"Five-Tails... capture complete!" Within the Land of Earth, not far from Iwagakure, Kakuzu looked at the figure lying before him.
He hoisted the other man onto his shoulder and headed toward Akatsuki's base.
Akatsuki had mobilized all its members this time. He was responsible for the Five-Tails; Kisame and Danzo were responsible for the Two-Tails; Obito and Zetsu were assigned the Three-Tails; and the Deva Path had personally gone after the Four-Tails.
On the same day, Akatsuki had launched simultaneous captures of four Tailed Beasts. Kakuzu did not know the exact progress, but he assumed there would be no major problems.
With that, Akatsuki would possess five Tailed Beasts. Once they captured the Six-Tails, Seven-Tails, and Eight-Tails, they would control every Tailed Beast except the Nine-Tails and have the means to contend against the entire shinobi world.
Of course, that was not what concerned Kakuzu. The only thing he cared about was money.
Meanwhile, in the Land of Water, mist shrouded the sea. Masked Obito Uchiha stood upon the ocean's surface.
Zetsu stood calmly beside him as well. Black Zetsu spoke in a low voice. "Obito, the Three-Tails has already lost consciousness. Use your space-time ninjutsu to take it away. After today, we'll have collected five Tailed Beasts. We'll be one step closer to our goal."
Obito's Three Tomoe gazed into the distance as he spoke. "Our goal... We are indeed closer. Let's go. After resting for a few days, we'll capture the Eight-Tails. This time, I'll do it myself."
"You've finally made up your mind?" Zetsu let out several low, strange chuckles as his figure slowly vanished from the sea.
Ripples appeared beside Obito's Sharingan, and a spatial vortex emerged. Under its powerful pull, the Three-Tails' body was absorbed, and the ocean surface returned to calm.
The Three-Tails' previous