Ōtsutsuki Isshiki's voice deepened. "We don't know how much intelligence was leaked from that base."
"If it included the locations of other bases, then what awaits us is having them wiped out one by one."
"Rather than let Konoha discover them, we should clean them up ourselves."
The Inner Circle members fell silent for a moment, then bowed in unison. "As you command, Leader."
"Wait."
Isshiki stopped them again, his tone growing a little more solemn. "Before destroying the bases, transfer all valuable intelligence, supplies, and experimental samples to the Alternate Space."
"I left passage coordinates at Base One. You should know what to do."
"Understood."
"One more thing-"
Isshiki's gaze became as sharp as a blade. "The operation must be clean and efficient. Leave no traces."
"If Konoha or any other force intercepts you, retreat immediately. Don't get drawn into a fight."
"I don't want any of you falling into Shihōin Naraku's hands."
Of course, this was not because Isshiki was worried about these Inner Circle members' safety.
He simply did not want more intelligence about himself to leak.
"Yes!"
"Go."
Several dark figures answered at once, then turned into streaks of light and vanished from the spot.
Once again, only Jigen remained on the cliff.
Strong winds howled as Isshiki stood there, gazing toward the distant horizon.
That was the direction of Konoha-and where Shihōin Naraku was.
"How much do you think you can predict?"
He murmured to himself, his voice scattering in the wind. "If you're really waiting for me, then you've miscalculated."
Before his words had faded, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki's figure slowly disappeared, as though he had never stood on that cliff.
Across the Shinobi World.
This Hidden Base lay deep in the deserts of the Land of Wind. The entire structure was buried beneath the