eyes, feeling the explosive growth, and shouted internally: "Return, Uchiha spirits!"
Yes. He wanted to awaken the Soul Summoning technique!
Rationally, the spirits of those killed by Itachi were perfect avengers—his source of darkness.
Emotionally, he could summon his parents' spirits, reflecting his desire for a happy home.
This was possible—he knew the forbidden technique, Edo Tensei, could summon spirits.
If Edo Tensei can summon souls, why not a Mangekyō version?
If Orochimaru can, so can I!
Bang!
Sasuke opened his eyes, like blades drawn.
The three tomoe in his Sharingan had transformed into a six-pointed star.
Mangekyō—open!
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