Shigeo Aburame, having watched the anime, knew many secrets.
For instance, he understood the conditions required for the Uchiha clan to awaken the Sharingan: the loss of "love."
According to Tobirama Senju, the Uchiha clan is the most loving clan of all.
However, when they lose that love, the resulting emotional pain and hatred stimulate the pituitary gland, awakening the Sharingan.
The greater the love, the deeper the pain and hatred upon losing it, and the stronger the awakened Sharingan becomes.
Take Uchiha Obito, for example.
During the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, Obito was crushed by a boulder and on the brink of death. He gave one of his Sharingan eyes to Kakashi as both a gift for Kakashi's promotion to jonin and a final act of trust.
He hoped Kakashi would use this eye to protect Rin Nohara, the girl he loved the most, after his passing.
However, under the manipulation of Madara Uchiha and Black Zetsu, Obito witnessed his worst nightmare: Rin's death.
While fleeing from the Mist Village's Anbu, Rin leaped into Kakashi's Chidori, her body pierced through and killed instantly amidst the spray of blood.
Seeing this horrific scene firsthand, the immense pain caused Obito's Sharingan to evolve into the Mangekyo Sharingan, and he slaughtered all the Mist ninja present.
From that moment, Obito completely descended into darkness.
The Mangekyo Sharingan reflects the user's innermost desire to alter reality.
Obito's Mangekyo ability, *Kamui*, allows him to create an alternate dimension—a power tied to his longing to create a world where Rin still existed.
Similarly, Uchiha Itachi awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan after witnessing his best friend, Shisui Uchiha, commit suicide under the pressure of conflict between their clan and the village.
Itachi had tried to save Shisui as he jumped into the Naka River, and this attempt was reflected in his ability *Tsukuyomi*, which controls time and space in illusions.
Shisui's suicide, driven by his inability to reconcile the clan's grievances with the Leaf Village, also planted a seed of hatred in Itachi. This hatred was mirrored in his second ability, *Amaterasu*, an all-consuming flame described as the ultimate physical attack.
Based on these observations, Shigeo Aburame concluded that awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan requires three conditions:
1. Possessing an active Sharingan and sufficient chakra (at least at the chunin level) as a foundation.
2. Experiencing intense pain and hatred, which triggers the evolution from Sharingan to Mangekyo Sharingan.
3. A strong desire to alter reality, which manifests as the specific ability of the Mangekyo Sharingan.
When Sasuke's clan was massacred, he didn't awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan immediately. Shigeo believed this was because Sasuke hadn't fulfilled all three conditions.
At that time, Sasuke was too young and lacked sufficient strength.
Though he witnessed his brother kill their parents and clan, his reaction was more confusion and fear than outright pain and hatred.
Itachi's later attempts to guide Sasuke were flawed. By using *Tsukuyomi* to force Sasuke to relive the pain of losing love, Itachi hoped to ignite hatred and awaken Sasuke's Mangekyo Sharingan.
However, such a strategy was doomed to fail.
Blinded by revenge, Sasuke harbored hatred, but how much of the pain from losing love remained? Let alone the desire to alter reality.
It wasn't until later—when Sasuke killed Itachi and learned the truth about his brother's sacrifices from Obito—that he finally awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan.
Many believed Sasuke's *Amaterasu* was inherited from Itachi, but Shigeo argued it was Sasuke's own power.
Following the logic of emotional reflection, after losing his beloved brother and growing to hate the Leaf Village, Sasuke wanted to destroy the Leaf—a desire represented by *Amaterasu*.
From a historical perspective, Indra's left eye possessed *Amaterasu*, so as Indra's reincarnation, Sasuke may have inherited the technique.
Shigeo suddenly became curious: If Sasuke awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan under his guidance, would *Amaterasu* still be the result?
"Why not test it?"
The thought excited Shigeo. Unable to suppress his curiosity, he turned to Sasuke, who was still processing his shock.
"Sasuke, I've only heard about the Mangekyo Sharingan, but maybe you can find clues in the clan's shrine."
"The clan's shrine?" Sasuke frowned.
"I've been there many times over the years, but I didn't find anything useful."
"That's because you're not the same person now," Shigeo replied with a wave of his hand.
"Your strength and perspective have grown. Go check again—you might see something new."
Sasuke hesitated briefly but ultimately nodded. "Fine. I'll go."
After leaving the training ground, Sasuke returned home, changed clothes, and went to Ichiraku Ramen for a meal.
The food was not only delicious but also cheap, and Sasuke began to understand why Naruto frequented the place.
By the time he finished, night had fallen.
Walking out of the shop, Sasuke glanced at the full moon in the sky and clenched his fists as memories of the massacre resurfaced.
"Itachi!"
Gnashing his teeth, he spat the name with venom, his heart swelling with anger and hatred—and helplessness.
After being soundly defeated by Shigeo's wood clone, Sasuke realized the gap between himself and Itachi was vast. Avenging his clan seemed impossible without gaining Itachi's power.
"Unless I obtain the same eyes as him... the Mangekyo Sharingan!"
The name struck Sasuke deeply, reminding him of Itachi's words that night:
*"Foolish little brother. If you wish to kill me, hate me, detest me, and survive in an unsightly way. Run, cling to your pitiful life. And when you possess the same eyes as I do, come before me…"*
Sasuke's fists tightened, his knuckles cracking, and his eyes burned with fury and hatred.
"Itachi, I will kill you!"
With those words, he headed toward the Uchiha clan's ruins, determined to find the shrine and unlock the secrets of the Mangekyo Sharingan.
But when he arrived, he was shocked to find the shrine in ruins.
The air was still heavy with dust, suggesting the destruction was recent.
"Who did this?" Sasuke muttered, scanning the wreckage.
His gaze fell on a black feather among the debris.
"A crow's feather… Wait, that man… Could it be?"
Before he could finish the thought, the sharp caw of a crow rang out from outside the shrine.
Sasuke's expression darkened as he sprinted toward the sound.
*(To be continued)*