Chapter Text
Asuma appreciated the fact his shift was over.
Multiple squads of samurai arrived to replace the Shinobi and the mercenaries had headed off to their own tent. With their destination so close, the Jonin and the captain of the Daimyo’s samurai had agreed to put the squad from the Hidden Leaf on break for the rest of the day, have them ready to escort the Daimyo the rest of the way in full tomorrow morning.
“I need a drink.” The Jonin collected a bottle he had brought for just this purpose, the perfect relief after a long shift of guarding the Daimyo. He would drink for an hour or two before heading into his tent, wake up early to plan with Hana before it was time to escort the Daimyo the rest of the way to the capitol.
The Chunin gave him a look before he headed off to see to Naruto’s clones. Like always, he would speak to the Centurions in charge of the rest once his shift was over and those conversations could last from a few minutes to, in the days after the attack, a few hours.
The Jonin dropped into a seat by the fire in the camp of the Hidden Leaf Shinobi, allowed himself a moment.
‘Almost over.’ Tomorrow, they would be at the capitol and the Daimyo’s security wouldn’t be their responsibility any longer. After that, it would be a, at maximum, two day trip back to the village. ‘Just a few pleasantries when we arrive and we’re done.’
He wasn’t exactly looking forward to them but it would be easy, would be a signal that it was almost over.
‘Just a little while longer.’
“Already drinking?” The voice behind him was familiar, his lips turning up in a grin.
“Not just yet.” He welcomed the hand on his shoulder, brought his own up to cover it. “I’m surprised you’re still up.”
“I’ve been up longer for missions.” Kurenai joined him on his seat, a smile on her face. It grew even wider when she noticed the drink in his hand. “Hmm. You spent a lot on this.”
“The good stuff always cost a lot. But I think it’s worth it given the circumstances.” Asuma chuckled. “We’re about done. That calls for at least a little fun tonight.”
“Or you just want to get drunk.” Kurenai shook her head and Asuma didn’t argue.
“If you’re with me, I think you’re just a little bit interested in doing the same.” The bearded Jonin produced cups from his expanded equipment pouch, metal ones designed for the field.
“I can’t let you drink alone. That’ll just be rude.”
“You know, you two could go flirt in private.” Hana spoke up as she left the camp with the Haimaru Brothers trailing behind her, the Inuzuka stretching her arms over her head. “Don’t have too much fun while I’m gone.” One of her ninken barked, set her laughing. “You’re right. They’ll probably be sleeping together tonight.”
Neither of the Jonin blushed but they made a point not to meet Hana’s eyes as she left.
The Inuzuka was likely headed for her nightly exercises, coupled that with a patrol of the perimeter with her ninken to sniff out any strangers. Muta met her outside his tent, sparred the two Jonin a look before simply nodding. He offered a head pat to each of the Haimaru Brothers as he followed the Inuzuka out the Daimyo’s camp. He would be scouting, securing the camp’s perimeter while Hana patrolled.
Even if they were being given the night off, it paid to be cautious after the Pranja Group attack and the new additions to the Daimyo Escort Squad.
‘I didn’t see them when I got off shift.’ Asuma’s good mood was rapidly evaporating at the reminder of the mercenaries. ‘Where did they get off to?’
“‘Akatsuki’?” Sasuke went over the limited information the Centurions had managed to gather on the group. It was luck he had even heard the name from the bearded Jonin in charge of the Daimyo Escort Squad. “I’ve never heard of it.” He set the folder he had been handed down, turned his full attention to the Centurion who had handed it to him. Since the attack on the Daimyo, he had called for a fourth Centurion from the Sixth Cohort and even a Century of Praetorians from Caesar’s tower.
He hoped the additional manpower would make the rest of this mission easy.
“I’m afraid we know little else. They’re an elite mercenary group. Coming from the Legionnaires stationed in the Hidden Leaf, they’ve been active since the Third Shinobi World War and are mostly composed of powerful criminals.” The newest Centurion to join the force escorting the Daimyo seemed to be responsible for the briefing.
