Indra Opens His Eyes

Before long, a clear, urgent voice rang out from beyond the Bamboo Forest, brimming with its usual excitement. "Grandmaster! Grandmaster! I'm here!"

Indra lifted the hem of his robe and hurried into the Bamboo Forest. Usually, Manji would be waiting by the boulder long before he arrived, but today, no matter where Indra looked, that familiar figure was nowhere to be seen.

The rustling of the bamboo leaves seemed to fade, leaving a terrifying silence. Even the insects had fallen quiet, and an inexplicable chill crept up his spine.

"Huh? Where's Grandmaster?"

Indra furrowed his brow slightly. His steps grew unconsciously lighter as he moved forward a couple of paces.

The next second, Indra's pupils contracted abruptly. His heart felt as if an invisible hand had clamped down on it, stopping it for half a beat.

There, in the clearing beside the boulder—

Manji lay limply on the ground, covered in blood. His clothes were soaked through and a glaring red. He showed no signs of life.

"G-Grandmaster!?"

Indra's voice trembled uncontrollably. His legs felt as heavy as lead as he crouched down, shaking, and reached out to check Manji's breath. His fingertips met nothing but coldness; there wasn't the slightest trace of warmth.

"Ah!? Grandmaster is dead!"

"Grandmaster's dead..."

Indra staggered backward two steps, disbelief filling his eyes. His mind went blank, as if the whole world had crumbled around him.

The Grandmaster who had always been so kind, guiding him in his training and treating him so well—was gone just like that?

An immense wave of grief swept over Indra. He lunged forward and clung tightly to Manji's cold body. Tears fell like beads from a broken string, splattering onto Manji's clothes and spreading into a small, damp patch.

"Grandmaster! Grandmaster! How could you die? Don't leave me..."

He wept heartbrokenly, his voice choked with sobs.

It hurt worse than losing his father.

Indra's arms tightened around Manji. The usually composed and calm boy was now a tearful mess.

In the midst of his unbearable grief, a violent power suddenly surged deep within Indra's eyes, churning and breaking through its restraints.

"Ding—"

With a soft sound, his crimson eyes snapped open. Three black tomoe slowly spun in their depths, eerie and cold!

The Three-Tomoe Sharingan had awakened!

Indra jerked his head up, fury and hatred surging in his crimson eyes. The Chakra around him grew turbulent!

Grandmaster! I'll avenge you! Whoever did this to you, I'll make them pay in blood!"

Indra clenched his fists and snarled through gritted teeth.

Just then, a clear voice rang out of nowhere, especially jarring in the silent Bamboo Forest:

"Choose one to revive Grandmaster."

Indra's pupils shook violently. He almost thought grief had made him hallucinate. He whipped his head around and shouted frantically, "One! One! One! I choose one! Hurry and bring Grandmaster back!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, a warm laugh sounded behind him.

Indra spun around. Manji stood there, smiling, his clothes neat and spotless. There wasn't a trace of blood on him, nor any sign that he had been near death.

"G-Grandmaster!"

Indra was both shocked and overjoyed. Tears still streaked his face, but he broke into a smile in an instant!

Indra practically threw himself at Manji and wrapped his arms tightly around his waist, burying his face in the front of his robe. His voice was nasal from crying.

"Thank goodness! You're all right! That voice was real! You really came back to life!"

Feeling the boy trembling in his arms, his tears hot against him,

Manji smiled helplessly and gently patted his back. "You're stronger than I expected. You awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan outright."

He reached out and lightly tapped Indra on the forehead.

Indra paused, then raised his head. Tear stains still lingered in his eyes, which were full of confusion. "Grandmaster, what do you mean?"

Manji smiled faintly, formed Hand Seals, and sent Sage Chakra surging forth. A clear water mirror instantly took shape in midair.

The mirror showed Indra in sharp detail, especially his eyes—their crimson color and the three slowly rotating tomoe, eerie and powerful.

"What is this...?"

Indra's eyes widened. He blinked reflexively and realized that his vision had changed completely. Everything around him was several times clearer. He could see the patterns on the bamboo leaves and even the movement of the wind with perfect clarity. His perception had soared.

Seeing his astonished expression, Manji began to speak.

He explained the origins and power of the Sharingan, and revealed that what had just happened was merely an illusion he had created.

Indra's face flushed bright red when he heard the explanation. Embarrassed and sheepish, he quickly wiped the tears from his cheeks and lowered his head, a little upset.

"Grandmaster, don't do that again. I'd rather not have this power than see anything happen to you."

Manji saw the tips of Indra's ears turning red and gently tapped him on the forehead again. A warm smile touched his eyes. "But wasn't gaining power the reason you came to meet me in the first place?"

Indra froze at that.

That was right. He had sought power, and that was how he had found Grandmaster.

But if Grandmaster died, then even if he gained power, his heart would be filled with such grief.

"So, on the road to growth and power, you'll always have to lose something..."

Manji spoke with a soft laugh.

Indra seemed to understand, but he was still a little bewildered. He looked at his hand, then at Manji.

"How has your father been feeling lately?"

Manji asked quietly.

Indra replied, "Grandmaster, my father is getting older and older."

Manji felt a quiet pang of emotion. The little boy from long ago had become a frail old man.

Soon, Manji would have to witness another old friend's passing...

"Indra, don't come here anymore. I won't be coming back."

Manji spoke slowly.

"Why, Master? Have I done something wrong?"

Indra asked, confused.

Manji smiled faintly. "You're very talented. There's nothing left for me to teach you."

He had already taught Indra the Hand Seals.

There was no need to teach him anything else.

Manji had taught Indra only because he wanted to raise another Hagoromo, someone who could serve as a link to the mortal world.

At that, Indra immediately bowed.

"Thank you, Grandmaster, for your instruction. I'll never forget it. If I take control of the Ninja Sect one day, I'll honor you even more!"

Indra promised.

Manji raised an eyebrow. How could this boy be so certain he would become the leader of the Ninja Sect?

"Oh, Indra, you're confident you'll become the leader of the Ninja Sect," Manji said slowly.

Indra smiled confidently. "Of course. Thanks to Grandmaster's Hand Seals, everyone has learned how to use them. They think very highly of me!"

"Besides, Father will only pass the position of successor to someone of his bloodline."

"Asura is too naive. I'm the only one who can keep the Ninja Sect going and help it grow!"

"So the old man will definitely choose me as his successor!"

Indra said confidently.

He knew his standing in the Ninja Sect was high. His father had only taught everyone its principles, but Indra had given them real power!

In his eyes, Asura was too naive to lead the Ninja Sect.