Outside Konoha, on an empty stretch of grassland far from the village, Shukaku had returned to his original size and was currently locked in battle with Kushina, who had transformed into the Nine-Tails itself.
Thanks to Shukaku's relentless taunting, Kushina and Kurama, who shared the same goal for the moment, had formed a temporary mental link. Through that connection, Kushina managed to use the full Tailed Beast transformation that only a perfect jinchuriki should have been capable of.
Against Kurama fighting at full strength, and with Kushina's sealing jutsu supporting him, Shukaku was pushed into a disadvantage without the slightest suspense.
To be fair, even though Shukaku had the fewest tails among the nine Tailed Beasts, the One-Tail had developed Wind Release, Magnet Release, and sealing techniques to a very high level. Among the Tailed Beasts, his overall strength was definitely not at the bottom.
If this had been a desert, with the terrain on his side, Shukaku might truly have been able to hold his own against Kurama.
Unfortunately, this was the Land of Fire, where the ground was flat and forests were everywhere.
On top of that, Kurama had Kushina helping him.
Bound by the eight Adamantine Sealing Chains Kushina had summoned, Shukaku successfully evolved from a small punching bag into an oversized one.
"You damn fox! Oww, oww!" Shukaku howled as Kurama beat him without mercy.
"He's getting beaten like a dog."
At the edge of the battlefield, Kizaru and Matatabi stood side by side, watching the fight with great interest.
Matatabi glanced at Kizaru with visible disgust, then looked back at Shukaku, who could only endure the beating, and said with rare kindness, "Shukaku has lost. Make them stop."
"What a scary request~" Kizaru rubbed his chin with a lazy smile.
"Gah! Stinking fox! You bastard, you're only this arrogant because you have a jinchuriki helping you! I'll kill you sooner or later!" Shukaku shouted, still completely unconvinced despite being beaten the entire time.
Kurama crouched on the ground, his upper body raised. For the moment, he stopped attacking. He placed his front claws together, cracking his knuckles.
A ferocious grin spread across his face. His nine tails swayed behind him in high spirits as he said proudly, "Stinking tanuki, I'm going to beat that mouth of yours shut today!"
"Well done, Kurama!" Kushina shouted excitedly from inside the Nine-Tails.
Hearing Kushina cheer him on, Kurama's grin widened even further. His impression of his jinchuriki rose by quite a bit.
"Stinking tanuki! Take this!" Kurama laughed, raising his right paw and smashing a heavy punch toward Shukaku's face.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Watching Shukaku get beaten, Kizaru showed a look that was half gloating and half sympathetic.
"Go already," Matatabi urged again.
"How troublesome~"
After complaining, Kizaru finally moved.
His body turned into light. Before Kurama's next punch could land, Kizaru flashed in front of Shukaku.
His glowing right foot kicked against Kurama's fist, blocking the attack.
"Gyahahaha! Kizaru! Let's take down that stinking fox together!" Seeing Kizaru take action, Shukaku immediately regained his confidence.
If he teamed up with Kizaru, they would definitely win.
Shukaku would handle the shouting, and Kizaru would handle the killing.
"Kurama, do me a little favor and stop here," Kizaru said after landing on top of Shukaku's head, looking at the dissatisfied Nine-Tails.
"Tch!"
Kurama snorted coldly. Since he had beaten Shukaku enough for today, and "for the moment" had no intention of fighting Kizaru, he chose to accept it.
As the chakra withdrew, Kurama returned to Kushina's body.
"Stinking fox, why are you running? Scared, aren't you? Hahaha!" With Kizaru standing on his head, Shukaku immediately felt brave again.
Listening to Shukaku's mocking laughter and looking down at the panting Kushina below, Kizaru suddenly felt that maybe this sort of battle could happen once or twice a week.
With Shukaku's endless taunts acting as bait, Kizaru believed Kushina would soon grow into a perfect jinchuriki.
He stepped on Shukaku's head and said, "Stop talking. Shrink down and return to the village."
"Damn it… fine."
After muttering a complaint, Shukaku obediently began shrinking his body.
With two Tailed Beasts and one jinchuriki, Kizaru returned to the village.
After telling Kushina, who was still arguing with Shukaku, to stop and go wait for him at the yakiniku restaurant with Matatabi, Kizaru headed to the Hokage Building first.
"Isn't this too risky?"
After hearing Kizaru's suggestion, Sarutobi Hiruzen was tempted, but also hesitant and worried.
If Kushina could truly become a perfect jinchuriki, it would undoubtedly be a tremendous thing for the village.
Not only would Konoha no longer have to worry about the Nine-Tails running wild for decades to come, it would also gain an ultimate trump card in times of war.
A perfect Nine-Tails jinchuriki whose heart was connected to Kurama.
Aside from Kizaru, who else in the entire shinobi world could stand against that?
Thinking this far, Sarutobi Hiruzen gritted his teeth and agreed to Kizaru's proposal.
"The sparring between the Tailed Beasts is extremely important. I'll leave it to you, Kizaru."