The other three were absent, two of them securing the route to the capitol with their expanded Centuries and the third was overseeing the Daimyo’s safety tonight. The Legionnaires of the fourth Centurion would replace them halfway through the night.
The Praetorians had been sent ahead a little over a day ago to the capitol with some of the Daimyo’s more veteran samurai to make sure no surprises were waiting for them in the city.
“And these two are part of their ranks.” Sasuke leaned back in his seat, considered what little he knew. He picked up the folder again. He began reading through it, quickly but efficiently. It was less than a eight pages, a concerning lack of information on the group. “Of course that’s my luck. We’re working with criminals.”
The profiles on the two mercenaries now involved in the Daimyo’s protection were also nonexistent. No names, no ages, no village or land of origin.
They were either experts at keeping information on themselves from getting out or it was considered top-secret intelligence.
The Legate considered one of the two to be far more likely.
“All of them will need to be profiled. Send word back to the tower to have the Legionnaires begin work on it.” The Legate sighed at what he had to do next. “I’ll draft a message for Tribune Hyuga as well. Perhaps she’ll be able to find something on the Akatsuki courtesy of her clan.”
“I’ll see that it is done. What Cohort will you prefer see to it?” With the backing of the Legate, the Centurion could send a message directly to the Primus Pilus of any Cohort.
The Uchiha had one in mind. “The Fifth. They can consider this a trial run for what will come in the Hidden Sand Village.” The Legate leaned back in his seat. “What else do you have for me?”
“Nothing but the usual boring paperwork.” The Centurion chuckled as he reached down, dragged up a crate filled with scrolls and forms. “You requested me to bring as much as I could carry after all.”
“I might as well use tonight to catch up on what I’ve missed in the weeks I’ve been gone.” Sasuke dragged the crate over to his side of the table, noticed the labels on each of them. “How have the Tribunes behaved? Are there any fires for me to extinguish on my return?” He grabbed the oldest dated scroll and broke the seal.
“There are more things than you would like.” The Centurion lost any humor he showed before. “From my position in the Sixth Cohort, I’ve heard a great many things as to what’s occurred in the tower since you’ve been gone.” The Centurion had the Legate’s full attention. “Very well. I’ll begin with what I know for sure. Rumors I will share with you later.”
The Uchiha settled in to listen to every word.
“The Tribunes have settled into their roles well enough. They’re much like when you left. They work in the tower and then report all they see to whoever commands them. Sans Tribune Hyuga of course. We don’t know for sure who but the Praetorians will continue to look into it by order of the Praefectus Castrorum. As for fires? There should be none. I’ve only visited the tower a handful of times since your departure but the Praefectus Castrorum assured the Primi Ordines that the situation was well under control.” The Centurion noticed the look from the Legate, his clear order to continue. “Neither the Second or Fourth’s Primus Pilus attended the meeting. The First continues to shadow Caesar’s steps, the Third remains focused on building Caesar’s grand fleet, the Fifth lacks any duty beyond training and growing once more, the Seventh and Eighth are…disciplined once more, and both the Ninth and the Tenth continue their duty.”
“And the Sixth? Your own Century?”
“The Sixth Cohort is of course busy here and across the Land of Fire. Last I spoke to him, the Primus Pilus wishes he had more interesting duties to assign to us Centurions but we cannot argue against this chance to rebuild our own strength. Our losses were far less than the Fifth’s but we did not escape the invasion unscathed. My own Century is working as well as I can hope, my Legionnaires are hungry for the chance to prove themselves but they lack the opportunity. I would afford them it if I could but they understand enough to be patient.”
The Centurion met the red and black eyes of the Legate.
“Shall I move on to rumors?”
