The sky was azure, with only a few drifting clouds now and then.
Feng Yao walked along the rugged mountain path, gazing into the distance. He wore a white mask over his face, engraved with golden patterns that gave him an air of mystery.
Orochimaru and Kabuto walked beside him as the group headed for Kusagakure.
Their purpose this time was to search the area around Kusagakure for the remains of powerful shinobi to use for Impure World Reincarnation. Kusagakure had been a battlefield during the Third Shinobi World War, so they might get lucky there.
Orochimaru turned to Feng Yao, who was walking beside him, and spoke.
"Yao-kun, you're really cautious. With our current strength and the intelligence you possess, I think we could confront Pain head-on."
Orochimaru said this because everyone's strength had risen greatly, and because of Feng Yao's Myriad Self Great Hand Seal.
Feng Yao snorted. "Orochimaru, you still underestimate Akatsuki, and you underestimate Pain even more. The intelligence I gave you may be true, but the actual situation will only be harder to handle. Not to mention, we're trying to seize the Rinnegan. My goal for this mission is zero casualties."
"My apologies, Yao-kun. That was an oversight on my part. Then why will Kabuto be the one performing the Impure World Reincarnation this time?"
"Kabuto will handle all the Impure World Reincarnations this time. If I do it, controlling them may distract me and leave me unable to fight. Giving them self-awareness would be too troublesome, so this is the only way."
Feng Yao shrugged helplessly. In the original story, Kabuto had planned the Fourth Shinobi World War with Impure World Reincarnation alone. Although controlling the summoned would weaken their strength, there was no other choice.
Unfortunately, Orochimaru had used up three extremely powerful