'Now that the transplant issue is resolved, all that's left is to awaken my Mangekyō!'
Sasuke stared blankly at the experimental records in his hands, lost in thought.
After a moment, he turned to look at the two lively white mice scurrying around, shook his head, and chuckled softly.
He neatly organized the tools in the basement and left.
Soon after, Sasuke returned to his living room, where he found an unexpected and adorable guest, Tahi. A Shadow Clone was conversing with the young cat.
"Well, Young Master Sasuke, I've delivered the item. I'll be taking my leave now, meow."
As soon as the words left his lips, a puff of white smoke suddenly filled the room, and Tahi vanished.
The Shadow Clone beside him, seeing Sasuke arrive, wordlessly handed him a Storage Scroll. Then, it dispelled itself, transferring its memories back into Sasuke's mind.
"So, my weapon is finally complete?"
This was the Granny Cat's first time crafting a weapon of such caliber, and the materials were exceedingly rare. She had revised the design and plans repeatedly until two months ago, when she finally committed to forging the blade.
Sasuke eagerly unfurled the Storage Scroll. A puff of smoke cleared, revealing an exquisite, graceful Japanese katana in his palm.
He gently stroked the blade. Even before unsheathing it, a palpable aura of razor-sharpness and searing heat permeated the air, hinting at its extraordinary nature.
Grasping the hilt, Sasuke could distinctly feel the point where the blade met the handle resonating with his Fire Release Chakra, as if the two were in inexplicable harmony.
This was precisely where the Uchiha clan's generations-long enshrined Fire Attribute Chakra Crystal had been embedded!
Taking a deep breath, Sasuke drew the blade. The entire blade was pitch-black.
Yet upon closer inspection, the obsidian sword shimmered with a crimson halo, its crystal-clear radiance lending it an air of both mystery and exquisite beauty.
After studying the blade for a moment, Sasuke's heart stirred. He channeled Fire Release Chakra into the sword.
Instantly, the pitch-black blade erupted into a blazing crimson, a scarlet flame erupting and swirling around its surface.
The amount of Chakra Sasuke poured in was minimal, just enough to ignite a small flame.
The katana before him dramatically amplified the power of Fire Release Chakra, seemingly absorbing the heat from the room's lighting as well.
The flames burned brighter and fiercer with each passing moment.
In an instant, the surrounding air became scorching, filling the living room with an oppressive heat!
'This amplification?!'
Sasuke's face registered a flicker of astonishment.
'And this is just with a trace of Fire Release Chakra. If I used it for a Fire Release Blade Technique, the power...'
The mere thought of unleashing Sword Leap Flame or Raging Wind Sword with this blade made Sasuke's blood boil with anticipation.
"I'll call you Kagutsuchi!"
Kagutsuchi was another name for Kagutsuchi-no-Mikoto, the mythical god of fire, also known as Ho-no-Yagihayami-no-Kami, Ho-no-Homusubi-no-Kami, and Ho-no-Kagutsuchi-no-Kami.
Legend had it that Kagutsuchi was born engulfed in flames, burning his mother, Izanami, to death.
Enraged, his father, Izanagi, slew Kagutsuchi with the divine sword Ame no Habakiri.
The eight drops of blood that spilled forth transformed into eight Heavenly Gods, one of whom was Takefutsu no Ikazuchi no Kami, the god of thunder.
Naming this Fire Attribute divine artifact after the mythical god of fire seemed particularly fitting to Sasuke.
___
The mountains behind Konoha.
Sasuke held his flat-bladed sword, took a few deep breaths, and entered a state of serene emptiness. With a swift motion, he swung the blade.
The sword danced with graceful speed, as agile as a shadow. Sasuke's wrist was remarkably flexible, transforming the simple short sword into an extension of his arm.
He carved rapidly and relentlessly across the massive boulder, slicing away chunks of stone with precision. The process was mesmerizing to watch, fluid and natural.
The sight was especially captivating when paired with Sasuke's face and earnest expression, making the mere act of watching a delight.
Swish, swish, swish!
Sasuke's hand abruptly stopped. The boulder sculpture was now roughly ninety percent complete. A crimson glint flashed in his eyes, and his senses returned—sight, hearing, and all the rest flooded back.
"Heh."
Looking at the crude, barely humanoid figure before him, Sasuke chuckled softly.
The challenge of this carving was infinitely greater than what he had faced two years ago. This time, all five senses—sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch—had been simultaneously sealed.
He couldn't see with his eyes, hear with his ears, or even feel the texture and grain of the stone with his hands.
Sculpting entirely from the heart.
Sasuke had a premonition that if he could complete the sculpture before him solely through his heart and imbue it with divine essence, not only would his sculpting Chakra training method undergo a qualitative leap, but his Mangekyō Sharingan would awaken naturally.
Though he lacked concrete proof, Sasuke was utterly convinced of this.
Unfortunately, he wasn't yet capable of such a feat.
Sasuke sighed inwardly and turned to Kurama Yakumo, who was struggling to suppress her laughter. "Yakumo, just laugh if you want to. There's no need to hold it in."
No sooner had he spoken than Yakumo burst into laughter.
She waved her hand dismissively, a hint of embarrassment coloring her cheeks. "Sasuke-kun, I'm not laughing at you. I just find this sculpture... um... very interesting."
"In fact, I doubt anyone in this world has ever managed to perfectly sculpt a stone statue while having all five senses completely sealed."
Sasuke offered a calm explanation: "It's precisely because it's difficult that I must do it. The more challenging the task, the greater the reward."
"You're right," Yakumo nodded in realization, then shifted the conversation to another topic.
"Sasuke-kun, you'll be graduating from the Ninja Academy next month and becoming a ninja, right?" Kurama Yakumo's tone was utterly calm, devoid of envy, resentment, or inner conflict.
"Yeah!" Sasuke nodded.
Seeing Sasuke's confirmation, Kurama Yakumo smiled faintly and continued, "I'll be leaving Konoha in a few days, so I won't be able to congratulate you in person. Let me wish you congratulations in advance, then."
"Leaving Konoha?" A flicker of surprise crossed Sasuke's face.
"Yes!" Seeming pleased by Sasuke's surprise, the corners of Kurama Yakumo's lips curved into a subtle smile.
"Ever since I was little, I've dreamed of entering the Ninja Academy and becoming a ninja. I still haven't given up on that dream. But after getting to know you, Sasuke-kun, over the past few years, I've decided to forge a different path from others—a ninja path that's uniquely my own."
"Forge your own ninja path?" Sasuke murmured softly.
"Mm-hmm!" Kurama Yakumo nodded, her voice gentle and soft. "Sasuke-kun, do you remember you once told me about the psychologist?"
___
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