“Not yet.” The Uchiha moved the crate fully aside, dropped it down next to him. “We’ll need to discuss them another time.” The Legate had taken out enough reports to know what the Centurion wasn’t telling him. They weren’t exactly in a secure location after all. The tent may had been guarded but fabric didn’t muffle their words.
Still, what he had gone over had him concerned.
“Day by day, explain to me what’s happened in my absence.”
The Centurion settled in for a long discussion at those words.
By the time the first hour of their talk came to a close, the Legate called for a bottle. They would need it as the Centurion recalled all he knew about what had happened while the Legate had been away from the tower.
The more he spoke, the more the Legate found his cup a comfort.
It took over three hours for the Centurion to relay everything he knew. Even the ‘rumors’. By the end of his time speaking with the Centurion, the two had finished the first of two bottles and had begun working on a second.
As the night had progressed, the rest of the Daimyo Escort Squad had joined Asuma and Kurenai around the fire. All of them surrounded the dying blaze in a rough square. Hana was stretched out across from the bearded Jonin with her trio of ninken spread out around her, Ko was seated on the log next to the son of the Hokage, Muta Aburame quietly sitting next to Ko, Gai was seated directly across from Muta and Ko, and even Kakashi had joined them. He sat on the log next to Hana, idly scratched one of the two other Haimaru Brothers behind the ears with his book in his other hand.
Asuma’s original bottle had been polished off by the time Kakashi had joined them but Shinobi were nothing if not resourceful and problem solvers. The Daimyo wouldn’t notice a few bottles missing from his own vast supply and a handful of samurai were always willing to trade an extra bottle they had on hand for one thing or another.
“He’s been gone a long time.” Hana leaned back against one of the Haimaru Brothers, rested her head on his soft fur. One hand reached up and rubbed at a spot behind his ear. Her drink was balanced on her thigh and threatened to tip over every time she shifted on the ground. “Think I should go grab him?”
“The kid’s fine.” Asuma refilled his and Ko’s drink as he spoke. “Even if he’s not, he’s got an army watching his back.”
“And isn’t that just the source of all of our problems. I can’t even call them useless with how much the village is relying on them.” Kurenai reached out and Gai happily handed her the bottle he was balancing on his head. She wasn’t paying attention to what exactly he and Kakashi had said but both had elected to take up the challenge.
The bottle was back on Gai’s head once she was finished.
“My old man is at least using them for something good. The village has never profited this much from missions before. We’re on track to break a record or two.” Asuma took a deep drink. “I’m sure the kid is going to gloat about it when he gets back.”
“He doesn’t seem to care about those types of accomplishments.” Kakashi turned the page in his book, very mindful of the eyes now on him. He had been mostly quiet after all if he wasn’t talking to Gai. He didn’t look up. “Don’t tell me I’m the only one who remembers he has all of our dearly departed Gato’s entire empire in his hands? Money doesn’t mean anything to him.”
“Of course it doesn’t.” Kurenai leaned against Asuma with a sigh. “He can’t make anything easy. We can’t even bribe him.”
“That definitely wouldn’t work.” Kakashi flipped to the next page. “Even if we tore down Gato’s empire, he doesn’t need money to motivate his army.”
“Those clones of his really are something special.” Hana polished off her drink before she spoke, held up the cup in her hand for Kakashi to refill with the bottle casually resting on his head. She also drew eyes to where she was relaxed on the ground. The Inuzuka laughed as she brought her refilled cup down and took a sip. “Don’t look at me like that. Mom was right. They’re hilarious. I almost feel bad I’m getting to see all of this for free.”
“They’re absurdly dangerous.” Ko shook his head from next to her. Of all the Jonin, he had indulged the least. He was also second-last to join the rest of the squad at the fire, only Kakashi beating him and that had been intentional. “The Hokage is mad to allow that boy to do whatever he wishes.”
“Like you’re one to talk.” Muta’s words were somehow both quiet and loud. He earned a pale glare from the Hyuga seated next to him. He ignored him, took a sip of his drink. “You’re simply mad because he’s going to do something to your clan.”
