"Damn it! I really shouldn't have killed him so easily!"
On the way back to Konohagakure, Sasuke suddenly slammed his fist into his palm, his face contorted with regret.
His outburst caused Naruto, walking beside him, to break into a cold sweat. Even the Takigakure shinobi trailing behind them jumped in alarm!
Takigakure had suffered immense destruction; despite their reluctance, they understood that the Seven-Tails could no longer remain with them.
Especially after witnessing Kitagawa Minamoto's terrifying display of power, they fully grasped "Konohagakure's resolve."
Thus, even without explicit demands from Konoha, Takigakure immediately expressed their position.
Of course, Fū remained a Takigakure shinobi—she was merely "visiting" Konohagakure.
In return, Konohagakure would provide aid to Takigakure out of moral obligation, given the village's devastating losses.
Yet the Takigakure shinobi remained uneasy throughout the journey, not only due to their fear of Kitagawa Minamoto's strength but also because of Sasuke's occasional outbursts...
"Alright, Sasuke, stop dwelling on it."
Jiraiya rubbed his forehead, clearly unwilling to engage, while Kitagawa Minamoto watched with undisguised amusement.
This forced Kakashi to reluctantly step in, attempting to console his "star pupil."
"Don't listen to Minamoto; he's too extreme. Your decision was fine."
"But letting him die so easily—it's a disgrace to the clan members he slaughtered."
Sasuke clenched his fists, his expression darkening.
"And who knows what chaos he'll cause if resurrected through Impure World Reincarnation? He's truly detestable!"
"Kakashi-sensei, you see? My solution was the best."
Kitagawa Minamoto gave Sasuke an approving look that seemed to say, "There's hope for you yet."
Kakashi could only sigh helplessly.
"Ha, at least he wasn't as extreme as you."
"Tch."
Kitagawa Minamoto rolled his eyes and tilted his head toward Sasuke.
"Instead of lamenting, why not think about Itachi Uchiha's resurrection through Impure World Reincarnation?"
"Let him be resurrected!"
Sasuke clenched his fists tighter, his eyes involuntarily bleeding crimson.
"This time, his death was far too merciful. And I've changed as well!"
"This kid..."
Kakashi shook his head helplessly, pulling Kitagawa Minamoto aside with Jiraiya.
Once they were out of earshot from Sasuke and Naruto, Jiraiya spoke first.
"Did Orochimaru really take him?"
"Yes, it's confirmed."
Kitagawa Minamoto nodded gravely.
"The Third Hokage's execution of Impure World Reincarnation was so slow that I mastered it just by watching once. Earlier, I tested it on a bandit, and you saw the results."
Kakashi and Jiraiya remained silent—they had indeed witnessed it.
The sacrificial paper had instantly enveloped the bandit. The bandit died, but Itachi Uchiha didn't appear.
This clearly indicated one thing—
"Orochimaru moves frighteningly fast."
Jiraiya muttered in frustration, suspecting that Orochimaru might have "improvised" on the spot.
While Orochimaru had no moral qualms, they certainly did.
Kakashi sighed, knowing it was pointless to dwell on it now. He glanced at Sasuke before changing the subject.
"Has Sasuke's eyes evolved? This doesn't seem to match the information we've seen."
"I think the Uchiha situation isn't as dire as the Second Hokage's research suggests."
Kitagawa Minamoto glanced at Sasuke, chuckling softly.
"The Mangekyō Sharingan is rare, so naturally, our data is incomplete. Sasuke is the perfect example."
Tobirama Senju had conducted extensive research on the Uchiha, even theorizing about the Mangekyō Sharingan.
But his theories still revolved around "losing love." Yet the activation of the Mangekyō wasn't tied to a single emotion.
Broadly speaking, it was triggered by "extreme emotions," but these extremes varied greatly. "Losing love" was simply one of the most intense forms.
As for Sasuke...
"He's different. He learned the truth about the past and understood his predicament. In some ways, Itachi Uchiha pushed him into an impossible position—neither here nor there."
"So, killing Itachi wasn't about 'losing love'; it was a form of 'rebirth.' Could that count as advancement?"
Kakashi, having a Sharingan himself, had supplemented his knowledge over the years and naturally grasped Kitagawa Minamoto's perspective.
"Sasuke truly is a unique child..."
"Indeed."
Kitagawa Minamoto nodded, though he cast a meaningful glance at Kakashi.
The most unique was still Obito Uchiha, wasn't it?
Not only did his Sharingan evolve directly from two tomoe to Mangekyō, but his abilities also "leaked" before the Mangekyō was even fully activated.
This was practically unprecedented!
And perhaps the most bizarre Mangekyō activation method might belong to Sasuke's hypothetical future daughter...
"Also, Sasuke's abilities have undergone a significant transformation."
Though still consumed by rage and driven to kill Itachi Uchiha,
His emotional shift had naturally affected his "Eyes that Reflect the Soul."
Moreover, Sasuke was completely unguarded around Kitagawa Minamoto, even sharing details of his new ocular abilities and his mindset at the time.
"At that moment, I wanted to act on behalf of my clan's lost souls, carrying their hatred and will to gain greater power and kill Itachi Uchiha. So..."
With such convictions, Sasuke had awakened a fascinating ability.
"Tenjō-Ritsu?"
