Two days passed in a flash.
The loss of Shukaku was a major event for Sand Village, but it did not affect the trade with Leaf Village.
On the contrary, Obito's attack made Sand Village realize the great threat hidden within the Akatsuki organization, and they had to set aside their pride as a great ninja village and seek closer cooperation.
To be honest, one Tail Beast as a price is already very cheap. You must know that to discover this, Leaf Village lost one Hokage and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, as well as hundreds of elite middle and upper-ranked ninjas.
On the other side, Obito, having obtained Shukaku, did not linger and rushed back to the Hidden Rain Village.
It's not that he wasn't curious about Orochimaru's actions in Sand Village, but Orochimaru's senses were truly extraordinary. Having suffered a great loss this time, his guard would definitely rise sharply. It would be a small matter if he couldn't get any information, but if Shukaku were to be taken back by mistake, it would be much harder to get it again.
Obito naturally knew what was more important.
Compared to ordinary ninjas, Obito, with Kamui's convenience, traveled twice as fast. A journey that originally took four to five days was completed in half the time.
Ignoring his exhaustion, Obito went directly to the Black Tower's bedroom to share the events of his trip with Nagato.
Upon hearing that Obito had encountered Orochimaru in Sand Village, Tendo Pain's eyes narrowed slightly. He never expected that this impulsive action would lead to unexpected twists and turns.
"Nagato, I suspect there are spies of Orochimaru in our organization."
Obito said in a deep voice, "Judging by the timing, Orochimaru rushed to Sand Village almost on the same day he returned to the village. This is very unusual."
"If Orochimaru didn't know about the organization's actions, why would he share technological achievements with Sand Village?"
"Not to mention letting Sand Village get an advantage for free, you know that each additional village increases the risk of exposure exponentially."
"Unless Orochimaru doesn't care about being exposed, but that doesn't fit his arrangements in Leaf Village..."
In Sand Village, he gained a great advantage and easily took away the One-Tail Shukaku, but Obito's thoughts became more and more intense.
It was somewhat laughable that this motivation came from his several encounters with Orochimaru, all of which he had suffered significant losses. The current advantage made him feel very uneasy.
Tendo Pain's expression darkened as he heard this. He understood Obito's implied meaning.
The Akatsuki organization is related to Orochimaru, and the suspect who could leak information was obvious.
But... Tendo Pain shook his head slightly, "I know you have a prejudice against Yakushi Kabuto, but his research team is making great progress. I will not allow you to investigate him until at least they succeed."
Although the research had only been conducted for five or six days, Yakushi Kabuto had kept his promise. Every flow of funds and subsequent achievements were clearly listed, which was clear and easy to understand, and even Hiruko, who was not on good terms with Yakushi Kabuto, could not fault him.
Nagato now desperately needed this kind of talent and would not cripple himself.
"Is there progress with the 'Body Enhancement Surgery'?"
Obito's eyes flashed red, and he was surprised.
He didn't know much about research, but he figured that a technology that could change the ninja world wouldn't be so easily researched.
And whether Yakushi Kabuto was a spy sent by Orochimaru or not, the progress shouldn't have been so significant.
The former would intentionally lead in the wrong direction, and as for the latter, Obito didn't believe that Yakushi Kabuto and his subordinates had the ability to match Orochimaru.
"The difficulty of creating something new is naturally very different from imitating it,"
Tendo Pain said lightly. In fact, he was also quite puzzled by the current progress and had privately asked Shinno and Huang Izumi.
The two of them gave high praise to the information provided by Yakushi Kabuto. Developing according to it could be described as "searching for a treasure map."
Hearing the two praise him so highly, Nagato's evaluation of Yakushi Kabuto rose another notch, and he understood more clearly who among the team made the most significant contributions.
Rather than dwelling on the slightest suspicion about Yakushi Kabuto, it was better to entrust him with important tasks because he was doing a good job.
Noticing Nagato's rare joy, Obito frowned slightly. He now somewhat understood Nagato's emphasis on the "Body Enhancement Surgery" and Yakushi Kabuto.
However, let him have his way. As long as the matter of collecting Tail Beasts could be advanced, nothing else mattered. He could treat it as leisure.
Obito took out a sealing pot from the spatial dimension. "This item reportedly cannot preserve the One-Tail for a long time, so it needs to be sealed as soon as possible."
Although neither of them present took Shukaku seriously, it would still be quite troublesome if it were allowed to run amok in the Hidden Rain Village.
