Chapter 163 Demonstrating Strength

Hearing Nagato's words, Uchiha Li also grew serious.

Although he had temporarily devised a plan to have Uchiha Jun take his place in meeting Akatsuki, it did not mean the matter would be easily resolved.

Up until now, he still could not understand why the Akatsuki organization was so fixated on an Uchiha like him who only possessed the three-tomoe Sharingan.

One had to know that even a three-tomoe Sharingan was separated from the Mangekyo by a chasm-like gap.

"Could Akatsuki be so certain that I will awaken the Mangekyo?"

Uchiha Li muttered inwardly.

However, now was not the time to dwell on such thoughts. Uchiha Li spoke through her, "It's simple. Akatsuki needs to demonstrate power that surpasses Konoha. Only then will Li-kun consider your invitation."

Hearing this, Nagato controlled Pain to give a soft, indifferent hum. "That is naturally not a problem, but I have another question."

Uchiha Li remained silent for a moment, then had Uchiha Jun tilt her head. "What question?"

"Are you certain you understand the distinction between powers?"

A skeptical look appeared on the face of the Deva Path, representing Nagato's attitude.

In fact, if Uchiha Li's younger sister, Uchiha Yao, had come today, he would never have asked such a question.

Because Uchiha Yao possessed the Mangekyo, and her strength had reached a certain tier.

Only by reaching the corresponding tier could one understand where the differences between powers lay.

If the Uchiha Jun before him was merely all show and no substance, what did it matter even if he displayed the Rinnegan? She probably wouldn't even be able to comprehend it!

In that case, upon returning to report to Uchiha Li, she wouldn't be of any real use.

Orochimaru, standing to the side, also spoke up with a sinister tone, "If you aren't capable, you might as well have Li-kun come in person, or send his sister. They should understand better than you do."

Hearing their words, Uchiha Li finally understood.

The two individuals before him simply looked down on "her."

However, Orochimaru's sudden mention of Uchiha Yao felt somewhat strange to him.

On what grounds did Orochimaru assume that Yao would understand the distinction of powers?

Was it simply because of her relationship with him, or was there another conspiracy at play?

With this thought, Uchiha Li's gaze toward Orochimaru turned unfriendly, which outwardly manifested as Uchiha Jun looking at Orochimaru with an expression of annoyance.

"I understand what you mean. Since you both have doubts, I will simply prove myself first."

After careful consideration, Uchiha Li decided to let Uchiha Jun reveal a portion of her strength.

In his view, showcasing Uchiha Jun's strength would draw less attention toward his true body.

After all, the three-tomoe Sharingan was definitely incomparable to the Mangekyo.

Putting on an arrogant facade, Uchiha Li controlled Uchiha Jun to sneer contemptuously, "I will let you understand whether or not I am capable of completing the task for Li-kun!"

Hearing this, Nagato did not speak, instead turning his gaze once more toward Orochimaru at the side.

Orochimaru understood Pain's intention and looked back at Uchiha Jun.

Although his mission this time could not be considered a total failure, it certainly wasn't a success either.

After all, not only did the originally "agreed-upon" Uchiha Yao fail to appear, but an Uchiha from out of nowhere had shown up instead.

The fact that he knew nothing whatsoever about this Uchiha Jun could almost be considered a humiliation for him.

Since he still intended to utilize Akatsuki's power for his research, he was prepared to show something now to prove his own capability.

Looking at Uchiha Jun, Orochimaru said indifferently, "I advise you to think carefully. Otherwise, even if you are Li-kun's friend, I cannot guarantee your safety."

Uchiha Li possessed things that interested him, which was why he didn't want to burn bridges with Li just yet.

However, that did not mean he would show mercy to Uchiha Li's friends.

"You don't need to remind me," Uchiha Jun retorted, her tone shifting. "You had better worry about yourself!"

He tried his best to maintain the rebellious and unruly demeanor expected of an Uchiha in both words and actions.

