The Sharingan.
The greatest secret of the Uchiha Clan's kekkei genkai.
To be more precise, it is the manifestation of the clan's powerful Yin Release chakra the spiritual power inherited through the bloodline. From the initial awakening of the Sharingan, to the evolution of its tomoe, and ultimately to the qualitative leap known as the Mangekyō Sharingan, every stage represents a deeper awakening of the Uchiha's latent bloodline power.
The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, had once given a remarkably accurate explanation of the Sharingan's nature.
However…
His conclusion was still incomplete.
It was true that overwhelming emotional trauma could awaken greater power within the Sharingan.
That part was undeniable.
Throughout history, almost every Uchiha who awakened the Sharingan or, more importantly, the Mangekyō Sharingan had experienced violent emotional upheaval, and those awakenings were almost always triggered by intense grief, despair, or hatred.
But Menma believed many people misunderstood the true cause.
Negative emotions themselves were not the root.
They were merely the catalyst.
The intense psychological shock produced by those emotions stimulated the Uchiha's spiritual energy, which in turn awakened the dormant power sleeping within their bloodline.
In other words…
Negative emotions were a sufficient condition.
They were not the only possible path.
From Menma's perspective, the true requirement was the overwhelming transformation of one's spiritual state.
How that transformation occurred was secondary.
Hatred and despair simply happened to be the quickest and most reliable methods.
After all…
Watching someone precious die before your eyes or worse, being forced to kill that person yourself was an emotional impact few human beings could withstand.
Unless someone possessed an utterly emotionless heart, such a tragedy would inevitably shake the soul itself.
That tremendous spiritual shock would then resonate with the chakra inherited through the Uchiha bloodline, allowing the Sharingan to evolve.
Although these remained Menma's own conclusions, he considered the theory highly credible.
More importantly…
Orochimaru's research largely supported it.
Naturally, Orochimaru had never managed to obtain a Mangekyō Sharingan for experimentation.
Those eyes were simply too rare.
However…
Ordinary Sharingan were another matter entirely.
Following the Uchiha Clan Massacre, countless Sharingan had disappeared.
Many had fallen into the hands of the masked Uchiha.
Many more had been collected by Danzō Shimura.
And among Danzō's collection, a significant number eventually became research material for Orochimaru.
Some had been given to him as compensation.
Others had been entrusted to him specifically for experimentation.
Otherwise, Danzō's infamous right arm embedded with multiple Sharingan and strengthened by Hashirama Senju's cells could never have reached even its imperfect level of stability.
Danzō himself certainly lacked the scientific knowledge to balance Hashirama's cells with the Sharingan.
Even from Menma's perspective, the result was crude and unstable.
Yet within the standards of the current shinobi world, it was still considered an astonishing accomplishment.
Only Orochimaru possessed the expertise to produce such a result.
It was also through Orochimaru's laboratory records that Menma had obtained a considerable amount of experimental data concerning the Sharingan.
Moreover, after several discussions with Menma, Orochimaru himself had refined the direction of his own research.
As long as a subject could be approached scientifically…
Data was everything.
"What?"
Sasuke's eyes widened.
"Another way?"
"What exactly do you mean, Menma?"
The moment he heard those words, hope flashed across his usually cold gaze.
For as long as he could remember, the Mangekyō Sharingan had represented only one thing.
The cursed eyes.
According to Itachi, they could only be awakened by killing the person one loved most.
That was why the Mangekyō Sharingan had become synonymous with tragedy.
Sasuke desired power.
He had already resolved to obtain it no matter the cost.
Even if that meant walking alongside devils.
Yet…
Ever since learning the truth behind the Uchiha Clan Massacre, one thing had changed.
He refused to obtain power exactly as Itachi had instructed.
He had grown sick of following the path his brother had laid before him.
"Exactly what I said."
Menma answered calmly.
"This is a hypothesis I've developed over the years."
"And Orochimaru's research provides considerable evidence supporting it."
He looked directly into Sasuke's eyes.
"You can judge for yourself whether my conclusions are correct."
"Sasuke…"
"The true strength of the Uchiha lies in the power of the spirit."
