The Third Hokage slowly exhaled a ring of smoke: "The spiritual energy of the Yamanaka Clan is like a matchstick thrown into a fire. The child from the Yamanaka Clan has a decent level of Yin Release, but it's far from being able to influence the Uchiha's Sharingan. It's likely the Dojutsu left by Itachi. They are brothers, so their Dojutsu has a natural affinity. Additionally, Sasuke has been practicing too frequently to awaken his Sharingan recently. His intense training has inadvertently amplified the Dojutsu that was stimulated by the Yamanaka Clan's Secret Technique."
Naruto widened his eyes, as if listening to a foreign language, completely clueless about what they were talking about. He tried to interject several times, but each time Iruka covered his mouth.
The Third Hokage asked, "Kakashi, can you resolve this portion of Dojutsu?"
What was originally an incredibly precious Dojutsu had now become an obstacle. Using the Mangekyō Sharingan consumes Dojutsu, and once used, it diminishes. The Third Hokage knew this information and thought it would be beneficial for all parties if Kakashi could absorb this portion of Dojutsu.
Kakashi immediately shook his head: "I'm sorry, Third Hokage, I can't do it. After all, these aren't my eyes."
"You can't? That complicates things..." The Third Hokage also hesitated.
He had a fair understanding of the Sharingan, but it wasn't extensive. Even with his vast experience, he was stumped.
What to do? They couldn't just call Itachi back now, could they? If Itachi saw his brother in this state, he'd go mad.
The two of them fell into silence. Naruto's eyes narrowed into slits, his head filled with question marks. What were these adults talking about? Eyes? What eyes?
Kakashi suggested, "Third Hokage, perhaps we should ask Inoichi to take a look? He might have a solution."
"Mm, good idea. Iruka, please go and fetch Inoichi. Oh, and bring Hiashi along as well."
Fifteen minutes later, Yamanaka Inoichi and Hyūga Hiashi arrived at the Hokage's office one after the other.
Following them were the uninvited Hokage Advisors: Shimura Danzo, Koharu Utatane, and Mitokado Homura.
The moment the Third Hokage saw Danzo, he immediately waved his hand, signaling Iruka to quickly take Naruto away. Whatever was about to happen or be said next absolutely could not be witnessed by Naruto.
Iruka was utterly loyal to the Third Hokage; he wouldn't hesitate even if ordered to die. Upon receiving the command, he forcibly dragged Naruto away.
Inoichi had already learned the details of the situation on the way. After briefly examining Sasuke, he immediately defended his daughter: "This has nothing to do with Ino. It's an issue with this child's Kekkei Genkai."
Hyūga Hiashi also observed Sasuke with his Byakugan. The Chakra within Sasuke's body was his own, with no signs of external manipulation. However, the Chakra gathered around Sasuke's eyes was indeed extremely violent. Judging by the Chakra Nature, it was highly compatible with the Uchiha Clan's Kekkei Genkai. He also suspected that this was the Dojutsu left by Uchiha Itachi.
Uchiha Itachi's Dojutsu was undoubtedly far superior to Sasuke's. This portion of Dojutsu, uncontrolled, naturally gravitated toward the eyes. But since this Dojutsu didn't belong to Sasuke, it ended up getting stuck. This inference was logical, and no one could find fault with it.
Hiashi felt a sense of sorrow for the Uchiha Clan's plight, while Danzo's expression was entirely different. He was pleased, a faint smile appearing on his usually gloomy face.
Anyone who caused trouble for the Uchiha Clan was someone he approved of!
He said gloomily, "Hiruzen, hand this child over to me. You know only the Root can save him."
Are you sure you're saving him? The Third Hokage scoffed, pretending to be deaf and ignoring Danzo.
Danzo, undeterred by his failed attempt, came up with another plan. "The current issue is that his Sharingan hasn't awakened yet. In fact, if we remove his original eyes and replace them with a pair of already awakened Sharingan, the problem with his Dojutsu will naturally be resolved."
His gaze shifted subtly towards Kakashi.
Kakashi remained silent.
Take the eyes of his important subordinate and transplant them into Sasuke? What a joke! This time, the Third couldn't pretend not to hear.
He sternly reprimanded, "This is my final warning to you. Do not test my limits again."
Danzo paid no heed to the Third's so-called "final warning," merely sneering and stepping aside without further comment.
Koharu Utatane, however, took the time to thoroughly examine Sasuke.
This elderly woman had once been a subordinate of the Second Hokage in her youth, renowned for both her beauty and strength, and was undoubtedly the village's belle back then.
Now aged, having not fought for many years, her abilities had significantly deteriorated, but the keen insight honed through the ninja wars remained.
The old woman said with a tone that was neither warm nor cold, "We don't have Tsunade's medical skills, and I don't believe Tsunade would come back specifically for someone from the Uchiha clan. This Dojutsu is the source of his pain. Judging by the current trend, once he tries to refine his Chakra again, it will break through the small Sealing Technique you left, Hiruzen. The final outcome would be him dying in agony. Seal his Chakra pathways with the Five Elements Seal and let him live as an ordinary person for the rest of his life."
The old woman's words were even harsher than Danzo's, seemingly spoken with good intentions, but her true thoughts were anyone's guess.
Danzo glanced at the old woman with a sinister look but remained silent. Having the last Uchiha become a cripple wasn't such a bad idea, as long as it brought misfortune to the Uchiha clan.
The Third Hokage coughed lightly, "You know Itachi is still out there. We made a promise to him, and we must honor our commitments. That is the most basic principle."
Koharu Utatane said indifferently, "Then call him back and let him save his brother. After all, I have no way to treat him."
I didn't even call you here! You came on your own! The Third silently smoked his pipe, saying nothing.
Mitokado Homura, who had been silent until now, spoke up, "None of us really understand the process of awakening the Sharingan, nor do we know the specifics of the Uchiha clan's Dojutsu. Koharu's words have some merit. My suggestion is to first seal this restless portion of Dojutsu along with his Chakra. After he wakes up, we can see if he can awaken his Sharingan on his own and absorb this portion of Dojutsu."
Koharu Utatane nodded, as this was originally her suggestion. Danzo, standing nearby, also expressed his agreement. With all three advisors in agreement, the problem returned to the Third. What would he do now?
The Third Hokage was hesitant. Sealing was easy, but what would happen after the seal was applied? Sealing was essentially a form of solidification, often irreversible. As someone highly skilled in sealing techniques, the Third Hokage estimated that if he were to cast a Five Elements Seal now, the Dojutsu power, which would normally be absorbed by the body, would undergo a new transformation. By then, not only Sasuke, but even if Itachi returned, it would be impossible to absorb.
Ino's Mind Body Switch Technique was the first change, and his Five Elements Seal would be the second. With this strange Dojutsu power undergoing two consecutive transformations, it was highly likely that it would become unabsorbable, lingering like a tumor for the rest of Sasuke's life.