Uchiha Yuan...
This was what Orochimaru was currently most interested in.
Most of the intelligence he possessed concerned the basic characteristics of the Sharingan, while his understanding of the Mangekyō Sharingan, this special evolved form, remained far too limited.
That was why he had launched that probing attack just now.
This probing behavior differed from the original story.
Thus, Uchiha Itachi's counterattack had merely been a slight warning to Orochimaru.
After one round of testing...
With the keen intuition of one of the Shinobi World's foremost scientists, Orochimaru sensed that Uchiha Yuan had other moves besides world destruction.
The Masked Man's sudden falling-out with Akatsuki...
Danzo growing increasingly arrogant...
All of this made Orochimaru realize that Uchiha Yuan's Sharingan
possessed a peculiar ability to corrupt and interfere with the mind.
Like a virus...
If the Masked Man truly brought Uchiha Sasuke back to the base, then Orochimaru would need to observe whether the Masked Man's Sharingan would cause Uchiha Sasuke's Sharingan to become corrupted...
With that thought, Orochimaru fell into deep contemplation.
Both Uchiha Itachi and the Masked Man had mentioned it...
Uchiha Yuan's Mangekyō Sharingan seemed to be closely connected to concepts such as wishes or dialogue.
If his conjecture was correct, this ability should be extremely similar to Uchiha Shisui's legendary Kotoamatsukami.
But compared to Kotoamatsukami, Uchiha Yuan's dojutsu was clearly darker, more aggressive, and more dangerous.
Just as Orochimaru was still immersed in these speculations, the air behind him suddenly twisted, and the Masked Man, Obito, silently appeared once more.
"Orochimaru..."
Obito's indifferent voice slowly rang out, interrupting his thoughts.
That fast!?
Orochimaru was shocked by Obito's speed.
"Madara-sama, thank you for your efforts."
Obito said nothing more. He merely tossed several scrolls casually at Orochimaru's feet...
"These are the corpse materials you need. I gathered them from all over the Shinobi World. Next, I will bring Uchiha Sasuke back."
Orochimaru lowered his head slightly and said humbly, "I will trouble you, Madara-sama."
Obito nodded. His gaze remained cold as it passed through the mask and fixed on Orochimaru. "Do not disappoint me."
"Please rest assured. I will handle this matter properly."
Obito did not linger. Space twisted once more, and he soon vanished completely from the spot.
After confirming that the Masked Man had left, Orochimaru slowly crouched down and picked up the scrolls Obito had left behind...
Then, he took out another special scroll that he had secretly prepared from his robes.
Sealed within this scroll was none other than the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
The reason he had not told Obito of his plan to revive the Second Hokage was that, although he had confirmed that Danzo and Obito were not entirely controlled by Uchiha Yuan's singular will...
he still had to act cautiously and avoid letting Obito discover his other intentions too early.
Orochimaru's plan was very clear.
He hoped to revive the Second Hokage, send Senju Tobirama back to Konoha, and use Tobirama's lofty reputation and formidable strength in Konoha to seize power, in a sense.
The current Akatsuki and the Five Great Shinobi Villages...
lacked a decisive leader capable of taking full control, unifying the entire Shinobi World, and standing against the catastrophe of world destruction...
The First Hokage had the strength, but in other respects...
Only the legendary Second Hokage possessed the qualifications to save the Shinobi World.
The Shinobi World needed saving...
The Sharingan needed studying...
Orochimaru considered himself the smartest man in the Shinobi World. To break the deadlock of Planetary Extinction, he had no choice but to summon Senju Tobirama back into the world once more...
On the other hand...
In Orochimaru's eyes, the only person in the Shinobi World who could truly understand his ideas and acknowledge his pursuits was likely Senju Tobirama, the Second Hokage.
"I truly have gone to great lengths to save the Shinobi World and Konoha... Sarutobi-sensei..."
Outside Konoha, in the Forest of Death.
Kakashi quietly gazed at the rushing stream, his expression focused and steady.
His understanding of the Sharingan had grown increasingly profound. The constant stream of inspiration made him naturally want to try more new ninjutsu.
He closed his eyes for a moment, then swiftly opened them. His fingers began forming hand seals at astonishing speed.
In an instant, the surging waterfall exploded in a spray of water. The violent current rose under the guidance of an invisible force, churning upward like raging waves.
Water Style: Azure Rain!
As Kakashi's low voice fell, the surging water rapidly dispersed in midair...
forming countless fine, weightless droplets that scattered everywhere, spreading into a thick mist of water.
His eyes narrowed slightly. As his Sharingan spun rapidly, his gaze seemed to pierce through the mist, precisely catching every minute flow of chakra within it.
Then, his hands once again formed seals at high speed, and his expression grew more solemn.
Water Style: Cold Seal!
The next moment, the originally wispy, weightless mist instantly condensed with a terrifying chill, and the temperature plummeted.
The surrounding leaves, grass, and trees were covered in a crystalline layer of frost in an instant. Even the air seemed frozen solid.
Kakashi swiftly pulled several kunai from his shinobi tool pouch and threw them forcefully.
The kunai shot through the frigid mist at high speed, yet before they could travel far, the extreme cold rapidly coated them in thick frost. They fell to the ground with crisp clatters.
Kakashi silently watched it all. A hint of satisfaction appeared in his eyes, along with a trace of surprise.
Ever since his Sharingan had been able to close freely, breaking free of its former constraints...
he had assumed that he would first continue developing Chidori or other, more powerful Lightning Style ninjutsu. Yet in only a few days, the techniques he had created were all Water Style techniques.
Still, the surprises brought by Water Style ninjutsu were no less impressive than those of Lightning Style.
Especially the Water Style technique he had just used. Its special ability to freeze an enemy's movements, combined with the environmental restrictions and sensory interference created by Azure Rain, formed a perfect tactical combination.
Swordsmanship...
He remembered his father...
For a moment, Kakashi's thoughts seemed to return to his childhood...
Kakashi quickly came back to himself, his grip on the blade in his hand growing firmer.
At that moment, Kakashi activated his Sharingan, and his aura erupted!
He slowly drew the short sword at his waist, its edge reflecting the icy mist with a grim, chilling gleam.
His body sank slightly. In the next instant, he leaped into the air, his short sword tracing an arc through the sky.
The blade cut through the air, stirring the moisture into a continuous churn and forming a faint mist around the sword.
With the precise insight granted by the Sharingan, every strike targeted a vital point, his sword moves tricky and ruthless.
The blade interwove cleverly with his Water Style techniques. His attacks flickered in and out of view, impossible to predict.
Kakashi moved swiftly, shifting and turning. His swordsmanship was nimble yet not lacking in dominance.
He seemed to become a shadow within the watery mist. His short sword appeared and vanished unpredictably, elusive as a ghost, its killing intent hidden within the unseen.
Meanwhile, in the shadows...
Obito, who had just arrived in Konoha to abduct Sasuke, had been about to look for Kakashi when he unexpectedly witnessed this scene.
Kakashi, full of vigor, wielding a blade...
For a moment, Obito watched in silence...
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