XX-level Hokage

"I feel like Itachi's condition isn't quite right," White Zetsu said softly.

"He's been terminally ill for a long time; he probably only managed this fight against Sasuke because he was forcing himself to stay healthy," Obito said sarcastically. "I see," White Zetsu nodded slightly.

"Oh, right, Orochimaru appeared during Itachi and Sasuke's fight just now, and was then sealed away by Itachi using the Totsuka Blade," White Zetsu said, as if he had just remembered something.

"The Totsuka Blade, this divine weapon, even I am quite wary of it. It seems that the snake that likes to shed its skin can no longer continue its schemes." Obito said with a somewhat profound look in his eyes.

"Orochimaru is not dead," Black Zetsu suddenly said.

Upon hearing Black Zetsu's sudden words, not only Obito but also White Zetsu were puzzled.

“I can sense that what’s sealed by the Totsuka Sword isn’t his true form,” Black Zetsu said sinisterly.

"So, Orochimaru's condition seemed a bit off at the time. He didn't say anything strange and was sealed away very quietly," White Zetsu said after a moment's thought.

"Orochimaru is crucial to our future plans. Whether it's the White Zetsu army or the Reanimation Jutsu, we need a suitable candidate," Black Zetsu said softly.

Obito pondered for a moment, then said, "Go find him, I will talk to him." In a valley in the Land of Rice Fields.

Orochimaru crawled off a corpse, collapsed to the ground, and, feeling an unprecedented weakness in his body, muttered to himself, "I failed after all. But it's alright."

"Extricate your soul from that seal beforehand, or you'll truly be sealed by that sword."

Orochimaru initially gambled everything on Sasuke, but not long ago, as his soul continued to crumble, some inexplicable memories began to resurface.

Hyuga Izumi, Dragon Vein, Byakugan Experiment, Sage.

He discovered that some of his memories seemed to have disappeared, as if they had been locked by an imperceptible shackle. Only when his soul wore away and the shackle wore away did the sealed memories begin to surface.

Based on this discovery, Orochimaru began to focus on his soul, even seeking help from the White Snake Sage of Ryuchi Cave. Ultimately, he broke free of the shackles and regained his lost memories.

The sage that Hyuga Izumi transformed into in his memory possessed such immense power that he still trembled at the thought of it. In comparison, the power of the Uchiha clan seemed insignificant.

Orochimaru then separated his soul from Sasuke's cursed seal, as the Uchiha's power was no longer enough for him to risk his life.

"Hyuga Izumi, no, Hyuga Mashiro, if I could get her body..." Orochimaru muttered to himself, his eyes filled with greed. After passing through three checkpoints, Zetsu found Orochimaru's location and notified Obito.

"Are you a new member of Akatsuki? Why are you suddenly coming to find me, a traitor to Akatsuki? Do you want to execute me?" Orochimaru asked, looking at Obito who had suddenly appeared.

"I am the new leader of Akatsuki. You can call me Uchiha Madara." Obito looked at Orochimaru, his three-tomoe Sharingan flashing crimson light, and said softly.

"Uchiha Madara, shouldn't he have died long ago? The records of Konoha document how his body was disposed of." Orochimaru was initially startled, then spoke up.

“Death was just an illusion. The power of the Uchiha is incredibly mysterious. I used death to avoid the battle with Hashirama and have lived until now. The Akatsuki organization was founded by me under the guidance of Pain,” Obito said softly.

"Let's assume you're Madara Uchiha. Then, what business do you have with this wretched loser like me?" Orochimaru said, staring directly at Obito.

"Orochimaru, let's create a new world together," Obito said softly. "A new world?" Orochimaru was very puzzled by Obito's words.

“I have a plan, and Akatsuki was created for this purpose. I call it the Eye of the Moon Plan…” Obito began to tell the story of the Sage of Six Paths and the Ten-Tails, as well as the contents of the Eye of the Moon Plan.

Orochimaru listened, his eyes growing increasingly alarmed. After Obito finished speaking...

Orochimaru laughed and asked softly, "If it were you, Madara Uchiha, as someone who could stand alongside the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju, plus the other members of Akatsuki and the Tailed Beasts you've already collected, you shouldn't need the power of a stray dog ​​like me."

“This plan can never be accomplished by just a few people. I plan to launch the Fourth Shinobi World War to fully realize my plan,” Obito said.

"You mean, the Impure World Reincarnation?" Orochimaru quickly guessed Obito's purpose. Obito nodded slightly upon hearing this.

"What benefits will I get?" Tensho-maru asked.

“I can give you the power of the Uchiha clan, whether it’s the Sharingan or Sasuke Uchiha’s body. I can give it to you once the plan succeeds,” Obito said.

“Then perhaps I really can be of help,” Orochimaru said with a sinister smile.

