Chương 204: Chapter 203: Borrowing the Knife

Kakashi Hatake knocked on the door. After receiving permission, he pushed it open and entered.

As soon as he stepped inside, the strong smell of smoke assaulted his senses.

The Hokage's office was shrouded in a thick cloud of smoke, and a layer of ash had already covered Hiruzen's desk.

Kakashi was momentarily stunned. Since he was a child, he had never seen the Third Hokage smoke this much. Even after Lady Biwako's passing, when there was no one to "discipline" the Third, this level of smoking was excessive.

"Kakashi-kun, sit down," Hiruzen said, gripping his pipe and sighing softly.

"Let me see that Sharingan of yours."

"Yes, sir." Though puzzled, Kakashi complied with the order, revealing his eye. Three tomoe spun within his pupil, mysterious and beautiful.

"Sharingan... Uchiha..." The Third Hokage muttered softly, a bitter smile on his face. "I once had an old friend, Kagami Uchiha. He was an outstanding shinobi, he was even recognized by the Second Hokage. He broke free from the shackles of his clan and placed the village's overall interests above everything else. That day... Ah, I'm old. I've forgotten what year it was. I only remember him telling me, 'If you become Hokage in the future, keep a close eye on my clan. No one understands love more than the Uchiha, and no one understands hatred more either.'"

The old man sighed and exhaled a pale ring of smoke.

"The village has found Yuto. The information we got was unexpected... He revealed who the Uchiha was that controlled the Nine-Tails that night."

"...Who?" A dead man's face suddenly flashed in Kakashi's mind.

"Obito... Uchiha."

"That can't be him!" Nineteen-year-old Kakashi stood up, disregarding decorum, and slammed his hand on the desk. "Four years ago, Obito couldn't possibly have possessed the power to control the Nine-Tails!"

"If Obito had Madara backing him, there might have been a shortcut."

"Madara?"

"Madara Uchiha, the man who founded this village alongside the First Hokage."

Kakashi was stunned.

"Hokage-sama, where did this information come from...?"

"Yuto told the village."

"Why should we trust the words of a rogue shinobi?"

"Because he has no reason to lie," Hiruzen's voice was soft. "Based on Shisui's description, Orochimaru and I have already discussed it. We both agree that Yuto Hyuga's plan is to use Konoha as a tool... to kill Obito."

"If all the information is true, and Obito's Sharingan possesses a space-time jutsu, then even if Yuto is strong enough, if Obito keeps teleporting away, no one can touch him. He'd be difficult to kill."

"It's a clever strategy. Once the village knows Obito's identity and the type of jutsu he wields, we'll have no choice but to act."

"Yuto betrayed the village because of the Caged Bird Seal. Although his actions can't be forgiven, I have to admit that his betrayal is, in a way, logical."

"But what about Obito? What reason did he have to attack on the night of Kushina's labor? Minato and Kushina treated him like their own. I can't think of anything other than overwhelming hatred."

"A space-time jutsu, a deep-seated grudge against Konoha, a close connection with Madara, and rapid growth... Obito must be killed as soon as possible!"

Kakashi clenched his fists, trying to clear his friend's name. "But Hokage-sama, if Yuto couldn't handle such a difficult enemy himself, why should Konoha do it?"

"Because we have bait that Obito can't refuse."

Kakashi was taken aback, instinctively touching his left eye.

'Obito... Could it really be you? How could it be? You died a hero...'

...

As he watched Kakashi's dispirited figure leave, Hiruzen sighed. "White Fang, your son is just as excellent as you, even his care for his comrades is identical..."

With a bang, the wall beside him opened, and Orochimaru stepped out of a hidden passage. His golden, slit-pupil eyes coldly observed the closed door. "When should we act?"

"As soon as possible, once Kakashi regains some of his composure."

"Very well... Then, sensei, let's discuss another matter." Orochimaru glanced at the official document on the desk. "Sensei, why do you think the leader of the Akatsuki suddenly decided to visit our village?"

"It could be a whim, or it could be an action directed by Yuto... But given the current situation, the latter seems more likely." Hiruzen tiredly rubbed his temples. "I'm wondering, besides the leader of the Akatsuki, Konan, who else might come along?"

The two exchanged a glance, seeing the gravity in each other's eyes.

—Is it possible that Yuto might be hiding in the team from Amegakure?

A deathly silence fell over the office. Both Hiruzen, a seasoned veteran, and Orochimaru, with his meticulous mind, admitted they were no match for Yuto.

The attack four years ago, Murakumo Slash, had already made Konoha's shinobi lament that "this was a jutsu belonging to a god." Given how much time had passed, a man like Yuto couldn't possibly have stayed stagnant.

"The overall combat strength of Konoha is weaker than Yuto Hyuga's," was a statement with a significant probability of being true.

Thus, a dilemma presented itself to Konoha—should they allow the visitors from Amegakure to enter? Should they monitor them with extreme caution?

Flatly rejecting Amegakure's request was nearly impossible.

After all, Konoha and Amegakure had signed a peace treaty years ago, clearly stating "neighborly and friendly relations." Now, the leader of this ally was formally requesting to visit Konoha. Refusing without a justifiable reason would be hard to explain.

Even if Konoha were shameless enough to do so, what if Yuto was indeed part of the visiting team? What if, after being refused entry, he flew into a rage?

—Fine, you don't want to show respect, huh? It seems I didn't kill enough people back then. Let's add some more beautiful memories today...

But allowing the Amegakure delegation in didn't seem safe either.

Both the Third Hokage and Orochimaru felt caught between a rock and a hard place. No matter what they chose, uncontrollable consequences seemed inevitable.

Ultimately, it was because Yuto's power was too overwhelming. If he went on a rampage, he was undeniably the strongest in the current shinobi world. Konoha had only just begun to recover. If there was another Crimson Night, Hiruzen would have no choice but to bow down and apologize to the previous Hokage in the afterlife.

"Let's pretend we know nothing." Finally, Hiruzen made a decision. "If the leader of the Akatsuki wishes to visit, let her come. We'll treat her with standard diplomatic courtesy. As for who is in her group, we'll turn a blind eye... as long as Yuto doesn't show up openly. If he does... then we'll fight, no matter what. Orochimaru, I authorize you to use any forbidden jutsu at that time."

"Understood." Orochimaru sighed lightly. "Then, sensei, let's discuss the third matter now."

"Will I ever have a peaceful retirement?" Hiruzen smiled wryly. "No need to discuss it. Let's go find Fugaku and talk to him directly."

(End of Chapter)