Forcing the embryonic form of Susanoo to crush the Circular Deer in one blow resulted not only in a decrease in Chakra, but also a sharp, searing pain and a heavy burden from the Mangekyo Sharingan, as if being pricked by needles and scorched by fire. It was a sign of excessive overdrawing of ocular power, which could even damage his foundation.
Uchiha Shao Yu stumbled forward, the pain from his left eye making his vision blur.
He knew that overusing the Mangekyo, especially forcing the activation of a forbidden-level ability like Susanoo, came at a massive price—ranging from vision loss to total blindness or even death.
The experiences of Uchiha Itachi and Sasuke in the original story served as a clear warning.
However, at the edge of this intertwining pain and weakness where his consciousness was beginning to scatter, the strange band of light in his left eye changed.
The portion derived from the Six Eyes trait suddenly began to circulate on its own at an unprecedented speed.
It wasn't actively triggered; instead, as if sensing the crisis and overload of the Sharingan itself, this strange band of light began to operate frantically like the most precise regulator and buffer layer.
In Shao Yu's perception, that band of light seemed to disperse most of the violent, backlash-inducing energy turbulence and ocular power overdraw generated by activating Susanoo in an incomprehensible way.
Part of the backlash was absorbed and neutralized by the band itself, part was directed to other parts of the body with stronger endurance, and a tiny fraction seemed to be channeled into... the Ten Shadows Technique space where the Shikigami he just tamed resided? Those Shikigami phantoms trembled slightly, seemingly sharing a negligible amount of the pressure.
The effect was immediate.
The agonizing pain and burning sensation in his left eye that had almost swallowed him dissipated as quickly as a receding tide.
Though it was still painful, sore, and his vision was blurry, it was no longer that hopeless feeling of his eyeball exploding or permanently going blind.
The burden of the Mangekyo Sharingan was significantly reduced. The consumption still existed, but the potential damage to the eye itself was brought down to an astonishingly low point.
"Holy crap, the Six Eyes are this useful?"
Uchiha Shao Yu was both surprised and delighted. This unexpected discovery was perhaps no less valuable than the newly acquired Shikigami.
This meant that when he used the Mangekyo, especially ultimate moves like Susanoo, his margin for error and sustainability would far exceed that of ordinary Mangekyo wielders. Though he wasn't clear on the specific principles or limits, it was undoubtedly a massive advantage.
He didn't dare delay. Taking advantage of the reduced burden on his eyes and his clear mind, he increased his speed to his absolute limit and fled desperately toward the hollow ambush point.
---
Meanwhile, on the rugged mountain road at the border of the Land of Frost.
Nine phantom-like figures suddenly stopped at a slightly messy crossroads where footprints and Chakra traces intertwined. It was Danzo Shimura and the eight Root Jonin under his command.
A Root Jonin specializing in tracking crouched down, carefully scanning the ground and the surrounding vegetation.
"Lord Danzo," he reported in a cold voice.
"The traces become complicated here. The main tracks point toward the gentle valley to the southwest, which matches our previous judgment of their escape route. The freshness of the marks meets expectations; they should be just ahead. we should be able to catch up soon."
Danzo leaned on his cane, his single eye flashing with a cold light behind his mask.
"Uchiha Clan little rats, where do you think you're going? Looking at this path, it should be the Land of Lightning. Are you planning to seek refuge with the Hidden Cloud Village?"
Thinking of this, Danzo punched a nearby tree in anger.
"Inherently evil Uchiha brats, to think you want to defect to those barbarians in Kumogakure. I will certainly not let you succeed."
"Pursue!"
Danzo gave the order decisively.
"The valley is open, which is favorable for us to deploy and encircle them. Send two men to conduct a simple scout toward the rocky gully. If anything is found, signal immediately; it won't be too late for the main force to divert then. The rest of you, advance at full speed. They are carrying dead weight; they won't get far!"
"Yes!"
The eight Root Jonin acted immediately. Two sped toward the rocky gully, while the other six followed Danzo like a grey wind of death, rushing toward the southwest valley.
In their eyes, they could already see the scene of the defecting Uchiha being surrounded, slaughtered, and having their Sharingan gouged out on the open ground.
In Danzo's heart, killing intent and greed burned like poisonous fire. Uchiha Shao Yu... your eyes shall be mine!
---
The hollow ambush point.
Uchiha Shao Yu finally dragged his nearly exhausted body back, stumbling through that narrow fissure.
His appearance immediately caught the attention of the highly alert clansmen.
"Lord Shao Yu!" "Shao Yu-sama!" "Brother!"
Renka, Rice Fire, Tekka, and the others immediately surrounded him. Seeing his pale face, exhausted demeanor, and the crimson in his eyes that hadn't fully faded along with a trace of the strange band of light, they were all startled.
"I'm fine, just overexerted myself."
Shao Yu waved his hand, signaling Rei that there was no need for an examination. He quickly asked,
"What's the situation? Any movement from the pursuers?"
