"That is... the Sharingan!"
Everyone present saw Akihara Kagura's eyes!
They could all see that Akihara Kagura's Sharingan evolved from ordinary eyes, signifying that Akihara Kagura indeed possesses Uchiha blood!
What terrified them the most was...
Akihara Kagura's eyes looked incredibly eerie!
Those were Mangekyō Sharingan, even more powerful than typical Mangekyō Sharingan, hiding a long and dreadful history behind them!
From the unknown years before the Warring States period...
An Uchiha man accidentally learned the Uchiha clan's secret from the Hyuga clan, faked his death during a war to conceal his past, stole his deceased brother's eyes in hiding, and gained immense power...
"..."
Black Zetsu and Uchiha Madara found this somewhat familiar.
It should be said...
As expected of the Uchiha clan?
Everyone loves to fake their death...
Of course.
That Uchiha was also terrifying.
Because he didn't attempt to rule the ninja world after gaining the power of the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan; he understood that the power of the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan was not omnipotent, as he sought to grasp the secrets of the Senju clan.
That Uchiha also obtained the Senju clan's bark.
That Uchiha brought the Senju clan's bark and the Hyuga clan's wooden tag to the end of his life, leaving the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan to his descendants...
These descendants passed down the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan from generation to generation, trying to comprehend the secrets within the bark and the wooden tag, living hidden in the ninja world, unknown to outsiders...
Until...
Everything was handed down to Akihara Kagura, this descendant.
Akihara Kagura, like his ancestors, excelled at hiding himself, scheming, and creating plots!
Akihara Kagura had always concealed his identity until this moment when he had to reveal his dark heritage, gradually unveiling his terrifying family history, making people shiver with fear!
No one ever thought that Akihara Kagura would have Uchiha blood; in the ninja world, whenever Akihara Kagura was mentioned, he was labeled as a Wood Release ninja as strong as the First Hokage.
But...
All of this was overturned.
"It is... really the Uchiha..."
Nara Shikamaru from Team 10 verified his truth, yet felt no joy in his heart, only a bit of fear.
Compared to Akihara Kagura's eyes, what was more frightening was the story behind those eyes—an Uchiha who gained the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and ensured its survival through generations of his bloodline heirs!
Until this moment...
Those eyes could still be used.
Of course...
What was most terrifying was Akihara Kagura's concealment!
No one ever thought that Akihara Kagura was an Uchiha!
If Akihara Kagura hadn't revealed it himself, who would suspect he was from the Uchiha clan? Who would think Akihara Kagura was an Uchiha?
Even Hatake Kakashi was somewhat shocked because he had known Akihara Kagura for over ten years and had never seen him use the Sharingan...
The ANBU of Konoha were also stunned.
When the Senju clan's bark incident broke out in Konoha, the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama and Orochimaru deduced from the bark that Akihara Kagura was a Senju clan ninja, always hiding his Senju identity...
But now...
Everything was reversed.
A story about the Uchiha, a long and terrifying story, revealed a secret from before the Warring States period and uncovered the truth of Akihara Kagura's heritage!
"So...
You are also an Uchiha..."
Uchiha Madara looked at Akihara Kagura's eyes, suppressing his shock, as he also thought Akihara Kagura was a branch ninja of the Senju clan!
Now the truth was revealed...
This kid was actually a branch ninja of the Uchiha clan!
And he possessed the Uchiha clan's most elite Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan!
Even though those Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan were from Akihara Kagura's ancestors, they were preserved through generations of blood relatives!
Uchiha Madara gazed at Akihara Kagura's eerie Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and couldn't help but praise, "Those eyes are the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan passed down through your lineage? To have been preserved from that era until now is no small feat..."
"Indeed, not easy."
Akihara Kagura chuckled softly, touching his eye sockets as if cherishing those eyes: "Without unraveling the secrets of the Senju and Uchiha, I dare not use these eyes, fearing to damage them..."
"Not just me..."
"Anyone possessing these eyes dared not use them rashly."
"These eyes are inherited by the young to be nurtured, and once they age and degrade, they become useless. Only when the secrets of the Uchiha and Senju are unlocked, or in the direst moments, can the power within them be unleashed..."
"And I… am the last one..."
"These eyes have witnessed the storms of the ninja world; they saw the battles and reconciliations between the Senju and Uchiha, the end of the Warring States period..."
"These eyes have seen it all..."