“That’s likely.”
“Likely? More definitely.”
“Sad to say, he’s right.”
“I can’t say I’ll be upset.”
Gai, Kurenai, Asuma, and Kakashi all echoed one another in support of the Aburame.
Ko bit down on his words, the act a grudging acknowledgement of what they were all saying. Neither the Tokubetsu Jonin next to him or the four Jonin agreeing with him were wrong. The Hyuga still cast a pale glare to them all before downing his drink.
Hana settled back against one of her ninken. Even he seemed to laughing at the Hyuga judging by the way he was shaking.
The burgeoning feud between Naruto Uzumaki and the Hyuga Clan was a serious issue but this far from the village there was nothing they could do but talk about it. Joke about it. Hope it never actually came to pass.
Kakashi flipped to the next page of his book.
“You all speak too casually.”
None of the Hidden Leaf Shinobi had missed the presence of their watcher.
The woman who had joined the Daimyo Escort Squad at the Daimyo’s own suggestion silently approached from behind the masked Jonin. Whatever reason she had to reveal herself, all of them were watching and waiting for what she did next.
Rather boldly, she stepped over the log Kakashi was seated at and sat down next to him. She was either fearless or foolish to willingly sit next to one of the Hidden Leaf’s top Shinobi.
“What else is there to do?” Kakashi didn’t take his eyes off his book. His red and black eye didn’t even flicker towards her. He didn’t need to. Even with her just in his peripheral, he could read her next move with the Sharingan.
“Act.” The woman crossed her legs where she sat and her amber eyes settled on the Jonin across from her. “You’ve refused to leave me alone with Sasuke Uchiha.”
“You’re a dangerous criminal and you work with his brother.” Itachi Uchiha. A part of Asuma didn’t even want to say the name. The black mark that maniac had left on the village made it best left unspoken.
“The Akatsuki had no involvement with him prior to him seeking us out.” The woman’s gaze didn’t leave the Hidden Leaf Shinobi across from her. “If that’s what it takes, I’m willing to give you his current location. After I speak to him. Privately.”
“That’s not going to happen.” Asuma didn’t let his growing anger color his words. He didn’t take his eyes off of the woman across from him and watch the way the rest of the Shinobi around him shifted. Slight adjustments. No one had gone for their weapons at least. “If that’s what you came here for, you should leave.”
“Not yet.” The woman’s face didn’t change. She didn’t show if she was annoyed, amused, felt anything at all at the growing tension in the group around her. “I’m unwilling to leave this to chance any longer. I will speak to him before tonight is over with. Privately.”
Asuma would’ve said something else if a branch didn’t crack behind him.
The Chunin in question stepped into the light of the fire.
Red and black eyes searched over what he had walked into in the rest of the Daimyo Escort Squad around the dying blazes of a campfire, a near half dozen logs their chosen seats and even one of the Akatsuki mercenaries sitting with them.
“Did I miss something?” He asked the obvious question on his mind.
“We’re just having a drink.” Asuma hadn’t taken his eyes off the mercenary across from him but she had.
“Sasuke Uchiha.” The woman wasn’t paying any attention to him any longer. His name drew his black and red gaze to her. “We should speak. Privately.”
“Why?” The Chunin almost walked straight past the two Jonin in front of him.
He was seated between them instead. He blinked. He glanced to his feet and then to the Jonin on either side of him.
He didn’t comment on it, stared at the Jonin on either side of him while they didn’t take their eyes off of the mercenary in front of them. His Sharingan turned to her next.
“What do you want?” He didn’t seem to want to press what was going on, speak on the obvious tension between the Hidden Leaf Shinobi and the woman across from him. It’s not like he could change what had happened. Even if he was a hundred percent sober, he wouldn’t have been able to react with how quickly the two Jonin had moved.
