Konoha, the location of the Scroll of Seals.
Outside, two Anbu members were still guarding the area. While watching over the Scroll of Seals, their attention was drawn to the Nine-Tails in the distance, leaving them feeling somewhat anxious.
That was the Nine-Tails, the legendary monster!
If possible, they also wanted to contribute, rather than being stuck here guarding the barrier around the Scroll of Seals.
They believed that since the Scroll of Seals was protected by the barrier of Lord Fourth Hokage, nothing should go wrong, allowing them to participate in stopping the Nine-Tails.
Originally, many of their comrades were either evacuating civilians or fighting the Nine-Tails; only the two of them were instructed to stay here and guard the Scroll of Seals.
Takuno stood on the rooftop, observing the two people below. At this moment, his Mind's Eye of Kagura was operating at maximum effect, confirming that only these two Anbu members were present.
"The defense is weaker than I imagined," Takuno murmured before his figure silently melted into the darkness.
When Takuno reappeared, he was already behind the two men.
"It's not good to get distracted thinking about other things while on guard duty," Takuno's voice reached the ears of the two Anbu.
In an instant, the two Anbu's eyes widened. Before they could even turn their heads, they felt a heavy blow to the skull, and they immediately collapsed.
As they fell, they finally saw the black cloak and the fox mask.
But it was too late; they had completely lost consciousness.
Takuno confidently walked into the room containing the Scroll of Seals. Looking at the barrier before him, he felt a slight headache, knowing he would have to waste some time undoing it.
Fortunately, the Nine-Tails Attack would last for a considerable time, giving him enough time to break through it.
Outside.
The Nine-Tails was still roaring incessantly. Konoha Ninja continued to rush forward in waves before it, because their home was behind them, and they had nowhere left to retreat.
However, how could their strength match the Nine-Tails? The number of casualties was rapidly increasing.
The Third Hokage watched the scene before him, feeling his heart bleed. This was the foundation of Konoha, and perhaps most of it would be destroyed in this Nine-Tails Attack.
"Enma! Drive it outside the village! Transform!"
The Third Hokage said.
Enma, the white-furred ape beside him, immediately transformed into a staff and fell into the Third Hokage's hands.
"Enma, extend!" the Third Hokage shouted, injecting his Chakra.
Instantly, the staff seemed to grow an eye and simultaneously became thicker, rapidly extending toward the Nine-Tails.
The staff quickly braced against the Nine-Tails' body. The Nine-Tails' weight caused the staff to bend into an exaggerated arc, but ultimately, the Nine-Tails was pushed out of Konoha by the Third Hokage and his summoned beast.
"He truly is an old dog who hasn't lost his bite," Takuno's Shadow Clone, who was observing everything, sighed.
But it was useless. The Third Hokage alone could not suppress the Nine-Tails, and the inability to suppress it meant that the Nine-Tails could not be sealed, even if he used **Edo Tensei/Reaper Death**.
It should be said that Minato might not even have the ability to completely suppress the Nine-Tails. It was almost certain he could defeat the Nine-Tails, but suppression and defeat were not the same thing. Perhaps only by having Kushina use Adamantine Sealing Chains could the Nine-Tails be suppressed.
Furthermore, the Shadow Clone responsible for evacuating civilians received the news, took a deep breath, and ran toward the outside of the village.
"Hey! Where are you going?!" another Anbu member couldn't help but shout upon seeing him.
"I am the leader of the Sealing Team. They might need me over there to seal the Nine-Tails."
The Anbu member looked at Takuno's figure, a look of respect appearing in his eyes, and he spoke softly.
"Then good luck."
After speaking, he returned to the civilian evacuation team.
"Minato's barrier is truly difficult to break," Takuno stretched. If Minato had not previously given him some knowledge about barrier-type Sealing Jutsu, the time he spent this time might have been even longer.
Now, looking at the unobstructed Scroll of Seals before him, his eyes revealed a fervent look.
However, seeing the curse marks present on the Scroll of Seals, taking it directly might lead to him being tracked, especially since Minato might have left a Flying Thunder God Technique marker on it.
