Kimimaro's Illness

With the recruitment of Orochimaru, a top-tier scientist, the overall strength of the Immortal Organization has increased significantly.

Moreover, Orochimaru came with the entire Sound Village, which was nearly fully equipped, along with his own personal Sound Ninja.

However, to Feng Yao, they were still just Orochimaru's subordinates; he had no intention of pulling these people into the Immortal Organization. He only needed elites.

After returning, he distributed the Mysterious Ring, Yellow Ring, Universe Ring, Cosmos Ring, and Flood Ring to Neji, Karin, Sai, Kabuto, and Tayuya respectively. These were the true combat forces he required.

As for Kimimaro, he felt it was a great pity; the man's strength was indeed sufficient, so he headed to Kabuto's medical lab.

Kabuto's undercover work had concluded, and he was now naturally in charge of research within the Sound Village.

The basic personnel of the Immortal Organization were now in place.

First, those capable of intelligence gathering and assassination; this could be left to Sai and Zabuza.

Second, those capable of logistics—that is, managing medical affairs and organizational funds; Karin, Kabuto, and Orochimaru could handle this aspect.

Third, those capable of leading a frontal assault, which required immense strength; for now, this could likely only be left to Feng Yao, Hideyoshi, and Orochimaru.

As for the funds looted from Konoha Ninja Village, Feng Yao had already handed them all over to Orochimaru to manage.

One should not underestimate Orochimaru; the amount of money required to establish a ninja village and maintain so many strongholds was no small sum.

Furthermore, Orochimaru still needed to conduct scientific research, which required an astronomical amount of money. If he lacked the ability to manage finances, he would have gone bankrupt long ago.

After opening the door, Kabuto was busy researching cells inside a test tube.

Seeing Feng Yao, he stopped his work and pushed up his glasses with a smile.

"Lord Feng Yao, what brings you to my place today?"

Kabuto should be the one most familiar with Kimimaro's condition, so he had come to inquire about it.

"Kabuto, I know you have great talent in medical ninjutsu. I want to ask you about Kimimaro's situation—how much longer can he actually hold on?"

"So you ran over here specifically to ask this? You really are concerned about him. It's estimated to be less than two months. This is a hereditary disease of his clan; strictly speaking, it is a drawback of their Kekkei Genkai. Kimimaro uses Shikotsumyaku, which involves the bones inside the human body—you know this, right?"

"Of course. I have personally witnessed his abilities. It is precisely because he is so powerful that I feel it is a pity to lose him."

"The main component of bone is calcium. Since he creates and extracts so many bones from his body, you can imagine how much calcium he consumes. This leads to muscle atrophy, and since the heart is primarily a muscle, the disease of his clan is chronic heart failure. I suspect this is the reason why people in his clan keep dying."

"I see... then is there really no other way?"

Hearing Kabuto's explanation, Feng Yao asked, still somewhat unwilling to give up.

In the current world, there were very few who could surpass Kabuto in medical ninjutsu, but they were not non-existent. Feng Yao suddenly thought of someone else.

That was Tsunade. As the one among the Sannin renowned for medical ninjutsu, her medical capabilities could even be said to surpass the Katsuyu Sage.

Look at the summoning beasts from Mount Myoboku and Ryūchi Cave; they all act like masters, demanding a hundred sacrifices at every turn.

Why would the Katsuyu Sage address Tsunade as "Lord"? It was precisely because he admired her medical ninjutsu.

This gave Feng Yao the idea to go and find Tsunade.

"Lord Feng Yao, looking at your expression, have you already thought of a candidate?"

Seeing Feng Yao lost in thought, Kabuto spoke again. As a spy, he was extremely skilled at observation and analysis.

Seeing Feng Yao deep in thought, could he really have thought of someone to save Kimimaro? This was something even he himself could not accomplish.

"Hmph, I suppose I have. Tsunade, who is one of the Sannin alongside Orochimaru."

Hearing this, Kabuto was also surprised. As a medical ninja, he had long heard of her great reputation.

It was just that he had never had the opportunity to meet her. In terms of medical ninjutsu alone, the current Kabuto still could not compare to Tsunade; otherwise, in the original story, Orochimaru would not have lowered himself to go find her.

"Then, may I accompany you? I have long wanted to witness this famous Lady Tsunade for myself!"

Kabuto pushed up his glasses again, perhaps harboring the intention of competing with her.

Feng Yao said playfully, "Then follow along. We shall go find Orochimaru; I still have some things I need him to do."

The two of them left the medical lab while talking.

Feng Yao informed Orochimaru of the ins and outs of the matter.

"That is the situation. Orochimaru, can you find her?"

After hearing Feng Yao's request, Orochimaru stopped his research work.

