Orochimaru, this enemy, is already in position.
As Uehara Naraku headed to the base of the Akatsuki, he was inwardly cursing Yakushi Kabuto for forcing Orochimaru into place. This Yakushi Kabuto is truly not a good person...
Previously, Uehara Naraku was worried about how Yakushi Kabuto would gain Orochimaru's trust, originally thinking that Kabuto would resort to sob stories or pushing the blame onto others.
Unexpectedly, this bespectacled intellectual, Yakushi Kabuto, used his consistent actions to prove to Orochimaru that all his escape routes had been cut off.
Only by becoming the Ten-tailed Jinchuriki could he turn things around.
Any other option would only lead to death in vain.
Even if Orochimaru wanted to return to the Ryuchi Cave to become a harmless Yamata no Orochi, he wouldn't have the chance, because Yakushi Kabuto said Uehara Naraku would definitely come to kill him.
Even trying to hide in the Ninja World would be futile, because the entire world's perception ninja are gathering to search for his tracks. If he hides, Kabuto would sell him out.
It's really...
Can't this Yakushi Kabuto just be a decent person?
At the base of the Akatsuki.
After venting his frustrations about Yakushi Kabuto, Uehara Naraku appeared at the organization's base, where all members of the Akatsuki had already gathered.
A line of S-Class Traitors clad in cloud-patterned black robes.
If they joined the Ninja Alliance with this lineup, it's hard to say whether the ninjas would fear Orochimaru or the Akatsuki more...
It's really hard to say.
Honestly, Uehara Naraku is somewhat worried about this issue. After all, Hidan is prone to causing trouble and needs someone to watch over him... and Deidara is also a simple-minded problem child.
The Akatsuki's standard means of transportation is Uehara Naraku's Ancient Giant Dragon. Their speed of movement is quick, ensuring no delay in the Ninja Alliance's assembly.
On the way to the Ninja Alliance gathering point, Uehara Naraku makes sure to relay a message to Yakushi Kabuto. After Kabuto and Orochimaru extract the Eight-tailed Chakra from the Eight-tailed Jinchuriki Killer Bee, he's to bring back some information.
Inside a cave thousands of miles away.
Orochimaru clasped his hands together, manipulating the Gedo Statue to release a chain from its mouth, extracting the Tailed Beast from within Eight-tailed Jinchuriki Killer Bee's body.
No matter how much the Eight-tailed Gyuki resisted, it could not withstand the power of the Gedo Statue. However, before being extracted from Killer Bee's body, the Gyuki left behind a tentacle to maintain some Chakra for him.
This bit of Chakra is just enough to keep Killer Bee alive.
Regrettably, they are in enemy territory; whether Killer Bee can survive still depends on his own luck.
"This method of chakra extraction is faster than the Akatsuki's!"
After praising this, Yakushi Kabuto waved Namikaze Minato to take Killer Bee away: "Fourth Lord, please take the Eight-tailed Jinchuriki out and place him with the White Zetsu sacrifice material. I'll resurrect him once he passes away."
"..."
Namikaze Minato nodded silently.
When Namikaze Minato took Killer Bee out, he happened to run into Uchiha Obito, who suddenly called out to him.
"Sensei."
Uchiha Obito glanced at Killer Bee in Namikaze Minato's hands and curiously asked, "Isn't it said that extracting the Tailed Beast should kill the Jinchuriki? How come this guy isn't dead yet?"
"..."
A drop of cold sweat broke out on Killer Bee's forehead.
Namikaze Minato shook his head, explaining softly, "The Eight-tailed Jinchuriki is different from others, perhaps due to the abundant Tailed Beast Chakra. He might last a bit longer before dying from being a Jinchuriki..."
"Oh, it would be better to just kill him quickly."
Uchiha Obito's Sharingan flashed red as he reached his hand to grab Killer Bee: "That way, he can at least pass swiftly!"
"Obito!"
Namikaze Minato grabbed Uchiha Obito's arm sternly said, "At the moment of death, each person reflects on their life. I believe it's better to give Killer Bee more time to think before his death!"
Then Namikaze Minato suddenly asked, "How come you returned suddenly, weren't you out trying to assassinate Uehara Naraku with the reanimated First Hokage?"
"Failed."
Uchiha Obito shook his head, his voice heavy: "I had already lured him to a perfect spot, but unfortunately, the First Hokage couldn't match him.
How strong can that guy still be, as even the near-peak God of Ninja wasn't his match, the First Hokage nearly got sealed by that bastard..."
"How's that possible?"
A trace of surprise flashed across Namikaze Minato's face.
Uchiha Obito touched his mask, his voice gloomy: "After all, the Reanimation jutsu does weaken the First Hokage's strength a bit.
Forget it, since we can't weaken the Ninja Alliance by killing their strongest, we'll just have to figure out something when the war starts."
"..."
Namikaze Minato fell silent for a while, not responding.
After a moment, as if struck by a thought, Namikaze Minato hurriedly shook his head and said, "Forget it, I'll go get rid of the Eight-tailed Jinchuriki first!"
