Bab 19: 19. Mangekyo Sharingan

Guren received the news from Minato with a mixture of disappointment and resignation. Minato had regrettably informed him that due to pressing matters, their meeting would have to be postponed. Not only he wanted to discuss more about Danzo, he also wanted to test his Mangekyo. This left Guren no choice but to continue with his usual training regimen as planned.

Guren was already on the training grounds, the late afternoon sun casting long, stretching shadows across the dusty terrain. The sky, painted in hues of orange and pink, reflected the nearing end of the day, adding a vibrant yet serene backdrop to his solitary practice.

The air was still, save for the occasional rustle of leaves stirred by a gentle breeze. The scent of the earth, mixed with the faint aroma of distant flowers, filled the air, grounding Guren in the moment as he prepared for his duel with Shisui.

He stood in the center of the training area, his form casting a long shadow on the ground. The space around him was marked by the scuffs and grooves of countless training sessions. As he adjusted his stance, his gaze was fixed on Shisui, who approached with a determined stride.

Shisui arrived promptly, his presence exuding a blend of focus and readiness. His Sharingan eyes, already activated, held a glint of both anticipation and respect. The two Uchiha faced each other, the setting sun illuminating their features and adding a warm glow to the scene.

"Ready when you are," Shisui said, his voice carrying the familiar tone of firm assurance.

Guren nodded in agreement, his expression set with serious resolve. "Let's begin."

The duel commenced with a burst of action. Shisui moved with practiced agility, his strikes precise and swift. Each movement was a testament to his mastery of the Uchiha clan's techniques. Guren responded with equal intensity, his own Sharingan flaring to match Shisui's pace. The clang of their weapons and the swish of their movements created a rhythmic symphony of combat.

As the fight progressed, Guren's determination only intensified. He adapted quickly to Shisui's style, reading his movements and countering with strategic precision.

Shisui, noticing Guren's prowess, decided to test his skills further. With a deft motion, Shisui gathered chakra and unleashed a Fire Style jutsu, "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu," sending a massive fireball roaring towards Guren. The flames illuminated the twilight, casting a dramatic light across the training grounds.

Guren's eyes widened momentarily, but he quickly composed himself. With a swift motion, he used his own Fire Style technique, "Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Jutsu," unleashing a rapid barrage of smaller fireballs to counter Shisui's attack. The two jutsus collided, creating a dazzling explosion of flames and smoke.

Through the smoke, the duel continued with renewed intensity. Guren pushed himself to match Shisui's firepower, his movements a fluid dance of defense and counterattacks. Shisui's strikes were a blend of speed and skill, each designed to test Guren's defenses and adaptability.

Although it was difficult for Guren to catch up, he managed to adapt. His mind focused and his determination was solid.

The sun continued its descent, casting a golden light on their faces. Each strike and parry was executed with practiced ease, a display of their shared dedication to their craft.

As the duel reached its climax, both Uchiha executed a final series of moves. Shisui launched a complex, high-speed assault, his Sharingan flaring with intensity. Guren met the challenge head-on, his movements a fluid dance of defense and counterattack. Despite Guren's remarkable progress, Shisui's experience and skill ultimately prevailed. With a final, decisive move, Shisui disarmed Guren, signaling the end of their bout.

When the duel concluded, Guren stood catching his breath, his chest rising and falling with exertion, while Shisui appeared composed, having clearly given Guren a handicap. The shadows grew longer as the sun sank lower, painting the sky in deeper shades of twilight.

Shisui gave Guren a surprised yet appraising glance. "Well done, Guren. Your abilities have greatly improved."

Guren returned the nod, though a flicker of frustration crossed his features despite his efforts to maintain composure. He hadn't managed to defeat Shisui, but the acknowledgment of his progress was a small comfort. "Thanks Shisui. But there's more for me to learn."

"Of course." Shisui smiled softly, admiring his fellow Uchiha's development. "If you keep this up, you might be taking the Chunin exam sooner."

Since awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan, Guren's body now responded seamlessly to the commands of his mind, moving with a precision and fluidity that felt almost instinctual. Shisui was moving according to Guren's prediction, though at first he didn't even notice it himself until he could match his speed with Shisui.

Of course, he knew that Shisui wasn't even using his full capabilities. Guren couldn't help but marvel at Shisui's prowess, thinking to himself, Are all Uchiha born prodigies? The idea lingered for a moment, but he quickly dismissed it when a certain goggle-wearing boy flashed through his mind, bringing a faint smile to his lips.

As they gathered their gear and prepared to leave the training grounds, the soft twilight enveloped them, marking the end of another day.

