Visit the Hidden Cloud Village?
Richard regarded Tsunade with surprise.
Though she hadn't elaborated, he quickly deduced her meaning.
"Has Kumogakure requested assistance?" Richard asked.
Tsunade responded without hesitation: "Yes, the Fourth Raikage dispatched an envoy seeking help. He hopes you'll travel to Kumogakure to help them counter Akatsuki."
The Hidden Cloud Village and Konoha weren't formal allies.
However, this didn't prevent the Fourth Raikage from requesting assistance.
Though somewhat humiliating, embarrassment paled compared to losing the Eight-Tails.
"I'm not interested. Let them handle Akatsuki themselves," Richard replied.
The Hidden Cloud's Two-Tails had fallen to Akatsuki months earlier.
Though the Eight-Tails remained uncaptured, its seizure seemed inevitable.
Given Kumogakure's current capabilities, they couldn't withstand Akatsuki's assault.
"The Fourth Raikage anticipated your reluctance, so he's extended a generous offer," Tsunade continued.
"Should you agree to assist, you may select any jutsu from Kumogakure's archives."
"Whether Lightning Release Chakra Mode, Lightning Release Armor, or Hell Stab—whatever you desire, he's prepared to grant."
Despite the Raikage's generous terms, Richard maintained his refusal to aid the Hidden Cloud.
With both the Three-Tails and Nine-Tails in his possession, Obito could collect a maximum of seven Tailed Beasts.
If Richard assisted the Raikage and prevented Akatsuki from capturing the Eight-Tails, Obito likely couldn't achieve Ten-Tails Jinchūriki status.
In the original timeline, the Ten-Tails possessed all chakra from Tailed Beasts One through Seven, plus partial chakra from the Eight and Nine-Tails, yet remained incomplete.
Now, due to Richard's interference, the Ten-Tails couldn't even access partial chakra from the Three-Tails and Nine-Tails.
Though the Raikage's compensation seemed substantial, Richard wouldn't compromise his ultimate objective.
"Regardless of his offered compensation, I have no interest in this mission," Richard stated.
"However, I can provide advice."
"The Eight-Tails will inevitably be lost, but Killer B, the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, might survive."
"If the Fourth Raikage wishes to prevent Killer B's death at Akatsuki's hands, he should relay my suggestion."
"The Eight-Tails differs from other Tailed Beasts—it can survive even after extraction from its Jinchūriki."
"That's all I'll say. If nothing else requires attention, I'll take my leave."
Richard addressed Tsunade calmly.
Hearing his response, Tsunade sighed resignedly.
Though uncertain of Richard's reasoning, she recognized he orchestrated something behind the scenes.
His deliberate extraction of the Nine-Tails from both the Fourth Hokage and Naruto evidenced this.
Compared to ordinary shinobi, Jinchūriki undeniably possessed greater power.
However, Tsunade doubted Richard sought to become the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki himself.
Richard didn't require Jinchūriki status to enhance his capabilities.
After several seconds of silence, Tsunade addressed Richard: "Since you decline, I won't insist. I'll have someone convey your advice to the Fourth Raikage."
Following this, she rose and approached Richard.
"Have you eaten lunch?" she inquired.
Richard silently shook his head.
"Join me, then—my treat," Tsunade offered.
"Gladly," Richard nodded.
Hearing his acceptance, Tsunade approached the office window and leapt outside.
Without hesitation, Richard activated his flight ability, following Tsunade from the Hokage's office.
Ten minutes later, Richard and Tsunade arrived at a long-established, modest restaurant known for exceptional cuisine.
This wasn't their first visit to this establishment.
Long ago, Tsunade had specially invited Richard to dine here.
According to her, this restaurant had operated since her childhood.
By her calculation, it had maintained continuous operation for nearly fifty years.
Despite its half-century existence, the restaurant had never expanded or publicized itself.
