An urgent report rang out in the Hokage's Office. "Lord Hokage, emergency dispatch!"
An Anbu member presented a scroll. The Third Hokage's expression was grave as he waved a hand, dismissing the operative. Unfurling the scroll, he recognized Ibiki Morino's insignia. As he carefully read Ibiki's report, a light glinted in his eyes, unable to conceal his delight.
Although Kumogakure and Kirigakure were currently locked in a stalemate with an uncertain future, the battle between Obito and Kawasaki the previous night had unexpectedly revealed the very information the Third Hokage was desperate to confirm—the Uchiha clan's Mangekyo Sharingan did indeed have a fatal flaw.
According to Ibiki's description, both Kawasaki and Itachi's eyes bled when they used Susanoo, and Itachi had ultimately collapsed unconscious. This directly verified the accuracy of Orochimaru's intelligence, proving he could be trusted.
Fugaku Uchiha had not been seen for a long time, which clearly indicated a problem with his eyes, and now Itachi was also injured. At present, the Uchiha's only top-tier masters were Kawasaki and Shisui. The situation was favorable to their side.
...
In a meeting room within Konoha, the Land of Fire Daimyo's special envoy had arrived. Normally, the envoy would have gone directly to Orochimaru, but on this occasion, the Third Hokage made an exception and personally accompanied him, a gesture that pleasantly surprised the man. After all, Konoha's strength was such that the Hokage's actual status often exceeded that of the Land of Fire's Daimyo.
Only the envoy and his two attendants were present in the room. The Third Hokage had come alone, without any of the village elders, yet his demeanor was exceptionally cordial. Knowing that Orochimaru was the Third Hokage's student, the envoy took the opportunity to disclose the purpose of his visit before Orochimaru arrived.
"Lord Orochimaru's plan has been a resounding success. The central factory has been established smoothly, and we've replaced the products in our existing storefronts. The entire restaurant industry in the Land of Fire is now incredibly profitable, and the Daimyo is extremely pleased. He has specifically ordered me to commend Lord Orochimaru and to deliver this month's profit share of one hundred million ryo."
The Third Hokage was taken aback. "One hundred million this month?"
Thinking the Hokage was dissatisfied with the amount, the envoy quickly apologized. "Please forgive us, Lord Hokage. The central factory is newly built, and both materials and production capacity are limited. Therefore, Lord Orochimaru's share for now is only one hundred million."
The Third Hokage was inwardly shaken but maintained a warm smile as he continued to exchange pleasantries with the envoy. He soon learned that of the monthly one hundred million profit, Orochimaru's share was thirty percent, while the Uchiha clan's was an astonishing sixty percent. The Third was shocked by the income and began to ponder how Konoha could benefit from it.
Orochimaru arrived shortly after. The envoy spoke respectfully, "Lord Orochimaru, it is good to see you. The Daimyo sent me to deliver the first month's profits for you and the Uchiha."
Orochimaru was quite polite to the man who had come to deliver money. "Thank you for making the trip. The Uchiha had other matters to attend to and couldn't be here. You can just give me their share."
The envoy was slightly surprised but immediately gestured to his subordinate. The man bit his thumb, quickly formed a series of hand seals, and activated his Summoning Jutsu. A massive lizard materialized inside the reception hall. The creature was enormous, standing nearly two meters tall and over five meters long. If not for the spaciousness of Konoha's reception hall, it would have barely fit.
The lizard was quiet and docile, its body covered in thick scales, and it carried several large packages and a rope ladder. The envoy's subordinate nimbly climbed the ladder, making several trips to unload eight large chests. The envoy opened one of the chests, revealing stacks of high-denomination bills. "Each chest contains forty million."
Orochimaru nodded in satisfaction. "Very good. The money has been received. Please send my regards to the Daimyo. We need to speed up the collection of raw materials for the central factory and increase production capacity."
