"Seisui, take Hanzō to get his injuries treated."
Hiruzen deliberately sent Tobirama away from Amegakure before he had to hear any more brutally honest reviews.
"Minato, coordinate with Root and the patrol divisions. Put Sakumo in charge of the operation. Inform Shio and Kushina and have them figure out a way to establish a Flying Thunder God network."
"Make the Flying Thunder God markers easier to sense and more stable, reducing the chakra cost of using the technique. Amegakure and Konoha should form a single rapid-response force, protecting one another."
Minato nodded solemnly.
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
Under normal circumstances, such an arrangement would naturally have raised suspicions.
It would have meant Amegakure lowering all its defenses against Konoha.
But after Uchiha Madara's interference, everything was different.
Now it had become Konoha helping Amegakure strengthen its defensive network.
After all, even Hanzō had been defeated.
What was the point of stubbornly pretending otherwise?
Moreover, being able to fully enter Amegakure's territory would allow the ANBU and Root to expand their operational range into this battleground of the coming war, greatly improving intelligence gathering.
Firsthand information from the border was always invaluable.
Hiruzen calmly laid out his plans for Amegakure just as he did every day in Konoha.
Yet no one found it strange.
It all felt perfectly natural.
"I fully agree with the Hokage's arrangements."
After tossing out those words, Hanzō left with Tobirama.
Hiruzen rubbed the specially crafted Yin-Yang Release black rod Madara had left behind, narrowing his eyes.
The moment he touched it, he could feel his chakra becoming subtly disordered, as though some invisible law were affecting it.
In that respect...
It bore a slight resemblance to his own Spirit Release.
It possessed an innate ability to dismantle the structure of techniques.
'He deliberately left this black rod for me...'
'What exactly is he trying to convey?'
'He attacked Amegakure, yet healed Nagato... and then left me this technique...'
'He speaks of peace, yet looks down on both Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama...'
By now, Hiruzen was certain the man was a shinobi from the Warring States Era.
The only question was...
Who exactly was he?
"Hizashi, Fugaku, can either of you analyze his chakra?"
"I'm sorry, Hokage-sama."
Hizashi lowered his head.
"Hokage-sama, the enemy's chakra was concealed by some strange technique. I couldn't distinguish any identifying characteristics."
Fugaku spoke with obvious frustration.
At that moment, anger churned inside him.
That nameless powerhouse had insulted him earlier.
Young Fugaku had always admired Madara, and he had spent years honing his Great Fire Annihilation.
Yet he'd been mocked as a disgrace to the Uchiha?
Still...
After giving it some thought, Fugaku had to admit the man wasn't entirely wrong.
Hizashi, whom he constantly compared himself against, had gained Storm Release and a Curse Mark.
He was incomparably stronger than before.
If the two of them sparred now...
Fugaku honestly wasn't confident he'd come out on top.
"It can't be helped."
Hiruzen didn't blame either Hizashi or Fugaku.
The mysterious man's techniques were virtually unheard of in the shinobi world. Having methods that concealed chakra from sensory abilities was perfectly understandable.
If anything, it only reinforced Hiruzen's conviction that training in Spirit Release was absolutely necessary.
The shinobi world really did have every kind of bizarre technique imaginable.
"Hokage-sama..."
Fugaku frowned before speaking in a deep voice.
"I would like to apply for the Bloodline Limit procedure."
"The surgery still isn't fully perfected."
Hiruzen looked surprised.
"Although Hizashi's sacrifice gave Orochimaru and the others valuable new experimental data, they're still refining it. It's better to wait a little longer."
"Once it's complete, I'll approve your request."
"Hokage-sama, I don't want to be someone who simply enjoys the fruits of others' sacrifices."
Fugaku spoke earnestly.
"I know Hizashi's Bloodline Limit transplant provided Committee Member Orochimaru and the others with invaluable research material."
"If my own data is added as well, I'm certain it will accelerate the village's research."
"I deeply admire Hizashi's resolve and determination."
"But as both a Konoha Committee Member and an Uchiha..."
"I possess that same courage and conviction."
"I, too, am willing to risk my life for the village's future."
Hiruzen found himself completely baffled.
What had gotten into him?
