stonecrandall Page 263
Page 263
The Uchiha clan's strength has become too great since Kawasaki appeared.
The number of Mangekyou Sharingan users in the clan was made public; there were several.
Without economic burdens, the entire ethnic group experienced explosive growth.
The number of new Uchiha in the last few years is almost equal to that of the past twenty years.
If the Uchiha clan is allowed to develop unchecked, the future will be unpredictable.
Since there was an opportunity, they absolutely intended to weaken the Uchiha clan.
Let's go back and find Obito first.
Having made up his mind, he would not use the mayfly technique and would disappear without a trace on the sea surface.
...
News of the Cloud Village army's attack on the Mist Village spread like wildfire, and the number of spies following them along the way increased daily.
Spies from all sides displayed their abilities.
Some used flying ninja beasts to track them, while others used aquatic ninja beasts to follow them.
The sole purpose is to monitor Yunyin's movements.
News of the Cloud Hidden Army's encounter with the tsunami spread rapidly.
People quickly guessed that the sudden and bizarre tsunami was the work of the Hidden Mist.
Although it is unclear how the fog concealment is achieved.
But this was undoubtedly a blow to Yunyin.
Its momentum was severely dampened.
The Cloud Hidden Vanguard suffered over 700 casualties, with more than half of them completely destroyed.
In such a violent tsunami, the bodies were swept away and their whereabouts are unknown.
War inevitably results in casualties, but the Cloud Village suffered hundreds of losses without even seeing the enemy.
They lost face.
Although a third of the ship was lost, the remaining ships could still carry the people, though it would be crowded.
After the tsunami, the Hidden Cloud Village became more cautious.
After the fleet was reorganized, it no longer advanced collectively, but instead proceeded in batches.
They feared that the Hidden Mist might have similar methods.
This change caused the Cloud Shadow's movement speed to decrease drastically.
The advantage of seizing the initiative has vanished.
If the Cloud Village army has not yet captured the Twin Islands when it arrives at the Mist Village, the Iwagakure Village is very likely to take advantage of the situation to attack the Cloud Village mainland.
At that time, Yunyin will face enormous pressure.
But at this moment, Cloud Hidden has passed the halfway mark and is approaching Mist Hidden.
The Raikage decided to go to the island first, since there were two Jinchuriki on the island, which was worth a try.
Next, we'll see if the Uchiha clan can stop Iwagakure from launching their attack.
...
Inside the Hokage's office.
"Old man, have you received the news from Kirigakure?"
Orochimaru walked in looking energetic, a sight rarely seen on him.
The Third Hokage took a drag of his cigarette and slowly exhaled.
Smoke swirled around his face.
“We have many spies in Konoha over there, and the news comes back immediately.”
"The major powers are aware of the commotion at sea."
"The closest person on the island is Ibixi, who is on a mission nearby and should be able to land today."
Orochimaru nodded, then gave a sinister laugh, "The Uchiha from Otogakure went to the Shikoku Route."
"Both Itachi and Shisui are on the battlefield in the Land of Water."
"Oh?"
The three representatives were solemn.
"Is the information reliable?"
Orochimaru stuck out his tongue and licked his lips.
"Don't worry, Kawasaki told me to cooperate with him to keep you occupied and make you think that the Uchiha people are near Konoha."
"Actually, he doesn't want you to ruin his cooperation with the Hidden Cloud Village."
The Third Hokage pondered for a moment. If the Uchiha were truly in Konoha, Konoha would certainly not allow either Sunagakure or Iwagakure to enter.
The risk is too great. If the two join forces with the Uchiha to attack Konoha, the consequences will be unimaginable.
Seeking stability, Konoha may close its borders.
As a result, Iwagakure is temporarily unable to travel through the Land of Fire to the Kirigakure battlefield.
The collaboration between Kawasaki and Kumogakure was a natural outcome.
"Kawasaki is quite cunning."
The current head of the Uchiha clan and Fugaku represent two extremes.
Orochimaru wore a sickly smile. "Unfortunately, he made a mistake."
Seeing this, the Third Hokage knew that Orochimaru already had a plan.
Orochimaru, what is your plan?
Orochimaru said confidently, "With a large number of Cloud Village troops currently deployed to Kirigakure, the homeland will inevitably be vulnerable."
"All you need to do is open a door for Iwagakure."
"The Uchiha clan went to the Shikoku Route to prevent Iwagakure from using their passage, and a battle between the two sides is inevitable."
"As long as word gets out, Iwagakure will send out their elite forces, and Kawasaki and his men will have to intercept them."
The Third Hokage looked at Orochimaru, his eyes filled with undisguised joy.
Unexpectedly, Orochimaru possessed such political acumen.
Indeed, that group of Uchiha from Otogakure (Hidden Sound Village) lurking in the shadows was ultimately a hidden danger.
If Konoha were to release this information, the Uchiha would not dare to take the risk.
Given the old grudges between Iwagakure and Kumogakure, Iwagakure is unlikely to let this opportunity to strike at Kumogakure slip by.
Although the Uchiha's ultimate goal is unclear, they will definitely not let Iwagakure go now.
An open attack is easy to dodge, but a hidden arrow is hard to defend against.
The Third Hokage nodded. Konoha could weaken the Uchiha without lifting a finger, which was perfect.
Anyway, it's just letting two hundred hidden rock hermits pass by.
It seems that Kawasaki's biggest mistake was using Kotoamatsukami to control Orochimaru!
Thinking that Orochimaru had quietly given all the culinary secrets the Uchiha clan relied on for survival to the daimyo,
The Third Hokage felt extremely pleased.
Konoha can confront the Uchiha clan at the right moment.
"Don't worry, Orochimaru, I will inform the Tsuchikage immediately."
The Third Hokage grew increasingly satisfied with Orochimaru.
However, Orochimaru's next words made his face darken.
"Old man, I'm leaving this to you. I'm going back to the lab now."
Watching Orochimaru's departing figure, the Third Hokage felt somewhat helpless.
Orochimaru now only harbors a desire for revenge against the Uchiha clan.
He had no interest in the Hokage position, did not train subordinates, and did not accept missions.
My favorite thing to do every day is to tinker with experiments in the lab.
Faced with Orochimaru's tactics, the Third Hokage hesitated again.
But his hesitation didn't last long, and he soon relaxed again.
There's plenty of time; we can observe him for a while longer. After all, Orochimaru is much more reliable than Jiraiya.
.....
In Konoha Village.
Orochimaru returned to his laboratory.
As soon as I entered, I saw Mitarashi Anko pacing back and forth at the door.
Orochimaru's lips curled into a smile:
"Little Red Bean, what's this? You've finally decided to come see your teacher?"
After hesitating for a moment, Hongdou finally mustered up her courage:
"Teacher, I want to know why you didn't take me with you when you left back then."
"What exactly are my sealed memories?"
Chapter 146 Kawasaki's Dominance! A Powerful Kill! Land Reclamation!
Red Bean is straightforward by nature, but in front of Orochimaru, she is like a docile kitten.
Especially when looking at Orochimaru's unchanging face, Anko felt as if she had returned to the old days when she followed her teacher Orochimaru.