Chapter 95: Funeral & Wealth

After Kei and 'Uchiha Naraku' had teleported away, Shisui's left eye soon found its way into Sato's possession. As he gazed at the eye preserved in a vial, Sato couldn't help but appreciate the usefulness of the soul clone technique. This method had proven incredibly effective in accomplishing various tasks simultaneously.

Sato marveled at the efficiency of his strategies. His main self had engaged in a virtual reality game in Konoha, while his clone had posed as 'Uchiha Naraku,' compelling Itachi to reveal the whereabouts of Shisui's other eye. In this way, Sato easily acquired the eye without any physical confrontation.

Following the teleportation and retrieval of Shisui's left eye, Sato employed the devouring hand technique to absorb the clone of 'Uchiha Naraku' that was inhabiting the body of the Senju Hashirama clone. The captured soul power was then converted into pure energy within Sato's refining space and subsequently integrated into Kei's body. This infusion bolstered Kei's soul strength and augmented his Chakra reserves.

In addition to the 300 living ninjas whose soul power had already been transferred to Kei during the process of extracting Chakra, this latest enhancement elevated Kei's Chakra levels to the status of a Kage-level ninja. Such a significant boost in Chakra enabled Kei to perfectly emulate the power of Second Tsuchikage. Among the ranks of the Akatsuki organization, only Pain Six Paths posed a considerable threat to Kei. Even renowned figures like Itachi would struggle to match Kei's newfound strength.

However, Sato believed that this amount of Chakra was still insufficient for Kei's potential. He envisioned increasing Kei's reserves multiple times over to enable Kei to employ the Transformation Technique at will, thereby allowing 'Uchiha Naraku' to make appearances when required.

Upon his return to Konoha using the Flying Thunder God Technique, Sato consumed Shisui's left eye. This action endowed Sato's left eye with a brand-new Sharingan technique known as Kotoamatsukami. Standing before a bathroom mirror, Sato carefully examined his Mangekyō Sharingan. The traditional black lotus pattern was present, but keen observation revealed an additional petal-like motif.

This revelation led Sato to a conclusion: the souls and bodies he consumed contributed their energy to his techniques. Therefore, when he consumed Shisui's eyes, the pattern of Kotoamatsukami in the Mangekyō Sharingan became uniquely his. This newfound insight also deepened his understanding of the mysterious beads' capabilities, underscoring their exclusivity to his main self.

A week later, with the collaborative efforts of Konoha's Earth Style ninjas, the extensive natural moat spanning tens of kilometers was eventually filled. Following the completion of Konoha's restoration, Tsunade organized funeral ceremonies for various individuals, including Konoha F4 members Danzō, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Asuma, as well as the four prominent moth families.

Though Danzō had been taken away alive, the general consensus held that he could not have survived the encounter with 'Uchiha Naraku.' In light of this assumption and after careful deliberation, Tsunade, in consultation with the daimyo, decided to commemorate Danzō's demise as well. The funerals garnered substantial attendance from active ninjas, major ninja clans, and a significant portion of the villagers.

These ceremonies bore a mix of emotions. People's acting skills were put to the test, as attendees conveyed sorrow and solemnity. The four moth families, being prominent figures in Konoha, warranted such rituals. Despite the performances, some genuine tears were shed, not for the moth families, but rather in memory of friends and comrades who had lost their lives in the tragic events.

Kakashi, for instance, remains silent, undoubtedly reminiscing about his father. As someone who has undertaken numerous S-level missions, Kakashi is far from naive. Even considering the high level of secrecy surrounding S-level missions, it's implausible that his father's super-S-level mission had absolutely no confidentiality measures and that it spread throughout Konoha without any effort.

Kakashi's sharp mind leads him to the conclusion that someone is fanning the flames behind the scenes. Given the incredible reach and influence required, only those at the highest echelons of power could orchestrate such an operation. Kakashi's own connection to Konoha and his deep alignment with the will of fire led him to choose loyalty to the village over seeking revenge.

The abrupt loss of these prominent figures and their families leaves Kakashi with a sense of melancholy. While the adults maintain their composed demeanor, the youngsters express their unfiltered emotions. As an example, Teammates who shared good times with Konohamaru weep openly, with tears and sniffles. Even Ino–Shika–Chō trio's eyes show traces of redness, reflecting their sorrow for the fallen Jōnin.

However, the gravity of the situation doesn't quite reach the depths of the original Shippuden storyline. Kurenai, too, is deeply affected by sadness, though her emotions are tempered by the fact that her interactions with Asuma were not as extensive. The sudden departure of acquaintances and friends inevitably stirs a blend of sorrow and complex emotions.

In stark contrast, Sato's heart remains steady. He adopts a hypocritical facade to console Ino–Shika–Chō, the way any innocent party might. Yet beneath the exterior, Sato's heart experiences no fluctuations. As the true perpetrator, he even finds it a challenge to stifle his amusement.

After the funeral, Konoha resumes its usual rhythm. Nonetheless, the sight of the scorched clan lands creates a lingering sense of unease among the villagers. Tsunade is grappling with the conundrum of how to manage these lands effectively. Situated in the heart of Konoha, leaving them vacant is not an option.

Fortunately, an unexpected solution emerges: foreign investors express interest in purchasing these lands for development. Tsunade welcomes the news enthusiastically and personally engages with foreign businessmen. The truth is, these businessmen are none other than Wood Clones, a manifestation of Sato's ever-growing wealth.

Sato has become exceedingly wealthy, thanks to his creation of Kei and the soul clone. In addition, his integration of Kaduo's(Sato devoured many chapters ago) memories enables him to seize control of Kaduo's assets. After converting these assets into cash, he retains a few legitimate businesses while allowing others to continue generating income. With such prosperity, Sato could acquire not just the clan lands, but even all of Konoha.

Nonetheless, Sato must be cautious about revealing his wealth, especially when explaining its origin to Tsunade. His plan involves utilizing Kaduo's company to purchase the clan lands. Three of them will be transformed into bustling commercial and entertainment districts, while the fourth will be designated for high-end real estate development, potentially as a luxurious villa. Subsequently, Sato intends to concoct a plausible reason to either sell or gift the property to himself, thus establishing his new abode.