chapter 112 part 2
Just then, a figure arrived at the laboratory, looking surprised at the tense master and disciple.
"Lord Hokage, Senior Orochimaru, it's actually you two. Is there something very important to discuss? If you mind, I can step aside." Tsukasa Kaede walked calmly before the two of them, revealing a perfectly timed look of surprise.
"...Tsukasa-kun, you've finally arrived. The old man is quite furious; he's been wanting me to confirm if you're still alive." Upon seeing Tsukasa Kaede, Orochimaru's heart was already churning with turmoil, but his face remained impassive. He even raised his chin with a feigned air of helplessness. Yet, his eyes were intently scrutinizing Tsukasa Kaede from head to toe. He observed Tsukasa Kaede's eyes, which looked like those of a normal Living Human, and his skin, which was incredibly delicate, completely lacking the cracks that covered an Impure World Reincarnation Ninja.
"Kaede?" The Third Hokage's expression shifted, and he instantly appeared before Tsukasa Kaede, swiftly grabbing Tsukasa Kaede's wrist with lightning speed, checking his body temperature, pulse, and Blood flow.
"You're alive? But—" "Lord Hokage, what are you saying? Of course I'm alive; how could I have died for no reason? Your sudden test, however, was quite abrupt. I almost couldn't help but retaliate. You might not know, but after obtaining the First Hokage's Cells, my nerve reflexes have greatly improved," Tsukasa Kaede said.
The Third Hokage examined him closely, confirming that the person before him was not a Substitution Jutsu clone, but indeed the living Tsukasa Kaede. A huge weight lifted from his heart—this was excellent. It meant that, at the very least, Orochimaru had not "betrayed" him.
It was Danzo who was the problem after all. To slander Orochimaru and Tsukasa Kaede, he actually used such a clumsy excuse to deceive him, a dignified Hokage! "It seems the Intel from the Hidden Sand Village has significant issues, claiming your physical condition was different, as if you were dead."
"That's ridiculous. They lost a Tailed Beast and ran out of options, so they came up with such a clumsy lie to mislead everyone, I suppose. Please, don't believe it. While I have all sorts of shortcomings, I am very serious about preserving my life on the battlefield," Tsukasa Kaede chuckled, appearing very relaxed and casual.
A Living Human, more alive than any Living Human; this alone convinced the Third Hokage for the most part, leading him to further suspect Danzo. After all, Danzo had deceived him, the Hokage, more than once or twice.
"From your appearance, it seems you've also mastered the Wood Release Bloodline Limit. Is that why you were able to defeat the One-Tail Jinchuriki in the Land of Wind? It seems I underestimated your experimental progress," the Third Hokage said slowly and deliberately. "Why wasn't such a major operation reported to me beforehand?"
"With all due respect, Lord Hokage, if we had reported it to you, you very likely wouldn't have allowed me to proceed with the operation, because you are a Kage who advocates Peace. I couldn't put you in a difficult position, so I acted on my own. After all, taking down the One-Tail genuinely weakens the Hidden Sand Village's power, preventing them from launching a large-scale invasion against us when the next War breaks out," Tsukasa Kaede said bluntly.
The Third Hokage was still very displeased, but he couldn't say anything more because Tsukasa Kaede's words were indeed well-reasoned. Such actions that damaged reputation and went against established principles could be done privately by subordinates, but not with his explicit approval. Of course, if they failed, they would have to take the blame after the fact. Yet, he couldn't truly let his subordinates run wild.
"Kaede, you're even more radical than Danzo! Ill-timed, excessive actions will plunge the Village into unpredictable danger. I hope this never happens again, or at least that I'm informed beforehand!" The Third Hokage sternly admonished him, his face rigid.
Anyone familiar with the Third Hokage knew that being criticized by the old man, and perhaps receiving some minor punishment, meant the matter was closed, not to be repeated.
"Then, where have you imprisoned the One-Tail Jinchuriki?"
"Accidentally killed it, just like how Hidan overexerted himself and had to take down the Four-Tails Jinchuriki back then." Tsukasa Kaede sighed deeply, feigning great remorse for his impulsiveness. His words were as casual as if he'd just stepped on an ant, yet he claimed his heart was filled with guilt: "I'm still unfamiliar with my new power. After finally acquiring the legendary Kekkei Genkai of the First Hokage, which also enhances my weakest physical attributes, I became overly exhilarated and, by accident, killed the One-Tail Jinchuriki."
"..." The Third Hokage and Orochimaru simultaneously fell silent.
"Tsukasa-kun, have you really grown strong enough to defeat a One-Tail Jinchuriki? Did that old man Bunpuku get dealt with by your Space-Time Ninjutsu and Wood Release without even resorting to Tailed Beast Transformation?" Orochimaru probed, shifting the topic.
"No, he entered Complete Tailed Beast Transformation. But what can I say, I have Wood Release and a whole horde of powerful Zombies, don't I? I even deployed Roshi, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, and it cost thousands of Zombies to barely deal with him!"
"No wonder. I overheard Konoha patrol members chatting, saying they saw many Zombies moving around earlier. So they were taken by you to be used as weapons against Jinchuriki, huh?" Orochimaru forced out a smile.
He truly wanted to pry open Tsukasa Kaede's head and see what was really going on!! No matter how foolish Orochimaru was, he knew he had been used by Tsukasa Kaede—though he himself had used Impure World Reincarnation to bring Tsukasa Kaede back, intending to use Tsukasa Kaede to achieve his own goals.
But to be used in return like this was truly unprecedented... Even Danzo had never fooled him this way. Tsukasa Kaede was truly something else... Orochimaru's expression was somewhat twisted, a result of a morbid mix of anger and exhilaration. This, paradoxically, significantly increased Orochimaru's recognition and appreciation for Tsukasa Kaede.
The Third Hokage's pipe-smoking frequency sharply increased. He furrowed his brows, experiencing an immense headache. Overall, however, this was a good thing. For a period, the Hidden Sand Village would lose their generationally inherited Tailed Beast, and their Combat Power ceiling would be significantly weakened.
Even if the One-Tail were to Resurrect, the Hidden Sand Village would have to lose a significant amount of troops to capture it. Not to mention, finding a Jinchuriki comparable to Bunpuku would be even more difficult.
"My patience is limited. The Village certainly cannot always be peaceful; it needs radicals who solve problems with force. However, Kaede, you are a bit too radical." The Third Hokage's voice was stern as he warned, "I hope this is the last time. I am the Hokage!" If he didn't rein in this young man, Tsukasa Kaede might just spark the Third Great Ninja War! Now, the Third Hokage didn't even know how to appease Sunagakure's discontent!
"As for Sunagakure, I will find a way to talk to them. Orochimaru, come see me in a bit. I want to hear a detailed report on the progress of the Human Experimentation project! You did not tell me about Kaede acquiring the Wood Release Bloodline Limit, so you had best give me a reasonable explanation." With that, the Third Hokage left.
Orochimaru and Tsukasa Kaede entered the laboratory one after another, neither speaking a word.
"Tsukasa-kun, it seems you've finally achieved your goal. Did you Resurrect using the Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu? Impure World Reincarnation and Living Corpse Reincarnation, to think they are such outstanding complementary Ninjutsu, capable of allowing you to perfectly acquire the Kekkei Genkai of a Sacrifice." Orochimaru stared intently at Tsukasa Kaede with his slit eyes, scrutinizing him from head to toe. Even he couldn't quite grasp what level Tsukasa Kaede had reached now.