"This mission sounds very troublesome, sensei~" Kizaru said, his tone carrying a faint hint of satisfaction, though he did not agree immediately.
Hiruzen nodded. He understood the deeper meaning behind Kizaru's words.
He had to pay more.
"Each supervised sparring session will be counted as an S-rank mission."
The village was wealthy now, and Sarutobi Hiruzen no longer felt much pain when spending money.
"How generous of you, sensei~ I'll accept the mission."
After praising Sarutobi Hiruzen, Kizaru accepted the task.
Shaking his head with a smile, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Kizaru and continued, "Tsunade and Orochimaru are conducting safety tests on the nutrient medicine, Hashirama Cell No. 3. Pay more attention to it."
"Got it~"
Kizaru answered aloud, then turned around, waved, and left the Hokage's office.
At present, the Hashirama cell project led by Orochimaru had become the most important project in the village.
Even the matter of Sunagakure Village could not compare to Hashirama cells in the eyes of the village and the various shinobi clans.
Considering the importance of the Hashirama cell project, as well as his plan regarding Sasori's reincarnated parents, Kizaru went to the research institute the next morning.
The construction of the scientific research institute had already been completed long ago. As the person in charge, Orochimaru lived there directly.
When Kizaru arrived at the research institute, Orochimaru, who had spent the entire night conducting experiments, was eating breakfast.
"Orochimaru-senpai, I'm not disturbing you, am I~?"
Led by a research shinobi, Kizaru entered Orochimaru's private laboratory and greeted him with a smile.
Orochimaru put down the egg he had been peeling, looked at Kizaru, and showed a faint smile.
"How is the safety test for Hashirama cells?" Knowing Orochimaru's personality, Kizaru asked directly instead of wasting time with polite chatter.
"One hundred test subjects have been transplanted with Hashirama Cell No. 3. For now, there are no problems. Observation is still ongoing."
After saying that, Orochimaru looked at Kizaru, who had sat across from him, and brought up another test he was preparing to begin.
"Kizaru, regarding the senjutsu you mentioned before, I plan to begin researching it after the development of the Hashirama cells is complete."
"Do you need my help?" Kizaru asked proactively, clearly quite interested in senjutsu.
"I need to find the location of Ryuchi Cave."
In order to explore the secrets of senjutsu, Orochimaru was preparing to visit one of the sacred lands, Ryuchi Cave.
Kizaru nodded. "I'll ask Sarutobi-sensei and ojisan. We can have both the Anbu and Root search for Ryuchi Cave's location."
Talking to smart people was always simple and saved effort. Hearing Kizaru's answer, Orochimaru smiled in satisfaction.
"Orochimaru-senpai, how is your research on Edo Tensei going?" Kizaru continued asking.
"Who do you want to bring back?" Orochimaru asked curiously.
"A pair of puppet masters from Sunagakure."
Kizaru had a close relationship with Orochimaru, so he did not hide anything and explained directly.
"I found a talented child in Sunagakure. He is Chiyo's grandson. His name is Sasori."
"After the negotiations with Sunagakure are complete, Sasori will come to Konoha along with the children of several Sunagakure higher-ups to study here."
"What a talent."
Orochimaru stuck out his tongue and licked his lips with interest. Like Kizaru, he enjoyed gathering geniuses.
"You won't even spare the dead or a child. How ruthless, Kizaru."
"That judgment is a little harsh, Orochimaru-senpai~" Kizaru complained, then continued, "I only want to help that child fulfill his dream."
"Hahaha!"
Orochimaru laughed and looked at Kizaru meaningfully.
This Kohai of his looked lazy and slippery on the surface, but in truth, he was an exceptionally clever and calculating man.
He always knew how to use the resources around him to create temptations people could not refuse, then quietly win their hearts piece by piece.
"My research on Edo Tensei is not completely finished yet. If you do not care about control or combat ability, I can already summon the souls of the dead."
"That's enough."
Kizaru was not worried that Sasori's parents would break free from control and ruin his plans.
For the sake of their child, and for the chance to remain by Sasori's side for a long time, the couple would obey.
On one side was their only child and the possibility of resurrection.
On the other was Sunagakure, which had already become a vassal of Konoha.
Kizaru believed they would make the right choice.
"There is one more matter. I want you to persuade Tsunade," Orochimaru suddenly said, looking at the smiling Kizaru in front of him.
Perhaps Kizaru could solve a recent problem.
"What is it?"
"The village asked me to research the Wood Release kekkei genkai. I want Nawaki to undergo a Hashirama cell transplant."
In Orochimaru's view, if his disciple could awaken Wood Release through Hashirama cell transplantation, then combined with Nawaki's naturally large chakra reserves, his future ceiling would rise dramatically.
"As a direct descendant of the Senju clan, the risk of Nawaki accepting a Hashirama Cell No. 1 transplant is extremely low. Once the transplant succeeds, his strength and potential will improve significantly. He may even awaken the Wood Release kekkei genkai."
