In a dimly lit cave.
Zetsu emerged from the ground, addressing Obito, who leaned against the rock wall with his arms crossed, "The rumors seem to be true. 'B' attacked Hidden Leaf's archives, then fought a battle with Hidden Leaf shinobi outside the village before retreating with ease."
Obito replied coldly, "I know what I care about!"
Zetsu continued, "The rumors about a complete 'Susanoo' also appear to be true! There were many eyewitnesses. According to their descriptions, 'B's' 'Susanoo' stood a hundred meters tall, with wings on its back, capable of flight!"
"You know what a complete 'Susanoo' signifies, don't you?" Pausing, Obito stared at Zetsu, "Tell me, why did this happen?"
Zetsu spread his hands, "I don't know."
In truth.
Both White Zetsu and Black Zetsu were inexplicably shocked by the appearance of a complete 'Susanoo.'
They knew full well that a complete 'Susanoo' meant the shinobi world had seen the emergence of another pair of Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan since Uchiha Madara!
While White Zetsu was merely stunned, Black Zetsu thought deeper, "Could someone else in the shinobi world know the secret of the Rinnegan? Is it Nagato!?"
Regarding the mysterious Akatsuki members labeled 'A,' 'B,' 'C,' and 'D' by the five great shinobi villages, both he and Obito believed they were secretly recruited by Nagato.
So, the issue now wasn't just a pair of Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan—it was that Nagato might have uncovered the Rinnegan's secrets and was planning something!
Obito said, "We may have lost control over Nagato."
Zetsu asked, "What do you plan to do?"
After a moment's thought, Obito replied, "It's not time to confront him yet. As long as Nagato follows our plan to collect the tailed beasts and revive the Ten-Tails, we should turn a blind eye."
Zetsu nodded, "A rational decision."
Obito ordered, "Go recruit more people!"
"I'm on it!"
As Zetsu spoke, he sank back into the ground.
Once Zetsu was gone, Obito removed his mask, touching his left eye.
In what was once an empty socket, he had transplanted an ordinary three-tomoe Sharingan collected by Uchiha Madara.
"Susanoo…"
He murmured, his expression darkening.
With only one Mangekyo Sharingan left, he couldn't activate 'Susanoo' at all!
In the Hidden Rain Village.
Nagato, through his own channels, had also learned of the attack.
Konan said, "A hundred-meter-tall 'Susanoo,' Nagato—even you would struggle against it, wouldn't you?"
Nagato nodded slowly.
His body had long been ravaged by the 'Gedo Statue,' with much of his chakra siphoned to sustain it. In battle, he neither dared nor could use his full chakra reserves.
In such a state, even with his Rinnegan, facing a complete 'Susanoo' would be challenging.
Of course.
If he threw caution to the wind, defeating a complete 'Susanoo' would still be within his grasp!
Frowning, Konan said, "We need to collect the tailed beasts quickly. Once the Ten-Tails is revived, nothing will stand in our way!"
Nagato shook his head, "The 'Gedo Statue' hasn't fully recovered yet. We need to wait a bit longer…"
"Sigh!"
Konan let out a helpless sigh.
In Hidden Leaf Village.
A week passed in the blink of an eye.
Whether due to intervention from other high-ranking officials, the negative sentiment surrounding the 'Uchiha' in the village gradually subsided.
Though villagers still cast odd glances at Shinji and Sasuke, at least no one openly slandered them anymore.
After a week of preparation, Shinji finally gathered all the necessary herbs for the suppressants and fusion agents, successfully preparing a batch of each.
"Everything is ready."
In his small laboratory, Shinji exhaled in relief.
With the suppressants and fusion agents complete, his preparations for Karin's upcoming First Hokage cell transplant were finalized.
As for Karin's condition.
Perhaps due to her robust physique, she stabilized remarkably quickly after fusing her Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.
After a week of observation, coupled with 'Jikibi's' monitoring of her spiritual state, Shinji confirmed Karin's condition was fully stable, ready for surgery at any time.
"The surgery shouldn't be delayed. Since everything's prepared, let's do it tonight!"
With his mind made up, Shinji packed the freshly prepared fusion agents and suppressants.
Late that night.
Dressed in Akatsuki garb, Shinji silently slipped into Karin's room.
Having been forewarned via 'Jikibi,' Karin, who had been waiting, welcomed him inside.
Nervously, she asked, "Leader, is the surgery starting tonight?"
Shinji nodded.
Karin promptly lay on her bed, ready for the procedure.
But this time, Shinji shook his head, "The surgery can't be done here!"
"Huh?"
Karin sat up.
Shinji explained, "The First Hokage cell transplant is unlike other surgeries. The cells will inevitably go berserk during the process, causing a massive chakra surge from your body, which could easily be detected by nearby sensory or dojutsu-wielding shinobi."
"I see," Karin nodded, understanding, then asked, "Where will the surgery take place?"
Shinji smiled.
Some time later.
Karin followed Shinji to a cave in the Forest of Death.
Shinji said, "Performing the surgery here should keep us undisturbed!"
Karin obediently lay on the ground.
As Shinji prepared the surgical tools, he explained potential complications that might arise during the procedure.
After listening, Karin said with determination, "Please rest assured, I'll endure it!"
"Mm!"
Shinji smiled.
Perhaps infected by his calm confidence, Karin's tense nerves relaxed, and her condition returned to its peak.
While waiting for Karin to adjust her state, Shinji didn't idle. He mentally rehearsed the surgery step by step.
This was a critical step in his 'Rinnegan Plan'—failure was not an option!
"The suppressants and fusion agents are flawless."
"Karin's Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan should be even better than the Koryugan at neutralizing the Yang Release chakra of the First Hokage cells."
"'Jikibi' is linked to Yakumo. If Karin can't suppress the berserk cells, I'll use 'Wazunagi' to divert excess Yang Release chakra to Yakumo, like releasing floodwaters."
"This time, there won't be any problems."
With a steely gaze, Shinji began the surgery!