In the dim Akatsuki base, Second Pillar lay flat on his back, his eyes wrapped in a layer of white cloth.
Obito stood beside him and said, "Itachi's eyes have already been transplanted into you, but the bloodline fusion will take some time. Don't move around. I'll have White Zetsu keep watch over you. If you need anything, ask him. I still have matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving first."
Soon, the sound of receding footsteps rang out. Sasuke tried to sit up, only to feel an arm press him back down.
"No, Sasuke. You can't move around during the recovery period." White Zetsu's voice sounded before him. Sasuke thought for a moment, then lay back down.
Inside the base, Obito had just stepped out of the cave entrance when a White Zetsu clone approached him, wearing a strange expression. "Obito, you finally came out. Go take a look. It seems a troublesome fellow has arrived outside."
"Oh?" His Sharingan narrowed slightly as he asked in a low voice, "What happened?"
The White Zetsu clone quickly replied in a hushed tone, "It's Kabuto Yakushi, but he seems a little different now. In any case, you should go see for yourself."
"Kabuto Yakushi, Orochimaru's subordinate?" Obito frowned, his doubts deepening. With Kabuto Yakushi's strength, White Zetsu should not have been left helpless. There was more than one White Zetsu in this base.
As he walked out of the base, the mountain wind rustled his Akatsuki cloak. Obito looked up and saw a figure standing amid the skeletal remains of the valley.
He wore a red robe, its hood covering his head, marked with two patterns resembling cobra eyes. A strange smile hung on his face, and obvious snake scales lined his cheeks.
Behind him, a long snake that resembled