Help Mikoto Awaken the Two-Tomoe Sharingan

Returning to Konoha, they headed to the mission assignment desk to turn in their report and collect their payment.

The reward for this C-rank mission was ten thousand ryo. It wasn't a large sum, as it had to be split among the four members of the team.

Two thousand five hundred ryo each. While enough to cover basic living expenses for a month, for a ninja, replenishing shinobi tools would burn through most of it in a heartbeat.

After submitting the mission and receiving their pay, Shin and the others headed home.

Back at Tsunade's residence, Mikoto tagged along.

Noticing the expectant gazes of Tsunade and the others fixed on him, Shin gave a light cough and said, "I know you're curious about why I possess the Sharingan. Actually, there's nothing I can't tell you—I carry the bloodline of the Uchiha Clan."

Shin then explained his background to Tsunade and the others, revealing that while his mother was from the Uzumaki, his father was from the Uchiha.

"I see. So your father was an Uchiha. Do you know his name?" Tsunade asked, her curiosity piqued.

Shin shot a glance at her and replied, "Don't be such a gossip. I don't know who he is, nor do I have any interest in finding out. Besides, he's already dead."

If Shin still held any lingering affection for his mother in this life, he felt absolutely nothing for that so-called father. He had never even met the man, so where would such feelings come from?

"Mikoto, you should stay here for the time being," Tsunade suggested.

Seeing the confusion in Mikoto's eyes, Tsunade added, "If you stay here, it will be easier for me to train you, and it's also a precaution against Shimura Danzō."

Tsunade understood Shimura Danzō well enough; he was ruthless and underhanded. Given the heavy losses he'd suffered this time, who knew what he might try next?

"Tsunade is right, Mikoto. You should stay here for now," Shin nodded.

Even if Tsunade hadn't brought it up, Shin had intended to suggest it himself.

Compared to Tsunade, Shin understood Shimura Danzō far better. If Mikoto wasn't by his side, she could very well be in danger.

Don't be fooled by the fact that they were inside Konoha; Shimura Danzō would absolutely dare to make a move. He knew that even if Sarutobi Hiruzen discovered his actions, it would result in nothing more than a toothless, verbal warning.

"Tsunade, you need to be careful as well," Shin warned.

Although Tsunade's strength was formidable, she hadn't reached the Kage level yet. If Shimura Danzō wanted to deal with her, he could simply dispatch a few Elite Jonin to get the job done.

If it hadn't been for Shin this time, Tsunade would have surely met her end.

"That guy Shimura Danzō wouldn't dare lay a hand on me inside Konoha," Tsunade said confidently.

That was true enough. Shimura Danzō might dare to target her outside the village, but within its walls, he wouldn't dare.

It was impossible to quickly finish off an Elite Jonin; after all, not everyone was Shin. Even if Shimura Danzō acted personally, he couldn't take down Tsunade in an instant.

Once a quick victory became impossible, Konoha's other ninja would arrive. Even the Third Hokage wouldn't be able to protect Shimura Danzō then. Attacking the princess of the Senju Clan? What exactly was he trying to achieve?

Though the Senju Clan had declined, they hadn't been wiped out. Their influence in Konoha remained significant, and even the major clans had to show them respect.

"Shin, how did you awaken your Mangekyou Sharingan? As far as I know, Uchiha Madara is the only one who possesses it," Tsunade asked curiously.

"Uchiha Madara's eyes aren't just ordinary Mangekyou Sharingan; they are the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan. Besides, awakening the Mangekyou Sharingan is quite simple."

Tsunade's mouth twitched. Simple? If it were so simple, why were there so many members of the Uchiha Clan who couldn't awaken it?

Mikoto looked at Shin with curiosity. As a member of the Uchiha Clan, she had heard of the Mangekyou Sharingan, but no one in the clan knew the method to awaken it.

"Emotional fluctuation. As long as the emotional surge is intense enough, the Sharingan will evolve."

The most critical factor in awakening the Mangekyou Sharingan was emotional turmoil. Looking at the original history, everyone who awakened it had suffered extreme emotional distress or mental trauma.

Uchiha Itachi awakened his after witnessing the suicide of Uchiha Shisui, and Uchiha Obito leaped from two tomoe to the Mangekyou Sharingan after being traumatized by the death of his beloved Nohara Rin.

Although Shin's own awakening hadn't been triggered by mental trauma, his evolution was still linked to his spiritual energy.

"If you watch your beloved die right in front of you, awakening the Mangekyou Sharingan is absolutely guaranteed."

"That's so cruel," Tsunade frowned. "Then how did you awaken yours?"

"Cough, I have a special method for that. It's not something an average person can imitate."

Shin's awakening had been greatly aided by the system's replication; otherwise, even if he could have awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan, it would have taken him another two years.

"Fine, keep your secrets. Do you have a way to help Mikoto's Sharingan evolve?" Tsunade asked.

Mikoto also looked at Shin with expectant eyes. For a ninja of the Uchiha Clan, the boost in combat power provided by the Sharingan was immense.

An evolution of the Sharingan would bring a corresponding increase in chakra, leading to an instantaneous transformation in strength.

"I can, but the process is... a bit unpleasant."

Shin looked at Mikoto, considered for a moment, and then spoke.

Hearing Shin say this, Mikoto felt a sense of foreboding, but in order to improve her strength and avoid being a burden in the future, she gritted her teeth.

"Shin, I'm counting on you."

"Mikoto, have you really made up your mind? Don't hit me later," Shin said to Mikoto.

Mikoto nodded heavily, her resolve already set.

"Then let's head out." Shin spoke to Mikoto, while Tsunade and Kushina followed along, both of them feeling very curious.

"Yomotsu Hirasaka."

Shin activated his Mangekyou Sharingan and used Yomotsu Hirasaka, opening a pitch-black spatial rift before him.

"Go on in, Mikoto."

Mikoto did not hesitate; trusting Shin completely, she walked straight inside.

As Mikoto's figure vanished upon entering, Shin pointed toward the sky in response to the confused gazes of Tsunade and Kushina.

Tsunade and Kushina looked up, only to see Mikoto falling from the sky.

After entering the spatial rift, Mikoto emerged hundreds of meters in the air, falling in a state of freefall.

At this moment, Mikoto was filled with panic and terror. Even a Kage-level Ninja would feel panicked falling from such a height, let alone Mikoto, who was just a newly graduated Genin.

Her One-Tomoe Sharingan activated involuntarily. Watching the ground draw ever closer, Mikoto was terrified to the extreme. Her One-Tomoe Sharingan spun rapidly, and then an additional tomoe appeared in her eyes, evolving into a Two-Tomoe Sharingan.

At this time, Mikoto had no time to perceive the evolution of her Sharingan; she felt as though she were about to die.

Just as Mikoto was about to hit the ground, another spatial rift appeared, and she fell into it.

Shortly after, a spatial rift opened again in front of Shin, and Mikoto emerged from it. Unsteady on her feet, she nearly collapsed, but Shin caught her in his arms.

"Mikoto, are you alright?" Shin asked her.

Mikoto remained in a daze, still unable to process what had happened; she had truly been terrified to the extreme just moments ago.