“You’re currently the only reliable source for information on the clone army commanded by Naruto Uzumaki.” The woman seemed set to act as if the Jonin hadn’t stopped him from walking towards her. Her eyes didn’t leave him either. “The technique is of interest of Akatsuki.”
“Caesar’s Legion has no use of mercenaries.” The Uchiha spoke, to him at least, the obvious answer.
“Akatsuki is not interested in accepting missions from a Shinobi. We can discuss more in private.” The woman’s words earned a scoff from the Uchiha.
“We have no reason to leave our seats here.” The Chunin glanced around the fire, took note of the Shinobi around him. None of them were at ease at the moment. “We don’t need to hide whatever this is. Say whatever you’re going to say here and now. Ask me about Caesar, his Legion, whatever. I’ll answer if I feel inclined to.”
The woman across from him was silent. For once, she almost seemed annoyed at this current setback.
“…I will agree to these terms.” She didn’t spare any of the Hidden Leaf Shinobi a glance. Her eyes were only for the Uchiha. “What does Naruto Uzumaki plan to do with his army?”
“Whatever he pleases. That is his freedom as Caesar. To conquer. To command. To lay claim to the greatest empire to ever exist. To revitalize lands. To destroy all before him. To restore all that is broken. He is free to even move mountains if he so wishes.” The Uchiha spoke it all as if it was obvious.
To him, it very well might be.
A chuckle sounded from across the fire. Kakashi might as well have laughed out loud for how monumental the response was.
“Moving mountains? Isn’t that a bit cliché for someone like Naruto?” His smile beneath his mask, the crinkle to his eye, was entirely fake. It wasn’t clear if the masked Jonin treated the mercenary next to him or the Chunin across from him with more suspicion, distrust.
“Caesar’s will is Caesar’s will.” The Uchiha stared at Kakashi for a moment before turning his red and black eyes back to the mercenary across from him. “Will you demand any more answers from me?”
“No.” The woman didn’t rise from her seat. “But I will ask you a question.”
The Uchiha’s silence was enough of an answer for her, urged her to continue.
“I am a member of Akatsuki, an elite mercenary group many within the five Hidden Villages consider to be composed of criminals. One of my peers in the organization is someone you know, Itachi Uchiha.”
Asuma’s gaze darkened at the mention of the murderer. He glanced to the Uchiha next to him and found him not meeting his gaze, the Chunin’s face unmoving.
None of the Shinobi could claim they were comfortable with the conversation at the moment, that any of them could even answer it.
Kurenai and Muta had been on vastly different careers as Shinobi, rarely interacted with ANBU Black Ops.
Ko was a Hyuga, his Shinobi career in service of the Hyuga Clan and the Hidden Leaf.
Hana had been in the same year group but, like many of her peers, rarely found reason to speak with the Uchiha prodigy.
And Gai had few interactions he wished to speak of when it came to the infamous murderer.
Of all the Hidden Lead Shinobi, only Sasuke didn’t react to the murderer’s name. His focus was only on the woman speaking.
“In all my years of serving in the Akatsuki, I’ve never met another Shinobi like him. My question for you is simple: Why did he leave only you alive?”
It was a question anyone would have after learning of the Uchiha Clan Massacre. In one night, why slaughter a clan as renowned for their strength as the Uchiha but leave one alive? Why kill one’s parents but leave one’s little brother alive?
‘No one knows.’ It was one of the mysteries of that night after all. It was why Sasuke Uchiha had an ANBU Black Ops bodyguard for the first few years after the massacre.
“Why did he leave me alive? The answer is simple: For his pursuit of power.”
“Are you saying he’s going to come back. For you?” Gai hid his horror at the very idea remarkably well. The other Hidden Leaf Shinobi were somewhat mute with the same. The murderous prodigy’s return was a thing no one wished to experience, didn’t wish for the people of the Hidden Leaf to suffer through.
Even the mercenary seemed surprised at the Uchiha’s words.