While thinking, he unrolled the massive scroll and simultaneously formed hand signs.
---
"Water Release: Reproduction Technique!"
In an instant, countless water droplets wrapped around the Scroll of Seals, covering every character.
Takuno also took out the new scroll he had prepared. Watching the characters appear one by one on the previously blank scroll, the corners of his mouth curled up.
Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, Flying Thunder God Technique, Edo Tensei, Eight Gates, Spirit Transformation Jutsu, Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags, Reaper Death Seal, and some experimental records that likely belonged to the Second Hokage.
Truly an abundant harvest.
Takuno looked at these Ninjutsu; every single one was a rare technique.
As for the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, he would skip it. That was practically Naruto's specialty Ninjutsu. Although he could use it, he usually wouldn't waste the Chakra.
Takuno's gaze lingered on the Flying Thunder God Technique for a long time, but he quickly shook his head, aware of his own talents.
If it were just reaction speed, he could rely on Lightning Release, but he likely lacked the talent for Space-Time Ninjutsu. He could try it later, but if he couldn't even grasp the basics, he would give up.
The remaining Reaper Death Seal, Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags, and Edo Tensei were also useless to him right now.
Without the Uzumaki Clan's Reaper mask, Reaper Death Seal was a suicidal Sealing Jutsu. He had initially thought this technique wouldn't be on the Scroll of Seals, but it was already there, likely left by Minato after he became the Fourth Hokage.
As for Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags, its power was certainly good, but it was also essentially a suicidal Ninjutsu, usually used in conjunction with Edo Tensei.
Edo Tensei, although powerful in the original work, would require him to constantly delve into various graves to collect materials like Orochimaru or Kabuto. Furthermore, he didn't have White Zetsu as a host body, meaning the strength of those resurrected by Edo Tensei would be significantly reduced.
Therefore, the most useful techniques for him currently were Eight Gates and Spirit Transformation Jutsu.
It should be said that Takuno's original goal was Spirit Transformation Jutsu! Eight Gates could only be considered a pleasant surprise.
Originally, Takuno's plan was to find an opportunity to exchange for Spirit Transformation Jutsu from Minato later. Unexpectedly, he not only obtained Spirit Transformation Jutsu now but also the Ninjutsu from the entire Scroll of Seals!
He looked at the specific requirements for Spirit Transformation Jutsu. He wasn't sure what his talent for Spirit Transformation Jutsu was like, but his spiritual power (Yin Release) shouldn't be weak, so he was likely qualified to learn Spirit Transformation Jutsu.
Determination flashed in his eyes. No matter how difficult, he had to learn Spirit Transformation Jutsu; this was a crucial step in his plan!
Even the extensive preparations he made when he went to the Land of Snow were merely secondary products derived from this goal.
For now, Takuno put away the scroll, then placed the massive Scroll of Seals in an inconspicuous corner, alongside the two unconscious Anbu members.
After completing all of this, Takuno once again hurried toward the residence of the Hyuga Clan leader.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Takuno's pupils contracted. In that instant, he sensed a chilling aura of death.
At that moment, a hand extending from space had quietly reached out from behind, nearly touching Takuno.
At this moment, the Chakra surrounding Takuno instantly went wild, transforming into a giant snake that enveloped him.
While enveloping Takuno, the giant snake also lunged and bit toward the black-clothed figure who had suddenly appeared behind him.
"Your reaction is as fast as ever."
A slightly familiar voice sounded in Takuno's ear.
At this point, he quickly moved away from his original position and immediately looked toward the source.
He then saw Obito, wearing a mask, standing in the distance, looking troubled by the Kujaku Myōhō covering his body.
Why does this person have so many Ninjutsu that prevent physical contact? And his Kamui required him to touch the opponent to activate.
"Is that the Kujaku Myōhō of Hoshigakure? It seems you went and stole their meteorite again." Obito said. Although he lacked extensive knowledge, the White Zetsu on him was quite knowledgeable.
"It's you. It has indeed been a long time," Takuno stopped, casually addressing Obito while suppressing his inner apprehension.
