Asura awoke to the sound of a knock at his door. Blinking the sleep from his eyes, he pushed himself out of bed and went to answer it. Standing outside was a tall Uchiha, the same one who usually delivered news around the clan. The man handed Asura a letter without a word, then turned and left.
Curious, Asura went back inside and tore open the envelope. Inside was a neatly folded piece of paper with a simple message:
The clan head summons you. Come immediately.
Asura's mind raced. This had to be about the strange pattern on his Sharingan. Without wasting any time, he got dressed, grabbed his gear, and headed straight to Tajima's house. When he arrived, a guard led him inside, and Tajima's voice called out, "Come in."
Asura entered, and Tajima looked up from his seat, his expression serious but calm. "Asura," he began, "I'm sure you've been wondering about the strange pattern on your Sharingan."
Asura nodded. "Yes, is that why you called me here?"
Tajima's eyes met his, and he gave a slight nod. "I've found the answer in our clan's records. What you have awakened is the Mangekyo Sharingan, the final stage that the Sharingan can evolve into."
The word Mangekyo echoed in Asura's mind, triggering memories of words he had heard before—eternal mangekyo, light of another. For a moment, he was lost in thought, trying to piece together what it all meant. Seeing Asura's silence, Tajima continued.
"The Mangekyo grants two unique abilities, one for each eye, allowing the user to perform techniques that would normally be impossible. Based on what you've described, it seems that your ability, Hakaikami, is one of them."
Asura listened carefully, then said, "I think I have another ability as well." He recalled the shockwave that had erupted from him during the battle, the sheer force that had left a massive crater. A word surfaced in his mind, almost instinctively. "Amatsu," he said, looking at Tajima. "It allows me to manipulate gravity—to repel or attract objects."
Tajima's eyes brightened at the revelation, pleased with this new information. But then his expression shifted, his brow furrowing as he thought aloud. "That raises some questions… First, how can you have two abilities if one of your eyes no longer functions? And second, what exactly caused you to awaken these eyes?"
Asura took a moment to consider his answers. "I have a theory," he began. "Even though my right eye is unusable, I might still be able to activate its ability because the Mangekyo's power could be imprinted on my chakra network. It's like… muscle memory. As for how I awakened them, I think it was because of the intense emotions I felt in that moment—desperation, fear, the need to protect."
Tajima nodded slowly, his gaze thoughtful. "Both of those theories make sense. They could very well be true." He paused, then added, "But you should know, the Mangekyo comes with a drawback. You said your vision feels different, not as sharp as it used to be?"
Asura nodded. "Yes, it's still good, but… it's like I can't see as clearly as before."
"Then don't use the Mangekyo unless absolutely necessary," Tajima warned. "Only under grave circumstances. Overuse could cost you your vision entirely."
Understanding the severity of the situation, Asura agreed. "I understand. I'll be careful."
"Good," Tajima said, his tone lighter now. "You may leave. You've done well, and you've earned a rest. Take care of yourself, Asura."
"Thank you, Clan Head," Asura said, bowing slightly before turning to leave. As he walked back toward his house, his mind buzzed with everything Tajima had said. The Mangekyo, though incredibly powerful, came with a serious risk. And those words—eternal mangekyo and light of another—still lingered in his mind, as if they held a key to something he had yet to understand.
He also realized that his chakra was still an issue. He was strong, but if he was going to survive future battles, he needed to get even stronger. He would have to wait until he grew older and his chakra reserves expanded, but for now, he could only push himself as far as his body would allow.
Reaching his house, Asura decided he needed to train. He had been bedridden for a week, and he could feel the stiffness in his muscles. He spent the next few hours honing his skills, practicing his swordplay and running through a series of ninjutsu drills. The familiar rhythm of training helped to clear his mind, and by the time he was done, he was drenched in sweat but feeling more like himself again.
As the sun began to set, Asura made his way to the nearby river. He cast a line into the water and waited patiently until he managed to catch a large fish. He brought it back to his house, cleaned it, and cooked it over a small fire. The smell of freshly grilled fish filled the air, and for the first time in what felt like ages, Asura allowed himself to relax and enjoy a simple, peaceful moment.
After finishing his meal, he sat down on the floor, crossed his legs, and closed his eyes. He took slow, steady breaths, centering himself as he slipped into meditation. For a while, his mind was blank, but soon, thoughts of the Mangekyo, its power, and its risks crept back in. He would need to tread carefully from now on.
The night wore on, and eventually, fatigue began to set in. Asura opened his eyes, feeling a sense of calm. He made his way to his bed, lay down, and within moments, drifted off into a deep, restful sleep.