Tsunade had dined here several times with the First Hokage during her childhood, developing particular fondness for their tempura and takoyaki.
After comfortably settling at a window-adjacent table, Tsunade ordered without consulting the menu.
The restaurant's offerings had expanded only minimally over recent decades, making the menu largely unnecessary.
After ordering, Tsunade asked Richard: "May I ask a question?"
"What would you like to know?"
"Though our relationship has improved considerably, I won't address overly personal matters," Richard replied with a smile.
"Nothing personal—I merely wonder if you knew earlier that Akatsuki intended to collect all Tailed Beasts," Tsunade asked, rolling her eyes at Richard.
"Why?" Richard countered.
"Isn't it obvious? During your time in Kirigakure, you deliberately converted the Three-Tails into your summoning beast, then extracted the Nine-Tails from both the Fourth Hokage and Naruto."
"If someone else exhibited this, their motivation might involve becoming a Jinchūriki to gain power."
"But you're clearly an exception."
"Far from becoming a Jinchūriki, you rarely summon the Three-Tails."
"Your only recorded Three-Tails summoning occurred during your confrontation with Jiraiya."
"Beyond that instance, I've never heard of you summoning it again."
Tsunade regarded Richard intently.
Richard sipped his hot tea before responding carefully: "Your assessment is correct. I knew Akatsuki sought all Tailed Beasts."
"Moreover, I understand their motivation for this collection."
Hearing this, Tsunade frowned immediately. "Why does Akatsuki gather Tailed Beasts? Do they genuinely intend to conquer all nations using Tailed Beast power?"
Richard didn't immediately address Tsunade's inquiry, instead organizing his thoughts.
Under Tsunade's attentive gaze, he eventually replied: "Strictly speaking, world domination isn't their objective."
"Though most Akatsuki members believe this, reality differs."
"I can't elaborate further at this time."
Though revealing Obito's true agenda wouldn't particularly trouble Richard, such disclosure would generate additional complications.
"Keep your secrets then," Tsunade responded, regarding Richard with mild annoyance.
"Barring unforeseen developments, you'll soon discover Akatsuki's true purpose. Patience will reward you," Richard replied.
Though uncertain when Obito would secure the Eight-Tails, Richard remained confident of one certainty: Obito wouldn't delay extensively.
Within two months, a full year would elapse. To gain power rivaling Richard's, Obito would undoubtedly become the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki within this timeframe.
Only as the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki could Obito legitimately challenge Richard.
Furthermore, only through this transformation could Obito create his ideal world—devoid of war, eternally peaceful, with Rin still alive.
After lunch with Tsunade, Richard employed Flying Thunder God to return home.
One week later, news of Akatsuki's Eight-Tails capture spread throughout the ninja world.
Following this acquisition, Akatsuki—which had actively operated for over six months—went silent, seemingly vanishing.
Learning of Akatsuki's successful Eight-Tails seizure, Richard used Flying Thunder God to visit Orochimaru's secret base in the Land of Fields.
Orochimaru's Land of Grass hideout had been discovered and destroyed by Konoha.
Unlike the original timeline, however, the discovery hadn't come from Yamato's reconstituted Team 7, but from Jiraiya.
Jiraiya had located Orochimaru, seeking vengeance for the Third Hokage's death.
As former comrades, they had engaged in an undeniable Kage-level battle within the Land of Grass.
Ultimately, both sustained serious injuries.
Had Richard not fortuitously visited the Land of Grass, the grass atop Jiraiya's grave would now exceed one meter's height.
Though Orochimaru suffered comparable injuries, unlike Jiraiya, he wasn't alone.
Sasuke, Kimimaro, and Kabuto Yakushi had been present.
Just as Kimimaro and Kabuto prepared to deliver the fatal blow to the gravely wounded Jiraiya, Richard had arrived, intervening and saving Jiraiya's life.
Subsequently, Jiraiya had remained bedridden in Konoha Hospital for over a month before regaining mobility.
