"Fugaku's strength is truly breathtaking," Orochimaru said, his face filled with fascination and longing.
Orochimaru had once looked down on most of the Uchiha. Many clan members had no real strength yet acted arrogant for no reason, which was why they rubbed him the wrong way.
Madara Uchiha had been little more than a legend, and most people doubted another Uchiha would ever awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan. Orochimaru had not expected the Sharingan to grant such immense power once it evolved.
Compared with the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, it was a leap of an entirely different order. A trace of greed quietly stirred in his heart.
A Kekkei Genkai that could make someone one of the strongest in the Shinobi World simply by evolving their eyes was undeniably tempting. But no Ninja who had received a transplanted Sharingan was known to have survived.
The Sharingan's rejection of anyone without Uchiha blood was too severe. That was why Danzo had never made his move.
The Third Hokage's expression darkened as he looked over the Ninja gathered around the battlefield. Many of them already wore looks of admiration.
Admiring the strong was common in the Shinobi World, especially when that strength belonged to someone from their own village.
The Third Hokage knew that after this, suppressing Fugaku Uchiha would become even harder.
"This is a battle we can't even take part in."
"I never imagined Fugaku Uchiha could become this powerful."
Orochimaru seemed to hear the talk around him. A playful smile crossed his face. "I can't let Fugaku have all the glory. I'll give him a hand."
Orochimaru leaped toward the combatants. As he closed in, he bit his finger and formed hand seals.
A massive figure appeared on the battlefield, its size rivaling a Tailed Beast. This was the fruit of Orochimaru's