Flame Ninja System

The situation caught the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, completely off guard. His eyes snapped to Kazama in shock.

"Those are… *Mangekyō Sharingan*!?"

To think that Kazama, from the Sanada clan, had awakened the *Mangekyō Sharingan*, a power exclusive to the Uchiha clan.

The Third Hokage was utterly floored, his jaw practically hitting the ground.

"Don't worry," Kazama said calmly. "Their five senses were just overwhelmed. They'll recover in a few days—no life-threatening injuries."

With that, Kazama vanished in a flash, using the *Body Flicker Technique*. In the next instant, he appeared in Ibiki's interrogation room.

"Sanada Kazama!" Ibiki muttered, startled by the sudden arrival.

Kazama's reputation had spread like wildfire through the Anbu after he took down three Root ninjas in a row. Naturally, Ibiki, head of the Anbu's interrogation unit, had heard of him.

But while Ibiki knew Kazama was strong, he never imagined the guy could slip into his interrogation room without a sound.

"I need to see the ninja who attacked the hospital," Kazama said, his voice icy.

Ibiki could tell Kazama was furious—beyond furious, even. He quickly had the suspect brought in.

"You little punk! You think you can get me to spill about the mastermind?" the culprit snarled before Kazama could even open his mouth.

"There's a seal in his mind," Ibiki explained. "Figuring out who's behind this will probably take some time."

"Fine," Kazama replied. "In my *Tsukuyomi* world, I've got all the time I need."

With that, Kazama locked eyes with the suspect and cast *Tsukuyomi*, the ultimate genjutsu.

In the world of *Tsukuyomi*, time and space bend to the caster's will. The victim could be tortured for years, even decades, within moments—until their mind shatters.

A few minutes later, the once-arrogant culprit was a broken mess, eyes vacant, slumped on the floor.

"Did you find the mastermind?" Ibiki asked.

"I did," Kazama answered.

"What?! That fast?!"

Ibiki had spent *hours* interrogating the guy and gotten nowhere. Yet Kazama cracked him in mere minutes, digging up every detail. In that moment, Ibiki felt like a complete failure compared to Kazama.

"Hey! Who's the mastermind?" Ibiki shouted as Kazama turned to leave.

But Kazama was already gone, vanishing with another *Body Flicker Technique*.

The mastermind was Danzō.

Kazama saw no point in sharing that with anyone. Danzō's influence in Konoha was too deep-rooted; even if Kazama spoke up, it wouldn't change a thing. Worse, it might tip Danzō off, making him wary of Kazama's strength.

So Kazama kept it to himself.

"The Chūnin Exams are coming up," he thought. "That means Orochimaru will invade Konoha. When the village falls into chaos, I'll settle my old and new grudges with Danzō all at once."

As Kazama headed back to the hospital, his vision suddenly blurred.

"Damn it… is this the backlash from overusing the *Mangekyō Sharingan*?"

Kazama knew the more he used the *Mangekyō*, the closer he edged toward blindness.

"I need to awaken the *Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan* soon. But where am I supposed to find another pair of *Mangekyō Sharingan* to fuse with mine?"

He posed the question to the System.

"If the host lacks a suitable pair of *Mangekyō Sharingan* for fusion," the System replied, "you can also collect ten ordinary *Sharingan* to create an *Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan*."

"Ten, huh?" Kazama mused. "Danzō's right arm has exactly ten *Sharingan*, doesn't it? Plus, his right eye is Uchiha Shisui's *Mangekyō Sharingan*, with the strongest genjutsu, *Kotoamatsukami*. If I can take Danzō down and claim those eyes, I'll not only get the *Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan* but maybe even *Kotoamatsukami*. Looks like I need to speed up my revenge plan."

"Oi, kid! Watch where you're going!"

Lost in thought, Kazama was jolted by a sudden angry shout.