In Orochimaru's understanding, the Uchiha clan's Sharingan only had three stages of transformation.
One-tomoe, two-tomoe, and the final form, the three-tomoe Sharingan.
He never imagined that there was a more complex transformation above the three-tomoe Sharingan.
Uchiha Kai smiled faintly.
"Lord Orochimaru, this is the final form of the Uchiha clan's Sharingan."
"I believe Lord Orochimaru knows of Uchiha Madara!"
"Our ancestor, Uchiha Madara, could stand shoulder to shoulder with the power of the Senju. This is the strongest power of the Uchiha clan, the Mangekyo Sharingan!"
Uchiha Kai's words were half-truth, half-lie, but even so, this information was more than enough.
Orochimaru experienced initial shock. Just a moment ago, Uchiha Kai was merely a Jonin in his eyes, but after activating his eyes, he was directly at the Kage level.
'So this is the power of the Uchiha clan! Truly enviable!'
Orochimaru instantly became interested in the Uchiha clan, especially the transformed Mangekyo.
However, Orochimaru did not nod immediately.
After a long stare-down with Uchiha Kai, Orochimaru said lightly.
"Not enough."
Orochimaru admitted that the Mangekyo Sharingan had brought him great shock, but the Mangekyo alone was not enough for Uchiha Kai to cooperate with him on equal footing.
If Uchiha Kai were to be his subordinate, he might accept it.
In short, Orochimaru did not believe that Uchiha Kai, who had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, was on the same level as him.
After all, the Orochimaru of this era was not the one with a fragmented soul in the future.
The current Orochimaru was at the peak of his power. Whether it was ninjutsu, taijutsu, or chakra reserves, he had reached a height that ordinary people could not.
Or perhaps, at this moment, he did not know the terror of the Mangekyo!
Uchiha Kai was not at all surprised by Orochimaru's reaction.
This alone was indeed not enough. Moreover, his dōjutsu was not really suitable for fighting and convincing people with force.
Goshintai was like a martial art from his home country; once used, it would either kill or maim, specializing in a single fatal blow.
If he used it once and failed to kill the opponent, allowing them to become vigilant, he would easily be countered.
As long as the enemy came in pairs, they could greatly limit Goshintai.
Besides, Uchiha Kai was seeking out Orochimaru not to kill him. A dead Orochimaru... was of no use.
Uchiha Kai also had no reason to kill Orochimaru.
"Isn't Lord Orochimaru curious about what changes occurred after my eyes transformed?"
Changes?
Orochimaru was a little puzzled.
Uchiha Kai didn't pause for long and continued leisurely.
"After the Sharingan advances from three-tomoe to the Mangekyo Sharingan, it unlocks a dōjutsu unique to the Mangekyo."
"My dōjutsu's ability is time. I can see the past... and the future!"
Uchiha Kai drew out the last two words.
The future!
Uchiha Kai didn't truly tell Orochimaru about his dōjutsu; he only modified the ability of Ame-no-Minaka.
One eye to see the past, one eye to see the future.
Uchiha Kai was familiar with the future plot and could naturally make his story convincing.
He was prepared to cooperate with Orochimaru, but he had no intention of completely revealing his hand to him.
Because cooperating with Orochimaru was equivalent to asking a tiger for its skin.
Uchiha Kai needed to borrow Orochimaru's power and status, while also being wary of him.
The power of time?
The past... the future...
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly, his slender snake pupils fixed firmly on Uchiha Kai, as if trying to see if he was lying.
Uchiha Kai was well-prepared for Orochimaru's questioning gaze.
Orochimaru's strength, intelligence, and talent were all unparalleled. He naturally wouldn't believe someone just because of a few words.
However, Uchiha Kai did not continue to explain his abilities, nor did he mention cooperation.
He seemingly changed the subject to something completely unrelated.
"Lord Orochimaru, I wonder if you are aware of the battle between Konoha and Iwagakure?"
"I've seen some interesting things..."
Orochimaru did not speak, only watching Uchiha Kai silently.
He didn't understand what tricks Uchiha Kai was playing.
But he did have some understanding of the matter between Konoha and Iwagakure.
