Just as he was about to conduct a more thorough test of his energy output, he sensed a faint disturbance in the barrier around the courtyard.
A steady, familiar chakra signature lingered outside, clearly waiting.
Uchiha Fugaku.
Shinji reined in the cold aura and ocular power spilling from his body. The Mangekyō patterns in his eyes slowly faded, leaving black irises, but the chill buried within them did not diminish in the slightest.
He rose, dispelled the barrier, and opened the door.
Uchiha Fugaku stood in the courtyard, his face as stern and rigid as ever, but deeply complicated emotions churned in his eyes.
There was shock at the reappearance of the legendary eyes, scrutiny of the clan's newly emerged strongest fighter, and, above all, profound concern over the uncertain future of the young elder before him.
He understood better than anyone just how much power those eyes represented-and how much trouble.
"Elder Shinji." Fugaku's voice was as steady as ever, but some of the solemnity with which he had once addressed an equal had given way to fear and deference.
"Clan Head Fugaku." Shinji nodded slightly and stepped aside to let him in.
The two sat across from each other at a simple tea table, the atmosphere silent and tense.
In the end, Fugaku broke the silence first. His sharp gaze swept over Shinji's eyes, now back to normal, as though trying to discern something within them.
"The Mangekyō Sharingan-according to our clan's records, this forbidden power can only be awakened through the most extreme loss and suffering. I am sorry about Miwako."
His words carried a formal expression of grief, but his true purpose was clear. "Its reappearance is an honor for the Uchiha, but also-a warning."
Shinji's face remained expressionless, his voice level and untroubled. "Power itself