"What?"
"Make my Mangekyo become Eternal Mangekyo?"
Itachi's eyelids twitched. He felt an unprecedented sense of danger.
"How do you intend to do it?"
Obito, behind his mask, showed an evil smile.
"Simple. First, find a way to make your brother's eyes awaken. Then, take them back."
Obito said in a relaxed tone, but was watching Itachi's attitude closely.
His words were like dancing back and forth on a pit of fire. A slight misstep could lead to being consumed by the fire.
However, he needed this to observe Itachi's attitude.
If Itachi directly attacked, he could use this to eliminate an unstable element within the Akatsuki.
If he didn't attack, then he could naturally continue pushing forward.
Itachi's hand subconsciously clenched, but soon relaxed. "If it doesn't harm his life, I can consider it."
"Don't worry. It's just taking his eyes. Afterwards, we can definitely find him a pair of eyes to install. It won't affect his vision." Obito slightly sighed in relief. He didn't want to come into conflict with Itachi here.
Because Itachi's strength was not to be underestimated.
He dared not say he had absolute confidence in defeating Itachi.
"Remember what you said. If you dare harm Sasuke's life..." Itachi didn't finish the sentence, but his implied threat was clearly evident.
"I can guarantee it." Obito said, his eye slightly curving.
...
Konoha.
Several days had passed since Takumi and the others last went on a mission.
And now, in a training field in the woods outside the village, a somewhat handsome but very displeased young man was practicing Ninjutsu in the woods.
"Hah... hah..."
Sasuke panted heavily, sweat dripping down his cheeks.
"Dammit!" He punched the ground, his face full of resentment.
"I'm too weak! Why am I so weak?! How can someone like me ever kill you, Itachi?!"
His eyes were filled with killing intent.
But deep within that killing intent, there was an even more complex emotion.
In the end, Itachi held too many unique meanings for him.
If possible, he really wanted to ask what exactly happened that night.
But as time passed, and he woke up countless times from nightmares, that thought had been completely buried deep within his heart.
Now he had only one thought:
To kill Itachi!
"Dammit!" He punched the ground in anger.
Tears of resentment slid down from his eyes.
If there hadn't been someone like Takumi around him, someone his age but with such immense strength, he might not have felt such resentment.
But as the gap between him and Takumi grew larger, he became increasingly aware of his own weakness.
The talent he had once taken pride in seemed to be just a fleeting dream.
It felt as if the entire world was telling him: You're no genius. You're nothing.
He had once firmly believed that as long as he worked hard enough, he could definitely avenge his family.
But now, that firm belief was shattered.
He increasingly felt the burden on his shoulders gradually becoming heavier.
The scenes from countless nightmare-filled nights appeared before his eyes one by one.
On the streets, those lifeless corpses.
Itachi's expressionless, extremely cold gaze.
Witnessing with his own eyes his parents' death, and so on.
All turned into invisible pressure bearing down on his thin shoulders.
"Do you think this is okay?" Guy frowned deeply, looking at Sasuke not far away. "He is deeply mired in revenge. Giving him power at this time isn't helping him. If we don't guide him onto the right path, he will only destroy himself in the end."
"I have no choice." Kakashi sighed deeply, his gaze towards Sasuke extremely complex. "You should know how strong Itachi is, even if you don't know the details. Even facing Itachi, you and I can't easily say we would win or lose."
"I'm worried that if Sasuke and Itachi meet one day, I'm afraid Sasuke will be killed by Itachi."
"I just want to give Sasuke a strength sufficient to protect himself." Kakashi's eye was filled with worry… both worry about Sasuke losing control and worry about Sasuke being helplessly killed.
Guy looked deeply at Kakashi, then withdrew his gaze, his expression grave. "Since you have already made your decision, I suppose you are also prepared to bear the consequences."
Kakashi gratefully looked at Guy. "Thank you, Guy."
"You are my lifelong rival. Don't say such distant words." Guy suddenly revealed a smile, then stepped towards Sasuke, who was resting in the training field.
Sasuke looked dazedly at Kakashi and Guy before him. "You... what are you saying?"
"Sasuke, my boy! Seeing you train so hard, I am moved by your burning passion. How about it? Want to learn from me?" Guy gave his characteristic thumbs-up, revealing his snow-white teeth.
"Learn what?" Sasuke was still somewhat confused.
"Sasuke, my boy! We all know you carry hatred. So we hope to quickly improve your strength." Guy's expression suddenly turned serious. "So I plan to teach you the Eight Gates Technique."
Sasuke's eyes lit up.
'Eight Gates...'
He had already witnessed Lee use this move.
That powerful enhancement to physical abilities made him understand this move's potential was very strong.
"However, this move places a heavy burden on the body. With your current physical condition, I estimate opening four gates is already the limit. If you go further, I fear your body will be unable to bear it and ultimately collapse and die." Guy said seriously. "The Eight Gates is a double-edged sword. Although it can greatly enhance one's own strength, the burden on the body is also very strong. A slight misstep can make you fall into a point of no return."
"So, unless absolutely necessary, never ever use it. Understand?" Guy's eyes were fixed on Sasuke.
He wanted to observe Sasuke's attitude.
If his attitude was problematic, he would have to consider whether to teach him.
If he couldn't resist the temptation of power, the Eight Gates would only become a poison accelerating death.
"I know." Sasuke's expression was grave.
"I still have things I must do. I don't plan to die so easily." During the Chunin Exams, although Lee displayed immense strength, the fact that he lost to Gaara due to mistakes after exceeding his limit was true.
He knew how huge the burden of this move was.
"In that case, then I will teach you." Guy seemed somewhat satisfied.
Although it wasn't his ideal answer in his heart, at least Sasuke didn't look like someone who would be tempted by power.
"Sasuke, next I will teach you how to use Raikiri." Kakashi stepped forward at this time. "Also, ways to utilize the Sharingan."
"Then when do we start?" Sasuke, after the initial shock, buried the joy deep in his heart.
He knew.
Only strength grasped in hand was real.
If he couldn't master it, joy would only turn into disappointment, or even despair.
"From now on." Kakashi said. "I know you long to take revenge on Itachi, but you must steady your heart. You are still young enough. The heavy responsibility of reviving the Uchiha Clan is also important. Don't put all your thoughts on revenge."
"I understand. Thank you, Kakashi-sensei." Sasuke's eyes flickered for a moment, but soon became resolute. "I know what I should do."
"That's good." Kakashi gazed at Sasuke's eyes, inwardly sighing.
He knew Sasuke hadn't fully taken in his words.
But now he also had no other choice.
If he didn't want Sasuke to be inexplicably killed by Itachi outside, all he could do was improve Sasuke's strength.