Tail Beasts, as weapons of war, were at least capable of killing ordinary people.
"I understand."
Tendo Pain nodded slightly, "It will be arranged tonight."
Nagato also had no intention of delaying. On the contrary, he had long wanted to try storing the Tail Beasts in the Outer Path Statue, which was also crucial for the ninja world's strategy.
"Very good."
Obito nodded slightly. A distorted vortex appeared behind him. Before disappearing into it, he left his last words:
"It would be best to have Yakushi Kabuto also participate in this matter. I am still not at ease about him."
The sealing of the Tail Beasts by Nagato, primarily controlling the Outer Path Statue, had many restrictions. Not only was there a requirement for the number of people, but it also took a considerable amount of time.
It could be said that during this period, a lot of the Akatsuki organization's strength would be involved. If Yakushi Kabuto had ulterior motives, the consequences would be quite troublesome.
And if Yakushi Kabuto also participated, things would become simpler. The ritual could not be stopped just because he wanted to.
As for exposing the Outer Path Statue to Yakushi Kabuto, Obito didn't care at all.
Even Nagato, who possessed the Rinnegan, didn't know the true use of the Outer Path Statue. Why would Yakushi Kabuto, or Orochimaru, know?
This was a question that didn't need to be thought about.
"I will arrange this."
Nagato also agreed with Obito's concerns to some extent.
And if the research team left Yakushi Kabuto, it might lead to a temporary decrease in efficiency and other corrupt issues, but overall, the problem was not too big and was barely acceptable.
...
Deep within a dark cave, a colossal statue, as large as a mountain, sat in meditation like the Buddha, holding a lotus hand seal.
But it lacked the compassion and serenity of Furido, instead appearing ugly and grotesque, looking ferocious and terrifying.
Tendo Pain stood on the statue's thumb, quietly waiting for the appointed time, then clapped his hands and shouted, "Illusionary Body Technique!"
Bang bang bang!
A series of white smoke rose, and soon ninjas were standing on each of the Outer Path Statue's ten fingers.
Except for Nagato and Obito, the others were all elites of the Akatsuki organization. Sasori, Kakuzu, and Yakushi Kabuto were a given. The others were also among the best upper-ranked ninjas, such as Biwa Juzo of the former Hidden Mist Village, and Mizunashi Chizuru, the clan leader of the Yuki clan.
Although they were in the Land of Iron, they were protected by the Akatsuki organization and were considered members. Faced with such a difficult task, they had no reason to refuse.
Tendo Pain steadily threw the sealing pot onto the open ground of the cave, looked around, and directly issued the order, "Everyone, it's time to begin."
Instantly, the ninjas standing on the ten fingers formed seals together and shouted, "Ninjutsu: Nine Phantom Dragons Sealing!"
As the ten people supplied Chakra to the statue, the monster opened its mouth and spewed out dragon-shaped illusions.
They easily tore through the seal on the pottery jar and began to devour Shukaku's Chakra in large gulps.
"Ahhhhh... what is this... how could it..."
Shukaku let out screams, but soon the sound became difficult to distinguish, leaving only a shrill beast roar.
Yakushi Kabuto maintained his hand seal posture, admiring the magnificent sight of a fierce beast that could easily destroy a small country being gradually devoured, and felt a sense of emotion.
Glancing at the statue beneath his feet, this emotion turned into apprehension.
Even though he had already sensed through his Sage Mode that the Outer Path Statue was not to be underestimated, seeing it in action for the first time made him realize its immense power.
Although this sealing of the One-Tail was nominally carried out by them providing Chakra through Ninjutsu, in reality, it was at most an ignition device.
It was like the relationship between a fuse and dynamite. The one that truly played the sealing role was the Outer Path Statue itself, and its suppression of Shukaku was truly terrifying.
"Lord Orochimaru, can he really deal with this thing?"
Feeling the might of the Outer Path Statue, Yakushi Kabuto couldn't help but have this thought.
He then understood the purpose of letting him participate in this sealing ritual and couldn't help but narrow his eyes and chuckle in his heart.
"He really is scheming, but he has chosen the wrong person for this plan."
Yakushi Kabuto maintained his Chakra supply, closed his eyes to rest, and thought, "In another half an hour, Lord Orochimaru should receive the news."
...
In the Akimichi clan's territory, Orochimaru had just finished surgery for Akimichi Choza, the clan leader of the Akimichi clan. As he was packing his experimental instruments, he suddenly raised an eyebrow. "It's started, hasn't it?"
