Chapter 204: How Should We Advance the Moon's Eye Plan Next?
Hyuga Ritsu looked deeply at the Fourth seated behind the office desk.
He didn't know whether the words Uchiha Fugaku spoke came from sincere thoughts or whether he'd already completed prior coordination with Minato. But he clearly realized that this Hokage, who should have flashed by like a meteor, was now preparing to begin using his own radiance to illuminate this village.
Everyone present had basically discerned the Fourth's intent by now.
Whether to return the One-Tail or not was merely surface-level manifestation. The matter's core clearly showed the Fourth preparing to modify rules the First Hokage had once established. He wanted to challenge the "tradition" Konoha had observed unchanged for fifty years.
So after Uchiha Fugaku finished speaking, the spacious office sank into prolonged silence.
Everyone was thinking about what changes this would bring the village, what impact such changes would have on themselves and their families, and whether they and their families should support the Fourth's intent to challenge tradition and alter rules.
Those seated here weren't isolated individuals. Behind each person stood one or several families. Moreover, as the village's existing beneficiaries, they had to carefully consider whether doing this would infringe upon their own interests and whether they could obtain more benefits from it.
"Uchiha Clan Head speaks without fault. First Hokage's original vision of distributing Tailed Beasts to the various villages to secure the ninja world's lasting peace went bankrupt long ago. We have no need to continue clinging to these outdated, decaying rules. Attempting to establish new order isn't necessarily a bad thing!"
Hyuga Ritsu spoke up, breaking this prolonged silence.
He'd also made his choice after serious consideration—support the Fourth.
The reasons were twofold. First, the Fourth's attitude appeared quite resolute. Even if unsuccessful this time, next time he'd likely seek another opportunity to attempt challenging and changing rules left by the First. Opposing the Fourth would yield no benefits. Second, his Hyuga clan's position in the village proved unshakeable, stable as bedrock. No matter how things changed, his family's benefits couldn't be reduced. The Byakugan's superiority was irreplaceable.
Of course—
A third personal reason existed. Hyuga Ritsu also enjoyed seeing the ninja world change. Since the future had already been stirred into complete darkness, he didn't mind at all letting the future become even more chaotic.
Moreover, he very much wanted to see what changes this Hokage, who should have died young, would bring to the ninja world.
So at this moment, he resolutely chose to support the Fourth.
Hiruko looked deeply at Hyuga Ritsu. Since his disciple had made a decision, this teacher could only follow.
Hiruko cleared his throat. "Hokage-sama, Uchiha Clan Head has one statement correct—times change. Some rules suited Konoha fifty years ago but don't suit the current Konoha. It's also time to make changes."
"Speaking of which, these changes have actually already begun. The Three-Tails is already under our control. The police force also contains large numbers of non-Uchiha clan members. So far, the village hasn't experienced any negative consequences. Therefore, I believe we can continue boldly experimenting."
Hearing these words—
The corners of Minato's mouth lifted slightly.
He hadn't done any prior coordination with anyone, merely leaking hints to Hiruko earlier, originally intending just a small probe to gauge everyone's attitude toward this matter.
But the current result proved quite pleasantly surprising. The Uchiha and Hyuga—two great families—clearly expressed support for him. This gave him greater confidence in what he planned to do next.
"I temporarily can't think of any downsides, so I have no objections."
Inuzuka Jaw spoke after deliberating repeatedly.
At this point—
Only Nara Shikaku and Akimichi Torikaze hadn't expressed positions.
Akimichi Torikaze looked at Nara Shikaku.
And this jonin squad captain's lips twitched. A bitter smile flashed and vanished. Meeting Minato's gaze, he said seriously, "Hokage-sama, my view remains unchanged. We currently have reason to temporarily keep the One-Tail in our Konoha for safekeeping. As for later... we'll discuss later matters later. Dragging things out might provide a legitimate opportunity to take the One-Tail into our possession."
At this point—
Opinions unified.
Minato's probe achieved great success.
"Since everyone feels it's necessary to keep the One-Tail, then let's proceed this way!"
Minato said with a smile.
