Black Zetsu Arrived, a Lead on Mount Myōboku?

In the quiet Forest, a chilly wind brushed against my cheek, taking away the warmth.

Tōka had his hands in his pockets, while Kisame walked silently along the forest path, one in front of the other.

Kisame's gaze lingered on Tōka's back, but he didn't dare to stay too long, quickly looking away after just a glance.

Tōka's silhouette gave Kisame the feeling of facing a towering mountain that seemed to reach into the clouds.

The mountain is insurmountable; its towering peaks are shrouded in thick white fog, and those below can never truly see the view from the summit.

"I don't understand why Itachi should be sent on that mission." The mission Kisame was referring to was, of course, the mission to assassinate Nagato.

With Itachi's strength, he could kill Nagato.

Disaster...

Besides, with Konan's help, even with him, the chances of success wouldn't increase much.

Kisame did not underestimate Konan just because she was a woman; none of the official members of Akatsuki Organization were weak.

If Tōka really wanted to kill Nagato, he might have a higher chance of success if he did it himself.

Kisame's gaze fell from Tōka's back to his heels, and he guessed that Tōka didn't really want Itachi to kill Nagato.

But there is another purpose...

"Itachi is a smart person, but sometimes being too smart isn't a good thing." Tōka grinned, his words leaving everyone puzzled.

Kisame didn't quite understand, but he didn't ask. He just quietly followed behind Tōka, knowing that there was more to Tōka's words.

"Itachi won't become our ally, but I don't want to kill him, so I'll just find something for him to do!" Tōka said with a squinty smile, Kisame couldn't tell from his expression whether he was telling the truth or not.

However, Tōka's words left Kisame speechless!

Why did you drag me into this mess when you were giving Itachi something to do?

Three black lines slid down Kisame's forehead. He had never seen Nagato's Original Body make a move, not even when Pain's Six Paths were mobilized together.

But just from the pressure emanating from Deva Path, Kisame could feel Nagato's power, like a deep, bottomless pool of ice.

You'll never know how deep the water is until you jump in.

Kisame is impulsive and warlike, but he is not stupid; on the contrary, he is very shrewd.

He has an exceptionally keen sense of danger, and the lingering aura of danger emanating from Deva Path is extremely strong!

"If you can't do it, you can run away. I'm not asking you to kill Nagato!" Tōka had his back to Kisame, but he could still see Kisame's expression.

Escape? Easier said than done!

I'm not as skilled in Space-Time Ninjutsu as you!

"Okay," Kisame replied sullenly.

Rustling...

The Tree Shadow swayed in the woods, and the leaves rustled together, making a low, resonant sound.

A slender figure walked slowly, heading straight towards Tōka and Kisame.

Kisame chose to remain silent because he noticed Sasuke's approach; there was no need for too many people to know about Itachi's situation.

"Is something the matter, Sasuke?" Tōka quietly watched Sasuke approach, his expressionless face almost identical to Itachi's.

They truly are brothers...

Sasuke glanced at Kisame; he remembered that this guy was that man's companion, a man Sasuke was reluctant to mention.

But he continued to gather information about the man from all directions.

Knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory in every battle.

But this Sharks- faced creature seems to have something to do with Teacher Tōka? Sasuke slowly withdrew his gaze; with Tōka here, nothing he wanted to do was possible.

Moreover, his target wasn't that Sharks face.

"Dou told me you were here."

The words had barely left his mouth when Sasuke abruptly changed the subject, asking in a hostile tone, "Is that man here?"

During his time in Otogakure, Sasuke's growth was undoubtedly rapid.

Especially his temperament; even when facing Tōka, who was many times stronger than himself, Sasuke could remain calm, a strength that could never be obtained in Konoha.

Tōka glanced at Kisame indifferently, without directly answering Sasuke of yes or no.

Instead, he spoke solemnly, stating the cruel truth, "Even if Itachi gave you his hands and feet, you still couldn't do anything to him in your current state."

Upon hearing this, Sasuke's face instantly darkened.

It may be harsh, but it's the truth.

Sasuke wasn't complacent just because he easily defeated a group of Sound Ninja; he knew that these Sound Ninja were only strong among the Genin of Otogakure.

In the face of true power, such people are nothing more than cannon fodder.

"You said you would give me strength!" Sasuke couldn't bear to see himself grow stronger, even as he grew.

If you become stronger than him, the gap between the two will widen further.

