chapter 87 part 5
However, currently, Kushina seemed more interested in Tsukasa Kaede, which was understandable. After all, Tsukasa Kaede was involved in Mito Uzumaki's demise and even received a special gift like Nine-Tails Chakra.
"There shouldn't be a problem, right? Tsukasa Kaede is also a Space-Time Ninja. Even if Kushina truly loses control and goes berserk, Tsukasa Kaede can instantly transfer her away, preventing the Nine-Tails from harming the Village."
But this was still imperfect. It would be great if it were Minato Namikaze, but if not, there was nothing he could do. Given the Third Hokage's personality, if Minato Namikaze himself wasn't interested in Kushina, the Third Hokage wouldn't say anything.
Watching the spectacle, waiting for developments, letting things run their course—the Third Hokage adopted his usual style. Even if the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was overly sensitive, as long as they were closely monitored to ensure Kushina and Tsukasa Kaede's thoughts and actions didn't stray from the Will of Fire, there would be no problem.
Currently, such a thing wouldn't happen either.
Surely, something as absurd as Tsukasa Kaede defecting with Kushina wouldn't happen, would it? Thinking of this, the Third Hokage couldn't help but burst into laughter by himself.
It was late at night.
Tsukasa Kaede walked alone.
"Hmm, the Third Hokage shouldn't be observing me anymore, right? The Crystal Ball Jutsu truly is a useful Ninjutsu. I don't currently have a way to break this Jutsu."
Tsukasa Kaede possessed a certain Sensory Perception, essentially using Zombies to patrol the surroundings. Whatever the Zombies saw, Tsukasa Kaede would know, somewhat similar to the shared vision of the Kaedex Paths of Pain.
However, this so-called Sensory Perception had a flaw: the Zombies couldn't directly "see" Chakra.
Even if it were the Inuzuka Clan, they wouldn't be able to break the Crystal Ball Jutsu.
The Hyuga Clan, on the other hand, had an easier time; with their Byakugan, they could directly see the surrounding Chakra. If something felt off, they could confirm they were being remotely monitored.
Tsukasa Kaede went directly to Orochimaru.
"What a rare guest. Could it be that the Village has lifted its surveillance on you?"
Orochimaru, dressed in pajamas, smelled Tsukasa Kaede before the door even opened, his tongue naturally extending in excitement.
"It seems to be over, yes. The Village possesses many powerful Jutsu, so it's normal that I didn't detect being monitored. As for you, I thought you had already started your Experiment projects. Are you actually sleeping?"
Tsukasa Kaede walked straight in, not treating himself as an outsider at all. He observed the excessively tidy courtyard, thinking that this guy was indeed rich; Tsukasa Kaede, for one, couldn't afford a house like this in the Village center.
There was also a pond in the courtyard.
"Hehehe, normal people need rest. Doesn't Tsukasa-kun rest? Transferring two Nine-Tails Jinchuriki must have been very stressful. If it were me, I'd need to sleep for a long time to recover."
"I don't need rest. The Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu and Nine-Tails Chakra are enough."
"Is that so? How enviable! Tsukasa-kun always manages to use the most ordinary words to stir the deepest excitement in people's hearts." Orochimaru's lips curved into an exaggerated smile, almost reaching his ears. Every time he saw Tsukasa Kaede, he couldn't suppress his exhilaration.
"Enough with the pleasantries. I've decided to join your Experiment. What stage is your research at now?"
"I'm currently delving into Cell Transplantation. Gene Editing still presents some technical difficulties, but I feel it's close. With enough Human Experimentation, Gene Editing technology will surely achieve a major breakthrough. Perhaps it won't be long before we can manually transplant Kekkei Genkai."
Orochimaru poured Tsukasa Kaede a cup of hot tea and chuckled darkly: "Speaking of which, I recently discovered something very interesting. Kato Dan seems to have mastered a new Ninjutsu. I also heard an explosion, though only that one time... Tsukasa-kun might know some insider Intel? They must trust you very much."
"I removed the internal organs and spine from an Explosion Release Corpse and reattached them into Dan Kato's body. I couldn't have revived him otherwise. Luckily, it succeeded, and he seems to have roughly mastered an Explosion Release Bloodline Limit due to this misfortune. I just don't know what level of strength it can reach, or if it can compare to a true Explosion Release Kekkei Genkai," Tsukasa Kaede said casually.
Because what was to be done next had far more technical complexity than crude Organ Transplantation.
Corpse Release was incredibly effective in this regard; for any deceased Corpse, Tsukasa Kaede could activate its Cells with a single Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu, and then Orochimaru could perform Cell Transplantation, which would at least significantly accelerate research progress.
Tsukasa Kaede felt that Orochimaru might not dare to immediately proceed with Human Experimentation involving Hashirama's Cells, which were almost certainly fatal, because the Hokage had not yet given his approval.
However, it was only a matter of time.
"So that's it. Tsukasa-kun, your birth in this era is truly fortunate for all of us. It's excellent to be able to cooperate with you; I'm already impatient."
"Kaedence you're impatient, then let's act. I also very much hope to contribute to the Village and raise its Combat Power as much as possible," Tsukasa Kaede said, not even blinking as he lied.
Orochimaru could see that Tsukasa Kaede had his own objectives, but what could they be? To involve someone who could control Zombies and revive the dead in Human Experimentation... was he coveting some of the Village's Kekkei Genkai?
It was possible, but Orochimaru always felt things wouldn't be that simple.
"Very well. Danzo won't be able to interfere with us for now. Let's use this vacuum period to accelerate the Experiment's progress. I believe we'll both get what we want, right?"
*Sliiiirp!*
Orochimaru extended his tongue.
"Hmm, let's hope so."
Tsukasa Kaede nodded.
Two figures departed into the night, plunging into a secret laboratory.
For the next period, they would be engrossed in intense Experiments, also preparing for the subsequent Human Experimentation.
"Tsukasa-kun, I recall you obtained Nine-Tails Chakra. You, with the Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu, are also interested in Tailed Beast Chakra? You shouldn't have a use for it, should you?"
Orochimaru sliced open a Corpse's chest. Tsukasa Kaede placed a hand on it, reactivating the lifeless organs, and said indifferently: "Rather than Tailed Beast Chakra, I'm more interested in the Tailed Beasts themselves. Having achieved Immortality, my gaze doesn't linger long on ephemeral lives. I prefer to focus on special existences... the immortal and indestructible Tailed Beasts naturally entered my field of vision."
Orochimaru's movements paused, a pang of jealousy in his heart.
Damn it, the Immortality Jutsu he had painstakingly pursued was spoken of so lightly by Tsukasa Kaede. Such composure was almost unbearable for Orochimaru.
"In that case, I do have some special Intel... are you interested in Eight-Tails Chakra?"
(end of chapter)