Sasuke's True Goal?

"I never expected that Orochimaru, a disciple of the Third Hokage and one of the legendary Sannin, would actually defect."

Inside the Soul Space.

After Elder Nobuhiko sighed, he expressed his disappointment at the Third Hokage's deliberate decision to let Orochimaru go: "It's just a pity..."

In his heart, he believed that if they had fought until both sides were crippled, it would have best served the interests of the Uchiha.

Understanding Elder Nobuhiko's sentiment, Sasuke's voice rang out: "The Third Hokage's physical condition hasn't declined significantly yet; he is still in his prime, and his strength is at its peak. The current Orochimaru is no match for him."

One could see the truth of this in how, ten years later, even with his body failing and his strength withered by old age, the Third Hokage was still capable of sealing away Orochimaru's arms while fighting three opponents at once.

"That's true..." Elder Nobuhiko, naturally unaware of what would happen in ten years, relied on his memory of the Third Hokage's former glory to agree with Sasuke.

Elsewhere.

In Cell No. 1.

The scene of Orochimaru's defection was playing out here as well.

As a competent landlord, one must arrange these forms of entertainment to ensure the tenants' lives don't become too dull.

"Using comrades for human experimentation—Orochimaru has gone too far."

"The Third Hokage shouldn't have been soft-hearted; this will surely become a grave threat in the future."

As a former Hokage, Minato Namikaze offered his commentary from time to time.

Sasuke's voice sounded: "Indeed... after all, he was his most beloved disciple. How could he bring himself to strike?"

"Most beloved disciple?" Kushina was taken aback.

If that were truly the case, then why didn't the Third Hokage choose him to be the Hokage?

Yet, the Third Hokage's current actions seemed to confirm Sasuke's words.

Minato remained silent.

Sasuke continued: "The deeper the love, the sharper the pain. Human emotions are incredibly complex. Perhaps it was out of guilt."

As a competent landlord, it was necessary to occasionally chat with the tenants to relieve their boredom.

"Guilt?" Kushina's heart stirred. "You mean..."

"Exactly. Refusing him the Hokage position twice..."

"Why did the Third Hokage refuse him?"

"Because Orochimaru truly understood how to be a Hokage..."

Hearing this, Kushina looked at Minato in astonishment.

Minato took a deep breath and said, "Although I am also dissatisfied with some of the Third Hokage's actions now, Sasuke, there is really no need for you to speculate on all of his decisions with such malice."

Sasuke laughed: "So, have my words struck a nerve with your trivial pride?"

"..." Minato was speechless.

Facing a master of sarcasm like Sasuke, he truly didn't know how to refute him.

Kushina, however, asked anxiously: "Sasuke, explain yourself clearly. Do you mean that Minato...?"

"Ah, I didn't say that."

"But you can ask your Minato: during his tenure, did he truly hold the reins of power in Konoha?"

Kushina looked at Minato, who could only explain: "I was still young and lacked experience, which is why I let the Third Hokage..."

"Exactly. The command of the Anbu was in the hands of the Third Hokage; the financial power was with Koharu Utatane; the channels for contacting the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire and other officials, as well as the authority over diplomacy, were all in the hands of Homura Mitokado. Even Danzo had his own Root organization that he could mobilize at will, acting as judge, jury, and executioner!"

"Minato, as a former Hokage, what power did you actually have in your hands?"

"Handling paperwork in the office?"

"A mere tool who could decide on trivial matters but had to seek permission from the Third Hokage and the council of advisors for anything significant?"

How is that any different from a puppet? ...Kushina's pupils constricted. She turned to Minato, unable to believe it, and asked for confirmation: "Is this true, Minato?"

Minato fell silent.

Although in his heart he didn't want to believe he was a mere tool, the distribution of power in Konoha was exactly as Sasuke had described, down to the last detail.

Combined with the entertainment programs Sasuke had been showing them lately, and the fact that the Third Hokage had resumed control of the village, he couldn't help but feel a seed of doubt take root...

"How could it be like this!" Minato's silence was, in Kushina's eyes, a tacit admission of Sasuke's words. It was hard for her to accept, as she had always taken such pride in Minato. "So, when you said Orochimaru truly understood how to be a Hokage, you meant..."

"That's right. Orochimaru was a disciple of the Third Hokage, renowned as a genius since childhood. His commoner status naturally allowed him to win the favor of the villagers and ordinary ninja."

"At a time when the ninja clans dominated and held the power in Konoha, he was not only an idol to the younger generation but also the faith of the common ninja."

"He understood politics, had prestige, countless supporters, and a solid foundation. Almost every ninja in Konoha believed he would become the Fourth Hokage."

"But that was precisely the problem..."

"The transition of power often means the older generation steps down and the younger generation takes the stage."

"If he had become Hokage, it would have meant a total overhaul of Konoha's power structure."

"This is something the current Konoha higher-ups, who hold the reins of power, cannot accept..."

Kushina's pupils constricted: "So..."

"That's right. To solidify their status, they just need to replace the Hokage with someone who has no foundation and relies entirely on them..."

Hearing this, Kushina looked at Minato with a pained expression, gripping his hand tightly.

Minato shook his head.

Although he understood that Sasuke's words were somewhat biased, he had to admit that they were indeed logical and reasonable.

"So, Sasuke, what is your intention in showing us these things and saying these words?"

"I've already said it..."

To help you? Minato glanced at Kushina beside him and at Naruto in the other projection, falling into silence.

Meanwhile.

Outside.

Kakashi Hatake, guarding the exit of the underground secret passage, blocked Orochimaru's path.

It was a pity, however.

The Kakashi of ten years later would be no match for Orochimaru, and the current him was even less of a match.

If not for the contingency plan left behind by the Third Hokage, he likely would have perished right there.

Having thoroughly realized the gap in their strength after their previous clash, he lacked the courage to intercept again, even when facing a heavily wounded Orochimaru.

Meanwhile.

In Cell No. 1.

Seeing that the image before them did not follow the departing Orochimaru but remained fixed on Kakashi, Minato Namikaze's heart tightened: "Sasuke, what are you planning to do to Kakashi?"

"Ah~ you noticed?" Sasuke's playful voice rang out: "It's a rare opportunity; I just want to take back what belongs to our Uchiha clan."

Sharingan!?

Minato Namikaze's pupils constricted.

In other words, Sasuke's true goal wasn't to watch some display of master-disciple affection, but Kakashi himself!

But how could a single Three Tomoe Sharingan be worth such a grand effort from Sasuke!?

Before he could figure it out, the next scene made his expression change instantly, leaving him stunned and speechless!

Sasuke's figure appeared abruptly. Perhaps thinking Orochimaru had returned, Kakashi spun around violently, only to find himself staring into a pair of scarlet Mangekyo, instantly controlled by powerful ocular prowess!

Immediately!

A White Fox Summon appeared out of thin air behind him, its sharp right claw turning into a cold glint as it viciously pierced into his back!

Squelch!

The claw, having pierced his heart, twisted violently before being ripped out!

Bright red blood, mixed with fragments of his heart, gushed out like a fountain!

The intense pain allowed Kakashi to break free from the control. He lowered his head mechanically, staring at the hollow space where his heart had been...

Am I... going to die?

Perhaps... this is... retribution...

His eyes gradually lost their luster as he collapsed to the ground...

Obito... Rin...

Ding!

Soul of Kakashi Hatake successfully contained.