Orochimaru's Vessel

"There is a way!"

Granny Chiyo raised her head at that moment. She pursed her lips, slowly exhaled, and said:

"Indeed, Tobirama Senju is very powerful. Coupled with his immortal body, he can act without restraint. We are no match for someone like him."

"But this is a war, not a game for him alone."

"We will withdraw all the ninja stationed at the border of the Land of Rivers and shift the main battlefield to the desert, where we are best suited to fight. At the same time, we will continuously harass Konoha's forces with guerrilla tactics, retreating the moment we strike and never giving Tobirama Senju a chance to react. No matter how strong he is, he is still only one man. The desert is our home ground, and we hold the geographical advantage. As long as we do not confront him head-on, we can limit his movements."

"Besides, according to records of Minato Namikaze's battles before his death, the Flying Thunder God Technique is essentially just a special kind of Body Flicker Technique performed through specially made kunai. It also requires coordinates to be prepared in advance. Tobirama Senju has never been to the Land of Wind, so we need not worry about him providing swift support in that regard."

After Chiyo finished speaking, the eyes of all the Sunagakure elders lit up.

What a brilliant strategy!

They marveled inwardly. As expected of the First Kazekage's wife—her experience in warfare was exceedingly rich.

This could be called an open strategy. Even if Tobirama Senju knew their objective, he would have no way to counter it. By using hit-and-run guerrilla tactics, they could strip Konoha's ninja of their inherent advantage and wear down Konoha's overall strength.

Under such circumstances, Tobirama Senju would surely be powerless despite his intentions.

Of course, the premise of this tactic was that Tobirama Senju's strength truly was only slightly above Kage Level.

However, none of the elders present had ever seen Tobirama Senju fight personally, so naturally, they could not imagine the extent of his power.

"But what if Tobirama Senju directly attacks our village?"

The third old man suddenly thought of something.

That was right! Guerrilla warfare might restrain Tobirama Senju, but their village was right here. They could not simply move it away. Tobirama Senju could completely penetrate deep into the Land of Wind, strike straight at their heart, and crush them from within.

"Then, before the war begins, we will relocate the village's population and supplies to a safe place."

Old Lady Chiyo narrowed her eyes and made the final decision.

The elders voiced no objections and passed the resolution.

Very soon, all of Sunagakure sprang into action.

Under Old Lady Chiyo's arrangements, Sunagakure's disadvantages no longer seemed so dire, and the unease in the hearts of the Sunagakure higher-ups who had attended the meeting was swept away.

Looking at it this way, they might not necessarily lose against Konoha. If they won, not only would they avoid paying compensation to Konoha, they could even wring a large profit out of it!

--

Meanwhile,

Deep underground in a secret laboratory in Otogakure, Land of Rice Paddies.

Several figures were busy at work.

Orochimaru lay on an experimental table. The right arm that Tobirama Senju had severed had long since been reattached, but Orochimaru's face was deathly pale, like a corpse that had been dead for half a month.

"Whew... whew..." Orochimaru panted heavily as he waited for Kabuto Yakushi's research report.

"Lord Orochimaru, this body of yours has reached its limit. If you do not replace it in time, I'm afraid..."

Kabuto Yakushi held several tubes containing samples from Orochimaru's body and spoke with a grave expression.

"I know." Orochimaru nodded. The compatibility between this body and his soul was not very high to begin with. After his previous great battle with Hiruzen Sarutobi, followed by being severely injured by Tobirama Senju, his body was already showing clear signs of collapse.

"However, there is no suitable vessel right now..." Orochimaru revealed a rare look of helplessness.

At that moment,

Kimimaro, who had been waiting quietly nearby, froze. Then his gaze sharpened, and he strode quickly to Orochimaru's side. Dropping to one knee, he said with utter resolve:

"Lord Orochimaru! Please allow me to become your vessel!"

Kimimaro's voice was firm. With his head lowered, he spoke with unwavering determination. Orochimaru had given him this life; he was more than willing to become Orochimaru's vessel!

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru, lying on the experimental table, flickered his gaze. Looking at Kimimaro kneeling before him, he sank into thought.

Sasuke Uchiha, whom he had chosen as his vessel, was still in Konoha. With Tobirama Senju there now, he would not want to take another Water Dragon Bite Blast even if he had ten lives. And Sasuke Uchiha would never voluntarily defect from the village to seek him out.

There was no suitable vessel, yet he desperately needed a new body.

After pondering for a moment, Orochimaru shook his head.

"No. I still have no way to treat your Bloodline Disease."

"Kabuto, bring Guren here. I need her body."

Before Kimimaro's hopeful eyes, Orochimaru rejected his request. Though Kimimaro's body was highly compatible with his and possessed the powerful Shikotsumyaku Kekkei Genkai, even he was currently helpless against Kimimaro's Bloodline Disease.

He could only settle for the next best option and use Crystal Release Guren as his vessel.

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru." Kabuto Yakushi quickly left.

In the vast laboratory, only Kimimaro remained, caring for Orochimaru, who was bedridden.