Afterward, Seigen gathered the three clan elders, Fugaku, and Itachi.
There was something he wanted to discuss with them—Orochimaru.
Back when Orochimaru still lived in Konoha, he had been admired by many people, including members of the Uchiha Clan.
Only after his human experimentation was exposed did he become someone everyone despised.
Among the five people present, only Itachi had later learned that Orochimaru’s research had once involved the Sharingan.
Fugaku and the elders likely knew at least part of the story as well.
Because of that, Seigen wasn’t entirely confident.
He was worried about how everyone viewed Orochimaru.
“Everyone,” Seigen finally said after a long silence, “what do you think of Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin?”
Itachi’s expression immediately darkened.
Ever since learning that Orochimaru had experimented on members of the Uchiha Clan, the anger in his heart had only grown stronger.
Even so, he chose not to speak first, waiting for his father’s opinion.
“Orochimaru…”
The three elders exchanged uneasy looks.
Orochimaru was an infamous madman.
Anyone who got involved with him rarely met a good end.
“I know everyone has reservations about Orochimaru,” Seigen continued, “but I believe he can significantly strengthen the Uchiha Clan in a very short time.
I’m not suggesting we help him commit evil acts…”
“Strengthen us?
How?” Itachi asked curiously.
Fugaku and the three elders also turned their attention to Seigen.
The Uchiha simply didn’t have enough people.
Their true high-level combat power consisted of only three individuals—Fugaku, Seigen, and Itachi.
They had just over twenty jonin altogether.
The remaining chunin and genin numbered only around one hundred fifty, and that included many who were already advanced in age.
Among the younger generation…
There were only five jonin.
Although the other great villages wouldn’t openly attack the Hidden Flame Village out of respect for the Land of Rice Fields’ Daimyo…
No one could predict what dirty tricks they might resort to behind the scenes.
No matter how they looked at it…
Strengthening the Uchiha as quickly as possible was an urgent priority.
“Orochimaru can really make our clan stronger?” Fugaku finally asked.
“He can.”
“According to my investigation, back when Orochimaru collaborated with Danzo, he’d already made considerable progress researching the Sharingan.”
“Later, Danzo fell out with him and seized all of his research.”
“As for the evidence…”
Seigen took out a sealed scroll.
With a puff of smoke, Danzo’s severed right arm appeared before everyone.
The moment they saw the countless Sharingan embedded throughout the arm…
Everyone’s eyes widened in shock.
Itachi clenched his fists so tightly that they trembled.
Among those eyes…
He immediately recognized Shisui’s remaining Sharingan.
“Take a close look.”
“Almost every eye on this arm is a fully matured three-tomoe Sharingan.”
“My guess is that Orochimaru has already mastered the technology to artificially cultivate three-tomoe Sharingan.”
“The technique probably isn’t perfected yet.”
“We can cooperate with him.”
“Let him continue his research using cloned tissue instead of living members of our clan.”
“The only thing we’d need to provide…”
“…is a small amount of our cells.”
Seeing that everyone was still thinking, Seigen continued.
“Shisui’s eye should be on this arm.”
“He was Itachi’s closest friend.”
“Itachi, I’ll leave that eye to you.”
“As for the others, I’ll keep them in safekeeping for now.”
“Any objections?”
Fugaku nodded in agreement.
Without saying a word, Itachi carefully removed Shisui’s eye and sealed it away with great care.
The three elders had no objections either.
Fugaku let out a long breath before raising his hand.
“I agree to cooperate with Orochimaru.”
After a brief hesitation, Itachi also raised his hand.
For now…
He chose to set aside his personal feelings toward Orochimaru.
At that moment, Elder Uchiha Kyu, who rarely spoke, finally opened his mouth.
“I admit this could greatly strengthen our clan.”
“But Orochimaru…”
“I reserve my opinion.”
Elder Kyu cast the lone vote against the proposal.
In the end…
The motion passed by a vote of four to one.
The Uchiha Clan officially decided to cooperate with Orochimaru in researching the Sharingan.
Seigen respected and understood Elder Kyu’s decision.
A healthy council system wasn’t one where everyone agreed.
Some people should support an idea.
Others should oppose it.
Only then could they avoid making catastrophic mistakes in the future.
As for making contact with Orochimaru…
Seigen decided to handle it personally.
Fugaku and Itachi might both be stronger than Orochimaru…
But neither of them truly understood just how important he was.
If Orochimaru happened to provoke either of them during negotiations…
The entire partnership would fall apart.
Better to go himself.
Besides…
With his spatial ability, there wasn’t a single person in the ninja world capable of keeping him there against his will.
Konoha Village
Inside the Hokage’s office…
Hiruzen Sarutobi received a letter from the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
After carefully reading it…
His face turned livid.
With one furious slap, he smashed his desk cleanly in half.
The entire letter was filled with harsh criticism directed at the Hokage.
The Daimyo declared that Hiruzen bore undeniable responsibility for allowing the Uchiha Clan to leave Konoha.
Not only had they escaped to the neighboring Land of Rice Fields…
They had even established an entirely new hidden village.
Its name…
The Hidden Flame Village.
To the Daimyo, it was a disgrace to the Land of Fire.
However…
Under pressure from the other Daimyo, and after receiving economic compensation from the Daimyo of the Land of Rice Fields…
The Land of Fire’s Daimyo ordered Konoha to temporarily cease all operations against the Hidden Flame Village.
As a final punishment…
The letter also announced that Konoha’s funding for the following year would be reduced by one-third.
“The Uchiha Clan…”
“How dare you!”
“You even founded the Hidden Flame Village!!”