Chapter 99: The Sharingan

"This is truly an unexpected delight!"

Seeing his subordinate successfully awaken a Kekkei Genkai, Uchiha Juuza felt quite excited internally.

For an Uchiha to awaken the Sharingan, one usually needs to go through some painful experiences. This means that the successful awakening of the Sharingan in an Uchiha often accompanies some unavoidable emotional sorrow. The death of family, lovers, respected teachers, or treasured comrades during missions—these vary but are common triggers.

This reality has long troubled many members of the Uchiha clan who awaken their Kekkei Genkai. For instance, they may find it hard to stay in their original team.

When a comrade encounters misfortune, yet the Uchiha awakens the enviable Sharingan, surviving teammates may look at the awakening with strange eyes. These odd looks rarely escape the perceptive Sharingan, often leading to unnecessary conflicts. At times, this conflict subjects clan members to self-doubt, making some repelled by their bloodline, rejecting their Kekkei Genkai from deep within.

However, Toshiro's awakening presents none of these issues!

"Just because of what happened in the morning, did he successfully awaken it?"

When Uchiha Juuza confirmed that Toshiro's Sharingan had indeed awakened, he presumptuously thought it must be due to the seemingly trivial slaughter that morning.

"He's really a kind-hearted child!"

Uchiha Juuza, giving himself this narrative, had no idea that Toshiro's awakening had multi-layered reasons far beyond the morning's encounter.

Firstly, as a transmigrator reborn in the body of a four-year-old, and considering his growth over the years, Toshiro's spiritual energy far exceeded that of the average person. 

Additionally, his relentless 'meditation' practice over the past four years, although it didn't grant him the ability to sense natural energy, offered substantial spiritual benefits. Normally unnoticed, these benefits could assist significantly at critical moments.

Moreover, the morning's events shocked his worldview, breaking some past ethical and moral constraints. Combined with emotional upheaval, these factors resurfaced buried memories.

Another factor Toshiro hadn't considered was his frequent use of the Shadow Clone Technique. Inspiration could be drawn from the protagonist of Naruto, Uzumaki Naruto. Before mastering the Shadow Clone Jutsu, Naruto couldn't even perform basic clone techniques properly, indicating a lack of mental strength to control his large chakra reserves. Yet after a period of using Shadow Clone Jutsu, he significantly improved—in a matter of moments, he mastered water-walking, which was more challenging than tree climbing he initially struggled with for an entire night with Sasuke.

Although Jiraiya's removal of Orochimaru's Five Element Seal helped, Naruto's mental energy had evidently increased due to continuous usage of the Shadow Clone Technique. The frequent deployment and dispelling of shadow clones train the user's mental energy.

Under such compounded impact, Toshiro successfully awakened his Kekkei Genkai—the various factors made it almost inevitable.

"Toshiro! Try to sense the changes in your eyes. Now, I'll teach you how to control the opening and closing of your Sharingan!"

Putting aside other thoughts, the most crucial thing now was teaching Toshiro the proper way to control his Sharingan. There's a simple and effective method for turning the Sharingan on and off; without guidance, he could end up like young Sasuke who, despite awakening it through trauma, couldn't use it properly until years later.

"How do you feel? Any unusual sensations?"

"Yes! I can feel it slowly consuming my chakra!"

Feeling carefully, Toshiro truthfully relayed his sensations. "I also sense some changes in my chakra, it seems to have become more 'obedient'!"

"Not just that, my chakra volume seems to have increased, and its 'intensity' has also subtly changed!"

Hiding nothing, Toshiro told Juuza-sensei about his most genuine changes.

"Is that so? These are all normal changes after the Sharingan awakens!" Juuza-sensei replied. "Now, try to control your chakra, and cut off the supply to the eyes! Attempt to close your Sharingan!"

"Got it, Sensei!"

Without much trouble, Toshiro successfully achieved initial control over his Sharingan. However, to fully utilize it to the maximum extent would take more time and effort. The Uchiha clan has developed a comprehensive combat system to maximize the Sharingan's capabilities, which includes specialized taijutsu training methods to enhance a ninja's speed, reaction, and physical abilities, along with targeted genjutsu and ninjutsu training. This system, crafted through the blood and lessons of many ancestors, is as valuable to an awakened Uchiha as a Book of Seals.

"Sensei! It seems that even after deactivating my Sharingan, it still drains my chakra! The amount is small but noticeable!"

After closing his Sharingan, Toshiro voiced his concern.

"Oh! Your senses are sharp!" Juuza-sensei praised, then continued, "This is normal. After awakening, the Sharingan continues to absorb chakra as part of a 'self-activation' process. Initially, it may feel uncomfortable, but eventually, your body will adapt to this change! This is one of the Sharingan's burdens."

"I see!"

Self-activation was a new concept for Toshiro. However, he felt that the Sharingan's burden might extend beyond chakra absorption. It seemed to also drain his physical energy slowly—something he might not have noticed without long-term 'meditation' practice, allowing him a unique perspective on his body.

Looks like Kakashi's future struggles, becoming known for his chronic fatigue, make more sense. Surviving with a Mangekyo Sharingan, without Uchiha blood, and earning the nickname "Copy Ninja Kakashi" is impressive.

"Thank you, Sensei, for your guidance!"

(End of Chapter)