From a young age Sasuke knew that his talent was inferior to that man's, and apart from Tōka, Sasuke couldn't think of any other way to obtain the power of revenge.

Just then, a rustling sound suddenly rang out!

Ignoring Sasuke's burning gaze, Tōka turned to look at the other side of the Forest, where the dense foliage blocked out most of the light.

The shade-loving vegetation beneath the Tree Shadow is lush and verdant, covered with intertwined tree roots.

The haystack swayed, as if something was about to emerge, and the three of them were immediately drawn to the commotion in the distance.

Before long, a Pitcher Plant slowly emerged from the shadows of the overgrown weeds.

Black Zetsu...

Kisame's eyes narrowed; Black Zetsu must have come here to find Tōka.

It has nothing to do with Pain; I'm simply looking for Tōka.

"Why do you always seem to pop out of weird places?" A casual remark, but a completely genuine comment.

That's exactly what left Black Zetsu speechless.

Tōka's gaze shifted from Black Zetsu to the figure he was carrying on his shoulder—a woman with a large bust and a shapely bottom.

Mitarashi Anko is Special Jonin of Konohagakure and a disciple of Orochimaru of Konoha Sannin.

"Thank goodness he's not dead."

Tōka turned and gestured for Black Zetsu to follow. His figure gradually disappeared into the depths of the forest, amidst Sasuke's unwilling gaze.

Just as it was about to completely disappear from Sasuke's sight, a light, airy voice drifted over.

"When three Tomoe appear in your eyes, I will keep my promise!"

Three Tomoe?

I see!

Sasuke's angry gaze gradually calmed down. He understood Tōka's actions; the Uchiha Clan was renowned throughout the Ninja World for their Sharingan.

If he couldn't counter Itachi's Sharingan, he probably wouldn't even be able to touch Itachi's true form.

The wind howled through the Forest, and the fluttering, withered leaves swirled and drifted away into the distance as the four figures left the clearing one after another.

For a moment, the woods fell into an eerie silence once again.

Creak...

A crisp sound rang out, followed by a slender figure emerging from the shade of the trees; it was the sound of his feet crushing dry branches.

Itachi stared blankly in the direction Sasuke had left, his wisps of hair obscuring his eyes, so no one could see the look in them.

No one knew what he was thinking.

In the Otogakure Laboratory, Kabuto, draped in a red cloak, stood behind Tōka, while Tōka stood beside the operating table.

"Dou, I didn't call you here to watch a show." Tōka had his back to Dou, but he always felt like there was a cold, Poisonous Snake staring at him from behind.

Although he wasn't afraid, the cold feeling made him very uncomfortable.

Kabuto Yakushi chuckled softly, walked around the operating table, and stood opposite Tōka, on the other side of the operating table.

He looked down at the woman on the operating table, that familiar scent...

Although he hadn't seen Anko for some years, Kabuto Yakushi was very familiar with the Cursed Seal of Heaven on Anko's neck.

A unique flavor belonging to Lord Orochimaru!

"Lord Tōka, what do you intend to do?" Kabuto Yakushi reached out and stroked Anko's neck, captivated by the mesmerizing pattern.

"You should know how to print, right?"

Tōka frowned in disgust. He had long felt that Kabuto was somewhat of a psychopath, and he became even more repulsive after obtaining a portion of Orochimaru's power.

"Seal? What seal?" Dou was completely baffled at first.

"The Cursed Seal of Heaven, which exists to Living Corpse Reincarnation, contains a small portion of Orochimaru's soul power."

Tōka raised his eyes and stared coldly at Kabuto Yakushi, revealing his purpose without any concealment. "Undo it, Orochimaru can 'come back to life'!"

"You want to resurrect Lord Orochimaru?" Kabuto Yakushi's ever-present sinister smile finally froze.

He stared at Tōka 'Tōka eyes in astonishment, as if trying to see a hint of a joke in them.

Unfortunately, Dou was disappointed.

Tōka's eyes were serious, but also showed a hint of impatience.

That's right. As Orochimaru's confidant, Kabuto knew Orochimaru's secret: Orochimaru's power wasn't so easy to obtain.

Obtaining the Cursed Seal of Heaven granted him immense power, and he also became one of the candidates for Orochimaru's reincarnation vessel.

Mitarashi Anko was Orochimaru's first disciple, and Orochimaru did not intend to take her body.

The purpose of doing this may simply be to test the Cursed Seal of Heaven, or it may be a sudden whim to bestow power upon the beloved disciple.