Orochimaru wanted to transplant Hashirama Cell No. 1 into Nawaki not only for the research and development of Wood Release, but also for the sake of his own disciple.
Orochimaru did like Nawaki, his disciple.
He hoped Nawaki would have a better future.
"How high is the risk?" Kizaru asked seriously, since this concerned his future brother-in-law's life.
"According to the compatibility test between Nawaki's cells and Hashirama Cell No. 1, the possibility of rejection will not exceed eight percent."
To be honest, that risk was indeed very low. If it were other shinobi, in order to increase their strength, most would willingly accept the transplant.
"What does Nawaki himself think?" Kizaru asked.
"He is willing. But Tsunade does not want him to take the risk," Orochimaru said, sounding troubled.
"I understand. I'll convince Tsunade."
Kizaru accepted the problem.
In Kizaru's view, compared to the eight-percent rejection risk from transplanting Hashirama cells, the danger Nawaki would face in the future due to insufficient strength was far greater.
As the grandson of the First Hokage, and someone who desperately wanted to become Hokage himself, Nawaki would definitely leave the village to carry out missions in the future.
Compared to the risks waiting for him on those missions, the possibility of rejection from the transplant was already very low.
And as the future Hokage, Kizaru also hoped the village would have as many outstanding shinobi as possible.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
"Leave it to me~"
After saying that, Kizaru did not remain in the laboratory and disturb Orochimaru's breakfast. He said goodbye and left directly.
When Kizaru found Tsunade, she was in the middle of arguing with Nawaki.
"Nee-san, I'm already grown up. I'm not a child anymore! I'm willing to accept the transplant. I want to try awakening Grandpa's Wood Release."
"Nee-san, why won't you agree? Orochimaru-sensei said the risk is very low. You don't have to worry!"
"Nee-san!"
Facing Nawaki's pleas, Tsunade had only one answer.
"No."
"Nee-san, this is my own decision! I have to accept the transplant!" Nawaki raised his voice.
"I won't allow it," Tsunade said firmly, folding her arms.
"This is my business. I don't need your permission!" Nawaki shouted, unconvinced.
Anger flashed across Tsunade's face. Her brows furrowed, and her fist clenched. She looked ready to teach her little brother a lesson.
The moment Tsunade raised her right hand, Kizaru stepped forward and caught her wrist.
"How scary~ Tsunade-senpai."
Facing Tsunade's gaze, Kizaru smiled and teased her.
"Kizaru, help me convince Nee-san!" Seeing Kizaru appear, Nawaki looked as if he had seen a savior.
"Let me talk to your sister alone."
Kizaru looked at Nawaki as he spoke.
"Yeah!"
Nawaki nodded. Because he trusted Kizaru, he chose to leave without thinking too much.
Kizaru could always convince his sister.
He really was an amazing person.
"Let go," Tsunade said angrily as she watched Nawaki walk away.
Kizaru released her hand, looked around, and said, "Let's sit over there and talk."
Tsunade nodded in agreement and followed Kizaru to a bench by the street.
After sitting down, Tsunade folded her arms again and asked, "Orochimaru asked you to come find me, didn't he?"
"Tsunade-senpai, you haven't forgotten about the bounty on Nawaki's head, have you?"
Kizaru did not waste time and went straight to the point.
"In this cruel world, if you want to live better, your own strength matters most. Neither you nor I can protect Nawaki for his entire life."
Kizaru's words made the still-angry Tsunade fall silent.
Of course she knew that the stronger Nawaki became, the safer he would be.
"I'm just worried."
"If you truly want to help Nawaki, what you should be doing now is not stopping him. You should be assisting Orochimaru-senpai with the research and continuing to lower the risk of the transplant."
Hearing Kizaru's words, Tsunade froze for a moment.
She looked at him, and then everything clicked into place.
That was right.
Instead of stopping Nawaki from accepting the transplant, she should work together with Orochimaru and reduce the risk as much as possible.
"You're getting better and better at talking people through things," Tsunade said, her heart finally easing as she smiled at Kizaru.
"Ohh, well~ I understand a little."
After several months, Kizaru once again made that familiar gesture.
"Hahaha!"
Tsunade laughed aloud. Her mood improved, and she stood up from the bench.
Walking in front of Kizaru, Tsunade's eyes softened as she looked at this Kohai of hers who always seemed to help and enlighten her at the right time.
She held her hands in front of her chest, leaned forward, and with her usual boldness, kissed Kizaru on the forehead.
Faced with Tsunade's sudden surprise attack, Kizaru was unusually stunned.
With a soft sound, Tsunade straightened again, a faint blush flashing across her face.
"You'd better grow up quickly, you hear me?"
In order to maintain her composure, Tsunade pretended to be bold and spoke loudly to Kizaru.
After saying that, she did not give Kizaru a chance to respond. She quickly turned around and walked away.
"Well, actually, I've already grown quite a bit~ Jiraiya-senpai can testify to that."
Kizaru smiled as he watched Tsunade's retreating back.
The rhythm of Tsunade's footsteps broke for an instant.
Then she walked even faster.
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