Sasuke only nodded. “I’m alive for my eyes.” He turned his red and black gaze to the Taijutsu master, the teacher of Rock Lee, Neji Hyuga, and Tenten Ken. “What do you know about the Sharingan?”
“Not as much as I would like. Powerful Genjutsu, detail-oriented vision, predictive ability, it has a number of abilities that made the Uchiha Clan one of the strongest Clans of Shinobi.” Gai wasn’t surprised when Sasuke laughed.
“That’s more than what I usually expect.” His red and black eyes turned to the only other Dojutsu user around the fire. “What about you Hyuga? What do you know about my Clan’s Dojutsu?”
“…Little more than Gai. The Sharingan awakened in many members of the Uchiha Clan, developed in stages involving the number of tomoe displayed in each eye. It’s said to have mutated from the Byakugan and has the same, if lesser, ability to see Chakra but lacks the other abilities.” Ko’s pale eyes were focused on the Uchiha.
He scoffed.
“Of course you believe that lie.” The Uchiha couldn’t help but laugh. It was bitter, Ko’s words reminding him of stories from years ago. When he had known other children of the Uchiha Clan and they had shared stories from their parents, about how ridiculous the idea they were related to the Hyuga Clan was. “But neither of you know any more than that?” At his question, both nodded. “Alright then.” His eyes were hollow as he turned them towards the fire. “I suppose I can explain more. His reasoning for keeping me alive is rooted in the Sharingan after all.”
He looked to the fire.
His face was blank.
“There is more to the Sharingan than publicly available to the village. Far more. Like any Clan with a Kekkei Genkai, the Uchiha Clan jealously guarded as many secrets as they could, only shared such secrets with other members of the Uchiha Clan, told them how to achieve power if one didn’t care for the means. Those secrets are what cost the lives of my Clan the night Itachi chose to attack. He pursues the same power, walks the same path as the strongest in the history our clan, one of the founders of the village: Madara Uchiha.”
His red and black eyes focused on the haze in front of him. Shadows danced in front of him, laid on the ground. And one stood ahead of him with red and black eyes. Mocking him.
“The Mangekyou Sharingan.” He closed his eyes, did his best to force away the image. The haze brought on the alcohol helped. The shadow was there, it spoke to him, but it didn’t become more. He remained away from that night, from bodies lining the street. “The evolved form of the Sharingan. Eyes said to grant incredible power to whoever holds them. Madara Uchiha used the Mangekyou Sharingan to not only rule over the Uchiha Clan but to battle Hashirama Senju at the height of his power.”
He needed to occupy his hands. Occupy his thoughts.
He looked to the mercenary across from him.
“I need paper.”
An arm was lifted and sheets of paper broke away, cut over the space between them and to his hand.
His mind was directed to the past. To hidden scrolls and the design concealed inside so many. The written desire to claim such eyes for oneself.
He set himself to drawing as he spoke.
“He was the first to awaken to such a power in the most recent history of our Clan. If others managed the same, it was never recorded. Or they didn’t live long enough to be known.” The Uchiha shrugged at the unspoken bloody history of the Uchiha. “His brother, Izuna Uchiha, would soon awaken the same power. Together, they stood at the pinnacle of the Uchiha Clan.”
He knew both designs by heart after so many nights spent staring at them.
They were easy to replicate on the paper.
“At least momentarily. With their lack of knowledge, neither knew that the power of the Mangekyou Sharingan was fleeting. Neither knew that the power came at a price, that even limited use of their new Dojutsu would degrade the user’s eyesight until they were blind. It was a flaw that could not be overcome with the medical techniques of the time, that could not be overcome no matter the remedy Madara tried. Until he learned another secret of the Mangekyou Sharingan.”
“When first awakened, the Dojutsu is incomplete. The power it grants is paltry in comparison to its final form: the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan.”
“And what makes it so powerful?” The mercenary pressed on but even she wasn’t unfazed by the story. Even she was shaken as the pieces were put together.
