area51novel Page 285
Page 285
In contrast, the Third Hokage's reputation was severely damaged by several incidents.
Danzo's betrayal, in particular, almost completely severed any possibility of reconciliation between the Uchiha and Konoha.
The Third Hokage recalled Jiraiya, exonerated Orochimaru, and allowed him to return to the village, while also recalling many other skilled fighters.
Asuma speculated that the pressing issue at present was not just the war between Kumogakure and Kirigakure.
The most pressing issue is probably the conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha clan.
He took another deep drag of his cigarette, feeling a little uneasy.
Everything depends on the Uchiha's next move.
Chapter 161 Orochimaru! Sharingan Cloning!
An urgent announcement came from the Hokage's office: "Hokage-sama, urgent document!"
An ANBU member presented a scroll. The Third Hokage, with a solemn expression, waved for the ANBU to leave.
Unroll the scroll; it bears the mark of Ibiki Morino.
After carefully reading Ibiki's report, the third generation's eyes gleamed with undisguised joy.
Although the Cloud Village and the Mist Village are currently locked in a stalemate, the future direction remains unclear.
But last night's battle between Obito and Kawasaki unexpectedly revealed information that the Third Hokage was eager to confirm—
The Mangekyou Sharingan of the Uchiha clan does indeed have flaws!
According to Ibiki's description, it was either Kawasaki or Itachi.
Itachi's eyes would bleed when he used Susanoo, and he eventually fell into a coma.
This directly confirms the accuracy of Orochimaru's information and proves that Orochimaru is trustworthy!
Fugaku Uchiha has not appeared for a long time, which obviously indicates that he has a problem with his eyes, and Itachi is also injured.
Now, only Kawasaki and Shisui remain as the top Uchiha fighters, which puts our side in a favorable position!
...
Inside the meeting room in Konoha Village, the Daimyo's special envoy arrived.
Originally, the envoy could have simply sought out Orochimaru, but this time the Third Hokage made an exception and personally accompanied him, much to the envoy's delight.
After all, Konoha's strength meant that the Hokage's actual status was higher than that of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
The meeting room contained only the special envoy and his two attendants. The Third Hokage arrived alone, without any elders, yet his demeanor was extremely amiable.
The envoy knew that Orochimaru was a disciple of the Third Hokage, and before Orochimaru arrived, he revealed the purpose of his trip to the Third Hokage. 9
"Lord Orochimaru's plan has been a great success. The central factory has been successfully established, and we are using the existing storefronts to replace our products."
The restaurant industry in the Land of Fire is currently very profitable, much to the daimyo's satisfaction.
"I have been specially ordered to come and commend Lord Orochimaru, and to transfer this month's profit share of 4 million."
The Third Hokage was taken aback: "One hundred million this month?"
The envoy, assuming the Hokage was dissatisfied with the amount, quickly apologized and explained, "Please forgive me, Hokage-sama. The central factory is newly built, and materials and production capacity are limited. Therefore, Orochimaru-sama's dividend is only 0 million for the time being."
The third generation was deeply shaken, but on the surface, he still exchanged pleasantries with the special envoy in a gentle manner.
Soon, he discovered that Orochimaru accounted for 30% of the monthly profit of 100 million, while the Uchiha clan accounted for 60%.
The Third Hokage was both shocked by this income and pondered whether Konoha could benefit from it.
Orochimaru arrived quickly, and the envoy respectfully said, "Greetings, Lord Orochimaru. The Daimyo has sent me to bring you and the Uchiha the first month's share of the profits."
Orochimaru was quite polite to the person who had come specifically to deliver the money: "Thank you for making this trip. The Uchiha clan was unable to come due to other matters. Just give me the money directly."
The envoy was slightly taken aback, then gestured to his subordinates.
The subordinate bit his finger, quickly formed a hand seal, and activated the summoning spell. A huge lizard appeared in the reception room.
This lizard is enormous, standing nearly two meters tall and over five meters long. It would be almost impossible to accommodate it if it weren't for the spacious Konoha meeting room.
The lizard was quiet and docile, covered in thick scales, and carrying several packages and a rope ladder.
The envoy's men nimbly climbed the rope ladder and made several trips to unload the eight boxes of valuables.
The envoy opened the boxes and showed Orochimaru boxes full of high-value banknotes, forty million in each box.
Orochimaru nodded in satisfaction and said, "Very good, the money has been received. Please give my regards to the daimyo."
The central factory needs to expedite the collection of raw materials and increase its production capacity.
