Orochimaru walked up to Mu Yue with a smile. "To personally slay a fully transformed Tailed Beast... Mu Yue-kun, after this battle, your name and that slash of yours will spread throughout the ninja world. I'll report your achievements to the higher-ups shortly."
He rarely wore such a smile, but he knew it made him seem more approachable.
"I only succeeded through a trick, and this was everyone's achievement. Without the troops' attacks and Orochimaru-kun creating an opportunity for me, I definitely wouldn't have been able to kill the Jinchuriki," Mu Yue said after some thought.
Mu Yue was not being overly modest. This battle had indeed been the result of everyone working together. Whether it was Mu Yue and Orochimaru, who provided the main offensive power, Ino–Shika–Chō, or the ordinary Konoha jonin, everyone had contributed to some degree. It was only a matter of how much.
"The troops' strength was certainly important, but your final killing blow was even more crucial," Orochimaru said, shaking his head slightly.
A Jinchuriki's head was not easy to take. Mu Yue's Flying Thunder God had played an absolutely vital role.
After saying that, Orochimaru did not continue chatting with Mu Yue. He exchanged a few more words before leaving to arrange the work.
He knew how to maintain the proper balance. Making his intentions too obvious or forceful would only invite resentment, and Orochimaru truly was very busy now.
Though they had won the battle, the fighting on the East Coast Battlefield was not completely over. Karatachi Yagura had fled with a large number of Hidden Mist Village troops, and that was no small problem.
Orochimaru still needed to report the course and outcome of the battle to Konoha's higher-ups, then make all the necessary arrangements for what came next.
"Mu Yue-sensei, what