Chapter 536: The Price of Mangekyō

"Hehe."

The Third Hokage chuckled softly, his wise gaze fixed on Uchiha Yoruki. He didn't need to elaborate further—Yoruki's expression revealed that he had already grasped the answer to his earlier question.

Yet, the Hokage continued, his tone gentle but resolute. "This time, we successfully pushed the front line forward and significantly restricted the Rock Ninja's movement within the Land of Grass. It was all thanks to your efforts."

"This is merely my duty as a Konoha ninja," Uchiha Yoruki replied, lowering his head slightly. Despite his composed tone, his eyes gleamed with renewed determination. The sharp intent that had momentarily dulled during their conversation returned, cutting through the air like a blade.

"Next time, I will kill that man," Yoruki declared, his voice steady and unwavering.

Neither the Third Hokage nor Jiraiya doubted his words. They could see the conviction burning in the young Uchiha's eyes—a promise etched into his very soul.

However, the Third Hokage's expression soon grew solemn. He regarded Yoruki thoughtfully before speaking again. "I called you here today because there's something important I need to tell you about the Mangekyō Sharingan."

"You have my attention," Yoruki said, nodding curtly.

Jiraiya, who had been silently observing the exchange, leaned forward slightly, his curiosity piqued. While he was the Third Hokage's disciple, the intricacies of the Uchiha clan's powers had always remained enigmatic to him.

"The Mangekyō Sharingan," the Hokage began, "is an advanced form of the Sharingan, granting its wielder extraordinary abilities. However, each pair of Mangekyō possesses unique powers, different from one individual to another."

"Unique powers?" Yoruki murmured, his eyebrows lifting in mild surprise. He hadn't considered this possibility before.

The abilities of his left eye—the indestructible Rekka no Ken a flaming sword—and his right eye—Amaterasu, the unquenchable black flames—were already awe-inspiring. But the notion that every Mangekyō user had their own distinct powers intrigued even someone as composed as him.

Jiraiya listened intently, his brows furrowing as he processed this revelation.

"But," the Hokage continued, his voice heavy, "such power comes at a cost."

Yoruki's expression hardened. He had suspected as much. "Yes, my eyesight has already begun to deteriorate," he admitted.

"This is the price of using the Mangekyō Sharingan's techniques," the Hokage said gravely. "The more frequently you use its power, the more your vision will degrade. At first, it manifests as temporary blindness when the pupil power is exhausted. But over time, the damage becomes permanent."

Jiraiya's eyes widened as the weight of this truth sank in.

"If overused, the Mangekyō Sharingan leads to complete and irreversible blindness," the Hokage concluded, his words hanging heavily in the air.

Yoruki's young face twitched slightly, betraying a rare flicker of emotion. After a long pause, he exhaled slowly. "I understand," he said quietly.

The Hokage nodded, a glimmer of respect in his eyes. "Then let me advise you to use this power sparingly in future battles. Do not squander your light needlessly."

"I will," Yoruki replied, his voice firm but distant.

Jiraiya, still processing the grim revelation, asked hesitantly, "Is there no way to prevent blindness? No solution at all?"

Both Yoruki and Jiraiya turned their gazes to the Third Hokage, who seemed to weigh his words carefully before responding.

"There is a way," he said at last, his tone serious.

Jiraiya straightened, but his initial relief was tempered by the Hokage's solemn expression.

"Why didn't you mention this earlier?" Jiraiya asked, half-joking, trying to lighten the mood.

But the Hokage's grim demeanor silenced him, and the levity faded from Jiraiya's face.

"In the history of the Uchiha clan," the Hokage began, "the first man to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan led his clan to become one of the most powerful in the Warring States Period. However, even he could not escape the curse of blindness."

Yoruki listened intently, his gaze unwavering.

"When blindness overtakes the Mangekyō user, there is one way to restore their sight," the Hokage continued. "But it comes with a price that is just as severe."

"What is it?" Yoruki asked, his voice low.

The Hokage's eyes met Yoruki's, his gaze unflinching. "To restore one's vision, they must transplant another pair of Mangekyō Sharingan. But not just any pair—they must be the eyes of their own sibling."

A chill swept through the room. Jiraiya's expression darkened, and Yoruki's face hardened.

"The Mangekyō Sharingan is already rare," the Hokage said. "And even if such a condition could be met, it is a path fraught with pain and sacrifice."

Yoruki lowered his gaze slightly, his voice a near whisper. "So that's how Uchiha Madara overcame blindness… by taking his brother's eyes."

"Not exactly," the Hokage interjected. "Madara's brother gave his eyes willingly, offering them as a final gift so that Madara could continue to protect their clan."

The weight of the revelation settled heavily on Yoruki.

"After the transplantation," the Hokage continued, "Madara not only regained his sight but also gained eyes that would never again grow dim. This is known as the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan—the ultimate form of the Sharingan."

Jiraiya let out a low whistle, the magnitude of the story hitting him. "That's a steep price to pay," he muttered.

The Hokage nodded solemnly. "Indeed. And as it stands, you cannot follow that path, Yoruki."

Yoruki remained silent for a moment before lifting his head. His dark eyes reflected an unyielding resolve.

"This method of restoring sight is unnecessary," he said firmly. "I will bear the consequences of my power without taking such a path."

The Hokage and Jiraiya exchanged a glance, a faint smile playing on both their lips.

"You've grown, Yoruki," the Hokage said softly.

For the first time, Yoruki bowed deeply to the Hokage. "Thank you," he said, his voice steady but laced with genuine gratitude.

The Third Hokage blinked in surprise, his expression softening into a warm smile. In that moment, he knew his faith in Yoruki had not been misplaced.

It seems that the decision he made back then was correct...

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