Kushina's strength was never weak.
In fact, it was the opposite. She was far stronger than most people in Konoha realized.
Naruto, in his Four-Tails state, had once been able to suppress Orochimaru. Although Orochimaru at that time was heavily limited and could barely use ninjutsu at full capacity, the raw power of the Nine-Tails was still undeniable.
Kushina herself was a master of sealing techniques within Konoha. She could also use the Rasengan and the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique with high proficiency.
If she truly fought without holding anything back, even Tsunade might not necessarily defeat her.
However, Kushina almost never displayed her full power in real combat, which meant the Third Hokage never truly understood her capabilities.
At present, the only one who likely had a clear understanding of her strength was Hayashi.
It could only be said that Kushina's brilliance was often overshadowed. People focused on the Sannin, and on the brilliance of Konoha's Yellow Flash, but they overlooked that within the Village itself existed another anomaly, one with overwhelming potential and a surprisingly close relationship with Kurama.
The reason was simple. Konoha did not need the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki on the battlefield.
The Village already had enough strength to contend with the other major nations. Under such circumstances, there was no need to deploy the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
But Kushina did not see it that way.
She believed that with her current strength, she was no longer someone who needed to stay hidden within the Village. She could fight alongside everyone else.
That was her desire.
Later, at a training ground within the Senju Clan compound, after Kushina demonstrated a portion of her abilities, Tsunade finally agreed to her request.
Tsunade had always been a free-spirited person. Whether due to Mito or her own nature, she never viewed Kushina as just a Jinchūriki. She saw Kushina as an individual first.
That was also why, in later years when Pain attacked and the Fourth Great Ninja War began, Tsunade supported allowing Naruto onto the battlefield. She never judged Jinchūriki by their status alone.
The same applied to Kushina.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was more conservative in comparison, but not to the extreme many assumed. Otherwise, he would never have allowed Naruto to leave the Village on missions with Kakashi.
In truth, both Tsunade and Hiruzen were influenced by Hashirama's will. Hashirama was someone who held deep compassion and did not see the Tailed Beasts as mere tools.
Once Tsunade agreed, and the Third Hokage confirmed Kushina's strength, he no longer stopped her.
Of course, not everyone approved.
Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado both strongly opposed the decision. Koharu, in particular, due to the earlier Himeji incident, was even more cautious regarding Kushina's safety.
However, Danzo was not in the Village at the moment, and their influence alone was not enough to overturn the decision made by Hiruzen.
Although it was decided that Uzumaki Kushina would be deployed, the information was not made public. Instead, the Third Hokage arranged an official leave from the Ninja Academy, citing illness as the reason.
Kakashi, who had been preparing for battlefield deployment, was rejected by Kushina, only to later find that she herself had been approved to go.
During this period, to further enhance Kushina's strength, Hiruzen canceled Tsunade's break and assigned her to train Kushina directly.
Kushina had once been part of Tsunade's team, but Tsunade had never fully acted in the role of a proper teacher.
When Kushina was young, Mito had trained her. After Mito passed away, Hayashi took over her instruction. After Hayashi went to the battlefield, Kurama became her primary influence.
However, Kurama was far from an ideal teacher. The Nine-Tails, ancient and prideful, often encouraged reckless behavior and escaping confinement rather than disciplined training.
Because of this, Kushina had not trained seriously for a long time. She often caused trouble in the Village alongside Kurama's influence, and her progress had been inconsistent at best.
Only after being informed that she would be deployed did Kushina finally begin serious training, focusing on mastering Kurama's chakra more effectively.
Her growth during this period was rapid enough to shock even Tsunade.
Meanwhile, deep beneath Konoha, in a dark and damp underground network of tunnels, something else was unfolding.
The structure of the space was complex, layered like a maze. This was Root.
Footsteps echoed steadily through the corridor.
Thud, thud, thud.
Orochimaru made no attempt to conceal his presence.
This was not his first time here.
The Root shinobi observed him silently from a distance but did not move to stop him.
Eventually, Orochimaru reached the main hall and stopped.
Soon after, a figure appeared.
A white-haired man wearing a Root mask stood before him, cloaked in black.
"Lord Danzo has instructed me to relay his message," the man said.
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly. A faint, cold smile formed on his lips.
"An instruction, you say?"
The masked man responded evenly, "I am only delivering his words exactly as given. If you take issue, that is not my concern."
Before the sentence finished, Orochimaru moved.
A serpent burst from his sleeve and struck forward instantly.
But the masked man's body collapsed into mud.
An Earth Clone.
At the same time, the real body dropped from above, landing lightly in the corridor.
"Careful," Orochimaru said in a low voice. "Even within Root, you use such precautions. Are you afraid I will kill you?"
The man remained silent, watching him closely.
Orochimaru tilted his head slightly.
"Have we met before?"
The man answered calmly, "I joined Root as a child. I would not have had the privilege of meeting someone of your status."
Orochimaru gave a soft, noncommittal chuckle.
"Speak. What does Danzo want?"
"Lord Danzo stated he can grant you access to the place where forbidden techniques are stored."
Orochimaru raised a hand.
"I have changed my conditions."
The man frowned slightly. "That was already agreed upon."
"I said it has changed," Orochimaru replied flatly. "If Danzo refuses, then there is nothing more to discuss."
After a short pause, the man asked, "Then what are your new conditions?"
Orochimaru's expression remained unchanged.
"I no longer need access to the forbidden techniques vault. Danzo only needs to obtain a specific ninjutsu for me."
Most of Konoha's forbidden techniques were not stored in a single scroll but secured in a protected facility. However, Orochimaru had no immediate interest in risking infiltration.
The position of Hokage would not be out of his reach forever, whether it went to Jiraiya, Hayashi, or another. There was no need to take unnecessary risks now.
"In addition," Orochimaru continued, "I will assist in his research on the First Hokage's cells. However, that alone is no longer sufficient compensation. Danzo must also help me gather shinobi with kekkei genkai from other villages."
"I will report this to Lord Danzo," the man replied.
Orochimaru nodded slightly.
"Then where are the First Hokage's cells? I will begin immediately."
Everything had already been prepared.
"In the coming days, I will serve as your assistant," the man said. "I will remain at your side to help manage the research process."
It was a calculated arrangement. Danzo did not trust Orochimaru and had placed someone capable of observing him while also learning from his work.
Orochimaru let out a quiet, amused laugh.
"An assistant, then," he said softly. "I wonder how satisfying you will be."
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