Why do Sharingan eyes have to be red? And su uling crimson at that?

  Perhaps the Uchiha of history had pohis, but nowadays, only outsiders seemed to care. After all, power rarely cared about aesthetics.

  The most on expnation is that the Uchiha was cursed.

  When in doubt, bme a curse—it was the easiest answer. Masashi had heard all the whispers, seen all the sideways gnces.

  Those hostile to the Uchiha prefer to say, "The Uchiha are ily evil."

  Over time, people began to ighe fact that most Uchiha never awaken their Sharingan at all. These ordinary members lived indistinguishably from others. If not for their clothing, no one would even notice they bore the Uchiha name.

  heless, the ninja unity developed a stereotype based oions of the small minority who activated their Sharingan.

  The Uchiha didn't mind this o. Their immense pride in their bloodline, coupled with a ck of unication skills, ofte outsiders with impressions like, "They're arrogant," or, "What's so great about them?"

  However, ohing was undeniable: the unique color of the Sharingan must be lio the Uchiha's distinctive chakra, which, at its core, was still chakra.

  And Masashi's first attempt at Sage Mode drew on the power of the White Snake Sage.

  So, if his eyes ged color, it seemed only natural.

  It didn't bother him for long. Only by experimenting could he find out what his final version would be.

  And his hypothesis proved correct.

  Uhe White Snake Sage's guidance, Masashi spent about a week learning to draw natural energy from the earth and activate Sage Mode with his own power.

  Wheered Sage Mode using the energy he absorbed, his Sharingan didn't turn into some grotesque form, though his eye shadow expanded signifitly—perhaps too much.

  But that wasn't important. What mattered was that his Sharingan finally returo normal. That was the way it should be; otherwise, it looked like his eyes were smeared with dirt.

  Teically speaking, everaditional Sharingan wasirely crimson—its pupils and tomoe are bck, while only the iris was red.

  The greatest reward of this training was that he gained insight into the Sage teiques of Ryūchi Cave, including the principle behind the Sage Art: Inaniimation.

  This teique would ter be developed indepely by Orochimaru or Kabuto. However, without the foundational knowledge of Ryūchi Cave's Sage teiques, the jutsu could.

  That's why it's called "Sage Art: Inaniimation," not "Secret Art: Inaniimation."

  Masashi applied this principle to his Ice Release, solving its obility.

  Sage teiques were indeed incredibly useful.

  The eye shadow, however, now resembled Kankurō's face paint—ahe-top mess.

  Still, it was better than growing snakeskin all over his body.

  Appearaters.

  While it might not be the deg factor in a business iation, a poor appearance could prevent the meeting from happening in the first pce.

  Wearing thick makeup to a iation might earn a ent about excessive powder, but if your eyes made people think of filth, they might throw up.

  And Masashi excelled at persuading ts to willingly pay more. Maintaining his appearance was noiable. It was simply a matter of whether he could afford more food rather than less.

  And choosing the lesser evil was basija protocol.

  Having mastered the necessary teiques, he didn't stay in Ryūchi Cave. After synizing his chakra with Kuro, he bid farewell to the White Snake Sage ahe cave with the jonin from the Hannya Bck Ops.

  That fellow hadn't starved to death purely because Masashi had plenty of soldier pills.

  After all, those pills o be brought back to Konoha for reimbursement.

  Getting to the cave had been difficult, but leaving was simple—onastered Ryūchi Cave's Sage teiques, entry a became effortless.

  He emerged at the same spot where he had first ehe cave.

  "Alright, time to things up."

  Releasing the Hannya Bck Ops jonin, Masashi used genjutsu to pel him to deal with his former rades' corpses in the most brutal way he could imagine.

  The jonin moved under his genjutsu, arranging the bodies in the Nordic blood eagle pose. The jonin severed their ribs from the spih his kunai and pulled their lungs through the opening to create a pair of "wings."

  Each ositioned face-down against the massive tree trunk.When he was dohe whole thing looked like some messed-up colle of dark angels pio the tree.

  Creative death poses didn't matter—ninjas had seen it all.

  What mattered was the intimidation factor.

  By now, the upheaval at the Hannya's base must have caught the attention of nearby ninjas.

