Flexible Bottom Line
"Can't we use genjutsu… or perhaps the Sharingan… to control it?"
Homura Mitokado frowned slightly as he voiced the suggestion. His mind instinctively turned toward the shinobi in Konoha who specialized in illusion techniques—especially members of the Uchiha Clan, whose Sharingan were renowned for their genjutsu prowess.
Across from him, Orochimaru remained calm.
"When the One-Tailed Jinchūriki loses consciousness, it is Ichibi who takes control of the body," Orochimaru explained patiently. "Even if you place the Jinchūriki under genjutsu, Ichibi will not be affected. In fact, once the host falls into illusion, it may actually make it easier for Ichibi to seize full control."
He wasn't exaggerating.
Bunbuku was, by all accounts, an almost perfect Jinchūriki. His synchronization with Shukaku was unusually high. While he could not fully suppress the beast at will, Shukaku likewise did not require his consent to surface when the opportunity arose.
Orochimaru had confirmed this personally when he reinforced the seal using the Four Symbols Sealing Technique. The moment Bunbuku lost consciousness, Shukaku nearly forced his way out. If not for the additional stabilization, the situation might have spiraled out of control.
"So there truly is no way to use the One-Tail?"
Utatane Koharu pressed on, unwilling to abandon the idea.
"Lady Koharu," Orochimaru replied with a faint, almost amused smile, "you should give up on that notion."
He spread his hands slightly, signaling helplessness.
Whether he truly had no solution—or simply refused to offer one—remained unclear.
In truth, Orochimaru had never supported the idea of treating Tailed Beasts as weapons. Why would he enthusiastically assist Konoha's leadership in weaponizing Bunbuku?
His willingness to analyze the issue had already been generous.
If Bunbuku had been unstable or flawed as a Jinchūriki, perhaps Koharu's plan might have held merit. Unfortunately for them, Bunbuku was stable enough to make forced manipulation extraordinarily dangerous.
"It seems we have no choice but to wait for Sunagakure's response," said Hiruzen Sarutobi, offering a gentle smile that masked his relief.
Before Orochimaru and Tsunade had returned, Koharu and Homura had pressured him relentlessly to utilize the One-Tail strategically. The strain had been considerable. Now, Orochimaru's explanation had given him justification to reject the proposal.
Koharu turned her head aside, frustration evident in her silence. Months of deliberation had ended in failure.
Before leaving the command center, Orochimaru paused.
"Hiruzen-sensei, please take proper care of Bunbuku. His physical condition is fragile. If the Jinchūriki dies, the Tailed Beast dies with him. Their lives are bound through the seal."
Though he spoke evenly, there was sincerity beneath the surface.
From a purely personal perspective, Orochimaru wished Bunbuku no harm. The monk had assisted him in understanding the relationship between Tailed Beasts and their hosts. That knowledge had proven invaluable.
Previously, eliminating Bunbuku might have served Konoha's interests. Now, however, the situation had shifted. With the idea of weaponization shelved, Bunbuku was merely a prisoner.
Perhaps he could be treated with a measure of dignity.
Walking Through Konoha
The streets of Konoha felt almost unfamiliar after so long at the front lines.
Beside Orochimaru, Tsunade quickened her pace, suddenly taking his hand.
"Orochimaru… do you really not have a solution?"
"Why do you ask?"
"You're hiding something," she said softly. "I can tell."
He glanced at her.
"Yes," he admitted calmly.
There were several methods he could have suggested.
For instance, he could alter Bunbuku's seal so that it would automatically loosen under predetermined conditions—perhaps near enemy territory. Or multiple Uchiha with fully matured three-tomoe Sharingan could coordinate genjutsu to suppress Shukaku temporarily. A Curse Mark could further restrict Bunbuku's movements.
Once within hostile territory—say, the Hidden Mist—the seal could be deliberately released.
Shukaku would awaken surrounded by enemies. Chaos would be inevitable.
There were always ways.
Orochimaru simply refused to provide them.
