The Forgemage of Konoha

Eyes — How Can a Ninja Be Without Eyes?

After the discussion, Nakamura and the others went to sleep early—they had to travel tomorrow and had agreed to skip the evening training session. Though Shirō also had to travel, he was too excited to sleep.

During the battle earlier that night, the system had notified Shirō that it had absorbed a trace amount of scattered ocular power. Soon after, he learned that Taichi's Sharingan had evolved—presumably to a higher tomoe state. This triggered a bold idea in Shirō's mind. If his suspicion was right, then he might be about to break through a new threshold.

> "System, what's the use of the ocular power absorbed earlier? Can I awaken the Sharingan with it?!"

That's right—Shirō's wild guess was that the system might allow him to obtain the Sharingan, and if that was possible, then so were the Mangekyō, Eternal Mangekyō, and even the Rinnegan.

Just imagining himself standing with arms crossed while a fully-armored Susanoo wiped out enemies in a single strike made Shirō grin so wide he almost drooled.

> "Ding! Ocular power detected. It can be used to assist the host in acquiring the skill—Clairvoyance."

> "I knew it! The Sharingan is min—wait, what? Clairvoyance? Not Sharingan?"

> "Negative. Based on existing parameters, the host does not meet the genetic or emotional prerequisites required for awakening the Sharingan. Therefore, ocular power is being reconstituted to unlock Clairvoyance instead."

"…No wonder you got blown up before—you couldn't even replicate a single Sharingan. You truly have no prestige," Shirō muttered, his eyebrow twitching.

> "Correction. The host has the potential to awaken the Sharingan—via specific methods."

> "Huh? You trash system, you've got that function?!"

> "To be precise: you have the latent capacity. The system merely helps reveal it."

"…?" Shirō was a bit confused but kept listening.

> "To awaken your ocular potential, simply go to sleep."

"…You—!"

Shirō vowed that if he ever found the physical location of this system, he would blow it up again.

> "Fine. Clairvoyance it is. Better than nothing."

Still, he couldn't help but feel disappointed. No Susanoo, no Kamui, no Amaterasu. Just visions.

> "Sigh… I should go back to practicing high jump. Forget triple-kills—at this point, even a solo kill would satisfy me." He sighed, collapsing back onto his bedroll.

---

Still, curiosity remained.

> "System, you said it would help me master Clairvoyance, not just give it to me. How exactly?"

> "Affirmative. The system cannot directly install abilities. It can, however, assist the host in achieving initial mastery. Further development must come through personal effort and cultivation."

> "Wait—are you saying Clairvoyance has ranks? Can mine be improved?"

> "Correct. Theoretically, your Clairvoyance can reach E-rank, depending on personal growth and refined magical understanding."

> "E?!" Shirō nearly jumped up.

He had expected a modest C-rank version like Archer EMIYA's. Even that could analyze the battlefield within several kilometers and sense intent.

But E-rank?

> Merlin's Clairvoyance was only A-rank, and it allowed him to perceive events all across the world. Even then, people claimed it wasn't omniscient. What would E-rank do? Peer into alternate timelines? Observe fate itself?

Of course, this was all theoretical.

After calming down, Shirō continued, "Alright, then what do I need to do?"

> "To cultivate Clairvoyance, begin by strengthening the physical structure of the eyes. The system will inject absorbed ocular power periodically to stimulate growth."

> "Wait a second… So my use of Reinforcement Magic on my eyes before—that was actually the start of Clairvoyance training?"

> "Affirmative. However, that method remains rudimentary. Without extended refinement or application of legendary concepts, progress will remain limited."

> "Currently projected outcome: host's Clairvoyance will stabilize at E-rank, with a visual awareness radius of approximately two kilometers."

---

"Two kilometers! That's double what I can do now!"

> "Note: During this process, please remain conscious to imprint the sensation of perception—this will assist future mastery."

> "Got it. I'll practice when we return to the Village. But first… I'm going to find a Sharingan."

---

Return Journey

Early the next morning, Shirō and his team began their return to Konoha. Though the mission was completed, it would still take three days to get back—maybe longer depending on breaks.

There was no pressing urgency. The village wasn't under attack, and the enemies they'd fought were mere bandits, not enemy shinobi. A few days of delay wouldn't matter.

Still, they didn't slack off.

Taichi and Shikamaru practiced Sealing Techniques under Nakamura's supervision, while Shirō experimented nearby with crafting Dragon Tooth Soldiers.

After the last battle, Shirō had realized their potential. The skeleton constructs might not be strong individually, but they were easy to mass-produce, required little chakra, and—most importantly—could be enhanced with Reinforcement Magic.

Just like how Caster Medea reinforced Kuzuki to superhuman levels… though Shirō had to admit, his current Reinforcement Magic couldn't match Medea's in precision or depth.

So for now, his Dragon Tooth Soldiers were just glorified cannon fodder—good for distraction, not direct combat against proper ninja.

And just to be clear, Shirō had no affection for them!

> Medea used magic to empower Kuzuki—not love. And I definitely don't love my skeleton army!

Unfortunately, due to his Origin's interference, Shirō had difficulty mastering most other magecraft. Were it not for the magical data inherited through Rule Breaker, even Reinforcement might've eluded him.

As for that half-learned spell he'd dabbled in—the Familiar Contract—he still didn't know what it was for.

Initially, he'd hoped it could help summon Heroic Spirits. But without the Holy Grail, Third Magic, or the conditions for spiritual materialization, it was utterly useless.

Besides, with a Ryuchi Cave contract already in hand, he didn't need another summoning link.

Maybe one day, when he was bored, he'd test it out just for fun.

But today was not that day.