Conspiracy and Preparations

After hitting a wall with Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Two Advisors did not go their separate ways after leaving the Hokage Office. Instead, they went together to a secret room in the Mitokado Clan residence to discuss the matter.

"Homura, Hiruzen is still far too indecisive. Even if Naruto is to be properly raised as a Jinchuriki, people with ulterior motives should not be allowed near him," Utatane Koharu said impatiently.

"Indeed. It was clear enough from the last mission that Kakashi has already made contact with that innately evil Uchiha brat. He can no longer be trusted," Mitokado Homura said gravely. "If Kakashi brings the Jinchuriki over to the Uchiha side, then Teacher's arrangements of so many years will all be ruined."

"That's right. The Jinchuriki can only be held in the hands of our side," Utatane Koharu nodded. "We'll handle it the same way we did back then. Danzo may have been the one who acted at the time, but replicating those methods won't be difficult for us."

"The methods used against White Fang? Wouldn't that be going too far?" Mitokado Homura frowned.

"Hmph. Who told Kakashi to be like his father, coveting things they had no business touching?" Utatane Koharu said coldly. "What, have you become as indecisive as Hiruzen now that you're old?"

"Would doing this affect the village's peace..." Mitokado Homura pondered.

"What we're doing is for the village's peace! Only by completely crushing the Uchiha's ambitions can the village have true peace!" Utatane Koharu said.

"I understand." Mitokado Homura nodded. "Then we'll proceed according to your arrangements. I'll notify the clan to follow your commands."

While the Two Advisors were plotting, Uchiha Toko, already off duty, was practicing Sage Mode in the courtyard of his home.

Having already memorized the perfect ratio for Sage Chakra, Uchiha Toko meditated beneath the night sky for some time. Once Sage Chakra had filled his entire body, he suddenly opened his eyes. Vertical pupils appeared in them, and purple markings emerged at the corners of his eyes.

Uchiha Toko clenched his fist, feeling the abundant power filling his body. The power in this state is indeed much greater than before. Still, I need more practice refining Sage Chakra faster. Otherwise, I'm afraid it'll be difficult to use in battle.

Uchiha Toko closed his eyes again, relaxed his mind, sensed the rhythm of Natural Energy between heaven and earth, and began circulating the secret technique of Ryūchi Cave.

On his first attempt, Uchiha Toko's perception already covered the entire Uchiha Clan Territory. Before long, he noticed intermittent Lightning Style fluctuations coming from the backyard of Uchiha Fugaku's home, not far from his own. Upon taking a closer look, a faint smile appeared on his lips.

That kid Sasuke was practicing the technique Uchiha Toko had taught him that day. It had to be said that Sasuke's talent for Lightning Style was truly astounding. Only about a week had passed since he had been taught the technique, yet he could already compress the Lightning Ball he created to a certain degree and make it circle around his body twice.

However, the boy still needed to improve the stability of his ninjutsu. In just a few minutes, he had already been blown black and blue twice by the Lightning Balls he created himself.

After watching for a while, Uchiha Toko decided to draw back the range of his perception. After all, it was the middle of the night. It would be impolite if he happened to see something he should not.

Yet before he could withdraw his perception, Uchiha Toko suddenly detected a figure moving swiftly through the Clan Territory, heading toward his home.

"This Chakra fluctuation? Kakashi?" Uchiha Toko raised a brow. Kakashi was coming to see him at this hour?

Moments later, Kakashi appeared in Uchiha Toko's courtyard. The moment he entered, he saw Uchiha Toko meditating beneath the eaves.

The aura Uchiha Toko displayed at that moment secretly startled Kakashi. If the Uchiha Toko he had seen fighting before was like explosive lightning, then the man before him was like storm clouds before a tempest—seemingly calm, yet containing the might of heaven.

"What is this?" Kakashi asked.

"Sage Mode." Uchiha Toko smiled faintly at Kakashi, who had removed his mask. He had no intention of hiding it from him and said openly, "You could call it a trophy from killing Orochimaru once last time."

"Sage Mode..." Kakashi sighed inwardly. As the disciple of Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze, he was not entirely unfamiliar with this form. Before his death, the Fourth Hokage had already been able to enter this mode. However, due to a lack of time to practice, he had not yet been able to activate it at any time during battle.

If Teacher had been able to use this form that night, the outcome might have been different. Feeling Uchiha Toko's current power, Kakashi could not help thinking.

"What did you come to see me about so late?" Uchiha Toko asked.

"There is indeed something I need to ask of you," Kakashi said after coming back to himself.

"Care for a round? We can play while we talk." Uchiha Toko smiled and looked toward the Target fifty paces away.

"Sure." Kakashi nodded.

At Uchiha Toko's instruction, the Steward quickly brought the two men two Longbows and two quivers of arrows.

Uchiha Toko tugged the bowstring a few times to warm up, picked up an arrow, and drew the bow.

With a whistle through the air, the arrow struck the bullseye fifty paces away.

After firing one arrow, Uchiha Toko turned back to Kakashi. "You've been practicing since that day, haven't you?"

Kakashi nodded without saying much. He drew his bow and fired an arrow. After a dull thud, the arrow landed solidly beside the one Uchiha Toko had just shot.

"Heh, looks like you really did put effort into practicing." Uchiha Toko smiled. "You came to see me because of Naruto, right? Saito already told me what happened today."

"That's right." Kakashi nodded. "I want to ask you to have the Military Police Force look after Naruto to some extent."

"That won't be a problem. The Uchiha also hold the Fourth Hokage in great respect. But you know that the boy's identity is somewhat sensitive. If the Military Police Force approaches him rashly, certain people won't be able to sit still."

After hearing Uchiha Toko's words, Kakashi fell silent as well.

The two fired arrow after arrow. Before long, the centers of several Targets in the courtyard were filled with arrows.

At last, Uchiha Toko fired his final arrow, then set down the Longbow in his hand and said, "As for what you asked, once work starts tomorrow, I'll give the order. The village may not be too peaceful lately."

With that, Uchiha Toko looked at Kakashi, whose mask was still off, and smiled. "But it seems you've already made your preparations."