Normally, in a situation like this, each of you would be eagerly talking about your own clan. Yet now, at such a critical moment, all of you are silent. Isn't that strange?
If even a single ninja from the Hyūga Clan were present, this would never have happened.
Orochimaru calmly observed the surrounding terrain, his golden eyes narrowing. In his view, the Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan was not particularly suitable for reconnaissance under these circumstances. If they had possessed the Hyūga Clan's Byakugan, the enemy's ambush would have already been exposed.
Jiraiya and Tsunade stood nearby, unusually quiet. Neither of them dared to speak lightly. It had been a long time since Jiraiya had seen Orochimaru truly angry, and the familiar chill crawling up his spine reminded him just how terrifying his former teammate could be when provoked.
With a low sigh, Jiraiya took out a soldier pill that reeked faintly of alcohol. He tossed it into his mouth, chewed it thoroughly, and felt his depleted chakra slowly recover.
"Orochimaru," Jiraiya said carefully, "the most important thing right now is to regroup with our comrades."
Tsunade stepped closer as well, lowering her voice so only Orochimaru could hear. "We can't afford internal friction at a time like this."
"Mm."
Orochimaru nodded. He crouched down and pressed one pale hand against the ground, sensing the chakra signatures of their allies through subtle vibrations. After a brief moment, he straightened.
"Follow me," he said coldly. "They're being pursued by Iwagakure."
Without further explanation, Orochimaru led the Konoha ninja forward. Their movements were swift and coordinated, flanking through the dense terrain in an attempt to counterattack Iwagakure from the sides.
Unfortunately, the enemy was not careless. Iwagakure's sensory-type ninja detected them in time, foiling Konoha's ambush. Even so, their sudden appearance eased the pressure on the Konoha forces who had been fleeing moments earlier, allowing them to turn defense into offense.
Far away, the daimyō of the Land of Grass observed the conflict with unease. Faced with a clash between two great ninja villages, he chose silence. Neither he nor Kusagakure could afford to offend Konoha or Iwagakure. All they could do was pray that the fighting would not devastate their land.
In fact, he secretly hoped the war would spread elsewhere—anywhere else. The Land of Rain, the Land of Waterfalls—any place, as long as it was not the Land of Grass.
Had Hanzō of the Salamander, the leader of the Rain Country, known of these thoughts, he might have marched his forces straight into Grass Country in fury.
---
Chapter 184: The Senju and Uchiha—A Shared Origin
A flame-red carriage streaked through the sky before descending onto a lonely island. As it landed, Uchiha Madara stepped out with composed dignity. At his side stood a strange figure cloaked entirely in black, its body split into contrasting hues of white and dark.
More than a month had passed since Madara's last visit to the laboratory base. He had come to inspect the progress of the research—and to share a discovery of his own.
"Mr. Deng, you're here."
The researchers at the laboratory base greeted Madara respectfully. They did not question the identity of his companion. Lady Si had long instructed them never to ask unnecessary questions, regardless of whom Madara brought with him.
The being beside Madara was none other than Zetsu. Born from Madara's Rinnegan through Yin–Yang Release, Zetsu had guided Madara toward the secrets hidden within the Gedo Statue, including the existence of White Zetsu. Now, he finally appeared openly at Madara's side.
"Zetsu," Madara said evenly, "do not act on your own without my permission."
Though Madara trusted the being he had created, he was wary of unnecessary complications. Angering Si would only invite trouble.
"Yes," Zetsu replied lifelessly, his tone betraying his recent creation.
The laboratory doors slid open, and Si emerged. Dark circles hung beneath her eyes, evidence of countless sleepless nights.
"Old Deng, you're here," she said, glancing at Madara and then at Zetsu.
Madara frowned slightly. "Are you all right? At this rate, you'll collapse before producing any results."
"I'm fine," Si replied briskly. "I'll die after you do."
She turned her attention back to the culture tanks containing fragments of the Gedo Statue and Hashirama cells.
"Hashirama's cells possess terrifying vitality," she continued. "Used properly, they can extend life. Used improperly, they consume the host. Ordinary people simply cannot withstand them."
Her brows knit together as she approached Madara. "Come with me. There's something I want to show you."
Madara followed her to an unexpected sight: a dense forest growing within the laboratory base.
"A forest?" Madara asked. "Here?"
"Every tree here was once a living test subject," Si explained calmly. "The Hashirama cells devoured their nutrients, grew uncontrollably, and eventually transformed them into trees."
Madara's blood ran cold. "Then why am I fine?"
Si hesitated. "Old Deng… there's something you may find difficult to accept."
"What is it?"
"There is a striking similarity between your genetic information and Hashirama Senju's."
Madara frowned. "That only means we're both human, doesn't it?"
Kuro Zetsu stiffened inwardly. This was dangerous territory.
"No," Si said bluntly. "It means you share a common ancestor."
"That's impossible!" Madara snapped. "The Uchiha and Senju have been mortal enemies for generations!"
"And yet," Si replied, "the data says otherwise."
She turned toward the forest. "Have you ever wondered why only the hatred between Uchiha and Senju endured for generations? Why it never truly faded?"
"Hatred needs no reason," Madara retorted.
"Believe it or not," Si said, "your compatibility with Hashirama's flesh exists precisely because you share the same origin. Anyone else would have perished."
"Enough!" Madara cut her off. "The Senju Clan is already gone."
Even as he spoke, unease gnawed at his heart.
This woman is dangerous, Kuro Zetsu thought grimly.
Late at night, within the depths of his secluded domain, Uchiha Madara stood before the ancient stone tablet, his Rinnegan glowing faintly in the darkness.
He stared at the inscriptions for a long time.
"…Two opposing forces intertwine," Madara murmured, his voice low and heavy, "and from their conflict, all creation is born."
The more he analyzed the stone tablet alongside the knowledge granted by his Rinnegan, the more unsettling his conclusions became.
Impossible.
And yet… undeniable.
Madara clenched his fists.
The truth he had always refused to acknowledge now pressed against his mind with terrifying clarity—the ancestors of the Uchiha and Senju clans were none other than the descendants of the Sage of Six Paths himself.
No.
That alone was not the most dangerous part.
The most dangerous variable was Si.
Madara's expression darkened.
"No… I must eliminate Si as soon as possible," he said coldly. "I cannot allow him to continue this research."
From the shadows, Kara Zetsu listened in silence.
Inside him, alarm bells rang violently.
Regret flooded his thoughts.
I should have killed Si earlier.
If Si had been removed before uncovering these truths, things would never have reached this point.
But now…
Now it was already too late.
Madara remained lost in thought for most of the night. Only when exhaustion finally claimed him did he lie down and fall into a deep sleep.
