Chapter 156: Framing the Crime! Oborotsuki Becomes the Mastermind!
Hearing Kushina's question, Mikoto immediately began chatting with them.
Watching the four women grow more comfortable with each other and interact without any issues, Oborotsuki finally relaxed completely.
He stood up from the sofa, stretched lazily, and suddenly realized Mayumi wasn't there.
"By the way, where's Mayumi?"
Oborotsuki asked curiously.
"She and I are on rotation guarding those two big guys at the village entrance."
"And it's all your fault!"
Kushina rolled her eyes and pretended to be angry.
Oborotsuki nodded in sudden understanding.
The Uzumaki clan excelled at sealing techniques, and Mayumi was no slouch either. It made perfect sense for the two of them to lead Kirigakure's sealing team—along with other ANBU members—to guard the Four-Tails and Five-Tails.
"Don't worry. This problem will be resolved soon."
"You all stay home and get to know each other better. I'll step out for a bit."
Oborotsuki didn't explain where he was going, and none of the women asked.
They all understood how busy and important his current role was.
The greater one's ability, the greater one's responsibility.
After leaving home, Oborotsuki activated Flying Thunder God and headed straight for the Land of Lightning—his target: the Eight-Tails jinchūriki, Killer Bee.
Meanwhile, back in Konoha.
The village had already suffered heavy losses from the recent violent clash with the Uchiha clan.
Although the Uchiha crisis had been resolved, Root's leader—Shimura Danzō—had been assassinated, and Root itself had been nearly obliterated.
Konoha was now severely weakened.
At this critical moment, Sunagakure's envoy once again pressured Konoha, demanding the return of the One-Tail Shukaku, the handover of the culprit, and compensation for their losses.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's head was pounding.
He stood by the window, smoking continuously in silence.
The two advisors also wore grave expressions and remained quiet.
The three of them had been sitting in heavy silence for a full half hour.
"Sunagakure is clearly determined to make things difficult for us until the end."
"If the Uchiha clan hadn't been wiped out, we could have shifted most of the blame and pressure onto them while they were still active in the village."
"Now we have to solve this ourselves and show real sincerity! Hiruzen!"
Mitokado Homura finally couldn't hold back any longer and spoke up.
Hiruzen, still smoking, slowly turned to look at his two old comrades on the sofa.
Koharu Utatane spoke next:
"We can handle the compensation issue by confiscating the Uchiha clan's remaining assets."
"Even if the Uchiha family fortune isn't enough to cover Sunagakure's losses, we can request additional funding from the Fire Daimyō."
"But how are we supposed to hand over Shukaku and the culprit?"
"Sunagakure is deliberately making impossible demands. Their intention to start a war is obvious—they're desperate and have nothing left to lose!"
"If we keep conceding, it will be disastrous for all of Konoha—and the Land of Fire!"
Both Koharu's analysis and Homura's words echoed what Hiruzen had already been thinking during that long half hour of silence.
"Sunagakure is betting on the fact that they have nothing left to lose. If war breaks out, whether they win or lose, Konoha is the one that suffers."
"That's why we've had to handle their demands so carefully—trying not to provoke them."
"If the two of you are willing to drag Konoha back into war, then pretend I never said anything."
"But I already have an idea about how to handle the culprit and Shukaku."
Hiruzen finished speaking and calmly put his pipe back in his mouth.
Hearing this, both advisors immediately became curious.
"What do you plan to do, Hiruzen?"
Homura couldn't help asking.
Hiruzen didn't answer right away. Instead, he turned his gaze toward the office door.
Soon after, there was a knock.
"Come in."
Hiruzen called out.
The two advisors watched as Shisui and Itachi entered.
Their curiosity deepened.
"Lord Third."
"Hm. Both of you—recount once more your battle with Hōzuki Oborotsuki. Did that man truly possess the Sharingan?"
"Sharingan?"
At those words, Homura and Koharu's expressions turned to shock.
They looked at Shisui and Itachi in disbelief. Shisui nodded gravely.
"Yes, Lord Third."
"The man named Hōzuki Oborotsuki from Kirigakure… absolutely possesses the Sharingan of our Uchiha clan!"
"Though we still don't know how or why."
"But one thing is certain: he used the power of those eyes to completely ignore both my and Itachi's genjutsu attacks. Otherwise…"
Shisui's gaze grew even graver.
Whether Tsukuyomi or Kotoamatsukami, both were supreme genjutsu. It was nearly impossible for any opponent to avoid them.
Yet that man had done exactly that.
Not only that—he had withstood attacks from two Mangekyō Sharingan users, retreated unharmed, and even injured Itachi!
In fact, ever since that night, Shisui had harbored a suspicion.
Could the one who used the Sharingan to control the Nine-Tails and attack Konoha—framing the Uchiha clan—have been that very man?
If so, then the one who used the same method to control the One-Tail and devastate Sunagakure was almost certainly him as well!
He had simply never voiced this theory aloud—lacking direct evidence.
But now, hearing Shisui's words, the two advisors instantly understood exactly what Hiruzen had meant earlier.
"Hōzuki Oborotsuki has repeatedly infiltrated Konoha—not only helping Uchiha defectors escape but also openly attacking a high-ranking Konoha official!"
"Now that we've confirmed he possesses the Sharingan, it's almost certain he was the mastermind who controlled the Nine-Tails to attack Konoha!"
"And since that's the case, the one who used the Sharingan to control the One-Tail and destroy Sunagakure must also be him!"
Homura spoke aloud what Hiruzen had been thinking.
A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
Koharu immediately added:
"Now we can finally give Sunagakure's envoys an answer."
"The culprit who attacked them has been identified."
"It was Hōzuki Oborotsuki from Kirigakure in the Land of Water. The One-Tail Shukaku must now be in Kirigakure's hands."
Hiruzen listened as his two old comrades calmly placed the entire blame on Oborotsuki's head. He turned silently to look at Shisui and Itachi.
"The facts are clear. The evidence is conclusive."
"Everyone misunderstood the Uchiha clan. Shisui, Itachi—I plan to use the upcoming funeral ceremony for all the deceased Uchiha clansmen as an opportunity to clear up the misunderstanding and restore the Uchiha clan's honor."
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