"I can even feel the lingering expectations of the ancestors for their descendants…"
Akihara Kagura looked at Uchiha Madara, with a hint of madness gradually seeping into his eyes: "Despite possessing power so terrifying it becomes intoxicating, you suppress it and refuse to use it. Even I don't know how much repression and pain were hidden within me when I obtained these eyes..."
"..."
Uchiha Madara's expression subtly changed.
Because he could never do such a thing.
Any Uchiha who possesses the Mangekyo Sharingan would never give up using its power to fulfill their ideals; let alone one with the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, who would never forgo such power!
No...
It's not just one...
But a group of Uchihas!
At least several Uchihas have mastered the power of the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan in Akihara Kagura's eyes, yet they have always suppressed and never used it...
Madara had to admire their restraint...
This hidden Uchiha branch is truly terrifying!
In comparison to Madara's feelings, Black Zetsu truly sensed how frightening this hidden Uchiha branch was, having evaded its observation!
No...
It's understandable...
Because Black Zetsu only cares about the reincarnations of Indra and Asura's chakra. As long as these two die, Black Zetsu will hide again and wait for new reincarnations...
Black Zetsu has never cared much about ordinary Uchihas and never thought that an ordinary Uchiha could awaken the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan and even pass those eyes down to the present day...
Of course.
The most terrifying is Akihara Kagura.
Because that branch of the Uchiha has been continually passing down their legacy, until now with Akihara Kagura, a young individual like a child carrying a heavy burden, bearing the hopes of his ancestors to reach this height!
Black Zetsu vaguely understood why Akihara Kagura claimed to have excellent eyes; the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan passed down through generations is indeed something he could never abandon...
However...
This is a good thing!
Losing the pawn Uchiha Madara...
But Akihara Kagura has willingly jumped onto the chessboard!
"Can we leave now?"
Black Zetsu felt a bit of secret joy, planning to find a quiet place to talk to Akihara Kagura and deceive him with all the information it knew!
"Let's go then."
Akihara Kagura chuckled lightly, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth: "Even though my identity has been leaked in the Hyuga clan's historical records, I've also obtained the information I wanted from them..."
"The Sage of Six Paths destroying the world in the past?"
Uchiha Madara frowned. He clearly knew Akihara Kagura's plan, but shook his head, not agreeing much: "But even if the Sage of Six Paths recreated the world once, this world still evolved into its current state after a thousand years..."
"We must try."
Akihara Kagura shook his head, about to turn and leave: "Since the Sage of Six Paths destroyed the ninja world and recreated a new world as recorded in history, it proves my plan is at least feasible..."
At this point, Akihara Kagura's gaze swept over everyone present, beckoning to them: "Then, everyone, I will take my leave."
Akihara Kagura grinned, revealing a chilling smile: "I hope that the next time we meet, it will be the end of the world..."
"Hey, Kagura!"
Uzumaki Naruto tried to rush forward!
However, Akihara Kagura merely raised his hand, and a thick vine sprang from the ground, grabbing Naruto and holding him in place!
Clang!
Uchiha Sasuke wielded his ninja sword, slicing through the vine binding Naruto with a thunderous strike, rescuing his former teammate!
"Sasuke?"
Akihara Kagura seemed slightly surprised, looking at Uchiha Sasuke: "You are a Root ninja, you should be one of mine..."
Akihara Kagura seemed unconcerned whether his plan to destroy the world would be opposed by his subordinates, appearing curious: "Sasuke, are you now thinking of betraying my will and siding with Konoha?"
"No..."
"I'm not interested in your plan to destroy the ninja world..."
Uchiha Sasuke frowned deeply, asking his most pressing question: "Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Madara told me there was another hidden truth about the night Itachi massacred the Uchiha clan..."
"Uchiha Itachi is already dead."
A trace of coldness appeared on Akihara Kagura's face.
"But..."
"I still want to know the truth..."
Uchiha Sasuke's face darkened, speaking in a low voice: "Everyone present who is alive wants to know the truth; they, like me, have the right to know the truth about the clan's massacre. Kagura... Lord, you must know the truth, right?"
"..."
The group of Root ninjas remained silent.
As surviving Uchihas, they indeed wanted to know some truths.
Since Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Madara spoke of these things, they and Uchiha Sasuke had been silently concerned, not knowing how to ask.
Now...
Uchiha Sasuke had lifted the veil of secrecy.
Uchiha Sasuke gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice, "If Itachi sought the power of the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan by exterminating the clan, then he deserves death!"
"If Itachi made a deal with the higher-ups of Konoha, and in order to save me when the Uchiha were being forced to start a coup, he exchanged the lives of our entire clan for my survival..."