Kara Zetsu waited.
Patiently.
After observing for a long time and confirming that Madara's breathing had steadied, Kara Zetsu finally acted.
Using the Mayfly Technique, he merged with the earth and moved underground at tremendous speed. White Zetsu followed his guidance, slipping silently beneath the surface as they headed straight toward the island laboratory base.
Kara Zetsu's objective was simple and ruthless.
Kill Si.
Then manipulate the scene so that it appeared Hashirama had died after losing control during experiments on his own cells.
If everything went according to plan, Madara would never suspect foul play.
Inside the laboratory base, bright lights illuminated rows of cultivation tanks.
Si stood before one of them, staring intently at the Hashirama cells floating inside nutrient solution.
"Incredible…" Si murmured, genuine excitement in her voice.
Although Hashirama himself had never shown much interest in cellular research, Si could not resist the temptation. The moment she began studying the cells in depth, she realized just how terrifying their properties were.
Ashura's reincarnation.
A body that perfectly inherited the Sage's vitality.
Its regenerative ability, chakra compatibility, and adaptability were far beyond normal biological limits.
Behind her, Kara Zetsu slowly emerged from the ground.
Silently.
He stretched out a blackened hand toward Si's back.
Just as his fingers were about to touch her—
Complex sealing formulas suddenly erupted from his palm.
They spread like chains, wrapping around his arm and body in an instant.
"Sealing technique…?!"
Kara Zetsu froze in shock.
His movements were completely restrained.
He stared at Si in disbelief.
"You're not Si," he said coldly. "You can't be. According to Madara's description, Si does not possess sealing techniques powerful enough to bind me."
Si turned around slowly.
A faint smile curved her lips—cold, calm, and unsettling.
"I am Si," she replied softly. "But more accurately… I am the consciousness of Ōtsutsuki Kaguya."
"I have been waiting for you for a very long time."
Kara Zetsu's pupils contracted.
"Who… exactly are you?" he demanded.
Regret surged through him like poison.
This was a trap.
A trap from the very beginning.
Was this Hagoromo's contingency plan?
Si folded her arms, watching Kara Zetsu struggle uselessly against the seals.
"Relax," she said lightly. "I won't kill you. I have no hostility toward you—or toward the Rabbit Goddess."
"What do you know?" Kara Zetsu asked hoarsely.
The sealing formulas coursing through his body disrupted his Yin–Yang structure. Logically, such techniques should have little effect on a being created through Yin–Yang Release.
And yet… they worked.
"The reason I discovered you," Si continued, "was because I studied tissue samples from your body."
Her words struck like lightning.
"Within the Gedo Statue's flesh, I found more than one type of cell. In addition to the statue's own cells, there were two other distinct cellular structures."
She raised two fingers.
Kara Zetsu's heart sank.
Impossible.
The Gedo Statue should only contain its original cells.
Then whose were the others?
Si continued calmly.
"One belongs to Ōtsutsuki Kaguya—the Rabbit Goddess. The other originates from a being of the same clan."
She paused, then added casually, "Interestingly, when I compared the genetic data of Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara, I discovered similarities to Kaguya's cells."
"This suggests that the ancestors of the Senju and Uchiha clans were directly related to her."
Si fell silent and stared straight at Kara Zetsu.
"Is my analysis correct… Ōtsutsuki Kaguya's consciousness?"
"…Truly remarkable," Kara Zetsu admitted quietly.
With only fragmented information, Si had already brushed against the deepest truth of this world.
"Si," Kara Zetsu asked carefully, "what exactly do you want?"
Si did not hesitate.
"I want to free the Rabbit Goddess from the Gedo Statue."
She met his gaze without fear.
"For that, I need your help."
Without Kara Zetsu, the process would take far longer.
And Madara's obsession with the Eye of the Moon Plan made time a luxury she did not have.
If Madara's experiments with Hashirama cells succeeded, he would begin collecting the Tailed Beasts.
Si had no interest in allowing that plan to succeed.
As for the Eye of the Moon Plan…
She intended to bury the Gedo Statue with Sage Art explosive tags and erase both Madara and the Ten-Tails once the plan neared completion.
"Impossible!" Kara Zetsu snapped. "Your method cannot revive my mother!"
"There is no such thing as impossible," Si replied coldly. "With your help as a consciousness carrier, I can extract her from the statue—just as you guided Madara to discover the statue in the first place."
Kara Zetsu shook his head violently.
"No! That is not the correct method!"
"Then answer me," Si said, her tone turning dangerous. "Will you cooperate with me… or will I kill you here and research another way?"
She raised a paper talisman sealed with chakra explosives, laughter bubbling up almost hysterically.
Bloodshot eyes.
Unrestrained excitement.
A mad scientist incarnate.
Kara Zetsu felt cold sweat drip down his body.
"You're insane!" he hissed.
"Which scientist isn't?" Si replied, her smile fading into icy indifference.
The talisman moved closer.
"…I'll cooperate," Kara Zetsu said at last.
He wasn't ready to die.
And more importantly—Si truly believed his mother was sealed within the Gedo Statue.
That alone made her useful.
"Good," Si said, releasing the seal.
They shook hands.
"Now," Si said calmly, "tell me why the Rabbit Goddess was sealed."
Kara Zetsu began his story—altered, twisted, painted to serve his purpose.
A tragic goddess.
Betrayed by her sons.
Imprisoned unjustly.
Si listened silently, correcting the truth in her mind.
Shameless, she thought.
But useful.
"I believe we can free her," Si said fervently.
And once I'm done, she added silently, you'll be useless.
Battlefield — Konoha vs Iwagakure
A crimson giant serpent, a dark-blue serpent, and a violet serpent tore through the battlefield, shattering Iwagakure's formations.
Stone ninjas fell one after another.
Then—
Boom!
A massive toad descended from the sky.
"Bunta!" Jiraiya shouted.
Gamabunta drew his blade.
"One slash!"
The stone monster split apart.
Lightning gathered.
Five Iwagakure ninjas sacrificed themselves, unleashing a devastating lightning strike.
The summons vanished in smoke.
Yet it was already too late.
Orochimaru.
Jiraiya.
Tsunade.
Their names echoed across the battlefield.
From that day on, the ninja world would know them as—
The Konoha Sannin.
And their fame spread like wildfire.
In Konoha, Land of Fire, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally showed a rare, comforting smile.
After days of forced calm and restrained expressions, the news from the front lines allowed the Third Hokage to relax—if only slightly. The corners of his mouth lifted, replacing the habitual smirk he had worn since the war began.
All three figures who had become the core of Konoha's battlefield strength had received new titles.
"Konoha's Sannin…"
Jiraiya stroked his chin, his grin stretching so wide that even Gamabunta would have trouble suppressing it with his Roof Tile Shattering Technique.
