Izuna Awakens His Eyes

"Izuna... run..." His mother's trembling hand reached toward him, then finally fell limply.

"No!!!" Izuna screamed his heart out as despair and hatred surged over him like a tide.

In the real world, Izuna's body shook violently, tears streaming from his tightly shut eyes.

Madara anxiously tried to interrupt the genjutsu, but Qin Mo raised a hand to stop him. "Wait a little longer... it's almost done."

In the genjutsu world, Izuna knelt in a pool of blood, when he suddenly felt a tearing pain shoot through both eyes.

When he raised his head again, everything in his vision had become incomparably clear.

Every tiny movement Madara and Mo made could not escape his eyes.

"This is... the Sharingan?" Izuna touched his burning eyes.

"That's right." Qin Mo's voice rang out inside the genjutsu. "This is the true power of the Uchiha, power born from pain and hatred."

In the real world, Izuna's eyes snapped open.

A brand-new pair of One-Tomoe Sharingan shone brilliantly beneath the moonlight!

"I... succeeded?" Izuna trembled as he touched his own eyes, his tears not yet dry.

Madara stared at the scene in shock. "It actually..."

Qin Mo nodded in satisfaction and reached out to help Izuna up. "Congratulations, Second Brother. You've successfully awakened the One-Tomoe Sharingan."

Madara looked at Qin Mo with a complicated expression. "Your genjutsu... is even more dangerous than I imagined."

Qin Mo smiled meaningfully. "But it's very effective too, isn't it?"

Uchiha Tajima stood in the shadows at the edge of the training ground, his scarlet Sharingan taking in every move his three sons made.

"Mo... this boy's genjutsu can actually manipulate another person's painful memories with such precision."

When he saw Izuna successfully awaken the Sharingan, Tajima was happy from the bottom of his heart.

But then his gaze locked onto Qin Mo.

That third son, who seemed as gentle as polished jade, had a light flickering in his eyes at this moment that made even him, the clan leader, feel a trace of chill.

"Father." Qin Mo suddenly turned his head and looked precisely toward the place where Tajima was hiding. "Would you like to come test Second Brother's new power?"

Only then did Madara and Izuna notice their father's presence, and they hurriedly bowed.

Tajima walked out from the shadows, moonlight illuminating his stern face.

"Well done," Tajima said in a deep voice, reaching out to gently stroke Izuna's head. "One tomoe is only the beginning. From here on, you'll have to temper it yourself."

Izuna nodded excitedly. "Yes! Father!"

Tajima's gaze shifted to Qin Mo. "Your genjutsu... is very unusual."

Qin Mo met his father's gaze calmly. "It merely recreates memories."

Madara keenly sensed the subtle atmosphere between his father and his third brother, and silently took half a step forward. "Father, Mo's method may be extreme, but it is indeed effective."

Tajima looked deeply at Qin Mo, then suddenly changed the subject. "In three days, the Kaguya Clan's Second Elder will come here. All three of you will attend."

"The Kaguya Clan?" Izuna blinked in confusion. "Is something going on..."

Qin Mo interrupted, "Father is wise."

"It's late. All of you, rest early!" With that, Tajima turned and left.

After their father had gone far away, Madara frowned and looked at Qin Mo. "What are you plotting now?"

Qin Mo spread his hands innocently. "I just think it's time to let the Kaguya Clan understand who their true ally is."

"Are we going to take action against the Kaguya Clan?" Madara asked in surprise.

Qin Mo lowered his voice. "Big Brother, the Kaguya Clan has been getting too close to the Senju recently. According to the intelligence the clan has gathered, the Kaguya Second Elder's visit this time is supposedly to discuss an alliance, but in reality, he's here to probe the Uchiha's strength."

Madara's Sharingan turned slightly. "Are you certain?"

"Once the Senju Clan helps them ease the backlash from the Shikotsumyaku kekkei genkai." Qin Mo sneered. "With the temperament of those Kaguya battle maniacs, they'd do anything to prolong their lives."

Izuna clenched his fists. "Then we strike first?"

"Not exactly." Qin Mo shook his head. "The Kaguya Clan may be foolish, but their combat power can't be underestimated. Meeting force with force isn't a wise move.

What we need to do is give them a gift they can't refuse."

Madara looked thoughtful. "You mean..."

Qin Mo took an exquisite porcelain bottle from his robes. Under the moonlight, the liquid inside gave off an eerie blue glow. "This is Water of Life I obtained by chance, a full 500 ml."

Madara's pupils contracted sharply. "A secret medicine of this level? How did you get it..."

"That isn't important." Qin Mo said seriously, "What matters is that this small bottle is enough to ease the Kaguya Clan's Shikotsumyaku backlash for a short time.

Compared to the Senju Clan's empty promises, this is a real, tangible benefit."

Izuna leaned closer curiously. "Will this really work?"

"Of course." Qin Mo revealed a mysterious smile. "But... I made a slight 'improvement' to the formula. Those who take it will unconsciously develop goodwill toward us Uchiha."

Madara's expression changed abruptly. "You drugged it?"

"Don't make it sound so ugly." Qin Mo put away the porcelain bottle. "I'm only making sure the Kaguya Clan will always stand on our side. After all, I don't want to raise an ungrateful wolf that turns around and bites its master."

Izuna said with a face full of worry, "If they find out..."

"They won't." A red light flashed through Qin Mo's eyes. "Because they simply won't be able to refuse this temptation."

Under the moonlight, the three brothers' shadows stretched long.

Qin Mo... gazed toward the distant night sky, the corner of his mouth curving into a meaningful smile. "Very soon, the entire ninja world will witness the true power of the Uchiha."

Three days later, the Uchiha Clan Grounds were decorated with lanterns and streamers to welcome the Kaguya Clan's Second Elder.

Qin Mo stood before the clan grounds' main gate, dressed in formal Uchiha clan robes, his long black hair tied behind his head, making him look especially composed.

Madara and Izuna stood on the left, the three of them forming a grim and imposing sight.

In the distance, the Kaguya Clan's procession slowly approached.

At the front was a gaunt-faced elder, his gray-white hair tied into a high topknot, his eyes sunken yet bright and piercing—none other than the Kaguya Clan's Second Elder, Kaguya Feng.

"The Kaguya Clan is putting on quite the show," Izuna said in a low voice, his gaze sweeping over the twelve jonin radiating sharp killing intent. "Looks like they're very wary too."

Madara's eyes sharpened. "Twelve jonin... that's already beyond the standard for ordinary guards."

The corner of Qin Mo's mouth lifted in an almost imperceptible smile. "Just as I wanted."

Surrounded by his guards, Kaguya Feng walked up to them. His cloudy eyes sized up Qin Mo, Madara, and Izuna. "You are Uchiha Tajima's three sons?"

Madara bowed slightly, though his gaze swept over the twelve jonin without leaving a trace. "Father has been waiting in the council hall for some time. Please, follow me."