Why was he so eager to throw himself into danger?
As far as Hiruzen was concerned, there was no need to rush.
Wouldn't it be fine to simply wait?
The village wasn't in desperate need of strengthening one more committee member right this moment.
If something went wrong, losing him would be a tremendous blow instead.
The problem was...
Rejecting Fugaku outright would probably hurt his feelings.
Hiruzen glanced at him.
The determination written across the young Uchiha's face was practically overflowing.
The Hokage let out a sigh and patted the hot-headed young man on the shoulder.
"Fugaku, when Hizashi underwent that surgery, I was worried sick."
"I deeply regretted letting him take such a risk."
"Thankfully, the Sage of Six Paths and Hashirama-sama must have been watching over him. Nothing happened."
"But that's because his physique was uniquely compatible with both Storm Release and the Curse Mark."
"That may not be true for you."
"You need to understand that."
"We have to respect science. Not everyone is a suitable candidate."
"I don't want Konoha to lose one of its committee members—or an outstanding Deputy Chief of the Police Force."
Hiruzen spoke with complete sincerity.
Those were genuinely his true feelings.
Hizashi's good fortune couldn't be treated as the norm.
"Hokage-sama, I understand all of that."
"I've actually been thinking about this for a very long time."
Fugaku answered stubbornly.
Hiruzen eyed him skeptically.
"Fugaku, it's not that I underestimate you, but have you really thought this through for that long?"
"Hokage-sama..."
Fugaku's mouth twitched.
Even Hokage-sama knew he wasn't exactly the scholarly type?
"I've truly been considering this for quite some time."
"I even consulted Committee Member Orochimaru about it."
"My plan is this..."
"I have a pair of three-tomoe Sharingan that belonged to my grandfather. They've been well preserved."
"Before the surgery, I can transplant those eyes first, then use the Transcription Seal to preset the activation of Izanagi."
Izanagi was one of the Uchiha Clan's forbidden techniques.
It required at least a three-tomoe Sharingan to activate, consuming the eye's visual power in exchange for the ability to rewrite reality in the user's favor.
Simply put...
For a certain period of time, even death itself could be reversed.
The Transcription Seal was a technique that allowed a dōjutsu to be pre-programmed to activate automatically once specific conditions were met.
"In that case, even if I die during the surgery, I can revive and continue."
"Committee Member Orochimaru said that even failed operations are valuable references—they help reveal flaws in the procedure..."
"If I count the two uses of Izanagi along with my own life, that gives me three chances. If I still can't make it through after all that, then I'll accept my fate. But I believe in Committee Members Orochimaru, Hiruko, and Tsunade's ability to refine the procedure."
"And even if something still goes wrong, three sets of experimental data would help improve the technique even further. If my life can benefit more Konoha shinobi, then I believe it's worth it."
Fugaku looked Hiruzen straight in the eye and pleaded, "Hokage-sama, you've shown the Uchiha Clan such generosity and understanding. Please let the Uchiha do something for the village in return."
"Otherwise... I truly can't live with myself."
"To be honest, I never imagined you'd actually allow Seisui to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique—and he succeeded!"
"Not many clan members know about it yet, but once word gets out, the entire clan will be shaken!"
Fugaku had indeed been deeply affected.
But it wasn't just because of Madara's remark.
The seeds had been planted long ago...
Ever since Hiruzen returned Izuna's sword, Tōenmaru, to the Uchiha.
The Hokage had never stopped showing them kindness.
The salary increases for the patrol divisions and the ANBU...
The restructuring of the Police Force...
His protection of Yashiro...
Then there was Seisui, an Uchiha who had actually mastered Senju Tobirama's signature forbidden technique, and who had stood his ground before that mysterious powerhouse to defend Uchiha Madara's honor.
Taken together...
All of it convinced Fugaku that he had to do something in return.
What kind of man accepted kindness without repaying it?
How could he call himself someone who stood tall beneath the heavens?
Fugaku considered himself a man of loyalty and honor.
He refused to disgrace the Uchiha name.
And it wasn't just him.
The entire Uchiha Clan felt the same way. Everyone was eager to do something for Hiruzen.
An Uchiha had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique.
