The Uchiha Clan leader's residence.
Fugaku Uchiha and Taichi Matsushita knelt facing each other on opposite sides of a tea table.
Uchiha Itachi knelt between them, pouring tea for his father and teacher.
After Mikoto Uchiha left, the room fell silent as everyone considered how to broach the subject.
In the end, Fugaku, as the father, was the first to speak.
"Taiichi, you know about Itachi's situation. The clan was shocked by the way he awakened his eyes, and wants to understand whether this is an isolated case or something that can be replicated."
Fugaku's face was full of anticipation. His eyes stayed fixed on Taiichi's expression, hoping to find the clue he wanted.
Taiichi reached for the teacup in front of him and took a slow sip.
As expected of the Uchiha Clan leader's home. This tea is a true delicacy.
Taiichi muttered inwardly. He set down the teacup and pursed his lips.
"The tea's good."
"Er—if you like it, I'll have Itachi give you some to take with you when you leave."
Fugaku's expression stiffened, but his good upbringing quickly helped him recover.
Taiichi stopped putting on airs and turned toward Itachi, who had been sitting quietly beside them. He nodded with absolute certainty. "Itachi's method of awakening his eyes wasn't an isolated case. It can be replicated."
"Really?"
Fugaku's eyes widened, and he sat up straighter.
There was a reason the Sharingan was called the "cursed eye" by outsiders.
From its awakening to its advancement, the Sharingan was almost always accompanied by tragedy, dragging the entire Uchiha Clan into disfavor.
After all, few Uchiha wished for their strength to increase at the cost of sacrificing their teammates or family.
Even if such sacrifices were unavoidable during missions, and would not disappear simply because no Uchiha was present—