After obtaining the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path from Nagato, Shinichi wasted no time. He urged them to leave as soon as possible, then used the Flying Thunder God Technique to reach Orochimaru's laboratory hideout.
"Shinichi, what is this...?"
At the sight of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path appearing alongside Shinichi, a strange gleam entered Orochimaru's eyes, and he asked curiously.
"The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, otherwise known as the Ten-Tails' husk."
Shinichi smiled faintly and explained, "Orochimaru, do you think you could make a counterfeit?"
"A counterfeit?"
Orochimaru was momentarily speechless. He sighed despite himself. "Shinichi, you really do think far too highly of me."
Confident as he was in his abilities, something like the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path was clearly beyond his capabilities.
Even if he could somehow pull it off, it would take a very long time. As someone familiar with Shinichi's plan, he knew Shinichi might not be able to wait that long.
"I'm not asking you to make an exact replica. It only needs to look the part."
Seeing that he had misunderstood, Shinichi quickly added, "I'm using it to fool that brat Obito. It doesn't need to be a perfect reproduction. Just extract a little of the tailed beast power inside and make an outer shell convincing enough to deceive him."
"That shouldn't be a problem."
Now that's more like it, Orochimaru thought.
Did he really take me for the god of science? I'm just an 'ordinary' scientist.
"By the way, I think we can officially set our plan in motion."
"Oh?"
Orochimaru's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help laughing. "It seems Konoha is finally in for a change."
Shinichi nodded, then followed Orochimaru into a well-concealed room. Countless glass vessels stood inside, filled with all