After returning to the village, Zou Hyuga did not venture out again.
For one thing, continuing his research into Chakra Threads required a great deal of time. For another, staying in the village allowed him to keep a closer eye on the Akatsuki's movements.
The members the Akatsuki had deployed last time possessed enough power to alarm the Five Great Nations.
Although he did not know whether the higher-ups would join forces with the other Shinobi Villages to wipe out the Akatsuki, they would certainly take the necessary measures. After all, the very existence of the organization responsible for the Nine-Tails' Rampage was a threat.
If the world learned about that pair of Rinnegan, the situation would probably become even more chaotic.
Still, it was hard to say whether the Akatsuki would bring forward its plan to capture the Nine-Tails now that it had been exposed.
The Summer Festival soon arrived.
Rubbing his dry eyes, Zou Hyuga emerged from the gloomy underground space and looked out at the Small Courtyard, which had gathered dust for so long.
The unswept courtyard looked rather messy. Clearly, a certain cat had not been working hard enough!
After grumbling a little, Zou Hyuga heard his clansmen talking along the road and only then learned that today was the Summer Festival.
"The Summer Festival? How long have I been in the laboratory this time..."
Rubbing his chin, Zou Hyuga grumbled inwardly.
At heart, he was not someone who liked going out, whether that meant leaving his laboratory or leaving home.
Today, however, was a special day.
After a moment's thought, Zou Hyuga set off for the Uchiha Clan Compound. When he arrived, he found that Oto was not home. There was only a languid cat inside.
"Does she have to be on duty because