  The Land of Stone was teeming with rogue ninjas and local insurgents. Through their gossip, the news would spread most effectively.

  When he reached the camp, he found bounty hunters looting and beheading corpses.

  "We... we didn't know they were yours!" one of the hunters gasped as Masashi approached.

  "Now everyone will know."

  With orike each, several more bodies hit the ground.

  Then the Hannya jonin got to work.

  He gathered all the corpses into a tree.

  The Sharingan's manipution didn't erase the subject's awareness. They retaiheir sciousness but lost trol over their body.

  This art of Masashi's punishment.

  Rules existed to protect most professionals. If the Hannya Bck Ops wouldn't follow them, they deserved this oute.

  Dragging the unfortunate jonin along, he began his return journey.

  The trip was uful—no one dared rob him, likely deterred by his reputation. Having pleted his mission, he saw o hide his identity anymore.

  Before he even reached the Land of Fire, news was already cirg that "Konoha deployed an Uchiha to annihite the Hannya Bck Ops with cruel tactics."

  Danzō was bound to hear this. He'd likely feel the money had been well spent.

  When Masashi finally saw the Konoha's gates again, he felt a deep sense of relief.

  But he dider immediately. Instead, he waited in the nearby woods.

  Before long, a Root ninja appeared, g the Hannya jonin, and asked Masashi, "When will the genjutsu be lifted?"

  "Soon enough for you to get him back to your base."

  "Danzō-sama said additional payment will be provided." The Root ninja nodded while applying sealing teiques to bind the jonin tightly. "You've done well. I'll take over from here."

  "Fine. Call me if something else es up," Masashi said, turning to leave. Then, as if remembering something, he stopped and asked, "That guy running the tea house—does he have an official position?"

  "He does. It's an important one."

  "In that case, bring him a few packs of cigarettes when you . The puy has to use shadow es just to have a smoke."

  "He and his wife are trying to have a baby. That's why he's doing that." The Root ninja slung the tightly bound jonin over his shoulder and said, "It's tough outside, but no one's so broke they 't afford smokes."

  Oh, so it was just for family pnning. That made sense.

  With a wave, Masashi headed home.

  When he arrived at the entrao the grounds, Masashi spotted Shisui standing by the gate, as if waiting for someone.

  This 't be good.

  "Masashi-nii," Shisui waved. "Don't pretend you didn't see me. You clearly did!"

  "Oh, you were there?" Masashi relutly stopped, shoulders slumping slightly. "I just got back from work. I'm exhausted."

  "While you were out w, the dividends for this quarter arrived. Initially, they were going to be directly deposited into your at."

  "Huh?" Masashi blurted out, his posture straightening instantly. "No way, that's not okay. Financial protoust be strictly followed. Financial security ehe 's security."

  "It's not that. Just after you left, Danzō-sama transferred awo million ryo. He mentiohere's still a remaining payment. Fugaku-sama decided to hold off until you returned so it could be issued together."

  "Oh~" Masashi was satisfied. "Why make such a big deal of it? Everyone should be treated equally. Holding mine separately for ter—it's actually not a great practice."

  Though, this kind of preferential treatment feels amazing. Wait, why was I being given special treatment in the first pce?

  "Fugaku-sama said that since you're back, you should go see him."

  See? I k. There's a catch. And… this totally exploits my weakness.

  Sure enough, leaked intelligence was never a good thing.

  Masashi couldn't help but think of a future misfortune: someone so cocky from being unkilble got their intelligenpletely exposed by a survivor of a past mission, ultimately ending up buried in the earth.

  What a tragedy.

  "Got it, I'll go now." he sighed, and began heading toward Fugaku's house.

  Then he realized Shisui was following him.

  "Why are you still here?"

  "He told me to go with you."

  "We're family. No need for secrets—what's going on that I don't know?" Masashi's eyes narrowed slightly.

  "Holy, nothing. Maybe it's because the has never earned money from Root before?"

  The Uchiha 's pride wouldn't be swayed by mere money... would it? Impossible. The Uchiha 't be that shallow.

  With such thoughts in mind, Masashi entered Fugaku's home.

  As soon as he stepped into the yard, he saw Itachi pying with a doll. The sight made him pause momentarily.

