"What we need now is to sit down and negotiate, not resolve this with force," Jiraiya said, stepping forward to mediate. "Kawasaki, I think we can talk this out. There's no need to resort to such measures over benefits and authority."
The Third Hokage added, "Currently, the Cloud and the Mist are locked in a fierce battle. The flames of war could spread here at any moment. Even if you won't consider it for your own sake, you must think of your Uchiha clansmen. Right now, only Orochimaru's cloning technology can save Itachi's and Fugaku's eyes. You wouldn't want Itachi and Fugaku to be blind for the rest of their lives, would you?"
The Third's words were reasonable, and the tension in Kawasaki's expression eased slightly.
Sensing his chance, the Third decided to press his advantage. "Because of the Nine-Tails incident, the Uchiha clan was wronged. That is why I appointed Fugaku as an honorary elder. I know that's not nearly enough. The injustices the Uchiha have suffered over the years cannot be compensated for with a single position. Therefore, in my capacity as Hokage, I will grant the Uchiha clan another honorary elder position. This will give the Uchiha significant authority within Konoha. Kawasaki, this is the greatest sincerity I can offer," the Third said earnestly.
Kawasaki considered it coldly for a moment. Then he took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. "I gave my formula to the Daimyo. How are the profits to be distributed?"
Hearing Kawasaki ask this question, the Third and Jiraiya felt a wave of relief. They understood that Kawasaki was no longer dwelling on the past, which meant he was willing to compromise.
The Third shot Jiraiya a look, and Jiraiya immediately went outside to confer with the Anbu. Kakashi, however, kept his eyes fixed on the two coffins, a complex mix of emotions swirling within him.
Orochimaru spoke in his raspy voice, "The Daimyo will be responsible for the shops, personnel, and promotion, and will take a fifty percent share. I will use a new method for rapid sales and take a ten percent share. You Uchiha do nothing and take a forty percent share."
The Third was startled. This was completely different from what the special envoy had said, but he showed no sign of it on his face.
Kawasaki thought for a moment and seemed to accept the proposal. "What are the profits for this month?"
Orochimaru chuckled. "The Daimyo's factory has just started, so there are material shortages and insufficient production capacity. So, for the first month, your profit is one hundred and fifty million."
As he spoke, Orochimaru took out four cases from a storage scroll, all filled with large-denomination bills. Kawasaki nodded, appearing quite satisfied. The Third's mouth twitched, but he said nothing.
Kawasaki stared at Orochimaru. "Can Itachi's eyes be cloned?"
"No problem," Orochimaru confirmed. "Itachi's eyes are still intact. It will just take some time to clone them. However, we can only clone ordinary eyes. Whether they can be awakened is unknown."
Kawasaki took a deep breath. "Alright, I understand." He then glanced around, snorted coldly, and said, "Lord Hokage, I want to see the letter of appointment for the honorary elders by tomorrow."
With that, he supported Itachi and turned to leave without bidding farewell to anyone.
The Third watched Kawasaki's receding figure and only then breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, things hadn't completely fallen apart. "Orochimaru, that was too reckless." The Third glanced at the two coffins; he didn't need to be told who was inside.
Orochimaru extended his tongue and licked his lips. "Reckless?" He then brought two fingers together.
*Thud, thud.*
The coffin lids flew open. The Third was shocked and was about to speak, but he saw that the coffins were empty.
"Orochimaru, you...!?" A cold sweat broke out on the Third's back. Orochimaru had been bluffing! "Weren't you afraid Kawasaki would completely lose it?" the Third asked.
Orochimaru chuckled lightly. "Weren't you all here? Even if I had to perform the Reanimation Jutsu on the spot, there would have been enough time."
Since it had come to this, the Third couldn't very well reprimand Orochimaru. In fact, seeing that Orochimaru hadn't recklessly summoned the First and Second, the Third was actually satisfied, feeling that Orochimaru still had some restraint.
The Third wanted to say something more to Kakashi, but the blue barrier outside suddenly vanished.
"Old man, you'll have to find me another laboratory." Orochimaru left the mess for the Third and departed on his own.
"Kakashi," the Third said, turning to him after Orochimaru left. "Don't take Kawasaki's words to heart. The White Fang's death was truly an accident." His expression was sincere, clearly genuine.
Kakashi looked up and said in a low voice, "I believe you, Lord Hokage."
He spoke of trust, but the Third could see from his expression that a rift had formed in Kakashi's heart.
"Lord Hokage, my eye will soon be ready for mass production. I need to find Lord Orochimaru quickly." Without waiting for the Third's reply, he hurried off to find Orochimaru.
The Third Hokage watched Kakashi's back, his gaze lingering for a long time.
.....
Kakashi caught up with Orochimaru.
"Kakashi, you performed your mission today exceptionally well," Orochimaru said as he led Kakashi to another one of his temporary labs.
That's right. It was Orochimaru who had ordered Kakashi to take Itachi hostage at the critical moment. Kakashi also didn't want to see a conflict between the Uchiha clan and the village. Although betraying Itachi was dishonorable, he had still done it.
Recalling the recent events, Kakashi hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back.
Orochimaru studied him. "Speak your mind."
Kakashi calmed himself and asked, "Lord Orochimaru, is there really a jutsu that can summon the dead?"
"The Second Hokage developed a forbidden jutsu called the Reanimation Jutsu," Orochimaru replied. "It can recall the souls of deceased shinobi to the mortal world and reincarnate them in a physical form."
Kakashi's heart stirred. "Then... what are the requirements?"
Orochimaru snorted. "I'd advise you not to get any ideas about this jutsu. The Reanimation Jutsu is classified as forbidden for a reason. That's because performing it requires a part of the deceased's body, plus a living sacrifice."
Kakashi couldn't hide the disappointment on his face. The words reached his lips but he swallowed them back down.
"I know what you're thinking. Your father's death was Danzo's doing, and the old man is certainly guilty of covering it up. However, he probably never expected your father would choose to take his own life."
Kakashi looked at Orochimaru, his eyes filled with gloom.
Orochimaru licked his lips. "Whether it's the events of today or the matter of your father, you need sufficient power and status to intervene. Look at Kawasaki. He has both strength and authority, so the old man had no choice but to back down. But you? Even if Danzo were standing right in front of you, you would be powerless to take his life. If you had Kawasaki's level of strength, the old man would probably drag Danzo to you, bound and gagged, to apologize."
"With your talent, if you had trained diligently, surpassing the White Fang would have been only a matter of time. But what have you been doing all these years?" Orochimaru shook his head as he spoke, clearly disappointed in Kakashi. "It's a pity, Kakashi. You still don't understand. In this world, strength is what ultimately matters."
After listening to Orochimaru's words, Kakashi's gaze gradually hardened with resolve.
...
In the Kamui dimension, countless stone platforms stretched out endlessly, their end nowhere in sight. But in one spot, a platform had been devoured by some mysterious force, like a bite taken out of a bar of chocolate.
Obito had been lying on a platform next to that gap for a long time. He got up numbly, staring at the Sharingan in his hand, which had lost its light. His heart was completely numb.