Because Uzumaki Mito had told her, "The big fox has a troublesome personality. If you're kind to it, it'll take advantage of you," Kushina, always obedient, took her grandmother's advice and decided to be a bit ruthless to the Nine-Tails. So, she hung it upside down without hesitation.
Uzumaki Mito's burial took place discreetly on the third day after the transfer of the Tailed Beast. Apart from the ANBU and a select few, almost no one knew that the Nine-Tails had already been transferred. Kushina had become the village's new Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Compared to the village, which was facing changes and a new era, the border camp remained the same—unceasing rain and no sunlight in sight.
Fortunately, Takashi didn't need to go out on patrol or be on guard duty. Even though staying in the medical tent was a bit dull, it was better than running around in the pouring rain.
"Halt!"
A black-clad figure approached the camp, wearing a raincoat that covered their entire head and face. The shinobi on guard immediately blocked the stranger's path.
The stranger stopped, raised their hand, and pushed back the hood of their raincoat.
"Lord Orochimaru?"
Once they confirmed the identity, the shinobi relaxed their guard. "Lord, you've come to the camp..."
"I'm here to see Hyuga Takashi. I have some personal business with him."
Orochimaru smiled at the guard, explaining his purpose. Despite rarely showing a pleasant face to Jiraiya, Orochimaru always seemed to wear a friendly smile when dealing with strangers, projecting a sense of approachability.
Only those who knew Orochimaru's true nature understood that behind that smile lay a venomous snake, ready to strike at any moment.
"Please, come in."
Orochimaru specifically asking for Takashi, saying it was personal business, was enough for the guard to not dare stop him. Once the identity was verified, Orochimaru was allowed to proceed unimpeded into the camp.
"Takashi, long time no see."
"Long time no see."
Takashi hadn't expected Orochimaru to come all the way to the camp to see him.
"Here's the shipment."
Orochimaru took off his raincoat, revealing a scroll and a list.
Takashi picked up the list and took a glance at it.
Great, his debt was about to increase again.
At this rate, Orochimaru would become his biggest creditor—someone he owed a significant amount to.
Confirming the amount, Takashi put the list on the table and frankly admitted, "Orochimaru, I'm satisfied with the goods you've brought, but unfortunately, I don't have enough money at the moment. I'm afraid my debt to you will continue to grow."
"That's alright. I trust you'll pay it back eventually."
Even though the debt kept growing, Orochimaru seemed perfectly content to continue being Takashi's creditor. Mainly because Takashi had a good income and a solid reputation; even while owing money, he'd always pay off part of the debt as soon as he could.
If it were Tsunade, Orochimaru would have long stopped any collaboration to avoid getting deeper into a potential bad debt.
"I'll find a way to pay you back as soon as possible."
Takashi didn't want to become a delinquent debtor. He was the type of person who couldn't relax until debts were paid off. Unfortunately, Orochimaru's shipments were extensive, and the debt grew too fast. Being stationed at the border camp had limited his opportunities to earn extra money, leaving him to rely solely on his salary to settle the debt.
"No rush," Orochimaru shook his head with a smile.
"Can I take a look at the puppets you've made?"
Suddenly, Orochimaru made a rather impolite request. Takashi had acquired a lot of materials, purchasing other parts and components, but he rarely showed the puppet to anyone. This naturally made Orochimaru curious about what kind of puppet Takashi was crafting.
"If you find it too intrusive, then forget I asked," Orochimaru added with a smile.
Oh, this was the classic Orochimaru tactic: pushing in with a retreat. Was he really trying this on Hyuga Takashi?
"It's quite presumptuous of you, actually. Besides, I'm worried you might not be able to handle it."
Most people wouldn't openly say someone's request was presumptuous, but Takashi was not like most people. He also threw in a comment that only piqued Orochimaru's curiosity further.
"Oh?"
Orochimaru ignored Takashi's dismissive comment, showing even greater interest. "What kind of puppet could make me uncomfortable? I'm genuinely intrigued."
"Good to hear."
Takashi grinned. The more curious Orochimaru was, the better—because he still wasn't planning to show it.
"???"
What was that supposed to mean?
Takashi had completely deviated from the script, and for a moment, the smile on Orochimaru's face froze.
Yes, this was the Orochimaru Takashi remembered.
The air around Orochimaru changed, becoming colder. Takashi nodded in satisfaction, then stood up and poured two glasses of water, pushing one towards Orochimaru.
"Clear my debt, and give me five million ryo. I'll satisfy your curiosity."
The puppets were merely a stepping stone, a temporary force for Takashi. While the Tenseigan didn't have as many offensive capabilities as the Rinnegan, it was far from lacking. Puppets were just part of his transitional power.
At the right time, he could unveil it to let everyone know that Hyuga Takashi could control some particularly unique puppets.
As for whether this would draw unwanted attention, Takashi didn't care. Until the Tenseigan's third stage of awakening was complete, he had needed to keep a low profile. But now that the awakening was complete and his mastery of the Tenseigan was improving, why should he stay in the shadows?
If he kept hiding, he'd really end up as someone's pawn.
Revealing some of his cards at the right time would only benefit him.
"???"
Clear the debt and give you five million ryo just to see your puppet?
Hyuga Takashi, are you serious?
If you can afford it, I promise you won't be disappointed.
Interesting.
Orochimaru didn't know where Takashi got his confidence, but his curiosity had definitely been piqued.
At that moment, he didn't care about the debt or the five million ryo. He only wanted to know the secret of the puppet.
"I'll clear the debt, and I'll throw in three batches of materials for free."
Orochimaru was willing to spend money for something he was interested in, but he really didn't have much cash on hand right now. So he altered the conditions.
Debt cleared, three free shipments of materials. As for the five million ryo? Sorry, he simply couldn't afford it. He was strapped for cash himself.
"The materials need to be top quality."
"Deal."
Hunting some strong creatures was a trivial matter for Orochimaru.
"Then, it's a deal." Takashi put down his cup, then raised his hand and waved.
Under Orochimaru's curious gaze, a crow descended from the sky, flew into the medical tent, and landed on Takashi's arm.
"You can look, but no dismantling."
Grabbing the puppet crow, Takashi tossed it to Orochimaru with a warning: look but don't touch too much.
Catching the puppet, Orochimaru's first reaction was that Takashi was messing with him.
But soon, Orochimaru dismissed that thought, as he quickly noticed something unusual about the crow puppet.