Unlocking the Mangekyou Sharingan

Orochimaru looked at Keigo Uchiha with surprise, "There is such a principle? Though, thinking about it... it does make some sense."

He hadn't expected Keigo to be able to summarize so many things.

Even having come into contact with so many Tailed Beasts, he had never thought of it from this perspective.

"However... let's resolve the matter at hand first. It has been a long time... Ryuichi-kun. I didn't find you in Kumogakure; I never expected you to have come to the Land of Iron to enjoy yourself."

"Is this... the price you paid for betraying Konoha?"

Orochimaru looked at Masatomi Ryuichi with a smirk that didn't quite reach his eyes.

That was right.

Masatomi Ryuichi was the very ninja who had betrayed Konoha!

"I had assumed you would obtain more resources in Kumogakure, perhaps even become a Jonin and gain greater power, but I never imagined you betrayed Konoha just to live as an ordinary person enjoying life."

Orochimaru grinned, his white teeth looking so sinister they made one's scalp tingle.

"I'm sorry... I am not this Ryuichi you speak of, I... I am just an ordinary person!"

Cold sweat streamed down Masatomi Ryuichi's forehead.

He collapsed onto the ground.

He was completely panicked!

The reason he had betrayed Konoha in the first place was because he wanted a wealthy life, so Kumogakure had given him a large sum of money, enough to live out the rest of his life in luxury, but he never expected... that Orochimaru would still find him!

Orochimaru walked up to Masatomi Ryuichi, crouched down, narrowed his eyes, and spoke slowly in a hoarse voice, "Ryuichi-kun, although we haven't met often, do you really think I would mistake you for someone else?"

His amber pupils were cold and sinister.

Like a frigid snake.

That sharp, chilling aura made his entire body tremble... he didn't dare to move at all!

"I was wrong, Lord Orochimaru, please, just let me go this one time. I swear that from now on, I will never betray Konoha again!"

Masatomi Ryuichi wept bitterly, kneeling on the ground, "I swear that from now on, I will definitely use my actions to atone for my sins!"

Facing the legendary Cold Lord Orochimaru.

He didn't dare to harbor any thoughts of resistance; in fact, in front of such a powerful ninja, he had no chance to resist at all!

"It's too late."

Orochimaru grinned, and the kunai in his hand pierced Masatomi Ryuichi's chest without hesitation.

"Because of your betrayal, the Old Man lost quite a few Konoha ninja. This is not something that can be solved by atonement."

The surroundings erupted into chaos instantly.

Screams rang out everywhere.

The pretty faces of a dozen geishas were filled with panic and terror.

But Keigo Uchiha and Orochimaru remained indifferent, unbothered by the scene.

"Keigo, do you think Konoha's current actions are cruel?"

Orochimaru spoke calmly as the two turned and left, not caring at all about the commotion behind them; to them, this was as simple as eating or drinking water.

"If a traitor appeared within the Uchiha Clan, I would likewise kill them at any cost."

Keigo Uchiha spoke flatly, his eyes calm and without ripples, "There is no right or wrong for a ninja, only the divide of factions. Therefore, those who are not of my kind will surely have different hearts."

"Not to mention a traitor."

Why do the Five Great Shinobi Villages fight each other?

Why do they constantly exert pressure and scramble for Jinchuriki, or even Tailed Beasts? It is simply because their factions differ; it is for the sake of profit!

"Well said. There is no right or wrong for a ninja, only the divide of factions."

Orochimaru laughed.

It seemed Keigo was even more mature than he had imagined. Their figures soon vanished, even as the samurai of the Land of Iron appeared, watching helplessly as the two brushed past them.

They departed with indifference.

"My Lord, why didn't we stop them just now!?"

A samurai asked, his face full of indignation, "They were provoking our Land of Iron! We are a neutral country, yet they dared to use force within our borders!"

But at that moment, he suddenly froze.

He noticed the samurai commander's forehead was drenched in cold sweat. His pupils contracted, and he asked in shock, "My Lord... what is wrong?"

"Do you know... the extent of their strength? In that instant just now... the other one merely glanced at me, and I couldn't move a muscle! I am certain that if we had made a move, everyone would be dead!"

