Orochimaru wasn't exaggerating. Bunbuku was a perfect Jinchuriki, and his suppression of Shukaku was very, very minimal. Shukaku could even emerge without Bunbuku's consent if he truly wished to.
She discovered this when she sealed Shukaku with the Four Symbols Sealing. Otherwise, Shukaku wouldn't have been able to immediately take over after Bunbuku lost consciousness.
"Is there no way to utilize the One-Tail Jinchuriki?"
Utatane Koharu asked, unwilling to give up.
"Lady Koharu, you should give up on that idea."
Orochimaru spread her hands, indicating she had no solution, and even if she did, she wouldn't say it.
She fundamentally disagreed with using Tailed Beast as weapons, so why would she wholeheartedly help the Konoha Higher-Ups?
This matter wasn't her concern to begin with; her willingness to help analyze it was already quite good.
If Bunbuku wasn't a perfect Jinchuriki, Utatane Koharu's idea might have been feasible. Unfortunately, Bunbuku was a perfect Jinchuriki; as long as he wanted, he could perfectly use Shukaku's power.
"It seems we can only wait for Sunagakure's reaction."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile, feeling somewhat vindicated. Before Orochimaru and Tsunade returned, he had disagreed with Koharu and the others' proposals, but they had pressured him relentlessly, which had really stifled him.
Utatane Koharu turned her head away. After arguing for so long, their proposal turned out to be useless. This feeling was incredibly frustrating.
"Hiruzen Sensei, please take good care of the One-Tail Jinchuriki. His physical condition is not good. If the Jinchuriki dies, the Tailed Beast will also die. The lives of the Jinchuriki and the Tailed Beast are linked by the Seal."
Orochimaru reminded him before leaving the command center.
From a personal perspective, Orochimaru still hoped Bunbuku would receive good care, as he had helped her during her research on Tailed Beast and Jinchuriki.
Previously, not killing Bunbuku would have led to severe consequences, in addition to being an order from the Konoha Higher-Ups.
Now it was different. Bunbuku was already Konoha's prisoner, and the Konoha Higher-Ups had abandoned the idea of using him. She could still manage to get him some preferential treatment.
Walking on the street after a long time, Tsunade looked at Orochimaru beside her, quickened her pace, took her hand, and asked, "Orochimaru, do you truly have no solution?"
"Why do you ask?"
Orochimaru held Tsunade's hand and retorted.
"I just have a feeling you do, Orochimaru."
Tsunade didn't know why she thought that; she just had a feeling.
"Yes."
Orochimaru admitted she had a solution, and not just one.
For example, changing the Sealing Technique on Bunbuku to a Seal that would release after a certain period. When Bunbuku neared Hidden Mist Village and the time was right, the Seal would automatically release.
Multiple Uchiha with Three-Tomoe Sharingan could simultaneously cast genjutsu to put Shukaku to sleep, then use a Curse Mark to control Bunbuku's actions. Once in Hidden Mist Village, they would actively release the Seal and unleash Shukaku.
Shukaku would wake up in Hidden Mist Village, and facing the Hidden Mist Ninja's attacks, it would be impossible for it not to retaliate.
There were many ways to utilize Bunbuku and Shukaku; Orochimaru just didn't want to say them.
"Why? Do you dislike using Tailed Beast as weapons of war?"
Tsunade looked at Orochimaru's profile. She had a feeling she was against Konoha using Tailed Beast because of Grandma Mito.
"Not only that, don't forget your grandmother, Grandma Mito, is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. If Hiruzen Sensei and the others truly use Bunbuku to heavily damage Hidden Mist, other Various Ninja Villages will also consider using Tailed Beast in the same way. By then…"
Orochimaru didn't continue, but it was certain that if the war reached that point, to protect the Konoha that Senju Hashirama loved, Grandma Mito would definitely agree to use the Nine-Tailed's power on the battlefield.
All of this was Senju Hashirama's doing, and he was even called the God of Shinobi.
Orochimaru, thinking of those frustrating matters, disliked Senju Hashirama even more and also had some criticisms for Senju Tobirama.
Why didn't you properly advise your elder brother?
"I knew you were thinking that!"
Tsunade kissed Orochimaru's cheek and jumped to hang on her back.
"Orochimaru, I'm tired, carry me home!"
"Tsunade, have you forgotten what kind of clothes you're wearing right now? With you on my back, from behind, you look like a toad, and one with a very prominent butt."
Orochimaru said helplessly, looking at the pouting Tsunade. Carrying her home was fine, if she didn't care about her image.
"Then… then let's not…"
Tsunade, imagining herself clinging to Orochimaru's back like a toad, shook her head repeatedly, feeling utterly mortified.
Ding-dong, ding-dong—!
Tsunade quickly pressed the doorbell, wanting nothing more than to get inside, take a shower, and rest properly.
Click—!
Hyuga Mio, dressed in loungewear, opened the door. Seeing Orochimaru and Tsunade, her white eyes widened slightly. Her soft black hair was tied up, revealing her fair, slender neck.
"Orochimaru, Tsunade, welcome home."
Hyuga Mio's gaze fell on Orochimaru, looking at her gently. A rare smile appeared on her usually expressionless face, as if she were a wife who had finally waited for her husband to return home.
"I'm home."
Orochimaru smiled faintly.
So… so annoying… Tsunade's fists clenched. She had to admit that when it came to femininity, she really couldn't compare to Hyuga Mio.
Land of Wind
In the endless desert, fierce winds stirred up yellow sand. Chiyo led the somewhat dejected Sunagakure forces on their way back to Hidden Sand Village. They saw a massive crater blasted out by a Tailed Beast Ball in the desert. At the edge of the huge pit, melted sand formed a thick layer of glass.
Is this the power of a Tailed Beast Ball… Chiyo looked at the vast, huge crater with shock all over her face.
"When did such a big pit appear here?"
"The sand melted. How was that done?"
"Fire Release can't do that, can it?!"
The Suna Ninja looked at the massive crater in astonishment.
"Alright, we need to hurry back to the Village."
Chiyo's expression was grim as she led everyone to continue their journey.
This operation had failed, and Hidden Sand Village had lost Bunbuku, the One-Tail Jinchuriki. The responsibility lay entirely with her. If she hadn't failed to execute the plan, how would Bunbuku have become Konoha's captive?
Chiyo was mentally prepared to bear all the responsibility.
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