"Okay."
Uchiha Obito nodded, then suddenly said, "By the way, Sensei, although you have given up the Yin Nine-tailed inside you, we won't let go of the Yang Nine-tailed Chakra within Naruto."
"... "
Namikaze Minato stopped in his tracks.
The next moment, Namikaze Minato strode forward with Killer Bee in tow, seemingly unaffected by Uchiha Obito's words.
Once Namikaze Minato walked out with Killer Bee.
This Fourth Hokage cautiously surveyed his surroundings, then crouched down in front of Killer Bee: "Hey, Eight-tailed Jinchuriki from the Hidden Cloud Village, I know you're still alive!"
"... "
Killer Bee lay on the ground silently.
Namikaze Minato glanced at the feigning Killer Bee in exasperation and lowered his voice: "I'm also a perfect Jinchuriki who can communicate with the Tailed Beast inside me. I'm well aware that in this situation, the Eight-tailed Gyuki would definitely try to keep you alive; I've already sensed the presence of Eight-tailed Chakra inside you!"
Killer Bee couldn't pretend anymore and weakly raised his head: "Damn! I didn't expect... to die at your hands, Namikaze Minato!"
"No."
Namikaze Minato shook his head, a serious expression passing over his face: "Yakushi Kabuto is currently helping Orochimaru absorb the Eight-tailed Gyuki into the Gedo Statue. He hasn't fully controlled my consciousness yet, so you need to escape immediately!"
"... "
Killer Bee's face showed surprise.
Namikaze Minato nodded at Killer Bee: "You need to escape quickly because soon they will extract the Nine-tail from me after resting, and they likely won't send me to pursue you!"
"Let's... leave together!"
"Impossible."
Namikaze Minato shook his head, speaking gravely: "You must go back immediately, report this location to the Ninja Alliance! Also, warn Uehara Naraku and Naruto to be careful!"
"... "
Killer Bee quickly nodded.
After watching Killer Bee's figure disappear, Namikaze Minato's face sank slowly, since he had no control over what had just happened.
Uchiha Obito walked back out, stood beside Namikaze Minato, and said softly: "Looks like that Uehara guy seems to want to do something to Naruto..."
"Hmm..."
Namikaze Minato nodded, his expression grim: "But right now, we can't discern his motives; we can only watch him manipulate everyone in the Ninja World from behind the scenes... What is this guy really trying to do?"
Unfortunately, neither of them knew.
What they both failed to notice was that after Killer Bee left, a figure of Reanimation departed the cave—Uchiha Itachi.
The chess piece finally moved.
On the back of the Ancient Giant Dragon.
Uehara Naraku stood at the front, slowly lowering his finger.
Earlier, he had manipulated Namikaze Minato to save Killer Bee and let Killer Bee return to bring some intelligence to the Ninja Alliance, including information about Orochimaru, and another piece that favored Uehara Naraku.
Moreover, the Ninja Alliance's Perception Squad definitely discovered traces of a great battle because Uehara Naraku and Senju Hashirama's battle completely changed the terrain there.
Perception Squad's intelligence...
Killer Bee's stolen intelligence...
Uehara Naraku's own intelligence...
While the most important piece was having Killer Bee bring back Orochimaru's hidden location, that moment would mark the official start of the Fourth Ninja World War!
As for the intelligence Killer Bee brought back, it only made Uehara Naraku more trusted by the Ninja Alliance, a side bonus really, coincidentally the Five Kage didn't trust him deeply yet...
"Wow, wow, wow! We're here!"
Deidara gleefully stood atop the Ancient Giant Dragon's head, overlooking the densely packed assembly point in the distance, and shouted: "So magnificent! If a C4·Garuda were dropped here, many people would get to appreciate the greatness of my art!"
"... "
Uehara Naraku glanced at Deidara speechlessly, then turned to Sasori of the Red Sand: "Senior Sasori, I might need to command the main forces, so I'll leave Deidara to you."
"... Hmm."
Sasori of the Red Sand nodded, taking one look at Deidara, and solemnly agreed: "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on him, make sure he doesn't act recklessly."
Hoshigaki Kisame grinned, chuckling lightly: "Once we land, we'll be disguised as part of the Ninja Alliance's Special Operations Squad—Team Two... I'm really curious to see the expressions of those ninja from our homeland when they see us!"
"Who knows!"
Ringo Ameyuri took a bite of an apple, snorted lightly: "You speak as if you were popular in the village, Senior Kisame... Those folks don't quite like us who wield Ninja Blades; they're probably more afraid of us than anything!"
Hozuki Suigetsu carried his Decapitating Carving Knife, chuckling as he spoke: "Haven't seen Lord Terumi Mei in a while! Really curious about her reaction when she sees me... I've got the Decapitating Carving Knife now!"
"Seeing me wouldn't make her too happy I guess..."
Hozuki Mangetsu didn't look too pleased, as he gazed at the ninja alliance assembly point, rubbing his forehead: "After all, I tricked her for so many years..."
Honestly.
It's truly awkward.