Chapter 131: Tsukuyomi Research

"Die!"

The next moment, Uchiha Hinako lunged at Gin like a wildcat. She wrapped her arms and legs around him, trying to strangle him and even bite his nose.

She looked absolutely feral—like a crazed kitten. Gin could only sigh in exasperation.

With a simple motion, he unhooked her from his body and gave her a light shake. Hinako instantly went limp, her chakra force momentarily suppressed.

As she recovered, she glared at Gin with unrelenting hatred, her gaze sharp enough to pierce steel. She looked as though she wanted to tear him limb from limb.

Gin rubbed his temples.

"…Mom? I don't think I can handle this. Maybe you could take over?"

"Hee-hee!" Hikari chuckled and raised her hand. "Looks like you're finally having some trouble! Leave it to your mother!"

She stepped forward, plucked Hinako from Gin's grasp, activated her Mangekyō Sharingan, and cast a genjutsu.

Hinako's angry scream died in her throat as she instantly slumped into sleep.

"I'll take her," Hikari said, lifting the girl into her arms. She nodded at Uzumaki Mito and disappeared with a flash of teleportation.

"I'm going too," Mito said, following close behind.

Left alone, Gin turned back to the metallic sealing box. He carefully stored it away in the Gate's subspace, then retrieved the discarded lid and stowed it as well.

Returning to the sealing site, he scanned the area thoroughly. After confirming nothing was left behind, he teleported back to Konoha.

At that moment, Hikari was stepping out of the guest room.

"How'd it go?" Gin asked immediately.

"I just got back!" Hikari rolled her eyes. "Let her sleep for a while. Then we'll start on the re-education. She'll improve—eventually."

"Alright," Gin replied with a shrug.

With time to spare, he retrieved a test tube containing Uchiha Kagami's Mangekyō Sharingan. Channeling spiritual power into it, he began probing the dojutsu's secrets.

"How's the research? Any progress with the Mangekyō techniques?" Hikari asked, walking up beside him.

"There's something there," Gin said, nodding. "Give me a little more time, and I think I can create a structured training method for Mangekyō abilities. Once I crack one, the rest should follow much more easily."

"By the way," he added, "I remember Hinako had several Mangekyō abilities forcibly implanted by other Uchiha clansmen centuries ago."

"Studying her Sharingan might inspire some breakthroughs," he mused aloud. "Of course, Mangekyō techniques come with limits."

"At minimum," he continued, "you need the Sharingan and a sufficiently strong set of eyes. To unlock and fully utilize a Mangekyō ability, the ocular strength and eye meridians must be at least three times stronger than that of a regular three-tomoe Sharingan. Otherwise, the backlash is too dangerous."

"I see," Hikari nodded. "Actually, that's good news. It means clan members can begin using Mangekyō techniques before awakening the Eternal Mangekyō. There's no need to rush or worry about damaging their eyesight."

"Mangekyō techniques are powerful enough to be game-changers for most shinobi anyway."

"Exactly," Gin agreed. "That's what I've been thinking too."

He himself had avoided awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan to preserve the full potential of his eyes. But now, with access to the techniques through other means, that concern was no longer a limitation. His ocular strength and meridians were strong enough to bear the load.

"Hm!" Hikari acknowledged.

"By the way," she added, "how's that early Susanoo training method coming along? Will it be usable by others?"

"If your method works for any Uchiha, it could change everything—no need to wait for Mangekyō or grind through years of training just to unlock Susanoo."

"It's almost finished," Gin said confidently. "I'll share the training method with you soon—it's universal. All a clan member needs is a fully awakened Sharingan, strong spiritual energy, and mastery of certain foundational techniques."

"I've already systematized the process. Any Uchiha who has reached three tomoe and achieved Level 3 in Sharingan meditation can train to awaken Susanoo early."

He materialized a scroll from subspace and handed it to Hikari."Organize training for all eligible members. Make the prerequisites known—it'll motivate them to meditate more diligently."