Kitagawa Minamoto pondered Sasuke's abilities. Honestly, they gave him an inexplicable sense of déjà vu.
"His left eye enhances physical capabilities—greater speed, strength, and endurance."
"His right eye amplifies techniques, whether ninjutsu or ocular jutsu, becoming stronger the more chakra is consumed."
This ability—why did it feel so much like Madara Uchiha?
Madara's overwhelming presence in battle could be summed up in one word: power.
Unmatched, unstoppable power.
His ninjutsu were absurdly potent, and even his Susano'o required extra arms to wield.
Beyond that, there wasn't much flair—just raw strength crushing opponents.
Except for Hashirama Senju...
"A pure stats monster!"
Kitagawa Minamoto hadn't expected Sasuke's ocular abilities to transform this way due to his emotional shift.
But upon reflection, it suited Sasuke perfectly.
Sasuke rarely relied on Amaterasu or Kagutsuchi in combat. His fighting style leaned more on ninjutsu, taijutsu, and the fully manifested Susano'o.
"Now, he fights with the will of his entire clan. He really does resemble Madara Uchiha from the past."
Moreover, when thinking about it seriously, it seemed like the Mangekyō Sharingan abilities of properly awakened Uchiha often followed a similar pattern.
Only the left and right eyes differed.
"Shisui Uchiha's Kotoamatsukami, Obito Uchiha's Kamui..."
So whether Itachi Uchiha was truly unique was hard to say.
Even Sasuke's Amaterasu might have been "transferred" through the Transcription Seal...
As for Kagutsuchi, perhaps it emerged because Sasuke had come to recognize aspects of Itachi, creating an ability that perfectly complemented Amaterasu.
Of course, this was all speculation. The Mangekyō Sharingan's abilities were highly variable, and the truth remained elusive.
"If it really is the Transcription Seal's doing, Itachi Uchiha's ocular abilities might still manifest in Sasuke."
Though they hadn't secured Itachi's body for Impure World Reincarnation, they had obtained his eyes. Unfortunately, Shisui's eye was no longer an option.
"Enough about this."
Kakashi didn't know what Kitagawa Minamoto was thinking. He rubbed his temples and spoke up.
"Let's hurry back. Though we encountered unexpected events, the mission is complete."
"Indeed."
Jiraiya nodded, smiling as he added,
"And we exceeded expectations—none of us even needed a hospital visit."
"Really?"
Kitagawa Minamoto raised an eyebrow.
Excluding Sasuke's potential hospitalization for an eye transplant, it seemed none of them had been injured during this mission.
He briefly considered creating a minor incident just to preserve this "curse's" legacy.
"Forget it. Let's head back."
Kitagawa Minamoto shook his head and ultimately dismissed the idea with a smile.
"This battle brought me some valuable insights, so I'd like to reflect on them soon."
"More insights?"
His words surprised Kakashi, while Jiraiya looked at him with astonishment.
"You're unbelievable—your talent is truly extraordinary."
"It's nothing special."
Kitagawa Minamoto smiled modestly.
This time, even he was somewhat surprised by his reward.
[Side Quest Completed: Three Years—Do You Know What I've Been Through?]
[Reward Obtained: Rinnegan Yin-Yang Release Insight]
When he first saw the reward, Kitagawa Minamoto was momentarily confused, unable to immediately grasp its significance.
Especially since ocular abilities generally focused on "Yin Release."
Suddenly receiving insight into "Yin-Yang Release" left him puzzled.
But after carefully studying the reward, he quickly understood its implications.
"This pertains to the Rinnegan's control of Yin-Yang Release, as well as insights into how these forces interweave within the operation of these ultimate eyes."
Both the Rinnegan and Tenseigan were ultimate dōjutsu, requiring the fusion of Yin Release and Yang Release to function.
However, their "functional direction" differed, leading to distinct developments.
In Kitagawa Minamoto's case, the Tenseigan was a true "stats eye," capable of unleashing boundless power.
The Rinnegan, on the other hand—though he wasn't sure about Nagato's usage—was more of a "mechanics eye."
Its application and development of Yin-Yang Release likely diverged significantly from Kitagawa Minamoto's approach.
"This reward greatly aids my plans for Kekkei Mōra development."
Kitagawa Minamoto had reached a point in his bloodline development where he needed to acquire Indra and Asura's chakra, Bijū power, await the arrival of the Ōtsutsuki, and...
"Develop Kekkei Mōra!"
The Bijū weren't an urgent matter—the Ōtsutsuki would inevitably arrive in time.
But obtaining Indra and Asura's chakra, as well as advancing Kekkei Mōra, required immediate attention.
"Nagato and the Akatsuki are truly stable sources of bloodline resources. They keep giving and giving..."
Kitagawa Minamoto genuinely appreciated Nagato and the Akatsuki.
Without their unwavering beliefs and resolute will, how could they continuously provide him with nourishment?
How could they tirelessly shed their "sweat and effort," enabling his steady growth?
"You must keep shedding blood and sweat. Otherwise, how else can I advance so quickly?"
Sometimes, Kitagawa Minamoto felt he should hang a lantern in their honor.
Forcing Nagato and the Akatsuki to act as "laborers," constantly shedding blood and sweat, tirelessly contributing to his progress.
But at least they were still alive, weren't they?
Alive—isn't that good enough?
"I really do have a kind heart."
(End of Chapter)
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