The samurai commander felt his whole body turn cold, as if he had fallen into an ice cellar!

"What kind of gaze was that? I possess the strength of a Jonin, yet just now... I was too terrified to move. Could they be... Elite Jonin, or perhaps... Quasi-Kage?"

He looked coldly at the samurai beside him and barked sternly, "Do not let your stupidity bury the entire Land of Iron!"

"Although our Land of Iron is neutral, we are not independent!"

"To make an enemy of such a powerful ninja will only bring disaster upon our Land of Iron!"

He looked at the crowd, his face etched with sorrow and helplessness. This was the tragedy of the Land of Iron; the samurai believed they could contend with ninjas, yet they did not realize that truly powerful ninjas had long since surpassed anything they could imagine.

But this was not something he could change.

Suddenly.

The samurai felt their bodies turn cold and rigid, as if doused in icy water!

They fell silent, watching the backs of the two figures as they departed, their eyes filled with a sense of powerlessness and desolation. Was this... the consequence of being weak?

Kumogakure.

Watching A and the others return empty-handed, the Third Raikage crackled with lightning, his eyes burning with fury. Yet, this was not directed at A and his team; A was only twenty-two years old, yet he already possessed the strength of an Elite Jonin.

Furthermore, he had touched the threshold of the Quasi-Kage level!

This was not his fault.

The incident occurred because he had failed to notice the enemy's approach; the enemy's methods were far too meticulous, playing the entire Kumogakure in the palm of their hand!

"To master Storm Release and then spout such nonsense... this must be because there is a mole within the village. Kumogakure must conduct a thorough investigation!"

The Third Raikage's gaze was cold, like unyielding iron.

"Storm Release... only Kumogakure possesses it, and only someone from Kumogakure could unleash Storm Release to that extent. There is a traitor in the village who must be found as soon as possible, or more secrets will be leaked!"

Cold light flickered in his eyes.

He slammed his hand down, shattering the desk before him!

It was infuriating!

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, feeling like a mindless beast being led around by the nose!

"Father, is it possible... that it was Konoha? I heard that a youth from the Uchiha Clan in Konoha recently synthesized Storm Release as well. He is also a genius!"

A spoke, his eyes flashing with sharp light. "We previously sent people to Konoha to execute the Fire-Stealing Plan; it is not impossible that someone from Konoha came to retaliate."

Although he used the word 'heard'.

In reality, this was information relayed by his own intelligence network.

He knew for a fact that such a genius had appeared in Konoha!

Instinctively, he did not believe that a traitor had appeared in Kumogakure.

"Impossible."

The Third Raikage shook his head, his green eyes filled with absolute denial. "I am aware of that news as well. The boy is only twelve years old; it is impossible for him to possess such strength!"

"This was the work of a traitor! Only a traitor from Kumogakure could use Storm Release with such power!"

His face was full of certainty.

He even carried an inexplicable sense of confidence!

Although his father's words seemed somewhat irrational and stemmed from his blind faith in Kumogakure, A realized upon reflection that it did make sense; after all, only Kumogakure possessed such powerful Storm Release!

Even if a Konoha ninja had synthesized Storm Release.

Their mastery of the technique and their experience with it would still be inferior to that of Kumogakure.

"Hmph!"

The Third Raikage snorted coldly. "A mere twelve-year-old boy possessing strength comparable to an Elite Jonin? What kind of joke is that? And didn't you say it yourselves? The person was already about one meter seventy in height."

"Therefore, the opponent is at least sixteen years old; the age does not match up!"

"So, there must be a problem within Kumogakure!"

The Third Raikage was adamant, leaving no room for doubt.

A trace of lingering doubt remained in A's eyes. He suddenly thought of something: what if the opponent possessed Storm Release and had also practiced Nintaijutsu?

He knew that at twelve, he had already possessed the height and physique of a fifteen or sixteen-year-old.

The genius from Konoha might well possess such talent, unless the opponent only practiced ninjutsu and had not utilized Storm Release to train in Nintaijutsu!

"Search the village thoroughly, and... there is one more thing!"

