"Then, how smoothly is the Three-Tails situation in Hidden Mist Village progressing?"
Obito automatically ignored Pain's disdainful tone, his voice deep and hoarse.
"There was a minor hiccup; the Three-Tails Jinchuriki was killed, but the Three-Tails will revive before long."
"However, on your end, who is that dangerous fellow named Feng Xu?"
"And why did you allow such an uncontrollable person to join the Akatsuki Organization?"
Just like the original plot, the Three-Tails Jinchuriki, who was also the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, had traces of genjutsu manipulation discovered by Ao's Byakugan.
Following that, a group from Hidden Mist Village was dispatched to help Yagura break free from Obito's genjutsu.
Obito also activated his contingency plan, directly killing Yagura after he was freed from control.
Without a controllable Fourth Mizukage, Obito found it difficult to continue causing trouble in Hidden Mist Village and had no choice but to leave.
After leaving, he, Obito, certainly couldn't return to Akatsuki, as Itachi, who had always wanted to probe his depths, was there, making it unsafe.
Ultimately, Obito could only return to his secret base, which was adorned with Sharingan.
But before Obito could stay for long, Black Zetsu appeared and told him about Feng Xu's recruitment and his terrifying strength when sealing Hashirama.
Knowing that such a terrifying individual had joined Akatsuki, Obito naturally couldn't sit still and came to question Pain.
Facing Obito's interrogation, Konan, who was standing nearby, frowned and replied.
"It wasn't us who invited him to join; rather, he invaded Hidden Rain Village, eliminated the disguised White Zetsu, fought Pain, and then forcefully demanded to join."
"To prevent him from disrupting the plan's execution, we had no choice but to bring him into Akatsuki and supervise him closely."
"We investigated him afterward, but information about him is almost nil, as if he appeared out of thin air."
"Aside from discovering that he founded Four Stars Village three months ago, the codename Feng Xu, including his ability to grant others Tailed Beast Chakra, were all pieces of information he provided himself."
At this point, Konan paused, then stared directly into Obito's masked eyes and continued.
"As a legendary figure, haven't you heard of such a powerful and special individual?"
Konan's words caused Obito's eyes to narrow slightly, and the tomoe of his Sharingan rotated into the shape of a shuriken.
At the same time, a dangerous aura emanated from him.
"The entire Ninja World is not static; it is constantly in motion, and many new powerhouses will emerge."
"Also, were you just questioning me, your leader?"
Pain was the ostensible leader of Akatsuki, while Obito, impersonating Uchiha Madara, was the actual leader of Akatsuki.
No matter how much Nagato and Konan suspected or looked down on Obito.
Their agreement at the time was to obey Obito's orders, assist him in completing the plan, and achieve the great undertaking of a beautiful new world.
"No, I just thought you might know something."
Konan shook her head, explained briefly, and then fell silent.
Pain then took over the conversation, bringing the topic back to Feng Xu.
"I agreed to Feng Xu joining Akatsuki not only because of his strength but also for another reason."
"He said he has a grudge against Konoha and can help us deal with Itachi and capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
"A grudge against Konoha?" Obito's masked face fell into contemplation.
Not many people knew that Itachi was Akatsuki's obstacle and Konoha's spy, and also harbored a grudge against Konoha.
For example, himself and Orochimaru, plus someone who could grant others Tailed Beast Chakra.
Could it be Danzo or an experimental subject from Orochimaru's laboratory?
After thinking for a long time without a clue, Obito had to give up.
However, he had to visit Four Stars Village to feel at ease.
Thinking of this, Obito instructed Pain.
"In that case, let's speed up and fully launch the capture plan."
"Once there are any problems or unusual movements from Itachi, let that terrifying fellow resolve it as promised."
"We should strive to capture most of the Tailed Beasts within the year or so that we wait for the Ichibi and Three-Tails to revive."
"By then, that world of only victors, only peace, and only love will be created by us."
Hearing Obito's words, a longing also appeared in Pain's rinnegan eyes.
By then, he would use the collected Tailed Beast power to make the perpetrators shed the same tears as their victims.
Thereby feeling Pain, understanding Pain, accepting Pain, and finally desiring peace.
This world of mutual understanding that Yahiko had hoped for, he and Konan would definitely strive to create it, definitely!
Calming his slightly agitated mood, Pain looked at Obito.
"What about you?"
"Since the plan is fully underway, are you still going to operate from behind the scenes?"
"I said before, when the time is right, I will join Akatsuki and act together."
As he spoke, centered on the single eyehole of Obito's mask.
The surrounding space rippled outwards and rotated like disturbed lake water.
"But it's not appropriate for me to expose myself now; I need to conduct some investigations in secret."
"For example, the Four Stars Village established by that terrifying fellow, and the secrets that might be hidden within it."
"If there's any important intelligence, I'll tell Zetsu to inform you."
