Somewhere beneath Kirigakure.
After leaving their subordinates to guard the entrance, Hozuki Mangetsu, Kisame, and Zabuza entered the passage leading underground.
Some time later, the three reached the Underground Base and found two figures already waiting for them. They were none other than Obito and Zou Hyuga, who was in disguise.
Upon seeing the three, Obito asked coldly, "Have you gained Karatachi Yagura's trust?"
Hozuki Mangetsu and Kisame nodded, while Zabuza declared loudly, "Don't worry. The Fourth Mizukage is easy to fool. He's planning to rebuild the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."
"Rebuild the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist?" Obito fell into thought.
As far as he knew, Kirigakure had never managed to reestablish the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist after the previous group was destroyed.
Of course, he had never thought much of their supposed ability to hunt down the Five Kage.
After glancing at Zou Hyuga, Kisame said slowly, "The Fourth Mizukage intends to send me to Konoha to sign an alliance treaty and retrieve Samehada for use as my weapon."
"Retrieve Samehada..." Obito suddenly became interested.
An alliance between Kirigakure and Konoha was within his expectations. Faced with the threat of Akatsuki, Karatachi Yagura was bound to seek safety alongside Konoha.
That was precisely why he had orchestrated this whole performance: to keep Kirigakure under his watch.
The mention of Samehada reminded him of the woman who had humiliated him. Had his attempt to recruit her not failed, Akatsuki would never have been exposed to the Five Great Nations.
Still, powerful as Oto Uchiha was, Konoha would surely make her hand over Samehada when faced with Kirigakure's request for an alliance. It was for the village's sake, after all.
Imagining Oto Uchiha's frustration, Obito could not help smiling beneath his mask.
Beside him, Zou