Chapter 78: Third Hokage: "I'll think about it!" Fugaku: "Step aside, I'll do it!"

Chapter 78: Third Hokage: "I'll think about it!" Fugaku: "Step aside, I'll do it!"

Ishihara suddenly thought of the Akimichi Clan waiting outside, and his eyes brightened.

Perhaps the key lay within the secret techniques of the Akimichi Clan!

However, there was no need to rush just yet.

"Clan Leader Hiashi and the Sealing Team, please come in for a moment," Shikaku called out. When performing sealing techniques, having Konoha's people nearby always made him feel safer, even though he knew Ishihara was unlikely to pull any tricks.

Ishihara didn't mind. Once Hiashi and the others entered, he joined Shikaku to perform the sealing technique.

Then, he handed over several secret techniques to Shikaku!

The members of the Sealing Team and Hiashi nodded to Shikaku, indicating that the sealing was done without issue. Shikaku breathed a sigh of relief and said solemnly, "Thank you, Mr. Ishihara!"

Ishihara waved his hand, "It's just a transaction."

The Nara Clan's Shadow Imitation Technique had pushed his research on Yin Release chakra to new heights, and he was quite satisfied with the trade.

Knowing that Shikaku's deal was complete, the Third Hokage and others rushed in. Some gathered around Shikaku to inquire about the situation, while others approached Ishihara to finalize their own trades.

The Third Hokage was among the latter. Standing before Ishihara, he spoke in a deep voice: "Ishihara, I wish to trade Konoha's secret and forbidden techniques with you, but I'd like to adjust the terms."

Ishihara frowned. "What do you want to change?"

The Third Hokage quickly explained, "These secret and forbidden techniques belong to Konoha. I want them to be passed on to more people!"

One of the mechanisms within the ninja villages was using powerful jutsu as rewards to drive ninjas to take on high-level missions. Even if these secret and forbidden techniques were modified, the Third Hokage himself wouldn't be the only one using them. He needed them to be passed down to others.

Ishihara understood this. If he didn't agree, the Third Hokage probably wouldn't go through with the trade. After thinking it over, he said, "I can record the modified secret or forbidden techniques onto sealed scrolls. Each scroll can be passed down three times and replenished once every ten years."

"As long as the sealed scroll remains, the techniques can continue to be passed on."

Although he agreed to the deal, he didn't want the techniques he developed to become overly widespread.

The Third Hokage wanted to argue further, hoping to avoid the use of sealing techniques altogether, but Ishihara laughed scornfully, refusing to budge. The two reached a stalemate.

Eventually, it was the Third Hokage who relented, agreeing to Ishihara's terms.

With a serious expression, the Third Hokage said, "The first forbidden technique I want to trade with you is the Eight Gates Formation!"

Ishihara was momentarily stunned, then sneered, "No, Might Guy has already traded that technique with me. It holds no value to me now."

"What?!"

The Third Hokage was dumbfounded, his face stiffening completely.

Ishihara replied calmly, "I seek these secret techniques for research. Things that are no longer useful to me have no trade value."

"Otherwise, what would be the point of my sealing techniques?"

The Third Hokage grew anxious, his face flushing with agitation.

"But the Eight Gates Formation is still a village technique, not just Might Guy's!"

He had no choice but to be anxious—this meant the village had lost the ability to pass down one of its strongest forbidden techniques!

Ishihara shook his head calmly, "That's not my concern. You can take it up with Might Guy."

The Third Hokage's heart was filled with fury as he glanced at the still somewhat weakened Might Guy beside him, his expression completely frozen.

Might Guy had recently opened the Seventh Gate, and it wouldn't be long before he could open the Eighth Gate, making him one of Konoha's strongest warriors—a pillar of the village!

Even as Hokage, he couldn't afford to create a rift with such a man!

Moreover, even if others in the village inherited the technique, it was unlikely they would reach the level of opening the Eighth Gate.

Naturally, he couldn't ask Might Guy to give up his opportunity for inheritance.

"The Third Hokage can trade another secret or forbidden technique instead," Ishihara said meaningfully. "And the sooner the better, or someone else might beat you to it."

While Konoha had many secret and forbidden techniques, only a few were truly valuable to him.

And there were others in Konoha who had access to these techniques—Danzo, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado, for instance.

Just because the Third Hokage wasn't trading didn't mean others wouldn't.

The Third Hokage understood Ishihara's implication, his expression changing slightly as he hurriedly said, "Alright, I'll trade another technique—Second Hokage's Water Release: Water Severing Wave."

Ishihara shook his head. "That jutsu holds no significance to me. It's not worth the trade."

The Third Hokage's expression stiffened, and he was forced to continue, "Then let's switch to another—the First Hokage's Strength of a Hundred Technique!"

"I've already mastered that."

"Water Release…"

"Useless."

"Fire Release…"

"No value."

"The Five-Elements Seal Jutsu!"

"Meaningless."

Ishihara showed disdain for the Third Hokage's prized Five-Elements Seal Jutsu.

The Third Hokage was furious, shouting, "These are Konoha's top-level techniques! None of them are good enough?! Then what do you want?!"

Ishihara replied calmly, "The Flying Thunder God Technique, Jinchūriki Sealing Techniques, and Wood Release."

The Third Hokage's face twisted in shock and anger as he stared at Ishihara.

These were the very foundations of Konoha!

These were matters of great importance; how could he easily hand them over?

But if he didn't, there really wasn't much left that he could trade.

The Third Hokage hesitated, "I'll think about it!"

Nearby, Hiashi and the others overheard the conversation, feeling quite astonished.

Even though they had expected it, Ishihara's high standards for trading secret and forbidden techniques still left them secretly shocked.

As the Third Hokage hesitated, he sent for the other three advisors.

But at that moment, Fugaku stepped forward. "If the Hokage isn't going to trade, then step aside. I will!"

"You!"

The Third Hokage glared at him angrily, but Fugaku was unfazed.

The two had already fallen out, and with time being of the essence, Fugaku had no intention of holding back.

Just this morning, he had hypnotized the members of his clan willing to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, and he had rushed them over.

Ishihara glanced at Fugaku and the Uchiha clansmen beside him, feeling a surge of excitement.

It seemed new material was about to arrive.

"Everyone else, leave. The Uchiha Clan may stay."

Though reluctant, the Third Hokage was dragged out by the other clan leaders.

The Nara Clan had already completed their transaction with Ishihara, and their strength would surely increase in the near future.

But the others hadn't yet completed their deals, so they couldn't afford for the Third Hokage to clash with Ishihara.

Soon, only Ishihara, Fugaku, and two others remained in the courtyard: a young man, Uchiha Inaho, and a middle-aged man, the Uchiha Clan's second elder.

"Are you here to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan again?"

Fugaku nodded. "Yes, both of them are!"

(Support me and gain access to additional chapters by visiting my Patreon: p@treon.com/craxxtranslation. Thank you for your support!)