Unmatched power always demands a price that cannot be undone.
Kō glanced at the weakened Uchiha Shion. Though Shion's eyes were now closed, the dried bloodstains at the corners told their own story—leaving even the hardened ANBU present silently shaken.
"Since we couldn't kill him, and even the Third thought to let him go, you—"
Shion slowly opened his eyes, his bloodshot pupils showing the strain of having just deactivated the Sharingan.
"I don't know if that attack was enough to finish off Orochimaru… but if I hadn't acted, the next time I stood before the memorial stone, I wouldn't know what I could possibly say."
"Haa…"
Kō let out a sharp breath. "Close your eyes right now! Even if I can't match your strength at this moment, I'm the captain. If someone has to risk their life, it should be me. It's not your turn yet, kid!"
Shion gave a faint laugh.
"There's no need to drag me to the Medical Corps. The price of the Mangekyō's abilities is beyond healing—even if Lady Tsunade were still in the village, she wouldn't be able to help. Give me a few days… it'll settle."
One of the ANBU from Team Six, who had been silently watching, finally spoke:
"I've held many misunderstandings about the Uchiha… but starting today, I'll look at them differently."
Another ANBU—one Shion had pulled from the jaws of Orochimaru's giant serpent—let out a long exhale.
"After this, I owe you my life, Uchiha Shion. Since you haven't chosen a codename yet, I'll call you by your name this time."
"I owe you one as well," said another. "I'll prove it through my actions, Uchiha Shion."
"I used to think the Uchiha were arrogant, but if someone like you bears that name… I could never compare."
"Your clan has always been said to be too ruled by emotion. Now I think I understand what my elders meant—when an Uchiha is your comrade, they're someone you can depend on."
"This time, with Neko and En killed by Orochimaru… I can't even begin to imagine what I'll tell their families," another ANBU, Xiang, said heavily. He had entered the Fourth Hokage's ANBU alongside Neko and En.
Kō looked at him. "I'll entrust that to you, Xiang."
With that, the squad, led by Kō, turned back toward Konoha.
At the Hokage's office, Kō reported the mission details in full to the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato.
Minato's gaze shifted past him, to Shion.
"No medical ninjutsu has worked?"
Kō also looked at Shion. "Maybe it's worth trying again? If there's even a chance to recover—"
Shion waved his hand lightly.
"It's not that I'm blind now. The Mangekyō consumes eyesight every time it's used. Lord Fourth, you must have already heard this from Kakashi. It's irreversible. Not even Lady Tsunade could undo it."
Minato sighed softly, offering Shion a rueful smile.
"To think that on your very first mission, you'd suffer such a loss… If Shisui knew, he would surely blame me. You didn't have to go this far. Since the Third had already decided, the deaths of Neko and En… as Hokage, I would have found another way to make Orochimaru pay."
Shion nodded calmly.
"It's fine. This was just a single cost."
Minato, resigned, nodded back. Then he said:
"Because of how urgent the mission was, we hadn't chosen a codename for you yet. Shion, what kind of codename would you like?"
"Codename, huh?" Shion spread his hands, then pointed toward his eyes.
"Honestly, I don't think it matters. No mask or codename can hide these eyes. Anyone would recognize me the moment they saw them."
Kō silently agreed. The Sharingan was already unmistakable—and once it surpassed the three tomoe, only two names came to mind: Shisui and Shion. The information hadn't spread beyond the village yet, but with Shion's strength, within half a year his name would echo across the entire shinobi world.
Minato smiled. "You're right, but all ANBU have codenames. Pick one."
Shion thought for a moment, then answered:
"Then… call me En."
The word hung in the air. Both Minato and Kō froze.
En? The codename of the ANBU who had just died?
Did this mean… he intended to carry on his comrade's will?
It broke from protocol, but Minato immediately understood Shion's intention.
"…Approved."
Kō's eyes widened in shock, but the Fourth Hokage had already set it in stone.
After that, Shion left the Hokage's office, returned to the barracks, and changed out of his gear. With the mission concluded, he was granted two days of rest.
"Hokage-sama," Kō spoke hesitantly once Shion had gone, "about Shion—about En's Mangekyō Sharingan… Is the price he described truly real? Kakashi-senpai never mentioned it, but given the circumstances I didn't question him."
Minato smiled faintly, his gaze drifting out the window toward the retreating figure.
"Yes. The decline in vision is real. As for Kakashi… he rarely uses his Sharingan. Except for three years ago, he almost never has. That's why his eye hasn't deteriorated much."
"The Mangekyō's power exacts a toll each time it's used, until eventually… blindness. That much is true."
He turned back toward Kō, who looked stunned. Minato gave a small, knowing smile.
"To think Shion would use such power for the sake of his clan…"
Kō nodded gravely.
"The price is real. And his purpose is real too. Uchiha Shion… he's not someone we can underestimate."
"Of course not," Minato replied warmly. "He's the one even Shisui holds in the highest regard. But there's no need to be overly wary. After all, the Uchiha and the Hokage share certain goals."
With that, Minato exhaled softly.
This had been Shion's very first day in the ANBU. The clash with Orochimaru had been pure coincidence. And yet, Shion had already turned it to his advantage, using the event to establish himself firmly within the ANBU.
From this day onward, all of Team Six would stand with Uchiha Shion.
The mission's details would remain classified, but unlike Danzō's Root, Minato's ANBU were still human. Word of Shion's actions would spread naturally among them, strengthening his position.
This had always been his aim—step by step, to reintegrate the Uchiha into Konoha.
By the end of the year, Minato knew, he would also have to fulfill his promise to Shisui: to reform the Police Force, to limit their authority, and to begin placing Uchiha among the jōnin instructors.
He frowned at the thought. But then he recalled the Mangekyō's price—sight that would inevitably fade to blindness, a cost even Tsunade herself could never heal.
That, at least, eased his worries.
Two Uchiha with Mangekyō Sharingan could never hope to topple the village.
And Kakashi, the only other with such an eye, would always stand at his side.