Ambition and cold light flickered in the Third Raikage's eyes. He looked at A and spoke slowly, "A, the village is currently executing the Tailed Beast Normalization Project. Originally, both the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki and the Two-Tails Jinchuriki were required to be able to control a full Tailed Beast transformation."

"But now... the Two-Tails is lost, which means the strength of our Kumogakure has been diminished."

"So... go and seize a Tailed Beast! I believe the Seven-Tails Chomei of Takigakure is the best choice. Kumogakure... cannot be without a Tailed Beast!"

He grinned, revealing a set of blue-purple gums and white teeth.

A's body stiffened, and he instantly understood what the Third Raikage meant.

"I understand, Father!"

"Kumogakure, absolutely cannot be without a Tailed Beast!"

The journey back to Konoha was devoid of any obstacles.

Or rather, even if there had been any, they would have amounted to nothing in the eyes of Keigo Uchiha and Orochimaru.

Twenty days later, the two returned to Konoha.

This was to take a detour, avoiding interception by Kumogakure just to be safe.

Orochimaru had taught him through countless life-and-death experiences that this was necessary, which was why their return speed was significantly slower.

Inside the laboratory.

Orochimaru smiled as he took a scroll from the experimental table, a glimmer of excitement flashing in his eyes. "Keigo, this is the Cursed Seal you entrusted me to create. It can convert Tailed Beast chakra for one's own use!"

"It is essentially a modified version of the Sage Art Cursed Seal, but it is useless for a normal person. I don't know what you intend to do with this."

"Of course, it cannot provide a permanent increase in chakra; it acts as a temporary loan of chakra from a Tailed Beast, serving as a backup supply. Furthermore, Tailed Beast chakra itself is volatile and extremely difficult to control."

"It is no different from a useless burden."

Orochimaru shook his head.

Keigo might have a different purpose for it, which made him quite curious.

With Keigo Uchiha's consent, the seal was carved onto his chest. Keigo Uchiha's eyes brightened with a hint of anticipation. "Teacher, while it may be useless or even a liability for a normal person—where the consequence of being consumed by Tailed Beast chakra is nothing but death—"

"For me, this is indeed a means to make myself stronger!"

"Or rather... the entire Uchiha Clan could use it, though it still requires further experimentation."

Keigo Uchiha's gaze flickered.

The Uchiha Clan itself possesses Yin-style nature, and their power originates from the God Tree; the power of the Tailed Beasts also comes from the God Tree, and can even be said to be a part of it.

It is pure God Tree chakra!

If he could convert Tailed Beast chakra into Yin Release chakra, then... perhaps he could achieve his goal of awakening the Mangekyou Sharingan!

"Oh?"

Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. He had long since realized Keigo Uchiha's profound knowledge and his terrifying ability to execute plans.

Therefore, he did not doubt him.

"Now I need to report back to the old man. You can cultivate here for now. I will explain that your chakra is exhausted and you are recuperating; I assume the old man won't come looking for you."

Orochimaru spoke indifferently.

An ordinary ninja would certainly not have this privilege, but Keigo Uchiha had just completed an S-rank mission.

Moreover, being a genius of the Uchiha Clan and his own disciple, it was naturally not an issue.

Following Orochimaru's departure, the laboratory door closed once more. Looking at the Two-Tails sealed within the jar, Keigo Uchiha's lips curled upward as he slowly opened a corner of the lid.

Instantly, that surging chakra became wildly violent.

It tried to escape!

"Damn brat, I will never let you get away with this!"

"Since you opened the seal, now is the time for me to escape! And... with that Quasi-Kage level powerhouse gone, you are no match for me on your own!"

But the next moment, Keigo Uchiha condensed the power of the Cursed Seal in his hand, and the Two-Tails' chakra was instantly split into Yin and Yang portions.

Any Tailed Beast chakra that escaped the jar met the same fate.

And the Yang-style chakra was instantly tossed back into the jar!

"This should be the same principle as how Minato Namikaze split the Nine-Tails into Yin and Yang halves. It's just that I know too few sealing techniques, so I have to rely on the Cursed Seal provided by my teacher."

Keigo Uchiha's eyes shimmered, filled with a smile.