"Konoha's Sannin doesn't really suit me, does it?" Jiraiya laughed loudly. "Something like Great Super Frog Sage sounds much better!"
"Konoha's Sannin, huh…"
Tsunade crossed her arms, examining the title calmly. She didn't dislike it. A title like that meant their names had already spread throughout the Ninja World. Fame carried influence—and influence mattered in war.
Orochimaru, however, reacted differently.
"Konoha's Sannin…"
He hadn't expected such a title, especially before facing Hanzo of the Hidden Rain Village. Compared to something like Serpent Sage or Master of Forbidden Techniques, this collective title felt… dull.
Still, Orochimaru said nothing.
On another battlefield, far from Konoha's walls, Iwagakure's high command was finally forced to face reality.
After a string of setbacks, Iwagakure's senior officials realized something undeniable.
The current Konoha was not an enemy they could handle alone.
Continuing to stubbornly clash head-on would only turn Iwagakure into a stepping stone for other ninja villages to exploit. Rather than exhausting themselves, it was wiser to scale back and observe how the other Great Ninja Villages would move.
When this proposal was presented to Ōnoki, it aligned perfectly with his own thoughts.
Large-scale conflict with Konoha was disadvantageous.
Thus, Ōnoki issued a new order—one that fundamentally altered Iwagakure's strategy.
Instead of directly breaking through Konoha's lines, Iwagakure would initiate multi-front warfare.
Their goal was clear: divide Konoha's strength, scatter its elite forces, and exhaust the infamous Konoha Sannin across multiple battlefields.
If Konoha wanted to invade Iwagakure, it would have to pay an unbearable price.
Land of Water — Hidden Mist Village
After reviewing intelligence reports from his reconnaissance units, the Third Mizukage abandoned his original plan to attack Iwagakure.
The situation had changed.
Iwagakure was already engaged in multi-front warfare, drawing away a large portion of Konoha's elite forces—including the now-famous Konoha Sannin.
Yet even so, Konoha's remaining strength was deeply unsettling.
Too many geniuses had emerged.
Orochimaru.
Jiraiya.
Tsunade.
Hatake Sakumo.
Old generation, new generation—it didn't matter. Konoha's talent pool was terrifying.
The Third Mizukage slowly opened his narrowed eyes.
"Dispatch an elite raiding unit," he ordered. "Approach Konoha from the sea."
Underwater maneuvering would reduce detection to a minimum.
The Hidden Mist elite force landed southeast of the Land of Fire, advancing swiftly beneath the waves. However, as they neared Konoha's borders, they were discovered.
Konoha responded immediately.
Elite units from multiple clans were dispatched to intercept them.
The battlefield was soon swallowed by thick fog as the Hidden Mist Ninjas unleashed their signature Hidden Mist Jutsu, creating an environment where visibility was reduced to nothing.
Normally, this would have been a decisive advantage.
But Konoha had prepared well.
Among the responding forces were:
Hyuga Clan ninjas, masters of reconnaissance and Gentle Fist.
Iburi Clan ninjas, wielders of the Smoke Transformation Bloodline.
Uchiha Clan ninjas, their Sharingan blazing through the fog.
This alone demonstrated how seriously Konoha took the Hidden Mist threat.
Iburi Clan ninjas transformed into drifting smoke, weaving through the fog and infiltrating the Hidden Mist formation. They slipped into enemy ranks silently, controlling bodies and movements.
Suddenly, Hidden Mist ninjas began attacking their own comrades.
Confusion erupted.
"This is the Iburi Clan's Bloodline Limit!"
"Be careful!"
Hyuga Clan ninjas stepped forward, veins bulging around their eyes as Byakugan activated.
"Your Hidden Mist Jutsu is useless against the Byakugan!"
They struck with precision. Each palm strike sealed chakra points, disrupting the enemy's chakra flow.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Clan ninjas advanced relentlessly.
"With the Sharingan, your fog means nothing!"
Through chakra perception, movement, and killing intent, the fog was rendered meaningless.
Faced with Smoke Transformation, Byakugan, and Sharingan simultaneously, the Hidden Mist elite unit was forced to disperse the fog, abandoning its greatest advantage.
Fortunately, the Third Mizukage had anticipated Konoha's response.
The raiding unit included Wind Release specialists.
Wind Release techniques disrupted the Iburi Clan's smoke forms to some extent—though not completely.
"Smoke Dragon Technique!"
Iburi Clan ninjas merged their smoke, forming a massive dragon that tore through the battlefield.
Physical attacks were useless.
Water Release techniques had no effect.
Only strong ninjutsu could damage it—and even then, the Hidden Mist ninjas lacked sufficient power.
Before long, the Hidden Mist elite unit was completely neutralized.
But the Hidden Mist Village did not stop there.
Like Iwagakure, they adopted a multi-front warfare strategy, dispatching additional forces to harass Konoha from multiple directions.
Land of Wind — Hidden Sand Village
Upon learning that Konoha was simultaneously engaged with Iwagakure and the Hidden Mist Village, the Third Kazekage saw a golden opportunity.
"Chiyo," he said, turning to the elderly woman. "You will lead the Suna forces."
"Kazekage-sama," Chiyo replied calmly, "I recommend bringing Bunbuku with us."
The usage rate of Tailed Beasts among other villages was pitifully low compared to Sunagakure's experience.
If Bunbuku lost control and Shukaku was unleashed on the battlefield, the destruction alone could decide the war.
"Bunbuku… Shukaku?" the Third Kazekage frowned. "Why?"
"In terms of raw strength," Chiyo explained, "Sunagakure is inferior to Konoha, Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and the Hidden Mist. But we surpass them in one area—our control and understanding of Tailed Beasts."
She extended her hand, as if already seeing the battlefield littered with corpses.
"Let Shukaku rampage between the Konoha and Iwagakure or Konoha and Hidden Mist battlefields."
"And how do we retrieve Shukaku afterward?" the Kazekage asked grimly.
"That… cannot be guaranteed," Chiyo admitted. "We wait for him to calm down."
After a long silence, the Third Kazekage nodded.
"Very well. Bring Bunbuku."
His voice hardened.
"We must reclaim Sunagakure's honor."
Land of Rain
Hanzo observed the movements of the Great Ninja Villages with growing unease.
He had hoped the war would gradually subside.
Instead, it was intensifying.
Despite his efforts to minimize the impact on the Land of Rain, the nation's economy had suffered severely. Per capita income plummeted.
The Land of Rain had finally found peace.
Hanzo wanted that peace to last.
But he knew his own limits.
If the Five Great Ninja Villages fully mobilized, even the Land of Rain would be crushed.
