The Mangekyou That Refused to Appear Despite Countless Calls

On the third day after Orochimaru left, Jugo returned carrying Kimimaro on his back, his entire body already disfigured beyond recognition.

"Kimimaro, is this the place?"

Jugo stared helplessly at the Otogakure before him, nearly half of which had been ravaged by fire.

Kimimaro lay weakly on Jugo's back. He slightly raised his head, revealing a horrifying face covered in blackened red scars left by burns, like a vicious ghost.

"How did this happen?" Seeing the village's miserable state, Kimimaro's heart clenched, and his vision began to darken.

"Kimimaro, don't get agitated. Lord Orochimaru will definitely be alright." Jugo hurriedly tried to comfort him.

Once Kimimaro's breathing gradually settled, Jugo spoke again. "Kimimaro, how about we leave first? We'll find a Medical Ninja to treat your injuries, and then, then..."

Remembering Houka's words, he simply could not bring himself to say, "Then we'll go find Lord Orochimaru."

Unaware of Jugo's thoughts, Kimimaro nodded. "Alright. Let's go to the capital of the Land of Rice Fields first. Lord Orochimaru should have subordinates there. We'll meet up with them first."

Jugo felt somewhat resistant, but thinking of Kimimaro's injuries, he could only nod and set off.

Takigakure, Land of Waterfalls.

After Obito woke up, he spent another half day vomiting and having diarrhea before finally recovering somewhat. However, his legs were still trembling, and he could not yet get out of bed to walk.

Houka brought Haku and Deidara to visit him.

"That damned Orochimaru! If I run into him again, I'll make him pay!"

After learning what had happened following his collapse, Obito was furious and humiliated, ranting and cursing wildly. But then his face fell into dejection. "Houka, am I really that useless?"

"Isn't that obvious?" Deidara nodded bluntly from the side. "You should've realized it by now, right?