As for whether he had any other ideas, only Orochimaru himself knew.

"What? Weren't you very loyal to Orochimaru?" Tōka looked at Kabuto strangely. In his impression, this guy was Orochimaru's most loyal dog.

Kabuto Yakushi should be happy that Orochimaru has been resurrected!

What's with that undisguised reluctance hidden in that shocked face?

"Don't you want Orochimaru to come back to life?" Tōka narrowed his eyes, his probing gaze landing on Kabuto Yakushi.

Kabuto Yakushi seemed to be on fire, all his muscles tensing up.

Kabuto didn't know just how strong Tōka was; he only knew that even if he obtained all of Lord Orochimaru's power, he would still be no match for Tōka.

Unless he can surpass Lord Orochimaru...

We can't fall out with Tōka, at least not now. Once he completes that technique, even if we face Tōka, Kabuto Yakushi is confident he can fight him!

"Stop dawdling, or do you want me to use Genjutsu to control you?" Tōka became impatient as he saw Kabuto Yakushi's expression changing unpredictably, sometimes turning green and sometimes white.

A dangerous glint appeared in his slightly narrowed eyes, Kabuto Yakushi, snapping him back to reality.

"Lord Tōka, why do you want to revive Lord Orochimaru?" Kabuto Yakushi did not follow Tōka's instructions to Hand Seals and release the Cursed Seal of Heaven.

Instead, he tentatively asked, "Wasn't Lord Orochimaru killed by Tōka?"

"Although I didn't do it myself, it was pretty much the same."

"And then? What are you trying to say?" Tōka raised an eyebrow, asking a question instead of answering.

Kabuto Yakushi's expression tightened. It was impossible not to be nervous under Tōka's cold gaze; a bead of cold sweat trickled down his temple.

Fortunately, the wide brim of his hat covered most of Kabuto Yakushi's face; otherwise, his inner unease would have been completely exposed to Tōka.

When encountering a strong opponent, especially someone as invincible as Tōka, one must never show cowardice.

Only a humble yet assertive demeanor is necessary to deal with a powerful figure like Tōka.

Kabuto Yakushi secretly exhaled a breath of stale air, composed himself, and then spoke, "Since Tōka killed Lord Orochimaru, why did you bring him back to life?"

Isn't this a contradiction?

Of course, Dou could only think the latter part of his sentence in his heart; he would never say it aloud.

Tōka stared at Kabuto Yakushi with an inscrutable expression, his dangerous gaze shooting at him like a sharp arrow.

The atmosphere suddenly became heavy, the oppressive air like a waterlogged sponge, amplifying the oppressive feeling and making it hard to breathe.

Just as Dou thought Tōka wouldn't answer and was about to give up and start raising his hands to Hand Seals,

Tōka spoke up, "Orochimaru was an unstable factor, so I sent him to die along with the Third Hokage."

After a pause, Tōka continued, "I want to revive Orochimaru now because he can help me get what I want!"

"What is it?" Kabuto Yakushi blurted out without thinking, but he immediately regretted it.

This guy in front of me is a hundred times, no, a thousand times more dangerous than Orochimaru! To discover his secrets would be like living too long!

Tōka smiled mysteriously, bent down, leaned close to Kabuto Yakushi's ear, and then slowly opened his mouth to utter two words.

"Nine-Tails!"

Nine-Tails?

Kabuto Yakushi's heart skipped a beat. Seven of the Nine Tailed Beasts had fallen into the hands of the Akatsuki Organization, while the remaining Eight-Tails were in the Land of Lightning.

The Nine-Tails hid in Mount Myōboku, one of the three great mysterious holy sites and a gathering place for Toad. No one except those who signed the contract knew how to get there.

Lord Orochimaru, do you know where Mount Myōboku is?

Black Zetsu, who was eavesdropping from the corner, also showed the same doubt as Kabuto Yakushi, "Could Orochimaru really know the location of Mount Myōboku?"

The Three Great Sage Lands are connected in some way. Orochimaru is a contractor of Ryūchi Cave, one of the Three Great Sage Lands, so he might actually know the location of Mount Myōboku!

Thinking of this, Black Zetsu's gloomy mood of the past few months vanished instantly.

Mount Myōboku has existed in the Ninja World for so long without being discovered; it must be protected by some mysterious power.

Perhaps it's just a massive barrier designed to deceive the world!

No matter how hard Black Zetsu tried, sending out countless White Zetsu to monitor the Ninja World, they were unable to locate Mount Myōboku.