Several days later, at the frontline battlefield in the Land of Wind, inside Konoha’s military camp.
After hearing that Tsunade had returned, Orochimaru, who was also one of the Three Ninja of Konoha, took the initiative to welcome her.
In his hoarse voice, he said, “You’re back, Tsunade? I heard the Nine-Tails jinchuriki transfer ceremony failed. Heh, Konoha really can’t catch a break.”
By the end, Orochimaru shrugged as though he were taking pleasure in Konoha’s misfortune.
At this point, he had no intention of destroying Konoha, nor had he become twisted enough to transfer his soul into a woman’s body.
However, after witnessing countless deaths on the battlefield, he had developed little sense of belonging toward Konoha.
The only things he cared about were mastering every ninjutsu in the world and researching immortality.
“Hmph! How’s the battle going?”
Tsunade couldn’t be bothered to waste words with this man and asked coldly.
“Oh my, oh my. You seem to be in quite a good mood.”
As partners who had known each other for more than twenty years, Orochimaru immediately noticed Tsunade’s state and walked alongside her with great interest.
However, Orochimaru didn’t pry into the gossip and quickly got to the point.
“Well, if it weren’t for White Fang’s failed mission earlier, this war should have already ended. I have an idea that might be able to break the stalemate…”
He paused for a moment before continuing, “However, what we should be more worried about is the actions of the other nations, shouldn’t we? After hearing about Konoha’s current situation, do you really think they’ll just sit around and do nothing?”
Tsunade raised her willow-like brows and remained silent for a moment before saying, “Right now, the only thing we need to worry about is the Sunagakure battlefield.”
“Hehe, if White Fang were still alive, there wouldn’t be so much to worry about.”
Orochimaru laughed again.
“The person who inherited White Fang’s power has already appeared.”
Tsunade smiled in response, a hint of inexplicable pride showing between her brows.
…
…
Just as Orochimaru had predicted.
The news that Konoha’s Nine-Tails jinchuriki transfer ceremony had failed, causing the Nine-Tails to escape, along with the destruction of two-thirds of Konoha’s territory and the loss of more than fifteen hundred shinobi, had spread throughout the other great nations over the past few days. Find the original chapter at NovelPing.
Even if Konoha wanted to conceal it, how could an incident of such magnitude possibly remain hidden?
After hearing the news, the Land of Earth, which had already ceased its military operations, immediately began stirring with activity.
And the Land of Lightning, which had not officially participated in the Second Second Shinobi World War, also began having thoughts of its own.
Land of Lightning, Kumogakure.
“Raikage-sama.”
Inside the Raikage’s office, Dodai, the assistant to the Third Raikage, walked up to the Third Raikage’s desk.
“You’re here because of what happened in Konoha, right?”
The ferocious-looking Third Raikage rested his chin on one hand as he asked.
“You already know?”
Dodai was surprised.
“How could I not know about something this big? Do you take me for an idiot?”
“Since that’s the case, Raikage-sama, what do you think?”
Dodai spoke solemnly.
“This is the perfect opportunity to attack Konoha. I’m afraid the other nations have already begun making their moves.”
The Third Raikage fell silent at those words.
Several minutes later, he finally spoke slowly.
“Do you think our current situation in Kumogakure is suitable for going to war with Konoha?”
Dodai was stunned and fell into silent thought as well.
More than ten years ago, the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, had led Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzo, and the other Hokage guards to Kumogakure, intending to sign an alliance treaty with the Second Raikage at the time.
However, the agreement was sabotaged by the rebellious forces led by Kinkaku and Ginkaku.
Although Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Third Raikage later signed another armistice agreement, there was no doubt that the two sides had developed a blood feud.
If they had the opportunity, Kumogakure certainly wanted to attack Konoha.
The most important one was that B, the current jinchuriki of the Eight-Tails, could not perfectly control the Eight-Tails’ power.
He could lose control at any moment, which meant the Third Raikage had to remain in the village at all times to prevent an Eight-Tails rampage.
On top of that, the rebellion of Kinkaku and Ginkaku back then had caused enormous damage.
The incident was not much less severe than Konoha’s current Nine-Tails disaster.
Kumogakure had only recently recovered its strength.
“Even without White Fang, Konoha isn’t so easy to destroy. Not to mention Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo, the Three Ninja of Konoha who emerged during this Second Shinobi World War are all formidable opponents.”
The Third Raikage made his decision.
“For now, we’ll focus our efforts on controlling the Eight-Tails.”
“Yes!”
Dodai acknowledged the order, then suddenly remembered something and said, “Raikage-sama, the Nine-Tails currently has no jinchuriki. That means we also have an opportunity to…”
“No rush.”
The Third Raikage smiled.
“That fox called the Nine-Tails isn’t so easy to control. Didn’t Konoha already fail? Once we’ve completely mastered control of the Eight-Tails, we’ll capture the Nine-Tails as well. By then, Kumogakure will be the number one ninja village in the world!”
“Yes! I understand, sir.”
Dodai answered with admiration.
…
…
Kumogakure had decided not to launch a war against Konoha for the time being, but that was only temporary.
These jackals who had once dared to abduct Hinata Hyuga from Konoha, then turn around and blame Konoha for it, forcing Sarutobi Hiruzen to obediently back down, could never possibly let such a fat piece of meat as Konoha slip away.
They were simply waiting for a more suitable opportunity.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Iwagakure of the Land of Earth, which had already fought Konoha during the Second Second Shinobi World War, could no longer sit still after hearing that the Nine-Tails had escaped and Konoha had suffered heavy casualties.