The Vessel Problem

"Oh! May I hear your answer?"

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, his interest piqued.

"There was no answer. I tried to avoid his question. I considered all the possibilities, but I still couldn't predict how Kushina would react. Because Katsuki is Kushina's most cherished younger brother, her original habits and principles would most likely undergo unpredictable changes with Katsuki..."

Minato took a breath and continued, "So, past experience can no longer be used as a reference, and I don't know what the final outcome will be... However, I think whether this matter succeeds or fails shouldn't matter much!"

The current Konoha is very strong, as powerful as the sun at its zenith. In the previous war against the Stone Ninja and Mist Ninja, they won without even having to use the Nine-Tails.

In this situation, the role of the Jinchuriki is dispensable, and replacing the Jinchuriki will not affect the overall situation.

"Well! Indeed, we don't need Jinchuriki right now, but that's not the problem. If Katsuki- kun really convinces Kushina, Minato will need a new vessel, and a vessel with enough capacity to hold the Nine-Tails won't be easy to find..." Orochi said, pressing his forehead.

"A new container? I'm sure Katsuki has already come up with a solution for that, right?"

Minato asked doubtfully. Based on his understanding of Katsuki, since she had made up her mind to carry out this matter, it was impossible that she had not considered what would happen after the Nine-Tails was extracted.

"I have a plan, but I still feel it's not entirely safe," Orochimaru with a wry smile.

"What? Is there a problem?"

This time it was Minato's turn to be curious. He wondered what kind of trick Katsuki had come up with this time, which had even put Orochimaru in a difficult position.

"He himself is the new vessel."

"Um... could you say that again?"

Minato wondered if he was hallucinating.

"Katsuki- kun used himself as a vessel to contain the Nine-Tails." Orochimaru also had a helpless expression.

"This...this, Katsuki, he..."

Minato, unusually, hesitated and couldn't speak.

I was truly shocked.

He immediately frowned.

"If I remember correctly, isn't Katsuki already the Jinchuriki of the Five-Tails? Keeping two Tailed Beasts is unheard of..."

There has never been a case in recorded history where two Tailed Beasts were contained in one body.

"However, theoretically speaking, it's not impossible. There are no relevant records, but there are also no records of similar failed research. Judging solely from Katsuki- kun's theory, it's not impossible." Orochimaru rubbed his temples, looking troubled.

Minato immediately understood Orochimaru's dilemma.

No one knows if it's feasible to contain two Tailed Beasts in one body. Theory is just theory, and there will always be unexpected situations when it comes to practice. And if something of this magnitude happens, it could be a very serious incident.

Orochimaru would never agree to anything, not even if there was the slightest possibility of rejecting the Katsuki Plan.

The benefits are completely disproportionate to the risks involved. So what if a Jinchuriki with two Tailed Beasts in his body appears? Katsuki- kun is already strong enough. Even with an additional Tailed Beast, it would be difficult for him to improve further.

If they fail, at best they will only temporarily lose the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, but at worst they may lose a top-tier fighter like Katsuki- kun, who surpasses even the Jinchuriki.

However, Minato harbored some different thoughts.

Jinchuriki is not something to be proud of, and if possible, he wouldn't mind Kushina getting rid of that identity.

"It's a bit early to say all this. Whether Kushina will agree or not is still uncertain. If Katsuki really intends to do it, it will be difficult for us to stop her, as Katsuki is terrifyingly strong now," Minato said, shaking his head.

My mind was replaying the battle from this morning.

What left the deepest impression on him from that battle was Katsuki's monstrously robust physique.

As the creator of the Rasengan, he knew better than anyone how powerful it was, but that powerful attack only made Katsuki's skin turn red, nothing more. Moreover, he clearly saw that Katsuki did not use Hardening Techniques or anything like that; he simply endured it with his bare body.

It's unimaginable what kind of attack would be needed to inflict effective damage.

"... As expected, it's a monster, and the kind of creature I hate the most. Luckily, it's not an enemy, or I'd be driven crazy by it." Minato sighed.

Orochimaru and Minato remained silent.

The truth is just that unreasonable. To put it bluntly, the reason why Orochimaru, Hokage troubled here is because of Katsuki's power. In the end, among ninjas, the strong rule. Not every master is as sincere and honest as Sakumo, and follows the rules of the ninja.

Katsuki doesn't have a strong desire for power; she values her family and friends highly and prioritizes relationships above all else.

It's obvious that he's the kind of person who will obediently follow the rules as long as they don't bother him, but if a conflict arises, he will absolutely discard the so-called rules like trash and trample them underfoot without any mercy!

"Sigh! I must be the most useless Hokage ever Hokage, right? I can't even control my subordinates..." Orochimaru laughed self-deprecatingly.

Minato kept his mouth shut; he had nothing to say.

Beneath that docile cat-like exterior lies a cold, untamed beast. Except for a very few individuals, anyone who dares to provoke him will be unleashed without hesitation, their claws torn to shreds.

Long, long ago, he made a prediction about Katsuki and buried it deep in his heart.

"Sis, are you home?"

After changing his clothes at home, Katsuki went to visit Kushina's house.

Kushina still lives in the house given to her by the Senju Clan when she was a child, and has not built a new house on the Uzumaki Clan's territory.

"Katsuki, what's gotten into you today?"

As soon as she entered, Kushina rushed forward, her right hand flashing out like lightning, and grabbed Katsuki's ear with precision.

"Sis, sis, be gentle, your ear's going to fall off!"

Katsuki pitifully begged for mercy.

"Stop trying to fool me. I know how thick-skinned you are. Hurry up and tell me, how is Minato? Is he alright?" Kushina glared at her fiercely.

"It's alright, of course it's alright. Minato didn't even get a scratch. When he's running Flying Thunder God Technique, even I couldn't hit him!"

Amidst Katsuki's pleas for mercy, Kushina reluctantly released her grip.

"Don't lie to me. If Minato gets injured, you'll be responsible for the consequences!"

Rubbing his slightly numb ears, he listened to Kushina's declaration, a resentful expression on his face. "Sis, I'm your own brother! Why are you always siding with outsiders? I haven't even acknowledged Minato as my brother-in-law yet!"

"You... you... what nonsense are you spouting?" Kushina's face instantly turned bright red, like a ripe apple. She stomped on Katsuki's right foot and ground it with all her might.

"Sis, Minato already proposed, what are you still shy about!"

Katsuki slumped her shoulders helplessly. (To be continued)