Chapter 313: Idle Anyway
After finishing the morale boost, A ordered retreat.
Everyone had long lost combat desire, hastily assembling for strategic withdrawal.
The group hurriedly ran toward the Land of Hot Water. Killer B approached, asking quietly:
"Big brother, will we really send Two-Tails' tail to that Uchiha Yasushi?"
"Though tailed beast tails can regenerate, no tailed beast would willingly cut their tail."
A wore a dark expression, voice carrying some dejection:
"That Uchiha Yasushi's personality proves quite domineering. If we don't complete the agreement according to his requirements, he'll definitely come for revenge."
"You've seen Konoha Village's miserable state. Our Cloud Village has no grudges with him—not worth conflicts over this matter."
"Sigh, speaking of which, I as Raikage am too weak."
"If I could be as strong as Senju Hashirama, why would I need bowing to a rogue ninja like him?!"
"I've also seen Uchiha Itachi's Susanoo before—didn't find it that impressive then. But who expected that Susanoo wasn't even the complete form?"
"Complete form... complete form..."
A muttered to himself, somewhat lost in thought.
Nearby Killer B involuntarily recalled being gripped in Perfect Susanoo's palm—that powerless feeling. He also fell silent, not even having the mood for rap.
The group departed the Land of Fields in silence.
On the other side, Yasushi returned to Otogakure with spoils, arriving at Orochimaru's laboratory. Tossing that Eight-Tails tail to the ground, he grinned:
"Lord Orochimaru, see how sincere I am? Without waiting for you to ask, I already brought Eight-Tails' tail back."
Orochimaru didn't stand on ceremony with Yasushi. Smiling while sealing that tentacle, he said:
"Actually I have Eight-Tails cell samples. But cultivating Eight-Tails' tail requires massive time and resources. You truly helped me greatly."
"However, since you're so sincere, why not let the capable do more—conveniently running to other shinobi villages, helping me collect all nine tailed beasts' chakra?"
"Eh?" Yasushi immediately widened his eyes, looking at Orochimaru with disbelieving expression. "Lord Orochimaru, you're freeloading off me, right?"
"Counting Cloud Village's future Two-Tails tail delivery, I've already collected one-third for you. The remaining two-thirds—collect them yourself. I'm too lazy managing this!"
"Tch!" Orochimaru wore a matter-of-fact expression. "My experiments require tremendous time. Where's the leisure running around everywhere doing these things?"
"Regardless, Konoha Village has already dissolved. You're currently idle anyway. Why not simply be more active, collecting everything completely?"
"What kind of talk is that?"
"What do you mean 'idle anyway'?"
"I currently every day... mm, fine, indeed have nothing much to do. But that's mainly because I haven't obtained needed intelligence yet."
"After gathering intelligence, I'll naturally become busy."
"Mm mm." Orochimaru nodded perfunctorily. "Then please help collect those tailed beast tails during your intelligence-waiting period, Yasushi-kun."
"Regardless, with your current martial power, other shinobi villages can do nothing about you."
"You're not like Nagato—seizing entire tailed beasts. Just one tail should be very easy obtaining."
"Though you say that, even collecting all tailed beast tails now, you still can't synthesize them!" Yasushi spread both hands, retorting:
"You must first research tailed beast chakra and human cell fusion clearly before needing to collect tailed beast tails."
"I feel three tailed beast tails already suffice for your research use. Completely unnecessary collecting all nine tails."
Orochimaru rolled his eyes, reminding:
"Aren't you forgetting Nagato also constantly collects tailed beasts?"
"If he beats you to it, you won't obtain even one tail."
"No problem." Yasushi waved dismissively, grinning. "I've long had White Zetsu collect all past jinchuriki cellular tissues."
"I feel those jinchuriki resurrected via Edo Tensei after death—their tailed beast chakra should have gradually fused with human bodies during long jinchuriki careers."
"I feel this chakra should prove closer to what we want than simple, pure tailed beast chakra."
"Later I'll have White Zetsu send you some cells too. You can Edo Tensei them out for careful research and mutual comparison. Perhaps better results."
"Edo Tensei jinchuriki..." Orochimaru's gaze lowered, carefully considering before finding it quite reasonable, no longer forcing. "Then suit yourself."
"I'm returning to the laboratory. If you have matters, have puppets come notify me."
After speaking, Orochimaru left Yasushi aside while walking away self-sufficiently.
Yasushi didn't mind him either, also leaving on his own to find Uchiha Shin.
"How's it going? Have you researched that curse mark clearly?"
Yasushi previously arranged a task for Shin—besides learning and researching cloning-related techniques, also having him obtain that immature curse mark data from Orochimaru for deep research.
This thing should be "Karma's" prototype. After researching to the peak, it was also an "immortality technique."
Previously lacked conditions, so this route was set aside. Now with Shin—such a powerful assistant—naturally must pick this up again.
"Ah, extremely sorry, Clan Leader-sama." Upon hearing Yasushi's question, Shin hastily lowered his head apologizing.
"This curse mark proves extremely complex. Moreover, I'm still not proficient enough using my Mangekyō Sharingan techniques. My own chakra quantity also proves somewhat lacking. Currently unable to completely understand this curse mark's principles and creation methods."
"No problem. Regardless, with Orochimaru's data, slowly researching will eventually produce results."
Yasushi first consoled Shin before saying:
"Your cloning technology won't progress that quickly. Wanting to clone another pair of Mangekyō Sharingan also proves difficult."
"To avoid you losing eyesight from excessive technique usage, I've decided helping you transplant Wood Release cells from my body."
"My Wood Release cells possess powerful vitality. Besides moisturizing your Mangekyō Sharingan, they can also increase your own chakra quantity—making you stronger and more enduring."
Hearing the transplant involved Yasushi's cells, Shin immediately grew excited, repeatedly expressing gratitude to Yasushi.
"Oh, that's truly wonderful!"
"Thank you, Clan Leader-sama!"