The Eyes That Can Speak

(The Sharingan's ability to copy and analyze techniques was greatly developed by Kakashi in the original work. The more tomoe it had, the stronger its effects should be. As for why members of the Uchiha Clan rarely used copying, I personally believe their pride would not allow them to win through imitation.)

"The Sharingan... truly is a treasure!"

Orochimaru could not resist licking his lips with his long tongue, frightening Xuanhui into immediately deactivating his Sharingan.

"Orochimaru-sensei, research is fine, but you can't steal my eyes!"

"What nonsense are you talking about, child? What kind of master would covet his disciple's body?"

Orochimaru reached out and tapped Xuanhui on the head.

Xuanhui said nothing and could only grin apologetically.

"Esteemed ninja, thank you so much! You saved us!"

Teng Ran-yi led a group of people charging out from the side. Every one of them dropped to one knee in a respectful pose!

Naturally, they had suffered no casualties. Kakuzu had been after Orochimaru's group of three and had not even glanced at the carriages.

Kakuzu had fled, so the credit for protecting everyone naturally fell to the three of them.

Teng Ran-yi was especially tactful in dealing with people. Even though Xuanhui had merely tried to finish Kakuzu off at the very end and had failed, Teng Ran-yi still expressed equally profound gratitude toward him.

"Hahaha! It's fine now. Everyone, keep moving! Let's go a little farther in before setting up camp!"

Jiraiya accepted the goodwill with a laugh and organized everyone to pull themselves together and continue onward!

Orochimaru was so tired that his breathing had grown somewhat heavy. He and Xuanhui sat in the carriage, discussing the Sharingan's marvelous uses.

To prevent Kakuzu from launching a surprise attack afterward, Orochimaru led everyone onto a slightly longer main road and planned to rest temporarily in a small town several kilometers ahead.

Night fell. Though the blazing sun was no longer hanging overhead, a bright moon still shone in the sky.

Moonlight illuminated the travelers' path, guiding them toward a temporary harbor.

"We're here."

Cheers rose from the crowd, as though the day's exhaustion had been swept away.

"Everyone, hurry and find somewhere to rest! We'll get up early tomorrow and strive to reach our destination before sunset!"

"Okay!!!" ×N

However, because they were guards, they needed to stay in the same inn as the merchant caravan. By the time the three of them booked their rooms, only one vacant room remained.

"It's fine! You two stay at the inn! I'm used to roaming around alone! I can sleep outside!"

With an air of righteous determination, Jiraiya turned and left, his resolute footsteps striking the floor with force.

"Wait a minute!"

Orochimaru grabbed his shoulder while Xuanhui tugged at his waistband.

"Jiraiya, you're definitely trying to go pick up girls, aren't you..."

"You're actually leaving the watch duty to us alone. How selfish, Lord Jiraiya."

"If you have that kind of time, why don't you go chase Tsunade? Don't just keep—"

Jiraiya could not stand the master and disciple's tag-team routine any longer and hurried over to manually shut them up.

After bickering back and forth, the three of them finally squeezed into the room.

Once inside, Orochimaru directly summoned a wooden door.

"The three of us will take shifts. Xuanhui and I will go in first. Jiraiya, you sleep outside. I'll let you know when it's time to switch."

"No problem."

Seeing Jiraiya agree so readily, Orochimaru and Xuanhui exchanged a glance, then turned and walked through the wooden door without the slightest hesitation.

"By the way... how often are we switching—"

Before Jiraiya could finish, the wooden door vanished from before his eyes with a bang.

"..."

"O! Ro! Chi! Ma! Ru! And that brat!"

Jiraiya knew he had been tricked!

Though unwilling, he honestly lay down on the bed to rest, while keeping part of his attention on sensing danger.

Inside the wooden door.

"Is this really okay, Orochimaru-sensei?"

"What's not okay about it? Back then, Jiraiya forced me to play the villain so he could play the hero and save Tsunade while chasing after her.

That time... Tsunade nearly beat me into pieces...

I originally did intend to take shifts. I don't know why, but I suddenly remembered it. I suppose I occasionally want to get back at him too!"

"Orochimaru-sensei... you really have become much more cheerful than before..."

The corner of Orochimaru's mouth lifted slightly. He waved a hand, unwilling to continue discussing the subject.

"By the way, let me see your Sharingan."

Xuanhui tossed his things aside, brought over a chair, sat down, and opened his eyes wide for Orochimaru.

Orochimaru's gaze instantly locked onto that round tomoe as though he were looking at some rare treasure!

"What beautiful markings!"

Orochimaru picked up a copy of Ninja Encyclopedia from the table and rapidly flipped through a few pages.

"According to the Second Hokage's description, the Uchiha Clan's optic nerves connect to both eyes. Once they suffer a powerful psychological or mental shock, the brain triggers a special chakra that acts upon the eyes...

You know, everyone says the Uchiha's eyes can speak!"

Orochimaru swallowed. His outstretched finger froze in midair, trembling as he did not dare touch it.

"Xuanhui, can you feel how the Sharingan has improved you?"

"Uh... my vision has become clearer, and my dynamic vision has improved.

I can copy some simple techniques, but if the technique is too difficult, I can't understand it."

Orochimaru nodded. His slender fingers repeatedly stroked his chin, his eyes filled with admiration.

"As far as I know, the Sharingan can evolve, right?"

"Mm. There's only one tomoe in my eyes right now. If my emotional fluctuations are strong enough, it can evolve to two tomoe, then three tomoe.

Beyond three tomoe is the more advanced Mangekyo Sharingan. Once the Mangekyo Sharingan is awakened, not only will its ocular power greatly increase, it will also awaken unique eye techniques."

"That sounds wonderful... Such perfect eyes must have flaws, right?"

"Yes. The Mangekyo's ocular power is consumed. Excessive use causes nearsightedness and may even lead to blindness."

"I see. So there really is a cost! Ocular power cannot arise for nothing... What kind of changes does it undergo?"

Orochimaru stared at the crimson red in Xuanhui's pupils, his thoughts sinking once more into an ocean of contemplation.

"Emotional fluctuations? Let me think..."

The moment Xuanhui heard that, cold sweat instantly broke out across his back, and alarm bells rang in his heart!

"Lord Orochimaru! You can't torment me! I don't want the Mangekyo... I don't want to go blind!"

"I know, so stop making noise!"

Seeing Xuanhui's anxious appearance, Orochimaru became so annoyed that he laughed.

"I'm thinking that the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan should rely on Yin-natured spiritual energy...

If it were paired with bodily energy that was especially strong in Yang nature, would they neutralize each other... or cancel each other out?"

"I don't really know about that... As long as you don't treat me like a lab rat."

"How could that be? To increase your strength, I need to experiment on you and help you offset the Sharingan's side effects!"

"I don't want that!"