Konoha — Hokage Tower, Command Room
"Even Sunagakure…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood abruptly after reading the latest report.
Managing wars with Iwagakure and the Hidden Mist was already straining Konoha's resources. Adding Sunagakure changed everything.
This was no longer simple arithmetic.
Danzo Shimura frowned as he delivered Root's intelligence.
"Chiyo is leading the Suna forces. She's an expert in puppetry and poison."
"And… there's a monk among them."
Root had almost no information on him.
"That poison…" Utatane Koharu muttered. "Only Tsunade or Orochimaru could counter it."
"We need medical ninjas capable of detoxification," Homura added. "Orochimaru is slightly better than Tsunade in that regard."
"No!" Koharu snapped. "Orochimaru must return. We elders should go!"
Danzo looked at her coldly.
"Can you formulate antidotes?"
"…No."
Hiruzen made the decision.
"Jiraiya continues fighting Iwagakure. Tsunade and Orochimaru will intercept Sunagakure."
Orders were dispatched.
Orochimaru's Discovery
In his laboratory, Orochimaru's Shadow Clone examined new intelligence.
"An old monk…"
His eyes narrowed.
"Bunbuku."
Sunagakure had sent a Jinchuriki to the battlefield.
A dangerous gamble.
Moments later, Orochimaru relayed the information to his main body.
"One-Tail… Ichibi."
Tsunade's eyes widened.
"They're insane."
And far away, the storm of war continued to spread.
Orochimaru nodded slightly, his expression calm as ever.
"Tsunade, we need to relay this intelligence back to the village as soon as possible."
"Shadow Clone Technique."
He formed a series of hand seals. The seal on his wrist glowed faintly as chakra surged forth, and a shadow clone appeared beside him.
"I'll leave the task of delivering the intelligence to you."
"Leave it to me."
The shadow clone vanished in a flash, using the Flying Thunder God Technique to instantly depart, then repeatedly jumping through space toward Konoha.
---
On the Kumogakure front, after learning of Kirigakure and Sunagakure's movements, the Third Raikage, A, made a decisive judgment.
He chose not to cooperate with them in attacking Konoha.
Instead, his attention turned toward Iwagakure.
Iwagakure was already locked in a multi-front war with Konoha. If Kumogakure launched an attack now, they could reap considerable benefits. Even if they failed to inflict decisive damage, they could always withdraw and redirect their forces toward Konoha afterward.
With this calculation in mind, the Third Raikage acted decisively. He personally led Kumogakure's troops, embarking on a grueling forced march across the Land of Frost, the Land of Hot Water, and the Land of Rice Fields, advancing straight toward Iwagakure.
Ōnoki had no choice but to prepare for yet another battlefield.
---
Konoha, Hokage Building.
Inside the command center, the four people present froze when Orochimaru suddenly appeared.
"Orochimaru? Why are you back already?"
"I'm only a shadow clone," Orochimaru replied flatly. "I'm here to relay intelligence. My main body and Tsunade are currently meeting the Konoha forces dispatched to intercept Sunagakure."
With no time to waste, he went straight to the key point.
"The monk embedded within Sunagakure's forces is the One-Tailed Jinchuriki."
The room erupted in hushed whispers.
Without waiting for further questions, Orochimaru activated the Flying Thunder God Technique and vanished once again. His experiment could not be interrupted, and he had no intention of dispersing this clone just yet.
"The One-Tailed Jinchuriki…"
Danzo Shimura frowned deeply. He had never imagined that the so-called elderly monk mentioned in the intelligence report was actually Shukaku's host. More importantly, Root's intelligence network had completely failed to uncover this critical detail.
Was Sunagakure's concealment truly that flawless?
Danzo did not blame his subordinates. Instead, he concluded that Sunagakure's counterintelligence capabilities were formidable.
"This is going too far," Utatane Koharu said angrily, clenching her fists. "Sending a Tailed Beast Jinchuriki directly onto the battlefield…"
"The sealing team's children aren't ready for that kind of threat," she continued. "If the One-Tail unleashes its power…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi could no longer remain seated. His students were already en route to intercept Sunagakure.
Homura Mitokado adjusted his glasses and spoke calmly.
"Then shouldn't we eliminate the Tailed Beast before it has the chance to transform?"
---
Sunagakure's forces advanced steadily from the Land of Rivers toward the Land of Fire.
Among the ranks, Bunbuku stood out conspicuously in his monk's robes.
"Hahaha! No matter how unwilling you are, you still have to go to war, Monk!"
Inside Bunbuku's mental world, Shukaku sensed his host's emotions and let out a shrill laugh.
"I'm sorry, Shukaku," Bunbuku said softly after a long silence.
Although he did not wish to fight, the thought of his duty to Sunagakure left him no choice. As a citizen of the village, he had to obey, even if it meant unleashing disaster upon the battlefield.
"What's the point of saying that now?" Shukaku sneered. "Aren't we still being dragged out as weapons of war? To everyone except you, we Tailed Beasts are nothing but tools. That's the truth!"
Shukaku acknowledged that Bunbuku was different from other humans. But even so, they were still marching toward the battlefield as instruments of slaughter.
"I think… someone will stop us," Bunbuku murmured.
He recalled the man who had once visited the prison, investigating whether a Tailed Beast could be separated from its Jinchuriki without killing the host.
As a member of Sunagakure, Bunbuku would fulfill his duty. But in his heart, he hoped someone would stop him—and Shukaku.
"Huh? Are you looking down on my power, Monk?" Shukaku roared. "This time, I won't be sealed so easily! I'll tear everything apart! Hahahahaha!"
His laughter abruptly ceased.
"You're really boring," Shukaku muttered irritably.
---
Orochimaru and Tsunade soon rendezvoused with the Konoha forces tasked with intercepting Sunagakure. From them, they received a clear order from the village's high command.
Do everything possible to kill the old monk.
Orochimaru was not surprised. It was wartime, and Sunagakure had sent Bunbuku—the One-Tailed Jinchuriki—precisely so Shukaku could slaughter Konoha ninja.
If Orochimaru were in their position, he would have made the same decision: eliminate the Jinchuriki before the Tailed Beast could be fully unleashed.
According to intelligence, the most likely route for Sunagakure's advance was from the Land of Rivers into the Land of Fire.
Orochimaru pressed his palm against the ground.
Earth Release activated, chakra manipulating the terrain to form a detailed map. The surrounding nations appeared clearly, with miniature ninja figures marking the battlefields between Konoha and Iwagakure, as well as Konoha and Kirigakure.
"This is Sunagakure's only viable path if they want to infiltrate quietly and unleash a Tailed Beast," Orochimaru said, pointing at the Land of Rivers.
