In the laboratory filled with many figures, the most eye-catching one was still Orochimaru.
The white robe common among researchers, combined with his refined features, easily brought to mind a certain phrase:
A beast in fine clothes.
Of course, this was Takeshi's description of Orochimaru, based on how he acted in the original story.
For now at least, Orochimaru hadn't done anything openly that would earn him people's hatred.
"Well then, what about that guy Obito?"
This time Takeshi had come in person precisely because of Obito.
Kamui was such a broken ability that even in the late stages, it could still contend with the Ōtsutsuki thanks to its uniqueness.
"The power of those Mangekyō Sharingan eyes is indeed interesting..."
Orochimaru gave an objective evaluation of Kamui, but as for Obito himself...
"A pity he ended up with the wrong user."
Orochimaru glanced sideways at Takeshi. Most of those following Takeshi were either mediocrities or oddballs as eccentric as he was.
Including his own disciple, Anko.
Orochimaru was still somewhat bitter about Anko being reassigned.
"Don't look at me like that. I know Anko being reassigned caused you some trouble, but I've made sure to give you a replacement with real talent."
Takeshi raised his chin, signaling Orochimaru to look in another direction.
"Yakushi Kabuto—that child has remarkable talent in medical ninjutsu. Compared to Anko, he's far sharper."
Yakushi Kabuto?
Orochimaru had heard about him from Tsunade. That child was considered a rising star in the Medical Corps.
"And Tsunade didn't fight you over it?"
Good subordinates were never easy to part with. Orochimaru didn't believe Tsunade would just sit idly by.
Takeshi shrugged. "Well, she did have a weakness in my hands."
To make Tsunade give in, Takeshi had casually erased more than half a year's worth of her criminal records.
"Drinking on duty, organizing gambling sessions, damaging public property..."
If accountability were pursued, Tsunade's inherited clan estate wouldn't have been nearly enough to cover it all.
"Fine. But if that child doesn't meet my expectations..."
Orochimaru nodded, giving a warning in advance.
"Then I'll just use you as experimental material for a year."
Takeshi didn't believe Orochimaru would be disappointed. Kabuto was destined to ascend into something like a dragon. In the original story, the two of them were practically inseparable. How could Orochimaru possibly dislike him?
"I'll be looking forward to that day."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed as he studied Takeshi, as if pondering exactly where he'd make the first cut.
"In any case, I've delivered the person to you. The rest is your business. If Obito's experiment succeeds, I'll inform Fugaku so he can come and undergo Hashirama cell implantation."
Feeling a chill under Orochimaru's gaze, Takeshi didn't bother making excuses. He prepared to activate the Flying Thunder God and leave immediately.
Huh?
Why hadn't he moved?
He'd expected the scenery to shift in an instant. Instead, when he turned, Orochimaru's pale face was still right before him. Takeshi felt a rare wave of tension.
No way—had his Flying Thunder God jutsu degraded so far that it could fail?
"It seems the defensive barrier Danzō set up really does work."
Orochimaru hadn't been surprised by Takeshi's action. He gave no explanation, only raised a hand and gestured toward the door, telling Takeshi to leave that way.
This barrier was something Danzō had arranged to guard against the Ōtsutsuki, and Orochimaru had been the first to test it.
From its effect so far, it did indeed prevent the activation of space-time ninjutsu.
Including Obito's Kamui.
...
Land of Rain, inside the Akatsuki's inner circle base.
Yōwan walked with a blank expression, leading the man behind him through a dense network of corridors. After descending ten levels by elevator, they arrived at a strange chamber entirely constructed of metal.
"What is this place?"
The man following Yōwan finally couldn't hold back and asked. The rough, dark face hidden beneath his cloak was revealed.
It was none other than the long-missing Fourth Raikage.
Yōwan didn't answer the Raikage's question. He merely stepped aside.
His movements put the Raikage on guard.
This Mangekyō Sharingan wielder's power he had witnessed firsthand. If even he stood deferentially to the side, then what kind of terrifying existence must the man behind him be?
"So you're the so-called Raikage?"
A seamless iron door swung open. Only then did the Raikage realize there had been a door there at all.
Even Kumogakure's most advanced manufacturing technology could never create such a perfectly seamless chamber.
Stunned by the technological power on display, the Raikage even forgot to immediately observe the figure before him.
It wasn't until Jigen sat down, as usual, in his unique stone chair that the Raikage belatedly began sizing him up.
"The one you claimed has the qualifications to serve as an inner circle member—this is him?"
Seeing the Raikage ignore him, Jigen wasn't annoyed. He simply turned his calm gaze to Yōwan.
"Yes."
Yōwan nodded obediently, his expression unreadable.
"I see—"
Just as Jigen reached for his wine, a faint blue light suddenly flickered over the Raikage's body.
"So that's how it is."
Jigen's motion didn't waver in the slightest. His right hand calmly lifted the wineglass, while his left hand firmly caught the Raikage's fist that had come striking in.
Impossible!
Shock flashed in the Raikage's eyes. With what looked like a casual grip, Jigen had not only caught his punch precisely but also locked his fingers so tightly he couldn't even move them.
Before the Raikage could think of a follow-up, Jigen swung his entire body forcefully. He slammed into the hard wall, leaving behind a deep crater before crashing back down to the ground.
"A so-called Kage amounts to nothing more than this."
That was Jigen's evaluation.
"My apologies. But he is indeed among the stronger figures in the ninja world."
Yōwan lowered his head respectfully.
Of course Jigen knew that already.
If it weren't for the fact that he couldn't create the perfect vessel with his own power alone, he would have already slaughtered his way through the ninja world.
A swarm of ants, daring to meddle in the Ōtsutsuki's great endeavor.
All of it was that damned woman Kaguya's fault.
Jigen's thoughts drifted to the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, hidden within the Rain Country's architecture.
"Never mind. I'll overlook your rudeness."
Though Kaguya's resurrection process had been interrupted, her will, still bearing the Rinnegan, roamed freely. For now, it wasn't time for him to appear publicly.
Suppressing the fury inside, Jigen knew that for now, he still needed these ants to serve his purpose.
The Raikage also made no further move.
He had struck out only to test Jigen's strength. And the results proved Jigen was a powerhouse far beyond his own level.
What he needed to confirm next was the story Yōwan had told him before inviting him here.
"Was what you said true—about the Tailed Beasts?"
Now, A had lost his village. The only bond he had left was Killer B.
"That's right. Kaguya's will seeks to gather the Tailed Beasts and return to the ninja world. But I am different. I desire only resurrection."