A collective morbid curiosity had given way to trepidation throughout the group, to concern at what exactly the Uchiha was speaking about. What Itachi Uchiha must be planning even now. Gai glanced to where Kakashi sat at his side. The masked Jonin hadn’t taken his eyes off of the Uchiha since he had begun speaking.
“…Do you know the theory that exists on the Chakra of parent and child, of blood relatives. Their ability to resonant when in the presence of one another? That is what creates the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan. Madara learned the final secret of the Mangekyou Sharingan and acted immediately.”
“…What do you mean?” Hana moved in her seat, the Haimaru Brothers moving with her. All three of her ninken were uncomfortable, were uneasy the more and more Sasuke spoke. The three matched the growing unease of their partner, the unease of them all as pieces came together into an unpleasant picture.
“Madara gained the full power of his Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan by killing his younger brother, Izuna.”
“He killed his brother?” Asuma wasn’t the only one horrified at the idea.
Rumors had abounded over the co-founder of the village, what had led to his split from Hashirama Senju, and the reason behind what would be their final clash. But kin slaying? Kin slaying had always been viewed as just that: A rumor.
“He might as well have. He ripped his brother’s eyes out when the light of his own were fading. Izuna died after he struggled, after he fought against him. The Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan created from that act gave Madara his legendary power to control the Kyubi in his final battle against Hashirama Senju.” The Uchiha started on the third design he had memorized.
It was either the liquor or the memories but he seemed to be in a state.
“They say the Mangekyou Sharingan awakens once an Uchiha kills the one who they are closest too. Friends. Family. Blood killed by their own hand, any bonds they hold soaked in blood. All for the immeasurable power of the Mangekyou Sharingan. Such a vile act awakens the power but also sets the user on an unavoidable path of darkness.” Sorrow warred with rage on the Uchiha’s face, his red and black eyes focusing on nothing in front of him. “And that’s what he did. That’s why he left me alive.”
The Uchiha’s found the shadow louder than before, the blood red eyes finding his own no matter where he looked. A dull roar began, words he had never forgotten and that only he could hear.
“When I have the same eyes. When I’m like him. That’s when he said I’ll be a match for him.” He didn’t pay any mind to the looks of horror he received. He couldn’t see them. “When I’m like him, he’ll kill me for my Mangekyou Sharingan. Take my eyes for his own Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan. And he’ll have the power Madara Uchiha killed his brother for. He’ll be just as strong as him.”
“He told you all of this?” Asuma fully pushed away the haze of the liquor as Gai spoke, as the exuberant Jonin was entirely serious.
“He told me about the ‘fate’ of the Uchiha Clan, that the battle between shared blood was our sole destiny as the last remaining members.”
“And you never told anyone in the village about this?” Kakashi’s face would’ve been unreadable even if he bothered to remove his mask. His eyes bored into the Chunin.
“As if anyone would’ve believed me back then. And, what would’ve been different? I was already under guard by the village’s best. I didn’t even believe any of what he said at the time, had to research it myself since then.” The Uchiha could only shake his head. “Regardless, it doesn’t matter now. He’ll never have the power of Madara as I don’t possess the Mangekyou Sharingan. His eyes can never evolve to their final stage if mine never awaken to equal his. Transferring my regular Sharingan will amount to nothing in his mad quest for power. The records from Uchiha who tried the same, who awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan and overused it, confirm it. Only another Mangekyou Sharingan can allow one to awaken the power of Madara Uchiha and, with how rare they are, the chances of a blood relative awakening the same power are negligible. There’s only one instance of such a thing taking place, Madara and his brother Izuna.” The Uchiha lifted the sheet of paper in his hand into the air, drew more than one set of eyes to the three designs drawn there.
The three connected hollow headed magatama. Madara Uchiha.
The three black bars spreading from the enlarged pupil. Izuna Uchiha.
And the combination of the two. Madara’s Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan, the power birthed from taking his own brother’s eyes.