After a few more polite words with the envoy, Orochimaru saw him off. The Third Hokage watched as Orochimaru organized the money, placing one hundred and fifty million into three chests and sealing the rest into a storage scroll.
"Are you absolutely certain about this matter with the Uchiha?" the Third Hokage asked, his mind on Orochimaru's strategy.
"Itachi's eyes were severely injured this time," Orochimaru said, setting the money aside. "Kawasaki has already contacted me. Unless we clone him a new pair, Itachi will go blind."
The Third Hokage's brow furrowed. "The Sharingan can be cloned?"
Orochimaru chuckled softly. "It can be cloned, but the cloned eyes will be in an unawakened state. It's not easy for an Uchiha to awaken the Sharingan. Itachi spent more than a decade awakening his Mangekyo. It's unlikely he could ever do it again."
His words were not an exaggeration. The evolution of the Sharingan stemmed from the effect of a special chakra in the Uchiha brain acting on the optic nerves. Once cloned eyes were implanted, reaching the Mangekyo stage again would be incredibly difficult. Certain life-altering experiences could not be counted on to produce the same effect twice.
"Old man, you need to think this through," Orochimaru said, his tone laced with displeasure at the Third's passive approach. "This is the perfect opportunity to eliminate the Uchiha. If you delay, they might just make a comeback one day."
The Third Hokage took a long drag from his pipe. "The timing is good, I admit. But Kumogakure and Kirigakure have already gone to war. It seems the Cloud won't stop until the Mist is destroyed. Kirigakure's reaction suggests they're having problems with their Jinchuriki. This war could drag on, or even escalate into an all-out melee. Konoha cannot afford any losses right now, or we will lose our advantage."
Orochimaru seemed to be persuaded. "Fine. Kawasaki has already sent word. He will bring Itachi here alone today. You should have your people in place, just in case."
The Third Hokage nodded slowly, a new thought troubling him. "Perhaps I should call Tsunade as well."
"Tsunade is hardly reliable these days," Orochimaru said, his voice dripping with uncertainty. "The risk is too high. Instead of calling her, you'd be better off finding me a couple of prisoners."
A malicious grin spread across Orochimaru's face. "Is it possible..." the Third Hokage began, his face filled with shock.
Orochimaru's tongue snaked out to lick his lips. "Yes, that's right. The very jutsu of Lord Tobirama."
"You actually learned that jutsu!" the Third Hokage said in a low, stern voice. "You cannot use it within Konoha's walls."
Orochimaru understood the Third Hokage's meaning and shrugged. "It's just a precaution. Besides, you and Jiraiya will be here, won't you?"
The Third Hokage paced back and forth, deliberating. The image of Kawasaki's mighty Susanoo flashed through his mind, and he finally nodded. "I will send two people to you later."
...
That afternoon, a report came from the Anbu. Just as predicted, Kawasaki had taken a blindfolded, bandaged Itachi to see Orochimaru.
Orochimaru spent every day holed up in his laboratory, and he owned all the surrounding buildings. The properties had just been renovated and were still unoccupied, leaving the area deserted. Although Kawasaki had evaded many Anbu patrols, the Third Hokage was already aware of his movements, so his trail was easily picked up.
Inside the lab, besides Orochimaru's own subordinates, was Kakashi Hatake, dispatched by the Third Hokage himself. Since Kakashi often visited Orochimaru for matters concerning his own copied eye, his presence there seemed perfectly natural.
At that moment, the Third Hokage had already donned his battle armor, with Jiraiya summoned to his side.
...
Back in the village, Kawasaki arrived at the laboratory early that morning. When he entered, he saw only Orochimaru and Kakashi inside. Orochimaru and Kawasaki quickly stepped outside. Just before leaving, Orochimaru gave Kakashi a meaningful glance.
Kakashi understood instantly. A flicker of hesitation crossed his mind, but he remembered that it was an order from the Hokage and pushed his unease aside.
After Orochimaru and Kawasaki had gone, Kakashi approached Itachi.