While Sato was enjoying the mixed bath of pain and happiness, he found himself in a familiar yet unfamiliar cave somewhere in the Ninja World. On the finger of the Gedo Statue hidden in darkness, one after another, thought bodies appeared, forming strange figures one by one.
"It's been a long time since we held a plenary meeting. The last time Huang Yamato joined us, and now we're called once again. What happened?"
"The faces are still the familiar ones; no new members seem to have replaced the old."
"Hehe… it seems something big has happened."
As these figures appeared, Deidara, the only active member left in Akatsuki, quickly set the atmosphere. Everyone's eyes instinctively turned to Tenzo (Yamato), who was not late this time and was the first to appear, waiting for the leader's words.
Tenzo did not show off but said directly, "The Three-Tails has been revived, and the information and locations of all Jinchūriki have been confirmed. This plenary meeting is to inform you: the 'Tailed Beast Project' has officially started! Next, I will begin assigning tasks."
"Deidara, Sasori, you are in charge of the One-Tail and Three-Tails Jinchūriki."
"Yamato and Kakuzu, you will handle the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails Jinchūriki."
"Kimimaro, Itachi, you are responsible for the Four-Tails and Five-Tails."
"I will personally coordinate with White Zetsu for the Six-Tails, Seven-Tails, and Nine-Tails Jinchūriki."
"…Has it finally started?"
After Tenzo completed the assignments, the Akatsuki members finally showed clear interest. Deidara grinned, "One-Tail Jinchūriki? If I recall correctly, that's Gaara, the Fifth Kazekage of Sunagakure. Brother Sasori, our first target is your hometown—excited?"
"Idiot, hurry up—I hate waiting." The Scarlet Sand Scorpion's deep voice cut sharply.
"If there's nothing else, I'll start my operation now."
"Well, you need to move faster."
Tenzo nodded then looked at Yamato and Kakuzu, saying, "The order to seal tailed beasts is from One-Tail to Nine-Tails. Act swiftly after One-Tail is sealed."
"Have Jūgo send the information and location of the Two-Tails Jinchūriki. I will join Kakuzu and head to their vicinity."
After the Red Sand Scorpion left, Yamato formed a seal, glanced at Black White Zetsu, nodded to Tenzo, and said, "After sealing the One-Tail, Kakuzu and I will arrest the Two-Tails Jinchūriki. If speedy, I'll capture the Two-Tails first and wait for the One-Tail team to complete their task."
After speaking, Yamato's body disappeared.
At that moment, Yamato faintly heard Deidara's furious voice: "Bastard, who do you think you are…"
Looking toward where Yamato had disappeared, Deidara muttered dissatisfied, "Just wait and see—Brother Sasori and I will capture that One-Tail Jinchūriki within days… hm!"
After his harsh words, Deidara also disappeared with a sealing jutsu.
Other Akatsuki members sealed off their targets in turn.
Meanwhile, Gaara, far away in Sunagakure, the Land of Wind, was oblivious that a death crisis quietly loomed over him.
The next morning, just after Sato awoke, he received the information Yamato shared the night before.
Learning that the organization had started the "Tailed Beast Project," Sato's eyes sharpened; he instantly felt alert.
A faint smile appeared as he murmured, "Is it finally revived? I have been impatient to wait."
With Sato's strength, three years ago there were few opponents in this era.
Logically, he wouldn't need to wait for Shippuden; he could have gone after Nagato, seized his Rinnegan, and sealed the Nine-Tails himself.
But Sato did not choose that path. Instead, he devised the "Light and Darkness Project": to be the savior and secret mastermind behind the scenes, creating a soul clone like Yamato as his dark proxy.
What is Sato's purpose?
Very simple: he doesn't want to become the villain of the ninja world, scorned by many.
He wants to be the ninja world's savior—doing all the dirty work but admired by thousands and with countless fans.
But this is not the core.
Two critical reasons lie beneath.
First, since Yagura—the Three-Tails Jinchūriki and Fourth Mizukage of Kirigakure—died, it would take years for the Three-Tails to revive.
Second, in Sato's eyes, neither Uchiha Madara nor Ōtsutsuki Kaguya is the real ultimate boss.
The true ultimate boss is the Sage of Six Paths, Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo, whose soul can still travel between life and death after death.
After learning of the second pair of Rinnegan's birth, he foresaw that his mother might be "resurrected," arranging for reincarnation of his two sons to reseal her and solve their thousand-year reincarnated conflict.
To the ninja world, the Sage is a benevolent guardian of peace.
But to Sato, a traveler, Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo is himself after completing the "Light and Darkness Project"—a behind-the-scenes boss adored by thousands and the ultimate evolution of Uchiha Itachi, a filial son.
Without his approval, no matter what you do, it is wrong in his eyes—and as a dead man, he will stop you.
If his two sons can't defeat you, he might summon his brothers, who will return from the dead to fight you, or bring powerful dead warriors to besiege you.
Therefore, before gaining Six Paths-level power, Sato must remain hidden, not a target for the ninja world.
Having absorbed parts of Hokage and Shinigami's spiritual bodies and created Yamato, the soul clone, Sato no longer uses Reanimation Jutsu himself.
Because the Sage of Six Paths holds supreme power to seal the gates of life and death.
Sato is unsure if enemies can locate his body through Reanimation Jutsu's chakra network.
Hence, one reason he spared Orochimaru.
He needs Orochimaru and Kabuto to divert attention, making it nearly impossible to find him.
For Sato, the ultimate bosses and enemies in Shippuden aren't Madara or Kaguya, nor Ōtsutsuki Isshiki in a monk's body, nor the Ōtsutsuki family coming soon—but the old ghost of the Sage of Six Paths.
As an old Yinbi, Sato fears neither Madara nor Kaguya, nor Black Zetsu—a true son—but fears the Sage of Six Paths, unstable yet able to meddle with the living world; the Yinbi who altered the ending by manipulating the living.
Therefore, Sato must endure and act patiently.
Once his plan concludes and the curtain falls, victory will be his.
Then, whether in the living or dead ninja world, Sato will have the final say.