He had not expected the other party to be so concerned about Kimimaro. In truth, he had also considered having Tsunade look at Kimimaro's symptoms.

But he could not bring himself to beg his former friend for the sake of others. He had not expected Feng Yao to focus on this issue after only a few days.

"Of course I can. After all, one of them was once my disciple; it is merely a matter of time."

Hearing Orochimaru's reply, Feng Yao nodded. To get Tsunade to work for him, he had to present conditions she could not refuse, before she was subjected to Naruto's "Talk no Jutsu."

Inside Konoha Ninja Village.

Jiraiya temporarily became the acting Hokage, handling all the affairs of Konoha.

Konoha's strength had truly been weakened to the extreme this time.

The Fifth Hokage was dead, the Root organization was destroyed, the Anbu had lost 42 members, and Konoha had lost 7 Jonin, 104 Chunin, 564 Genin, and about 3,000 ordinary citizens.

Mitokado Homura, one of the two advisors, was dead.

The loss of all the forbidden ninjutsu scrolls of Konoha was strictly sealed off by the higher-ups; although there were no funds, the appropriations from the Land of Fire ensured that there were no major issues.

Fortunately, having Jiraiya, one of the dignified Sannin, stationed in Konoha provided everyone with a great sense of relief.

After mourning the civilians who died in this war, Konoha began the various tasks of reconstruction.

During the discussions, the most controversial topics were the handling of Sunagakure and the crimes of the rogue ninja Feng Yao.

There was no need to elaborate on Sunagakure; they had incited the war to attack Konoha, and now the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, had been captured alive, with countless jonin and troops from the invading force killed or wounded.

All those who survived were thrown into Konoha's prison, and some believed that they should pay them back in their own coin and take the opportunity to wipe out Sunagakure in one fell swoop.

Even Jiraiya had a glimmer of this thought, but the peace faction led by the Third Hokage still hoped to release the Kazekage.

They wanted to form an alliance with Sunagakure to counter potential invasions from other nations that might occur in the future.

"Lord Third Hokage! We cannot be so lenient any longer. Look at the losses Sunagakure has caused us this time. If we form an alliance with them, what will the people of the village think? Are you asking us to stand alongside our enemies?"

A jonin slammed his fist into the ground, gritting his teeth. His disciple had died at the hands of Sunagakure; the boy was only thirteen years old, stabbed multiple times by Sunagakure ninja and discarded in a street corner, and it took a full day of searching before his body was found.

"Sigh, I understand everyone's pain, but Sunagakure has suffered just the same. War only brings new hatred. Furthermore, if we were to attack in Konoha's current state, I fear Kumogakure would take advantage of our weakness; we have already seen their shadows in this war."

Looking at the teary-eyed man before him, the Third Hokage silently puffed on his pipe, his clouded eyes making it impossible for others to discern what he was thinking. Utatane Koharu, one of the two remaining advisors, also spoke up.

"The Land of Fire has already held two emergency meetings this year. The demand this time is to cease all warfare and restore national strength as quickly as possible. We need a leader. Jiraiya, the Land of Fire council has already decided to appoint you as the Sixth Hokage."

Hearing this, the others in the room were very excited, but to everyone's disappointment, Jiraiya held up a hand and refused.

"I am very sorry, but I am not suited for this position. I have long had a candidate in mind. I will bring her back; she is more suited to be the Sixth Hokage than I am—the Princess of Konoha, Tsunade!"

Upon hearing this name, the hall erupted in an uproar. Tsunade's medical ninjutsu and her reputation as one of the Sannin were widely known in Konoha. If she, also one of the Sannin, had been present, Konoha would not have suffered such heavy losses.

"That girl does indeed have the qualifications and the capacity. Then I must entrust you with bringing her back."

Utatane Koharu sighed. There was no need to worry about Jiraiya running away now; he was a man who understood the bigger picture, and Konoha could no longer afford any more turmoil.

"Then what about that guy Feng Yao? He is a rogue ninja, and he has done so many things to harm Konoha—murdering the Fifth Hokage, wiping out the Root of the Anbu, and stealing Konoha's funds. If this guy is not eliminated, he will become another Orochimaru in the future."

A jonin suddenly spoke up. The cooperation between the Konoha higher-ups and Feng Yao, as well as the theft of the ninjutsu scrolls, were only known to the top brass and a portion of Konoha's jonin.

"There is no need to discuss this matter further. Temporarily revoke his wanted poster. If we push him too far and he attacks Konoha again, the losses will outweigh the gains."

On this matter, all the higher-ups kept in lockstep, and even jonin like Kakashi remained silent.

Colluding with a rogue ninja to kill the Fifth Hokage was a scandal of massive proportions; it could only be buried in history and left to rot in their bellies.