chapter 77 part 4
"Is that so? The human body is truly fragile. The intensity of this battle actually doesn't compare to the one where Jiraiya, Tsunade, and I fought Hanzo. It was just commanding a large army, which increased the complexity and drained a lot of my energy."
Orochimaru leaned closer to Tsukasa Kaede, who discreetly shifted away.
"Tsukasa-kun, after we get back, would you like to visit my laboratory? I don't know how much Danzo has told you, but I guarantee you won't be disappointed... If you and I join forces, we will definitely achieve a breakthrough in the field of human experimentation."
"I'm very much looking forward to that moment. However, human experimentation projects require Lord Hokage's approval, don't they? Even you and Danzo don't have the authority to start them on your own," Tsukasa Kaede said.
"The old man will agree. If Konoha doesn't do these things, the other villages will," Orochimaru said with an exceptionally sinister smile.
Tsukasa Kaede, looking exhausted, sat on a Zombie while conversing with Orochimaru.
This scene alone was witnessed by countless people. The fact that a figure like Orochimaru would immediately seek him out for a conversation upon returning after leading his troops to victory was a testament to his status and position.
It was through this battle that almost all the Konoha ninja reconfirmed Tsukasa Kaede's level. From now on, no one would look down on him again.
People looked at the figure with a casual expression on his face, surrounded by a throng of returning Zombies, and their faces showed deep amazement and awe.
"Maybe he'll become the next Hokage-level powerhouse."
One of Choza Akimichi's arms was broken. Enduring the intense pain, he didn't forget to glance in Tsukasa Kaede's direction.
"That'll be tough. The Uchiha, Hyuga, Akimichi, Nara, Yamanaka, Kurama Clan, Aburame Clan, Inuzuka Clan... none of these great clans have been able to produce a Hokage-level powerhouse. Only the Sarutobi Clan managed it, and that's because of Lord Hokage."
Beside him, Inuzuka Tsume was slumped over Kuromaru, so tired she couldn't lift a finger. She looked like she wanted to pass out on the spot, but forced herself to mutter a reply.
Even the Senju Clan, after the First Hokage and Second Hokage, had only produced one Kage-level powerhouse in Tsunade.
For something that so many great clans with long, established legacies couldn't achieve, it would be incredibly difficult for Tsukasa Kaede to become a Hokage-level powerhouse.
Even the most arrogant person would have to acknowledge Tsukasa Kaede's talent. They considered his Secret Technique to be terrifyingly bizarre and impossible to defend against. It was only a matter of time before he became an Elite Jonin.
But there's a fundamental difference between having talent and potential, and actually becoming a top-tier ninja at the Hokage level.
Buzz buzz buzz! A swarm of black insects flew about, slowly burrowing into Shikuro Aburame's body. This genius of the Aburame Clan, often mentioned in the same breath as Shibi Aburame, was heavily injured but had at least returned alive.
In the future, he would have a descendant with the same name who would master the Nano Poison Insects.
"Shikuro? To think you were pushed this far. That's a rare sight," Choza said, turning his head to look at the battered Shikuro Aburame with surprise.
Shikuro Aburame said in a low voice, "I ran into enemies from the Kamizuru Clan. As we both come from insect-controlling clans, defeating them takes a great deal of effort."
He continued, "I overheard some of your conversation. It doesn't actually matter whether Lord Tsukasa Kaede becomes a Hokage-level powerhouse or not. He just needs to be strong enough to control a Hokage-level powerhouse."
Everyone's heart skipped a beat. A chill instinctively ran down their spines as all sorts of bizarre and horrifying images spontaneously appeared in their minds.
Indeed, Shikuro was right. If Tsukasa Kaede could command the corpse of a Hokage-level powerhouse, what did it matter if he himself was Kage Level? Of course, if he truly could control a Kage-level corpse, then even if Tsukasa Kaede himself was lacking in combat experience, Chakra reserves, and other areas, the world would likely still regard him as a Kage-level powerhouse.
As it was said, a ninja like Tsukasa Kaede had never before appeared in the entire Ninja World. Standard metrics might not fully apply to him.
"Shikuro, do you know something? I remember Shibi Aburame followed Lord Tsukasa Kaede in the Land of Hot Water campaign. Have you two talked?"
"We exchanged letters. To avoid leaking intel, the contents were very brief, but that doesn't stop me from making connections."
Shikuro Aburame opened his hand, and a swarm of Parasitic Destruction Bugs buzzed out, hovering without dispersing. "The corpses Lord Tsukasa Kaede controls are like the insects I control. The difference is, corpses have a naturally distinct hierarchy of strength. He might not have the ability to kill and seize corpses himself, but if someone else was willing to do it for him..."
Tsukasa Kaede's growth rate would accelerate even further. The only uncertainty was what percentage of a stronger corpse's power Tsukasa Kaede could actually bring out.
It was precisely because Tsukasa Kaede and his Corpse Release Secret Technique were filled with so much mystery and uncertainty that it captivated the imaginations of these young people.
"In a future war, Lord Tsukasa Kaede might be an entire army by himself..." Shikuro Aburame recalled Shibi Aburame's words of extreme admiration for Tsukasa Kaede in his letters.
He knew that Shibi, as the Aburame Clan's top genius and next Clan Head, had always been a strong advocate of "solo infiltration combat," striving to forge himself into the most perfect Elite Jonin with no weaknesses.
Offense, defense, sensory perception, speed, intelligence, decisiveness... no need for teammates. He could handle everything by himself, with no shortcomings. In fact, a few years later, during the Third Great Ninja War, Shibi Aburame did indeed become such a Perfect Ninja.
Aside from never being able to break into the Kage Level in terms of raw power, Shibi achieved the pinnacle in all other aspects. Even during the Third Great Ninja War, he mostly operated alone and always completed his missions perfectly.
In Shibi's telling, Tsukasa Kaede was the Perfect Ninja he aspired to be. When it came to solo infiltration combat, no one was more naturally gifted than Tsukasa Kaede.