"Summoning Technique: Gedo Statue!"
In a spacious cave, a White Zetsu's clone with Rinnegan clasped its hands together, then slammed them onto the ground.
The next moment, the Rinnegan began extracting Chakra from its body.
Soon, the clone withered into a dried-up state.
But even after the White Zetsu's clone was drained into a vegetable crisp, there was no sign of the Gedo Statue being summoned.
"Still not working."
Black Zetsu stepped forward, retrieved the Rinnegan from the eye sockets of the withered body, and handed it to Obito.
"The White Zetsu's clones lack the potential to utilize the Rinnegan's Ocular Power, and they don't have a massive Chakra Reserve to support it."
As Black Zetsu spoke, his gaze seemed to penetrate Obito's mask, seeing the face beneath…
His meaning was clear.
It seemed now that these Rinnegan could only be used by Obito himself.
"Damn it..."
Obito took the Rinnegan but did not immediately implant them.
Nagato was dead, and Madara's plan could be considered a failure.
If he wanted to continue, he needed at least a host capable of using the Rinnegan.
Currently, the only known members of the Uzumaki Clan with such potential seemed to be Naruto and Karin.
But to target Karin, he would have to face Naruto directly.
Just thinking about his sensei's son gave Obito a headache.
'As expected of your child, Sensei.'
'That power capable of piercing through space, affecting Kamui's intangibility...'
Recalling the brief contact that day, Obito knew his current side couldn't ignore the opponent's attacks.
Previously, Naruto's finger was severed by space's self-repair force, and Obito's internal organs weren't much better off-
He never wanted to experience that feeling of missing internal organs again.
He had even consumed one of his reserved Sharingan to activate the Uchiha Clan's secret technique, [Izanagi], to rewrite that unfavorable reality.
Otherwise, forget experimenting with White Zetsu, even standing upright would have been difficult in that condition.
Looking at the Rinnegan placed in a transparent container, Obito frowned but still had no intention of implanting them yet.
Even if he implanted the Rinnegan now, he couldn't utilize their true power.
Conversely, he would have to sacrifice a portion of his Chakra to supply the Rinnegan, which would actually decrease his combat strength.
'If the Gedo Statue already had several Tailed Beasts sealed inside, things would be different.'
Obito gripped the container tightly, thinking bitterly.
If the Gedo Statue had Tailed Beast Chakra... even just from one Tailed Beast, the Rinnegan could draw on its power to sustain itself, at least freeing Obito from having to supply it.
Black Zetsu watched this tangled scene without saying anything.
He was prepared… if Obito showed any intention of abandoning the plan, he would not hesitate to eliminate him.
Obito knew too much, so Black Zetsu couldn't take that risk.
He would rather wait another century or two, outliving this generation and restarting the plan. It didn't matter.
After waiting over a thousand years, a little more time was nothing.
"What about Sasori and Deidara?"
Obito suddenly spoke, making Black Zetsu dismiss his intention to silence him.
"I've already sent a White Zetsu's clone to notify them."
At this moment, Obito and Black Zetsu were unaware that the One-Tail they wanted had been snatched away by Orochimaru.
"Hmm... Tell them to bring the One-Tail's Jinchuriki to us here as soon as possible."
"What if they refuse to follow your orders?"
Black Zetsu's question wasn't without reason.
After all, when Deidara and Sasori joined the Akatsuki, they only acknowledged Pain as the leader.
It was hard to guarantee they wouldn't have second thoughts regarding 'Uchiha Madara', who had barely shown his face.
"Then dispose of them."
Obito's words were decisive.
Even if he couldn't handle Naruto, could he not handle these two?
"We don't need to worry about Uchiha Itachi. He has his own goals. As long as the Akatsuki isn't disbanded, he won't expose himself."
Hearing this, Black Zetsu nodded.
Compared to the clueless Art Duo, Itachi was easier to manipulate.
Not to mention, Kisame was by his side, monitoring him at all times.
"Recruiting that Wandering Doctor had failed. Hopefully, Uchiha Itachi will have some good results."
Obito murmured.
The Akatsuki was seriously short-handed now.
Excluding Zetsu, who lacked significant frontal combat ability, and the Art Duo, whose stance was still uncertain, even if including Hiruko, whose participation was unclear, there were only four members.
"Maybe have Yagura leave Kirigakure."
Black Zetsu suddenly suggested.
This reminded Obito.
The Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, had long been under their control.
As long as Obito gave the order, he would leave with them without hesitation.
This way, they would at least have the power of one Tailed Beast secured.
"...Alright, let's set off now."
Unlike the usual near-'custodial' control, this special action required Obito himself to personally issue the order in front of Yagura.
To avoid complications, Obito decided to head for Kirigakure immediately.
…
Meanwhile, in the Land of Rice Field, the underground base of Otogakure.
Thud!
Gaara, whose Chakra had been sealed, landed squarely on the prison cell floor, unable to suppress a grunt.
He struggled to lift his head, looking at Orochimaru outside the cell without a word, as if intent on memorizing this person's face.
Deidara and Sasori had ultimately underestimated Orochimaru too much.
Didn't they think about how Orochimaru had managed to survive safely despite being hunted throughout the Ninja World, if not for his exceptional escape skills?
Using just a few diversion tactics, Orochimaru led the pursuing Art Duo, Chiyo, and the others towards different locations.
Meanwhile, he himself calmly took the One-Tail's Jinchuriku on a few detours before returning to Otogakure.
"Khu khu khu... No need to look at me like that, Gaara-kun."
Orochimaru's low, hoarse voice echoed in the cell, feeling as if cold scales were scraping over one's skin.
"What do you want?"
Even in this situation where he was completely at the other's mercy, Gaara showed no sign of despair.
Perhaps it was because his own father had wanted to kill him since childhood, or perhaps he was simply numb to such malice.
"Rest assured... you are my important bargaining chip... I won't kill you."
Orochimaru licked his lips with his long tongue, then suddenly elongated his neck, revealing his fangs.
"But before that, I need to conduct a small experiment on you."
As the venomous fangs pierced his neck, Gaara clearly felt a power completely different from his own being injected into his body.
The stopper on the gourd on his back opened automatically, and the sand inside began to move on its own, without being manipulated.
The sand transformed into numerous sharp sand needles, shooting towards Orochimaru, who was branding Gaara with the Cursed Seal.
Unfortunately, an attack of this level was insignificant to Orochimaru.
[Hidden Shadow Snake Hands]
With a mere flick of his wrist, countless small snakes surged forward, blocking the sand needles for him.
Soon, the Cursed Seal was implanted.
Then, the scroll binding Gaara was also retrieved.
Gaara immediately tried to attack using his sand, but the Cursed Seal of Heaven on his neck suddenly grew hot.
A will began to interfere with Gaara, causing the sand to fall back to the ground uncontrollably.
Seeing that Gaara could still move, a researcher's smile appeared on Orochimaru's face.
"It seems... complete control isn't possible yet..."
"But it's fine. We have plenty of time."