Another Way Forward

The Land of Grass, the Akatsuki Base.

Several days have passed since the Eight-Tails was successfully sealed, and now the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path has gathered eight of the nine Tailed Beasts.

He now stood there quietly, exuding an astonishing aura.

Before the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, Pain looked up at the colossal creature, his joy beyond words. With only the Nine-Tails missing, all the preliminary preparations would be complete, and the Ninja World would soon usher in eternal peace.

But where exactly is this Nine-Tails?

"Has the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki still not been confirmed? Konoha isn't that big; by eliminating possibilities one by one, we should have an answer by now!"

Pain turned around, the joy on his face gone, replaced by his usual expressionless face.

"I've deployed a large number of White Zetsu to infiltrate Konoha, and so far we've identified three suspicious targets." Black Zetsu stepped forward, his tone somewhat uncertain. "However, these three are all quite troublesome."

"Oh? Tricky?" Pain became interested. "How tricky can it be? Tell me."

"The first target is the original Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Kushina Uzumaki. The Nine-Tails that was extracted from her is still alive, which likely means that Konoha resealed the Nine-Tails back into her body, thus saving her life."

Everyone nodded, agreeing that what he said made sense.

"The second is Naruto Uzumaki, the son of the Fourth Hokage. He shares the same Uzumaki Bloodline and has the potential to become Jinchuriki."

The crowd continued to nod. Not everyone is qualified to become Jinchuriki. The Tailed Beast in various villages always go berserk, not only because of the Sealing Jutsu, but also because the Jinchuriki are not qualified enough.

"The last one is the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. I only recently confirmed that one of the White Zetsu sensed the Nine-Tails Chakra aura on him, but it's unclear whether it was absorbed from him or was inherent to him."

Everyone suddenly realized, "Good heavens, these three targets are a family, but they are indeed not easy to deal with."

Everyone turned their attention to Obito. They'd heard he'd successfully released the Nine-Tails last time; they wondered if he could do it again.

If the Nine-Tails wreaks havoc in Konoha again, they will definitely have a chance to capture Nine-Tails.

Obito seemed to understand their gazes and took the initiative to answer.

"Don't overthink it. Last time, I only managed to get my Jinchuriki during childbirth. You can't do that under normal circumstances."

Well, everyone was just thinking about it.

But if that doesn't work, then how exactly can we capture the Nine-Tails?

A full-scale attack on Konoha is out of the question.

Not to mention Konoha Taichi Matsushita, who is beyond their ability to deal with, even the other skilled fighters in Konoha are enough to make people hesitate.

The Third Hokage, the Fourth Hokage, and two of the Sannin remained in Konoha. I've also heard that the White Fang of Konoha is living a retirement life Konoha. And there are also top experts from various clans. Just thinking about it makes my scalp tingle.

Jigen looked at the people in front of him with great interest. This was also his first time formally attending Akatsuki meeting, and he was both curious and interested in what they were discussing.

These guys want to revive the Ten-Tails, don't they!

Jigen looked at the enormous Demonic Statue of the Outer Path before him; this was the so-called husk of the Ten-Tails.

The eight eyes that have already opened on the Demonic Statue symbolize the eight Tailed Beasts that have been sealed away, with only the final Nine-Tails missing.

It really is just one last step away!

As Ōtsutsuki Clan, he naturally understood what the Ten-Tails was all about. The power accumulated within the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path had long since reached the standard for the Ten-Tails to awaken, but it was lacking in quality because it was missing the Nine-Tails 'Chakra.

"Does this thing really have to absorb the entire Tailed Beast?"

Just when everyone was at a loss, Jigen pointed at the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and gave a seemingly casual reminder.

Blood Crow, Moryo, and Suikazan Fuguki are all outsiders, knowing nothing about Demonic Statue of the Outer Path; they are simply following orders.

Having captured and sealed the Jinchuriki, he naturally didn't care much about Jigen's words.

Even worse are people like Blood Crow, whose minds have been corrupted by Evil God, yet they still speak so arrogantly.

"Are you kidding me! How can a Tailed Beast be separated? We captured the whole one before before sealing it. What's the use of it if it's only half!"

What was said in jest was taken seriously by the listener.

Jigen's questions and Blood Crow's arrogant words did indeed open a new window for those who knew the inside story.

The people here were all shrewd; no one paid attention to Blood Crow's words, and Jigen's words were not refuted. Everyone immediately realized that there was something fishy going on here.

All eyes were on the leader in front of them, who was slightly bowing his head, his Rinnegan gleaming faintly.

