Menma had intended to leave immediately after speaking his piece.
But upon hearing Sasuke's words, his footsteps paused slightly. He turned back to look at Sasuke, who had just finished bandaging his right palm nearby, and smiled lightly. "It's been so many days, and only now do you ask? I thought you didn't care at all, Sasuke."
After all, he had gouged the eye out right in front of Sasuke.
Orochimaru didn't ask because he had handled countless Sharingan in his time. Before the massacre, the Uchiha clan had many members who had awakened their eyes. Among them, there were dozens of pairs of three-tomoe Sharingan. Every single one of those individuals counted as a Jonin-level existence.
This was why Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura had feared the Uchiha clan back then. Dozens of Jonin were already beyond the scope of a typical ninja clan. And since Hiruzen and Danzo lacked their teacher's magnanimity, shrewdness, and most importantly, strength, they naturally felt threatened.
With the Uchiha clan annihilated...
Obito, Danzo, and Orochimaru had feasted until they were full.
Countless Sharingan became the "private property" of these three.
Danzo even created a "Sharingan Arm," which was also Orochimaru's handiwork.
So, Orochimaru wouldn't care about Menma taking a mere three-tomoe Sharingan.
But Sasuke was obviously different.
"That is a Sharingan, Menma."
Sasuke looked at Menma with a cool expression, his tone slightly low.
"Yes, precisely because it is a Sharingan, I am interested, Sasuke. But just as I told Orochimaru-san that day, I don't care about the Sharingan itself, but rather the Yin Release chakra represented by your Uchiha clan's Sharingan. This is a research shortcut, and it is very important to me."
Menma spoke half-truths.
The power of Yin Release chakra was definitely a research field Menma would delve into in the future. To truly possess the supreme power of the Otsutsuki clan...
He had to reach the level of Kekkei Mora.
That was the result of the perfect fusion of all chakra natures.
It was also the result of the complete integration of the physical and spiritual aspects.
This was best embodied by Madara Uchiha in the original story.
Menma wasn't worried about the physical aspect, but the spiritual aspect—to put it plainly, Yin Release chakra—was currently an almost blank area for him.
Although there were many other alternative plans...
Starting with the Sharingan was naturally the most suitable and direct approach.
The supreme dojutsu representing the ultimate power of the Otsutsuki clan.
The Rinnegan.
Or perhaps the level of the purest Byakugan—the Tenseigan.
Menma really wanted to try and see if he could reach that level.
After all, didn't Kaguya Otsutsuki's blood flow in everyone? Therefore, Menma's words weren't exactly deceiving Sasuke; he was merely concealing the most critical piece of information.
"Yin Release chakra?"
Sasuke narrowed his eyes slightly. After seeming to ponder for a long time, he slowly nodded.
"You can try doing more research and training in this area. It might help your eyes get better tempered and upgrade to a higher level. Sometimes, although the path of predecessors is viable, it may not be the only path. What do you say, Sasuke?"
Menma spoke pointedly.
Sasuke's expression changed slightly at that moment.
He looked at Menma with a somewhat deep gaze.
In that moment just now, Sasuke clearly recalled that night five or six years ago, and the whispers of his demon-like brother in his ear.
"Menma, are you really Menma?"
Sasuke stared straight at Menma and asked in a low voice.
Menma smiled instead, answering with a question: "Is that important? Sasuke, shouldn't other things be more important?"
Sasuke paused for a moment.
Then he nodded slowly.
"Indeed, that is not important."
What secrets Menma held, or what kind of existence he was, didn't matter to Sasuke. He only needed to focus on moving toward his own goal. On this path, identifying who could assist him and who would hinder him was enough.
Menma was clearly someone who would "stand on the same side" as him.
Even though he knew Menma had his own plans and intentions.
So what?
As long as he didn't hinder him and could even help him, that was enough.
"Well then, let's end here for today. We have a long time ahead of us, Sasuke. Whether it's our own goals or regarding the Leaf, I believe we will have many common topics."
Menma smiled lightly, waved his hand, and left.
He couldn't say too much to Sasuke right now. This was partly because the timing wasn't right, and partly because Menma needed to pinpoint the positioning between himself and Sasuke.
And the same went for Sasuke.
In his future plans...
Sasuke would inevitably need to play a very important role. Every choice Menma made and every step he took needed to be meticulous and cautious.
Besides, if he said too much to Sasuke now, the guy might not even believe him.
Especially when it involved Itachi Uchiha.
That was Sasuke's reverse scale.
These things needed to be taken step by step.
'I have to take it bit by bit.'
Watching Menma's gradually retreating figure.
Sasuke, remaining in place, exhaled a breath of stale air lightly.
'Mangekyo Sharingan... Itachi, I will definitely obtain the same power as you in the shortest time possible, and then send you to hell to repent.'
Sasuke clenched his hands slightly.
Immediately after.
He strode away as well.
---
The ninja world was shifting like wind and clouds.
As time passed...
The impact of the Konoha Crush plan launched by the Sand and Sound villages gradually faded. This was due to the Leaf's timely and effective response, and also because the Stone and Cloud villages held their troops back.
The past three Great Ninja Wars were all initiated by the Five Great Ninja Villages.
Like dominoes, one push would trigger a chain reaction across the entire ninja world. Originally, there was a high probability that this time would be the same as the previous three wars.
But under Tsunade's leadership, the Leaf quickly resigned an alliance treaty with the Sand, causing this opportunity to be lost directly.
In these short two or three months.
The moods of the leaders of other small ninja villages were like a roller coaster, fluctuating wildly.
Only today could they barely say they felt relieved.
This could be seen from the reduction of troops on the borders of the Five Great Nations.
Since the opportunity was gone, there was certainly no need to continue amassing heavy troops in the border areas. That was immense pressure for any ninja village.
Spending money like water was terrifying.
Even the wealthy Leaf might not be able to withstand it, let alone other ninja villages. Arrogant as the Fourth Raikage was, after seeing no chance, he decisively ordered the withdrawal of most of the border troops first.
Far away in the heartland of the Land of Fire, Tsunade in the Hidden Leaf Village breathed a sigh of relief upon receiving the news.
Whether continuing the standoff and attrition or actually fighting a war, it would have been the worst development for the Leaf.
Ending it now...
Could be considered cutting losses in time.