Read ahead of public release on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley
Check out Chapter illustrations on Pixiv at unhinged_uchiha
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At a training field deep within the Uchiha compound, Kanzou stood quietly.
"Well then… let's try it," he murmured. "This so-called strongest Fire Style."
He activated his Mangekyō Sharingan and fixed his gaze on the wooden stake before him, focusing his visual prowess into his right eye, and unleashed the ocular jutsu, 'Amaterasu!'
A thin trail of bloody tears slid down his cheek…
And just then, black flames erupted across the wooden stake.
Shuaaaa!
It ignited without delay, burning violently as it turned to ash, billowing thick black smoke skyward.
"As expected, the ignition… it's truly instantaneous," he muttered, wiping the blood from his cheek. He noted that the moment the jutsu activated, the target had already caught fire.
That was the true nature of Amaterasu: instant ignition.
Unlike ordinary Fire Release techniques, which must physically cover the distance between the caster (Point A) and the Target (Point B), Amaterasu bypasses distance entirely by manifesting at Point B and directly igniting the target, without delay or trajectory, making it far more dangerous and difficult to dodge.
In fact, Amaterasu is so fast and immediate that almost no one could easily evade getting hit by it. Only shinobi with extreme speed, perhaps those on the level of the Raikages, might manage to dodge it. And such individuals were exceedingly rare.
Another trait of Amaterasu is that it burns with extreme heat, as evidenced by the fact that in less than a second, the wooden stake was reduced to ash.
Normal Fire Style would continue to burn that stake for a while… but not Amaterasu. It burns completely and instantaneously.
And this is not even the limit… in fact, this is where Amaterasu gets even more interesting.
Even after the stake had completely disintegrated, the black flames didn't fade. Instead, they continued burning on the ground, spreading slightly as they consumed the earth beneath them.
Unlike ordinary fire, which requires fuel, wood, flesh, metal, or anything else, something to be burned, Amaterasu didn't extinguish itself even if its target was gone. It kept burning regardless, persisting even in the absence of anything meaningful to consume, scorching nothing but mud.
As for how long the flames could continue to scorch the ground like this, Kanzou wasn't certain. Perhaps they would burn for all eternity unless extinguished, or perhaps only for seven days.
Either way, he would need further experimentation to find out.
There was another good detail about Amaterasu… rain… or more broadly speaking, water couldn't extinguish these black flames.
Something similar had occurred in canon. After Itachi and Sasuke's battle, the Uchiha hideout had been engulfed in Amaterasu. Even when rain poured down, the black flames continued to burn unabated.
That meant that, unlike ordinary Fire Release, which is naturally countered by Water Release, Amaterasu's black flames weren't weakened by Water Style at all.
"And yet, despite being absurdly powerful and completely broken," he sighed, "Amaterasu was almost useless in canon. It barely had any real victims."
The only notable casualty attributed to it was the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, who was severely burned by Itachi's Amaterasu… but even he hadn't died.
Beyond that, the technique steadily lost its impact. Most opponents could simply counter it, absorbing it like Madara and the Ōtsutsuki, dodging it like the Raikage, blocking it like Gaara or Naruto, or even separating a part of their bodies like Killer Bee did, to escape death from being burnt.
Even when someone was burned, the victims were either insignificant fodder or the flames consumed them slowly enough for outside intervention. Kankurō saving that unlucky samurai whose armor had ignited was a perfect example.
By the end, Amaterasu had practically become a meme, far more reliable for burning terrain, walls, and barriers than for killing enemies.
'But then again, at least in the early stages, it's a pretty cool Fire Jutsu,' he thought, as he activated Kagatsuchi.
He directed the ocular jutsu toward the black flames scorching the ground. Under its influence, the black blaze began to move, strangely, unnaturally, lifting from the earth and flowing toward him as they gathered around his palm.
Amaterasu on its own was indeed unwieldy. Without control, it was little more than indiscriminate destruction, difficult to shape or manipulate through normal chakra transformation. Kagatsuchi changed that entirely.
It turned the black flames into something refined, something he could mold, guide, and weaponize with precision.
"It… really doesn't burn," he murmured, calmly observing the flames wrapped around his palm.
Even as they covered his entire palm, the fire didn't scorch his flesh. Instead, it clung to him like a cloak of black flame. He could feel the intense heat radiating from it, but there was no pain.
In the current era, this would be a devastating tool. A clean, efficient way to reduce enemies to ash.
'And it'll help with aura farming too,' he thought with a faint smile.
After all, compared to normal fire… black flames are indeed better for aura farming.
Experimenting further, he reshaped the Amaterasu flames into different forms, increasing their volatility and ignition. The fire grew more aggressive, more prone to spreading at his will.
In essence, Kagatsuchi allowed him to wield Amaterasu as his own personal Fire Release, one that required no hand seals and obeyed his intent absolutely.
