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Uchiha Madara had not merely awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.

He had even used the pair of Mangekyō Sharingan left behind by his younger brother, Uchiha Izuna, to advance his own Mangekyō Sharingan to the level of the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.

On top of that, he had once been the head of the Uchiha Clan and knew all manner of the clan's secrets.

Therefore, Uchiha Madara was confident that no one understood the Uchiha Clan better than he did, and no one understood the Sharingan better than he did.

To gain love, then lose love—this was the "curse" embedded in the Uchiha Clan's bloodline alongside the Sharingan.

In the words of the innately evil Tobirama Senju, it was this:

The Uchiha Clan was a clan capable of deeper love than the Senju Clan, but this profound love was often sealed deep within their hearts.

Once an Uchiha came to know love, the feelings bound within their heart would be released without restraint.

However, excessively powerful love carried the risk of running wild. When love was lost, an even stronger hatred would emerge to replace it, and the Sharingan would awaken along with it.

The fuller and more intense one's emotions were, the greater the mental shock when love was lost. The darker it would reflect upon the heart, and the stronger one's ocular power would become.

Thus, in Uchiha Madara's view, having personally experienced awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan, as long as one possessed sufficient talent, the Mangekyō Sharingan would naturally awaken after suffering the immense negative emotional shock of witnessing the death of someone deeply loved.

"White Zetsu, tell me about the other child first!"

Suppressing his turbulent thoughts for the moment, Uchiha Madara decided to hear the intelligence on the other Uchiha child before making his decision.

After all, it was truly not easy to secretly guide a precocious child like Yin Jie into forming a bond with someone deep enough to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.

"Yes, Lord Madara!"

White Zetsu answered before beginning his introduction. "The other child is named Uchiha Obito."

"He..."

White Zetsu quickly recounted everything about Uchiha Obito, focusing in particular on his "universal love" actions, such as helping elderly women cross the street, as well as his special "concern" for his classmate, Rin Nohara.

Upon hearing this, two sharp glints suddenly shot from Uchiha Madara's somewhat clouded eyes. Black tomoe slowly rotated within the abruptly appearing scarlet red.

Kind-hearted!

Rich emotions!

Wasn't he a perfect match for Madara's requirements?!

Though his talent was somewhat lacking, this kind of mentality would make him easier to guide and control, and more susceptible to mental stimulation and corruption.

There was no need to think any further. Uchiha Madara made his decision at once.

Compared to Yin Jie, this Obito, who had obvious flaws in his personality, was far more suitable to become the "pawn" who would temporarily carry out Madara's plan.

After all, with Uchiha Madara around, talent was secondary.

"Very good!"

Uchiha Madara interrupted White Zetsu's continued account. "Keep a close watch on Uchiha Obito and gather his intelligence in detail!"

"As for Uchiha Yin Jie," Uchiha Madara paused before adding, "leave him alone for now. Just maintain the same regular surveillance as the other Uchiha..."

After issuing his decision, Uchiha Madara ignored White Zetsu and instead recalled every moment of love and conflict between himself and Hashirama Senju.

"Hashirama! I will create a ninja world with eternal peace!"

As Uchiha Madara murmured softly, he immersed himself in the beautiful memories he shared with Hashirama Senju.

The underground base once again fell silent...

Half a month later.

After teaching Yin Jie what he considered to be the basics, Orochimaru secretly brought him to the Root base.

There, after undergoing a simple assessment, Yin Jie became a member of Root.

Although every Root member would have Danzo Shimura place a curse seal known as the Tongue Curse Eradication Seal on them, Yin Jie naturally did not receive one.

It was not that Danzo Shimura did not want to, but that Orochimaru firmly stopped him.

After all, Yin Jie was a disciple acknowledged by Orochimaru, and behind Yin Jie stood the entire Uchiha Clan, as well as Orochimaru's old friend, Tsunade.

However, both Orochimaru and Yin Jie, the person involved, understood that Danzo Shimura, with his powerful desire for control, would not let the matter rest.

Once he found a suitable opportunity, Danzo Shimura would inevitably brand Yin Jie with the Tongue Curse Eradication Seal.

Of course, Yin Jie would not give Danzo that opportunity.

At this time, before Danzo had acquired that arm full of Sharingan, Yin Jie did not consider him much of a threat, having concealed enough trump cards of his own.

In a direct battle, Danzo could win, but he definitely could not stop Yin Jie from escaping. Therefore, the only thing Yin Jie needed to guard against was Danzo secretly plotting something.

As for the codename Yin Jie would use in Root, after some consideration, he ultimately chose the name of his ninja cat, "Moonshade," as his codename.

Therefore, the style of his mask was naturally that of a black cat—somewhat cute in appearance, yet completely unsuited to Root, even jarringly out of place.

After secretly joining Root,

Yin Jie's daily routine during this period became carrying out missions, following his teacher Orochimaru to learn all kinds of knowledge in the laboratory, and returning home.

Most of the missions he carried out in Root were C-rank missions. After all, Root did not have D-rank missions like finding lost dogs and cats.

Moreover, under Orochimaru's arrangements, he had no teammates. Thus, as a genin, he could only carry out C-rank missions alone.

C-rank missions usually involved matters such as cross-border escort duties or eliminating enemy strongholds.

And given Root's special nature, it obviously would not take on cross-border escort duties under most normal circumstances.