On the Uchiha side, things were proceeding in an orderly and methodical layout.
But on the Third Hokage's side, the pressure was a bit heavy.
He had already received a message bird from Sarutobi Ishishu, and today he was calling Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane over to discuss for the second time.
"At a time like this, you're still hesitating."
The Third Hokage said in a deep voice, "Are you waiting for them to come settle accounts with you?"
Koharu Utatane slowly opened her mouth, "All these years I can be considered to have contributed quite a lot for Konoha."
"At worst, I'll just give back some money."
"All these years our Utatane clan has made quite a bit of money. With my identity, Uchiha Rengoku won't touch me."
The Third Hokage took a puff from his pipe, "Do you think the Uchiha are only after money?"
"This…", Hesitation appeared on Koharu Utatane's face. Everyone knew how crazy the Uchiha were.
And Rengoku was also a clever Uchiha.
"We can push Tsunade out, can't we," Koharu Utatane retreated to a secondary plan.
The Third Hokage cast a disappointed glance at Koharu Utatane, "We must make preparations on multiple fronts."
"Homura, what about you?", Seeing that Koharu was still wavering, he turned to ask the other teammate.
The Mitokado clan didn't have anyone skilled in business. However much money they embezzled, that much money was squandered.
Getting him to cough it up was simply impossible.
The Mitokado clan also had few people. He spoke without hesitation, "Hiruzen, I'll follow you."
"In that case, the matter of finding a buyer is left to you."
The Third Hokage spoke.
Mitokado Homura nodded, "Don't worry, within ten days I'll definitely gather it."
"Thank you for the trouble."
Koharu Utatane saw that the Third Hokage was preparing to take action alone, and her heart grew a little panicked, "How about this, our clan still has 2 billion in liquid assets. I can bring that out first."
"But the real estate can't be moved for now, it'll easily be noticed by Tsunade or the Nara clan."
The Third Hokage's expression softened a little. Something was better than nothing, "I'll think of a way regarding the real estate. I'll go check Tsunade's attitude first."
———
At the gate of the Uchiha compound—
"Our Uchiha are about to reach a critical moment, so we need more strong power."
"This mission is very dangerous. I hope the three of you come back alive."
"Yes, Clan Head!"
The three, Uchiha Makumi, Uchiha Norihiko, and Uchiha Rinjin, stood neat and tidy, expressions solemn. [T/N: Mayumi→Makumi. I may have used Mayumi before]
They had already written their wills two days ago, ready to carry out this mission of near-certain death.
The words "Mangekyo Sharingan" carried such heavy weight, such golden value.
The danger, needless to say.
Rengoku seriously patted the three on the shoulders, then exchanged a hand sign with Itachi.
Itachi had always been a stiff-faced type.
Now he acted the part convincingly, waving his hand, and the few quickly vanished from the gate.
This was already the third batch Rengoku had sent out, all of them taken away by Itachi.
With both Shisui and Itachi, masters of genjutsu, leading them, they would be put down not long after going out.
Then secretly delivered back to Orochimaru's laboratory.
Some would remain unconscious longer, some shorter.
When the time came, they would simply say the mission had failed.
As for who was suitable in soul quality, in truth only Uchiha Makumi alone.
Norihiko's soul strength was a bit lower, but worth a try.
The rest were just there to fill the ranks.
Rengoku carefully read all their wills and also discussed with Itachi, Fugaku, and Shisui.
Fugaku would perform the pupil technique. Whether it would work, Rengoku wasn't certain.
———
"Rengoku-sama, we're back."
Just as Rengoku had sent off several groups of Uchiha elites, he happened to run into Kimimaro's squad returning.
This time Kimimaro's squad hadn't brought Yakumo or Karin, so it was Kimimaro, Haku, Shion, and Gaara.
Their mission this time was to hunt down two Chunin from Amegakure.
Back in the day, Pain and Hanzo of the Salamander had fought for authority in Amegakure.
Because Pain had won, many of Hanzo's people had escaped.
These two years, Pain had completely disappeared, so many of Hanzo's remnants were probing for information.
This kind of "chasing down small fry" mission, Amegakure usually couldn't spare people to handle.
Rengoku's clone, Monk Senku, who resided long-term in Amegakure, learned of this situation.
So he assigned such missions over for the younger generation to gain experience.
"Everything go smoothly?", Rengoku knowingly asked.
Kimimaro replied, "Just spent some time searching."
Rengoku patted Kimimaro's shoulder.
"Any discomfort?"
He had told Kimimaro early on that the Shikotsumyaku was an extremely strong ability, but also extremely dangerous.
He told him not to overuse the Shikotsumyaku, and if he ever felt physical discomfort from overuse, to report immediately.
Kimimaro's heart warmed, "Rengoku-sama, I'm fine. For now I haven't encountered anyone that forced me to go all out."
Rengoku gave a slight nod, "Know your limits, keep accumulating experience."
"Yes, Rengoku-sama."
Rengoku reached out and rubbed Haku's hair.
"While you were gone, Karin grew taller. She said when you come back she wants to compare with you."
Haku's body was thin and delicate. Having suffered too much hardship early on, his physique hadn't changed much.
He still looked like a child.
Rengoku wasn't sure if it was just genetics.
But Haku was already thirteen, and still quite small.
Haku and Karin's relationship was very good. Hearing this, he smiled, "Mm, I'll go find her later."
"What? Karin grew taller again?", Shion was shocked at Rengoku's words.
Shion hurriedly asked Rengoku, "Clan Head, how tall did Karin grow this time?"
Rengoku glanced at Shion. She used to play with Karin.
Now that Karin had grown up, she would probably become the big sister of the group.
Rengoku laughed heartily, "You'll know when you see her."
"Rengoku-sama, I've returned."
Gaara deliberately came to stand before Rengoku. The clothes on his body bore the huge and obvious Uchiha fan emblem.
It represented that he was a member of the Uchiha.
The group looked travel-worn, only Gaara was neat and clean.
His control of sand was very practical in daily life.
"Gaara, have you gotten used to it?", Rengoku was referring to how he no longer had Shukaku.
"It's not much different from before, but much more relaxed."
Previously Rengoku had used the Four Symbols Seal to completely lock Shukaku. Gaara couldn't hear Shukaku's voice at all.
Now that Shukaku had been extracted, Gaara didn't feel any different than before.
Gaara looked at Rengoku's still gray-white hair, worry on his face.
"Rengoku-sama, your hair."
Rengoku's hand passed through Gaara's sand layer, patting his shoulder, "These past days I saved other people, so it's this color. Don't worry about me."
Gaara finally let out a small breath of relief.
"Come on, since you're back, rest for two days."
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