As for the Tailed Beast chakra that escaped, there wasn't much of it, so it was not difficult to deal with.

However, his current actions made the hair on the Two-Tails stand on end!

It felt as if it had fallen into an ice cellar!

"What are you doing! How... how did you split a portion of my chakra into Yin and Yang parts! And... why is the Yin Release chakra disappearing!"

The Two-Tails shrieked in terror, its eyes filled with horror as it roared from within the jar.

It was shock.

And even more, despair!

Although Tailed Beasts can be resurrected, their chakra remains constant. After death, the wandering chakra would eventually re-condense at their original place of birth, but now... if the chakra were separated, or even absorbed.

She might truly disappear!

The brat before her... is a devil!

To think he could come up with such a method!

"I am merely borrowing a portion of your Yin Release chakra, there is no need to make such a fuss."

Keigo Uchiha let out a soft chuckle as his Three-Tomoe Sharingan spun frantically, transforming in the next instant into an eerie pentagram that shimmered with a sinister light; his entire body radiated an incredibly cold chakra.

"It really works. So this is... the Mangekyou Sharingan?"

"My hypothesis was that by using Yin Release chakra from a tailed beast of the same origin, I could stimulate the Sharingan and promote its evolution while absorbing the Yin Release chakra. I never expected it to actually be feasible."

Keigo Uchiha's eyes flashed with the light of wisdom, his expression indifferent.

It was as if he had known this would happen all along.

He slowly looked toward the Two-Tails inside the container and opened it completely!

In the Hokage office.

Orochimaru reported the details of the mission, "Simply put, the two of us provoked the Eight-Tails into a rage, causing chaos in Kumogakure and inflicting significant damage, and we also captured the Two-Tails."

He shrugged and licked the corner of his lips.

Working on a mission with a disciple like Keigo was truly a pleasant experience!

That sense of absolute security was simply unparalleled!

"What!?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen stood up abruptly, his breathing ragged, his eyes filled with shock. "You unleashed the Eight-Tails and even captured the Two-Tails?!"

Looking at Orochimaru's pale, excited face.

The more he looked, the more absurd it seemed.

How could this be?

He had never ordered them to meddle with the Two-Tails, yet these two were bold enough to do it—and they actually succeeded. Every tailed beast possessed the strength of a Kage-level powerhouse!

Orochimaru was only Quasi-Kage, right?

And Keigo Uchiha was merely an Elite Jonin, right?

This was too outrageous!

"Of course, I have already promised Keigo that I would leave the tailed beast for him to handle, so I cannot give it to you, old man."

Orochimaru added.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's mouth twitched. "You'd better not give it to me!"

"Otherwise, I wouldn't know how to deal with it. If Kumogakure finds out, it will inevitably lead to a great war!"

"What is there to be afraid of? Konoha now has two tailed beasts; we have absolutely no reason to fear an attack from Kumogakure." Orochimaru grinned, unconcerned. Keigo was already Quasi-Kage level.

Besides, Konoha now possessed two tailed beasts.

With a bunch of Quasi-Kage and a bunch of tailed beasts.

With a bunch of Kage-level powerhouses, what was there to fear!?

"...Orochimaru, I don't know why, but I feel like since you took on a disciple, your personality has become a bit... 'straightforward'."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's mouth twitched as he swapped the word 'reckless' for 'straightforward.'

He took a puff of his pipe.

"And... do you remember Hyuga Ruri? She returned to the village alone. Did you two forget about her? Or is it that in your eyes, there is only Keigo Uchiha?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen reminded him.

When Hyuga Ruri arrived at the village, she hadn't suffered any injuries.

But it was obvious that she had been abandoned by Orochimaru and Keigo Uchiha!

Treated as a mere tool!

Hyuga Ruri had returned to the village half a month early and had been fuming for half a month!

"Uh..."

Orochimaru paused, silent for a long moment. "Apologies, old man, I truly forgot. Since she didn't do anything during the entire process, I just told her to return early."

"Besides, although Hyuga Ruri has decent talent, the only one who is truly compatible with me is Keigo Uchiha."

"He can be considered my true disciple now."

Orochimaru looked proud.

Taking on this disciple was the best decision he had ever made!