"They haven't directly entered this area yet," Uchiha Renka reported quickly.
"I need a little time to recover."
Shao Yu said in a heavy voice, looking at Uchiha Rei.
"Rei, I'll leave the lookout and command to Renka and Rice Fire for now. Shuihu, Chikage, watch the perimeter. If there's any sign of movement, alert us immediately."
"Yes!" everyone complied.
Shao Yu said no more and walked to the innermost corner of the hollow, most heavily obscured by rocks, and sat cross-legged. He wasn't relying solely on his own recovery; that would be too slow.
He closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into the Ten Shadows Technique space. The phantoms of the several newly tamed Shikigami appeared somewhat listless, especially the Circular Deer that had been forcibly crushed and tamed by Susanoo, whose light was the dimmest.
But that powerful healing energy still slowly circulated within its core.
"Let's give it a try..." With a thought, Shao Yu attempted to communicate with the Circular Deer and guide its healing power.
Because it was a super-violent subjugation and the Circular Deer itself was damaged, the guidance was not smooth.
Shao Yu had to consume extra mental energy and Chakra to clear the path and give commands.
A wisp of extremely faint but inherently pure and gentle fluorescent white light struggled to separate from the Circular Deer's phantom, following the connection Shao Yu established to slowly flow into his body.
The moment this healing power entered his body, Shao Yu felt an indescribable sense of comfort.
Like a long-awaited rain after a drought, the cellular fatigue caused by overconsumption, the dull pain in his meridians, and even the soreness in his eyes after using the Mangekyo were all slowly smoothed over and nourished by this gentle yet resilient power.
The effect was remarkable!
More importantly, this healing power seemed to possess some kind of activating and replenishing trait. It could actually assist him in more efficiently absorbing the medicinal power of Soldier Pills and recovery potions, and even draw a tiny bit of energy from the surrounding natural environment.
So refreshing!
Time passed in silence. Inside the hollow, Renka and the others maintained the highest level of vigilance, keeping their breathing extremely light. In the distance, the cold wind continued to blow.
On Uchiha Shao Yu's body, that extremely faint layer of fluorescent white light flickered in and out of view.
His complexion returned to a healthy ruddy glow at a visible rate, his breathing became steady and long, and the Chakra fluctuations radiating from him gradually became full and solid, up from his previous state of depletion and weakness.
Uchiha Shao Yu slowly opened his eyes.
The fatigue and crimson in his left eye faded, replaced by clarity and depth. That strange band of light also circulated quietly, appearing docile yet full of power.
He lightly clenched his fist, feeling the surging Chakra and full mental state within his body.
Not only was he fully recovered, but because of the baptism of the Circular Deer's healing power and the previous cycle of extreme consumption and replenishment, his state was even better than before! He could hardly feel the burden of the Mangekyo Sharingan anymore.
He stood up and stretched his limbs, a slight popping sound coming from within his body.
"Lord Shao Yu, you've recovered?"
Uchiha Renka, who had been keeping an eye on things here, asked in a low voice, his eyes filled with pleasant surprise.
"Yes." Shao Yu nodded, his gaze as sharp as ever. "Fully recovered. What's the situation outside?"
Just then!
Uchiha Mei, who was responsible for keeping watch from a high point in the rock pile, slipped down as silently as a nimble mountain cat. Her small face was tense, and her voice was kept extremely low.
"Lord Shao Yu! Brother Renka! We have a situation! Southwest direction, about three li away, figures spotted! They're moving very fast, heading straight for us! There are... about five, no, maybe more. Their presence is very well-hidden, but they are strong!"
"Everyone, attention!" Uchiha Shao Yu's voice instantly reached everyone's ears, clear and calm.
"Targets have appeared. Southwest direction. Prepare to engage!"
The atmosphere in the hollow instantly tightened to the extreme. Everyone silently moved into their pre-set combat positions, hiding behind rocks and in shadows. Kunai and shuriken were gripped in hands, and Sharingans were soundlessly activated, their crimson glow flickering slightly in the dim light.
Uchiha Shao Yu also lowered his body, hiding behind a giant rock that overlooked most of the hollow's entrance. The Mangekyo in his left eye slowly rotated, his field of vision instantly magnifying and clearing. It penetrated the barriers of darkness and distance, firmly locking onto those few blurry figures that were rapidly approaching.
He could even vaguely see the hunched silhouette leaning on a cane at the lead.
Danzo Shimura!
The King of Scapegoats, it really is you.
"The fish... has entered the net."
A cold arc curved at the corner of Shao Yu's mouth, his eyes filled with chilling killing intent. He slowly raised his right hand, and then, swung it down hard!
The signal to strike!
All the Uchiha Ninjas within the ambush circle held their breath. Chakra surged through their bodies like venomous snakes ready to strike, waiting only for the prey to completely step into the fatal range of the trap before revealing their sharpest fangs...
Advance chapter available on pãtrêon Got1808