"That's it? It's over just like that?"
In the distance, Schwarzer hurried over, hoping to see a good show. After all that anticipation, this is all you're showing me?
She hadn't expected Uchiha Itachi to show up just to trade a few barbs with the guy, and then... nothing more.
"Based on his personality analysis, Uchiha Itachi was surely worried about Sasuke's condition, so he came to check on him."
"After all, crossing worlds is such a bizarre event. For his first thought to be of Sasuke in a situation like this... that's true love, indeed."
Even the System couldn't help but sigh. Is this the Will of Fire or the Will of Bromance? It was the same way between Sasuke and Naruto.
If it knew that he had actively chased Sasuke into this other world, it would have been even more shocked.
But on the bright side, the locations of all these outsiders were now confirmed. Schwarzer now held an absolute information advantage.
The overt presence consisted of the three members of Team Kakashi. Sasuke and Naruto were still just kids, and the Kakashi of this era wasn't that strong; he might not even have his Mangekyo.
In contrast, however, Uchiha Itachi's ocular power from this period hadn't been depleted yet; you could even say he was in his prime.
As for Uchiha Obito, he was unbelievably powerful, without a doubt. Solidly beyond Kage-level.
The power gap between the two sides was just too vast. Even with the Nine-Tails, they were no match at all.
For now, though, it seemed a fight wouldn't break out. Only Sasuke harbored any killing intent toward Uchiha Itachi, but he was powerless to do anything.
Schwarzer, however, couldn't care less. None of them could beat her anyway.
After loading the Core Data, her current power was sufficient to wipe the face of the planet. There was no one in this world who could threaten her.
And it wasn't just a matter of overwhelming stats; the mechanics of the Machine Ex Machina were ridiculously broken.
Although this brief encounter didn't let her witness any drama of "deep brotherly love," it was enough for her to complete a preliminary analysis.
[Access]--[Apocrypha]--[Sharingan]
One-tomoe, two-tomoe, three-tomoe, all the way to Mangekyo—a pair of Sharingan identical to Uchiha Itachi's.
Schwarzer felt the vision of a ninja. She could now directly see the flow of Cursed Energy with her eyes.
But that wasn't what she was after. The power of the Sharingan wasn't weak, but it wasn't particularly useful to her either.
Of course, having seen it, she had to copy it—a collector's mentality, like stamp collecting. However, there was one aspect of the Sharingan she did like: its powerful genjutsu.
The one who had developed genjutsu to its peak was, naturally, Uchiha Itachi—the very target of her analysis.
"With these eyes, can I cosplay as Aizen now? Uchiha Itachi's genjutsu and Kyoka Suigetsu aren't that different, are they?"
The System offered its own opinion, clarifying that when it said "not that different," it was referring to their outward effects.
"[Denial] The essence of Sharingan genjutsu is using Chakra to interfere with the target. Systems that can perceive mental-type energies could likely resist its effects."
"[Addendum] Kyoka Suigetsu is the special ability of a Zanpakuto. Even Shinigami, beings who clearly specialize in soul-based power, cannot see through it. The mechanisms of the two are not on the same level."
"I know, I know..." The System indicated it was just making a casual joke, so why be so serious.
Schwarzer replied that she was also just joking, and that only when talking to the System could she truly let her guard down.
Her emotions had been partially restored by the infusion of Core Data, but centuries of living as a Machine Ex Machina had made it impossible for her to get used to normal communication.
The most obvious sign was the characteristic speech pattern of the Machine Ex Machina. The System was aware of this, but it had also noticed something deeper.
When her emotions were genuinely stirred, Schwarzer would speak without her verbal tic. This was a little trick it used to gauge its host's condition.
Right now, it could confirm that Schwarzer was in a good mood. As for why she was in a good mood—
"I have an idea," Schwarzer said, as an ominous premonition washed over the System.
Another world-shaking stroke of genius?
The System really wanted to say that, but it couldn't. A system is not allowed to sass its host.
...
...
Meanwhile, on the street that had returned to normal after the genjutsu was dispelled, Sasuke's roar made him the center of the world.
Facing the confused, pitying, or compassionate gazes of the crowd, the young Sasuke felt somewhat embarrassed.
Then, as he watched, the ordinary passersby began to lose their expressions one by one, departing in silence like puppets.
'What... what now?'
A chill ran down Sasuke's spine. His first reaction was that Uchiha Itachi had returned to kill him. But on second thought, if he really wanted to finish him off, he wouldn't have left so easily.
Kakashi-sensei hadn't returned yet, and this wasn't Konoha. Killing him here would be all too easy.
Most importantly, the current situation felt completely different from that man's style. His genjutsu was too powerful; it would never allow him to perceive any sense of wrongness.
So what on earth was happening? Sasuke's mind, battered by one shock after another, was nearing its limit. He was an injured person and hadn't had a proper rest yet!
Despite this, Sasuke forced himself to focus, reactivating his Sharingan. But he quickly understood that no matter how vigilant he was, it was all in vain.
Without any warning, a girl who looked to be about his age appeared before him and asked a question.
Are you kidding me? This oppressive aura... it's even stronger than Uchiha Itachi's. Is tonight some kind of freak convention?
"[Query] Do you desire power, young man."
The speaker's voice also sounded very young, but it carried an undeniable mechanical tone, giving him the impression that it was imitating a human.
Sasuke's train of thought was interrupted by her words. He didn't know why this person had approached him, but... he did, in fact, need power.
"Of course! I need power! I have to kill that man!" The long-suppressed emotions in his heart erupted instantly. In his poor mental state, Sasuke had become completely unhinged.
Even Schwarzer hadn't expected Sasuke to be so... frantic? After all, he was still young. And if he weren't a little unhinged, he wouldn't fit in with the other Uchiha.
"I can give you the seed of power, a power that will let you grow strong quickly and get your revenge. In return..."
If that's the case, then she wouldn't have to force the issue. As Schwarzer spoke, she crushed a fluorescent green magic circle hidden in her hand.
"Soon, I will establish an organization. When the time comes, you will be notified to join us."
It sounded surprisingly simple. But would joining them mean betraying Konoha?
In the original story, Sasuke's betrayal came only after long hesitation. But having just been provoked by Uchiha Itachi, his mental resolve was forged in an instant.
"As long as you give me power, I'll join you. Provided you can actually deliver."
Sasuke's desire for power overcame everything else. He pushed back against her intense oppressive aura and raised his doubts.
He remembered this was another world. Could she really have a way to increase his power?
Faced with his doubt, Schwarzer, whose mouth was visible from under her hood, curled her lips into a smile. Then, she slowly pulled the hood up slightly—
It was a pair of Mangekyo Sharingan. Sasuke was intimately familiar with them. From their appearance to the aura of their Chakra, they were identical. They were Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan!
"Is this proof enough?"
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