Asuma’s eyes widened at the sight of it.
Over twelve years were reversed in the blink of an eye. He was standing with his father in his office again, eyes locked on the picture in his hand. His mother’s body was next to the bloody symbol displayed.
“Any luck?”
“…As much as it pains me to admit: No. I’ve checked and double-checked our codes but I’ve found nothing.”
“I can run through them again.”
“Asuma…”
“She left this for us. It has to be important. It’s only right we figure it out. For her. To…She didn’t die for nothing Dad…”
“…Thank you. I’ll let you know if I uncover anything.”
“I’ll do the same.”
‘That’s…That’s the same symbol Mom drew the night of the attack, when the Nine-Tails was released. If she drew it then that means…’ His horrified realization went unseen by all but the woman next to him. She squeezed his hand, silently supported him as best she could.
“The Uchiha of the past kept much of this secret, spoke of the Mangekyou Sharingan only to other members of the Clan. And they began killing each other in an effort to awaken it, to obtain the legendary power of Madara Uchiha. Through this bloody trial and effort, more and more secrets of the Dojutsu were discovered. Close relatives work best for the transfer, need a Mangekyou Sharingan themselves to awaken the power. Transferring the eyes of a normal Sharingan user, even if fitting the first criteria, will only remove the abilities of that eye.”
“So the eyes have different abilities?” Ko took a deep drink of his cup, his horror growing at what he was hearing. ‘Could the Byakugan possess a similar evolution?’ The idea of such a power, the vile act it would require to awaken, was enough to send a shiver down his spine. ‘Was the secret to the Uchiha Clan’s power something as vile as kin-slaying?’
“Yes. In many cases, the power of one eye awakens first. The few records that remain are vague, intentionally bereft of information. Even when I used my Sharingan to search for hidden messages, there was little. Two abilities were recorded the most times: Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu.”
“And, supposedly, there’s a third ability of the Mangekyou Sharingan. It only awakens when one has mastered the power of both eyes. The records on it are sparse but Madara Uchiha was stated to possess it, made use of it in dire times to destroy all those who faced him. Susanoo: He with the ability to help by all means. The exacts are unclear but such a power could be the secret as to how Madara subjugated the Kyubi before his final battle with the First Hokage.”
The Uchiha shrugged.
“Rumors are everywhere concerning Madara. He was as much admired by the Clan as his strength was envied.” He leaned back on his log. “He could’ve controlled the Kyubi in another way.”
“…What else do you know about Madara?” The mercenary may have asked the question but, unknowingly, she and Asuma were thinking along similar lines.
‘This can’t be real. Madara Uchiha alive? He’d be ancient.’ It didn’t make sense. It couldn’t make sense. The idea of it was too horrifying.
“Not much. The man was private when he was alive, ruled the clan through his power until the founding of the Hidden Leaf Village. He worked closely with Hashirama to establish the village, negotiate with the Daimyo of the Land of Fire for the land. And then, he chose to battle the Senju to the death.” The Uchiha spoke of it all as simple history. “And he died in that famous battle. Hashirama Senju proved his superior and he died in shame, having broken his word and having turned against all he had created.”
“What about his body?” Asuma had to know. A part of him had to at least know where it was to check for himself.
Sasuke rose an eyebrow.
“Despite his betrayal, the Uchiha Clan Head of the time, Mirai, chose to give him the proper funeral rites for a man of his standing, who had once led the Uchiha Clan, and who helped found the village. But, out of necessity, his grave was kept hidden. To dissuade any grave robbers, those desperate for power. It either died with Mirai or was passed on to the next Clan Head. And to the next. And, eventually, to my father.” His eyes darkened. “If my father knew…”
The Uchiha was quiet.
“Before…Itachi was the heir of the Uchiha Clan. He knows much more than I do about the history of the Uchiha.”
Sasuke turned his eyes back to the mercenary across from him.
“Did I answer your question?”
“Yes.”