Chapter 198 – In a Way, It's Even More Precious Than the Six Paths Ninja Tools
It was also the first time Sasuke had been held by his father like this — and he was brimming with happiness.
In the past, Fugaku had always worn a stern expression, rarely showing such warmth toward him.
"Mikoto, Itachi, let's go home."
Fugaku didn't take the front gate. Instead, he led his family out through the back.
The main entrance of the Hokage Building was crowded with villagers celebrating their victory. If he appeared there, he knew he wouldn't be able to leave anytime soon.
"Hokage-sama, take care!" Kisame said reverently, bowing deeply.
"Get up already — he's long gone," Deidara muttered disdainfully.
Kisame straightened slowly, calming his excitement. "Then let's head back. Do you want to walk around first, or go straight home?"
Kisame himself didn't mind either way — he had nothing better to do. If Deidara wanted to wander, he'd accompany him.
But Deidara only wanted to sleep. "Go back, of course."
"Alright then," Kisame shrugged.
Just as the two departed, the three most powerful figures in Konoha — apart from the Hokage — entered the conference room together.
Uchiha Sihu carefully laid out several sealed scrolls on the table, each containing spoils from the recent battle.
"Assistant Shikaku, we've really struck gold this time," Sihu said, his wrinkled face breaking into a wide grin. Even his white eyebrows arched with delight.
Nara Shikaku, curious, asked, "Oh? What kind of treasures did we find?"
He knew they had uncovered a hidden chamber beneath the Raikage Building, but the intelligence reports hadn't mentioned the specifics.
"Take a guess."
Hyuga Hiashi also smiled broadly, unable to suppress his excitement.
Shikaku thought for a moment. "Could it be… the Sage of Six Paths' tools?"
That was the most valuable treasure one could imagine being hidden in the Hidden Cloud Village.
Uchiha Sihu chuckled. "Those are valuable, yes… but what we found might, in some ways, be even more precious than the Six Paths Ninja Tools."
Shikaku frowned slightly, unable to guess. "Alright, I give up. Just tell me already."
The two elders laughed heartily, their joy infectious. Shikaku's curiosity grew — anything that could make both of them this happy had to be extraordinary.
"Here, Assistant Shikaku. Take a look for yourself," Sihu said, selecting one of the scrolls and summoning a stack of sealed boxes onto the floor with a soft thud.
He picked up the top box and gestured for Shikaku to come closer. "Go on, have a look."
Shikaku leaned forward. Inside the open box were several aged manuscripts.
"Could this be… the Lightning Release Chakra Mode of the Hidden Cloud Village?"
His eyes lit up. He remembered witnessing that technique during the Third Great Ninja War — the sheer power and speed of the Fourth Raikage were burned into his memory.
If Konoha could learn that technique, it could train shinobi who might rival even the Raikage in close combat.
But Sihu only smiled mysteriously. "Look more closely."
With exaggerated care, he lifted one of the books and handed it to Shikaku.
The Nara strategist accepted it with equal caution. The cover was blank — but when he flipped to the first page, his eyes widened.
"Uzumaki Ashina?"
There was only one shinobi by that name — the first great sealing master of the Uzumaki Clan, founder of Uzushiogakure, and father of Lady Mito Uzumaki.
Realization dawned instantly. Shikaku's gaze swept over the unopened boxes, his expression growing shocked.
"Don't tell me… all of these are—?"
Uchiha Sihu smiled knowingly. "We can't be entirely sure until we open them all, but since they were stored together, there's a ninety percent chance."
Shikaku's face lit up. "Excellent. Our village's Sealing Arts Division is about to receive a historic upgrade."
"Indeed," Hiashi said cheerfully.
Shikaku flipped through a few pages before closing the book and returning it carefully. He wasn't trained in sealing techniques, so it was best to leave the analysis to the professionals.
"We'll have the Sealing Division make duplicate copies for study," he said. "The originals are priceless and must remain secured."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's open the rest!" Shikaku said, unable to hide his excitement.
"Wait," Hiashi interjected, pointing. "Look at the seals on the boxes."
Sure enough, each box was covered in black sealing formulas.
"Then we'll need the Sealing Division to unseal them," Shikaku said.
"Actually," Hiashi offered, "Jiraiya unsealed the first box himself. He already has experience — it might be faster to let him open the rest."
Sihu nodded slightly. Though he had once disliked Jiraiya, that changed after the Sannin helped uncover the underground vault. He had even started seeing the man as a symbol of good fortune.
If Jiraiya weren't so opposed to the Uchiha Clan, Sihu might have even considered recruiting him — or perhaps arranging a political marriage with his daughter to strengthen ties.
"Good idea," Shikaku agreed. "Did Jiraiya return with you?"
"Yes, he should be with Lady Tsunade now," Hiashi said. "I saw them together earlier — probably out eating."
"Excellent. Anbu," Shikaku ordered, "bring Jiraiya here. Tell him it concerns sealing arts and that he'll be compensated handsomely for his assistance."
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