"Gua, could I draw a little of your blood later?"
Gua paused briefly at Orochimaru's unexpected yet reasonable request.
The old Orochimaru would never have dreamed of drawing his blood.
Now he was bringing it up himself. Clearly, Orochimaru was very interested in the Mangekyo.
But that made sense. After all, Gua had awakened his Mangekyo at seven, something unprecedented in Uchiha history.
If he were Orochimaru, he would have been curious too. What exactly was a seven-year-old's Mangekyo like?
Was this kid even human?
So Gua nodded lightly at Orochimaru. "Sure. Once we're back, let's go to your laboratory together."
Orochimaru's expression briefly froze at Gua's answer.
He clearly hadn't expected Gua to agree so readily.
Then the smile on Orochimaru's face grew even wider.
"Gua, you're such a wonderful person."
Gua said nothing, merely giving Orochimaru a sidelong glance, his eyes filled with a peculiar look.
He found Orochimaru far too easy to please. Give him the slightest treat, and he would be utterly spellbound.
Neither spoke again as they headed into the Hokage Building together.
Naturally, the shinobi guarding the entrance didn't dare stop them. One was Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, and the other was Uchiha Gua.
Uchiha Gua's name had already become famous throughout Konoha.
When news from the front against Iwagakure reached them, everyone in Konoha thought it had to be false. What did they mean, he had awakened the Mangekyo at seven? Was this some kind of joke?
So they even began doubting the reports that Fugaku had awakened his Mangekyo and swept across the battlefield with Susanoo.
Could the Uchiha be trying to confuse Konoha with false reports,
then seize the opportunity to rebel?
After all, everyone knew the Uchiha's ambitions.
For a time, Konoha was on edge.
Yet the Third Hokage