Chapter 123

Such humiliation was hard for them to accept.

But between the extinction of their clan and losing their dignity to protect the family, they were willing to sacrifice for the sake of the clan!

The three exchanged glances, their expressions hardening with resolve.

"Clan Head, speak with him!"

Seeing this, Fugaku felt a weight lift from his heart.

He had finally managed to win the clan's understanding.

This eased the burden of pressure and shame weighing on him considerably.

"Very well, I will go and speak with him!"

Fugaku nodded, then walked outside the room.

Watching Ishihara resting beneath the tree shade, his mood was incredibly complex; he sighed and stepped forward.

"I wish to cooperate with you."

Ishihara raised an eyebrow, asking with interest: "How so?"

Fugaku took a deep breath, his expression becoming solemn.

The conversation to follow would determine the life or death of the Uchiha clan; he had to be cautious.

"If I am not mistaken, your goal must be the Mangekyō Sharingan of our Uchiha clan, or perhaps the Mangekyō techniques?"

After speaking, Fugaku watched him tensely.

"That counts as one of my goals."

Ishihara smiled and nodded, making no denial.

Fugaku was momentarily stunned; he could not immediately fathom what other goals Ishihara might have, yet he felt a sense of relief.

As long as he still held leverage, there was room for negotiation.

Fugaku swallowed, speaking nervously:

"I can hand over all the secret techniques and forbidden arts of the Uchiha clan to you!"

"But you must also help my clansmen awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan; once awakened, their Mangekyō shall be at your disposal for study!"

Ishihara looked at him with some surprise.

He had not expected Fugaku to be so generous.

Even less had he expected Fugaku to set aside the pride of the Uchiha.

However, this indeed facilitated the advancement of his own plans.

"Agreed!"

Ishihara agreed decisively, smiling as he said:

"To demonstrate my sincerity, today I can help one of your three subordinates awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan!"

He did not care about Fugaku's schemes; his secret techniques were not so easily obtained.

"Good!"

Fugaku was shaken, not expecting Ishihara to agree so readily.

He immediately excitedly called the three people inside the room out.

After some argument, Uchiha Tekka finally stepped forward to become the guinea pig.

Seeing Tekka's solemn expression, looking as if he were marching to his death, Ishihara could not help but shake his head.

"Let me clarify first: the side effect of awakening the Mangekyō is a significant reduction in your lifespan. Even if the secret technique fails, this lifespan will still be lost, and there is a possibility of death. Are you sure you wish to proceed?"

Reduced lifespan?!

Fugaku and the others' faces changed drastically.

They had not expected the side effects to be so severe.

Uchiha Tekka shuddered all over, his face turning somewhat pale, yet he still declared firmly:

"Please proceed. How could awakening the Mangekyō be without any cost? I am prepared!"

"Very well!"

Ishihara nodded. "Come and sit cross-legged before me."

Uchiha Tekka sat down, his expression somewhat tense.

Ishihara cast a barrier to envelop the two of them, ensuring no sound could escape, and only then spoke:

"Next, I will explain the secret technique to you. Listen carefully and learn diligently..."

The secret technique was not difficult to master; one could even say it was somewhat simple and crude.

As Ishihara explained, Uchiha Tekka gradually mastered the secret technique.

However, he only knew how to perform it; the underlying principles remained completely unclear to him, as Ishihara had concealed them all.

"You are the first to attempt cultivating this secret technique, so I will give you a hand!"

Uchiha Tekka nodded and began to circulate the secret technique with a solemn expression.

Buzz—

Ishihara activated an illusion space, instantly enveloping the other party.

Noticing this, Uchiha Tekka shuddered all over immediately.

"Do not move recklessly; this is also part of the secret technique!"

Ishihara's voice suppressed Tekka's instinctive bodily counterattack, yet unease still lingered in his heart.

He did not notice, however, that a flash of sharp light passed through Ishihara's eyes behind him.

"You wish to copy all jutsu; keep this firmly in mind!"

The illusion space activated, and he planted a seed deep within Uchiha Tekka's heart.

And this was Ishihara's second purpose.

He wanted to develop his Sharingan secret technique to its utmost limit, and also develop the three basic abilities of the Sharingan to their utmost limit.

However, regarding the Sharingan's copying ability, he had had no leads for a long time.

So he thought of this method of using the Mangekyō secret technique to work backwards.

Now was his first attempt.

As for whether it could succeed, he had no confidence in his heart.

After making all preparations, Ishihara spoke in a low voice:

"Begin circulating the secret technique!"

"Yes!"

Uchiha Tetsuka hurriedly began circulating the secret technique.

1.1 Immediately, a bone-eroding agony swept through his entire body, causing his face to change drastically.

Ishihara activated the Byakugan to observe his condition and urgently reminded him:

"This secret technique is drawing out your life force; hold on!"

He could see that as a massive amount of chakra was consumed, the painful emotions rapidly condensed together, causing a slight change in Yin Release chakra.

Originally, this slight change was insufficient to trigger a secondary mutation of the organ.

But under this burning life force, this special organ seemed to become exceptionally sensitive.

This slight change immediately triggered a change in the special organ.

Seeing this scene, Ishihara's spirits instantly lifted.

"The change has already begun; endure it!"

"Good!"

Uchiha Tetsuka's teeth were nearly ground to dust.

He felt as if countless ants were gnawing on his body, an unbearable pain and discomfort.

Even his appearance began to grow old, and his hair turned gray.

Outside the barrier.

Fugaku and others, seeing this scene, gritted their teeth in pain.

"Tetsuka, you must hold on!"

The entire forest was silent.

Only Uchiha Tetsuka's hoarse roars echoed from within the barrier.

Ishihara watched in silence, caring nothing for Uchiha Tetsuka's life or death; he only cared whether this experiment could succeed.