Pain was indeed thinking at this moment. As the owner of the Rinnegan and the summoner of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, he naturally had a sense of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path ordinary people did not have.

Back when he sealed the seven Tailed Beasts, he sensed that the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path had plenty of energy, but the Ten-Tails showed no signs of reviving. At that time, he assumed it was because the Tailed Beast were incomplete.

Even after the Eight-Tails was sealed, the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path's Chakra became even more abundant, yet its tendency to revive did not increase in the slightest.

Now, after Jigen's question, he suddenly realized that the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path wasn't lacking in Chakra it needed.

The quality of a carat is far superior to that of Tailed Beast Chakra, and it is a higher level of energy capable of powering the Ten-Tails.

Obito and Black Zetsu shared the same mindset as Pain. As the masterminds behind the scenes, their understanding of the Rinnegan and the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path far surpassed Nagato's. They had simply not been able to open their minds before, but now that they had figured it out, they immediately understood that there was absolutely no problem with it.

At that moment, they both secretly observed Jigen.

This guy is being way too deliberate. Not only did he send the Eight-Tails at the crucial moment, but he also brings up this kind of question at this time.

You can tell them there's nothing wrong with Jigen, but they definitely won't believe it. However, at this critical juncture, as long as Jigen isn't on the side of the Five Great Nations, they'll welcome him.

The top priority is to complete the plan.

"Your suggestion is good. It's true that we don't necessarily need the entire Nine-Tails. In the current situation, a portion of the Nine-Tails 'Chakra is barely enough."

Everyone's expressions changed instantly, and they couldn't help but exclaim in their hearts: This really works!

However, some quick-thinking individuals immediately raised questions.

"Nine-Tails Chakra? Where else can we find Nine-Tails Chakra besides Konoha? We can't possibly have to fight Konoha again!"

The one speaking was Suikazan Fuguki. He didn't want to oppose Konoha; more accurately, he didn't want to oppose Taichi Matsushita.

To deal with.

To be honest, he was actually more afraid of Taichi Matsushita than of Pain and Obito.

He always felt there was something wrong with this guy; he couldn't be judged by normal standards.

"Nine-Tails Chakra, I actually know where to find it."

Black Zetsu, this ancient cunning villain, may not be the best at fighting, but he knows a great deal about the Ninja World.

Seeing that everyone's eyes were on him, he didn't keep them in suspense and directly gave them the answer.

"The Kinkaku and Ginkaku brothers of Cloud Village were once eaten by the Nine-Tails. They survived for two weeks inside the Nine-Tails' stomach by eating its Nine-Tails and blood. After being spat out, they carried some of the Nine-Tails Chakra with them."

Nobody really knows this kind of information. Everyone is marveling at how strange this world truly is. Not only did he not die after being eaten by Tailed Beast, he also gained the Tailed Beast's power.

However, some people raised objections.

"Kinkaku? Ginkaku? Didn't they die in First Shinobi World War? They're probably not even bones left now, so where would they Tailed Beast Chakra from?"

As a Jonin trained through the proper channels of Mist Village, Suikazan Fuguki had some knowledge of this important information, something that Obito, a loser, couldn't compare to.

"The people are indeed dead, but their bodies and Chakra have been preserved. Back then, Cloud Village used the Amber Purifying Pot, one of the Treasured Tools of the Six Paths, to seal the two of them, and their physical bodies still remain inside."

Black Zetsu calmly explained the information to everyone, feeling extremely relaxed. At this moment, he could already see the dawn of success.

"Cloud Village, it's Cloud Village again. It seems we're truly destined to meet Cloud Village."

Obito muttered to himself, a smile involuntarily creeping onto his lips. Like Zetsu, he too saw the glimmer of victory.

"Then we'll go get this Amber Purifying Pot, right?" Moryo was very excited, his eyes filled with fighting spirit. "Let me do it this time. I'll go and wipe out Cloud Village."

Of course, there was one more thing he didn't say: he could take this opportunity to retrieve the one-fifth of his physical body that was stored with Cloud Village.

Unexpectedly, Pain rejected the Moryo's suggestion outright.

Having faced the Cloud Village head-on, he knew just how powerful a major ninja village could be when it went all out.

The Five Great Ninja Villages all know the extent of the Moryo's power. He might be able to launch a sneak attack on the Capital of Fire, but if he were to launch a sneak attack on any of the major ninja villages, he would absolutely not return.

