Konoha: Muzan of the Hatake Household—The Captured Twelve Kizuki
After several days of experiments, the Man-Eating Demon's powerful bloodline abilities allowed Muzan to keep working tirelessly without food or rest.
However, a knock at the door interrupted Muzan's focus. Kabuto entered, his face etched with exhaustion. It seemed that settling and educating those children had indeed been draining for him at this stage.
"Teacher, someone from the Akatsuki is outside. They want to ask for help."
During the days Muzan had spent experimenting, the outside world had undergone earth-shaking changes. Not long ago, the Akatsuki had captured Yugito Nii, the Two-Tails' jinchuriki, alive. The other shinobi villages had agreed to send powerful fighters to attack the Akatsuki base alongside them, with Jiraiya providing the exact location. They had wasted little time.
The current Akatsuki could barely withstand the assault on their own. With the power of the Rinnegan, they had managed to hold their ground, but it was not a sustainable solution.
"I never thought even proud Nagato would send someone here. It seems the Akatsuki's situation is far from optimistic."
But Muzan was somewhat displeased as he watched Kabuto lower his head, and he told him the truth.
"We may be cooperating with the Akatsuki, but what benefits us if they successfully gather all the Tailed Beasts?"
"With the power they gather, they could dominate the Shinobi World. Remember this, Kabuto: until a true overlord has been decided, do not be too quick to help them."
The matter of the Tailed Beasts involved far too much. Muzan had no intention of letting them successfully gather the Ten-Tails. Its terror was not something Blood Moon could handle at present.
Of course, Muzan could not simply watch the Akatsuki be crushed by the Five Great Shinobi Villages. He understood the principle