Everywhere Guren walked, the villagers cast pitiful glances his way. Another war orphan, they seemed to say with their eyes. Fortunately, Guren didn't have to face the uncertainty of an orphanage. His aunt, warm and kind, had been more than willing to take him in, offering him a place that felt like a semblance of home amidst the turmoil. Yet, despite her comforting presence, the past few days had been a bit too lonely.

Minato was absent, likely consumed by his duties. Rin and Kakashi had been sent off on a small mission, leaving the village even quieter in their absence. Eventhough the war is over, there were still tasks that needed to be done, pulling them away from the relative calm of the village.

And Obito—he was nowhere to be seen. It was as if he was deliberately avoiding Guren, maintaining a distance that was unusual, even for him. When Obito had returned the wakizashi, he had done so at an odd hour, a clear sign that he was trying to avoid any direct interaction.

Guren couldn't help but feel the weight of isolation, a sense of being adrift, even in a village full of people. The familiar pang of loneliness gnawed at him. "What a familiar feeling," he murmured softly to himself. With a resigned sigh, he continued his path toward the Uchiha compound, clutching the errands Hanako had entrusted to him.

Suddenly, Guren's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of shuffling feet. He turned slightly, catching sight of Obito approaching from the corner of his eye. Obito's movements were a blend of hesitation and awkwardness, his clumsiness on full display. It was as if his body couldn't decide whether to approach or retreat, resulting in a series of half-steps that made Guren sigh inwardly.

Guren was just about to turn away, intent on brushing off Obito's odd behaviour, when a voice halted him in his tracks.

"Guren, wait."

The urgency in Obito's call cut through his resolve, freezing him in place. Guren's gaze shifted, his as he slowly turned to face the source of the interruption.

"Is there something you need, Obito?"

Obito and Guren had taken a seat on the bench. Obito was struggling to find the right words to start. The tension created by Obito was palpable, a heavy silence pressing down on both of them. Guren remained waiting next to him, his gaze fixed intently on Obito, waiting for him to speak.

The evening light filtered through the trees, casting long, dappled shadows that danced across the ground. The world around them was hushed, with only the faint rustle of leaves in the breeze breaking the stillness. Though the setting was tranquil and serene, the unease between the two Uchiha was anything but peaceful.

Obito finally spoke, his voice low and hesitant. "Guren… I don't know how to start this, but I feel like I have to say something."

Guren's expression remained unreadable, his eyes watched Obito struggle. He wondered what Obito had in mind. He was fine the last time they met.

"After your father's death," Obito continued, his voice barely above a whisper, "I've been trying to figure out what really happened. I can't imagine what you're going through."

As Guren started to grasp the sincerity of Obito's concern, his heart turned warm. A faint, gentle smile was painted on his face. "I'm fine," he replied, his voice steady. "There's nothing to worry about."

Obito looked at Guren, his gaze searching, almost pleading. "I just need to know… are you really okay? I'm worried. You don't have to go through this alone."

"It is.. quite difficult for me." Guren's emotions stirred, a mix of complexion. His internal conflict suddenly resurfaced and he questioned his goals again for a moment. Obito's deep concern truly does bring the softness in him.

Obito frowned, clearly unsatisfied with Guren's response. His fingers suddenly stilled, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized Guren. Then, his gaze drifted to the ground as he mulled over his thoughts. "Hamada-san died from being stabbed in the back, as if… as if he was vulnerable at that moment," Obito murmured, a deep frown creasing his brow. "He was injured, it wasn't fair!"

Guren's fingers involuntarily twitched, a flicker of pain flashing in his eyes before he quickly masked it. Obito's words struck a chord deep within him, as if he had somehow glimpsed the truth of Guren's turmoil. He had spent every waking moment hiding the truth, burying it deep within him where no one could reach. But now, with Obito standing there, confronting him, the weight of that secret felt unbearable.

"Obito," Guren said, his tone firmer now, "I appreciate your concern, but there's nothing to discuss. What happened, happened. And it was a war."

There was something in Guren's voice that felt off, a dissonance that unsettled him.

"Guren.. i'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry i didn't make it in time to save Hamada-san." Obito continued, still looking down.

It wasn't his fault at all. The burden of the secret Guren carried seemed even heavier now, each word from Obito amplifying the inner conflict he struggled to keep hidden. In a moment of unthinking impulse, he activated his Mangekyo Sharingan. His fist clenched tightly on his lap as he muttered under his breath.

Before Obito could react further, a single word cut through the air—"Amatsu-Mikaboshi."

Suddenly, the world around Obito plunged into darkness, an all-encompassing void that swallowed everything in an instant. His body froze, paralyzed by a sudden shock that gripped him to his core. Desperately, he tried to move, to speak, but no sound came out, no movement was possible.

