While the Byakugan and Rinnegan are seen as being among then three great visual abilities of all, this alone makes it one Jutsu for which only Uchihas are capable. Its origins go back to intense emotions, like love and hatred. These trigger the production of a specialized chakra that burns into one’s optic nerves (hence eyes). From this, springs forth the Sharingan.
Once triggered, the Sharingan is inscribed upon its wielder’s eyes forever. This feature persists even after death. Most surprisingly, these eyes can also be donated to people not of the Uchiha clan. The Sharingan gets stronger over time as the user is exposed to heightened emotions.
The source of the Sharingan can be first seen in Hagoromo Otsutsuki, who received it from his mother Kaguya Otsutsuki. And with time, Hagoromo’s Sharingan became the ultimate form of the Mangekyou Sharingan and thence onto Rinnegan. It made him known as the Sage of Six Paths. But his son, Indra Otsutsuki, turned to hatred and a countless war ensued with his brother Asura Otsutsukai. This was the origin of the Uchiha-Senju feud that has persisted through the ages.
One, Two, and Three Tomoe Sharingan
As Uchiha go through many turbulent emotions, they gradually emerge with the Sharingan’s basic form. The progressive development of the Sharingan’s tomoe appears as little pellets which surround the eye. It first shows up as a single tomoe. Then it goes to two, then three–symbolizing the Sharingan’s growing power-level.
The single tomoe Sharingan, an early form of the eye’s power, enhances perception. Its possessor can sense chakra flow and see future actions as well as copy techniques exactly. Taking the two and three tomoe levels further enhances these abilities, strengthening both offensive fighting ability as well as strategic maneuverability.
Each added tomoe is a leap in the user’s ability to perceive. Each extra tomoe’s heightened perception is a vital weapon in battle, allowing users to read their opponent better.
Mangekyou Sharingan
The Mangekyou Sharingan stands as an evolution from the three-tomoe Sharingan, unlocked through the emotional turmoil of witnessing the death of a beloved. This rare and powerful transformation gifts the user unique abilities, distinctive to each individual. Notably, these abilities transcend conventional jutsu, rendering them immensely potent but consuming substantial chakra.
Overuse of the Mangekyou Sharingan leads to a gradual decline in the user’s eyesight, culminating in total blindness. This perilous drawback forces users to weigh the advantages against the price they pay, thereby steering them toward strategic use of their abilities.
Users of the Mangekyou Sharingan possess distinct techniques; for instance, Obito Uchiha commands space-time jutsu while Sasuke Uchiha harnesses the eternal black flames of Amaterasu. These distinct abilities cement the Mangekyou Sharingan’s position as a formidable asset but also foreshadow its detrimental toll on the user’s eyesight.
Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan
The pinnacle of Sharingan evolution, achieved through a unique process: the transfer of Mangekyou Sharingan from one user to another Uchiha with close blood ties. This transfer yields the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan (EMS), a state devoid of the vision deterioration characteristic of its precursor.
The EMS confers near-limitless ocular prowess, unshackling users from the shackles of eventual blindness due to Mangekyou Sharingan use. However, the conditions for acquiring EMS necessitate an Uchiha’s deliberate sacrifice, cementing it as a rare feat within the Uchiha lineage.
Examples of EMS include instances like Izuna Uchiha bequeathing his eyes to Madara Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha imparting his eyes to Sasuke Uchiha. This exchange solidifies the eternal prowess of the Mangekyou Sharingan within the annals of Uchiha history.
