Chapter 32 Future Arrangements
After dinner, everyone returned to the inn to rest. The day's events had left everyone exhausted, and they fell into a deep sleep shortly after returning to the hotel.
Uchiha Touhuan, however, sat at the table by the window, slowly sipping a pot of tea.
Later that night, a white snake slowly crawled into Uchiha Touhuan's room, bathed in moonlight.
"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Lord Touhuan." After entering Uchiha Touhuan's room, the white snake transformed into human form in a puff of smoke—it was Orochimaru.
"Sit." Uchiha Touhuan gestured to the seat opposite Orochimaru, then poured him a cup of tea.
"Well done. You've produced so much convincing evidence in such a short time. Thank you
for your hard work," Uchiha Touhuan said. "It is my honor to serve you," Orochimaru said, bowing his head.
Looking at the obedient Orochimaru before him, Uchiha Touhuan couldn't help but marvel at the terrifying power of Shisui's awakened Mangekyō Sharingan. The most terrifying aspect of Kotoamatsukami wasn't its direct control over minds, but rather its ability to imprint a mental seal directly into the subconscious of the user. In the victim's vision, everything appeared perfectly natural. This was why the Kotoamatsukami in the left eye had a 10-year cooldown period; compared to that, the short-term forced control of the right eye seemed rather weak.
Of course, Uchiha Touhuan wouldn't be completely complacent. In the original timeline, even the more terrifying Omnipotent Divine Technique was detected by highly intelligent individuals like Shikamaru through subtle details. It was probably only a matter of time before Orochimaru realized he was under its spell.
After all, you can question Orochimaru's morality, even his strength, but never his intelligence.
However, Uchiha Touhuan never intended to enslave Orochimaru long-term using a single eye technique. His use of Kotoamatsukami was merely a way to effortlessly acquire a research-oriented talent with unwavering loyalty for a limited time. Touhuan's future strength would largely depend on Orochimaru's technology and connections.
Touhuan assessed his current strength level: excluding his Mangekyō Sharingan, his Susanoo, combined with his Lightning Release and swordsmanship, placed him roughly in the upper-middle tier of Kage. His right eye's eye technique possessed a strong special attack attribute against genjutsu-reliant ninjas, while his left eye's Eighty Calamities of the Sun allowed him a degree of ability to fight against opponents stronger than himself or multiple ninjas of similar strength, though he would likely be blinded afterward.
To achieve his goals, Touhuan absolutely needed to overcome Jiraiya. Jiraiya, in Sage Mode and with the assistance of two Toad Sages, was likely stronger than Touhuan at his current level.
More importantly, Uchiha Touhuan's blood relatives are all dead. There's no other pair of eyes that can allow his Mangekyō Sharingan to advance to the Eternal Eye. This means that Uchiha Touhuan has reached the end of the normal path for the Uchiha clan to increase their strength. The ninja world is ultimately a world of the extraordinary, and his current strength is insufficient to support his coup and prevent the potential turmoil that might follow.
Now, Uchiha Touhuan only has two paths to become stronger: try transplanting Hashirama cells or train in Sage Mode. Orochimaru is the optimal choice for both, which is why Uchiha Touhuan volunteered for this mission and, during his fight with Orochimaru, disregarded chakra consumption, unleashing wide-range ninjutsu to clear the area.
As for what happens when Kotoamatsukami is used? Kotoamatsukami only serves a deterrent purpose in Uchiha Touhuan's coup plan. As long as no one sees him use Kotoamatsukami, it's as if he didn't use it.
Uchiha Touhuan glanced at Orochimaru and asked, "Did you bring the summoning contract from Ryuchi Cave?"
Orochimaru nodded, formed a hand seal, and a small snake suddenly appeared on the table, spitting out a scroll.
Orochimaru picked up the scroll, which was covered in slime, carefully wiped it clean, and then presented it with both hands.
Uchiha Touhuan opened it, signed his name, and instructed, "Please inform Ryuchi Cave that I will pay them a visit in a few days." "Understood, Lord Touhuan. Is there anything else you need?" Orochimaru nodded.
"Cultivate a Hashirama cell for me. Also, keep an eye on the Akatsuki's movements. Report any unusual activity to me immediately," Uchiha Touhuan said.
"Yes." Orochimaru nodded and then vanished in a cloud of white mist before Uchiha Touhuan's eyes.
...
The next day, because they were in a hurry to return to the village to report, the group didn't take their time like they had on the way there. They used all their chakra to travel at full speed, and the journey that would normally take about two days was completed in just one day, returning to the village by evening.
The group went to the Hokage Building together to hand in their mission.
"Did Orochimaru get away?" Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the mission report submitted by Kakashi, his face showing a complex expression that was hard to tell whether it was relief or regret.
"Never mind, anyway, everyone worked hard." Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head and looked at everyone.
"Hokage-sama, Captain Kakashi and I discovered some confidential clues during the mission. Please allow us to report separately," Uchiha Touhuan said at this moment.
"Is that so?" Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't think much of it, assuming the two had found some clues about Orochimaru's whereabouts. He glanced at the others behind them, who tactfully withdrew from the Hokage's office.
Once only the three of them remained in the Hokage's office, Uchiha Touken and Kakashi exchanged a glance, then handed over the documents they had collected to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"This..." Hiruzen Sarutobi took the documents, his expression changing after just one glance. He then quickly read through the documents one by one.
After reviewing the evidence, Hiruzen Sarutobi silently took out his pipe, stuffed it with tobacco, and lit it. Silence fell over the Hokage's office, filled only with swirling smoke.
After finishing his pipe, Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his head and looked at the two: "How should this be handled? I'd like to hear your opinions."
Kakashi lowered his head upon hearing this, while Uchiha Touken stepped forward.
"My opinion is simple," Uchiha Touhuan said firmly. "Give the order, Hokage-sama. The Security Department and the Anbu will conduct a joint operation to apprehend all 93 individuals from the three clans involved as quickly as possible. Konoha, under the Will of Fire, should not tolerate such wanton killing of comrades! This cancer must be eradicated with the utmost force!"
After hearing Uchiha Touhuan's words, Sarutobi Hiruzen filled his pipe with more tobacco.
But just then, a commotion suddenly arose outside the Hokage's office.
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(End of Chapter)