"There is no need to follow a path stained with needless blood."
"I've already spoken with Orochimaru."
"He'll assist your training."
"Naturally, he has his own motives."
"You understand that better than anyone."
"So this cooperation is a double-edged sword."
"It all depends on whether you can wield it without being consumed."
A faint smile appeared on Menma's face.
"But judging by the look in your eyes…"
"I doubt that kind of risk frightens you."
As he spoke, Menma reached into his cloak and withdrew a carefully prepared scroll.
With a casual flick of his wrist, he tossed it toward Sasuke.
Sasuke caught it effortlessly.
"Hmph."
He lowered his gaze to the scroll before looking back at Menma.
"I understand."
"If this is the path I have to walk…"
"Then I'll see it through."
What Orochimaru wanted…
Sasuke could already guess.
The snake desired nothing less than the body of an Uchiha.
He coveted the Sharingan.
He coveted Sasuke's bloodline.
Menma's earlier words had merely confirmed those suspicions.
But Sasuke wasn't afraid.
If Orochimaru truly believed he could steal his body…
Then he was welcome to try.
Even after the destruction of the Uchiha Clan, the pride engraved into Sasuke's very soul had never disappeared.
In the end…
It would simply become a contest between the two of them.
A race to see who would devour whom first.
And Sasuke had absolute confidence that he would be the one left standing.
To him…
Orochimaru was nothing more than another stepping stone.
Another source of strength.
Menma nodded slightly.
"Good."
"The rest depends on you."
Of course, there were risks.
Menma never believed history would repeat itself exactly.
The Orochimaru before him was no longer identical to the one from the original timeline.
If their conflict eventually erupted…
The outcome could be completely different.
Still…
Should that day ever come…
Menma would stand beside Sasuke without hesitation.
Partly because Sasuke represented irreplaceable combat strength.
But more importantly…
Because of trust.
Although Sasuke and Yūgao had not yet reached the same level of absolute trust that Menma shared with Karin, they already occupied a position far above anyone else.
Trust…
Could only be built over time.
Karin's unwavering loyalty was a unique exception that could never be replicated.
If possible, Menma still hoped to prevent Orochimaru and Sasuke from becoming enemies.
After all…
Both of them were indispensable pieces of his future.
Unfortunately…
He also knew that possibility was rather slim.
"I understand."
Sasuke nodded.
"I won't disappoint you."
Menma smiled.
"In that case…"
"I'll be returning to Takigakure."
"If anything happens, contact me immediately."
He looked directly at Sasuke.
"And remember…"
"You're not fighting alone anymore."
"I need your strength just as much as you need mine."
Those words were sincere.
Sasuke could tell.
Although he remained as proud as ever, the warmth hidden beneath those words still reached him.
He merely snorted softly.
"…Hmph."
It was an unmistakably Sasuke-like response.
Menma chuckled.
"Then…"
"I'll look forward to our next meeting."
With a slight wave of his hand, he disappeared in a Body Flicker Technique.
His figure vanished from Sasuke's sight in an instant.
Sasuke silently watched the direction in which Menma had departed.
Determination gradually filled his eyes.
Itachi…
Konohagakure…
Wait for me.
After taking a deep breath, Sasuke turned toward the training grounds once more.
There was no more time to waste.
Only by becoming stronger could he uncover the remaining truth…
And realize his revenge.
With every matter settled, Menma's journey had finally come to an end.
Together with Yūgao, he officially began the return trip to Takigakure.
This mission had accomplished exactly what he had hoped.
Recruiting Yūgao significantly strengthened Takigakure's military power.
Although Takigakure was still considered one of the strongest villages outside the Five Great Shinobi Nations, its glory had long since faded.
Its weakness wasn't limited to its lack of elite shinobi.
Aside from Fū, the Seven-Tails' jinchūriki, the village possessed very few true high-level combatants.
Its overall force of jōnin, chūnin, and genin was similarly lacking compared to the great villages.
Training elite shinobi often appeared simpler than cultivating an entire generation of capable ninja.
But that impression was deceptive.