A Konoha ninja spoke up thoughtfully. "Lord Orochimaru, if Sunagakure forms alliances with Iwagakure or Kirigakure, entering from here would allow them to support both battlefields at any time, wouldn't it?"
"Yes," Orochimaru replied. "Which is why this is where we set the ambush."
He continued, "The Iburi Clan's Smoke Transformation is ideal for assassination. Once Sunagakure reaches this point, they'll have a chance to infiltrate the Jinchuriki's body and force him to commit suicide."
"If that fails," Orochimaru added calmly, "I'll kill him myself."
Although he had once considered capturing Shukaku to study Magnet Release, the battlefield was far too dangerous for sealing experiments. Eliminating Bunbuku took priority.
"Tsunade," Orochimaru said, "if we fail to kill the Jinchuriki immediately, you'll be our backup."
Tsunade cracked her knuckles. "Leave killing that old monk to me. You're better suited to preparing antidotes."
Orochimaru nodded. "Very well. Any objections?"
A ninja stepped forward. "I can lie in wait underground and conceal my presence completely."
"Do it," Orochimaru said. "As long as the Jinchuriki dies, use whatever method you deem appropriate."
---
Led by Chiyo, Sunagakure's forces crossed from the Land of Rivers into the Land of Fire.
At a certain point, Chiyo paused, then decisively ordered a detachment to escort Bunbuku toward the battlefield between Konoha and Kirigakure.
At that moment, thin smoke drifted through the air.
Chiyo's eyes narrowed. "Wind Release! Disperse that smoke!"
Orochimaru frowned slightly. The Iburi Clan ninja had been discovered too quickly.
A powerful gale swept through the area, but the smoke did not scatter. Instead, it clung together and surged straight toward Bunbuku.
"Stronger Wind Release!" Chiyo shouted.
The smoke condensed into a humanoid form—an Iburi Clan assassin attempting to invade Bunbuku's body.
Kunai and shuriken passed straight through him.
Before he could retreat, a web-like Wind Release technique struck, forcing his body to solidify. He screamed as a white-robed figure appeared and whisked him away.
Chiyo gritted her teeth.
The Flying Thunder God Technique.
Konoha already knew.
At that instant, a figure burst from the ground. A kunai stabbed into Bunbuku's back.
Hato.
Steel wire snapped tight around Hato's neck. With a sharp pull, Chiyo severed his head.
Bunbuku closed his eyes, pressing his palms together.
Rather than become a butcher, he would rather die.
Lightning flashed.
Tsunade appeared before him, her fist smashing into his chest like a falling mountain.
Blood sprayed.
Bunbuku was sent flying.
Before Tsunade could finish him, crimson chakra erupted.
Shukaku's power surged forth, partially transforming the body.
The One-Tail had awakened.
Chiyo was far from pleased. She had never intended for her plan to collapse in this manner, nor was she willing to let the situation slip beyond her control so easily.
Before she could issue another command, a large number of Konoha ninja suddenly appeared, spreading out swiftly and surrounding the Sunagakure forces.
"So you intend to keep us here?" Chiyo sneered coldly. "Then let us see whether you have the ability to do so."
She unfurled a purple parchment with a sharp snap of her wrist. The characters sealed within seemed to stir with life, rising into the air before solidifying one by one. In the blink of an eye, ten distinct puppets emerged and took formation around her, each emanating a chilling pressure.
"White Secret Technique: Chikamatsu's Ten Puppets!"
"This… this is Lady Chiyo's White Secret Technique!"
The Sunagakure ninja stared in shock and awe. The Chikamatsu Ten Puppets—masterpieces created by Monzaemon Chikamatsu, the father of puppetry—were legends to them. Most had only ever heard the name spoken in reverent whispers. Never had they imagined witnessing the technique with their own eyes.
"Attack!"
With a single gesture from Chiyo, all ten puppets moved simultaneously.
"Yes, Lady Chiyo!"
Puppet masters manipulated their constructs with flawless coordination. Wind Release users raised their three-star fans, while Sunagakure ninja gripping kunai charged forward, launching a coordinated assault toward the Konoha forces.
"Wind Release: Night Wind!"
Orochimaru brought his fingers together and swept his arm forward. Converging air currents spiraled violently, forming a deadly whirlwind. Several Sunagakure ninja were caught before they could react, their bodies shredded and flung aside, blood spraying across the battlefield.
The pupils of the remaining Sunagakure ninja constricted in shock.
Orochimaru twisted aside, narrowly avoiding a poisoned senbon. From his left and right, two puppets clad in white robes advanced.
The blue-faced puppet lunged first, iron whips bursting from its head and snapping toward Orochimaru with lethal precision. At the same time, a female puppet wielding two massive swords spun like a top, the blades carving deadly arcs through the air.
Chiyo's eyes darted rapidly. Controlling ten puppets at once, she directed each to a different target. Every weapon, every blade, every concealed mechanism was coated with her carefully refined poison.
Clang!
Sparks flew as the twin swords struck Orochimaru's white robe.
He lifted his arm slightly. Several pale snakes shot forth from his sleeve, coiling instantly around the iron whips before wrapping tightly around the blue-faced puppet.
As the female puppet slashed at the snakes, a shrill creaking sound rang out from the trapped construct.
"Hmph."
Orochimaru channeled Yang Release chakra into his arm. Veins bulged as he stepped forward and punched.
Boom!
The female puppet shattered into fragments.
The white snakes tightened their coils, crushing the blue-faced puppet until it collapsed into splintered debris.
"What kind of power…?"
A fleeting look of astonishment crossed Chiyo's face, quickly replaced by grim focus.
"If the puppet's material were replaced with something more durable… would that improve the puppeteer's performance?" Orochimaru mused, glancing at the shattered remains on the ground. "An exoskeleton, perhaps?"
He shook his head almost immediately.
"No. I don't have the time or energy for that right now."
His gaze shifted toward the distant battlefield.
"Tsunade… this chakra… Shukaku?"
"Did Shukaku emerge after Bunbuku lost consciousness?"
He clicked his tongue softly.
"I should have reminded Tsunade to aim for the head. Even in chaos, that would not have given Shukaku a chance to manifest."
"Wind Release: Night Wind!"
Orochimaru raised his hand again. The whirlwind surrounding him surged outward, deflecting a rain of poisoned shuriken.
"Ibuki Eisei!"
With a sharp wave of his hands, the storm of wind rushed toward Chiyo.
An ox-headed puppet immediately moved to shield her, extending its arms. Mechanisms within activated, forming a chakra barrier that blocked the tornado head-on.
"As expected of Sunagakure's strongest puppeteer," Orochimaru remarked calmly.
