After Orochimaru's surgery was finished,
he sent Karin out. She left Orochimaru's laboratory and came outside.
Beneath a tree, Karin tapped twice on the trunk.
An Anbu revealed himself.
Karin recalled Lord Shamu's instructions:
"Report to the Hokage that Uchiha Fugaku's eyes have indeed developed problems. Both of them are already blind."
"Uchiha Itachi's eyes are also nearly blind. Both of them now need Lord Orochimaru to clone new eyes."
"Uchiha Shisui has been transferred back by Shamu and is currently with Lord Orochimaru, looking after Fugaku and Itachi."
"Understood."
The Anbu said nothing more and vanished in a flash.
A sly smile appeared on Karin's little face. She felt that the Third Hokage was like an idiot.
He had been toyed with by Lord Shamu and Lord Orochimaru the entire time.
The Anbu soon arrived at the Hokage Office.
After hearing the Anbu's report,
the Third Hokage waved him away.
Upon receiving this news, the Third Hokage felt relieved.
Both Fugaku and Itachi had gone blind. Even if their eyes were cloned, they would no longer possess the Mangekyō Sharingan.
That meant the Uchiha's top combat strength was down to only Shamu and Shisui. The possibility of a military coup had diminished.
As long as the Uchiha could not stage a military coup, the Third Hokage would be under far less pressure, especially during this particular time.
Still, Shamu was a cunning man. The Third Hokage did not dare underestimate him and could only wait to see what move Shamu made next.
Just as he was thinking,
another Anbu entered from outside to report.
After leaving Orochimaru's place, Shamu had gone alone to the Hyuga Clan.
The Third Hokage's brow furrowed again. After the peace talks with Cloud Village several years ago, the Hyuga had grown distant from the