"What... what is this?!"
Ever since Uchiha Madara's defection over thirty years ago, the Uchiha Clan had never seen eyes like these again.
His heart raced and his emotions surged. Unable to resist the impulse, Shifang activated his Three Tomoe Sharingan.
He didn't doubt Qingguang, but the Uchiha Clan had been dormant for far too long. He even wondered if he'd fallen under a Genjutsu.
But the moment he saw the deep color of Qingguang's Sharingan, the last trace of doubt vanished from his mind.
"Qingguang, don't waste your ocular power. Close your Sharingan at once!"
If the boy wanted to tell him this, why waste his ocular power?
Even if activating it only used a little, it was still a cost.
Qingguang closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they had returned to their original dark color.
Shifang immediately cast a soundproofing barrier. Looking at Qingguang earnestly, he fought back his excitement and said, "Qingguang, you may not know this, but Mangekyō Sharingan come in different grades."
"An ordinary Mangekyō Sharingan is like a bucket filled with water. Every bit of ocular power you use drains some water, and it can't be replenished. Eventually, you lose your sight completely."
"Only the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, which is a step above it, grants eternal power."
Qingguang was still too young. To prove his resolve, he had even revealed his Mangekyō right in front of Shifang.
But it also proved that Qingguang trusted him and still felt a sense of belonging to the Uchiha Clan. In fact, those feelings had only grown stronger with time!
"Besides me, has anyone else seen your eyes?" Shifang asked.
"Uncle Shifang, no one else has."
"I know I owe Lord Hokage a debt of gratitude, but he became my guardian for his own reasons. I know he did it for Konoha, but I'm still an Uchiha."
As he said this, Qingguang lowered his head, his face full of guilt, as though he'd wronged Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Shifang picked up the teapot, poured Qingguang a cup, and slid it over to him.
The boy was still too kind—perhaps even purer of heart than Kagami had been.
If not for that kindness, why would he have told Shifang about his Mangekyō?
He even felt guilty toward that old monkey Sarutobi.
Did someone like him deserve Qingguang's kindness?
At that moment, Shifang made up his mind. "Qingguang, don't use the Mangekyō's power unless you absolutely have to. As for the clan, I'll help you figure something out."
"The next clan meeting is in half a month. Until then, I'll do my best to unite every clan member I can. We'll nominate you as the next clan head's heir."
"Your only competition is Fugaku Uchiha, the clan head's son."
"His father's backing has won him plenty of support, but the Uchiha still respect strength above all. When the time comes, you'll have your chance to make a name for yourself in the clan. Don't hold back. As long as you don't kill him, beat him to within an inch of his life!"
Shifang had been sick of that father-and-son pair for ages.
Now, Qingguang was the Uchiha's only hope. He alone could lead the clan back to its former glory.
"But..." Qingguang furrowed his brow, seeming troubled.
"No buts!"
"I know you can't bear to hurt one of your own, but I'm not asking you to kill him. You just need to show them your strength."
"Otherwise, Konoha will gradually wear down every clan member in the factional struggles to come—or even cost them their lives!"
"Qingguang, they're your clansmen. They're the elders who watched you grow up. Can you bear to let that happen?"
By the end, Shifang's eyes were unfocused and his voice trembled.
His words struck Qingguang deep in his soul, and he fell silent.
After a long while, Qingguang slowly raised his head and murmured, "For the clan... for everyone..."
"I understand, Uncle Shifang. I'll steel myself and carry out this task."
Seeing Qingguang's reaction, Shifang felt a little guilty.
He was taking advantage of the boy's kindness...
But it was all for the clan. Qingguang, it wasn't that your uncle didn't love you. It was because I loved and trusted you that I had to do this—deceive you with twisted arguments and words that were practically lies.
The Uchiha needed someone to step forward and hold the clan together.
As for everything behind the scenes, let your uncle bear it for you. I'll become a stepping stone on your path!
Just then, Mikoto, freshly bathed and wearing a pink kimono decorated with cherry blossoms, walked slowly toward them.
Shifang immediately dispelled the soundproofing barrier he'd cast and signaled to Qingguang not to let their earlier conversation slip.
"Qingguang, Father, are you still talking?"
Mikoto had tied her still-damp hair back. After her bath, her skin looked even smoother and more delicate.
Stinky senpai, you're never this patient when you talk to me. What's so great about that old man? I just don't get it.
"Nothing much, Mikoto. Why don't you take Qingguang for a walk? He hasn't been back in eleven years, and a lot has changed in the clan. It'd be good for you to show him around."
At that, Mikoto linked her arm through Qingguang's and pulled him toward the door.
"Come on, senpai~"
Even her tone had softened.
As Shifang watched Qingguang wave goodbye to him, another idea quietly took shape in his mind.
Qingguang was only a few years older than Mikoto. They made a fine couple.
Only an outstanding Uchiha who could become a clan leader was worthy of being his son-in-law.
As for that Fugaku—sorry, but I barely know the guy.
I've always liked Qingguang best~
Night was falling over the street, and the pale moonlight spilled over them.
As they strolled along, the cherry trees lining the road took on a mysterious hue beneath the night sky, no longer pink as they had been by day.
Mikoto kept sharing one amusing story after another with Qingguang.
Qingguang answered her, but the ache in his eyes left him somewhat distracted.
The Three Tomoe Sharingan's maximum was 1,000 points of proficiency. What Shifang had seen just now was merely an illusion Qingguang had created with Genjutsu.
He didn't have a Mangekyō, but no one in the Uchiha Clan had ever had a Sharingan with over 2,000 points of proficiency.
And since Shifang had never seen a Mangekyō either, Qingguang had used that gap in knowledge to make him believe it.
After all, judging by the timing, the only Eternal Mangekyō Shifang could have seen was Uchiha Madara's.
Qingguang's ocular power was stronger than the Three Tomoe Sharingan's, but weaker than the Eternal Mangekyō's. Add in the Genjutsu Shifang couldn't see through...
Even after seeing the power in Qingguang's eyes, Shifang could only conclude that they were Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Hey, senpai?"
Mikoto noticed Qingguang had ignored her for several sentences in a row. She waved a hand in front of his eyes.
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Stinky senpai, you really were spacing out!"
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