chapter 106 part 2
Orochimaru seemed to understand Tsukasa Kaede's plan. From the very beginning, Tsukasa Kaede needed to use Impure World Reincarnation. An Edo Tensei body using Hashirama experimental subjects as Sacrifices, once resurrected, would presumably gain the power of Hashirama Cells directly.
"Next time we meet, I'll probably see you having mastered Wood Release. That's truly remarkable. Something the Senju Clan desired to achieve at such a great cost, you accomplished through these means."
Even Orochimaru had to admit Tsukasa Kaede's plan was truly insane; if one step went wrong, there would be big trouble. But considering Tsukasa Kaede must have prepared contingencies for himself, and had indeed succeeded so far, Orochimaru found it hard to say anything further.
"Hasn't Toka Senju already become a flawed Wood Release Ninja? With such a successful case, they should be at ease," Tsukasa Kaede said indifferently.
He wasn't surprised that Orochimaru had seen through his plan. With things having progressed this far, whether it was seen through or not, it no longer held any meaning for Tsukasa Kaede.
Except for Sealing Jutsu, no power could stop Tsukasa Kaede.
"Your plan is truly good. I won't hide it from you. For years, I've been trying every possible means to develop Secret Techniques for body transference, but I never thought the goal could be achieved in such a way. My only regret is that I can't get your Self-Sacrifice Reanimation Jutsu," Orochimaru's face showed deep regret.
Impure World Reincarnation and Self-Sacrifice Reanimation—neither could be lacking, unless he could master other Resurrection Jutsu. But how could that be possible?
However, it was hard to say how much truth was in that expression on his face. Because Orochimaru pursued Immortality, using Tsukasa Kaede's series of plans to transfer bodies was too risky, far less "safe" than his still-incomplete Immortal Reincarnation Jutsu—which involved directly devouring the opponent's Soul and taking over their body.
Tsukasa Kaede stood up and brushed past Orochimaru.
He was currently a dead man. Regardless of what turmoil would arise in the Hidden Leaf Village with Danzo's return, it had nothing to do with him.
The number of Zombies was almost gathered. For the next period, he would leave the Village and find a quiet place to complete the ritual.
As for the specific location, Tsukasa Kaede already had clear coordinates—it definitely wouldn't be within the Land of Fire. This was the most fertile region in the Shinobi World, with the largest population and too many Sensor Ninja.
In this world, there was also a country that, although vast in territory, consisted mostly of worthless desert, sparsely populated.
The Land of Wind.
Tsukasa Kaede immediately left the Hidden Leaf Village, traversing rapidly within the Land of Fire. Under his control, the Zombies gathered nearby into one stronghold after another. Every time he appeared, it meant a large number of Zombies were Sealed into his Scrolls and taken away.
Orochimaru looked at his laboratory, remained silent for a long time, and finally made up his mind.
If he had successfully seized the Rinnegan, then his previous act of selling out Danzo would undoubtedly have been worth it. But now, he had to face Danzo's wrath—though Danzo's wrath was utterly useless.
"Having a few old, experienced flies around can occasionally be annoying... The Human Experimentation projects can only proceed like this for now. If it's just simply transplanting Hashirama Cells, there's no way for the Senju Clan people to obtain Wood Release power, unless I seize more Sharingan from the Uchiha Clan. But such a thing..."
Orochimaru chuckled darkly.
To combine the Bloodline Limits of the Senju and Uchiha Clan, one would need to obtain sufficiently stable power. Even if the Uchiha Clan agreed, they would definitely demand to be given the Hashirama Cells.
"This is getting interesting. Danzo, you who suffered a great loss, will definitely not swallow your anger. You're probably thinking of ways to get revenge on me. Everyone thinks I controlled Tsukasa Kaede to abduct Konan, but then I let Konan roam freely in the Village." Orochimaru felt things were becoming increasingly unpredictable.
...
Jiraiya didn't know what exactly had happened. When he found Konan, even though he had already heard the news of Konan appearing in the Hidden Leaf Village, he still found it hard to believe.
"Konan, is it really you...?" Jiraiya showed a surprised expression.
"It's been a while, Jiraiya-sensei. I've been around the Hidden Leaf Village and have a general understanding of this Village. It truly is a Great Shinobi Village capable of producing Ninja like you, sensei."
Konan saw Jiraiya and felt a pang in her heart, but she had become stronger than when they had parted ways. Her lips trembled slightly, but she maintained a calm demeanor on the surface.
"What exactly happened? Tsukasa Kaede brought you back, didn't he? How are Nagato and Yahiko? What happened during the time after I left? Tell me, I will make things right for you."
"Don't press me any further, Jiraiya-sensei. Even you wouldn't be able to do anything... If I told you the truth, would you really raise a blade against your Comrades in your Village? Don't say they aren't your Comrades; even if they really aren't, as long as they are Konoha Ninja, you would absolutely not harm them."
Konan shook her head. She hadn't undergone Corruption yet, and still cared for Jiraiya to some extent. "I also really wanted to come to the Hidden Leaf Village and see it for myself."
"So it was Konoha guys who attacked you, after all. So... was it Danzo? And others? Was it Tsukasa Kaede? No, that Orochimaru guy must have been involved."
Jiraiya's eyebrows lowered slightly, and his expression became more dangerous, but there were many things he couldn't figure out.
If Tsukasa Kaede had attacked Konan and the others, and kidnapped Konan to use as a hostage against Nagato, why would he let Konan move freely? And not mind Konan's Intel spreading throughout the Village, confirming her status as the Hokage's grand-disciple? "Danzo, Orochimaru, Tsukasa Kaede, this matter involves these three guys, right? At least two of them attacked you... Too many lawless individuals are hiding in the dark side of the Village. I will report this to the Third Hokage. Kaedence it concerns you, the old man will definitely take it seriously."
"He'll take Nagato's eyes seriously, won't he? Yahiko and I are just secondary." Konan shook her head, seeing things very clearly.
Jiraiya looked at this disciple who now had her own opinions, sighed, and then said, "What are you going to do next? Has Tsukasa Kaede controlled you? You can tell me; I'll try to help you undo the Jutsu Formula he placed on you."
"No need, sensei. We will resolve this matter. Things always need to be pushed forward little by little, don't they?"
Konan politely refused. The reason was also simple: she hadn't yet figured out what Tsukasa Kaede truly wanted to do. The mere fact that he was already dead, if it got out, would inevitably cause a sensation throughout the Shinobi World.
The Hidden Leaf Village would still sigh in regret, but people in other Hidden Villages would only cheer, wishing Tsukasa Kaede dead.
Before figuring out Tsukasa Kaede's purpose, and gathering Intel on Danzo and Orochimaru, Konan felt she could wait a bit longer.
...