Not only could he provide experimental ideas, but he could also help him acquire materials!

On his path to eternal life, having such a disciple was simply the luckiest thing in his life!

"You? Compatible with Keigo? Don't joke around. Keigo is such a sunny youth; don't you dare corrupt him!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen reprimanded him without hesitation.

He had seen Keigo Uchiha and watched him grow up since he was a child—well, watched him grow up through his crystal ball. He was a sunny youth who possessed the Will of Fire and would become a pillar of his Hokage lineage!

Orochimaru: "???"

Sunny?

"Old man, are you certain you didn't misread the situation?"

Forget it; he couldn't be bothered to explain.

"Alright, old man, I'm heading back. I'll be in seclusion for a while, so don't call for me unless it's something urgent."

With that, Orochimaru waved his hand, and his figure vanished in an instant.

Sarutobi Hiruzen watched the back of the departing Orochimaru, his eyes filled with indulgence and helplessness.

"Forget it, let him be."

"Kumogakure is restless now, and war is only a matter of time; one more thing won't make a difference. But has that fellow Orochimaru grown stronger again? To think he could actually subdue the Two-Tails!"

"Presumably, Orochimaru performed the sealing, and Keigo Uchiha merely played a supporting role."

He let out a cold snort.

His broad jawline revealed a sense of tenacity and the spirit of one who feared no battle!

Yet, he could never have dreamed that...

Keigo Uchiha's strength was already no less than Orochimaru's.

Inside the laboratory.

The upper body of the Two-Tails coalesced in mid-air, while its lower half tapered off like thin smoke, still anchored within the tank. Keigo Uchiha inexplicably felt that this scene of the Two-Tails resembled the Genie from Aladdin's lamp.

The pentagram in his eyes rotated slowly, the eerie power making Matatabi feel a chill run through her entire body.

"Now... Two-Tails, do you have anything else to say?"

He wore a faint, inscrutable smile.

His expression was indifferent.

Now, he could easily manipulate the Two-Tails; such was the power of the Sharingan. Controlling a Two-Tails without a Jinchuriki was nothing more than a piece of cake!

"You... you actually used my Yin Release nature... to awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan. How on earth did you come up with such a method?"

Her eyes were filled with shock and disbelief!

Such a maneuver actually existed?

How could this be possible?

It was unheard of!

Even the Old Man from back then had never told them that the Sharingan could be awakened into the Mangekyou in such a way.

"Of course it's possible, just difficult."

Keigo Uchiha chuckled. If other members of the Uchiha Clan wanted to advance to the Mangekyou, it would be a life-or-death gamble. Having even a fraction too much or too little Yin Release chakra could lead to bodily mutation!

In the best-case scenario, the body would be overtaken by Tailed Beast chakra.

In the worst case... death by explosion!

There was only one chance to experiment; succeed and ascend to the Mangekyou, or fail... and suffer for a lifetime!

But he possessed 'Absolute Control', allowing him to easily master the precise amount of Yin Release chakra, and his Three-Tomoe Sharingan possessed greater ocular power than anyone else's!

"Since you Tailed Beasts belong to the power of the God Tree, and the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan also traces back to the God Tree, it is naturally no difficult task to use your power to awaken the Uchiha Clan's Mangekyou Sharingan."

Keigo Uchiha chuckled softly.

He spoke slowly, "Next, I will seal you into the body of a young girl. Do not cause trouble, do not resist, and surrender your power to her. Otherwise... I wouldn't mind manipulating you, or even... killing you in the truest sense."

His voice was calm.

But Matatabi felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar!

Her eyes were filled with shock and terror!

"Who, who exactly are you? Why do you know about the God Tree? Why do you know these things? Could it be that you are the Child of Prophecy the Old Man spoke of? No!"

"The Child of Prophecy would never be a devil like you!"

She was utterly shaken.

The youth before her was like a devil, capable of grasping every one of her weaknesses!

He left her with no room to resist!

"No, even you cannot kill me. All I need is a portion of Yin Release chakra, and even if I were to lose it, my body would not die as long as I retain the Yang Release chakra!"

Matatabi's eyes were resolute!

She would not yield!