His gaze turned toward Hiruko, speaking up. "Hiruko-senpai, I'll trouble you to negotiate with the Sand ninja. Truthfully tell them our concerns and both their and our current circumstances. The One-Tail can only temporarily remain in Konoha and cannot be given to them. As for when it can be returned to them—that's pending!"
All diplomatic affairs were managed by Hiruko.
Hiruko nodded. "Part of my duties. I'll talk with the Sand ninja."
Minato said nothing more. His gaze once again swept across everyone. "These are the two matters I needed to discuss. Does anyone have anything else to say?"
Everyone shook their heads.
"Then dismissed!"
After speaking, Minato looked toward Hyuga Ritsu again. "Hyuga Clan Head, please take the trouble to organize intelligence regarding the Rinnegan as quickly as possible and submit it."
"Also, Shikaku—create a framework for convening the Five Kage Summit as soon as possible."
After instructing once more, this meeting was hereby declared concluded.
Everyone departed separately.
Hiruko and Hyuga Ritsu walked together as teacher and student. "Ritsu, why support Hokage-sama in changing rules left by the First?"
"Sensei, do you think these rules should or shouldn't be changed?"
Hiruko fell silent for an instant before answering, "I don't know. My eyes can't see that far. I can't tell whether changing the Tailed Beast distribution policy established by First Hokage-sama is good or bad. Otherwise, why would I ask you?"
As he spoke, he glared at Hyuga Ritsu without good humor.
Hyuga Ritsu smiled. Watching Hiruko open the office door, he followed inside and sat down on the sofa. "Sensei, no one can say what the future holds. We can only grasp everything within our control as much as possible, giving ourselves the ability to lead future changes. At that time, naturally we can guide the future toward the direction we hope for."
"Become stronger?"
Hiruko summarized and distilled these two words "become stronger," sighing. "What you say is correct, Ritsu. Still must make ourselves as strong as possible."
"Ritsu, come spar with me!"
Hiruko proactively extended an invitation to Hyuga Ritsu.
His Chimera Technique had already reached completion.
But this didn't mean his path had reached its end. More precisely, he stood at a new starting point. He could continue growing stronger. The five Kekkei Genkai he possessed all still had enormous potential not yet excavated and transformed into strength.
"My pleasure."
Hyuga Ritsu answered with a smile.
Neither of their true bodies moved—they merely split off shadow clones heading to a nearby training ground. This technique developed by the Second Hokage truly proved convenient. Ordinary people, limited by meager chakra, couldn't utilize the Shadow Clone Technique's memory-return-to-true-body characteristic to grow stronger.
But these teacher-student duo, through using the Chimera Technique, possessed exceptionally massive chakra, completely capable of bearing the consumption of using Shadow Clone Technique to shorten the time required to grow stronger.
Simultaneously—
Hyuga Ritsu's true body remained in Hiruko's office. He requested paper and brush, beginning to summarize and record knowledge regarding the Rinnegan. He had to be somewhat careful—he could only record information observed during this single battle. Writing too much would prove troublesome to explain.
Several days later—
News that the Fourth Hokage would convene a Five Kage Summit had already spread throughout the village. Nara Shikaku had created a framework. After receiving the Fourth's approval, invitations had been formally dispatched to the other four great ninja villages.
The meeting location wasn't placed in Konoha.
After all, the Third Shinobi World War had only recently ended. The gunsmoke hadn't completely dissipated. Mutual trust was virtually nonexistent. Placing the meeting location in Konoha—people like the Tsuchikage might not dare come.
The First Hokage could convene the initial Five Kage Summit in Konoha because he'd been too strong then—so strong that the other Kage didn't dare refuse the First Hokage's invitation, only forcing themselves to attend the meeting in Konoha.
The current Konoha clearly didn't possess that era's powerful deterrent force.
So after consulting everyone, Minato ultimately decided to place the Five Kage Summit's location in the northern Land of Iron. This permanently neutral nation controlled by samurai had only experienced conflicts with Amegakure in the past, maintaining neither close nor distant relations with the five great ninja villages.
The Land of Iron's samurai also quickly provided agreement, consenting to host the Five Kage Summit on their territory.
Amegakure—
Endless gloomy rain fell.
