"Huh?"
The ninja who was about to deliver the antidote paused in confusion.
"Sir, we've been handling the remains of our comrades strictly as instructed. We only use the sealing scrolls when the number reaches a certain threshold. Using them too frequently would waste a significant number of scrolls."
"Do as I say! Go and report this," Shinki commanded firmly.
He would rather waste some sealing scrolls than risk Orochimaru meddling with the bodies of their own people. Orochimaru's moral compass was questionable, and when he became obsessed with his experiments, he had no boundaries. Rather than taking chances, it was better to make preparations ahead of time.
If it were Jiraiya's word, Shinki might have had some trust. But with Orochimaru? No chance. This man's reputation spoke for itself—full of ambition and devoid of scruples. Vigilance was necessary.
No one would object if Orochimaru experimented on enemy bodies. But if he dared touch the remains of his comrades and was caught, his reputation, and anyone associated with him, would be tainted.
Shinki did not want to be accused of using the corpses of his own people for research.
"Understood..."
The antidote-bearing ninja nodded and went to report.
"Handle our comrades' bodies quickly?"
Nara Shikashin was studying the topographical map of the Rain Country when a messenger relayed Shinki's orders.
Why the urgency with their own dead?
Was he concerned someone might tamper with them?
"Has anyone unusual visited the medical department? Besides the on-duty staff and medical ninjas?"
"Lord Orochimaru went today to assist Lord Shinki in developing antidotes."
Hearing this, Nara Shikashin understood Shinki's caution. The concern was that Orochimaru might involve himself in unethical experiments. Was Orochimaru capable of such actions?
Absolutely.
Researchers like Orochimaru were known for their obsessive pursuits. Shinki was right not to take any risks, and Nara Shikashin felt the same way. If such a thing were exposed, it wouldn't just harm Orochimaru; Shinki and Shikashin themselves would be implicated.
"Carry out Shinki's orders. I'll report this directly to Lord Hokage," Nara Shikashin decided.
He believed the Third Hokage wouldn't oppose the decision, as he was fully aware of his disciple's tendencies. There were boundaries that could not be crossed without severe consequences.
After a long night, things finally began to settle down. With an increase in medical personnel, the wounded received treatment, giving Shinki a brief moment of respite. Before Sand Village's puppet troops or the formidable Chiyo made their move into the Rain Country, the newly developed antidotes had to be produced swiftly and in sufficient quantities.
Chiyo's poisons were infamous, as was the venom of Hanzo of the Salamander. Even Hanzo himself could suffer from his own poison when fully engaged, illustrating just how lethal it was. If one fell victim to the Salamander's poison, treatment would be pointless; death would come too quickly.
In Konoha's final confrontation with Rain Village, Hanzo's mere presence reduced Konoha's forces to Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru as survivors. Hanzo was a living embodiment of poison, unleashing it indiscriminately.
Orochimaru's potential misuse of the bodies was promptly reported by Nara Shikashin to the Third Hokage and Tsunade. The Third Hokage, being the leader, and Tsunade, with her medical expertise, were both informed.
How the village chose to handle it wasn't Shikashin's concern. He had enough responsibilities and couldn't expend more energy worrying about it.
Fortunately, the medical department ran smoothly, freeing up his time.
Two specially trained communication eagles braved the storm, carrying the reports to Konoha. By nightfall, the scrolls were delivered to the Intelligence Department.
The scrolls were quickly relayed to Tsunade and the Third Hokage.
Tsunade read her scroll, dismissed it, and tossed it aside. She wasn't going to worry about something like that. Let the Third Hokage deal with it.
The Third Hokage, however, took a different view. He frowned upon reading that Shinki's measures, while appropriate, would significantly increase expenses.
War demanded resources—both manpower and funds. Konoha had plenty of the former and stable finances, thanks in part to the prosperous legacy left by Tobirama Senju. Yet, sealing scrolls were costly and difficult to produce.
He initially considered rejecting the idea but thought better of it after considering who was involved: Orochimaru.
It wasn't surprising that Orochimaru would offer assistance in developing antidotes. His skills made him an invaluable asset, but his reputation for tampering with corpses was concerning.
If Orochimaru turned his attention to experimenting on the bodies of their own fallen, the consequences would be catastrophic.
"Very well."
After careful deliberation, the Third Hokage chose to approve Shinki's precautions. Additional morgue expenses were tolerable if it meant preventing any disgraceful incidents.
The Hokage's decision was quickly dispatched to the camp, relieving Nara Shikashin of further involvement. If Orochimaru's actions breached the boundary, responsibility would fall on the Hokage himself.
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 160 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
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