Chapter 57: The Shinobi World Shaken

Land of Lightning, Kumogakure

In the Raikage's office, the burly Fourth Raikage, A, looked over the documents in his hands. "Mabui, is this information verified?"

Wearing a black business suit and skirt with a white blouse underneath, black stockings, and high heels, Mabui looked very professional. Hugging a file to her chest, she nodded confidently. "Raikage-sama, I've confirmed it. The information is reliable."

"Heh, interesting," Raikage A chuckled, his muscles rippling under his clothes. "Wood Release and the Flying Thunder God technique appearing in Kirigakure. The old man Sarutobi will probably lose his mind."

"What should we do, Raikage-sama? Should we take any action?" Mabui asked, her tone serious.

"There's no need to intervene. We'll observe the situation. Given that it involves Wood Release and the Flying Thunder God, Konoha will definitely take action. There's no need for us to rush in," Raikage A replied nonchalantly, tossing the documents onto his desk.

While the mysterious individual using Wood Release was concerning, it didn't seem like he could wield the same overwhelming power as the First Hokage. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been repelled by someone using the Flying Thunder God technique. The fact that this person could control a tailed beast was more worrisome.

"Where are B and Yugito now?" Raikage A asked.

"B is holding a concert in the village, and Yugito is training at home," Mabui replied, moving to the window to glance at the village square.

"Yo! Yo! Listen up, Kumogakure! Your favorite Jinchuriki is here to rock your world!" Killer B, dressed in a rooster costume, rapped from a makeshift stage, eliciting cheers from the crowd.

The Fourth Raikage's forehead veins throbbed in frustration. "B, you idiot! If you're going to hold a concert, take it somewhere else!"

"Hey, brother, wanna join in?" Killer B asked, unfazed by A's anger, waving his microphone.

"B, you idiot!" Raikage A roared, activating his Lightning Release Chakra Mode and charging at B, who yelped and started running.

Mabui shook her head at the brothers' antics and left the office, bumping into Samui, a tall, curvy kunoichi with golden hair and a serene demeanor. Samui was a striking beauty, and Mabui couldn't help but glance at her impressive figure.

"Samui, here to report? The Raikage is... occupied," Mabui said.

"I see," Samui nodded, turning to leave.

"How about we invite Yugito and go shopping?" Mabui suggested. "She'll soon head to Turtle Island for training, and we won't see her for a while."

"Alright," Samui agreed.

They headed to Yugito's home and soon found her in a tight training outfit. The trio set off for a day of shopping, attracting envious and admiring gazes from everyone they passed.

Meanwhile, news of the Three-Tails incident in Kirigakure spread across the shinobi world. Suna, Iwa, and other major villages received the information. The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, and the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, were shocked by the reappearance of Wood Release and the Flying Thunder God technique. Like the Raikage, they chose to observe the situation, albeit with a sense of schadenfreude at Konoha's predicament.

Land of Fields, Orochimaru's Secret Base

"Muhahaha, it seems Shishou didn't deceive me," Orochimaru laughed as he read the report on Kirigakure. Knowing that Hashirama's cells could be successfully transplanted was crucial to his experiments.

Although Orochimaru had previously succeeded in hybridizing Hashirama's cells with other embryos to create a viable baby, direct transplantation remained elusive.

"But who is this Flying Thunder God user?" Orochimaru wondered. Having lost the Hokage election to Minato, he had little fondness for the technique.

"Sensei must be having a hard time. Not only has someone mastered Wood Release, but they've also learned the Flying Thunder God technique," Orochimaru chuckled at the thought of his old teacher's troubles.

"Lord Orochimaru, the test subjects are ready," Yamato (formerly Tenzo) reported, his arm restored by Orochimaru after being severed by Danzo.

"Excellent," Orochimaru said, pleased with Yamato. Obedient, talented in Wood Release, and capable in combat, Yamato was valuable despite his limited chakra reserves.

After a deal with Danzo, Orochimaru had gained control over Yamato in exchange for his cloning technology. If Yamato could adapt to the Cursed Seal's power, he would become a formidable asset.

As Orochimaru started a new round of experiments, Yamato returned to his quarters, touching the Cursed Seal on his neck. With the pain subsiding, he took out a scroll and began studying the materials left by Orochimaru.

In ROOT, Danzo had treated him as a tool, but Orochimaru saw him as a trusted subordinate. This shift in treatment had earned Orochimaru Yamato's respect and loyalty.

Please remember to add this chapter to your library and follow for more updates. Support me on Patreon for high-quality chapters and more updates at patreon.com/Betek.