Chapter 216: Amano-Iwato

Nighttime. The Land of Fire. In a certain post town, inside an inn.

"Amano-Iwato."

"This is the new ability I obtained."

"Its effect is to erase the eyesight of anyone who meets my gaze and simultaneously strip them of their ocular jutsu."

Uchiha Sasuke openly stated his ability.

Amano-Iwato…

Memories stirred in Link's mind, recalling its origin.

In the Japanese myth "Kojiki," the Sun Goddess Amaterasu was so terrified of Susanoo (Susano'o) that she hid herself inside the Amano-Iwato, causing the world to lose its light.

In the myth, it was the god Ame-no-Tajikarao who pulled Amaterasu out of the cave. In the manga, Sasuke claims to have inherited Itachi's will, which is why he possesses the power of "Amenotejikara."

Yet in the current real world—now that Sasuke has awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan with full knowledge of the truth—he has gained an ocular jutsu that locks Amaterasu away in darkness.

Fate is truly amusing.

It's a pity it's not a space-time type ocular jutsu.

Link felt a slight regret in his heart and remained silent for a while before saying, "Actually, I know how to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan."

Uchiha Sasuke said nothing. He had a faint feeling about those past stories, and also about the connection he sensed when he pierced Link's body—two chakras touching. All he felt from Link was calm, not the panic, pain, anger, or confusion one would expect.

"Including the fact that Itachi would lure you over here. I had already guessed." Link continued. Since he intended to use the Mangekyo Sharingan to talk with Obito and Black Zetsu, he couldn't bypass the Mangekyo Sharingan's bearer.

Indeed, from the start, he had guessed Itachi's plan and chose to cooperate. Otherwise, once the battle began, he would have brought Uchiha Mikoto out as well and had the Uchiha couple stall for time while he joined forces with Utakata and Shadow to finish off Kisame first—

He did like good kids who honestly weave hand signs.

"Including that moment when your eyes awakened—I didn't immediately reveal the effect of my technique. That, too, was part of my plan—or rather, Itachi's plan."

He paused and laid out Uchiha Itachi's scheming, then placed the scroll containing the sealed corpse of that ultimate filial son on the tatami.

Uchiha Sasuke wasn't angry; his emotions were extremely complex.

His older brother died calmly by his hand, paving the way for his future, while his friend cooperated in the act so that he could gain strength.

Both of them had ignored his feelings, his pain.

And yet, he still couldn't let it go.

That intense emotion hidden beneath his aloof exterior—he'd risk his life to block an attack meant for Naruto during a mission, simply because they were comrades. That's how he gained a friend who won't stop chasing him.

Faced with Link, who had once pulled him from the abyss, faced with someone who was kind to him from the very beginning, how could he possibly be angry?

"You—" Uchiha Sasuke looked over and met his friend's gaze. "What exactly do you want to do?"

Link slowly rose and slid open the paper door, letting the moonlight flood in. His voice carried on the night breeze: "Sasuke, don't you think this world is a bit too noisy?"

Uchiha Sasuke felt somewhat puzzled.

"Countries, Villages, Daimyos, Ninjas."

Link lifted his hand, observing the moonlight as it slipped between his fingers. His tone grew deep. "Sasuke, I've killed a lot of people."

"A lot of pointless slaughter."

"The Sage of the Six Paths spread chakra and ninjutsu to connect people, but these became tools of conflict."

"In the Ninja Academy, the ninja code taught me that this is simply our trade—we are tools, and shouldn't show any emotion."

"It's always been that way."

"But just because it's always been that way, does that make it right?" He seemed to be asking himself, or perhaps Sasuke, and his face revealed complicated emotions difficult to put into words.

Those were the feelings he had suppressed ever since becoming a ninja.

It was everything a traveler from a peaceful nation would feel, thrust into a twisted and brutal world.

This place had too many madmen; one more or less wouldn't make a difference.

Uchiha Sasuke didn't answer. He had seen Momochi Zabuza and Haku firsthand, and he had carried out many missions in the chaotic Land of Rivers.

The cruelty of the ninja world was always lurking around him.

"Sasuke."

Link clenched his fist, closed his eyes, and said, "No one is born standing at the top. Whether it's you, or me, or even a god, we all start from the same place."

"But the unbearable vacancy of that throne is about to end."

He opened his eyes again, returning to his usual composure.

"I'm going to change this world. I will completely erase the ninja occupation. I will ascend the throne so that this world will revolve according to my will."

He turned around, gazing into those Mangekyo Sharingan. "Before that, I need you."

"Sasuke." Saying this, he extended a hand, just as he had done on that rainy night when he asked Sasuke why he sought power.

[So this is your answer?]

Uchiha Sasuke didn't hesitate for long and reached out to grasp it. In a steady voice, he said, "I am Uchiha—Sasuke."

"From now on, I will become your strength."

Why did he awaken the Amano-Iwato technique? Was it because he was controlled by that strange ocular jutsu to assassinate Link? Or did he see Link killed by the ocular technique Amaterasu in some illusion? Or perhaps it was the torment of Tsukuyomi mentioning turning illusions into reality?

He didn't know.

Having experienced heart-wrenching pain earlier that day, even death would be preferable to going through it again.

He couldn't care less about the world or the village; he only wished to become that person's strength.

Whether it was the 'throne' or changing the world—just don't leave him alone again.

Seated in the shadows, Uchiha Sasuke's expression grew more determined than ever, and his eyes shone with unparalleled clarity.

Their chakras converged at that moment.

The Sage of the Six Paths had once hoped for people to connect and communicate through chakra. Now, that ideal was fulfilled by one side baring his heart.

Link sensed the young man's thoughts. He'd prepared to paint a grand vision of the future, but now he didn't know how to begin.

Indeed, these so-called bonds…

He let go, said nothing more, and the heart-to-heart connection broke. His face was in shadow, unreadable. He simply said, "You've been eavesdropping for quite a while now. Might as well come out."

"Quite the grand ambition." Utakata dropped from the rooftop, landing in the courtyard, his tone slightly rising.

"What about you? What do you think?" Link threw the question at him.

Uchiha Sasuke, hidden in darkness, stared at the Six-Tails Jinchuriki with his Mangekyo Sharingan. If Utakata showed any suspicious behavior after learning this—

But Utakata met his gaze without fear and spoke seriously to him: "I'll be watching you. Next time…"

"I'll kill you first."

He didn't say more, but in a way, he had already given his answer.

Link tried to calm the surge of emotion inside him. Did he realize what this meant?

Mangekyo Sharingan + Tailed Beast + his Shadow Clone Technique = …

~~~

Patreon(.)com/Bleam

— Currently You can Read 100 Chapters Ahead of Others!