Konoha: Unable to learn ninjutsu, they had to develop their own.

"Yes, because that's what I told him before."

"Alright, I've been researching the first-generation cells these past few days, and I can basically guarantee that even if it fails, it won't spread or worsen."

……

"What? Tsunade isn't here?"

"Lord Raikage, please have a seat. Lady Tsunade has gone out on business."

"Hmph, Tsunade wouldn't... Oh well, in that case, I'll just go wander around."

Raikage glanced at Shizune, knowing he wouldn't get anything out of her, and got up to leave.

Samui followed behind.

Only after leaving the Hokage Building did she whisper, "Is the Hokage avoiding you?"

"Could they be researching Hidan?"

Raikage muttered to himself.

He's feeling very conflicted right now.

Yesterday, the Raikage held a round of negotiations with Tsunade and some other high-ranking officials of Konoha, but of course, no agreement was reached.

Konoha hopes to form an alliance with Kumogakure, exchange more ninjutsu techniques, and jointly hold the Chunin Exams.

The benefit is...

The Hidden Cloud Village can obtain Hidan's body research shared by the Hidden Leaf Village.

Second.

The ninjutsu research that Konoha and Kumogakure exchanged will also be shared with Kumogakure.

He was unwilling to back down on ninjutsu.

On the issue of the Eight-Tails, Kumogakure suffered a hidden loss, and now that they've come to Konoha to seek an explanation, they'll suffer another hidden loss.

The Raikage couldn't stand it.

but.

Now I'm starting to think that the other party might be researching Hidan...

He felt like he had been cheated out of a lot.

Samui hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

The Raikage said irritably, "Say what you want to say, don't look like you want to say it but are afraid to!"

“Yes, I think exchanging ninjutsu is not a bad idea. According to Atsui, Konoha has been doing a lot of research on taijutsu recently. If we can get those ninjutsu, we will benefit a lot.”

"Samui said in a low voice."

Lei Ying raised an eyebrow, intending to lash out, but considering what he had just said, he silently swallowed the rest of his sentence.

He stormed off a few steps in a huff.

Ai gradually calmed down.

That makes sense!

If they could actually exchange for the ninjutsu they needed, Kumogakure might not necessarily lose out, but Konoha would definitely gain more, but...

Who gave Konoha a genius who excelled at developing ninjutsu?

Raikage sighed softly, looking somewhat depressed.

compromise?

As he was pondering this, he sensed two auras passing by in the distance.

Tsunade?

The Raikage quickly changed direction and ran towards the street where Tsunade had gone.

then.

He saw Chiba, Tsunade, and a sickly-looking man behind them.

I think there was this guy in the forest the day before yesterday.

He's very strong!

Raikage narrowed his eyes.

"Tsunade, what's going on here?"

"We have an operation to perform. Sorry, Raikage, I'll have to excuse myself for now."

Tsunade gave a brief explanation, then instantly caught up with Kimimaro and Chiba.

Ai wanted to follow.

but.

"Lord Raikage, that's Konoha Hospital. Outsider ninjas aren't allowed in there. You should..."

Samui offered a low-pitched admonition.

Raikage held his breath, then shook his hand in frustration.

"Let's go. I need to think about their proposal carefully and talk to them later. I should have let Darui come along."

He couldn't help but sigh.

Why was Atsi allowed to come with Samui back then?

If Darui were here, at least I would have another person to discuss things with.

Samui can offer a lot of advice, but he's mostly too quiet and likes to stand on the sidelines, pretending to be aloof and not saying a word.

and.

In some matters, Samui is not as experienced as Darui.

……

"Tsunade-sama."

"Xiyan, prepare a clean laboratory for us. Chiba and I are going to perform surgery in an hour."

"Yes!"

Maoyuexiyan left.

Inside the small Anbu room, only Chiba, Tsunade, and Kimimaro remained.

Chiba said, "Kimimaro, regarding your treatment plan, Tsunade and I have come up with two strategies, and we plan to use both at the same time."

"Two-pronged approach?"

Kimimaro asked, puzzled, "What do you mean?"

“Our plan is based on the life force feedback of the first generation of cells, so it is necessary to implant Hashirama cells into you. At present, I plan to use a method similar to the cursed seal.”

Chiba glanced at Kimimaro's cursed seal as he spoke, "But you have a problem, which is..."

"My cursed seal?"

"Correct."

Chiba nodded.

Kimimaro already possessed a cursed seal, which is why Chiba kept the cursed seal as a backup plan.

He couldn't guarantee that the new cursed seal wouldn't provoke a rebellion from the Earth Curse.

At this moment, Tsunade spoke up: "We now have a rather dangerous plan. We will first use the First Hokage's cells to devour the cursed seal on your neck, and then restrict and bind it, turning it into a new cursed seal."

"Row."

Kimimaro nodded.

Tsunade paused, glanced at Chiba, then looked at him and said, "But there's one thing I need to say beforehand..."

"You need to use the ability to control me, right?"

"Ah."

Tsunade nodded.

Kimimaro smiled and said, "Lord Chiba said before that I understand Konoha's concerns. In fact, I was already quite surprised that you were willing to perform the surgery on me."

"In that case, you should rest for a bit, and the surgery will begin shortly."

Tsunade nodded and left, allowing Chiba to be alone with Kimimaro.

Chiba thought for a moment and said, "Kimimaro, I'm 60% confident in this technique. Even if it fails, it will extend your lifespan for a while, so you don't need to worry."

"Lord Chiba, I'm not worried. I'm just a little curious. Aren't you afraid I'll betray you?"

"I have the strength to defeat you, so I am not afraid."

Chiba said frankly.

Kimimaro pondered for a moment, then nodded.

With Chiba's space-time ninjutsu, even if he used the Dance of the Morning, it would probably be difficult to cause any real damage to Konoha.

We have the strength, so we have nothing to fear.

He sighed softly, "To be honest, I think you are very similar to Lord Orochimaru. Sometimes I see the shadow of Lord Orochimaru in you."

"looks like?"

"Similar, yet not quite, you're more than Orochimaru..."

Kimimaro hesitated for a long time before speaking truthfully, "I think you are more gentle than Lord Orochimaru, but also more bound by rules."

"People still need some moral constraints, otherwise, once they have great power, they will become less and less like human beings."

Chiba said, "I think that someone like Orochimaru can no longer be called a human being."

"what is that?"

"Isn't the pursuit of immortality just an attempt to become a god?"