Uchiha Setsuna had indeed seen it before. As an old-timer, he knew many things and had even personally witnessed someone using the Mangekyo abilities while still in the three-tomoe Sharingan phase.
That person was Uchiha Madara's younger brother, Uchiha Izuna.
Before he even unlocked the Mangekyo Sharingan, Izuna had used the Mangekyo abilities in a fit of excitement. However, the effect wasn't as powerful as when he later fully awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan.
But his existence proved that the Mangekyo Sharingan's abilities weren't necessarily only usable when one awakened the Mangekyo; in special circumstances, they could also be accessed.
In fact, there had been others like this in the future of the Uchiha clan. One such person was the tragic Uchiha Obito, who had the Kamui ability.
In the original story, Uchiha Obito, when buried alive by a giant rock, unconsciously used his Mangekyo abilities to enter the intangibility state, preventing himself from being crushed by the rock. He was eventually rescued by Uchiha Madara.
Furthermore, the Mangekyo abilities were not something that required the Mangekyo Sharingan to be unlocked in order to use.
For example, during the Fourth Great Ninja War in the future, Uchiha Madara was able to use the base form of the Susanoo without even unlocking the Mangekyo Sharingan.
In fact, Uchiha Madara's past lives, including Indra, the son of the Sage of Six Paths, could use the complete form of the Susanoo without even unlocking the Mangekyo Sharingan — at least that's how it was depicted in the manga.
The focus here is simply how outrageous it all is.
So, when Uchiha Setsuna explained that Uchiha Kai was able to use Mangekyo abilities with only one Sharingan tomoe, it really wasn't that out of the ordinary.
After hearing Uchiha Setsuna's explanation, the other Uchihas suddenly understood, their gazes toward Uchiha Kai filled with a mix of admiration and regret, their emotions complicated beyond words.
After all, based on Uchiha Setsuna's description, Uchiha Kai undoubtedly had the potential for Mangekyo abilities. Unfortunately, his own talent as a ninja and his thin bloodline had limited his future, and as a result, he was still stuck with a single-tomoe Sharingan.
Some, like Uchiha Fugaku, who liked to overthink, had already begun to come up with theories about why Uchiha Kai was able to use Mangekyo abilities.
Clearly, Kai must have been enduring immense pressure all this time, being looked down upon within the clan. His heart was filled with frustration and pain, and eventually, after enduring endless 'oppression,' he broke through that barrier and achieved the miracle of using Mangekyo abilities with just a single tomoe.
Unfortunately, despite all that, Kai still only had a one-tomoe Sharingan, with no hope of progress in sight.
Heavens, why must they be so cruel and unfair to Kai?
Upon thinking this, several Uchiha members, including Fugaku, couldn't bear to continue watching Uchiha Kai.
To these Uchiha, Uchiha Kai's fate was truly tragic—so tragic that if it were another Uchiha in his place, death would have been a better option to end it all.
After all, this was the Uchiha way of thinking.
On this basis, several of the Uchiha members grew even more impressed with Uchiha Kai—such strong willpower, truly deserving to be called Lord Kai!
Indeed, among the high-ranking Uchiha, some had already begun to mentally refer to Uchiha Kai as "Lord."
This was truly the power of an exceptional mindset!
As for Uchiha Kai himself, although he thought Uchiha Setsuna's analysis was somewhat far-fetched and far from the truth, there was no harm in explaining his secret technique this way.
What mattered wasn't the origin, but the reason he couldn't pass the technique on to others.
So, Uchiha Kai nodded with a look of understanding and said, "I see now. That's the reason... I had wondered why, a few days ago, my eyes suddenly gained a power I couldn't comprehend. Then, I used that power combined with my own ideas to create the Genjutsu Game."
These words essentially confirmed that Uchiha Kai used the Mangekyō Sharingan's abilities with a single Tomoe Sharingan.
Uchiha Setsuna nodded, his expression growing serious, and with a voice full of concern, he said, "Kai, since this power comes from the Mangekyō, you should avoid using it too much. If not, your eyesight might continuously deteriorate."
Upon hearing this, the Uchiha present all showed solemn expressions.
For them, the secrets of the Mangekyō Sharingan were not secrets at all, and they all knew that excessive use of the Mangekyō Sharingan could lead to blindness.
If Uchiha Kai's abilities truly were linked to the Mangekyō, the price of using them could very well be a reality.
In response, Uchiha Kai naturally shook his head: "Although I was surprised to learn that excessive use of the Mangekyō Sharingan can lead to blindness, Elder Setsuna, please rest assured. My secret technique only borrows the special abilities of the Sharingan, not its ocular jutsu. Therefore, it has no impact on my vision."
"On the contrary, the more I use this secret technique, the more benefits I gain. And the more people who play the game, the more feedback I receive."
"In this case, I must use this secret technique as much as possible, and I must promote it widely so that more people can participate."
He paused briefly before adding in a deep voice, "And it cannot be limited to just the Uchiha clan!"
With these words, the truth was revealed!
In an instant, the Uchihas present all changed their expressions. Several Uchiha members immediately shouted "No!" and others quickly echoed, stating that this secret technique belonged solely to the Uchiha clan and should not be shared with outsiders.
One hot-headed Uchiha even turned red with anger.
To this, Uchiha Kai simply smiled calmly and said, "Everyone, I know you are anxious, but please, do not rush. Even if it's the same illusion game, there can be a huge difference between its use for the Uchihas and for outsiders."
Upon hearing this, everyone quieted down, their emotions cooling as they waited for Uchiha Kai to continue.
Uchiha Kai did not leave them in suspense. He continued directly, "It's quite simple. Since it's an illusion game, sensory manipulation can be applied. For the Uchiha clan, the illusion game is incredibly realistic, almost indistinguishable from the real world. It can stimulate our bloodline powers to the maximum extent."
"But for outsiders, the realism can be reduced to a very fake degree—such as reducing or even eliminating the sensation of pain. In this way, what they experience is truly just a 'game.'"
Upon hearing this, the Uchihas fell into deep thought. After considering the difference, they could see the appeal. While some still felt uneasy, it reminded them of the classic quote from Zhou Shuren: the window effect never goes out of style.
However, Uchiha Kai followed up with more words that stirred up the Uchihas once again: "Of course, while this differentiation can be made, I believe the completely real illusion game should still be released, so that other ninja clans and even civilian ninjas can experience it."
The Uchihas were left uncertain about their emotions, feeling that Uchiha Kai was truly capable of 'stirring' their feelings.
In the end, as the clan leader, Uchiha Seijiro asked in a deep voice, "Kai-kun, you have proven that you possess exceptional intelligence and wisdom beyond that of other Uchiha. I believe that what you are doing must have profound meaning behind it. So, can you tell us the reason for your actions?"
Uchiha Seijiro's supportive role made Uchiha Kai quite satisfied. Having prepared a plan in advance, he spoke the words he had long wanted to say but had never had the opportunity or condition to express until now.
"Everyone, please believe me. Everything I have done is for the Uchiha clan. It is to ensure that we, the Uchiha, truly have a place in the higher echelons of Konoha, to gain the honor and status we rightfully deserve."
"At the same time, it is to give the Uchiha clan a chance to contend for the position of Hokage in Konoha!"
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