"Raise them to another level?"
Hearing Shin Uchiha's words, Sasuke instinctively raised a hand toward his Mangekyō Sharingan. Then, seemingly remembering how difficult it was to evolve the Mangekyō Sharingan into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, he looked guilty and shook his head with great difficulty.
"Master, I... I'm not strong enough yet. As far as I know, in our Uchiha Clan, apart from you, only Shisui has even approached that threshold. With my current mental strength and chakra, there's no way I can evolve my Mangekyō Sharingan into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan anytime soon."
By now, Sasuke believed what Shin Uchiha had told him, and guilt filled his heart as he explained.
He had never imagined that, when he was needed, he would fail to meet the requirements. He had truly let down his master and the clan that had nurtured him.
Shin Uchiha was not surprised by Sasuke's guilty words. After patting him on the head, he said,
"Don't be upset. Evolving the Mangekyō Sharingan into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan is extraordinarily difficult to begin with. In our Uchiha Clan History, apart from Indra, the founder of the Uchiha Clan, and me, no clan member has ever managed to fulfill that difficult condition. Even Madara Uchiha, known as the Asura of the Ninja World, only evolved his Mangekyō Sharingan into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan by relying on his younger brother's eyes.
"And you're only sixteen or seventeen. Don't blame yourself for being unable to shoulder this responsibility."
Even Shin Uchiha's comforting words brought Sasuke no relief. His eyes remained filled with sadness.
Just then, Uchiha Itachi, who was beside them, coughed twice and spoke weakly.
"Sasuke, don't worry. I... I probably don't have much longer to live. I'll leave my eyes in your care."
At that, a smile of