That was something they wouldn't even have dared dream about in the past.
Which meant the entire village would be watching how the Uchiha conducted themselves.
Justice lived in the hearts of the people.
If they failed to show the proper attitude now, they'd be condemned by everyone behind their backs.
Listening nearby, Hizashi nodded slightly.
The coldness in his Byakugan softened somewhat.
Now this was more like it.
The Uchiha Clan...
Wasn't so bad after all.
Hiruzen found his feelings rather complicated.
This was one of the many unexpected benefits that had come from reviving Tobirama-sensei in the body of an Uchiha.
What a complete reversal.
Even so...
Fugaku's line of thinking genuinely shocked him.
The Uchiha really did think differently from everyone else.
How on earth had this conversation ended up here?
Was he seriously planning to use Izanagi to brute-force his way through the procedure?
A gamble where Five Nature Transformations became a Bloodline Limit?
Wasn't that just a little too extreme?
Still...
Now that Fugaku had gone this far, refusing him outright didn't seem appropriate.
"Go back and discuss this thoroughly with Isshin."
"And sit down with your family as well."
"Only after obtaining their approval should you submit a comprehensive report to me."
Hiruzen spoke sternly.
"Fugaku, don't let your emotions get the better of you."
"Go home and calm down first."
Fugaku lowered his head and nodded obediently.
But in his heart...
His decision had already been made.
No one was going to stop him.
Besides, Fugaku didn't think anyone would stop him.
After all...
This was a good thing.
"Oh, there's one more matter, Hokage-sama..."
"That Uzumaki from Amegakure... isn't he missing both of his eyes?"
"I heard Clan Head Isshin say that he's Mito-sama's clansman, after all. He'll also be one of the bridges connecting Konoha and Amegakure in the future."
"How about transplanting a pair of Sharingan into him?"
"Well... considering Seisui and Uzumaki Shio... you know... I'm truly sorry about that..."
Fugaku looked rather embarrassed as he spoke.
This was no longer just a matter of contributing to the village.
The relationship between Seisui and Shio simply couldn't be kept secret among Konoha's upper ranks.
At the very least, everyone among the committee members and committee candidates already knew.
Tsunade had been far too enthusiastic about spreading the news.
It had practically become a collection of every stereotype about the Uchiha.
The Uzumaki Clan, because of its near extinction and Mito's status, was practically a rare species within Konoha.
Then an Uchiha went and treated one of them like that...
Naturally, people couldn't help but feel they were picking a fight.
Fugaku couldn't help sighing inwardly.
For all of Seisui's genius...
He still had his shortcomings.
When it came to emotional intelligence...
He simply wasn't on Fugaku's level.
"As for that..."
Hiruzen pondered for a moment.
"Let's do this."
"You and Isshin can discuss it with Mito-sama."
"The overall intention is a good one."
"Let her make the final decision."
When it came to major decisions affecting the village, Hiruzen would never compromise.
Things would proceed according to his will, and neither Tobirama nor Mito could interfere.
But family matters like this were different.
Mito was the most suitable person to handle them.
After all...
An elder sister-in-law was like a mother.
As for whether Nagato was someone Konoha should invest in by transplanting Sharingan into him...
Mito would naturally make that judgment with due care.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
Fugaku let out a sigh of relief.
That should settle the matter...
Sure enough.
Although he'd chosen the path of a warrior...
The Uchiha Clan still needed his wisdom.
Fugaku couldn't help feeling a little regretful.
Perhaps if he'd chosen the path of a strategist instead, he could have achieved even greater things.
But a person's time and energy were limited.
Painful as it was, sacrifices had to be made.
"By the way..."
Hiruzen asked curiously,
"Isn't the Uchiha Clan extremely protective of the Sharingan?"
"Something along the lines of any outsider who obtains one should be hunted down by the entire clan?"
"Won't there be opposition within your clan?"
Fugaku nodded...
Then shook his head.
Not only the Uchiha, but the Hyūga had similar clan laws as well.
It was, in essence, a way for dōjutsu clans to protect themselves.
If they didn't demonstrate fierce hatred toward those who stole their eyes...
Others would start seeing them as easy targets.
"Hokage-sama, this isn't the Warring States Era anymore."
