Mountain Graveyard.
Deep beneath the ground, the hideous Demonic Statue of the Outer Path sat upon the Lotus Pedestal.
An air of desolation permeated the underground chamber.
"Nagato hasn't given the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path any extra chakra all these years. There's not a trace of vitality left in it now."
Obito gazed at the enormous Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and sighed.
"Heh heh heh..." Zetsu let out a raspy laugh.
"With Nagato's body already on the verge of collapse, the fact that the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path hasn't drained him to death is a testament to the Uzumaki Clan's tenacious vitality."
"His current condition is ideal. At most, he can maintain Pain's illusion of strength."
"He himself will always remain half-dead. That makes things easier when we no longer need him..."
Zetsu's tone was sinister, but Obito was long accustomed to it.
He disliked Pain's high-and-mighty attitude himself.
"After that crushing defeat in the Land of Water, Pain has his work cut out for him."
"I wonder whether they can actually complete Iwagakure's mission this time."
Zetsu's voice shifted to a flippant tone as his White Zetsu half spoke.
"The Hidden Sand Village isn't a pushover. The moment Sasori and Deidara invaded, they declared war on Amegakure."
"Pain's going to have plenty of headaches now."
Obito laughed. "I'm curious how the Hidden Sand Village plans to wage war against Amegakure while fending off Sasori and Deidara's harassment."
"It'll just be trade embargoes and the like."
Zetsu added in his raspy voice, "Pakura's the only capable fighter the Hidden Sand Village has right now. Defending alone will take everything they've got."
"Besides, with Rasa there, we'll know in advance even if the Hidden Sand Village wants to send troops."
Just then, a White Zetsu