Black Zetsu and Obito left Amegakure, one using Kamui and the other burrowing straight underground.
Both returned to their base-Orochimaru's laboratory.
"Hmm? You're back?"
Obito took off his robe and casually set it aside.
"We're back. We've found the last member, too. I'm picking up some materials to make their rings."
Black Zetsu emerged from underground just then.
Kabuto Yakushi was holding a test tube and nearly stepped on Black Zetsu's head.
"Zetsu! Watch where you're going!"
"Sorry. I'll be more careful next time..."
Black Zetsu climbed out of the ground and turned his gaze toward Obito.
"Obito, Deidara and Hidan are strong enough now, aren't they? Do we really need to wait any longer?"
"Time doesn't matter. Once that world arrives, everything will turn to nothing...
Even time will stand still then...
If Nagato wants to build up our strength, let him."
Black Zetsu nodded and looked at the three busy figures.
"Orochimaru, are you sure you don't want the Void ring?"
"Providing technical support is enough for me. I don't normally go on missions, so there's no need to give me a ring."
"If you don't want it, Nagato will keep the Void ring for himself."
"There's no need to ask me about that. I can't wear a ring while conducting experiments anyway."
Orochimaru handed the test tube to Kabuto Yakushi and walked over to Kimimaro, who was lying on a bed.
Orochimaru was the reason the Akatsuki still lacked funds despite all its years of growth.
Even with Amegakure's support, a portion of the funds always went toward Orochimaru's research.
Obito was more than happy to support him, though the things Orochimaru came up with were genuinely interesting.
The major research project of cell engineering had strengthened each of the Akatsuki's core members to varying degrees.
His