This outcome resulted from Tsunade's personal treatment.
Had any other medical ninja attempted treatment, Jiraiya might have joined the Third Hokage in the afterlife.
As for Orochimaru—though possessing far more survival techniques than Jiraiya—his grievous injuries from their confrontation necessitated performing Living Corpse Reincarnation to acquire a new vessel.
Notably, Orochimaru's new container was none other than Kimimaro.
Orochimaru had originally recruited Kimimaro due to his fascination with the young man's kekkei genkai, the Dead Bone Pulse.
In the original timeline, Kimimaro hadn't become Orochimaru's vessel due to serious illness.
In this world, however, Kimimaro had maintained perfect health, exhibiting no physical ailments.
Regarding Orochimaru's reincarnation into his body, Kimimaro hadn't merely accepted this fate—he had embraced it joyfully.
Though Orochimaru exemplified villainy, his charismatic leadership undeniably inspired subordinates to willingly sacrifice everything.
Land of Fields. Orochimaru's Secret Base.
Richard encountered Orochimaru—now inhabiting Kimimaro's body, though his appearance remained unchanged—in the base's reception room.
"Where is Sasuke?" Richard inquired.
"He departed to fight with Akatsuki members," Orochimaru replied calmly.
Hearing this, Richard frowned slightly.
He had intended to use Flying Thunder God to bring Sasuke to Itachi, facilitating their final brotherly confrontation.
Unexpectedly, Sasuke had independently sought Akatsuki members.
"Whom did he approach?" Richard pressed.
"I don't know his current target, or more accurately, I don't know whom he might locate within Akatsuki," Orochimaru responded casually.
Though unable to claim Sasuke's body, Orochimaru's desire for Uchiha vessels had diminished.
More precisely, upon learning the Mangekyō Sharingan couldn't avoid eventual blindness, his interest in the Sharingan had considerably waned.
At this juncture, Orochimaru remained unaware that evolving the Mangekyō Sharingan to its Eternal form would permit unlimited Sharingan usage without deterioration.
"If you lack this information, I'll find someone better informed," Richard decided.
With that, he performed Flying Thunder God, transporting himself to Amegakure.
Though he had met Sasuke ten months earlier, Richard hadn't placed a Flying Thunder God marker on him then.
Otherwise, he could now teleport directly to Sasuke's location.
Amegakure appeared unchanged from his last visit.
Hovering above the village, Richard activated his enhanced vision, searching for Nagato.
Without difficulty, he located Nagato concealed beneath Amegakure.
Nagato wasn't alone—Konan, known as the "Angel," accompanied him.
Additionally, Richard observed the new Six Paths of Pain beside Nagato.
Beyond the Deva Path, which still utilized Yahiko's body, Richard couldn't identify the remaining five paths.
After locating Nagato, Richard flew directly toward the underground facility housing him.
Shortly thereafter, he arrived before Nagato.
Without awaiting Nagato's inquiry, Richard stated his purpose.
Hearing Richard's request to locate Sasuke, Nagato frowned.
After several seconds, he replied: "I can ask for you, but cannot guarantee anyone knows Sasuke Uchiha's whereabouts."
Richard nodded silently.
Observing his response, Nagato channeled chakra, activating the Akatsuki rings' communication function to query other members regarding Sasuke.
Soon, Nagato completed his inquiries to everyone except Obito and Konan.
"None have encountered Sasuke Uchiha," Nagato informed Richard.
Hearing this, Richard frowned slightly.
Where has that kid gone?
After this mental complaint, Richard addressed Nagato: "If you discover his location, contact me through the rings. I possess both 'Ku' and 'Gyoku.'"
"Very well," Nagato agreed with a nod.
Under Nagato and Konan's watchful gazes, Richard employed Flying Thunder God, departing Amegakure for Konoha.
That afternoon, as Richard contemplated inviting Tsunade to dinner, he suddenly sensed Sasuke's chakra.
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