Orochimaru's Scheme

Itachi fell silent for two seconds.

Then he gave a soft laugh.

"Strength?"

He raised his head and calmly met Pain's gaze.

"Will these eyes prove my strength?"

As he spoke, his pupils suddenly shifted.

The Scarlet Sharingan appeared.

Three tomoe spun rapidly, merging into a pattern that grew more intricate, more severe.

The Mangekyō Sharingan.

Its intricate pattern slowly revolved against a Scarlet backdrop, radiating a cold, unfathomable pressure.

The hall fell silent.

Kakuzu loosened his folded arms slightly, his brow furrowing.

Sasori looked up. His gaze lingered on those eyes for a few seconds before he lowered his head again.

Juzo Biwa tightened his grip on his Ninja Blade, then relaxed it.

Standing beside Pain, Konan studied Itachi's eyes for a moment. Understanding flashed across her face.

No wonder the Masked Man brought him here. No wonder he said this kid nearly wiped out the Uchiha Clan.

The Mangekyō Sharingan...

It was one of the Uchiha Clan's most formidable powers.

Pain looked at those eyes, his expression unchanged. The Scarlet Mangekyō Sharingan reflected in his purple Rinnegan.

"The Mangekyō Sharingan."

His voice was flat.

"Your strength will do."

"You can join."

Kakuzu opened his mouth as if to object, but said nothing in the end.

He merely snorted and leaned back against the pillar.

Orochimaru leaned back in his chair and licked his lips. His greedy gaze fixed on Itachi's eyes as his mouth curled into an exaggerated grin.

"Hehehe... the Mangekyō Sharingan..."

"I've always... wanted those eyes."

"And now... they've come right to me."

Excitement surged through him, impossible to suppress.

Uchiha Itachi seemed to sense something. He turned and calmly glanced at Orochimaru.

He saw the undisguised greed in Orochimaru's eyes, but his face remained expressionless.

After that one glance, he turned away again, as though