"Why?" Tsunade asked quietly. "You don't like using Tailed Beasts as weapons?"
She already suspected the answer.
"Think carefully," Orochimaru replied. "Your grandmother, Mito Uzumaki, is the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki."
If Konoha unleashed Shukaku as a weapon of mass destruction, other villages would inevitably follow suit.
And when that escalation came…
Would Hashirama refuse to deploy Mito on the battlefield?
Would he truly allow Konoha to suffer rather than use every asset available?
Orochimaru doubted it.
The so-called God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju, had laid the foundation for this system—one where Tailed Beasts were divided and distributed among nations.
A balance of terror.
Orochimaru's lips curved faintly.
"I knew it," Tsunade muttered triumphantly.
She leaned forward and kissed his cheek before jumping onto his back.
"Orochimaru! I'm exhausted. Carry me home."
He glanced back dryly.
"Tsunade… have you forgotten what you're wearing? From behind, you'd resemble a frog clinging to my back. A very obvious frog."
Her face flushed instantly.
"Then… never mind!"
She leapt off, mortified at the mental image.
Home
The doorbell rang sharply.
The door opened to reveal Hyuga Mio in comfortable home attire. Her long dark hair was tied neatly, revealing her pale neck and refined features. Her Byakugan eyes widened slightly at the sight of them.
"Orochimaru. Tsunade. Welcome home."
A rare smile appeared on her usually composed face.
"I'm home," Orochimaru replied gently.
Tsunade clenched her fists.
When it came to elegance and quiet femininity, she knew she could not compete with Hyuga Mio.
Inside, another figure rushed forward.
Uchiha Hikari threw herself into Orochimaru's arms.
"Orochimaru! Welcome back!"
Her dark eyes shimmered with unhidden affection.
"Tsunade's here too," Tsunade said pointedly.
"Welcome back… Tsunade," Hikari responded reluctantly, then buried her face against Orochimaru's chest again.
Tsunade huffed.
The Bath
Steam filled the bathroom.
Orochimaru sank into the warm water, eyes half-closed, allowing his mind to wander.
Research.
Always research.
The Gedo Statue experiments were progressing. Cells extracted from its flesh had been successfully cultured.
Black Zetsu's cells were peculiar—formed from Yin-Yang Release, difficult to stabilize in a human body. White Zetsu's cells, derived from humans altered by the Divine Tree, were more practical.
More intriguing were the Ōtsutsuki cells.
One sample belonged to Kaguya Otsutsuki.
Another, based on genetic markers, appeared male.
That discovery raised disturbing possibilities.
Hashirama cells remained problematic. Even years after his death, their vitality was overwhelming. Ordinary humans implanted with them nearly always perished.
Only rare anomalies—like Yamato in another timeline—could survive.
Chakra poison research stagnated. Hashirama cells consumed it like nourishment.
Liquid contact lenses resistant to Mangekyō genjutsu were nearly complete. Whether they could withstand Tsukuyomi-level illusions remained uncertain.
Cloning technology crawled forward painfully slowly. Genetic instability rendered most specimens unusable.
The true bottleneck of progress.
The bathroom door opened.
Tsunade stepped in and slipped into the bath beside him.
"Weren't you going to rest?" he asked.
"I will. After this."
She leaned against him, eyes drifting toward the Yin Seal on his abdomen beneath the clear water.
On impulse, she dipped beneath the surface and pressed her lips gently against it.
A strange warmth filled her chest.
"That tickles," Orochimaru muttered.
She laughed and buried her face against his neck.
"I wonder how long we can rest this time…"
"Judging by the war's trajectory," he said quietly, "it will become a war of attrition. Once all sides are exhausted, it will end."
"So we'll keep fighting."
"Yes."
She puffed her cheeks slightly.
"This is inevitable. We are Konoha's shinobi."
Orochimaru reached up and gently squeezed her cheeks between his fingers.
"And yet," he murmured, "even shinobi are allowed a flexible bottom line."
Outside, the world prepared for prolonged war.
Inside, for a fleeting moment—
There was only warmth.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)