Chapter 9: Confession

"It was just luck—a quick strike while they weren't expecting it," Akira waved his hand dismissively.

"There's no such thing as luck on the battlefield," Minato replied, smiling even wider. "I can only imagine how pleased Fugaku will be when he hears about this."

Minato's girlfriend, Kushina, was close friends with Uchiha Mikoto, Fugaku's wife, which had helped him secure the support of the Uchiha clan. The stronger the Uchiha became, the happier Minato was, as their strength would lessen the political restraints he might face if he ever rose to the position of Hokage.

The Uchiha clan had made a significant impact in the Third Great Shinobi War. First, Fugaku had earned the nickname "Wicked Eye" on the battlefield, then Shisui Uchiha became renowned as "Shisui of the Body Flicker." Now, it seemed Uchiha Akira was well on his way to forging his own fearsome reputation.

In the Konoha camp, within the tent where the Uchiha clan was stationed, Fugaku wore a broad smile. Walking from the command tent, he had drawn plenty of envious glances from other Konoha shinobi along the way. Knowing that Akira had managed to defeat four members of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist brought great joy to Fugaku.

As the clan leader, the emergence of powerful Uchiha shinobi like Akira and Shisui was the best affirmation of his leadership.

At that moment, Akira had just finished dealing with clan members who'd come to check on him after hearing the news. No sooner had he sat down than Fugaku arrived.

"Akira, you've really outdone yourself!" A rare look of pride softened Fugaku's usually stern face. "I never expected you to reach this level of power. Even I couldn't have done better!"

Akira shook his head. "You're exaggerating, Clan Leader."

The Uchiha clan's leader had to be formidable, and Fugaku was certainly one of the top three most powerful Uchiha—if not the strongest. Otherwise, the clan would never have accepted him. Not to mention, he might have already awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.

If Fugaku indeed possessed it, Akira believed Fugaku could very well be the strongest among the Uchiha of Konoha.

Shisui was still young and lacked experience, after all.

"I'm serious." Fugaku shook his head, smiling. "Your strength now isn't far behind mine. You could even give Shisui a run for."

"I'm probably still a bit behind Shisui," Akira replied. Although Shisui was younger, he was a true prodigy of the Uchiha, already possessing the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Akira believed that, with only one Mangekyō Sharingan, his own eye power was still lacking. The Sharingan's true potential could only be unleashed with a pair of Mangekyō Sharingan.

"Akira," Fugaku's voice turned serious as he looked at Akira intently. "Have you awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan?"

In that moment, Akira made a decision, his expression growing slightly strange. "More or less."

To strengthen his influence within the Uchiha clan and advance certain plans, Akira decided to 'come clean,' if only partially. The Mangekyō Sharingan would serve as a valuable leverage.

"More or less?" Fugaku frowned, puzzled. "It's a simple yes or no. What do you mean by 'more or less'?"

Akira raised a finger, pointing to his left eye. "Only my left eye has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. My right eye is still in its three-tomoe form."

"What?" Fugaku's stern expression faltered as he stared at Akira, astonished. "How is that even possible? In all the records of the Uchiha, there's never been such a case."

"Take a look, Clan Leader." Akira shrugged. His left eye shifted, transforming into a pattern of a scythe with curved blades joined end-to-end.

"It really is…" Fugaku exhaled slowly, muttering to himself, "Only one eye awakened to the Mangekyō…"

Fugaku's expression shifted to one of mild regret as he looked at Akira. With only a single Mangekyō, Akira wouldn't be able to fully tap into its potential.

"Akira, you've set a new precedent… though it's a bit unfortunate."

As clan leader, Fugaku knew well the rarity of awakening this legendary eye. Most shinobi had only one chance in their lifetime, as the emotional intensity needed for a second awakening could rarely match the first.

Akira shrugged. "I'm content. Even with one eye, it's been a game-changer for me."

Then, glancing at Fugaku, he asked, "Clan Leader, you've also awakened these eyes, haven't you?"

After a brief pause, Fugaku nodded. "Yes. Through blood and tears, I, too, have awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan."

"Just as I thought." Akira's face showed a look of confirmation.

"You suspected it all along, huh?" Fugaku chuckled. "Shisui has also awakened the Mangekyō. Counting you, that makes three of us in the clan."

"I guessed as much. Shisui is so young yet so powerful—it's difficult to explain otherwise," Akira nodded.

"Indeed." Fugaku's tone grew somber. "But remember, Akira, never reveal this ability, not even to other Uchiha."

"I understand." Akira nodded.

"The more you use the Mangekyō, the more it strains your body—and the closer you come to blindness." Fugaku looked at him gravely. "Akira, use your eye with caution. Never activate it unless absolutely necessary."

"Is there any way to prevent that?" Akira asked.

"Yes." Fugaku nodded. "The Mangekyō Sharingan isn't the peak of our clan's power. The true peak is the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, a form only awakened by transplanting another Mangekyō Sharingan."

"But," he continued, "it's incredibly risky. In our clan's history, only Uchiha Madara successfully obtained it, after transplanting his brother's eyes."

"We suspect the closer the blood relation, the higher the chances of success. Unfortunately, you, Shisui, and I aren't closely related, so our chances of reaching the Uchiha's true peak are slim," Fugaku said, a hint of regret in his eyes.

"I see. Thank you for explaining, Clan Leader." Akira bowed his head in gratitude.

"It's nothing." Fugaku shook his head. "As your clan leader, it's my responsibility to tell you these things."

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