Chapter 19 : Sasuke's Wrong Choice

[Golden List Announcement: The 21st to 30th places on the Bloodline Limit List have been revealed. The 20th to 11th positions will be disclosed in five minutes. Please stay tuned.]

A radiant gold light enveloped Sasuke's figure.

After a moment, the brilliance faded, revealing that Sasuke's once dark irises had transformed into a vivid shade of scarlet, accompanied by the emergence of three distinct curved markings within his eyes.

The Three Tomoe Sharingan was now clearly visible.

"His ocular power has surged!"

"The Three Tomoe Sharingan! With this, by incorporating Chidori and learning some illusion techniques, he could reach the strength of a Jōnin."

"Itachi, I'm drawing nearer and nearer to you. Are you prepared to face your end?"

Suppressing a desire to chuckle at the moment, Sasuke forcefully composed himself.

To some extent, the Sharingan served as a direct gauge of an Uchiha's ninja prowess.

Across all ages, an Uchiha who unlocked the initial tomoe possessed the strength of a Genin, while those with the two tomoe excelled as Chūnin. Three tomoe signified Jōnin-level capability, and the Mangekyō, verging on Kage-tier power. All of these ranks demonstrated their leadership within their respective categories.

The Uchiha clan's relentless pursuit of Sharingan's might was well justified. This dedication even extended to evaluating their standing based on the number of tomoe they possessed.

"Hmm?"

Sasuke withdrew his chakra from his eyes, only to realize that everyone around him was watching him.

Aside from Sakura, who was jubilantly congratulating him, the gazes of the others held a peculiar intensity.

Could it be that they were taken aback by his newly acquired Three Tomoe Sharingan?

[Uchiha Madara: You foolish child! How could my esteemed Uchiha clan have descendants like you? A disgrace to our clan!]

Uchiha Madara was seething.

In the past, he had been bested by Hashirama's Wood Style, until he finally unraveled the secrets of the Senju clan's bloodline, which allowed him to awaken the Rinnegan.

Regrettably, by the time he unveiled the truths of Hashirama's flesh and blood, he was aged and the power of his Rinnegan had dwindled considerably. He had thus strategized and put in motion a series of schemes, involving his pawns, Uzumaki Nagato and Uchiha Obito.

Had there been a more suitable Senju candidate, he would never have resorted to the Uzumaki clan member.

Nonetheless, this also granted him an extensive knowledge of the Uzumaki's constitution. While the Uzumaki bloodline might not complement the Sharingan in the same manner as the Senju clan, it still held unique potential.

If Sasuke opted for the Uzumaki physique, there existed a strong likelihood that his ocular power could be further amplified, evolving his eyes in a fashion similar to the two Hyuga girls who chose the Ōtsutsuki bloodline.

It was akin to a trade-off of bloodline limit.

The Sharingan and Uzumaki physique—Uchiha Madara would have yearned for such a combination if he were to turn back the clock to his youth.

And so, Sasuke had spurned this opportunity, electing instead to manifest the Three Tomoe Sharingan by his own means.

What a blunder!

"You... um!"

"I've chosen the first option. Any objections?"

"Could it be that the Uzumaki physique is more potent than the Uchiha's Sharingan?"

Facing someone on the gold list berating him and bringing up the Uchiha name, Sasuke almost instinctively formulated a retort.

Yet, when the speaker happened to be none other than the ancestral Uchiha Madara, he reined in his emotions, his heart reverberating with astonishment.

He wanted to expedite his Sharingan's development, as Uchiha Itachi had already unlocked the Mangekyō Sharingan at Sasuke's age, single-handedly decimating the entire Uchiha clan.

Without at least the Three Tomoe Sharingan, how could he ever hope to catch up to Uchiha Itachi and avenge his clan?

Though he was content to delegate his vendetta to Uchiha Ran, executing it himself held even greater appeal!

[Uchiha Madara: Fool! It's not that the Uzumaki physique is superior to the Sharingan. It's that the Uzumaki bloodline can catalyze the evolution of your Sharingan!]

[Uchiha Sasuke: How... How can that be?]

[Uchiha Madara: Did you not observe how the little Hyuga girl's Byakugan evolved after she chose Ōtsutsuki physique? Isn't this simple logic?]

[Uchiha Madara: And you have ten minutes to decide on your life-altering path. What's the rush? If need be, humbly consult Uchiha Ran before making your choice.]

[Never have I encountered a junior as dense as you.]

"I!"

In a flash, Sasuke realized his error.

It wasn't really about which was superior.

Rather, it pertained to the choice of one or both.

His decision had been hasty.

[Uchiha Mikoto: Sasuke, it's alright. Remember to exercise caution moving forward.]

Seeing Sasuke's mood transition from exultation to baffled distress, Mikoto, his mother, communicated via the Gold List chat channel.

"Mother!"

Sasuke's eyes gleamed.

[Uchiha Sasuke: Mother, are you also present?]

[Uchiha Mikoto: Yes, dear. Circumstances in the Pure Land are somewhat distinct. Those who haven't attained Jōnin-level prowess are unable to speak or even awaken. However, those who meet the standard can converse freely. When you have time, you may converse with mother, who will be watching over you.]

[Uchiha Sasuke: Understood, Mom!]

The shadow of melancholy lifted from Sasuke's heart.

Uchiha Madara's reprimands and the forfeiture of the Uzumaki physique paled in comparison to the jubilation of reconnecting with his mother.

However, they did not start chatting.

A prominent figure had other plans.

[Senju Tobirama: Absurd, Madara. How can you assert that the Uzumaki physique enhances the Sharingan's ocular might?]

[Uchiha Madara: I simply know, hmph!]

[Senju Tobirama: This reeks of a conspiracy!]

[Uchiha Madara: Idiot! I deduced it through analysis. Earlier, the brat used the Hyuga girl's Byakugan to test Ōtsutsuki physique, and didn't she undergo an improvement?]

[Senju Tobirama: But you cannot conclusively assert that the Uzumaki physique leads to Sharingan evolution. This is a contrived explanation. Madara, your explanation holds the scent of a conspiracy.]

[Uchiha Madara: ...You, Tobirama,"I'll make sure you pay for this!"]

[Senju Tobirama: However, jumping to the conclusion that the Uzumaki clan's physique can trigger the evolution of the Sharingan is unwarranted. This interpretation appears to be forced. Madara, you should be capable of providing an explanation. There seems to be a hidden agenda behind this.]

[Uchiha Madara: ...Tobirama, I swear I will end your life!]

[Senju Tobirama: Are you truly that dense? We're both deceased, after all.]

[Uchiha Madara: Hmph, just you wait!]

Uchiha Madara resolved that he would subject Senju Tobirama to countless instances of torment within the Infinite Tsukuyomi in the times to come!

Just then, Uzumaki Kushina intervened.

[Uzumaki Kushina : Fifth Hokage, I have a question. Do you happen to know why my Naruto possesses the physical traits of the Senju clan instead of those from the Uzumaki clan?]