After many years, Uchiha Tajima's Mangekyō Sharingan once again revealed itself. The pinwheel-like pattern spun rapidly, and the cold power of his eye slowly dispelled the black energy from the other eye, returning control of his body.
"Kotoamatsukami, what a troublesome ability."
Withdrawing his hand that was trembling from the backlash of the immense force, Uchiha Igaku—possessing the old warden—stepped back a few paces, looking up at the pattern in Uchiha Tajima's eyes as he spoke slowly.
"Hu~"
Letting out a long breath, Uchiha Tajima stretched his newly regained body. His fierce eyes stared unwaveringly at Uchiha Igaku, and he said, "Your tricks are useless in front of these eyes."
Now fully in control of Kotoamatsukami, Uchiha Tajima proudly raised his blade, ready to settle things with Uchiha Igaku.
"I originally planned to release you after this, letting you reunite with Gin," he said calmly as he advanced with his blade. He had made this decision earlier, though he hadn't expected Igaku to cause trouble even in prison, attempting to turn Uchiha Gin against him.
"Heh, should I be grateful to you for that?"
The old warden melded back into the shadows to dodge the attack, but Uchiha Igaku's voice echoed from all directions, filled with mocking derision.
"Such a rat in the shadows."
Rather than panicking after losing his target, Uchiha Tajima calmly criticized Igaku's behavior.
"As long as I can avenge Shinzo, I'd be willing to offer myself to the devil."
Half of Uchiha Igaku's body emerged from the shadow behind Tajima, controlling the warden to stab a dagger towards his back.
"Clang~~~"
The sound of metal rang out as Tajima deflected the dagger with a backward swing of his blade, without even turning around. The immense force from the collision sent the dagger flying, and seeing his failure, the warden once again slipped into the shadows to hide.
"As long as there are shadows, you'll never catch my real body," Uchiha Igaku boasted with a trace of smugness from the safety of a shadow under a nearby tree.
Shadows, huh? Hearing this, a glint of light flashed in Uchiha Tajima's eyes, and he slowly sheathed his sword.
"Hmph, it's too late for repentance now. Drown in the shadows of Spectre!"
Igaku disappeared into the shadows again. The dark shapes on the ground began to writhe as if alive, swelling and combining into numerous thick tendrils, surging toward Uchiha Tajima like a tidal wave.
"Can the glow of fireflies ever compare to the brilliance of the moon?"
As the oppressive wave of shadows bore down on him, Uchiha Tajima stood still, calm and unperturbed. He lowered his eyelids, speaking arrogantly.
"Let me show you the true glory of Kotoamatsukami! This is the ultimate genjutsu."
As his voice fell, Uchiha Igaku suddenly found himself unable to move. Feeling an unseen gaze on him, he instinctively looked up toward the sky through the shadows.
The once overcast, gloomy sky had cleared, and a large full moon with a Mangekyō Sharingan pattern hung in the air, its radiant light piercing through the clouds overhead.
"What is this???"
For the first time, the old warden—possessed by Uchiha Igaku—showed a look of panic. This scene wasn't something described in any ancient texts on Kotoamatsukami. At that moment, he realized things were spiraling out of his control.
[Kotoamatsukami: Radiance]
A flash of gold flickered in Uchiha Tajima's right eye, and golden rays from the moon above flooded the battlefield.
Countless golden swords rained down from the sky, shattering the shadows that Uchiha Igaku controlled. The shadowy tendrils dissolved like snow melting in the spring sun, vanishing in mere moments.
"Huff… huff…"
With the last trace of shadows gone, the moon slowly withdrew behind the clouds. The immense pressure that had been weighing down Uchiha Igaku lifted as well.
The light receded, leaving Indra lying on the ground, pale and gasping for breath. His ocular techniques had been completely eradicated by the golden light.
"I underestimated you. I didn't expect you had such a trump card."
Devoid of his shadow manipulation, Uchiha Igaku lay flat on the ground. His one good eye flickered with a mix of emotions as he laboriously propped himself up, his tone betraying his weakened state—clearly, he didn't have much longer to live.
"Teacher…"
Seeing his once formidable mentor in such a pitiful state, Uchiha Tajima's victory brought a trace of reluctance to his eyes. He couldn't understand what had caused such deep resentment between them.
Remembering their many years as teacher and student, Uchiha Tajima stepped closer, wondering if Indra had any last words or wishes.
"Tajima… you…"
As if anticipating Tajima's approach, Uchiha Igaku's eyes flashed with a faint, hidden darkness. Trembling, he began to speak.
"What?"
Assuming his teacher wanted to leave behind a final message, Tajima dropped his guard and leaned in closer to listen.
"You're still not good enough!"
Igaku's eye gleamed with black light. The red glow from his one good eye flared, and the three tomoe morphed into a triangular shape, unleashing a torrent of malevolent power.
Uchiha Tajima felt a surge of dread. Cold sweat broke out over his body, but it was too late to dodge.
From his shadow, a black-and-white figure suddenly emerged, slamming a dark hand against the back of his head.
"Gotcha this time!"
The familiar voice of Spectre rang in his ears. Turning with great effort, Tajima saw the black-and-white figure of the old warden, whose once dull eyes were now brimming with mockery and a desire for revenge.
Having expended most of his chakra to unleash Kotoamatsukami's ultimate form, Tajima was unable to maintain his Mangekyō Sharingan. Caught off guard by the sudden ambush, he was vulnerable to Black Zetsu's attack.
"Finally… I've got you."
Black Zetsu, having waited for years, now triggered the dark trap he had implanted in Tajima.
Twelve years ago, following an invasion of the clan, Uchiha Tajima had been in a weakened state. It was then that Black Zetsuhad secretly placed a part of his essence within Tajima, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
This explained the malicious presence that Uchiha Gin had sensed in Tajima long ago.
"Uchiha Gin! Why didn't you save them?"
Now controlled by Black Zetsu, Tajima was consumed with hatred for Gin, his twisted will focused solely on vengeance.
"Hehe, that's right. Go kill them!"
Black Zetsu's face emerged from Tajima's body, urging him to eliminate the others.
"Spectre! Are you disobeying my orders?"
Seeing the situation spiral out of control, Uchiha Igaku yelled angrily. He staggered to his feet, his single eye filled with confusion as he gazed at the shadowy figure entwining Tajima.
"Hehe, who is Spectre? Your Spectre is right over there."
The blackened face of Black Zetsu finally dropped its pretense, having taken over the body of the most powerful person present.
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