Drinking a Cup of Milk Every Day

"Kakashi..."

Sasuke clenched his fists.

Kakashi had just fought an expert like Zabuza and been wildly praised by his opponent.

Things like "Sharingan Kakashi," "Copy Ninja," and "renowned throughout the Shinobi World."

Even one of those other two had called Kakashi something like a "Shinobi World internet celebrity" and "Kakashi the 50/50."

Though Sasuke did not understand what that meant, it was obviously praise as well.

Yet Kakashi Hatake, someone like that, had been instantly defeated by his brother in a single move.

That gap, so blatant it could not have been more direct, made Sasuke grit his teeth.

He was learning from someone his brother could defeat in one move. Even if he improved quickly, what difference would it make?

Then he thought of how, just yesterday, he had been smug over beating Naruto at tree-climbing and water-walking, yet impatient and unwilling to accept defeat when he lost to Sakura. It was simply childish.

"Uchiha Sasuke."

"Huh?!"

While Sasuke was lost in thought, he suddenly realized that Shirozumi had appeared before him and called his name.

He tensed up instantly.

"Don't be nervous. I just came to ask you—do you want to know how to become stronger?"

Shirozumi spoke calmly.

"...Tell me."

Sasuke glanced at Itachi in the distance.

Itachi remained perfectly still. Sasuke guessed that he was using genjutsu to keep Kakashi under control.

In truth, it had already ended.

No matter how long passed in Tsukuyomi Space, only an instant passed outside.

Itachi was deliberately staying still now, quietly listening to what Shirozumi wanted to say to Sasuke.

"I'm an archaeologist. Your Uchiha Clan has a stone tablet that records the methods for advancing the power of the Sharingan.

"Each time the Sharingan evolves, it reveals more of its contents.

"Of course, some of what is written on it is wrong.

"I know the correct information too."

"Tell me!"

Sasuke grew somewhat excited upon hearing this.

The other party knew the Uchiha Clan's exclusive method of increasing their strength? From the sound of it, he had even researched it thoroughly?

On the other side, Itachi also fell into thought after hearing Shirozumi's words.

Naturally, he had seen the Uchiha stone tablet before.

He also knew that there was still much written on it that he could not see.

However, Itachi had not blindly believed the contents he had been able to read at the time. He had not expected Shirozumi to bring it up today.

"Don't rush. We have plenty of time to talk."

"First, the earliest stages of the Sharingan, from awakening it to evolving it, are all related to emotional fluctuations."

Shirozumi sat down on the ground and began explaining.

"Emotional fluctuations?"

Sasuke immediately thought of the night his clan was massacred, and his expression turned grim.

"That's right. You've actually already awakened the Sharingan, but because your basic physical abilities haven't caught up yet, you can't control it for the time being.

"—The awakening and evolution of the Sharingan have nothing to do with physical ability, but if you want to control it, maintain it for long periods, and use it frequently, you need those things."

"What? I've already awakened the Sharingan?"

Sasuke was stunned, then delighted.

"What are you happy about? Is awakening a Single Tomoe out of rage after your entire clan was massacred really something worth being happy about?"

"..."

Shirozumi's words were like a bucket of ice water, leaving Sasuke drenched in embarrassment.

"But don't blame yourself too much. Like I said, the key lies in 'emotional fluctuations,' not the event itself.

"In other words, a 'fragile-hearted Uchiha' is more likely to awaken and evolve the Sharingan than a 'strong-willed Uchiha.'

"A classic example is Madara Uchiha of the Warring States Period.

"Back then, partings and deaths happened every day, so Madara Uchiha had a very high threshold for the loss of life.

"He was older than you are now when he truly awakened the Sharingan."

Likewise, if she were merely a sheltered flower living in peaceful times, then discovering that her father might be cheating would probably be enough to awaken her eyes.

She would not need hatred; relying on the conviction to protect her companions, she could awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan."

"...Madara Uchiha?"

Madara Uchiha's name was naturally thunderous within the Uchiha Clan. Everyone knew Madara's name, but few knew his story.

Sasuke listened with rapt attention, committing every word to memory. He was a hundred times more serious than he had ever been in ninja academy classes.

"This could actually end here, but since I've already started, I might as well tell you everything at once."

"The Sharingan's ultimate evolution."

"Ultimate evolution?"

Sasuke's expression turned serious. His eyes remained fixed on Shirozumi as he took two steps forward.

He completely ignored Naruto and Sakura behind him, who had settled Kakashi down and called out to him for ages.

"The ultimate evolution was also written on the Uchiha Stone Tablet. Even your brother cannot see it yet, but I can tell you.

"The Sage of Six Paths had two sons: one named Asura, and one named Indra. They each inherited part of the Sage of Six Paths' power.

"Indra was the Uchiha ancestor, while Asura was the ancestor of the Senju and Uzumaki Clan.

"Because of their conflict and obsession, the two brothers' chakra continued to reincarnate.

"The Stone Tablet says—gather the powers of the Uchiha and Senju, and one can obtain Omnipotent Power.

"But that statement is wrong.

"Only by combining Indra's and Asura's chakra can one obtain the Sage of Six Paths' eyes.

"Simply combining Uchiha and Senju is useless."

"In the future, the Shinobi World will face an invasion by unimaginably powerful enemies. I need to gather sufficiently powerful Combat Strength.

"So, Sasuke Uchiha, do you understand?

"Why, despite being your brother's companion, I chose to tell you all this and help you?"

"Because I... I carry Indra's reincarnated chakra. I have the qualifications to advance to the Ultimate Eye?"

Sasuke instantly guessed the only possibility and stood there dumbfounded.

"That's right. Before reaching the final stage, all you need is to obtain the chakra of Asura's reincarnation."

"Asura's reincarnation is..."

"The blond behind you."

"As expected..."

Sasuke took a deep breath. "Then how can I obtain Asura Chakra when the time comes?"

"There are two methods: one harms him, and one does not.

"The first requires a gamble and is unstable. Madara Uchiha waited decades using that method, only awakening it shortly before his death.

"The latter is more stable and allows you to obtain it continuously, so naturally the chances are higher. But there are no examples of how long it takes to awaken."

Shirozumi laid out the two options.

"Why didn't Madara Uchiha use the second method?"

Hearing this, Sasuke did not choose immediately. Instead, he asked that question.

"Perhaps he never thought of the second method. Or perhaps the second method would invite strange looks from ordinary people, and Madara Uchiha cared about his reputation..."

"Reputation is meaningless. Tell me the second method."

Sasuke trusted Shirozumi immensely now.

If Shirozumi had not been Itachi's companion, Sasuke would have wanted to defect from Konoha and have Shirozumi guide his training.

Kakashi?

Who cared about him?

Over by Uchiha Itachi, upon hearing Sasuke choose the second method rather than harm his companion, a gratified smile secretly appeared on his face.

"The method is for you to drink a cup of his 'milk' every day."

Shirozumi pointed at Naruto Uzumaki.