The steel wires Yuhara used were special tools unique to the Uchiha clan—durable and nearly invisible. But more than just a method to bind enemies, these wires served a crucial purpose: enhancing Uchiha Fire Release techniques.
As Yuhara's Fire Dragon Technique surged through the wires toward Raiga, the man's pale face glowed red from the roaring heat. He struggled with all his might to break free. Some wires were snapped at the cost of injury, but the fire was simply too fast.
Yuhara had also paid special attention when planting his kunai, making sure Raiga's hands were pinned in such a way that even basic techniques like the Substitution Jutsu were out of the question.
All Raiga could do was writhe helplessly as the fire swallowed him whole.
"Ahhhhh!"
His screams echoed across the plains, the smell of burning flesh quickly spreading in every direction. It was the sound of pure agony, like something dragged straight from hell.
Even Yuhara had to look away for a moment, the sight of Raiga's flesh melting making his stomach churn. No matter how many times he had killed, or how much blood he'd seen, there were still lines that disturbed him—especially when it came to watching someone burn alive.
"I told you, you lost. So rest in peace."
Muttering quietly to himself, Yuhara drew another kunai and flicked it forward. It pierced Raiga's heart with a sickening thud, silencing the man's screams once and for all.
His body remained upright, still entangled in the wires, continuing to burn—a grotesque sight, like some cursed marionette. But Yuhara didn't dwell on it. He'd burned plenty of people to death over the years, and his resolve was solid.
As a Uchiha without Lightning Release, Fire Release had always been his primary tool in combat. He had studied Earth Release, but it never came naturally. His tactics always leaned toward fire—for support, for distraction, and, when needed, for execution.
Now that he had Flight Technique, the value of Fire Release had only increased.
"But this isn't the time to be reflecting," Yuhara muttered to himself, pouring more chakra into his flames. The fire grew fiercer, hotter, and thicker smoke spiraled toward the sky. He had no intention of leaving a single trace of Raiga behind—not even enough to be reanimated by Edo Tensei.
Once it was done, he opened his system interface. He had already felt the system notification the moment Raiga died, which was all the confirmation he needed.
And when the system display appeared in his vision, he couldn't help but smile.
『Skill: Glorious Evolution (0/1)』
『Activation Requirement: Collect 100 Power Fragments』
『Power Fragments: Jonin – 25, Chunin – 20, Genin – 10, ordinary enemies – 1 to 5』
『Current Power Fragments: 110』
『Congratulations, Host. Evolution conditions met. Proceed with Glorious Evolution?』
Yuhara didn't hesitate. His heart pounded with anticipation.
The Mangekyō Sharingan. The eyes he had longed for.
With them, he could gain the edge needed to survive the treacherous future. With them, he could finally carve a path forward in a world full of hidden knives.
More than that, these eyes would let him stand tall within the Uchiha clan. He knew full well the dark cloud of the Uchiha Massacre loomed overhead. Even without Shisui's death as a catalyst or Itachi awakening his Mangekyō, Konoha's tensions with the Uchiha weren't going to vanish.
It wasn't out of the question that someone else would be chosen to do the deed.
After all, in the original timeline, the massacre was orchestrated by Danzo, Itachi, and even Obito. If Danzo had the gall to work with Orochimaru, there was no way he didn't have some connection with the Akatsuki.
No, Yuhara couldn't afford to be complacent. The only thing that truly mattered now was power.
Only with strength could he achieve what he wanted. All the clever plots and strategies meant nothing if he couldn't enforce them.
『Glorious Evolution Initiated』
『Skill: Glorious Evolution (1/1), will disappear after use』
『Evolution Target Selected: Sharingan』
『Beginning Evolution Process…』
In an instant, Yuhara's spiritual energy surged to extreme levels. His mind was thrown into overdrive, and an intense pain exploded inside his skull.
His eyes… he couldn't even open them anymore.
"ARGHHHH!"
Even someone as resilient as Yuhara couldn't suppress the scream. He dropped to his knees, clutching his head, eyes sealed shut.
He could feel something flowing from them—likely blood.
Every second felt like torture. But he held on. This was the price of evolution.
Mangekyō Sharingan required intense emotional trauma. But Yuhara hadn't triggered his through grief. Instead, the system forcibly stimulated his spirit, forcing it to expand.
Fortunately, the pain didn't last forever. The searing pressure in his mind began to ease, and the burning sensation in his eyes gradually faded.
A strange new power spread outward from his pupils. He knew—it was done.
"So… this is what glorious evolution feels like."
Shakily, Yuhara stood up. He wiped the blood from the corners of his eyes and slowly opened them.
In that moment, an overwhelming and terrifying aura spread in all directions from his gaze.
[If you like this story, please don't shy away from adding to the collection, giving a power stone, and leaving a review.]