"Sigh…"
Hearing those words, Tōshirō's expression first showed disbelief, then turned into uncontrollable agitation. "What kind of joke is this? I just saw the old man full of life last month!"
The Uchiha clansman sighed. "It seems he was ambushed by an old enemy while traveling outside."
"Seems?"
Tōshirō's brows furrowed, his expression turning sharp. "Don't say 'seems.' I need certainty. Tell me everything, down to the last detail."
"By the time we found him, Elder Itachi was already gravely injured… He was dead."
"Who did it?"
Despite his face being expressionless, a suffocating killing intent radiated from Tōshirō's entire body.
The Uchiha clansman was visibly shaken by the sheer force of Tōshirō's presence. "I don't know the specifics… You should ask the clan leader."
Tōshirō's face darkened. If this was true, no matter who it was, he would hunt down the killer and slaughter them.
He sprinted to the Konoha Police Force headquarters, found the Uchiha clan leader, and demanded answers.
The Uchiha clan leader observed Tōshirō's murderous expression and, having already been informed, had some idea of what had happened. "Tōshirō, calm down."
"I'm calmer now than I've ever been."
As Tōshirō spoke, the temperature around them noticeably dropped.
This wasn't just an illusion—it was a real, tangible chill, a direct effect of his ice chakra surging within him.
A flicker of surprise flashed through the Uchiha clan leader's eyes. He's generating this cold aura without even forming hand seals…?
His silence infuriated Tōshirō. His voice turned sharp, pressing relentlessly. "I need an explanation."
Finally, the clan leader spoke. "The result is exactly as you've heard."
Tōshirō's gaze turned colder. "I'm not a child. Explain to me why an old man like him had to leave the village in the first place."
Under Tōshirō's relentless questioning, the Uchiha clan leader averted his eyes, as if trying to avoid the confrontation. Instead, his gaze landed on the proud Uchiha clan emblem displayed on the wall.
"After Elder Itachi passed away, I left his room untouched. Perhaps… you'll find the answers you seek there."
Tōshirō was silent for a moment. Then, forming a one-handed seal at his chest, his body dissolved into swirling snowflakes as he activated the Body Flicker Technique, vanishing from the police headquarters and reappearing at Elder Itachi's residence.
With a soft creak, the door swung open.
Tōshirō stepped inside and scanned the room. It was neat and orderly, filled with antique furniture, likely reflecting the elder's age and personality.
This was his first time entering Elder Itachi's home.
He never expected it would also be his last.
There was no time for sentimentality. He swiftly searched the room and soon found a scroll.
"Tōshirō, if you are reading this scroll, then I am already dead."
"Don't seek revenge for me. My death is the consequence of my past sins."
"When I was younger, I killed countless people. For the sake of completing missions, I even murdered innocent bystanders—helpless women and children included."
"I am not as strong as you believe. In truth, I am far weaker than you think."
"Every time I close my eyes, I am haunted by the horrific scenes of my victims' final moments. The guilt consumed me to the point where I once considered taking my own life."
"This condition is known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder—an incurable affliction."
"For years, I endured this pain… until recently, when I met someone."
"He was the descendant of one of my victims."
"His great-grandfather, his grandfather, his father… all slain by my hands."
"The hatred in his eyes burned like an eternal flame, scorching me with its intensity."
"I could endure no longer…"
Sorry, Please Forgive This Stubborn Old Man's Choice
"Sorry, please forgive this stubborn old man for his selfish decision. I won't be able to see the day you become Hokage."
After leaving some final instructions, the main message of the scroll ended. A deep sorrow welled up in Tōshirō's heart, a sorrow that felt like burying someone.
"An eye for an eye… When does it end? I understand that principle. But you expect me to just stand here and feel nothing after everything you left me with…?"
Closing his eyes for a moment, Tōshirō took a step toward a chair, but the closer he got, the heavier his legs felt, as if they were weighed down by lead.
It took him a long time, but he finally sat down. He stared blankly into space, lost in thought. Memories of the past resurfaced, playing over and over in his mind. He sat there until night fell.
In less than a single day, his emotions had shifted from utter disbelief to acceptance.
Tōshirō stood up, left the chair, and walked toward a mirror. He opened and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, in the dim light, a crimson glow flickered within his pupils.
"…I really am a cold-blooded person."
A raspy laugh escaped his lips. His three-tomoe Sharingan shimmered with an eerie hue.
"And yet, even after all this, I still haven't awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan… Hah."
Tōshirō laughed again, his voice high-pitched, almost mocking himself.
But this was expected—awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan was never supposed to be easy.
If it were, then the power of these eyes wouldn't be so legendary. They wouldn't be called the Supreme Dojutsu.
What kind of emotions were needed to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan?
Tōshirō didn't know.
And he didn't want to know.
All he knew was that he needed power.
Without power, he could protect nothing.
His crimson eyes, drenched in the color of blood, seemed to whisper that truth.
Closing his eyes, Tōshirō took a deep breath. When he opened them again, his eyes had returned to normal.
Following Elder Itachi's last instructions, he went to the place where the elder's belongings were stored and opened the chest.
Inside, he found two items—a stone tablet and a scroll.
Tōshirō immediately recognized the stone tablet. He had retrieved it from the Land of Wano long ago. It was rumored to be left behind by Uchiha Madara.
The writings on it could only be read using the power of the Sharingan—and the stronger the Sharingan, the more of the text could be deciphered.
Considering Madara's twisted nature, Tōshirō figured that whatever was written on the stone tablet was probably bad news, something like Infinite Tsukuyomi or another dangerous ideology.
Because of that, he had little interest in decoding it—even after unlocking the Mangekyō Sharingan, he doubted he would bother.
What truly caught his attention was the scroll.
Gripping the scroll tightly, he could feel from its texture that it must contain something extraordinary.
With anticipation, he opened it and skimmed through the contents.
What he saw exceeded his expectations—the scroll contained an S-rank Ice Release Ninjutsu.
Every S-rank Ninjutsu was considered a priceless treasure in the shinobi world.
Tōshirō had been training in Ice Release for years, but he had never obtained an S-rank Ice Release jutsu—until now.
The only drawback was that this jutsu was incomplete, but even in its unfinished state, it held immense research value.
A bitter smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Even in death, Elder Itachi had left him with a great gift.
Sunlight Reflected on the Calm Surface of the Lake
The sun hung high in the sky, casting golden reflections over the peaceful lake.
As Tōshirō walked across the surface, ripples formed beneath his feet with every step.
Reaching the center of the lake, he knelt down, dipped his hand into the cold water, and closed his eyes.
Focusing his chakra, he attempted to freeze the lake's surface—without forming hand seals.
As he continued his chakra nature training, he sensed someone approaching from behind.
Opening his eyes, he turned around and saw a breathtakingly beautiful young woman.
Her long, flowing hair gleamed under the sunlight, radiating a dazzling brilliance.
It was Tsunade.
She walked toward him, her soft pink lips parting as she asked, "What are you doing?"
Tōshirō pushed himself up from his crouched position and answered, "Training my chakra nature."
Tsunade observed him silently for a moment before speaking again, her tone casual but laced with curiosity.
"You've really changed. You're nothing like the person you used to be."
Elder Itachi's death had hit Tōshirō hard.
Even now, he was still trapped in its shadow.
Shrugging his shoulders, he forced a carefree expression and spoke in a mocking tone.
"I mean, I spend most of my time alone, and there's nothing fun to do."
Tsunade tilted her head slightly and smirked.
"Well then… want to have fun with my chest?"
Tōshirō: "???"
(End of Chapter)
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