  Corre—not a doll, but the reination of Indra in its infant form.

  "Masashi-sensei!" Itachi cheerfully ran over. "Look! I have a little brother!"

  Why is he so cheerful about having a little brother? Too muergy drink? Oh... the shinobi world doesn't have those. I missed them so much...

  "gratutions." Masashi reached out and gave him a hairstyle that resembled a-headed snake.

  But Itachi, still grinning foolishly, didn't even notice his new look. What a hopeless little brother-lover.

  However… being a bro instead of a sis? That's no fun.

  "Where's Fugaku-sama?" Masashi asked, steering the versation back to business.

  "Father's iudy. He's been waiting for you for a while."

  Hmm? Trying to guilt-trip me for making him wait too long? Too bad, that tactic doesn't work on me.

  "Alright, go py." Sending off his student, Masashi made his way to the study.

  On the way, he ran into Mikoto, her presence as stunning as ever despite havily given birth.

  "Masashi, you're here?"

  "Mikoto-sama, how do you look even younger after having your sed child?"

  "Oh, you're so sweet. By the way, about the introdu I made for you st time…"

  "I'll talk ter. I o see Fugaku-sama first. He's been waiting a while."

  He quickly used the Body Flicker.

  Last time, he actally overdid it and ended up charming the cousin Mikoto had introduced. She seemed overly pleased.

  This wouldn't do. He'd have to maintain proper boundaries iure.

  Otherwise, he might end up iently mass-produg Sharingans for the , and that would ruihing. It'd mess up the lore.

  As they said, "Loving too muly leaves regret, as sweet dreams shatter upon waking."

  He didn't want to be the guy waking others from dreams; he wao be the dream itself.

  Once I get my moime to rally Tetsuka and the others for a celebration. Nothing builds ity like shared revelry.

  At the study door, he knocked first, then ope and walked in, maintaining proper protocol.

  "Fugaku-sama, I'm here… Oh, practig calligraphy?"

  Inside, Fugaku was meticulously using a brush. His posture was fwless.

  But the characters… were a bit off. To be frank, they were hideous.

  He should seriously sider switg hobbies. Maybe something less... visible.

  "Hm, you're back?" Fugaku tinued w on his writing. "You've been drawing quite a bit of attention tely."

  "Couldn't help it. Danzō offered more money."

  "Just now, he sent awo million ryō, saying you discovered a secret realm, so he added ara million." Fugaku put down his brush and looked over. "Did you really find a secret realm?"

  "It's Ryūchi Cave, where Orochimaru signed his tract."

  "Ryūchi Cave…" Fugaku's gaze sharpened further. "You mastered it?"

  "Of course. Otherwise, the sage would've swallowed me whole." Masashi grinned, puffed with pride. From now ooo was a sage.

  Hearing this, Fugaku stopped tidying his study altogether.

  "e with me."

  He led Masashi out to the courtyard.

  There, Mikoto was still pying with Itachi and the younger son.

  "Mikoto, take Sasuke out for a walk." Fugaku's gaze stayed briefly on his younger son, softening almost imperceptibly. "Itachi, you stay."

  Itachi gnced between his mother and father, his expression clearly veying ohought: I think I go too!

  Fugaku didn't bother with words, responding with a look that said: I don't care what you think; only my opinion matters.

  "Alright, Itachi, give Sasuke to me." Mikoto cheerfully cimed the baby a.

  That left Itachi looking a bit gloomy.

  Fugaku turo Masashi. "Masashi, let me firm—have you mastered Sage Mode?"

  Masashi nodded. "Why else would I go to Ryūchi Cave?"

  Itachi tilted his head in fusion. His teacher went to some cave? To bee a sage? This was beyond his current knowledge.

  "You really insist on pursuing this path, don't you?" Fugaku sighed deeply. "Holy, if you focused on the 's traditional teiques, by now you'd probably—"

  "Fugaku-sama, you've got it wrong. I learhis for the sake of the 's traditions." Masashi said. "It's because the usual methods for mastering our teiques weren't w for me anymore that I took this route."

  In fact, he'd expihis a thousand times already, but these people just refused to believe him. But today he could finally provide proof.