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Hearing their captain's words, the ANBU operatives quickly snapped out of their daze. Indeed, it was clear from Hayato's current state that he was at his limit. However, what they failed to realize was that while Hayato was now experiencing a final resurgence—a fleeting moment of brilliance—this was also when he was most dangerous.
"Roar!!!!!!" Susanoo let out another earth-shaking howl, its immense power shaking the accumulated snow off the surrounding trees. With a swift motion, its massive hands swung forward, and a chain of enormous connected magatama (tomoe-like symbols) materialized in its palms before being flung with terrifying force.
"Whoosh!!! Whoosh!!! Whoosh!!!" Dozens of colossal magatama, each carrying enough destructive energy to shatter mountains and split cliffs, streaked toward the ANBU operatives at lightning speed.
This attack far exceeded their expectations. The speed was simply too great for them to evade. Though they managed to react just before impact, their bodies couldn't keep up.
"Boom!!!! Boom!!! Boom!!!" One after another, all seven ANBU members—including their captain—were struck by the magatama. The sickening crunch of bones breaking echoed through the air as they were sent flying, their bodies slamming heavily into the distance. Blood flowed freely from their mangled forms, and after a brief spasm, they fell still—utterly lifeless.
Indeed, a force capable of piercing through solid rock would inevitably prove fatal when striking a human body. But this was also the last ounce of strength Hayato had left.
Hayato coughed violently, expelling another gush of blood. His complexion turned ashen, his gaze grew unfocused, and with a thud, his knees hit the ground. Slowly, his body collapsed.
Susanoo let out a mournful cry before gradually dissipating into the void. "Father!!!!" Miao leaped down from the tree and rushed to Hayato's side, supporting his limp body. Tears welled up in her eyes.
By now, Hayato's face was deathly pale. His Sharingan had vanished, leaving behind only dull, grayish pupils. His vision had nearly faded entirely; he could barely make out the vague outline of Miao standing beside him.
Blood trickled continuously from the corner of his mouth as he struggled to speak. "This is the curse of the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan... In gaining immense power, one places an unbearable burden on their own body, and their eyes slowly succumb to darkness."
"Father!!! I..." Tears streamed down Miao's cheeks as she tried to say something, but Hayato interrupted her gently. "It's over for me," he rasped. "My life force has been completely drained from forcibly using the Mangekyō Sharingan, and my eyes have lost their light. But remember what I told you—there's only one way to break the curse of the Sharingan: obtaining the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. Given your potential, awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan is inevitable for you. Eventually, you'll walk this path too. So take my eyes—they're a father's final gift to his son."
Miao clenched her lips tightly, drawing blood that mingled with her tears streaming down her chin. Yet she seemed oblivious to the pain, gripping Hayato's hand firmly.
"Cough, cough!!!" Hayato's complexion darkened further as he continued to cough violently. Taking a labored breath, he spoke again. "Also, beneath the seventh tatami mat from the right in the Naka Shrine of the Uchiha clan lies a hidden passage. It leads to the true secret sanctuary of the Uchiha clan, where they held their most important meetings."
"There, you'll find a stone tablet passed down through generations of the Uchiha. Legend says it was left by the founder of our clan, inscribed with his final words. It contains the secrets of the Uchiha's history and the origins of their ocular powers. Only those with sufficient Sharingan chakra can read it—the stronger the ocular power, the more content revealed. This is the Uchiha clan's greatest secret, second only to the Mangekyō Sharingan. If you ever have questions about the Uchiha or the Sharingan, go there. You might discover something unexpected."
With these words, Hayato coughed up another mouthful of blood, his breathing growing fainter by the second.
"Father!!! Stop talking!!!" Miao clutched his hand tightly, tears cascading like a broken dam from her eyes.
"One last thing—I need you to promise me something!!!" Hayato's expression grew solemn. "Father, tell me! Whatever it is, I'll do it!!!" Miao bit her lip, her voice hoarse and strained.
"My current state is deeply tied to the Uchiha clan. I've told you about my grievances with them, but despite everything, the Uchiha are still the family I was born into—the ones who raised me. Even though I've lost hope in them, I can't bring myself to truly hate them. So I ask you this: when you grow strong enough in the future, don't seek revenge against the Uchiha. Can you promise me that?"
Hayato's voice grew dry and threadbare, his presence fading like a flickering candle in the wind, on the verge of extinguishing at any moment.
"I promise, Father. I won't seek revenge against the Uchiha," Miao said through gritted teeth, forcing herself to agree. Deep down, she had harbored thoughts of vengeance, but Hayato seemed to see right through her intentions, leaving her no choice but to concede.
Still, part of her reasoning stemmed from knowledge of the future. She knew that soon, Uchiha Itachi would massacre the entire Uchiha clan. Whether she acted or not, the outcome would remain the same—the Uchiha were fated for annihilation.
"Is that so? That's good... My son has grown up. Finally, I can join your mother." As he spoke these words, Hayato's eyes slowly closed. In his fading vision, the blurry outline of his son suddenly became crystal clear, etching itself deeply into both his sight and soul.
The cold, damp air lingered around them, chilling winds sweeping past. Miao's bangs, which usually covered her right eye, were blown aside, revealing her calm yet trembling demeanor. On the surface, she appeared composed, but her quivering shoulders betrayed her inner turmoil.
After a long silence, Miao slowly straightened her posture. Two streams of bloody tears had unknowingly traced paths down her cheeks, and her eyes began undergoing a profound transformation.
The three tomoe within her eyes began spinning rapidly, merging together seamlessly. As the icy wind swept past, a strange triangular shuriken-like pattern emerged within her crimson irises.