Chapter 215
"Is this true?"
Uchiha Itachi couldn't help but doubt the news.
He asked immediately after arriving at the Hokage Building and reporting to the Third Hokage that his mission was completed.
"Hokage-sama, the village is saying that my father awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and defeated the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai user. Is this true?"
"It's true."
The Third Hokage looked at Uchiha Itachi with complicated eyes.
Uchiha Fugaku had killed his son, and now Uchiha Fugaku's eldest son was standing in front of him, making him feel conflicted.
He hated Uchiha Fugaku and also resented his relatives.
But Uchiha Itachi was someone completely brainwashed by him, utterly loyal to him.
So his emotions at this moment were complex.
"It's actually true."
Uchiha Itachi was shocked.
His father truly possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan and even defeated a Wood Release Kekkei Genkai user.
Even Brother Shisui and eleven elite jonin together couldn't defeat the Wood Release user, yet his father had.
His father was far stronger than he had imagined.
"Itachi, I have some bad news for you."
The Third Hokage adjusted his emotions.
Although Uchiha Itachi was Fugaku's son, he was also an asset, fully conditioned to be loyal to him.
Given Itachi's devotion, he could use him against Uchiha Fugaku, exacting his revenge.
He was eager to see Fugaku's reaction when he learned that his son was a spy.
"Bad news?"
Uchiha Itachi's expression changed, and an uneasy feeling arose in his heart.
If the Third Hokage called it bad news, it must be something serious.
"Hokage-sama, what is the news?"
"Just a few days ago, Shisui tried to use Kotoamatsukami on Uchiha Fugaku to ease tensions between the Uchiha clan and the village, but he failed."
"Not only that, but Shisui… may have been killed by Uchiha Fugaku."
The Third Hokage spoke sorrowfully.
He knew that Uchiha Itachi and Shisui were close.
Now, by telling Itachi that Shisui had likely died at his father's hands, he sought to drive a wedge between father and son.
He wanted to manipulate Uchiha Itachi into eventually taking down his own father.
He relished the thought of Fugaku's reaction when he learned his son had betrayed him.
"Brother Shisui is dead… killed by my father?"
Boom—
It was as if an explosive tag had gone off in his mind. Uchiha Itachi's head buzzed.
He stood frozen, his face full of grief and disbelief.
Shisui, the brother who had cared for him, was gone, and the one responsible was his own father.
Overwhelming grief and rage surged within him.
He mourned Shisui's death and seethed at his father's actions.
"It's all my fault. I should have stopped Shisui. I should have convinced him not to confront my father. If I had, this wouldn't have happened."
The Third Hokage sighed, feigning remorse.
"It's not Hokage-sama's fault. This was Shisui's decision."
Tears streamed down Uchiha Itachi's face, turning red as they mixed with his blood.
"Itachi, your eyes…?"
The Third Hokage looked at Uchiha Itachi in shock.
Then, his expression turned to astonishment.
The Sharingan in Uchiha Itachi's eyes spun rapidly.
In the next moment, a pattern distinct from the three tomoe emerged.
It was a three-bladed windmill pattern.
A mysterious and oppressive aura radiated from Uchiha Itachi's eyes.
Sensing it, the Third Hokage—a Kage-level ninja—felt a faint sense of danger.
His instincts screamed that Uchiha Itachi was now extremely dangerous.
"Mangekyō Sharingan!!!"
He was stunned.
Given his understanding of the Uchiha clan's bloodline limit, he immediately recognized what had happened.
Uchiha Itachi had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan!
The shock of Shisui's death had triggered its awakening.
Although he had always known Uchiha Itachi possessed the potential to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, he hadn't expected it to happen so soon.
Not only had he awakened it earlier than expected, but even earlier than Shisui.
"Is this the Mangekyō Sharingan?"
Uchiha Itachi wiped the blood from his face, his voice filled with sorrow.
He had once longed for the Mangekyō Sharingan, but now that he had it, he felt no joy.
Because its awakening had come at the cost of Shisui's death.
If he could choose, he would rather have Shisui alive than awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.
But the past could not be undone.
"Itachi awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan at such a young age. His talent surpasses even Shisui's."
The Third Hokage was elated.
Shisui's death had weakened his forces, leaving a significant gap in his combat power.
Now, Uchiha Itachi had filled that void.
And unlike Shisui, who had awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan later, Itachi had done so at an even younger age, proving his extraordinary potential.
"Brother Shisui, do you see this? I have awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan too."
Uchiha Itachi's face was etched with sorrow.
"If Shisui knew, he would be proud."
The Third Hokage placed a hand on Itachi's shoulder in a mock gesture of comfort.
"Brother Shisui, don't worry. I will carry on your will and protect Konoha's peace, even if it means standing against my own clan."
Uchiha Itachi clenched his fists and made his vow.
"I'm glad to hear that. Shisui would be too. But don't act impulsively—do not expose yourself yet."
The Third Hokage's expression was one of deep satisfaction.
"Although you have awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, you are not yet a match for Uchiha Fugaku. You are not yet strong enough to change the Uchiha clan."
"You need more time to grow stronger."
Seeing Itachi's potential, the Third Hokage had a plan.
He would have Itachi hide his power, bide his time, and one day, defeat Uchiha Fugaku using this very Mangekyō Sharingan.
He firmly believed Itachi had the potential to do it.
If Uchiha Itachi could kill his own father, it would be the ultimate revenge against Uchiha Fugaku.
"I understand."
Uchiha Itachi nodded solemnly.
Even though he had the Mangekyō Sharingan now, he wasn't arrogant enough to believe he could defeat his father—the man who had killed Shisui.
"Good. Stay calm."
The Third Hokage nodded in satisfaction.
Losing Shisui had been a setback, but gaining Uchiha Itachi—who had even greater potential—was an unexpected victory.
(End of this chapter)