After a year, Obito should have become familiar with his body and Kamui, and he must have supplemented his Ninjutsu knowledge. It was virtually impossible for Takuno to gain any advantage against him now.
"Heh heh, a long time? I remember very clearly you stealing my arm." A fierce look appeared in Obito's eyes; he seemed to still hold a grudge about that incident.
Although one arm could be fully recovered, that was the first mission he had undertaken, and the opponent had also increased the difficulty of persuading Nagato!
If he had the chance, he genuinely wanted to kill the man.
"Well, that was just luck. Since I couldn't beat you, I had no choice but to use other methods~" Takuno said with a smile.
"Hmph!"
Obito also let out a cold snort.
Takuno looked at the Nine-Tails in the distance and said, "The Nine-Tails in Konoha was your doing, wasn't it? That's impressive. I didn't even know where the Nine-Tails was located."
"Stop pretending. You are a member of Konoha, aren't you! Your shuriken technique was invented by the Third Hokage, and Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Waves is a signature Ninjutsu of the Shimura Clan."
Obito said. After that incident, he had quickly caught up on knowledge from White Zetsu. Most of the Ninjutsu the opponent used were from Konoha!
"Hmm? Perhaps," Takuno did not deny it, shrugging his shoulders.
"Actually, I should thank you. Konoha's defenses are truly too strong. I got too little last time, but thanks to you this time, I've acquired quite a few good things," Takuno said sincerely.
"You—" Obito was now a little uncertain.
The man certainly knew unique Konoha Ninjutsu, but he also knew Hoshigakure Ninjutsu and Kirigakure Ninjutsu. Coupled with his hobby of collecting strange objects, could anyone really determine which village he belonged to?
If the man had denied being a member of Konoha, Obito might have found it more believable, but now, the ambiguous answer made it seem as if he didn't care at all if his identity was exposed—
"Next, I'm heading over to the Hyuga Clan. You wouldn't try to stop me, would you?" Takuno asked, assessing Obito. "Do you have some connection with the Hyuga Clan?"
Obito fell silent, then said, "I have no connection with the Hyuga Clan. Are you going to the Hyuga Clan for their Byakugan?"
"Of course. Their Byakugan is also a very rare item. In the entire Ninja World, apart from Konoha, it seems only the Kirigakure have one, so I'm seeing if I can take another one while the Nine-Tails is out." Takuno replied.
"You truly stick to your hobby of collecting strange objects." Obito was unsure whether he was complimenting or complaining.
"Since you're not a member of the Hyuga Clan, let's make a deal: don't stop me." Takuno said.
"Collector, I want to invite you to join me," Obito suddenly said.
After exchanging a few words with the man, the anger he originally felt toward him slowly subsided.
Instead, he remembered that he needed to recruit talent for the nascent Akatsuki.
He greatly respected Takuno's strength, and the man's personality of wanting any treasure and ignoring everything else also fit his requirements for recruiting members.
Even if the man might be from Konoha, so what? Look at what he was doing right now; how was any of it beneficial to Konoha?
At this moment, Takuno was truly surprised. He hadn't expected Obito to invite him to join the Akatsuki.
However, he currently did not want to join that organization, so he immediately refused, "I don't want to risk my life for others. Isn't it more comfortable to collect the treasures I want myself?"
Saying this, Takuno rubbed his chin and continued, "Collector, is that the nickname you gave me? It's not bad. Then, from now on, my nickname will be the 'Collector'!"
"Is that so? If you change your mind later, you can come to the Land of Rain to find me or Nagato. We have quite a few treasures there." Obito said, disappearing from Takuno's sight.
If the man truly just enjoyed collecting treasures around the world, there was no need to make an enemy of him.
Moreover, he didn't want to start a direct fight with Takuno here.
Although Minato should be dealing with the Nine-Tails, who knew if he might suddenly arrive using the Flying Thunder God Technique? If he hit him with a Rasengan, especially if it was aimed at his head this time, he wouldn't be able to withstand it.
"Space-Time Ninjutsu, truly a convenient Ninjutsu." Takuno sighed again. Cold sweat still lingered on his forehead.