Orochimaru's Hard Work

"Katsuki- kun, you must be exhausted from your expedition."

"It's nothing more than my duty, Lord Hokage, you flatter me."

Konoha personally greeted them at the main gate of Orochimaru, followed by a group of people, including members of the Elder Council, heads of various clans, heads of various departments, and most of the village's important figures.

The ninja army under Katsuki's command is mainly composed of powerful forces assembled from the village's elite families. Even if it's just to give face to their own disciples, important figures from various clans will come, not to mention Uzumaki Katsuki.

They killed the Third Tsuchikage and captured the Five-Tails Jinchuriki alive.

This news reached the village long before Katsuki and the others. Considering their previous impressive and dazzling achievements, if possible, no one would want to provoke this monstrous natural disaster.

So a lot of people came, and everyone who could find the time did.

As the person involved, Katsuki was somewhat bored as she spoke platitudes to Orochimaru, repeating the same old nonsense about how bringing glory to the village was her duty and serving the village was a matter of course. Meanwhile, the villagers gathered on both sides of the street looked at her with admiring and eager eyes.

Their enemy is my hero.

To the ninjas of Sunagakure, Mist Ninja, and Stone Ninja, Katsuki is the most ferocious humanoid calamity, but to the villagers of Konoha, he is a completely different figure.

After standing at the main gate for half a day, fully satisfying the villagers' desire to watch the spectacle, the group moved again, this time to the Hokage Building.

"Katsuki- kun, I've read the report Rokuro Kaguya submitted, but... what exactly is the situation with the Five-Tails Jinchuriki?"

Orochimaru's smiling face showed a hint of confusion.

He was completely baffled. The report that Katsuki and the others had arrived before him was giving him a major headache. He racked his brains but still couldn't figure out why this had suddenly happened.

"Well, this is one of my wishes, a wish I made when I was a child."

"You want to become Jinchuriki?"

Orochimaru wonders.

"No! I just want to remove the Nine-Tails from my sister. I couldn't stop her from becoming Jinchuriki back then, so I've always thought that one day I must free my sister from the status of Jinchuriki."

Katsuki smiled brightly, her heart filled with joy.

No matter how much he twists the world, as long as Black Zetsu dies, the plan to collect Nine Tailed Beasts will inevitably begin one day. Therefore, as long as Kushina remains the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, the risk will not disappear.

Now, he has successfully found a way to solve the problem at its root.

The Five-Tails is inside him, while the previous Jinchuriki has been imprisoned in the Anbu's cell, sent there alive.

"Uh... wait, how did we get involved with Kushina again... What exactly are you trying to do? Extract the Nine-Tails or something... Are you kidding me?"

Orochimaru was also a little dizzy, and the smile on his face froze.

What's wrong with that brat now? Can't he just live a peaceful life for a couple of days? Although he doesn't like a stagnant life either, this Tenten excitement is getting a bit much for him!

"No, I'm very serious."

······

Orochimaru's eyes twitched violently.

"Oh! Is that so? But the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is one of the village's most valuable fighting forces, Katsuki- kun. If you're planning to do something, it won't be an easy thing."

Orochimaru tried his best to use a soothing tone to Katsuki's enthusiasm.

"It's not that difficult. As long as you, Lord Hokage, don't object, I can ask the Uchiha and Senju for help, as well as Yuki and Kaguya. I don't think there will be many objections. After all, it's just changing the Nine-Tails' vessel; it's not a big deal. What are your thoughts, Lord Hokage?"

Katsuki stared wide-eyed at Orochimaru.

"... Since you're planning to find a new vessel for the Nine-Tails, have you found one yet?"

Orochimaru asked.

Well, actually...

"Teacher, excuse me!"

Under a large cherry tree in the courtyard of the Sarutobi Clan, a tree that is over fifty years old.

The once vibrant cherry blossoms have long since faded, leaving only a tree full of green shade.

Lying on the rocking chair under the tree, the bamboo chair creaked and gently rocked back and forth.

After abdicating and handing over the reins to a more capable successor, the Third Hokage stayed at home, leisurely enjoying tea and reading books, living a very carefree and comfortable life.

However, the peace was broken by the arrival of a disciple.

"Orochimaru, what kind of trouble has that brat Katsuki gotten himself into this time?"

The Third Hokage, with a pipe dangling from his lips and a smile playing on his lips, looked at his proud disciple standing before him.

"You weren't wrong, Katsuki- kun is quite the troublemaker!!" Orochimaru rarely showed a wry smile, "I just got back to the village today and he's already caused me a huge problem, it's giving me a terrible headache!"

"Oh! Tell me about it?"

The Third Hokage exhaled a smoke ring and asked curiously.

"He wants to change the Nine-Tails' vessel."

"Hmm, change... change the Nine-Tails' container?" The Third Hokage's eyes widened as he stared at Orochimaru's face, wondering if he was joking.

Orochimaru's face showed no sign of joking.

"Replace the Nine-Tails' vessel? He... he... Katsuki gone mad? Jinchuriki has had his Tailed Beast removed is bound to die, how could he... I remember they were a good sibling, weren't they?" The old man had impressive lung capacity; he spoke so much in one breath without even breaking a sweat.

"He's definitely not insane, but... he's incredibly audacious."

Orochimaru paused for a moment before continuing, "Katsuki- kun is now the Five-Tails Jinchuriki."

"Huh? What did you say? The Five-Tails Jinchuriki!?" The Third Hokage's eyelids twitched, his bark-like face contorting in pain. "What's going on here? What does 'Five-Tails Jinchuriki' mean?"

The series of complicated news left the old man feeling utterly exhausted. He secretly rejoiced that he had passed the leadership to Orochimaru; otherwise, if he had continued, he would have lost twenty years of his life.

"Katsuki captured the Five-Tails Jinchuriki of Stone Ninja alive, then extracted the Five-Tails and sealed it into his own body," Orochimaru explained.

Even though he still wielded immense influence after retirement, he stopped interfering in his work for the sake of his prized disciple, and even cut off his access to information, which is why he was unaware of the current situation.

"Is that so? Hmm! I see! Although... it's still a bit strange. Why does that kid suddenly want to become Jinchuriki? With his power, the Tailed Beasts shouldn't be of much benefit to him, right?"

"... The previous Five-Tails Jinchuriki is still alive."

······

It took Orochimaru a great deal of effort to explain the whole story.

"I see, no wonder! That explains it." The Third Hokage stroked his graying beard, a look of relief on his face. (To be continued)