The process of finding Guren was far less complicated than finding Jūgo. Thanks to her formidable Crystal Release ninjutsu, Guren had already gained so notoriety within the Land of Fire.
After locating her, Hoshiyomi and Orochimaru rely revealed their identities, and Guren made a decisive choice to join Konoha without hesitation.
After bringing both Jūgo and Guren back to Konoha, the two were assigned under Orochimaru's command, largely because Orochimaru was extrely interested in their kekkei genkai and unique physiques.
As for Hoshiyomi, he simply returned ho to resu his cozy daily life—wife, children, and a warm bed.
...
Ti flew by, and in the blink of an eye, three years had passed.
Inside an underground cavern outside Kumogakure, Tobi looked at Black Zetsu and asked with a hint of amusent:
"The three years we ntioned to Nagato are already up. How's your corpse-collection plan coming along?"
Black Zetsu smiled.
"You know the efficiency of your kind better than anyone, don't you? Since the founding of Konoha, if not all of the famous powerful figures, then at least eighty percent of their corpses have been collected by ."
Hearing this, Tobi grinned.
"In that case, I've got so good news for you as well. That Hiruko guy really isn't useless. Not only did he clone the bodies of Hashirama and Tobirama using their cells, but he also attempted to improve the Edo Tensei technique.
With his modifications, those resurrected through Edo Tensei possess strength nearly identical to when they were alive, and the level of control over the dead has also increased significantly.
It's just a sha—his intentions weren't very pure. After perfecting Edo Tensei, he actually tried to use it to break free from my control. I didn't really have a better option, so I killed him."
Black Zetsu shrugged indifferently.
"Thanks to him, the White Zetsu have completed their enhancents, and Edo Tensei has been improved as well. He's already done everything he could. He had no remaining value—so dying is no great loss."
"Tsk tsk, such cold-blooded, discard-after-use behavior," Tobi said. "Guess that's fitting for the embodint of Madara-sama's will, huh?"
Tobi was about to continue mocking when the ring on his thumb suddenly began to glow. Looking at the flickering ring, he made a face like Kizaru's:
"Yare yare… We just said the three years were up, and he's already itching to start the plan. He's really impatient."
Black Zetsu glanced at his own ring, which was also glowing, and shook his head.
"If he's in such a hurry to die, then let's grant his wish. The sooner he dies, the less trouble we'll have dealing with him."
After saying this, Black Zetsu closed his eyes. Tobi mirrored his actions. At this mont, both of their consciousnesses left their bodies and transferred to their projected forms through the Astral Projection Jutsu.
...
"Hah! After waiting so long, the second eting is finally here! Last ti the plan was canceled at the last minute—it really bottled up. Not only did my als stop tasting good, even that beca blocked!"
Before the eting even began, Tobi launched into his usual act of playing the fool.
Deidara couldn't help but complain:
"That second half of what you said was completely pointless—except for being disgusting."
The two traded jabs back and forth. Combined with Hidan and Ayuri chiming in, the cave quickly turned into sothing resembling a cody skit. With Tobi acting like such a clueless goofball, even if you beat Nagato to death, he'd never associate this idiot with the mysterious and unfathomable "Madara."
Finally, Nagato, who had been waiting for quite so ti, lost his patience:
"If you're done talking, then shut up!"
As those pale-purple, pressure-filled Rinnegan eyes swept across the cavern, silence finally returned.
Seeing everyone quiet down, Nagato took a deep breath and spoke:
"This eting doesn't actually require much discussion. Last ti, when the three major ninja villages jointly held the Chūnin Exams, our preparations were insufficient, so the plan had to be canceled at the last mont.
Now that the three-year period has passed, the Akatsuki is well-staffed and well-supplied. I believe it's ti we inform the ninja world who the true masters of its future really are."
As these words were spoken, excitent flashed in the eyes of everyone present. This was the very reason they had gathered within the Akatsuki—to wait for this day, to carry out this grand plan.
At the thought that from today onward the entire ninja world would tremble beneath their feet, everyone in the cavern revealed expressions of eager anticipation.
Seeing morale running high, Nagato struck while the iron was hot:
"Everyone knows that in order to realize our plan, capturing the tailed beasts is indispensable. However, the number of tailed beasts currently in our possession is still quite small.
At present, we only have the Three-Tails and the Four-Tails. But I'm not worried—why? Because I have all of you under my command.
I now formally announce that the Tailed Beast Capture Plan begins today. Next, we will capture the remaining seven tailed beasts, from One-Tail to Nine-Tails, in order.
For this purpose, I've assigned missions to each team."
Hearing this, everyone present began cracking their knuckles in anticipation. After a brief pause, Nagato continued with the assignnts:
"First is the One-Tail of Sunagakure. I'll leave that to Sasori and Deidara. Sasori, since you're originally from Sunagakure, capturing it shouldn't be too difficult.
Next is Kumogakure's Two-Tails. That one will be handled by Hidan and Mangetsu. With your abilities, it shouldn't pose much of a problem.
The Five-Tails will be handled by Kisa and Ayuri. Your Water Release should counter its steam abilities quite well.
The Six-Tails will be handled by Konan and . As for the Seven-Tails and Eight-Tails, we currently lack precise intelligence on their whereabouts. Searching for them will be Tobi and Black Zetsu's responsibility.
This will be the division of labor for now. As for the Seven-, Eight-, and Nine-Tails, we'll discuss them further after the first six have been sealed.
Rember: every ti a tailed beast is captured, we will arrange a gathering to collectively use the Sealing Jutsu: Nine Phantom Dragons to seal them in sequence. When the ti cos, make sure to clear your schedules."
Nagato's arrangents were extrely well thought out, and the remaining eight mbers present raised no objections.
Seeing that no one had any issues, Nagato nodded and brought the eting to a close:
"Since there are no objections, this eting is adjourned. Once your consciousness returns to your bodies, begin carrying out the tailed beast capture plan as assigned. This is our highest priority—do not delay. That's all. Dismissed."
With those words, Nagato and Konan were the first to vanish from the cavern. The others soon returned to their own bodies as well.
After his consciousness returned, Black Zetsu glanced at the smirking Tobi opposite him and said:
"Loosen the arrangents on Kumogakure's side a bit. If necessary, we can directly push Yugito out."
Tobi nodded, then reminded Black Zetsu:
"Don't forget to have the White Zetsu keep an eye on everyone's movents within the organization. With Edo Tensei in our hands, we don't need to waste words to make them more obedient."
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