From the moment he learned that Obito had taken the One-Tail, he knew that Nagato would probably perform the ritual of sealing the Tail Beast.
But how long the Outer Path Statue would take to seal the Tail Beast was not a definite piece of information for him. The Genie Lamp was not omniscient and omnipotent.
"Three days is not a short time."
The ten most elite members were tied up. It was already difficult for the Akatsuki organization to maintain its daily operations, let alone carry out active attacks as before. Even the surveillance by White Zetsu clones would be conservative.
Orochimaru did not want to miss this window of opportunity when the Akatsuki organization's power was weak.
"Lord Orochimaru, is there a problem?"
Akimichi Choza saw Orochimaru standing still and asked cautiously.
The tall and sturdy man made this expression, which looked inexplicably comical, but considering the current relationship between doctor and patient, it was understandable.
"Indeed, there are some matters."
Orochimaru's gaze focused on the Akimichi clan leader, and he suddenly smiled, "I remember that the military provisions pill in the village was originally developed by the Akimichi family."
The military provisions pill was food eaten during combat, which could instantly restore Chakra by extracting the body's potential, and could also be used as food to satisfy hunger. Its effects were indeed significant.
Each ninja village had its own military provisions pill, but Leaf Village was the earliest to develop it. Other ninja villages could only be considered imitations.
Akimichi Choza nodded in agreement. Even now, Leaf Village's largest military provisions pill store still belonged to the Akimichi clan.
"The military provisions pill is moderately effective, but it's just ordinary stuff for regular ninjas."
Orochimaru licked his lips, "Your clan should have developed many potent drugs."
Akimichi Choza's expression changed slightly, and a hint of solemnity appeared on his round face.
"Lord Orochimaru, this is not our clan hoarding secrets. It's just that ordinary ninjas cannot withstand the extraction of the drugs. Even the military provisions pill has its drawbacks and is not as good as real food, so it can only be eaten during wartime."
"I know, but that's ancient history."
Orochimaru waved his hand and smiled, "After my Body Enhancement Surgery, what do you think of these new ninjas?"
Akimichi Choza was slightly stunned, "This has not been tested, so I dare not make a judgment."
Even so, he himself had just undergone the Body Enhancement Surgery and personally experienced its excellent results.
He figured that if other ninjas also had such an improvement, they should be able to withstand the medicinal effects of one or two clan secret medicine pills.
"Continue to develop your clan's secret medicines."
Orochimaru patted Akimichi Choza on the shoulder and smiled, "The number of people who undergo Body Enhancement Surgery in the future will certainly not be small. This item has a great market."
The future trend of the ninja world would be large-scale Body Enhancement Surgery. Once the Akatsuki organization succeeded in their research, this surgical data would be "accidentally" leaked, and everyone would be back on the same starting line. What would Leaf Village ninjas rely on to gain an advantage?
In addition to further Body Enhancement Surgery with First Hokage's cells, the secret medicine developed by the Akimichi clan was also a way.
Akimichi Choza nodded, "I will definitely keep this in mind."
No one would refuse money, let alone that the Akimichi clan members were generally gluttons, and a large part of the clan's funds was spent on food.
"It's so late, Lord Orochimaru, why don't you stay for dinner?"
Akimichi Choza saw that Orochimaru had finished packing his experimental instruments and invited him at the right time.
If nothing else, the Akimichi clan was confident in their food, they could eat a lot, and they knew how to eat.
"Another day, time is tight these days."
Orochimaru smiled and reminded him, "Regarding the clan's secret medicine, it's best to start as soon as possible."
...
In the Hokage's office, the lights were bright.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was dealing with the backlog of official duties. Although it was cumbersome and complex, he had been doing it for decades and was quite adept at it.
However, the real reason for Sarutobi Hiruzen's relaxation was the good news from Sand Village.
In three to five days, ninjas from Sand Village would arrive at Leaf Village. With the help of these people, the threat of the Akatsuki organization could be reduced a bit further.
The Third Hokage glanced at the list and sighed, "It's a pity, the time is still too short. Only about twenty people have arrived so far."
Otherwise, they wouldn't have had to join forces with Sand Village.
Knock, knock, knock...
A knock on the door suddenly sounded, and before the Third Hokage could respond, a figure pushed the door open and entered.
Sarutobi Hiruzen raised an eyebrow and asked doubtfully, "Orochimaru, what are you doing here at this hour?"
"Heh... of course, I'm here because of urgency."
Orochimaru smiled slightly.
---
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