To eliminate the risk of the Bull-Headed Heavenly King destabilizing space and allowing the Ōtsutsuki to descend, Itachi and Kisame had spent several months searching for his wielder, Tanuki Shinraku, a surviving member of Root.
Underground in Amegakure, before the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, Naruto initiated contact through the Magic Lantern Body Technique!
The rainbow-colored projections of Itachi and Kisame appeared before him!
They exchanged information.
As it turned out, after Danzo died, Tanuki Shinraku had sensed trouble, immediately deserted Konoha, and hidden among ordinary people under an assumed identity, changing hideouts at irregular intervals.
Itachi and Kisame had come up empty several times, but their latest attempt had yielded reliable information.
Tanuki Shinraku was hiding in a village in the Land of Water!
Their next move would be to close the net.
Naruto reminded them to proceed carefully. After all, summoning the Bull-Headed Heavenly King would affect space and alert the Ōtsutsuki, defeating the entire purpose of this search.
Itachi assured him that he understood.
Hearing that Obito had come around made Itachi genuinely happy, but when he learned that Madara had taken one of Sasuke's eyes, he lowered his head and fell silent.
"Itachi, I'll find Madara as soon as possible and get Sasuke's eye back!" Naruto said.
"Misfortune lurks within fortune, and fortune rests within misfortune," Itachi said. "This might not be a bad thing for Sasuke. Let things take their course."
"That's true, but I won't let anyone hurt Sasuke," Naruto said. "I'm definitely settling the score with Madara."
"How has Lord Jiraiya been lately?" Itachi asked.
"He's doing great. Eating well, sleeping well, ahem... enjoying the sights, too!" Naruto said.
"Give him my regards," Itachi said.
"Sure!"
"Leader, please give Mangetsu my regards as well," Kisame said.
"Will do. Get back to it,