The two then discussed the specific details, and then Obito disappeared from the spot, as he had to hurry back to see Sasuke.

"How interesting. The Ninja World War... we'll see each other soon, Hyuga Mashiro." Orochimaru muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming with fervor. Back to the present.

"With Zetsu's help, I've almost finished preparing everything needed for the Reincarnation. As for the White Zetsu army, we still need a crucial host," Orochimaru said.

"The mother body?" Obito didn't understand what Orochimaru meant.

"There's someone in Konoha who can use Wood Release. He's currently in Kumogakure, and we need him to serve as raw material for the White Zetsu army," Orochimaru continued. "I understand." Obito nodded slightly and disappeared from the spot.

Orochimaru stared blankly in the direction Obito had left. Meanwhile, in the Anbu dungeon of Konoha...

Mashiro enters a special cell.

The prison cell was currently occupied by an unconscious "prisoner," who had become somewhat emaciated due to the prolonged coma.

A hand was placed on the "prisoner's" forehead, and a green light flashed. After a moment, the prisoner slowly opened his eyes.

"Are you alright, Killer Bee?" Mashiro withdrew her hand and asked softly.

What's wrong with me?! My body feels so strange. Killer Bee stared at the dimly lit ceiling, feeling a foggy, hazy feeling in his head.

Hearing a familiar yet unfamiliar voice, Killer Bee turned his head. "Who are you? The one from Konoha?" Killer Bee said weakly.

"By the way, how is the Hidden Cloud Village?! How is my older brother?!" Recalling the memories before and after the Akatsuki attack, Killer Bee instantly jumped out of bed.

He opened his mouth and asked.

The leader of Akatsuki destroyed the Hidden Cloud Village and captured you after your battle with the Raikage. Fortunately, because I used a forbidden technique, there were not many casualties among the villagers and ninjas of the Hidden Cloud Village.

Because of this incident, the Raikage convened a meeting of the Five Kage, and I, as the newly appointed Hokage, also went to participate. Together, we discussed how to deal with the Akatsuki organization.

However, during the meeting, a member of the Akatsuki organization attacked.

Yesterday, I worked with the member who was sent to infiltrate the Akatsuki organization and managed to rescue you without any major incidents. You should have sensed it too, right? The Eight-Tails is no longer inside you. Mashiro briefly recounted the recent events to Killer Bee.

Of course, some "minor" modifications were made to the content.

Chapter 168: Cultivation

After a long silence, Killer Bee said in a slightly hoarse voice, "Thank you."

He could clearly feel that the Eight-Tails had disappeared from his body.

Killer Bee and the Eight-Tails have been together for decades. In a way, the Eight-Tails is like another family member to Killer Bee. It understands Killer Bee's heart, tolerates Killer Bee's willfulness, and is Killer Bee's last trump card.

Now, due to his own actions, the Hidden Cloud Village has been destroyed, and the Eight-Tails has been captured by the Akatsuki.

A wave of intense self-reproach washed over him, a feeling he had never experienced before. "There's something I want to ask you," Mashiro said softly.

“I have lost the Eight-Tails now, and my strength has decreased significantly. If there is anything I can do to help you, I will do my best,” Killer Bee said earnestly.

In this situation, even if he were to break free from his inhibitions, he could no longer act as freely as before.

"I want you to train the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and help him control the Nine-Tails. The Fourth Shinobi World War is about to break out. The enemy not only has the powerful Akatsuki organization led by Madara Uchiha, but also possesses eight tailed beasts. If the Allied Forces can obtain a perfect Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, their chances of victory will greatly increase." Mashiro said softly.

“Okay, I understand. I can prepare once I recover. I will take the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki with me for training.” Killer Bee hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

He shouldn't have accepted the task of teaching other Jinchuriki how to control Tailed Beasts, but circumstances forced him to agree, and he had to succeed.

"Thank you very much. I'll go inform the Raikage first, and someone will bring you food in a little while." After saying that, Mashiro pushed open the door and left.

The villa, Kushina's room. Mashiro gently pushed open the door and went inside. Kushina was folding clothes.

Seeing Mashiro walk in, she hurriedly put her clothes away in a fluster.

"I made these clothes for Naruto myself, and they're not very well made," Kushina said with a smile, stroking her hair.

"Everyone's like this when they first start learning. Once you get more skilled, you'll be able to make them look better," Mashiro said softly, sitting on the bed.

“I made you a scarf. Although winter is over, you should still be able to use it.” Kushina hesitated for a moment, then took out a white scarf from behind her back and said with her head down.

Upon hearing this, Mashiro took the scarf, unfolded it, and gently stroked it, saying softly, "It's very well made, very soft. Ma, what's this blue flower?"

“It’s a fountain, though my embroidery doesn’t quite look like one,” Kushina said, her face slightly flushed. “A fountain?” Mashiro asked, stroking the embroidered pattern with some confusion.