More puppets closed in, their bodies faintly crackling with lightning.
"That chakra…" Chiyo's eyes narrowed. "The same jutsu Tsunade used earlier."
Boom—boom—boom!
From afar came thunderous roars. As Shukaku seized control of Bunbuku's body, dozens of mouths opened across its form, inhaling vast quantities of air in unison.
"Wind Release: Drilling Air Projectile!"
Dozens of compressed wind spheres shot toward Tsunade from multiple directions.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
Tsunade formed seals rapidly. A wall of water erupted from her mouth, spinning around her in a protective ring.
Shukaku inhaled deeply and spat forth a massive wind sphere that tore straight through the water wall.
Water pooled on the ground, forming Water Clones that attacked Ichibi from all sides.
With a sweep of its tail, Shukaku dispersed them effortlessly.
Tsunade leapt from the air, lifting her leg high before slamming it down with terrifying force.
Shukaku crossed its arms to block, its palms swelling to an enormous size.
Boom!
The impact drove Shukaku straight into the ground.
Twisting her body, Tsunade generated power through her waist and kicked toward Shukaku's head.
Crack!
A tail burst from the ground, striking Tsunade and sending her flying. A flicker of surprise flashed in Shukaku's eyes; with its strength, that strike should have pierced her body completely.
Tsunade's battle armor was twisted and broken. She tore it off and flung it aside, revealing a bloodied abdomen beneath. Had she not reinforced herself with Yang Release chakra, the blow would have been fatal.
"Lady Tsunade, are you all right?"
Katsuyu examined the wound anxiously, knowing it could not be healed at her current size.
"I'm fine," Tsunade replied quickly. "It just looks worse than it is. Katsuyu—don't tell Orochimaru!"
She healed herself at once, casting Katsuyu a warning glance. Facing Shukaku was preferable to enduring Orochimaru's anger.
"Are you really that afraid of him?" Katsuyu muttered quietly. She thought Orochimaru treated Tsunade less like a comrade and more like a cherished child—but she wisely kept that thought to herself.
On the other side of the battlefield…
Chiyo had initially believed she would not need all ten puppets to deal with Orochimaru.
Reality proved her terribly mistaken.
Despite relentless attacks and poisoned weapons, Orochimaru remained unscathed. Even a single scratch should have incapacitated him.
Her fingers moved faster.
The poisoned Konoha ninja did not lose their combat ability.
"An antidote?"
Chiyo glanced at the syringes on the ground, suspicion flaring.
"Has my poison leaked?"
Her mind immediately turned to the possibility of a traitor within Sunagakure.
"Unfortunately," Orochimaru said lightly, "the antidote isn't as effective as you imagine—but it's not useless either."
His gaze shifted.
"Tsunade!"
His pupils contracted as the Yin Seal on his abdomen released sage chakra. In an instant, he entered Sage Mode.
"White Snake Scale Blade!"
A massive white serpent tail lashed out, shattering five attacking puppets in a storm of debris.
"What is that?!"
Chiyo stared in disbelief as the enormous tail shrank and fell away. It did not resemble a summoned creature—it looked as though it had emerged from Orochimaru himself.
"I'll leave this to you," Orochimaru said to his comrades. "If too many are poisoned, retreat first."
Chiyo retrieved the damaged puppets. They could be repaired. Producing another scroll, she released ordinary puppets to continue the battle.
Elsewhere—
Shukaku's body expanded fully, transforming into its complete tailed beast form.
A colossal tanuki emerged, dwarfing the forest itself.
"Is this… a tailed beast?" Tsunade whispered.
"Doesn't its tail look like a fish?" Orochimaru remarked dryly.
"Don't joke at a time like this!" Tsunade snapped, striking his arm.
Both Sunagakure and Konoha ninja froze, staring in silent awe at the mountain-sized monster.
"This is Ichibi's true form…"
Chiyo's expression darkened.
If Shukaku had appeared on any other battlefield, it would not have mattered.
But here—between Sunagakure and Konoha—it was a disaster waiting to happen.
Ha! It's been a long time since this old man came out for fresh air! You'll be the first ones I kill!"
Shukaku's massive body towered over the battlefield as he looked down at Orochimaru and Tsunade. His monstrous grin widened, and as he opened his mouth, two distinct chakra currents began to merge.
Blue Yang-attribute sage chakra and dark red Yin-attribute sage chakra swirled together violently, compressing into a dense, purplish-black sphere.
Tsunade's expression changed instantly.
"What is that?!"
The sheer density of chakra compressed within the sphere made her heart tighten.
"A Tailed Beast Ball," Orochimaru said calmly.
The next second, Shukaku roared and launched it.
The Tailed Beast Ball tore through the air, warping space with its sheer destructive power. If it exploded here, everyone on the battlefield—Suna and Konoha alike—would be annihilated.
Bunbuku was unconscious. Even if the blast wiped out friend and foe indiscriminately, he would never know.
And Shukaku?
He was a natural disaster given form. Why would he care about human lives?
Orochimaru stepped forward, placing himself between Tsunade and the incoming attack. His hands moved instantly.
A massive Flying Thunder God formula unfolded in front of him like a spreading net of light.
The Tailed Beast Ball vanished.
In the distant desert of the Land of Wind, an enormous explosion bloomed like a second sun.
When Orochimaru had once visited Sunagakure, he had casually left behind a Flying Thunder God marking. He never imagined it would save thousands of lives one day.
He had no other choice.
He had even been forced to use the Flying Thunder God: Guiding Thunder technique.
Far away, the people of Rōran watched in horror as a blinding flash erupted beyond the horizon, followed by a shockwave that rattled the desert sands.
Shukaku's eyes widened.
"Where is my Tailed Beast Ball?!"
It had disappeared right before his eyes.
Then rage replaced shock.
"Fine! I'll make another!"
He began gathering chakra again.
But this time, Orochimaru did not allow him the chance.
"Sage Art: White Snake Scale Blade!"
Under the amplification of sage chakra, the white serpent tail extending from Orochimaru's body elongated and hardened. Its scales lifted slightly, each edge gleaming like sharpened steel.
Orochimaru twisted his body—
The serpent tail lashed out and slammed into Shukaku's jaw.
Shukaku howled in pain. The incomplete Tailed Beast Ball in his mouth destabilized—
Boom!
Even unfinished, its explosion was catastrophic.
The nearest Suna and Konoha ninja were blasted off their feet. Sand, water, and debris filled the sky.
When the dust settled, survivors crawled up from the ground in shock.
Chiyo stared at the distant Shukaku, her face pale.
She had known Tailed Beasts were powerful.
She had not expected this.
If that first Tailed Beast Ball had exploded here…
Her heart clenched.
