Infiltrating Kumogakure, Eight-Tails Rampage

A few days later, outside Kumogakure.

Evening.

Hizashi Hyuga occupied a vantage point, the veins around his eyes bulging.

Though visibility was extremely poor in the dim light, the Chakra within the enemies' bodies shone like flames in his vision.

"Seventeen patrolmen to the southwest... Lord Danzō, their shift rotation strategy has not changed."

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"However, one enemy possesses an exceptionally high level of Chakra. He should be Kumogakure's Ninja Head."

The so-called Ninja Heads were a distinctive Kumogakure designation, understood as the elite among Jonin.

As Hizashi Hyuga spoke, he marked the enemies' patrol routes on the tactical board in his hands.

"I'll handle the Ninja Head." Shimura Danzō's tone was icy.

Yet, seeing Hizashi Hyuga's precise mapmaking, he gave a slight nod of approval.

He was a talent.

Though he had only joined the Anbu a few days ago, he had mastered every necessary skill and rule through a diligence that even Shimura Danzō found astonishing.

Shimura Danzō patted Hizashi Hyuga on the shoulder.

He had wanted to say, "With your talent and the darkness in your heart, it's a waste for you to remain in the Anbu. You should join Root."

But then he remembered that Root no longer existed...

And Hizashi Hyuga was the opening Hiruzen had personally cut out of the Hyuga Clan. His loyalty to the Hokage was practically written on his face.

"What is it, Lord Danzō?"

"Nothing. Do your job well." A complicated feeling rose in Shimura Danzō's heart.

His first instinct was irritation. Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi had agreed to let them compete fairly for the position of Hokage, without the authority to build a private force, he could only watch such promising recruits with helpless envy...

Yet soon after, he secretly and strangely found himself applauding Hiruzen Sarutobi.

If he were Hokage, could he allow a Root beneath him?

Absolutely not!

Ever since Hiruzen Sarutobi had reminded him to view matters from the broader perspective of a Hokage—

Hiruzen Sarutobi establishing his authority at the training ground, reclaiming Root, organizing an assassination squad for the Jinchuriki, teaching him the way of the Hokage while constantly keeping him in check...

It seemed he had also done some major things Danzō did not know about.

Shimura Danzō increasingly felt that this was what the Hokage should be like in his mind.

And this Third—this Hiruzen—only made him more interested in defeating him!

I will do everything well, learn everything you know! I will become the strongest Fourth Hokage... Shimura Danzō muttered to himself inwardly, his excited palm tingling faintly.

Meanwhile, within Kumogakure.

Orochimaru, who had used the Vanishing Facial Copy Technique to replace a Kumogakure physician, handed Blue B a dose of medicine specially made by Tsunade and mixed with Ibuse and other substances.

"Today's dose will help you. Keep at it."

Blue B forced a smile. "I hope so."

After he left, Orochimaru, dressed as a physician, flickered his gaze and spoke with a faint smile. "Come out."

A toad hopped out from the shadows and came before him, opening its huge mouth.

An arm emerged from within. It was Jiraiya's.

Kurama Genshin then emerged as well.

"How about it? My toads are useful in countless ways, aren't they?" Jiraiya lowered his voice and boasted.

Kurama Genshin was speechless.

He had previously heard that Orochimaru possessed a technique called "Snake Spits Me Spits Snake Spits Me," which was already horrifying enough.

This toad-based method was no less disturbing!

Every one of the Third's disciples truly possessed a unique skill.

He should have known to sneak in using genjutsu. Coming out of a toad's mouth was genuinely not a pleasant experience.

"Confirm the operation plan."

"I'll control the Jinchuriki. Genshin will control the Tailed Beast. After Jiraiya sets up the Barrier, he'll clear out the surrounding enemies and escort us to rendezvous with Danzō and the others."

Several concealed little snakes slipped from Orochimaru's sleeve and slithered toward Blue B's residence.

"Understood." Jiraiya's expression instantly turned solemn.

"Understood." Kurama Genshin took a deep breath.

The village really did nothing halfway—once it made a move, it went this big...

"My snakes tell me that Blue B has taken the medicine, and there is no one along the route." Orochimaru's gaze flashed as he said coldly, "The operation begins!"

Under the cover of night, the three figures moved like phantoms.

Inside the bedroom, Blue B drank the medicine the physician had prescribed for him that day.

"Sweet and sour—not bad..." Blue B's brow relaxed slightly, and he felt somewhat moved.

The village still valued him greatly. Had they even adjusted the flavor of the medicine?

It was no longer as hard to swallow as before.

Blue B lay on the bed, waiting for the medicine to take effect as he contemplated his future.

Could he successfully become the Eight-Tails' Jinchuriki?

His father and uncle had both died during Tailed Beast rampages. Although he could already communicate with the Eight-Tails to some extent, they were still locked in a tug-of-war, and the future remained as hazy as fog.

"The Tailed Beast's terror, its repeated rampages—those impressions make the people around me unwilling to approach me."

"Even Sealing Jutsu can't restrain the Tailed Beast's violent will..."

Blue B muttered, "I really hope they can snatch that Uzumaki Clan ninja from Konoha and bring them to the village..."

Whether it was the emptiness in his heart that left his mind vulnerable, or the objective imperfections in the Sealing Jutsu...

Improving either one would be good!

"Useful intelligence." Orochimaru's heart stirred. This could be of help to Konoha's Jinchuriki.

He lightly nudged Kurama Genshin.

Kurama Genshin understood at once and formed hand seals in an instant.

"My body feels so relaxed... No! Why is it so numb?!" Blue B abruptly opened his eyes, only to find everything before him shrouded in mist. He could see nothing, and he could not move his body either.

"You're very tired. Be free..." A dreamlike voice, impossible to identify as male or female, echoed in Blue B's heart.

Orochimaru crouched over Blue B's chest, a chilling gleam flashing in his eyes as he pressed a hand onto the Iron Armor Seal.

Having set up the Isolation Barrier, Jiraiya swept toward the retreat route.

Orochimaru calmly deconstructed the Iron Armor Seal. Tailed Beast Chakra gurgled as it leaked out, while the Kusanagi Sword slowly slid from his mouth.

He intended to try and take away some of the Eight-Tails' cells.

With the Isolation Barrier set up by Jiraiya—

Kumogakure's Sensory Ninjas did not detect the Tailed Beast Chakra.

Kurama Genshin drove his genjutsu with all his strength.

This was part of the battle plan.

The Eight-Tails had to fall into a complete rampage the instant it separated from its Jinchuriki.

If it were merely an ordinary loss of control, it would not be enough to properly intimidate those barbarians.

They had to create an air of mystery, making them feel as though an invisible hand could send the Tailed Beast into a rampage at any time...

Fine beads of sweat formed on Kurama Genshin's nose as he pushed his Chakra to the limit. Such a good opportunity—an opportunity to make Lord Hokage take notice of the clan. I must seize it!

"Lord Orochimaru, it's ready!" Kurama Genshin reported a moment later.

"Good!" Orochimaru grinned viciously. "You leave first, Genshin!"

Kurama Genshin nodded and swiftly retreated.

His constitution was relatively weak. When the Tailed Beast Chakra went berserk, something unexpected might happen.

A moment later, Orochimaru completely released the Iron Armor Seal.

Eight-Tails Chakra surged forth like a tide. A massive octopus threw back its head and roared, its eyes filled with fury as it bellowed violently:

"Blood for blood! Kumogakure must pay for blood with blood!"