As the last sentence was spoken, Obito himself rotated and vanished from the spot.
Just kidding, Akatsuki now not only had Itachi but also a more terrifying Feng Xu.
Obito didn't have the guts to openly join Akatsuki and expose himself.
Of course, whether Feng Xu, who didn't know of his existence, was dangerous or not was another matter.
But Itachi, who had been investigating his information openly and secretly, trying to dig him out, was definitely a complete danger.
Basically, unless Itachi died or left, he would absolutely not show his face in front of the Akatsuki Organization members!
Seeing Obito eagerly make excuses to escape the moment he heard about coming out into the open.
Konan and Pain both stared at the vanished spot, lost in thought.
It wasn't until a moment later that Pain spoke again.
"Konan, once Feng Xu returns to the base, hand over the Tailed Beast Jinchuriki that I was originally supposed to capture to him."
"Afterward, have Zetsu carefully supervise and observe, and ideally figure out how he absorbs Tailed Beast Chakra and grants it to others."
"I understand."
... Chapter 188 Kumogakure Ninja: Jinchuriki as a Gatekeeper!?
Time, like a relative visiting a young girl every month, came and went in a hurry.
A week passed in a flash.
On the cross-sea bridge at the Land of Waves port.
Karui and Omoi, led by the fair-skinned, busty Samui.
Were standing at the bustling entrance with a group of Kumogakure Chunin.
"Land of Waves, it really has changed a lot."
Looking at the busy bridge, the clustered merchant ships, the distant shops, tea houses lining the coast, and the dense population.
Samui could hardly believe this was once a desolate small country.
The dark-skinned girl Karui also looked left and right, her face full of surprise.
"When we passed through here last year, it was barren with nothing at all. In just one year, it has changed so much!"
"This is even livelier and more prosperous than our Hidden Cloud Village!"
Omoi, listening to the two exclaim, bit through the lollipop in his mouth and said indistinctly.
"This is where they sell those high-yield grain seeds, so naturally, a large number of merchants and speculators will gather here."
"I heard that grain seeds bought here can be sold for double the price outside!"
Saying that, Omoi shook his head, a pessimistic expression on his face, clearly not optimistic about this mission.
"Coming here without their permission might even mess up the quota sold to the Land of Lightning."
"If the Daimyo blames us, Raikage-sama will definitely beat us, and Bee-sensei will also call us idiots and bastards..."
Bang!
"Shut up!" Karui punched Omoi on the head.
"You're so annoying, chattering on and on! Can't you say something nice?!"
Samui also glanced at Omoi and said.
"No, they won't. It's just a new Ninja village established in a small country; they wouldn't dare to do that."
"If they dare not sell to us, it gives us an excuse to send troops."
"At that time, other Ninja villages will also use this excuse to take a bite out of this juicy piece of meat."
"Of course, while this piece of meat is very tasty, whether it's easy to bite is the purpose of our trip to investigate."
Aside from Konoha, the other four villages were still unaware of the situation at Four Stars Village.
They only thought it was a small Ninja village established by a shipping company, without much foundation or strength.
So, naturally, they started to harbor some ulterior motives.
Questioning the local residents here.
Samui and her group quickly found Four Stars Village, located in the middle of the island.
Looking at the highly modernized tall buildings within Four Stars Village, Karui couldn't help but gasp.
"Hiss—these neat stone roads, and so many beautiful tall buildings and large windows inside, this Four Stars Village is really rich!"
Seeing these infrastructures, Samui also felt a bit sour: "Just a parvenu's vanity project."
"Stop marveling, let's go in quickly."
Saying that, she quickened her pace, leading everyone quickly towards the open gate.
However, before they could step through the gate, they were stopped by two Ninja on duty at the entrance.
"This is the territory of Four Stars Village; we do not entertain outside visitors."
"All of you, leave quickly!"
Samui, who was stopped, also had everyone halt.
Then, she reached out and handed over the already prepared letter of introduction, saying.
"We are not tourists; we are an envoy delegation from Kumogakure of the Land of Lightning."
"We are here to visit your village and forge friendly relations; please inform your superiors."
"Kumogakure?" The two gatekeepers exchanged glances, not reaching out to take the letter of introduction.
"Sorry, we haven't received any notification from above about visitors, so you cannot enter."
Currently, Four Stars Village was very much like Hidden Mist Village, in a state of self-imposed isolation.
This gate was only used for the exchange of various supplies; no outsiders were allowed to enter, not even local residents.
To enter, one needed an order from above or a pass.
Hearing that they weren't allowed in, the hot-tempered Karui immediately stepped forward and grabbed the gatekeeper Ninja by the collar.
"Bastard, didn't you hear me tell you to go inform them?!"
"We are envoys from Kumogakure; if you delay important matters, can a mere gatekeeper like you afford the consequences?!"