Chapter 31: Because of These Eyes
At that moment, Mikoto had just finished preparing the bathwater. She stepped out of the bathroom and spotted Itachi nearby. She paused briefly, then turned to Naruto with a warm smile.
"Naruto, the bathwater is ready. Come, Auntie will take you for a bath."
"Okay!"
Naruto cheerfully stripped off his usual orange jacket, pants, and socks—leaving only the green goggles on his forehead—then dashed over without a hint of shame.
Watching his mother gently lead Naruto into the bathroom, Sasuke ground his teeth in frustration.
Why? Why was this happening?
Not only had his mother been stolen, now even his beloved brother... even the bathwater had been taken by Naruto!
Letting out a pained wail, Sasuke turned and bolted back upstairs, slamming his door shut with a loud bang.
Peace finally returned to the living room, leaving only Itachi and his father.
Itachi stepped forward and knelt beside the couch, lowering his head respectfully.
"Father."
"Hm. What is it?"
Fugaku didn't look away from the TV.
"I have something I want to ask."
"Then speak," Fugaku said indifferently.
Itachi's expression turned serious.
"Father, what are your plans from here?"
Fugaku blinked. "What plans?"
Itachi was momentarily stunned.
Wait—he hasn't planned anything?
A hint of anxiety crept into his voice.
"I mean, news of your coup must have already leaked. The spies from other villages will soon learn that the Third Hokage is dead. They won't sit still. Some may even consider attacking us."
His face was solemn.
Fugaku finally turned his gaze from the screen, looking at Itachi's worried expression. He let out a quiet scoff.
Itachi's heart skipped. Finally, he's going to talk seriously.
He waited expectantly for his father's answer.
But all he got was that scoff—then Fugaku turned right back to the TV.
Itachi was left stunned.
On his naturally solemn face, the shadows beneath his eyes added to the loneliness he always carried. Ever since Shisui's death, he had become more detached, more thoughtful. His heart had become as calm and cold as still water.
But now?
He couldn't hold back his disappointment. His expression faltered.
This isn't right… Father, aren't I your son? Don't you trust me? You must have a plan—so why won't you tell me?
"Father…"
He made one more attempt.
But Fugaku waved his hand lazily.
"It's just one old Third Hokage. Don't worry. There won't be a war."
Itachi frowned. "How can you be so sure?"
Fugaku's gaze narrowed. A red light flickered in his eyes—
His Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan activated.
"Because I have these eyes."
The complex hexagonal pinwheel pattern glowed in his pupils, stunning Itachi on the spot.
What?
That's not the pattern Father had yesterday…
He remembered clearly—Fugaku's Mangekyō used to be shaped like three shurikens, sharp and aggressive.
But now, it had transformed into an intricate pinwheel unlike any he'd seen before.
Seeing Itachi frozen, Fugaku offered an explanation.
"This is the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan—a power even greater than the Mangekyō."
He turned off the technique and continued casually.
"The regular Mangekyō has drawbacks—overuse can cause blindness. But the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan has no such weakness. It grants its user unlimited vision—forever."
Itachi's mind raced, recalling the Uchiha stone tablet beneath Naka Shrine—its secrets only visible with a Mangekyō. His eyes widened in shock.
So this… is the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan...
Fugaku's voice deepened.
"When an Uchiha awakens the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, they gain the power of a Jonin.
When they awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, they step into Kage-level strength.
But when they possess the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan…"
He smiled faintly.
"They surpass Kage-level. They become Super Kage-level."
Itachi nodded silently. The logic tracked—he had seen it with his own eyes. Layer after layer, like a nesting doll of power.
Fugaku continued calmly.
"I now stand at the Super Kage-level. There are very few people left in the ninja world who could defeat me. So don't worry about enemies. If they dare come, let's see how many lives they're willing to lose."
Itachi was shaken.
Only one person had ever reached this level in Konoha's history—the God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama.
And now, his father stood at that same peak.
Itachi's gaze drifted. He thought again of the stone tablet… and remembered clearly: yesterday, his father only had the Mangekyō. But today, it had evolved.
He vaguely understood.
"Father… my eyes…"
He hesitated, voice barely a whisper.
Fugaku gave a rare nod.
"Yes. The Eternal Mangekyō requires the transplantation of another Mangekyō Sharingan—ideally from a close relative. It's a high-risk fusion. The success rate is low unless the blood relation is very strong."
He looked at Itachi seriously.
"In the entire history of the Uchiha clan, only Madara managed to awaken the Eternal Mangekyō. Until now. I succeeded—because I used your eyes. We are father and son. That bond made it possible."
Fugaku didn't mention the system that had aided him—he chose to keep that hidden.
Itachi didn't probe further.
So that's what happened…
His eyes had been used. Yet, oddly enough, there was no anger in his heart.
In fact—he felt… relieved.
Even a little happy.
This surprised Fugaku, who silently admired his son's mindset. As expected, this was still the same Itachi from the original timeline—the one who once gave his Mangekyō to Sasuke so he could awaken his own Eternal form.
Unshaken. Loyal. Selfless.
And now that Fugaku stood as one of the strongest shinobi alive, Itachi no longer questioned the coup's legitimacy.
In fact—he felt lucky.
With his father's strength, perhaps the weakened Konoha truly could rise again.
"Anyway… that's how it is. About your eyes—I'm sorry."
Fugaku's tone was steady, but sincere.
Though Itachi was adopted, they would be living as a family from now on. He didn't want this to create a rift between them.
But Itachi smiled faintly.
"Father, there's no need to apologize. I'm honored that my eyes could help you."
Fugaku gave a small, approving nod.
"Good. Have you eaten yet?"
Itachi shook his head.
Fugaku glanced toward the bathroom, then stopped himself.
"…Never mind. Your mother's still busy helping Naruto bathe."
"I'll cook something myself," Itachi replied calmly.
After his heart-to-heart with Fugaku, the pressure in his chest had lifted.
His steps were lighter as he stood up and headed toward the kitchen.
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