Precisely because of the Fear Hegemon's intervention, the ritual was actually monopolized by the Research Institute, or rather, by Shinji. This was also the reason why every other faction in the Ninja World that attempted to replicate the Research Institute's ritual failed without exception.
Regarding this point, only Shinji knew the inside story. Therefore, after discovering Orochimaru's testing ground, the others in the Research Institute, including Amado, were merely worried about the possibility of unknown experimental subjects on Orochimaru's side, unaware of what this truly signified.
"What exactly does it want to do?"
Shinji frowned slightly.
There were many possibilities at present, but no matter which one, it wasn't good news for Shinji or the Ninja World.
The worst-case scenario was undoubtedly that Orochimaru had become a "collaborator" and defected to the Fear Hegemon.
However, Shinji privately thought this scenario was unlikely because he hadn't hidden the harm of the Hegemon from Orochimaru. Therefore, Orochimaru should know clearly that there was no future in defecting to the Fear Hegemon; the final outcome would only be being completely devoured by the Fear Hegemon!
Another scenario was that the Fear Hegemon had utilized Orochimaru.
Previously, the Fear Hegemon had launched a 'Fear Projection' on Orochimaru, using its Hegemon power to manifest a fake 'Itachi Uchiha'.
Although this fake 'Itachi Uchiha' had been sealed by the real Itachi Uchiha sent by Shinji, perhaps during this process, the Fear Hegemon glimpsed the ambition hidden deep in Orochimaru's heart, or something else, and decided to make Orochimaru its pawn to achieve some purpose.
The more he analyzed, the darker Shinji's expression became.
Regarding Hegemons, he was always accustomed to speculating with the greatest malice; he never questioned the power and ruthlessness of a Hegemon!
Amado asked at this time, "My Lord, how should we deal with this next? Do we need to issue a public wanted order for Orochimaru?"
Shinji shook his head.
Just involving Shinjutsu already made Orochimaru's problem difficult to handle. Now with a Hegemon entangled in it, Shinji had to be extremely cautious about Orochimaru's issue.
Because 'Project Fortress' had just been deployed, and the Ninja World was still in an unfortified state. If dealing with Orochimaru triggered a chain reaction from the Fear Hegemon, causing an early invasion, the situation would become very unfavorable for the Ninja World.
"Not good!" Thinking of this, Shinji hurriedly ordered Amado, "Gather all the personnel who attended the previous meeting!"
Amado asked, "What happened?"
Shinji didn't explain and ordered sternly, "Go quickly!"
"Yes!"
Amado and Tsunade looked at each other and immediately turned to leave.
Not long after, all personnel who had attended the previous meeting, including Akatsuki members, gathered in the conference room.
Just as everyone thought Shinji was going to deploy a mission to deal with Orochimaru, Shinji said, "Look at me!"
Everyone looked at Shinji in unison.
Shinji didn't waste words and cast a genjutsu directly on everyone.
A moment later, the attendees all looked dazed, feeling as if they had forgotten something, unable to recall it no matter how hard they tried.
As the only 'Kekkei Mora' present and the master of 'Yachihoko', Hikari Uchiha was the first to notice something amiss. However, she trusted Shinji unconditionally, so she didn't say anything and chose silence.
Sasuke shook his head and murmured, "Genjutsu?"
Shinji said, "Correct, I just cast a genjutsu on you and sealed a small segment of memory in your minds."
"Huh?"
"Memory, what memory?"
"Why seal memories?"
The Akatsuki members were okay with it, trusting Shinji unconditionally, but quite a few people from the Research Institute raised questions.
Shinji explained, "It was my mistake earlier to provide you with information that could affect the future fate of the Ninja World. Now, to ensure intelligence security, I have temporarily sealed this information. I will unseal it for everyone after the great war ends!"
Undoubtedly, the segment of memory Shinji sealed was the scene Hikari Uchiha had shown the attendees via 'Tsukuyomi' about the Six Rings World great war.
Shinji initially disclosed this memory intending for the Research Institute to have a deeper understanding of the Hegemon's power, thereby better formulating and executing 'Project Fortress'. However, when he realized that the Fear Hegemon's infiltration into the Ninja World and the Research Institute might far exceed his imagination, he immediately reacted. The content of the Six Rings World great war shown in the meeting could very likely be learned by the Fear Hegemon.
It should be known that his only advantage over the Fear Hegemon now was that the Fear Hegemon didn't know he possessed extensive experience in fighting Hegemons.
This was his advantage, even his trump card!
If the Fear Hegemon found out this information, his subsequent series of arrangements would become invalid because of it.
Amado didn't know which of his memories were sealed, but he wisely stood on Shinji's side and said, "My Lord, we obey your arrangements!"
Although Tsunade didn't like having her memory manipulated, she also understood the situation the Ninja World was facing and nodded along.
Hikari seemed to have thought of something and said, "Sorry, it's my fault!"
Shinji waved his hand. "No, it was my carelessness!"
He was reflecting. Successfully advancing to 'Kekkei Shinra' and controlling the two major Hegemons, Plague and Propagation, in the Six Rings World this time had made him a bit arrogant!
Subsequently, Shinji said, "'Project Fortress' formulated in the previous meeting must undergo some changes now!"
Regarding the memories related to 'Project Fortress', Shinji didn't seal them, so Amado asked on behalf of the Research Institute, "Which parts need changing?"
Shinji instructed, "First is confidentiality! The confidentiality level of 'Project Fortress' must be further increased. Mentioning 'Project Fortress' is forbidden during execution. All plans must be carried out in an environment of absolute secrecy."
Amado asked, "Is it necessary to be confidential to this extent? Are you worried there are leakers within our Research Institute?"
"En!"
Shinji nodded lightly without explaining much.
Tsunade frowned. "For such a large project, trying to keep it completely confidential is unrealistic!"
Shinji said, "Then formulate a corresponding cover plan, such as restarting the ritual, or starting some other plan! In short, before 'Project Fortress' is completed, I don't want our actions to be exposed to the enemy's vision prematurely!"
"Understood!"
Facing Shinji's unquestionable order, Amado, Tsunade, and the others had to agree.
Shinji continued to instruct, "Additionally, form a temporary surveillance unit within the Research Institute to punish leakers severely! Let Eida join this unit; now is the time her 'Senrigan' is needed!"