Consuming the Crystal

Beyond Scorch Release, there was another matter that needed to be prioritized: the evolution of the Sharingan. The Mangekyō Sharingan was essential, especially since that guy Orochimaru would inevitably emerge to stir up trouble during the upcoming Chunin Exams.

If he didn't have the Mangekyō by then, even with Scorch Release, he wouldn't be able to thoroughly kill Orochimaru. After all, the amount of proficiency Orochimaru could provide him should be quite substantial!

Of course, Sasuke wasn't planning to help Konoha; defecting was a certainty. But before that, Sasuke needed to get his hands on certain items, such as Konoha's Sealing Scroll, and perhaps the wretched life of Shimura Danzō. Naturally, killing Shimura Danzō was primarily to reclaim the Uchiha clan's Sharingan currently in his possession!

Among those, the most important was Uchiha Shisui's right eye. Since very few people ever awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, Sasuke naturally needed Shisui's eye to evolve his own into a true Mangekyō.

For now, these were the two things Sasuke needed. As for everything else, there was no rush; there was plenty of time. Of course, if he could collect some interest while acquiring these two items, that would be even better!

Thinking this, Sasuke set down the Genjutsu scroll in his hand and opened the Shenlian panel!

Looking at the so-called Uchiha Bloodline Crystal, Sasuke chose to use it immediately!

After selecting it, Sasuke suddenly found himself in a room, where several other Uchiha clansmen were present besides himself!

The next second, a stranger walked in and swung a butcher's blade, and the Uchiha clansmen slowly fell one by one...

Just as that scene ended, Sasuke found himself in another room, with the same sequence of events: clansmen, a joyful gathering, a massacre, a cycle of reincarnation!

After experiencing dozens of such illusions, Sasuke suddenly arrived in a strange area where many Uchiha clansmen were staring at him coldly!

"Are these the people from before?" Looking at their familiar faces, Sasuke felt a chill run down his spine...

The next second, these Uchiha clansmen began to slowly coalesce, eventually transforming into Sasuke's own image.

Just as Sasuke was about to voice his questions, the illusion vanished, and Sasuke jolted awake!

"That was a scene from the Night of the Uchiha Massacre! And those people were products of the resentment of the deceased clansmen?"

Sasuke opened his eyes and posed the question to the Shadow Clones still training around him. Unfortunately, no one answered, as these Shadow Clones had no idea what had just occurred!

"If that's the case, perhaps in the future, I can use the hatred of the entire Uchiha clan to force the evolution of the Mangekyō Sharingan!"

Finding that his Shadow Clones had no reaction to his question, Sasuke touched his Sharingan, which had activated involuntarily, 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 one Uchiha Bloodline Crystal could increase the proficiency cap of the Sharingan by 500 and boost current proficiency by 100.

"It seems that in the future, it really might be possible to go up against a Mangekyō with just three tomoe!"

Looking at his improved stats, Sasuke smiled casually and then continued to study the Genjutsu scroll left behind by Uchiha Itachi. As for the second bloodline crystal, Sasuke didn't plan to fuse it yet; he would wait until he had adjusted his mindset.

After all, bloodline crystals carried risks. Sasuke felt that if there came a day he couldn't withstand the hatred released by those Uchiha spirits, he might just go insane!

"Indeed, becoming stronger requires a price," Sasuke muttered to himself while looking at the Genjutsu scroll, then continued his research. After all, dealing with that guy Orochimaru would require Genjutsu!

As for Shimura Danzō, he would have to rely on Scorch Release, as that guy was quite difficult to handle. Of course, when using Scorch Release, he would have to secure Shisui's eye first.

At Shikaku Nara's home, Shikamaru had just finished lunch and was looking at a leaf in his hand with a puzzled expression. Even now, he didn't understand what this leaf signified!

"Did you do this?" Just as Shikamaru was pondering, a deep voice came from behind him!

"No! Does Dad know what's going on with this?" Hearing the voice, Shikamaru turned his head and asked Shikaku Nara, who wore a look of astonishment!

"Wind Release nature transformation training. Most Konoha ninja train their control over Wind Release this way!"

Shikaku took the leaf from Shikamaru's hand and examined it carefully.

"Not a single trace of a jagged edge; it was sliced through in an instant. It seems Konoha is about to see a terrifying Wind Release user!"

After observing it for a long time, Shikaku handed the leaf back to Shikamaru with a strange expression. "Can you tell me who did this?" he asked curiously, sitting down next to Shikamaru.

"Uchiha Sasuke, who else!" Seeing his father give Sasuke such high praise, Shikamaru lowered his head with a touch of melancholy!

Uchiha Sasuke? It was actually him. Wasn't the Uchiha clan always best at Fire Release? How was Sasuke's Wind Release so powerful?

"Shikamaru, it's time for school!"

Just as Shikaku wanted to learn more about Sasuke, a reminder came from inside the house.

"Got it!" Hearing this, Shikamaru nodded at his father and then walked out the door toward the Ninja Academy.

"Uchiha Sasuke, truly a genius!" Watching Shikamaru walk away, Shikaku subconsciously rubbed his nose and then headed toward 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 off to class!

Leaving the Shadow Clone in the courtyard was naturally to put that old fox Sarutobi Hiruzen at ease. After all, it wasn't time to burn bridges yet. When the time came to turn against him, Sasuke wouldn't mind sending him out of the ninja world with his own hands, and then summoning him back! To trample him ruthlessly!

The afternoon lessons began. Just like the morning, it started with theory followed by practical training. Although Sasuke's Shadow Clone only had half his strength, dealing with that dead-last Naruto was still very simple.

After finishing off Naruto, the Shadow Clone Sasuke didn't cut leaves but instead observed the combat of his classmates. The purpose of this was to understand their fighting styles—or rather, to understand the fighting styles of most Konoha ninja. After all, if you know yourself and know your enemy, you will never be defeated!

The day ended quickly. At night, Sasuke recalled all his Shadow Clones and drifted off to sleep!

Spirits appearing in the inner mind, bloodline crystals are truly terrifying!

Dear readers, please vote! (づ●─●)づ