Even for him, after his abilities were thoroughly understood by the Cloud Village, it would be extremely difficult to achieve the same results as before.

"Now that the objective is clear, and the enemy is completely unaware, we don't need to rush. We should wait for the right opportunity."

I believe this opportunity will come soon.

Pain was, after all, the leader, and no one would refute his words at this point.

After the meeting ended, everyone left one after another, leaving only Pain and Obito in the huge cave.

"You need to be careful with that Jigen; I have a feeling he has ulterior motives for joining Akatsuki."

"Who isn't like that? Whether people join Xiao's group under duress or voluntarily, everyone has their own needs. As long as he doesn't disrupt the plan, I won't interfere."

Pain spoke calmly, but Obito sensed a strange undertone in Obito words.

It was as if those words were directed at him.

However, Obito didn't take it to heart. He was just doing his duty, reminding Pain not to be careless at the last moment.

"The Nine-Tails Chakra is ultimately just a stopgap measure; to achieve a perfect plan, we still need the complete Nine-Tails."

"I understand that, but only with the Nine-Tails Chakra can we possess a portion of the Ten-Tails' power, and only then will we have the confidence to contend with the entire Ninja World."

Pain wasn't stupid, of course he knew that. He looked at Obito suspiciously, not understanding why he was telling him this.

Obito no explanation, acting as if he had truly only come to offer a reminder. Seeing that Pain had received it, he lingered no longer, his figure disappearing in an instant.

They disappeared into the spatial vortex.

Another room in the base was filled with various isolation Barrier, clearly designed to prevent outsiders from spying on them.

Jue stayed alone in the room, but her body twisted and turned like a noodle, as if she couldn't stay still for a moment.

At that moment, space distorted, Obito emerged from the spatial vortex. He merely glanced at him, and the unserious Zetsu immediately vanished, officially becoming Black Zetsu.

"So, what did Pain say?"

"Very good. I was worried he would stop at the Nine-Tails Chakra. After all, reviving only a half-finished Ten-Tails would achieve his goal, but it would still be far from our goal."

Although Nagato and Obito shared the same goal in the early stages, they differed in their final methods.

Nagato collected the Tailed Beast only to complete the Ten-Tails, the ultimate weapon, and then use the extreme pain to intimidate and bring about peace under fear.

Obito were different; what they wanted was the Infinite Tsukuyomi, the Eye of the Moon Plan, which the half-finished Ten-Tails didn't have.

"As for Jigen, I always feel that this guy is hiding a huge secret. His strength is also a mystery. Sometimes when I see him, I feel a sense of dread, even stronger than when I face Taichi Matsushita."

Black Zetsu asked again in a deep voice, his tone still carrying a hint of disbelief.

Obito was also grave. This was indeed a problem, and most importantly, Pain had clearly not taken any special action in response.

"This matter still depends on us. You arrange for some White Zetsu to keep an eye on Jigen's every move. I don't believe he can do anything outrageous under our noses."

Obito was ruthless, not afraid of causing any internal conflicts, and directly sent White Zetsu to monitor them.

However, it must be said that this is indeed a good idea, as long as these White Zetsu discovered.

Meanwhile, news of the joint operation between Konoha and Cloud Village also spread throughout the Ninja World.

This naturally includes the attacks on Kumogakure and the Capital of Fire the Akatsuki, as well as the information about the eventual capture of the Eight-Tails.

This completely threw the Genin world into an uproar. Not only were the various ninja villages in an uproar, but even the various countries were not calm.

Since the Akatsuki dared to attack the Capital of Fire, they would naturally dare to attack the capitals of other major powers, not to mention the smaller countries.

If the Akatsuki even entertains such a thought, it will surely end in the destruction of their country and the ruin of their home.

This time, the Akatsuki has offended everyone in the entire Ninja World.

The daimyo of Daimyo countries took the initiative to issue orders to their respective ninja villages, demanding that they eliminate the Akatsuki as soon as possible.

At the same time, the Daimyo also issued strict orders to officials in all cities and villages to pay attention to all suspicious persons within the territory and to monitor all large-scale material movements.

This really hit Akatsuki's weak spot.

The Akatsuki is, after all, composed of people. Although they don't have many official members, they do have quite a few peripheral members.

The combined expenses of these people are not a small amount. If secular officials investigate such a large flow of goods carefully, they will surely be able to find clues.

And so, life became difficult for the Akatsuki.

It was precisely under these circumstances that Konoha once again proposed convening the Five Kage Summit.

This time, not a single ninja village voiced its opposition.