---
The contract was signed, so Akira was ready to relax a little.
Over the next few days, he went on a shopping spree across the Water 7, gathering various items, including a collection of Den Den Mushi. As the fastest means of exchanging information, these communication devices would be invaluable. Alongside these, he bought several daily essentials, knowing that the supplies on Amazon Lily Island still lacked certain items.
Just as he was organizing everything, Shisui and Itachi hurried over.
"Brother Akira!"
Akira turned, surprised by their energy. "What's wrong?"
Shisui grinned, nodding toward Itachi. "Good news. Itachi's eye power has reached its limit."
Akira's eyes lit up. "Is that so, Itachi?"
Itachi nodded, calm as ever. "Yes. My eyes nearly reached their limit a month ago, but I wanted to polish them further. Now, they're fully saturated."
"That's excellent!" Akira said, thrilled. He repeated his excitement several times, his pride evident. Itachi's talent truly required no extra praise; if he could awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, his combat power would leap to new heights.
Mangekyō Sharingan would grant Itachi formidable techniques, including Amaterasu, renowned as the most powerful physical attack, and Tsukuyomi, hailed as the ultimate mental assault. Additionally, he'd gain Susanoo, the ultimate defense and offense in one.
Akira's mind raced with excitement. With a little more training, Itachi could stand among the ranks of the Admirals of Marine Headquarters.
Just then, an idea sparked in Akira's mind. "Itachi, there's someone here who can help you unlock your eyes. Let's go."
He led Itachi and Shisui to Nico Robin, the infamous archaeologist who played a pivotal role in the Enies Lobby incident. After briefly explaining his plan, they approached her.
Robin, noticing them coming over, seemed a bit puzzled. "Uh… Mr. Shisui… what can I help you with?"
Akira was speechless but remained silent.
Shisui offered a calm smile. "Miss Robin, we need your assistance."
Robin tilted her head, confused. "My help? What can I do?"
"Just sit down," Shisui reassured her gently. "You don't have to do anything."
Robin had always wanted to express her gratitude to them, especially to Shisui, for saving her, as he was also the one who had defeated her inner fears.
With that, Akira activated his Sharingan, casting a Genjutsu that put Robin into a light trance, allowing her to drift into sleep. Then, he turned to Itachi.
"Are you ready, Itachi?"
Itachi nodded, his resolve unwavering.
"Good. Shisui, do as we discussed."
Shisui nodded, a serious look crossing his face. "Understood."
Akira placed one hand on Robin's forehead and the other on Itachi's, then closed his eyes. "Eye Mind Reading Technique!"
Shisui cast an additional Genjutsu on Itachi, amplifying the experience and modifying the memory.
In an instant, a surge of memories overwhelmed Itachi, pulling him into a twisted, haunting scene. He saw himself as a young boy, alone and cast aside, subjected to scorn and isolation. He couldn't control his movements but felt every bit of helplessness, anger, and loneliness that Robin had once endured, now mingling with his own.
The scenes intensified. As he grew within these visions, he felt the crushing weight of judgment and cruelty, the hollow ache of isolation that only deepened with time.
Then, the vision shifted, transporting him to moments of utter despair. He found himself branded as a "monster," pointed at and feared. Though he had done nothing wrong, the world saw only a threat, and the hatred in their eyes seared his heart.
In the end, Itachi was thrust into the ultimate trauma—the destruction of everything he held dear. He watched, powerless, as his village burned, his clan shattered, and his family fell. He could only bear witness as his friends, his mother, his father, and even Sasuke were taken from him, one by one, in an agonizing cycle of loss and grief. Anger, sorrow, despair—every negative emotion filled him, merging his own feelings with the haunting memories of Robin's tragic past.
This was the power of the Eye Mind Reading Technique. Robin's emotions filled him in real time, raw and intense. To heighten the experience, Shisui cast an illusion on Itachi, amplifying his immersion in the vision, making every loss feel as real as if he were living it.
The emotions that had scarred Robin's heart now scarred his own, flooding him with a sorrow so profound that something deep within him finally stirred.
A pulse echoed through his mind, signaling an awakening. His Sharingan began to glow, and tears of blood traced down his face.
The three tomoe in his Sharingan spun, merging into a new triangular Mangekyō pattern.
Uchiha Itachi had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
With newfound power blazing in his eyes, he looked up at Akira and Shisui, who nodded approvingly. The legendary Mangekyō Sharingan had passed on to another wielder in the multiverse, adding another link to its legacy.
---
As the awakening of Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan settled in, Akira looked at him with pride. It was no small feat to unlock such a powerful gift without the tragedy of the Uchiha's bloodline.
Through Robin's memories, Itachi had experienced profound loss and betrayal, though it was not his own—an empathic bridge that had taken him to the edge of despair, yet with a clear path back to make him value what he has even more.
Akira placed a hand on Itachi's shoulder, snapping him back to his senses.. "Itachi! How do you feel?"
Itachi slowly recovered from the emotional turmoil of experiencing Nico Robin's painful memories. Akira gave him a reassuring look. "Remember, this was just an illusion that wouldn't happen."
Itachi nodded, regaining his composure. "I understand."
Shisui gave him a reassuring nod. "You did well, Itachi. I knew you had the strength for this."
Akira smiled "You've just awakened your Mangekyō Sharingan, so it's best to rest. Things here are wrapped up, and it's time we head back to Kuja City. It's been a while since you've seen your parents and little brother."
At this, the tension in Itachi's face softened, and Akira felt relieved. The technique he used to unlock Mangekyō Sharingan came with risks, especially for someone like Itachi, who had a strong capacity to go stray. But he knew it was better than the trauma of really losing loved ones—a painful path common among the Uchiha.
Robin, still in a light trance, started to stir, unaware of the significant role she had just played in helping them. After Akira gently released her from the Genjutsu, ensuring she would awaken without any memory of the event.
As Robin opened her eyes, Akira smiled at her. "Thank you, Robin. You've been a great help."
She blinked, a little disoriented. "Help? I don't remember doing anything…"
Akira simply nodded, giving her a soft look. "Sometimes, you don't need to remember to make a difference."
"Regardless, I'm grateful. And if you ever need help in the future, consider it a debt I'd gladly repay."
Robin was taken aback but accepted a note with his contact information. She understood the weight of his offer, knowing these Uchiha brothers were powerful enough to hold their ground against two Marine Admirals. She tucked the note away thoughtfully; as a new member of the Straw Hat Pirates, it could come in handy someday.
.
.
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