Several Rain ninja escorted a coffin to the great building where Pain-sama resided. Heavy footsteps echoed in the dim corridor. They tightened their nerves, not daring to look around randomly, only walking forward with heads down following their captain's lead.
A moment later—
They arrived in a spacious hall. Here, the lighting remained dim. The lead captain discovered that today, besides Pain-sama and Angel-sama, an additional unfamiliar back sat on a distant sofa.
However, the captain well-versed in self-preservation didn't dare look carelessly. He watched Konan approach, lowering his head respectfully. "Angel-sama, we've delivered the item."
Konan walked over, opening the observation window on the coffin. Inside lay a male Rain ninja who'd died quite young, wearing a forehead protector. He appeared under twenty years old, his youthful face completely frozen.
"Good. Just leave it here."
Konan waved her hand.
The Rain ninja immediately carefully set down the coffin, then swiftly retraced their path under the captain's leadership, exiting this building where Pain-sama and Angel-sama resided.
After the Rain ninja's figures disappeared, Uchiha Tatsuhata, wearing his tiger-head mask, ghosted over like a specter. He poked his head out to look at the corpse lying in the coffin. "Pain, are you preparing to create a new avatar?"
"That's right."
Pain walked over slowly. "The previous five Paths were all destroyed. I can only create new avatars to fill the vacancies. Only with the Six Paths complete can this pair of eyes' power be fully displayed."
"I see."
Uchiha Tatsuhata nodded. "Which number is this?"
"The first."
"Only the first?"
"Did you think materials for creating Rinnegan avatars are so easily replenished? If the materials' quality doesn't meet standards, they fundamentally cannot withstand the Rinnegan's power. Within a few days, they'll be eroded and damaged."
"Then, do you want me to help collect materials?"
"Do you have that spare time? Your replica puppets were all destroyed too, right?"
"A matter I can handle in passing. What I need is copying their chakra. Corpses hold no use for me. If you need them, I can try to preserve corpses for you."
Uchiha Tatsuhata spoke frankly.
"Acceptable."
Pain didn't refuse.
Materials for creating Rinnegan avatars weren't easy to find. Though Amegakure possessed several thousand ninja, unfortunately the vast majority lacked appropriate qualifications. Moreover, many in Amegakure he viewed as comrades—he couldn't bear to kill suitable living people directly to create new avatars.
Like the corpse just delivered—in life, he'd died accidentally. Only then was the corpse sent over for reuse.
So—
If Uchiha Tatsuhata could help collect suitable materials, he'd find things much easier.
Uchiha Tatsuhata pressed further. "What requirements do materials for creating Rinnegan avatars have? Height, weight, build? Chakra nature?"
"In life, they need as massive chakra quantities as possible. Simply put, the container's capacity must be sufficient."
"I see."
Uchiha Tatsuhata understood. "I'll help you watch for them. Such corpses shouldn't prove difficult to collect."
Immediately after—
He changed subjects, staring at Pain standing on the coffin's other side. "Pain, we need to properly discuss how to advance the Moon's Eye Plan next."
"What is there to discuss about this?"
Pain asked in return.
Uchiha Tatsuhata took no offense, speaking frankly. "I originally thought that relying on our combined forces, we'd need no other help to complete the Moon's Eye Plan. But... I now feel relying solely on us two might not work. Konoha's strength far exceeds what I knew."
Pain momentarily fell silent.
This was truth.
Though the defeat they'd suffered several days ago was largely because they'd been constrained, unable to fight at full strength, Konoha's power equally constituted an important reason.
Moreover, Konoha similarly hadn't exerted full force. The Nine-Tails jinchuriki hadn't fought. Teacher Jiraiya likewise hadn't appeared.
After silent contemplation, Pain stared at Uchiha Tatsuhata, asking, "What do you plan to do?"
"I've thought about many things these past days. Since relying solely on us two proves somewhat inadequate, we can try recruiting some helpers to jointly oppose Konoha. We don't seek great contributions from them—as long as they can help consume Konoha's strength, that's sufficient."
"Where will you find helpers?"
****
50+advance chapters at patreon.com/Eatinpieces