"Does that mean he shouldn't die?"
Akihara Kagura smiled and countered.
"..."
Uchiha Sasuke found himself unable to answer.
Even the Konoha ninjas present didn't know how to respond.
But...
They already knew the answer to another question.
Uchiha Itachi made a deal with Konoha's leaders to ensure Sasuke's survival by exterminating the entire clan.
"You already know the answer, don't you?" Akihara Kagura slowly squinted.
"So... you let me join Root, taught me ninjutsu, trained me to become stronger, all to use me... to kill Itachi."
Uchiha Sasuke gritted his teeth and continued in a deep voice, "Because you had a deep hatred for him, because he tried to assassinate Kabuto-senpai and Director Nonō, you wanted me to kill him with my own hands..."
"..."
Everyone present fell silent.
Because this was exactly something Akihara Kagura would do.
Even Hatake Kakashi had strongly opposed Sasuke joining Root, fearing his disciple would become a pawn in Akihara Kagura's game against Itachi.
"From today onwards, you are expelled."
Akihara Kagura's smile vanished instantly.
"..."
Uchiha Sasuke's heart tightened.
"Aren't you coming over?"
Akihara Kagura's gaze turned cold and merciless, shifting from Sasuke to the other Root ninjas. "Do you want to stay in Konoha with Sasuke?"
"..."
Uchiha Madara smiled faintly.
At this moment...
Madara recalled the past.
Because in the past, Madara had also wanted to leave Konoha with his clan, but they betrayed him, choosing to stay and live peacefully in Konoha.
Madara knew these Root ninjas were surviving Uchiha, and he understood their nature. They would most likely betray Akihara Kagura as well...
But...
These Root ninjas instantly moved behind Akihara Kagura.
They didn't even need much persuasion; these homeless individuals immediately followed Akihara Kagura, just like true Root ninjas, adhering to the teachings Uchiha Shisui gave them on the day he saved them...
Just obey Akihara Kagura's orders.
Moreover...
If what Uchiha Obito said was true...
That Konoha's higher-ups made a deal with Uchiha Itachi to let him kill the clan in exchange for Sasuke's survival, these Root ninjas didn't know their own path, but it certainly wasn't following Sasuke back to Konoha!
This scene fell into Uchiha Madara's eyes...
Madara's pupils trembled; what was wrong with these people, why would they choose to follow Akihara Kagura in defection?
"Everyone..."
Sasuke tried to persuade them but suddenly stopped.
At this moment...
Sasuke felt a sense of absurdity; what could he use to stop them?
Itachi killed their relatives and clan to save him, how could they possibly follow him?
These former clansmen...
Had once again left him!
The clan that once gave him hope in life had now completely abandoned him, causing Sasuke to feel dizzy!
Because of his brother Itachi...
He lost all his clansmen...
Because of his brother Itachi...
He once again lost all his clansmen...
Had he known this...
He might as well have died with them back then!
A huge pain emerged in Sasuke's mind. He held his forehead tightly, and two lines of blood flowed from his eyes. His three-tomoe Sharingan instantly formed a strange shape!
"Mangekyō Sharingan..."
Hatake Kakashi saw the blood flowing from his disciple's eyes.
"Sasuke... your eyes..."
Haruno Sakura looked at Sasuke worriedly.
"Have you finally awakened it?"
Uchiha Madara smiled faintly, pleased that Sasuke had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, which meant he could transplant Itachi's eyes and awaken the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan!
Madara didn't care about the Root ninjas following Akihara Kagura; he even comforted Sasuke: "Kid, don't worry too much. I once hoped the Uchiha clan would follow me out of Konoha, but they chose to leave me..."
"Now you..."
"Who is just walking the path I once did..."
Madara's voice was cold and indifferent, yet full of wisdom: "When you truly possess great power, your mind won't be limited to a clan or village; now everything is just a breeze..."
"Heh heh heh..."
Black Zetsu laughed, mocking Madara: "Madara, shouldn't you reflect on yourself? Why didn't your clan choose to follow you out of Konoha, but instead followed Akihara Kagura?"
"..."
Madara's expression turned icy, and he instantly charged at Black Zetsu, unleashing his killing intent without mercy!
"Black Zetsu, you talk too much!"
~~~
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— Ending + Extra Chapters!
Read upto Chapter 348: End! + Extra Chapters of Sasuke's Rebirth where the world Akihara Kagura is not around. Thank you!