Chapter 84: Itachi's Life Force Drained! Amaterasu! [Kotoamatsukami Training Method]
"I will temporarily take custody of Kotoamatsukami."
Ishihara took action, removing Kotoamatsukami from the crow's eye and storing it away.
Although he could control Itachi's life and death, Itachi was too calculating. Leaving Kotoamatsukami in his hands could lead to trouble.
Itachi reverted to his usual emotionless expression, bowed his head, and said, "Lord Ishihara, can you also teach me how to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan?"
Ishihara glanced at him, instantly seeing through his thoughts.
"You want to unlock the second eye technique and Susanoo?"
"Yes. I still hope to prevent a war that could erupt due to the conflict between the Uchiha clan and the higher-ups of Konoha," Itachi expressed his thoughts firmly.
He was a smart man. Since he could not change the reality of being under control, the only solution he could think of was to continue improving his strength. As long as he became powerful enough, he could stop the war.
"Very well."
Ishihara agreed, wanting to know if the Mangekyō Sharingan's use of life force was related to talent. In the original work, Itachi awakened the Mangekyō and Tsukuyomi on the day Shisui died, but he only unlocked the second technique, Amaterasu, after joining the Akatsuki, about two years later.
What about now?
Ishihara showed a look of anticipation and began to recite the Mangekyō Sharingan training method.
After listening, Itachi furrowed his brow, clearly shocked. Although he didn't fully understand the underlying principles of the Mangekyō's training method, he could sense how complex and obscure it was. He couldn't imagine how deeply Ishihara, an outsider, had studied the Sharingan.
Itachi then began to operate the secret technique, while Ishihara activated his Byakugan to observe the process inside Itachi's body. The moment the technique was activated, Itachi's life force was drained at an alarming rate. His cells aged rapidly.
With several experiences under his belt, Ishihara could roughly estimate the amount of life force consumed during the process of using the technique.
"One year, two years, three years, four years..."
Soon, the life force consumed exceeded the time Itachi would have taken to naturally awaken his eye powers. Ishihara frowned.
As expected, shortcuts come at a price.
After consuming four years of life force, Itachi finally unlocked his second eye technique.
"Amaterasu!"
Even though Itachi had unlocked his second eye technique, his expression remained stoic. However, his uneven breathing betrayed the excitement he felt.
"Your eye technique is the same as Fugaku's. Could the Mangekyō be hereditary?" Ishihara said with a smile, though he had no intention of investigating further. Perhaps there was some hereditary influence, but the abilities of the Mangekyō were more likely shaped by the user's emotional state at the time of awakening.
Itachi glanced at him without responding but took note of it internally—Fugaku's eye technique was also Amaterasu.
"Not even Amaterasu can deal with him?" Itachi sighed inwardly. Just as he was marveling at the power of Amaterasu, Ishihara poured cold water on his excitement. But Itachi was already used to it.
Next, Ishihara began to study Itachi's Tsukuyomi. Itachi, resigned to his fate, let him proceed without resistance.
[You have analyzed the Mangekyō Sharingan's Tsukuyomi. You have gained insight and developed the secret technique Tsukuyomi Training Method.]
[Tsukuyomi Training Method: Upon mastering it, you can cast the Tsukuyomi genjutsu.]
Digesting the information in his mind, Ishihara fell into deep thought.
"I'm analyzing the Mangekyō techniques faster and faster. At this rate, maybe one day I won't need to make contact to analyze a Mangekyō Sharingan."
Ishihara wasn't entirely sure, but if this were true, then analyzing Obito's Kamui in the future might be easier.
For Ishihara, the Tsukuyomi training method wasn't difficult, in fact, it was incredibly simple. The moment it appeared, he had fully mastered it.
Immediately afterward, he retrieved Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan and began analyzing it.
[You have analyzed the Mangekyō Sharingan's Kotoamatsukami. You have gained insight and developed the secret technique Kotoamatsukami Training Method.]
[Kotoamatsukami Training Method: Upon mastering it, you can cast Kotoamatsukami, silently altering others' will and thoughts, though at a great cost.]
Although Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan was closed, Ishihara had already experienced the power of Kotoamatsukami firsthand. After discerning the subtle structural differences within the Mangekyō, the analysis was complete.
To Ishihara's surprise, he discovered that his Kotoamatsukami technique was related to the Crystal Visualization method. Although it still required chakra, it could also be activated using mental energy.
Even more astonishing, Ishihara realized he had learned Kotoamatsukami even faster than Tsukuyomi—it felt effortless.
Ishihara took a deep breath.
"My genjutsu is becoming overwhelmingly strong. In terms of genjutsu alone, there might not be anyone in the shinobi world who can rival me now."
Reflecting on the capabilities of his genjutsu space, Ishihara was slightly startled. This secret technique had far exceeded his expectations, growing incredibly powerful without him even realizing it.
He couldn't think of anyone in the shinobi world who could withstand his genjutsu. It was terrifying.
At this moment, Itachi softly asked, "Lord Ishihara, what do you need me to do once I return?"
Ishihara snapped out of his thoughts and replied playfully, "I don't have any tasks for you at the moment. Just remember one thing—you are Uchiha!"
"Understood."
Itachi nodded silently. He had no choice.
With that, Itachi took his leave.
Ishihara watched him walk away, smiling. He was curious to see what the future held for the Uchiha.
…
Meanwhile, the Third Hokage, Danzo, and other elders were holding a meeting.
Undoubtedly, the power Ishihara had demonstrated today proved his abilities in developing secret techniques. Even something as complex as the Eight Gates could be improved. Who knows what other forbidden techniques could be enhanced?
The Third Hokage, feeling excited, said, "You must have received the news by now. The Uchiha clan intentionally spread the word—they claim they aren't in conflict with Konoha as a whole but only with us four and our families!"
"Do you think other clans will get involved?"
"Right now, we can only rely on ourselves!"
"Today, the Uchiha clan gained another pair of Mangekyō Sharingan. No one knows how many more of them will awaken their eyes in the future! If we don't increase our own strength, we'll be heading down a path of destruction!"
"Whether you agree or not, tomorrow I will be making a deal with Ishihara!"
The pressure of the Mangekyō Sharingan weighed heavily on the Third Hokage, and his patience had worn thin. Forbidden techniques belonged to Konoha, but his life was his own!
Koharu and Homura exchanged glances and nodded silently. Danzo glanced at them before lowering his head, hiding the greed in his eyes.
After witnessing Ishihara's feat today, he could no longer restrain himself.
He had decided—he would use Kotoamatsukami on Ishihara!
"Ishihara!!! Soon, you will be mine!"