Hikari, however, shook her head with a smirk."It's better if you handle it in person."

"This is the perfect opportunity to build goodwill," she added. "Didn't you worry about gaining the respect of the older and more stubborn members of the clan? This is your chance."

"I'm sure once they learn what you've developed, they'll be grateful. Some of them might even reach the requirements for your spiritual contract."

Hikari clearly hoped Gin would form chakra contracts with every Uchiha clan member as soon as possible. It would not only empower the clan but also shield them from future manipulation—no more Black Zetsu schemes or second Obito tragedies.

"…You're right," Gin agreed, nodding. "Then in a few days, we'll hold a clan-wide assembly and make the announcement. I'll place the Susanoo training method in the Clan Merit Pavilion. Eligible members can claim it directly."

"Good," Hikari said. "Do it your way."

In the following days, Gin immersed himself in village matters and rigorous training. With Hikari focused on rehabilitating Uchiha Hinako, Gin carried the weight of both leadership and research.

Fortunately, Hinako's condition improved. At least, she no longer attempted to attack members of the Uchiha, Senju, or Uzumaki clans.

The Warring States era was long gone. Times had changed. Uchiha Hinako no longer needed to be a tool of destruction.

Unfortunately, her mindset and personality still posed serious issues—ones that wouldn't be solved easily.

"Maybe I should craft a custom genjutsu," Gin mused aloud while reviewing documents. "Something like an illusory world… one that can reshape her emotional patterns and worldview."

"An illusory world?" Uzumaki Mito echoed, standing nearby.

"Yeah," Gin replied, smiling faintly. "Just thinking about ways to correct Hinako's emotional flaws more quickly. Otherwise, my mom's going to spend way too long re-educating her."

He briefly explained the idea to Mito.

"That's not just any genjutsu," she said, raising an eyebrow. "That sounds like a simplified version of the Infinite Tsukuyomi—but obviously different."

"Exactly," Gin grinned. "The standard Tsukuyomi creates a singular illusion, not a fully immersive reality like Infinite Tsukuyomi."

"But building that kind of genjutsu will require massive mental energy—and a powerful imagination," Mito warned.

"Though for you, I doubt it'll be a problem," she added with a shrug.

"The real difficulty lies in Tsukuyomi itself," Gin said, stroking his chin. "First, I'll need to develop a training method for it. Once I master that, I can craft the illusion world."

"Tsukuyomi, huh…" Mito murmured. "Then you'll need to study it from Hinako, right? Neither Kagami nor Hikari had that Mangekyō ability."

No one really knew what Mangekyō powers Hikari possessed. Rumor had it her abilities involved time and causality. Considering she created the forbidden Isanagi-style technique, that might not be far from the truth.

"Yeah, I'll need to wait until Hinako's a little more stable," Gin agreed. "Then I can analyze her Tsukuyomi technique."

"But in terms of practical use," he added, "Kagami's Mangekyō might be more valuable. That ability is practically divine—on the same level as Izanagi. A technique that can save lives unconditionally."

"It's a shame Uchiha Kagami was deceived and killed by Danzō," Gin sighed. "He was too naïve, too trusting. If not for that, they never would've gotten their hands on his Mangekyō Sharingan."

"He's just like his grandson—Uchiha Shisui. Both noble-hearted. Both tragically betrayed."

"Well… that's the Uchiha for you," Mito said, shaking her head. "Do what you must. Either way, the Senju and Uzumaki clans won't be able to master Mangekyō techniques."

There was a trace of regret in her voice.It would've been a huge leap in power if her clans could access such dojutsu.

"Who said they can't?" Gin raised an eyebrow. "You're forgetting—we've already started intermarrying."

"There are over ten couples now between our three clans. Three of them involve Senju or Uzumaki men marrying Uchiha women. It's only a matter of time before their children awaken the Sharingan."

"Then your clans will benefit from it too."

To be continued....