Improving one or two exceptional individuals meant little.
A village's true strength depended upon the quality and quantity of its entire military.
Such growth required years.
Perhaps even decades.
It was impossible to transform Takigakure overnight.
Unless one possessed some miraculous shortcut, building a powerful village simply demanded time.
Because of that…
Menma's immediate priority remained strengthening the village's highest-level combat power.
Recruiting Yūgao perfectly embodied that strategy.
A Kage-level shinobi who was also the jinchūriki of the Two-Tails could easily equal thousands of ordinary ninja once a war began.
The destructive power of a tailed beast had already been proven countless times throughout the history of the Shinobi World.
Menma's plans had always been practical.
Yūgao was merely the beginning.
According to his knowledge of the future, several powerful assets still remained unclaimed.
The Three-Tails, Isobu, was one of them.
After Rin Nohara's death, Isobu had eventually revived in the wild and, at this point in history, had yet to receive another jinchūriki.
It represented an immediate opportunity.
Menma had already decided that once Orochimaru located Isobu, he would personally travel there with Karin.
If he could successfully persuade the Three-Tails to cooperate…
Karin would become Isobu's new jinchūriki.
Doing so would dramatically increase both their military strength and Karin's ability to protect herself.
It was the perfect outcome.
Beyond that…
Numerous other plans already awaited implementation.
Every step had been carefully arranged.
Every action aimed at strengthening Takigakure in the shortest time possible.
Unfortunately…
Reality rarely unfolded exactly according to plan.
The growing conflict among the great shinobi villages remained the greatest variable.
Shortly after Menma and Yūgao returned to Takigakure, an urgent intelligence report arrived through one of Orochimaru's covert communication channels.
Although the report had been dispatched after Menma's departure, it reached Takigakure almost simultaneously with his return.
Its contents were concise.
The political conflict between Kumogakure, Konohagakure, and Kirigakure had escalated significantly over the past several days.
More importantly…
Orochimaru's spies within Konoha had uncovered another critical piece of intelligence.
The moment Menma finished reading the report, his expression became noticeably more serious.
"So…"
He sighed softly.
"Trouble never stays away for long."
Yūgao, standing beside him, looked over curiously.
"Is it about me?"
Menma gave a slight nod.
"Yes…"
"And no."
"Whether the growing conflict between the three great villages will directly affect us is still uncertain."
"But one thing is clear."
"Our plans will have to move ahead sooner than expected."
He handed the intelligence report to Yūgao.
Originally, Menma had intended to spend several days resting after returning to Takigakure before beginning the next stage of his plans.
Continuous missions, training, and research eventually exhausted even the strongest shinobi.
Time was precious.
But so was proper preparation.
Unfortunately…
Unexpected developments never asked for permission.
The peaceful break he had planned…
Was no longer possible.
Yūgao carefully read through the report.
A moment later, she frowned.
"So…"
"The Fourth Raikage believes Konoha eliminated the Kumogakure shinobi he dispatched…"
"And he also suspects Konoha secretly captured me?"
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"That's certainly arrogant."
She looked back toward Menma.
"But what does this change?"
"If Kumogakure and Konoha are heading toward open conflict and Kirigakure has become involved wouldn't that provide the perfect cover for us?"
"There shouldn't be any need for Orochimaru to intervene."
Menma slowly shook his head.
"That's only true on the surface."
He tapped the report lightly.
"But what if Konoha publicly reveals my connection with Orochimaru?"
"Or announces that I defected alongside him?"
"The entire situation changes."
Yūgao blinked.
"Publicly reveal "
She stopped midway through the sentence.
Only seconds later…
Understanding dawned on her face.
"I see…"
"That is a real possibility."
Having survived in the shinobi world for so many years, she immediately grasped the political implications.
Menma nodded.
"Exactly."
"So we need to prepare before that happens."
His gaze shifted toward the center of Takigakure.
"Let's meet the village leader first."
"There are many things that need to be discussed."
Yūgao nodded firmly.
"Understood."
The two passed through Takigakure's barrier seal and entered the village together.
A new phase of Menma's plans…
Was about to begin.
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