'I remember this method of using Amaterasu was considered equivalent to a Kekkei Genkai… Blaze Release, wasn't it?' he thought, a satisfied smile forming on his lips. 'So it seems I now possess the Blaze Release Kekkei Genkai as well.'
Though he already wielded Ryūjin Jakka and didn't truly need Blaze Release, having it was still better than nothing.
In fact, he even thinks that perhaps Amaterasu might be more useful than the Ryūjin Jakka.
After all, he couldn't activate Ryūjin Jakka's Shikai or Bankai whenever he pleased. Not only did those forms consume enormous amounts of chakra, but they also devastated the surrounding environment, and worse, endangered allies.
Few could withstand such overwhelming heat. Kanzou wasn't even certain he himself could endure the full force of Zanka no Tachi.
In most situations, unleashing it would be excessive, causing far more harm than benefit.
By comparison, Amaterasu was far more restrained. And with Kagatsuchi in play, the black flames would move exactly as his eye willed, ensuring they harmed only those he intended to burn. That control alone made the technique vastly more practical.
At least until monsters like the Ōtsutsuki, beings capable of absorbing chakra, entered the stage, this would remain a powerful and enjoyable jutsu to experiment with.
The only problem with using Amaterasu at the moment is the consumption of Visual Prowess…
"Yeah… this is also highly consuming," he murmured, feeling that using Amaterasu and Kagatsuchi was far more exhausting than using Tsukuyomi.
It wasn't just the drain; he also felt as though dozens of needles were being driven into his right eye, and that was very painful.
Even so, it was nothing he couldn't easily shrug off. Being a ninja, his pain tolerance was very high. Ignoring the sharp pricking sensation, he calmly wiped the blood from his cheek.
As for the drain in Visual Prowess… although he felt it, it was probably not too much. It's probably because his own Visual Prowess is very-very high that it wouldn't be drained too easily… but still…
Since he only possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan for now, the chakra consumption was indeed a serious issue, but only until he acquires the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
The problem was that acquiring the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan cost a million Evil Points, and he currently had just over two hundred thousand.
'Looks like I'll need to grind a lot more Evil Points,' he thought.
But he quickly dismissed the idea.
'Forget it for now. There are more pressing matters, organizing the clan, for one. And tomorrow is the patriarchal ascension ceremony. Those things come first. I can worry about grinding later.'
Although he was in a hurry, he wasn't desperate, not yet.
Still, having the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan would put him far more at ease. It would eliminate the risk of blindness entirely. Even so, managing the clan was now a responsibility he couldn't ignore.
"What a headache…" he sighed.
With that, he ended his testing of Amaterasu and Kagatsuchi, extinguished the fire, and decided to head to the Police Station first.
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Elder Tadayoshi's Mansion
"You're going to live with him?" Tadayoshi asked, frowning deeply.
Mikoto nodded. "Yes, Sofu-sama. Kanzou-sama wants me to live with him."
Tadayoshi pursed his lips, clearly displeased. "Mikoto, you don't—"
"And it's what I want as well," she interrupted gently but firmly.
Her words stopped him cold. From her tone, Tadayoshi realized she wasn't seeking his permission; she was informing him of her decision.
After a brief pause, he asked, "What about marriage? Did he say anything about that?"
"Not yet…" Mikoto replied, lowering her gaze. "But… he said he was satisfied with what I did today, that I proved myself useful to him. If I live with him and take care of him, I can continue proving my worth. And once I do… he'll marry me."
'He's clearly using you,' Tadayoshi thought grimly. The more he listened, the more convinced he became that Kanzou was manipulating her, leading her down a path that could ruin her completely. Yet he couldn't bring himself to say it aloud. The thought was terrifying, and worse, he knew Mikoto likely wouldn't believe him.
"Sofu-sama… if you're worried about being alone, about no one taking care of you—" she began.
Tadayoshi shook his head, cutting her off before she could finish.
"That isn't what I'm worried about," Tadayoshi said quietly. "Even if no one were here, I could take care of myself." After a brief hesitation, he continued, choosing his words carefully. "But for a man and a woman to live under the same roof… without marriage… Mikoto, don't you think it's—" He faltered, unable to finish.
"Inappropriate?" Mikoto supplied softly, and Tadayoshi nodded.
Such an arrangement would invite whispers. People would question her dignity, her reputation.
Mikoto took a steady breath. "That line was crossed long ago. Who in the clan doesn't already know the kind of relationship I have with Kanzou-sama?" Her voice wavered, but she pressed on. "And the very people who supported me… they asked Kanzou-sama to accept me. He's willing, but only if I prove that I'm prepared to do anything for him. Sofu-sama, at this point, nothing else matters. This is what Kanzou-sama wants from me… and this is what I must do to earn his approval."
