Chapter 157:
Orochimaru had given Uchiha Akihara a mental stimulant potion with a clear goal in mind, to lure the Uchiha clan into seeking him out. He needed opportunities to obtain genetic material from other Uchiha members, and he knew that an unconventional method for awakening the Sharingan would be irresistible to them.
He was certain that once any Uchiha experienced the potion's effects, they'd be too intrigued not to follow up. It was only a matter of time before they came knocking.
Where had he gotten the knowledge to create such a potion? That hardly required explanation. Orochimaru had been researching the Uchiha clan's genetic makeup for a long time, and with his vast knowledge of forbidden techniques and scientific advancements, creating something like this was well within his capabilities.
After all, if he wanted to unlock the full power of the Rinnegan one day, a mental stimulant like this would be essential, albeit in a much stronger form.
However, he had intentionally downplayed the potion's effectiveness to Uchiha Akihara, warning that it "might" work, especially if the girl's Uchiha blood was too diluted. Without a strong enough bloodline, all the stimulation in the world wouldn't awaken the Sharingan.
But now, days had passed, and still no one from the Uchiha clan had approached him. Were they cautious? Concerned about the Third Hokage's opinion? Or had the potion simply failed?
No matter. Orochimaru wasn't one to wait around indefinitely. If this method didn't work, he had plenty of others at his disposal.
Fortunately, his concerns turned out to be unnecessary. That very afternoon, after leaving the Hokage's office, he received a formal invitation from the Uchiha clan to visit as their honored guest. And, as dinner approached, a young Uchiha was sent to personally escort him.
"Lord Orochimaru," a soft voice said as he opened his door. Standing before him was a black-haired, black-eyed girl, fidgeting slightly but trying to appear confident. "On the orders of our clan leader, I'm here to guide you."