"Guren?!" Obito's voice echoed in his mind, but the words never escaped his lips. The void around him was absolute; he couldn't even hear his own voice. It was as if he had been plunged into a nightmare, trapped in a realm of infinite darkness, where the very concept of life seemed to slip away. The oppressive void pressed in on him from all sides, and for a moment, it felt as though he had ceased to exist.

****

Obito's eyes fluttered open, the room coming into focus slowly as he adjusted to the gentle light. He found himself lying on a comfortable futon, surrounded by the cozy, familiar surroundings of Hanako's home. His head was heavy, his senses still tangled in the confusion of the last moments he could recall—a terrifying plunge into darkness and paralysis.

Across from him sat Guren, his demeanor a careful blend of calm and guardedness. Guren's posture was relaxed, but there was an unmistakable intensity in his eyes as he regarded Obito with an unreadable expression.

Obito tried to sit up, feeling a sluggishness in his limbs that made the effort more challenging than expected. "Where… where am I?" he croaked, his voice rough from the recent ordeal.

Guren leaned slightly forward, his gaze steady and composed. "You're at Hanako's house," he said softly. "You were disoriented, and I thought it best to bring you here to recover."

Obito glanced around, taking in the peaceful setting—the warm tones of the room, the neatly arranged tatami mats, and the gentle glow from a nearby lamp. It was a stark contrast to the overwhelming darkness he had experienced just moments before.

"Why… why am I here?" Obito asked, his voice tinged with confusion. "What happened?"

Guren's gaze remained fixed, but his expression was carefully neutral. "You were experiencing a shock and you suddenly collapsed." He simply explained.

Obito's mind struggled to piece together the fragments of his memory. The void, the paralysis—it all felt like a nightmare he was desperate to escape. "I remember… being trapped in darkness. It felt like I couldn't move or speak. Did you—?"

Guren's eyes met Obito's with a flicker of something almost unreadable, though he quickly masked it with a reassuring tone. "The important thing is that you're fine now. You need rest."

Obito looked at Guren, noting the careful composure and the underlying tension in his friend's demeanor. "I just want to understand what happened. I was trying to reach you, and then…"

Guren leaned back, his expression softening slightly as he attempted to ease the situation. "It's not necessary to discuss the details right now. We'll talk more once you're feeling better."

Obito's concern persisted, but he nodded, sensing that pressing further might not be productive. "Alright, but I want to be there for you. If there's something you're going through, you don't have to face it alone."

Guren's eyes held a brief, flickering vulnerability before he masked it with a composed smile. "Thank you, Obito. Your concern means a lot, but some things are better left unsaid for now."

As he began to turn away, a thought struck him. "Oh, by the way, let me buy you a meal sometime."

Obito blinked in surprise, his eyebrows knitting together in confusion. "Eh? Why the sudden offer?"

"As an apology," Guren replied as he left the room. His offer hung in the air, leaving Obito with a mix of curiosity and surprised as he tried to process the unexpected gesture.

Guren made his way to the bathroom, closing the door behind him with a quiet click and securing it with the lock. He took a moment to steady himself, then turned to face the mirror. The reflection that met him was both familiar and unsettling. His Mangekyo Sharingan, a mesmerizing core of swirling black vortex surrounded by shattered glass-like patterns, stared back at him with an intense, haunting clarity.

His thoughts raced as he replayed the recent confrontation with Obito. The moment he activated his Mangekyo Sharingan, the world seemed to dissolve into a surreal stillness. For a fleeting instant, it felt as though nothing had changed, leaving him enveloped in an unnerving calm. It was only when he called out to Obito and received no reply that alarm began to creep in.

Guren touched Obito, only to find him unresponsive, almost as if he were lifeless. Panic surged within him. He quickly checked Obito's pulse and chakra—both were present—but the situation felt profoundly unsettling.

It was then, as if a sudden revelation had struck him, that he recognized the signs of sensory deprivation. The term echoed in his mind with a clarity that felt almost instinctual, like he had always known it. With this understanding, Guren quickly deactivated his Sharingan. The instant he did, Obito's body went limp and collapsed, unconscious but still alive. Guren caught him just in time, checking his breathing with a mix of relief and lingering concern. Thankfully, he had managed to intervene before things could escalate further.

Guren felt a wave of relief wash over him when he saw Obito wake up. He regretted using his technique on Obito and knew he needed to make it up to him.

Guren cast one last glance at his reflection in the mirror, his Mangekyo Sharingan fading from view as he deactivated the eyes. The intricate patterns dissolved, leaving his usual gaze behind. He took a deep breath, then turned and left the room,.