Hearing those words from his precious granddaughter made Tadayoshi's heart ache. "Mikoto…"
Before he could continue, she bowed deeply. "Please… let me do this. This is what I truly want as well."
Tadayoshi sighed. He could see there was nothing he could say to change her mind. At last, he relented. "Just… take care of yourself. And if, even for a moment, you ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe around him, don't think that you must endure it simply because this was your choice. I'm still alive."
"I know, Sofu-sama," Mikoto replied gently. "But… I don't think that will be necessary. Kanzou-sama… he's not as bad as you think."
Tadayoshi didn't argue. He simply nodded. "Alright. Go. Pack whatever you need."
"Thank you, Sofu-sama," she said, bowing gratefully.
From the beginning, she hadn't truly been asking for his permission; she would have gone with Kanzou even if he had opposed her. Still, knowing that he hadn't stood in her way eased her heart somewhat.
With that, she turned and left to pack her belongings… well, more specifically, her clothes.
After Mikoto left, Elder Tadayoshi let out a long, heavy sigh.
Sadness weighed on his chest.
Things had reached a point where Mikoto was willingly choosing to live with the man who had assaulted her, and worse, she was defending him, calling him 'not that bad.' That thought alone made him realize just how deeply she was sinking, and how powerless he was to stop it.
Even now, he wanted to stop it, to stop her from moving in with Kanzou. If she took things slowly, perhaps she could truly examine her feelings, decide whether this was genuinely what she wanted, or if she was simply doing it because it was what Kanzou demanded of her.
But he didn't try to stop her.
Not only did he know he likely couldn't succeed and that she would resist him, but he also feared pushing her away. If that happened, she might never reach out to him again, even if she desperately needed help.
More than anything, he understood that trying to prevent Mikoto from living with Kanzou was already a futile hope.
Within the entire Uchiha clan, there was likely no one who could openly oppose Kanzou's power. Fugaku had been exiled. Tadayoshi himself lacked the strength. And even if he wanted to push back Kanzou, he couldn't, not openly, and not even in secret. His own granddaughter was about to live under Kanzou's roof. Any action he took would only make things harder for Mikoto.
What frightened him most was the certainty that Kanzou wouldn't retaliate against him; the consequences would fall on Mikoto instead. And she would endure them. She would accept them silently, without a single complaint.
Even now, what she was suffering was, in part, the result of his own choices. If he had supported Kanzou instead of Fugaku back then… perhaps Mikoto wouldn't have had to endure any of this.
In fact, one of the reasons he had opposed Mikoto's engagement to Kanzou, aside from Fugaku being the patriarch's son and the natural successor, was a feeling he'd had long ago. Even when Kanzou was just a boy, Tadayoshi had sensed something unsettling in his eyes. A trace of madness. He had never been certain, only an instinct, but it had been enough to stop him from supporting Kanzou.
Even now, that unease hadn't faded.
'Is there really no way to help her?' he wondered, unwilling to watch his granddaughter willingly sink into the abyss.
'Maybe Seiji-kun could do something?' the thought surfaced, but he wasn't confident. Uchiha Seiji was indeed one of the clan's strongest, perhaps even on par with Fugaku, yet Tadayoshi couldn't say whether he would be able to do anything against Kanzou.
'Tch… what am I thinking?' Tadayoshi sighed inwardly. Any rash action would only bring harm to Mikoto.
In the end, all he could do was restrain himself and hope, desperately, that Mikoto would remain safe.
…
Police Station
"Kanzou-sama… or should I address you as Patriarch now?" Hazuki asked as she knelt before him. "You called for me?"
"Call me whatever you want," he responded, shrugging, before shifting to the main matter, "There are several tasks I need the Zodiacs to handle."
"Yes?" Hazuki prompted.
"First," Kanzou said calmly, "empty Fugaku's residence. Gather all documents and anything of importance and move them to my mansion, specifically, my study."
Hazuki tilted her head slightly. "Won't you be moving into the former patriarch's mansion?"
Normally, a newly appointed patriarch would move into the former patriarch's residence. By that tradition, Fugaku's home, or more accurately, Dōma's estate, should have passed to Kanzou as the new patriarch.
"I see no need," Kanzou shrugged. "My mansion is large enough, and far more secure."
As one of the most powerful and influential figures in the clan, his residence was among the largest within the Uchiha compound, perhaps second only to the patriarch's estate. More importantly, it was tailored to his needs, complete with layered security and hidden rooms. He had no intention of relocating.
Hazuki nodded, accepting the decision without objection. "Understood. I'll personally oversee it and ensure everything is properly sorted."
Kanzou hummed in approval before continuing. "Second, have one of the Zodiacs locate Fugaku. He's likely with Sarutobi Hiruzen or Shimura Danzō. I only want to know where he is. No further action is necessary."