After declaring war, Iwagakure launched a surprise attack on the Kusagakure, and their large army was pressing towards Konoha. Konoha was currently in a state of distress.
However, Orochimaru did not believe that Iwagakure could defeat Konoha.
Because Iwagakure's battle lines were stretched too thin. If it were him, he could easily resolve the threat from Iwagakure.
What Konoha had not done would not be difficult for him to do.
What Orochimaru was more curious about now was, what did Uchiha Kai see?
Or rather... what did he know?
Noticing the change in Orochimaru's attitude, Uchiha Kai knew the bait had been cast.
"Lord Orochimaru, while the crucial battle has not yet occurred, you can keep an eye on a ninja named Uchiha Obito."
"I believe that before long, he will take you to a mysterious place and let you meet someone you would never expect."
"Aren't you pursuing the truth of eternal life? There... I have left some gifts for you, as the beginning of our cooperation."
After Uchiha Kai finished speaking, he turned and left without waiting for Orochimaru to ask any questions.
Although this meeting between Uchiha Kai and Orochimaru was perilous, he was not unprepared.
Because Orochimaru was too confident and always acted alone.
Even in the later stages, the people following Orochimaru were just a bunch of nobodies, with not many powerful individuals.
The strongest was only Kimimaro.
In a one-on-one situation, Goshintai gave Uchiha Kai extreme confidence.
However, Uchiha Kai was not arrogant.
He was also well aware of Goshintai's flaws. If he really had to fight Orochimaru, the winner was truly uncertain.
Especially after Orochimaru figured out Goshintai's ability, the outcome would be even more unpredictable.
That is to say, Uchiha Kai only had one chance after using Goshintai.
Either Orochimaru died, or he did.
Neither of these outcomes was what Uchiha Kai wanted to see.
Orochimaru did not stop Uchiha Kai from leaving. Watching Uchiha Kai's back gradually disappear from the room, he replayed Uchiha Kai's words in his mind.
Iwagakure...
Uchiha Obito...
A mysterious place, a mysterious person...
After a long while, Orochimaru looked at the empty room and revealed a snake-like smile.
"Kai-kun, I have to admit, you've piqued my curiosity."
"If I am satisfied with the gift, I don't mind cooperating with you."
For things that interested him, Orochimaru had great tolerance.
...
After leaving Orochimaru's place, Uchiha Kai returned the way he came.
Before long, he appeared in front of a familiar door again.
And then... Uchiha Kai took out a key.
The fake Naruto: tree climbing, water walking, entering through windows.
The real Naruto: using a key to open the door.
That's right, Uchiha Kai had long had the key to Kushina's house. Every time he came to see Kushina, he entered through the door and left through the door.
Inside the room.
Kushina lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, her thoughts unknown.
Hearing the sound at the door, her body trembled instinctively, and her face began to turn slightly red.
She had a total of two keys to her house. One was in her possession, and the other was in Uchiha Kai's. She naturally knew who had arrived.
Even Minato Namikaze did not have a key to her house.
Or rather, Minato Namikaze was too much of a gentleman; he had never even entered her house once.
Even when Kushina wanted to get closer, Minato would always avoid it.
Then, he would smile gently like a small sun and say things like, 'Next time,' or 'After we get married.'
This made Kushina both angry and touched.
Little did she know...
Now, it was all to Uchiha Kai's benefit.
Forcing herself to pull together, Kushina quickly sat up from the bed, hugged her knees tightly, and curled up in a corner.
"You... you're back again!"
"I'm pregnant. Are you trying to make me miscarry by doing this?"
Kushina's tone was laced with a hint of despair.
She didn't know why a demon like Uchiha Kai existed in this world.
Hearing this, Uchiha Kai awkwardly averted his gaze.
He admitted that he had been unusually excited yesterday and had forgotten that it was best not to do anything strenuous in the early stages of pregnancy.
He went to the hospital this morning to make amends.
After all, it was his first time being a father.
But Kushina's glare was indeed piercing, and he couldn't stay any longer.
Leaving the medicine behind, Uchiha Kai turned and "fled."
Uchiha Kai's action left Kushina stunned.
Her gaze gradually shifted to the items on the table.
Prenatal... medicine?