chapter 89 part 5
"Hmph, you can't blame me for this. It's all because the Jinchuriki you found for me was too weak! Weak in strength and weak in willpower. He can't even figure out the meaning of his own existence now. The Iron Armor Seal you set up is also a joke. If he doesn't die now, I'll definitely kill him later."
The Eight-Tails snorted disdainfully: "Quickly prepare a new toy for me. I hope the next Jinchuriki can be a bit more durable, and not get killed after I mess with them a few times."
It truly looked down on someone like Burubi. If it had a chance to directly kill him, it would have been more convenient. This time, it was a lucky accident. Through sheer exhaustion, Burubi collapsed under the unbearable strain.
Every time a Tailed Beast rampages, the Jinchuriki has to bear an enormous physical burden. Don't assume Jinchuriki can quickly recover stamina and injuries; that's only when the Tailed Beast isn't rampaging.
When Naruto fought Orochimaru at Tenchi Bridge, he merely entered Partial Tailed Beast Transformation, only having four tails behind him. After releasing Partial Tailed Beast Transformation, his entire body's skin festered terribly, and he fell into a coma.
Burubi this time had undergone Complete Tailed Beast Transformation. The Eight-Tails' entire mass was borne by Burubi. Furthermore, the Eight-Tails didn't get along with Burubi, making it even less likely to consider Burubi's physical condition. It would only unleash its power recklessly.
"Damn it... Don't worry, I will definitely kill the culprit and avenge you," A said decisively.
The Third Raikage raised his head: "Immediately prepare to Release the Jutsu Formula, seal the Eight-Tails back into the Amber Purifying Pot. At the same time, begin selecting a suitable Vessel. This time, we must choose the most suitable one!"
...
"This time, Burubi is probably dead for sure. It's a pity I can't retrieve his corpse."
Tsukasa Kaede reappeared, feeling a slight regret. This was the first thing he said.
Orochimaru had been waiting for a long time. Poisonous Snakes slithered continuously on his body. Looking at the reappearing Tsukasa Kaede, he said hoarsely: "It's over now. It seems something interesting happened on your end. You even lost an eye... What exactly happened? Couldn't you let me see it with my own eyes?"
"Didn't you already find out through your Summoning creatures? Did you just summon these snakes back?"
"That's different. I can't precisely know what the Zombies perceive, unlike how Tsukasa-kun controls them. These snakes can only give me general Intel. For instance, I know that the corpse Tsukasa-kun last summoned seems to be a very remarkable fellow. But who exactly is it?"
Orochimaru was somewhat excited. The more he interacted with Tsukasa Kaede, the more secrets he always discovered hidden within Tsukasa Kaede. But this was a good sign, meaning he was continuously deciphering the Intel surrounding Tsukasa Kaede.
"One day, I will gather enough Intel," Orochimaru thought.
Orochimaru leaned against a rock. "I calmly thought for a moment just now and remembered something interesting. Lady Mito's remains were sent back to the Village by you. But the corpse of the powerful enemy who forced Lady Mito to use the Reaper Death Seal, is missing..."
"Oh, it was destroyed by the Nine-Tails. If you have time, go ask the Nine-Tails." Tsukasa Kaede's expression remained unchanged.
"Even for me, it's not good to casually approach the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, lest the Third Hokage becomes displeased. Currently, only you have this convenience. The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is only interested in you for now."
*Slurp.*
Orochimaru stuck out his tongue and licked.
Tsukasa Kaede was noncommittal. This was indeed true.
At this time, Kushina had few friends, and no one she was even familiar with. At this point, she completely looked down on Minato Namikaze.
In Kushina's perception, Minato Namikaze was merely a guy who, when she was beating up male classmates, liked to hide in the shadows and watch. Gentle and mild-mannered, like a girl.
Perhaps Minato Namikaze gaining fame during the Second Great Ninja War could somewhat change Kushina's opinion, but it wouldn't cause a fundamental change.
The true qualitative change occurred when Hidden Cloud Village, after Burubi's death, deeply learned its lesson and searched the entire Shinobi World for a more excellent Vessel. Then some 'genius' set their sights on Kushina. It was bad enough they made a move, but the crucial point was they actually kidnapped Kushina from Hidden Leaf Village!
One must know, in the original Timeline, this year, Konoha Year 41, when Kushina was kidnapped by Hidden Cloud Village, the Shinobi World's strongest Sensor Ninja, Mito Uzumaki, was still alive, yet there was no reaction whatsoever. The Third Hokage and others were like dead, as if they paid no attention to this designated next Jinchuriki.
At that time, Minato Namikaze was the only one in the entire Hidden Leaf Village who noticed Kushina had been kidnapped. So, he set out alone, following the strands of red hair Kushina had secretly plucked and dropped, successfully catching up, and single-handedly killed three Kumogakure Jonin. He rescued Kushina under the moonlight.
"Hmm, a classic hero-saves-the-damsel-in-distress, followed by the damsel offering herself in return scenario. From then on, Kushina felt a sense of belonging to Hidden Leaf Village, and gained a second person she cared about besides Mito Uzumaki."
The following year, Konoha Year 42, after Mito Uzumaki passed away peacefully, Kushina successfully became the second Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Minato Namikaze also gradually became the Fourth Hokage. No matter how you looked at it, it was a very good script: a beautiful love story between a Civilian-born Fourth Hokage and his Jinchuriki wife. It was truly killing many birds with one stone.
"The only problem was too many bugs. And they were very clumsy. The biggest bug was Mito Uzumaki's complete lack of reaction."
With Kushina's brain, she probably wouldn't discover the problem here in her entire life.
"So, even though Hidden Cloud Village is mostly muscular men, they wouldn't have trained their brains into muscle. I will certainly be among the people they suspect, and they will be on guard against me... What will you do after that?"
Tsukasa Kaede felt things were becoming interesting. This Timeline was gradually deviating from its original trajectory. It would be vastly different from the Anime Timeline, Manga Timeline, Dragon Veins Timeline, and the Timeline where Urashiki of the Otsutsuki Clan traveled using the Ōtsutsuki treasure 'Plow'.
What it would deviate into in the future, Tsukasa Kaede himself couldn't say for sure. But he would continue down his own path, until the end of time.
"Let's go, Orochimaru. In any case, you've worked hard this trip. I got what I wanted and witnessed the Eight-Tails' power."
Tsukasa Kaede straightened the hem of his upper garment, covering several Summoning Scrolls at his waist.
"Tsukasa-kun, although we haven't been together for long, we are compatible collaborators. No need to be so polite; we simply take what we need. I will have to ask favors of you in the future," Orochimaru chuckled deeply. "Are we returning to Hidden Leaf Village now?"