For now, Fugaku still had value, particularly his Mangekyō Sharingan. Kanzou wasn't in a hurry to eliminate him and was content with simply tracking his whereabouts.
"I'll have one of the Zodiacs look into it," Hazuki nodded.
Kanzou hummed in approval again, then added his final instruction. "And lastly… send one of your zodiacs to Tadayoshi-sama's residence. Have her take care of his daily needs, cooking, cleaning, and the like."
Hazuki froze. "To Tadayoshi-sama's mansion? To handle his daily life?" she asked, clearly confused. "Why send a zodiac there?"
Kanzou answered casually, "Mikoto will be moving in with me. She's worried about Tadayoshi-sama living alone, so someone needs to be there. So, a zodiac being there is fine… Not just to take care of him, but also to keep an eye on him. To make sure he doesn't try anything unnecessary."
Although Kanzou believed the elder was intelligent enough to understand that any reckless action would only bring consequences upon Mikoto, he still preferred to make the message unmistakably clear. The old man needed to know he was being watched.
Hazuki understood the implication, but what truly caught her off guard was something else entirely.
"M-Mikoto-sama… s-she's moving in with you?" she asked, stumbling over her words.
"Yes," Kanzou replied with a simple nod.
Hazuki immediately shook her head. "N-no… I don't approve of that. I'm against it… completely!!!"
Kanzou raised an eyebrow. "And why do you think I need your approval?"
"I-It's because—" Hazuki started, then stopped herself. She couldn't bring herself to say it. Kanzou wasn't unaware of how she felt toward him. Saying it aloud wouldn't change anything, especially when he had never accepted those feelings in the first place.
"Well?" he pressed calmly.
She clenched her fists and finally spoke. "It's because you've never done something like this with any other woman. W-why her, all of a sudden? Why Mikoto-sama? It's not like you love her or anything… she should just be another temporary 'entertainment' to you."
As someone who served him closely, Hazuki knew many women Kanzou had screwed with over the past few years. Yet he had never brought a single one of them into his home, much less allowed anyone to move in with him. And now, suddenly, he was permitting Mikoto to live under his roof.
Hazuki found it impossible to accept.
"I have my reasons," Kanzou replied calmly. "You don't need to concern yourself with them."
"B-but, Kanzou-sama…" Hazuki pressed anxiously. "What if she tries to harm you? Keeping her so close gives her the chance to poison you, or worse. She could even try to kill you."
She knew what Kanzou had done to Mikoto. Given that, it wouldn't have been strange for Mikoto to harbor thoughts of revenge. Allowing her such proximity seemed like leaving himself exposed.
"You should know that poison doesn't work on me," Kanzou said flatly, shaking his head.
He had built up considerable resistance to toxins, something he had deliberately cultivated since a young age, with help from that blonde-haired, bespectacled medic kunoichi on his squad.
"As for her trying to harm me," he continued calmly, "I don't believe she has any such intentions."
Even if Mikoto were hiding something deep in her heart, he genuinely didn't think she planned to harm him. On the contrary, he was confident that she truly intended to serve him.
With that settled, he gave Hazuki a final instruction. "You don't need to worry about Mikoto. Her situation has nothing to do with you. I have everything under control."
"I… I understand," Hazuki replied, her voice thick with emotion.
She was clearly unwilling to accept it, but she had no choice. As his most loyal subordinate, she could only obey his orders, no matter how conflicted she felt.
"Then go. Complete the tasks," he said, dismissing her.
Hazuki nodded and rose to her feet. As she turned away, she quietly wiped the tears threatening to spill from her eyes before leaving.
His orders came above everything, even her own feelings. That was something she had been taught long ago. So, despite the ache in her heart, she obeyed.
Watching her go, Kanzou let out a quiet sigh. 'I wonder how she'll feel when she learns that I may end up marrying Mikoto…'
He wasn't oblivious to Hazuki's feelings; he was simply unwilling to accept them, at least for now.
'Forget it… just develop a little more. Then I'll pin you beneath me and fuck your mind apart,' he thought, shaking his head.
As for his reasons for having Mikoto move in, there were several.
One was a simple attraction; there was something about her that drew him in.
Perhaps it's because she's the biological mother of Itachi and Sasuke.
Screwing the mothers of canon characters had always been an addictive thrill for him. Mikoto wasn't the first. There had been others before, women tied to the canon characters who had been fucked by him.
The other reason was far more deliberate.
He intended to groom Mikoto. To reshape her. To draw out a darker nature buried within her.
'If Mikoto blackens… that could be very interesting,' he thought with amusement, already looking forward to what she might become.
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Drop power Powerstonessssssssss!
Read ahead of public release on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley
Check out Chapter illustrations on Pixiv: unhinged_uchiha