Not only Konoha—Sunagakure's own forces would have been wiped out.
Cracks spread across a massive rock shell nearby.
It shattered.
Orochimaru and Tsunade stepped out from within.
"Orochimaru, are you alright?" Tsunade asked.
He had used high-level techniques repeatedly. Even she knew how draining that would be.
"The Yin Seal still contains plenty of sage chakra," he replied calmly.
He bit his finger.
"Summoning Technique!"
Smoke exploded outward.
A massive serpent figure appeared.
"Lady Orochimaru," the serpent said, its voice low and controlled. "I sense the presence of a Tailed Beast."
Void.
The artificial being Orochimaru had created.
The "Zero" once carved into his mask-like face had long been erased at his own request—a symbol of his rejection of the artificial Tailed Beast identity forced upon him.
Tsunade studied him briefly.
So this was a serpent from Ryūchi Cave…
Shukaku narrowed his eyes.
The chakra emanating from Void felt disturbingly similar to that of the Nine-Tails.
It disgusted him.
Void opened his jagged mouth slightly.
"Lady Orochimaru, may I eat it?"
"You may try," Orochimaru shrugged. "If you can."
Shukaku roared in fury.
"Ugly creature! You dare speak of eating me?!"
Void paused.
After a moment, he shook his head.
"Too ugly. I don't want to."
Instinctively, he resisted the idea. Devouring Shukaku might strengthen him—but it would forever bind him to the identity he despised.
Natural energy was far purer.
He would follow Orochimaru's greater design instead.
"Orochimaru, I'm going to the battlefield," Tsunade said suddenly.
"Stay."
His tone was quiet.
"If I stay, I'll only slow you down!"
Lightning burst from her body. In a flash of Lightning Release: Lightning Stimulation, she vanished.
Shukaku roared.
"I'll kill you all! Wind Release: Sand Bullet!"
Countless compressed sand projectiles rained down.
Void extended numerous arms from his body, blocking every attack directed at Orochimaru.
"Then how about this?!"
The ground beneath Shukaku liquefied into sand.
A massive sand tsunami surged forward.
"Sage Art: Water Release – Colliding Wave!"
Orochimaru leapt onto Void's head. His hands blurred.
An enormous torrent erupted from his mouth, forming a towering wave that crashed against the sand tsunami.
Water and sand mixed violently.
Moments later, a vast lake had formed—submerging Shukaku halfway.
Suna and Konoha ninja retreated again and again, stunned.
This was beyond conventional ninjutsu.
Meanwhile, Tsunade arrived near the regrouping forces.
To her surprise, Konoha and Suna ninja had temporarily ceased fighting.
"Konoha's little princess," Chiyo said calmly, "this is not the moment to decide victory."
The true battlefield was elsewhere.
"Void," Orochimaru said, "buy me time. I'll prepare a sealing technique."
He had no intention of prolonging this fight.
"Understood."
Void moved across the water's surface at astonishing speed, extending his limbs to bind Shukaku.
"Wind Release: Drilling Air Bullet!"
Shukaku opened mouths across his body, firing compressed wind spheres relentlessly.
Void twisted and stretched, dodging while tightening his grip.
"Let me go! I'll kill you all!"
Shukaku began forming another Tailed Beast Ball.
Even incomplete, it would be lethal.
"Four Symbols Seal!"
Orochimaru slammed his palm onto Shukaku's head.
Sealing formulas spread rapidly across the Tailed Beast's body.
The forming Tailed Beast Ball dispersed.
Shukaku roared unwillingly as his massive form shrank.
"Retreat!" Chiyo ordered immediately.
She understood perfectly.
Once Shukaku was sealed, they would be next.
Suna ninja withdrew without hesitation.
Tsunade moved to pursue—
But Katsuyu's voice stopped her.
"Lady Tsunade, Orochimaru does not want pursuit. We already hold the most valuable hostage. And the antidote's effectiveness is limited."
The poisoned Konoha ninja could not afford extended combat.
Tsunade clenched her fists—but stood down.
"Good work, Void."
Orochimaru descended from the serpent's head, holding the unconscious Bunbuku by the collar.
"Lady Orochimaru… Tailed Beasts aren't that impressive," Void said.
Orochimaru glanced at him coolly.
"As if I didn't seal you once before."
Void fell silent and vanished in smoke.
Orochimaru lifted Bunbuku easily and began walking back.
How to handle this old monk would be Sarutobi-sensei's headache.
Shukaku was invaluable to Sunagakure.
Without him, and having failed their attack, Suna would have little choice but negotiation—unless the Third Kazekage personally led another war.
Redeem Shukaku with money?
Given Sunagakure's finances…
That would be difficult.
"Orochimaru, how is he?" Tsunade asked, stepping close.
"Alive," he replied. "A very important prisoner."
As Shukaku's jinchūriki, Bunbuku was worth more than Chiyo's entire force.
"Lady Orochimaru!" the Konoha ninja called excitedly.
"We'll prepare antidotes first," Orochimaru said. "Then we return to Konoha—with him."
It had been fortunate that he and Tsunade were assigned here.
Otherwise, Sunagakure's plan might have succeeded.
At the temporary medical camp, medical ninja rushed forward, guiding poisoned shinobi into tents.
Orochimaru approached the captain of the logistics unit.
"Furofuki, prepare a tent. I need to examine Tsunade."
Furofuki glanced at Tsunade's torn clothing and the blood staining her abdomen.
"I'll arrange it immediately."
Inside the tent, Tsunade hesitated.
"Orochimaru… I…"
"You overextended," he said calmly. "Sit."
For once, she did not argue.
Outside, the war had paused.
But the true battle—political, strategic, and economic—had only just begun.
And Konoha now held the strongest bargaining chip of all.
A Tailed Beast.
sunade wanted to say she was fine, but the look in Orochimaru's eyes stopped her from finishing those words.
Inside the medical tent, she lay on a temporary bed, her face slightly flushed as she watched Orochimaru carefully examine her. His hands pressed gently against her abdomen while his other palm touched her forehead, checking her temperature and chakra flow.
Warm currents of medical chakra flowed through her body. The sensation made her breathing subtly quicken.
"Does anything hurt?" Orochimaru asked softly.
His tone was calm, but his eyes were filled with concern.
"I'm fine," Tsunade replied quickly. "They're only superficial wounds. I'm a Medical Ninja, remember?"
She sat up suddenly, unable to suppress the joy in her heart. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she buried her face against his neck, inhaling his familiar scent.
"If you're truly fine," Orochimaru said after a pause, "then let's analyze Chiyo's poison and complete the antidote. After that, we'll return to Konoha."
He gently pulled her up and held her hand as they stepped outside.
"And we're bringing that old monk too, aren't we?" Tsunade muttered reluctantly.
