News of the Fourth Kazekage's death spread, shaking the entire Shinobi World.
Under normal circumstances, Iwagakure would likely seize the opportunity to encroach upon the Land of Wind's territory.
But this time, Onoki addressed the Fourth Raikage, Terumi Mei, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and the others gathered:
"We deeply regret the passing of the Fourth Kazekage. However, we now face common enemies: Uchiha Madara, and the mastermind behind him, Orochimaru. Therefore, I hope all villages can maintain peace during these next few years. Let us not exploit this situation to incite conflict!"
The Fourth Raikage snorted after listening.
"Onoki, your Iwagakure has had the most friction with Sunagakure. You have some nerve lecturing us. However... what you said holds merit. Our villages are currently in a truce; past grievances will be set aside for now."
Mei Terumi added, "I agree with both of you. We in Kirigakure also wish to avoid unnecessary conflict. A period of peaceful development would be ideal!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, "I agree as well. After all, the one who killed the Kazekage is a rogue ninja (Nukenin) from our own Konohagakure."
Nearby, Baki was so moved he nearly wept
and chewed the handkerchief in his hand.
( T ⌔ T)つ□.
He had feared that with the Kazekage's death, Sunagakure would face another crisis. Who could have predicted that, thanks to the information revealed by the screen , Sunagakure would gain this crucial breathing room.
At this moment, Onoki, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the other senior leaders vaguely sensed that the appearance of this screen might actually be beneficial for the Shinobi World's future.
To some extent, it seemed to be fostering empathy and understanding among them.
"The image is changing!"
[In the image--]
[Inside Kumogakure, a female Cloud shinobi with distinctive snake-like eyes observes the man who was once the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki.]
[The scene shifts]
[ A doctor writes on a medical chart. Unbeknownst to him, a small white snake slithers out from under the bed, flicking its tongue as it moves forward. In the next instant, the snake transforms into the woman with snake pupils—it's the doctor!]
[The following day, Blue B (The previous Eight-Tails Jinchūriki before Killer Bee) arrives to pick up sleep medication. The 'doctor' presents a bottle.
"This isn't the usual," Blue B said skeptically.
"It's a new formula guaranteed to help you sleep soundly!" the 'doctor' explains.
"Thank you," Blue B says, taking the bottle and leaving.]
[That night, as Blue B sleeps, the snake-eyed woman sits eerily over him. She peels off her disguise, revealing Orochimaru's pale face. "What you ingested was a powerful genjustu-inducing pills," Orochimaru whispers.
"Living is painful, isn't it? Allow me to free you from the anxieties and suffering of being a Jinchūriki!"]
[In the next second, Orochimaru performs the Five Elements Unseal, disrupting the seal holding the Eight-Tails within Blue B!]
[What follows is the Eight-Tails' rampage.Countless shinobi perish.The Third Raikage subdued the Eight-Tails by sealing it into the Kohaku no Jōhei, resulting in Blue's death. During that 8 tails had its one horn severed for unknown reasons.Orochimaru seizes the opportunity to collect the severed horn and Some DNA-samples of B , before departing gleefully.].
"Orochimaru! I swear I'll kill you!"
"So you were the one who harmed Blue B!"
The Fourth Raikage erupted, raw fury radiating from him, forcing nearby shinobi back several steps.
He had always believed the Eight-Tails went wild because the emptiness in Blue B's heart couldn't be filled, that Blue B himself was unwilling to bear the burden of being a Jinchūriki any longer and wished to escape it.
To think it was that bastard Orochimaru all along!
If Orochimaru hadn't interfered,
Killer Bee wouldn't have become the Jinchūriki at such a young age, forced to endure the ridicule and scorn of the villagers during years when he should have been carefree.
And he, the Raikage, could only watch, powerless.
"Everyone, the hunt for this snake must begin immediately!" the Raikage declared. "The longer we delay, the more havoc Orochimaru will wreak upon the Shinobi World! Does anyone here want their village destroyed because of that monster?"
Ohnoki: "I agree!"
Terumi Mei: "I agree as well!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "This time, Konohagakure will commit more resources to Orochimaru's capture. We must eliminate him."
Baki: "Though Sunagakure is currently unstable, we will actively cooperate to avenge Lord Fourth Kazekage!"
Jiraiya: "..."
Meanwhile, in Amegakure (Land of Rain), within the Akatsuki headquarters.
Tendo Pain contacted the Akatsuki members out on missions using the Magic Lantern Body Technique (Gentōshin no Jutsu).
"Leader! Why the urgent contact? I'm in the middle of my Jashin ritual!" Hidan complained.
"Latest intel: Orochimaru has become a primary target across the Shinobi World. Avoid any contact with him!" Pain commanded via his Deva Path.
"Especially you, Sasori! If the opportunity arises, I will help you eliminate him. Your current priority is funding. Gather resources as quickly as possible. We are running out of time!"
Tendo Pain directly gave the order.
"Hmph," Sasori acknowledged curtly.
He knew Pain meant business; while members had some autonomy, orders concerning Akatsuki's core objectives were absolute.
After the meeting, Konan approached Tendo Pain's location. "You've been pushing yourself too hard lately. You need rest," she said with concern.
"It's alright. This projection screen could expose us at any moment," Pain replied. "If our plan to capture the Tailed Beasts (Bijū) is revealed, it will be catastrophic. We must accelerate the plan!"
Konan understood his underlying anxiety. "Regarding funds, I will produce more Exploding Tags to sell."
"Thank you, Konan," Pain said sincerely.
"Everything for peace."
"Yes," Konan affirmed softly. "For the peace of the Shinobi World."
//////////////////////
A/N: Blue B lost complete control of the beast and it killed eight Kumo ninja, including Motoi's father who was a member of the subduing team. The Third Raikage subdued the Eight-Tails by sealing it into the Kohaku no Jōhei, resulting in Blue's death.
In the anime, it was Orochimaru who caused the events leading to Blue B's death by posing as his doctor and giving him genjutsu-inducing pills to paralyse him and proceeded to use the Five Elements Unseal to draw out the tailed beast. Later, during the battle that followed, Orochimaru retrieved traces of the Eight-Tails' severed horn along with Blue B's DNA in it.The villagers later lamented Blue B being a failed jinchūriki at his funeral while B paid his respects.