"Those outdated clan rules should've been thrown into the trash ages ago."
Fugaku rubbed his hands together.
"A Sharingan is just a pair of eyes."
"If the village needs them, there's no problem."
"That said, Sharingan do place a burden on non-Uchiha users."
"They generally can't be deactivated."
"So that Uzumaki clansman would have to be capable of bearing that constant chakra drain."
Fugaku replied uncertainly, "He probably can?"
If this had happened in the past, the Hokage's Office asking for Sharingan would have been an extremely sensitive matter.
But once again...
How many pairs of three-tomoe Sharingan was the Flying Thunder God Technique worth?
Three pairs?
Five?
Ten?
Back in the day, no one even knew how many three-tomoe Sharingan Senju Tobirama had personally cut down.
Besides, this wasn't a matter of sacrificing lives.
It was a matter of the Hokage showing the Uchiha unparalleled trust and acceptance.
If the clan couldn't even part with a single pair of eyes...
Even Fugaku would be disgusted by them.
Hizashi cleared his throat.
"Hokage-sama, if the village ever has need of Byakugan, the Hyūga Clan has a few in storage as well. They're at your disposal whenever you require them..."
"I think that Uzumaki from Amegakure could manage just fine with a Byakugan."
Hiruzen's face darkened.
What were they trying to do here?
Turn Nagato into a patchwork human?
Still, the Hokage nodded to show he understood and told the Hyūga to discuss the matter with Mito.
If Nagato's character proved trustworthy, and Mito approved...
Then he would indeed be worth cultivating.
What belonged to Amegakure...
Would also belong to Konoha.
Giving Konoha another gifted shinobi with tremendous potential would benefit both the village and Hiruzen himself.
Moreover, when it came to transplants, the Byakugan and Sharingan had a major advantage as organ-based Bloodline Limits.
Ordinary eyes usually triggered severe rejection after transplantation, making the procedure extremely troublesome.
But the Byakugan and Sharingan almost never did.
That was one of the main reasons they were constantly coveted throughout the shinobi world.
They were practically first-rate ninja tools.
Acquire one, and your own strength immediately increased.
Had the Uchiha not possessed such a fearsome reputation and overwhelming power during the Warring States Era, people wouldn't have stopped at merely stealing their eyes.
They would've activated Izanagi on the spot and blown themselves up to take them.
Compared to the Uchiha, the more moderate Hyūga had needed the Caged Bird Seal to protect themselves.
After escorting Hanzō back to Konoha Hospital, Danzō, Sakumo, and Root had already dispatched part of their forces to take over the defensive perimeter surrounding Amegakure.
Until the Flying Thunder God communication network was established, these shinobi would serve as a temporary defensive force in case the enemy attacked again.
"It's only been, what, a few days?"
Looking at Hanzō's severed arm, Orochimaru couldn't help laughing.
"According to the warranty policy for the Sage Region Pills, it's probably still under warranty."
"We don't have the technology for trade-ins just yet, so... we'll just repair it for you again."
Hanzō burst into laughter as well.
"Then I'll have to trouble you once more!"
Tobirama slowly walked out of Konoha, deep in thought.
Like Hiruzen, he had concluded that Uchiha Madara's true identity was that of a mysterious powerhouse from the Warring States Era.
But his exact identity remained impossible to determine.
Tobirama searched through the vast library of information in his mind.
Yet he couldn't think of a single individual—or even a single clan—with a skill set matching that mysterious man.
Those bizarre techniques...
Space-time movement...
Extraordinary taijutsu...
The information gap created by combining the Rinnegan with Tobi's transformation ability as the offspring of the God Tree was completely unique within the shinobi world.
Even someone as knowledgeable as Tobirama could never have imagined it.
It was simply too devious.
"Izuna, who do you think he is?"
Tobirama asked.
Izuna also fell into thought.
He was equally curious about the mysterious powerhouse's identity and was paying close attention to the matter.
One thing was obvious.
That man harbored some sort of obsession with both Hashirama and his older brother...
"That man..."
"I think he's a lot like Senju Tobirama."
Izuna spoke quietly, giving an answer so unexpected that Tobirama was completely dumbfounded.