After finishing their meal, everyone returned to the hotel to rest. The day's events had left everyone exhausted, both physically and mentally. They fell asleep soon after returning to the hotel.
Uchiha Douhuan, on the other hand, sat at the table by the window of the hotel, brewing a pot of tea and sipping it slowly.
Late at night, a white snake slowly crawled into Uchiha Douhuan's room, following the moonlight.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting, Lord Douhuan." After the white snake entered Uchiha Douhuan's room, it transformed into a humanoid form in a puff of smoke. It was none other than Orochimaru.
"Sit down." Uchiha Douhuan gestured to the seat across from him, motioning for Orochimaru to sit down, then poured him a cup of tea.
"Well done! You've produced so much convincing evidence in such a short period of time. Thank you for your hard work," Uchiha Douhuan said.
"It's my honor to serve you," Orochimaru said with a lowered brow.
Watching Orochimaru so docile before him, Uchiha Touhan couldn't help but lament the terrifying power of Shisui's awakened Mangekyō Sharingan. The most terrifying aspect of Kotoamatsukami isn't its ability to directly control minds, but rather its ability to imprint a thought directly on the subconscious of the recipient. From the victim's perspective, everything seems perfectly natural. This explains the decade-long cooldown period for Kotoamatsukami's left eye, making the right eye's brief period of forced control seem rather ineffective. Of course
, Uchiha Touhan wouldn't completely let his guard down. In the original timeline, even the more terrifying divine omnipotence would have been spotted by a highly intelligent individual like Shikamaru, even with subtle subtleties. It was likely only a matter of time before Orochimaru discovered he'd been smitten.
After all, you can question Orochimaru's morality, even his strength, but never his intelligence.
However, Uchiha Touhan had never intended to rely on a single eye technique to enslave Orochimaru for a long time. Using Kotoamatsukami on him was simply to secure a scientific talent with 100% loyalty for a limited period without much effort. Uchiha Touhan's future strength would largely rely on Orochimaru's skills and connections.
He assessed his current strength. Excluding his Mangekyō eye technique, Susanoo, combined with his Lightning Release and swordsmanship, he ranked above average for a Kage. His right eye technique possessed a strong special attack capability against ninjas who relied on illusions. His left eye's Yasukatsu Hijin allowed him to engage a higher-level opponent, even against stronger ninjas or even ninjas of the same level, though he would likely be blinded after the attack.
Jiraiya was a hurdle Uchiha Touhan would inevitably face if he wanted to achieve his goal. Entering Sage Mode and supported by the two Gama Sages, Jiraiya's strength was likely superior to his current level.
More importantly, Uchiha Touhan's bloodline is completely dead, leaving him with no other pair of eyes that could elevate his Mangekyō to the Eternal Eyes. This means the Uchiha clan's path to power has reached its limit. The ninja world is ultimately a transcendental realm, and his current strength is insufficient to carry out a coup or withstand the turmoil that might ensue.
For Uchiha Touhan to become stronger, he faces only two options: transplant Hashirama's cells or cultivate Sage Mode. Orochimaru offers the best option for both, which is why he proactively accepts the task and, in his clash with Orochimaru, unleashes wide-ranging ninjutsu to clear the field without regard for chakra consumption.
As for what happens if Kotoamatsukami is used? In Uchiha Touhan's coup plan, Kotoamatsukami serves only as a deterrent. As long as no one sees him use it, it's effectively useless.
Uchiha Douhuan glanced at Orochimaru and said, "Did you bring the summoning contract from Ryuchido?"
Orochimaru nodded and made a hand seal. A small snake suddenly appeared on the table and spit out a scroll.
Orochimaru picked up the scroll, which was covered in slime, wiped it carefully, and then offered it with both hands.
Uchiha Douhuan opened it, signed his name, and instructed, "Please say hello to Ryuchido. I will visit you in a few days."
"Understood, Lord Dohwan. Any further instructions?" Orochimaru nodded.
"Help me cultivate a sample of Hashirama's cells. Also, keep an eye on the Akatsuki organization and report any unusual activity to me immediately," Uchiha Dohwan said.
"Yes," Orochimaru nodded, then vanished from Uchiha Dohwan's sight in a puff of white mist.
...
The next day, anxious to return to the village to report, everyone abandoned their leisurely pace and used their chakra to their full potential. The journey, which would normally take two days, took only one day, arriving back in the village by evening.
They all headed to the Hokage Building and delivered their mission.
"Did Orochimaru escape?" Sarutobi Hiruzen read Kakashi's mission report, a complex expression of relief and regret on his face.
"Never mind. Thank you for your hard work, everyone." Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head and looked at everyone.
"Hokage-sama, Captain Kakashi and I discovered some confidential leads during our mission. Please allow us to report privately," Uchiha Dohwan said.
"Really?" Sarutobi Hiruzen thought nothing of it, assuming the two had found some clues about Orochimaru's whereabouts. He glanced at the others behind them, who had tactfully left the Hokage's office.
When only three people remained in the Hokage's office, Uchiha Touhan and Kakashi exchanged a glance. They each handed Sarutobi Hiruzen the documents they had collected.
"This..." Sarutobi Hiruzen took the documents, glanced at them, and his expression changed. He then quickly read through them one by one.
After reviewing the incriminating evidence, Sarutobi Hiruzen wordlessly took out his pipe, filled it with tobacco, and lit it. Silence fell in the Hokage's office, only the smoke curled in the air.
After finishing his cigarette, Sarutobi Hiruzen raised his head and looked at the two men. "How should this matter be handled? I'd like to hear your opinions."
Kakashi lowered his head, while Uchiha Touhan took a step forward.
"My opinion is very simple," said Uchiha Douhuan with a firm expression. "Give the order, Hokage-sama. The Security Department and the Anbu will jointly enforce the law and bring the 93 people involved from the three clans to justice as quickly as possible. In the Hidden Leaf Village, under the light of the Will of Fire, such wanton acts of killing our companions should not exist! We must use our utmost strength to eradicate this cancer!"
After hearing Uchiha Douhuan's words, Sarutobi Hiruzen filled his pipe with another bag of tobacco.
But at this moment, a sudden chaotic commotion could be heard outside the Hokage's office.
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