Their rare moment alone had been interrupted by the gleaming bald head of Bunbuku.
"We can't leave him behind," Orochimaru replied with a faint smile. "Just bear with it."
"I've been bearing with it for a long time…" Tsunade puffed her cheeks slightly.
The man she loved was right beside her every day, yet she had to restrain herself constantly. The most intimate thing they did was sleep in the same space.
How was that any different from before?
They were surrounded by people even during rest. She had to maintain her mature, composed image instead of acting spoiled.
When will this war finally end?
Frustration burned in her chest.
Then she suddenly thought of Hyuga Mio and Uchiha Hikari, who had to face Orochimaru's shadow clone back home.
Her mood instantly improved.
At least she was with the real Orochimaru every day.
Orochimaru noticed the rapid shift in her expression.
"Tsunade," he whispered near her ear.
Her face flushed bright red. She shook her head quickly.
Bunbuku had regained consciousness and now sat quietly with his hands clasped together. The Konoha ninja guarding him did not relax for a single moment. Any abnormal movement would immediately be reported.
Inside his mental world, Shukaku roared in frustration.
Bound by chains formed from the Four Symbols Seal, the One-Tail struggled uselessly.
"Monk, don't you want to escape?" Shukaku sneered. "Chiyo abandoned you without hesitation! Hahaha!"
Its voice dripped with mockery, hoping to provoke sorrow or anger.
Bunbuku remained calm.
"This is my fate," he replied slowly. "But it should not be yours."
He was relieved he had not caused a massacre on the battlefield. Yet because of that, he had become Konoha's prisoner.
He did not want Shukaku to suffer alongside him.
"Orochimaru sealed me so easily!" Shukaku growled. "If that arrogant fox finds out, she'll never stop mocking me!"
Bunbuku simply closed his eyes.
"Lady Chiyo retreated because she had no choice. Orochimaru is one of Konoha's Sannin. It was the correct decision."
There was no resentment in his voice.
Shukaku fell silent, irritated by Bunbuku's serenity.
Why was it so difficult to anger this monk?
With Tsunade's assistance, Orochimaru quickly neutralized Chiyo's poison and finalized an antidote formula. The preparation was handed over to the logistics medical unit.
Soon after, they began their journey back to Konoha—with Bunbuku in custody.
The Blue Snake glided swiftly through the forest, its massive body cutting through trees like a silent river. Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Bunbuku sat upon its back.
Tsunade glanced at the monk sitting motionless with folded hands.
He truly is obedient…
Suppressing a yawn, she leaned into Orochimaru's arms.
"Are you tired?" he asked gently, wrapping an arm around her waist.
"Mm."
She nodded and adjusted into a more comfortable position against his chest. The rhythmic movement of the Blue Snake felt like a lullaby.
She fell asleep quickly.
Orochimaru lowered his head and kissed her forehead lightly. Then he shifted his gaze to Bunbuku.
"Bunbuku," he asked quietly, "do you harbor any resentment toward Sunagakure or the Third Kazekage?"
Bunbuku opened his eyes in mild surprise.
His name was rarely spoken these days—even in his own village.
"How do you know me?" he asked.
"We've met before," Orochimaru replied. "This is not our first encounter."
Recognition dawned in Bunbuku's eyes.
"You… are that researcher."
Years ago, a man had visited him in prison, seeking cooperation in studying Tailed Beasts and Jinchuriki.
Orochimaru smiled faintly.
"Have you found what you were searching for?" Bunbuku asked.
"My research on separating a Tailed Beast from its Jinchuriki while preserving the host's life is complete."
Bunbuku genuinely smiled.
"Congratulations."
"If the Third Kazekage hadn't sent you to the battlefield," Orochimaru continued, "we might never have met again. So tell me—do you truly feel no resentment?"
Bunbuku was silent for a long time.
"Perhaps I once did," he admitted. "But resentment fades with time… just as my name has faded."
"You see suffering as training?"
Orochimaru tossed him a small food pack.
"Eat. I have no desire to be accused of mistreating a prisoner."
"Thank you."
Bunbuku accepted the food calmly.
Tsunade's eyelids fluttered. She had heard everything.
Orochimaru had researched saving a Jinchuriki's life…
Was it for her grandmother—the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, whose body had weakened with age?
The thought lingered quietly in her heart.
Upon returning to Konoha, Bunbuku was handed over to ANBU custody.
Before Orochimaru and Tsunade even entered the command center, raised voices echoed from inside.
"The Hidden Sand sent their Jinchuriki to the battlefield! Why can't we use theirs in return?" Koharu's voice rang sharply.
"Koharu, calm down," Hiruzen replied. "He is our prisoner. We cannot send a prisoner into battle."
A loud slam echoed.
"Hiruzen! Have you forgotten Konoha's current situation? Are you still clinging to ideals at a time like this?"
The guards outside nearly wept when they saw Orochimaru and Tsunade.
"Lady Orochimaru! Lady Tsunade!"
They opened the doors eagerly.
The room fell silent.
Hiruzen stood immediately, relief evident on his face.
"Orochimaru. Tsunade. You're back."
Orochimaru observed everyone carefully.
Koharu. Homura. Danzo.
The atmosphere was tense.
Tsunade placed a hand on her hip.
"We heard your argument."
Koharu spoke first.
"We were discussing how to utilize the One-Tail Jinchuriki. Send him to the Hidden Mist Village. Let Shukaku cause destruction and give Konoha an advantage."
Homura nodded. "It would quickly shift the balance."
Danzo's eyes were colder.
"If Ichibi devastates Kirigakure, we could even launch a counteroffensive."
Orochimaru listened quietly.
"Your strategies sound effective," he said calmly. "But you've overlooked two critical factors."
He raised two fingers.
"First—the relationship between a Tailed Beast and its Jinchuriki. Second—the fact that Bunbuku belongs to Sunagakure, not Konoha."
Silence filled the room.
"Why would he obey our orders?" Orochimaru continued. "Bunbuku is a perfect Jinchuriki. Only the Mangekyo Sharingan could fully control him—and no such eyes exist in Konoha currently."
He let the weight of his words settle.
"If forced, he might choose death. And if he dies, Shukaku dies with him."
The implications were clear.
Their plan had been flawed from the beginning.
Even cooperation between the Yamanaka and Uchiha clans would not suffice.
Control was not that simple.
The room fell into deep silence.
Koharu slowly clenched her fists.
They had been so focused on strategy that they had forgotten the fundamental issue.
Control.
Orochimaru folded his hands calmly behind his back.
"Before discussing how to use him, we should ask whether he can be used at all."
The argument that had seemed so heated moments ago now felt hollow.
Meaningless.