"Have you forgotten? The name you told me before, Hyuga Izumi," Kushina said in a very soft voice.

Hearing Kushina's explanation, Mashiro's eyes softened even more. She put the scarf around her neck, wrapped it securely, and asked softly, "How is it? Does it look good?"

Kushina looked at Mashiro, especially at her gentle eyes and soft smile, and her cheeks inexplicably flushed. She whispered, "She looks beautiful."

"Have you heard about the impending Fourth Shinobi World War?" Mashiro asked softly, stroking her scarf. "Konan told me about it not long ago," Kushina replied, a hint of worry in her eyes.

“Tomorrow I will have Naruto go with the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki to learn how to control the Nine-Tails. You will go with him too. If nothing unexpected happens, when Naruto controls the Nine-Tails, a part of your soul hidden in Naruto’s body will appear, and Naruto will then discover that you are his mother,” Mashiro said softly.

Upon hearing this, Kushina felt inexplicably nervous. She was terrified and unsure how to face Naruto after he learned about their relationship. She was also worried because Naruto wanted to control the Nine-Tails, and as a former Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, she knew how terrifying the Nine-Tails was.

"Don't worry, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki is a perfect Jinchuriki. He has a very complete method for controlling the Tailed Beast's chakra. Naruto is also a very hardworking kid. He never gives up easily. With the help of your blood in her body, she will not fail."

"And, Kushina, don't think too much. You are first and foremost Uzumaki Kushina, and only then Naruto's mother. Your life trajectory has already been changed because of me. You didn't marry Minato, nor did you die because of the Nine-Tails. You are you. Just live according to your own wishes." Mashiro hugged Kushina's body and said softly.

As Mashiro spoke gently, Kushina's body began to shrink, and her love for Minato began to fade, transforming into another figure.

"Mashiro, why are you so good to me?" Kushina couldn't help but ask this question.

"Maybe it's because you're beautiful and smart, or because of how we've spent time together, or maybe because I have a little bit of love for you in my heart, who knows?" Mashiro said with a light laugh.

As Mashiro pulled closer, Kushina realized something was wrong and tried to struggle, but found her body seemed to be beyond her control. In the end, Kushina softened in Mashiro's embrace.

Mashiro's hand began to move over Kushina's... their lips touched.

Kushina's defenses were completely broken down. The next day, in the Hokage's office.

"Are we almost there? The training ground?" Mashiro asked softly. "Naruto and the others?" Samui said.

Mashiro nodded slightly and said, "After talking with the Raikage, he and Killer Bee both said it was a very secluded place, but I don't know exactly where it is."

"They should be here by now. Now it depends on whether Naruto will stay put and learn from Killer Bee. If he finds out about the war, knowing his personality, he'll immediately rush to the battlefield," Konan said with a hint of helplessness.

Because of Jiraiya, she gradually became acquainted with Nagato and Naruto. Naruto's personality was almost exactly the same as Yahiko's, so Konan took good care of Naruto.

“I told Naruto that I was going to attend the Jinchuriki Exchange Conference, and I gave him an S-rank mission. He can only come back when he has control of the Nine-Tails’ chakra,” Mashiro said softly.

“Naruto probably won’t be able to come back before the end of the Fourth Shinobi World War. Tailed beasts are not so easy to control, especially the Nine-Tails, the most powerful of the nine tailed beasts,” Samui said softly.

As a ninja from Kumogakure (the Hidden Cloud Village), Samui was close friends with Yugito Nii, the Jinchuriki of the Two-Tails, and Killer Bee, the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails. Therefore, Samui was well aware of the difficulty of controlling tailed beasts.

On another note, after Samui learned that Mashiro had rescued Killer Bee, he specially rewarded Mashiro, showing her what it meant to be cold as ice yet passionate as fire.

On the other side, on a specially designed cruise ship.

Naruto, looking excitedly ahead, said, "I heard we're going to a paradise for animals and plants. It's going to be really fun, don't you think? Like the Octopus Uncle?" "A paradise, hmm...maybe," Killer Bee replied.

"Naruto, don't get too cocky. Don't forget, you're here to train," Kushina said with a smile. "I know, Izumi-nee, I'll definitely train hard," Naruto replied with a smile.

After spending these days together, Naruto had completely come to regard Kushina as family. Soon, the cruise ship arrived in front of an island.

The island was littered with the corpses of birds and beasts, as well as reptiles.

Naruto was instantly shocked and exclaimed in disbelief, "Rakuten?! Paradise?!"

At that moment, the cruise ship's captain walked over and said with a smile, "This place is a bit like Konoha's Forest of Death, but it's more exciting." "A resort, a paradise for flora and fauna," Naruto muttered to himself, still reading what Mashiro had told him.