As soon as he finished speaking, Uchiha Li directly controlled Uchiha Jun to activate her Sharingan.

Having no intention of holding back at all, he directly mobilized a massive amount of chakra and spiritual energy.

Then, just as Orochimaru and Nagato were filled with disbelief and failed to react in time,

Uchiha Jun's elegant voice rang out like a judgment from hell:

"Amaterasu!"

Though the avatar created for him by Terra had somehow ended up as a "she,"

everything about this avatar was identical to a normal human.

Furthermore, not only had Uchiha Jun awakened the Mangekyo, but she had also perfectly inherited the dojutsu of his right eye, "Amaterasu."

In an instant, before Orochimaru could be caught off guard, black flames directly spilled onto his body.

The black flames clung to him like bone-gnawing maggots, instantly consuming Orochimaru's entire body.

Orochimaru's expression immediately twisted in agony as he began frantically trying to extinguish the flames.

Unfortunately, his efforts were in vain; the fire completely engulfed his body.

The pungent smell of burning flesh permeated the surroundings, all of this transpiring in the span of a few brief moments.

Witnessing this, Uchiha Jun deliberately wore a faint, sneering smile on her face.

Of course, this was merely a disguise—in truth, it was impossible for Orochimaru to be resolved so easily.

Sure enough, just as Orochimaru was being burned beyond recognition,

his throat and mouth area rippled and shifted violently, and a brand-new Orochimaru, still slick with saliva, was regurgitated from within.

His original body had been burned completely to ashes by Amaterasu, but Orochimaru's true form remained completely unharmed.

"Orochimaru-style Body Replacement Technique!"

This was a custom ninjutsu created by Orochimaru himself, which Sasuke had also learned during his time following Orochimaru in the original timeline.

This ninjutsu allowed one to use their outer skin as a medium of substitution, expelling their actual body from the mouth. Not only did it require no hand signs, but it also inflicted no physical damage, allowing the user to evade even Amaterasu.

In the original timeline, Sasuke had used this exact move to escape Itachi's Amaterasu.

"The Mangekyo—how is this possible!"

Compared to Uchiha Jun's calm demeanor, Nagato and Orochimaru behind Pain had only just recovered their senses.

They never would have imagined that a so-called friend dispatched by Uchiha Li would actually possess the Mangekyo.

Such a thing was simply too absurd, especially considering that by Uchiha Li's side, there was already another existence wielding the Mangekyo!

Additionally, Pain noted another detail: the specific dojutsu Uchiha Jun had just employed.

If he remembered correctly, Kakuzu had also been caught completely off guard by "Amaterasu" when he encountered members of Terra years ago, nearly losing his life in the process.

Yet, according to reports, the two Mangekyo wielders in Terra were both male.

Whereas the Uchiha Jun before them was undeniably female.

"No, now is not the time to investigate 'Amaterasu.' The crucial point is that Uchiha Li already has two Mangekyo users by his side!"

Nagato quickly grasped the core issue and began weighing his options in his mind.

If his original objective for this operation was to recruit Uchiha Li based on his talent and his sister's Mangekyo,

the situation had now fundamentally changed.

Judging by the way Uchiha Jun had just addressed Uchiha Li, she undoubtedly shared a deeply intimate relationship with him.

If he could recruit Uchiha Li into Akatsuki, wouldn't his faction instantly gain two immensely powerful combat assets?

With this realization, Nagato controlled Pain to take a step forward, the cold expression on his face easing considerably.

As for Orochimaru, who had nearly died at Uchiha Jun's hands just moments ago, Nagato couldn't even be bothered to spare him another glance.

With intelligence errors this catastrophic, he would thoroughly discipline the ranks upon his return.

As for the present moment, he intended to use his absolute strength to pull Uchiha Li into Akatsuki.

Two pairs of Mangekyo, and potentially even three in the future—if power of this magnitude were left under Konoha's control, it would inevitably pose a threat to his grand plan down the line.

That was something he would never allow!