Afterwards, Orochimaru chatted politely with the envoy for a few minutes, and the envoy bid farewell and left.
The Third Hokage watched Orochimaru organize the money, dividing 150 million into three boxes and storing the remainder in a storage scroll.
The Third Hokage pondered Orochimaru's plan, wondering, "Are we absolutely certain about the Uchiha's situation?"
Orochimaru placed the money aside and said to the Third Hokage, "Itachi Uchiha's eye injury is serious this time. Kawasaki has contacted me. Unless he is cloned, Itachi will go blind."
The Third Hokage frowned: "The Sharingan can be cloned?"
Orochimaru chuckled, "Although cloning is possible, it's not easy for the Uchiha to awaken their Sharingan in a cloned, unawakened state."
"It took Itachi more than ten years to awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan, and it may never be possible for him to do it again."
This is no exaggeration; the evolution of the Sharingan originated from the effect of the special chakra within the Uchiha brain on the visual nerves.
Once a cloned eye is implanted, achieving the same kaleidoscope effect is extremely difficult, and certain experiences may not replicate the same results.
"Sir, you need to think this through. Now is the perfect opportunity to eliminate the Uchiha clan. If you delay, they might be able to make a comeback in the future."
Orochimaru's tone revealed displeasure, and he had reservations about the Third Hokage's appeasement strategy.
The Third Hokage took a drag of his cigarette: "The timing is good, but the Hidden Cloud Village and the Hidden Mist Village have already started their war. It seems that the Hidden Cloud Village will not stop until the Hidden Mist Village is destroyed."
The reaction from Kirigakure indicates that there is a problem with their Jinchūriki, and this battle may continue or even trigger a full-scale war.
At this moment, Konoha cannot afford any losses, otherwise we will lose our advantage.
·····Requesting flowers·········
Orochimaru seemed to be persuaded by the Third Hokage: "Alright, Kawasaki Uchiha has sent me a message that he will be bringing Itachi alone today. Make sure you have the necessary manpower in case of any unforeseen circumstances."
The third generation nodded slightly, but a question arose in their hearts.
"How about I call Tsunade over too?"
Orochimaru's tone was full of uncertainty upon hearing this: "Tsunade is not very reliable these days; the risk is too high."
"Instead of calling her, you should find me two prisoners."
Orochimaru's lips curled into a smirk, his eyes flashing with deep malice.
The Third Hokage looked utterly astonished: "Could it be..."
Orochimaru stuck out his tongue and licked his lips: "Yes, that's right, it's the same technique that Tobirama used."
"You actually learned that technique!"
The Third Hokage said in a deep voice, "This technique cannot be used within Konoha."
......................
Orochimaru understood what the Third Hokage meant and shrugged: "Just in case, anyway, you and Jiraiya are here too."
Three generations walked back and forth, thinking about it.
Thinking of the power of Kawasaki's Susanoo, he finally nodded: "I'll send two people over to you later."
.....
In the afternoon.
News has come from the secret service.
Kawasaki indeed took Itachi, who was blindfolded and wrapped in gauze, to find Orochimaru.
Orochimaru spends all his time in his laboratory, and the surrounding buildings are all his properties.
The renovation was recently completed, but no one has moved in yet; it's been empty all this time.
Although Kawasaki avoided many of the Anbu, the Third Hokage already knew about it.
Therefore, some clues were still discovered.
In addition to Orochimaru's subordinates, Kakashi Hatake, who was sent there by the Third Hokage, was also in Orochimaru's laboratory.
As it happened, Kakashi often had to visit Orochimaru because of the matter of copying eyes, so Kakashi seemed quite at ease there.
At this moment, the Third Hokage was already dressed in his battle gear, and Jiraiya was summoned to his side.
.....
In Konoha Village.
Kawasaki arrived at the laboratory early in the morning.
Upon entering the laboratory, they found only Orochimaru and Kakashi inside.
Orochimaru and Kawasaki quickly went outside.
Before leaving, Orochimaru gave Kakashi a wink.
Kakashi immediately understood. 64
Although there was a slight hesitation in his heart, he suppressed his unease because he remembered that this was the Hokage's order.
After Orochimaru and Kawasaki left, Kakashi approached Itachi Hiro.
Chapter 162 Lord Kawasaki! Yamata no Orochi!
Boom...
There was a loud bang.
Orochimaru's laboratory was smashed to pieces by a golden Susanoo.
An angry roar followed: "Orochimaru, you betrayed me!"
Although Susanoo only presents its initial skeletal form, each of its attacks is incredibly powerful.
Boom! Boom! Boom!