Aside from Scorch Release, there was one other thing he needed to prioritize: evolving his Sharingan into the Mangekyō Sharingan. After all, that bastard Orochimaru would definitely make trouble during the Chunin Ninja Exams.
If he didn't have the Mangekyō by then, even Scorch Release wouldn't be enough to kill Orochimaru once and for all. Orochimaru should provide him with plenty of proficiency, after all!
Of course, Sasuke wasn't trying to help Konoha. He was definitely going to defect, but before that, he needed to get his hands on a few things, like Konoha's Sealing Scroll—and Shimura Danzō's life. Naturally, the main reason to kill Danzō was to take the Sharingan he had from the Uchiha Clan!
The most important of all was Uchiha Shisui's right eye. Few people had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, and if Sasuke wanted his own eyes to evolve into the real thing, he would need Shisui's eyes.
For now, those were the only two things Sasuke needed. Everything else could wait; there was plenty of time. Still, if he could collect a little interest while getting those two things, all the better!
Thinking this, Sasuke put down the Genjutsu scroll in his hand and opened the Shenlian panel!
Looking at the so-called Uchiha Bloodline Crystal, Sasuke immediately chose to use it!
As soon as he did, Sasuke suddenly found himself in a room. Several other members of the Uchiha Clan were there with him.
The next second, a stranger walked in and raised his blade. The Uchiha slowly fell one by one...
As soon as that scene ended, Sasuke found himself in another room. The same events played out again: clan members, a gathering, a massacre, and then the cycle repeated!
After experiencing dozens of similar illusions, Sasuke suddenly found himself in an unfamiliar place. Countless Uchiha clan members stood there, watching him with cold eyes!
"Are these the people from before?" Looking at their familiar faces, Sasuke felt a chill run down his spine...
The next second, the Uchiha clan members began to merge together, eventually taking on Sasuke's appearance.
Just as Sasuke was about to ask what was going on, the illusion vanished, and he jolted awake!
"That was the Night of the Uchiha Massacre! And those people just now were the resentment of the dead members of the clan?"
Sasuke opened his eyes and looked at the Shadow Clones still training around him. He asked his question, but no one answered. After all, the clones had no idea what had just happened!
"If that's really the case, maybe I can use the hatred of the entire Uchiha Clan to force my Sharingan to evolve into the Mangekyō someday!"
When the Shadow Clones showed no reaction to his question, Sasuke touched his Sharingan, which had opened without him realizing it, and slowly regained his composure!
Sharingan: Three Tomoe Insight: 200/1500 Copy: 100/1500 Genjutsu: 600/1500 Magen: Kasegui: 200/1500
After opening his Sharingan panel, Sasuke understood that a single Uchiha Bloodline Crystal could raise the Sharingan's proficiency cap by 500 and increase proficiency by 100.
"Looks like it really might be possible to fight the Mangekyō with a Three-Tomoe Sharingan someday!"
Looking at the improved panel, Xiaoyao smiled casually, then continued studying the Genjutsu scroll Uchiha Itachi had left behind. As for the second Bloodline Crystal, Sasuke wasn't planning to absorb it just yet. He would wait until he had steadied his mind.
After all, the Bloodline Crystal came with risks, too. Sasuke felt that if he ever became unable to bear the hatred unleashed by the vengeful spirits of the Uchiha, he might go completely mad!
"Getting stronger really does come at a price!" Looking at the Genjutsu scroll in his hand, Sasuke murmured to himself, then continued studying Genjutsu. After all, Genjutsu was what he would need to deal with Orochimaru!
As for Shimura Danzō, Sasuke would have to rely on Scorch Release. Danzō was a tricky opponent, of course, and Sasuke would need to take Shisui's eyes before using Scorch Release.
At the Nara residence, Shikamaru had just finished lunch. He looked at the leaf in his hand, puzzled. Even now, he still couldn't figure out what the leaf meant!
"Did you do this?" Just as Shikamaru was pondering, a deep voice came from behind him!
"No! Pops, do you know what this is?" Hearing the voice, Shikamaru turned around and looked at his father, Nara Shikaku, whose expression was slightly startled.
"It's Nature Transformation training for Wind Release. Konoha Ninja usually train this way to improve their control over Wind Release."
Shikaku took the leaf from Shikamaru's hand and examined it closely.
"There isn't the slightest trace of a break. The leaf was cut clean through in an instant. Looks like Konoha's about to have a terrifying Wind Release ninja!"
After studying it for a long while, Shikaku handed the leaf back to Shikamaru, looking rather thoughtful. "Can you tell me who did this?" Sitting beside his son, he asked curiously.
"Uchiha Sasuke. Who else could it be?" Seeing his father praise Sasuke so highly, Shikamaru lowered his head sadly.
Uchiha Sasuke? So it was him. Wasn't the Uchiha Clan best known for Fire Release? How was Sasuke so good at Wind Release, too?
"Shikamaru, it's time for school!"
Just as Shikaku was about to ask more about Sasuke, a reminder came from inside the house.
"Got it!" Shikamaru answered, nodded to his father, then left the house and headed for the Ninja Academy.
"Uchiha Sasuke really is a genius!" Watching Shikamaru walk away, Shikaku absently rubbed his nose, then headed for the Hokage's office.
In the basement, Sasuke realized it was time for school. With a thought, he sent the Shadow Clone that had been sitting in the courtyard to class!
He'd left a Shadow Clone in the courtyard to put that old fox, Sarutobi Hiruzen, at ease. It wasn't time to fall out with him yet. When it was, Sasuke wouldn't mind personally sending him out of the Ninja World, then summoning him back to torment him!
The afternoon lessons began. Just like in the morning, they started with theory, followed by practical training. Although Sasuke's Shadow Clone had only half his strength, dealing with Naruto, the dead-last, was still easy.
After taking care of Naruto, the Shadow Clone didn't cut leaves. Instead, it watched the other students fight. The point was to learn their fighting styles—or, more broadly, the fighting styles of most Konoha Ninja. After all, knowing yourself and your enemy meant you would never lose a battle!
The day soon came to an end. That night, Sasuke recalled all his Shadow Clones and went to sleep!
Vengeful spirits in his heart—Bloodline Crystals were terrifying!
Before you continue