----
No one refuted Deidara's words they all felt something was off about the half-closed eyes of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
Even Kisame began to doubt whether this kind of half-measured approach could really create the so-called "beautiful world" that had been promised. Would it be better if Samehada was sacrificed as well?
Samehada's small tail and its hilt twitched anxiously. It had a bad feeling as if someone was trying to set it up for disaster.
At that moment, a White Zetsu emerged from the ground. "Tobi has successfully negotiated with Orochimaru."
Kisame shifted his focus from Samehada. "Oh? That guy actually dares to come back? Doesn't he think this might be a trap?"
"Maybe the conditions Tobi offered were too tempting," Black Zetsu mused. From his understanding of human nature, someone like Orochimaru would ignore trivial concerns like pride or danger if it meant obtaining what he wanted.
Even Black Zetsu was the same if someone could help him rescue his "mother," he wouldn't mind grovelling if necessary.
Pain asked, "What does he want?"
White Zetsu answered, "At first, he wanted to study the Rinnegan, but Tobi refused. He then changed his demand to your cells and information on the Rinnegan. Tobi agreed on your behalf."
"That guy's got some nerve," Kisame sneered, curious about how Pain would react.
"Pain…" Konan called out in concern. She couldn't accept harming either Nagato's body or Yahiko's corpse just to extract some cells.
"It's fine." Pain's voice was indifferent. "We'll give him partial information on the Rinnegan for now. The rest will have to wait until our plan succeeds."
White Zetsu nodded and sank back underground to relay the message to Tobi.
Pain then turned to Black Zetsu. "Keep a close eye on Konoha. We must capture the Nine-Tails before the Allied Shinobi Forces are fully assembled." He paused before adding, "This time, everyone is going."
"I understand," Black Zetsu replied, then hesitated. "However, since Orochimaru has agreed to cooperate, we do have an alternative plan for obtaining the Nine-Tails' chakra…"
The rest of the group glanced at the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path before turning back to Black Zetsu with hostile expressions.
Feeling the weight of their stares, Black Zetsu looked back at the statue and its four half-open eyes before sheepishly waving his hand. "Fine, fine. It's just a backup plan. We'll try capturing the real thing first."
---
Orochimaru's latest hideout was in the Land of Bears, the small country where Hoshigakure (the Hidden Star Village) was located.
Ever since Hoshigakure lost its once-famous "Star," the shinobi world had largely forgotten about it, making it an ideal place for Orochimaru to lay low.
Still, he hadn't expected to be found by his former organization so quickly.
Fortunately, they came to negotiate rather than assassinate him. Before leaving, the masked man even gifted him something two White Zetsu, free for Orochimaru to experiment on.
To Orochimaru, it didn't matter who he worked with as long as there was something to gain. If he could cut open the stomach of the Shinigami to retrieve the souls inside, he would do it without hesitation.
At present, he is interested in Rinnegan. He knew better than to openly provoke the Akatsuki, so his initial plan had been to wait out the organization, dig up the leader's corpse decades later, and study it then.
But now, the opportunity had presented itself.
Of course, there were risks. But if things went south, he could always die again not like that was a new experience for him. He, Orochimaru, was not afraid of death.
Nearby, Guren hesitated before asking, "Orochimaru-sama, about what that man said regarding the 'Eye of the Moon' Plan…"
"Heh heh…" Orochimaru let out a disdainful chuckle, shoving the two White Zetsu into a specialized laboratory to prevent them from overhearing. "Only an idiot would believe in such a thing. A world where everyone is trapped in an illusion? And they think that's a good idea?"
Orochimaru was only interested in studying reality. What was the point of joining them in an eternal dream?
Guren felt a bit embarrassed. She had almost believed it, after all; a world without war or suffering sounded wonderful.
But if Orochimaru-sama said it was nonsense, then it must be false. A small part of her was still disappointed, though.
"Enough about that. Prepare the lab. These two White Zetsu seem like valuable research specimens," Orochimaru instructed before suddenly remembering something. "How is Jūgo?"
Guren replied, "He's awake, but the same as always he becomes very depressed after each berserk episode."
Orochimaru nodded. "Bring him to me later. His abilities will be useful for our next experiment."
"Yes, sir!"
---
Naruto had returned to the village, which had now fully transitioned into a wartime state. Most missions requiring shinobi to leave the village had been put on hold.
Of course, halting so many missions at once led to some dissatisfaction, but no one dared to protest.
Provoking a Hidden Village in war mode was suicidal. If someone got killed for causing trouble, no one would feel sorry for them. On matters like this, even civilians had the sense to stay out of it.
That said, smaller domestic tasks still needed doing, so Genin was assigned to them. As a result, daily life for Konoha's residents wasn't all that different from usual.
In fact, with so many shinobi recalled to the village, businesses were thriving. Many old friends, usually too busy with missions, were taking advantage of the brief peace before the war to gather in groups.
Couples who weren't on the same team were especially glued together.
Popular places like Yakiniku Q, Sweet Chestnuts, and even Ichiraku Ramen were constantly packed.
Naruto also heard that the Yamanaka Flower Shop was doing exceptionally well lately.
And how did he know? Because he went there to buy flowers.
When Ino saw how well business was going, she initially planned to give Naruto a discount. But then she remembered how he and Hinata were always together, while she was still single.
The more she thought about it, the more annoyed she became so she raised the price instead.
Not that it mattered to Naruto. He had no clue about flower pricing anyway.
The last time he bought flowers was when he visited Sasuke and the Third Hokage in the hospital with Hinata, and that wasn't exactly the same situation.
He watched as Ino carefully arranged the bouquet, explaining the meanings behind different flowers, the importance of contrast, and even how to choose the right wrapping paper and ribbon.
She might have been feeling a little bitter, but Ino took her job seriously she wouldn't joke about something that involved both her professionalism and someone else's romantic gesture.
Naruto figured Hinata would love the flowers, given how meaningful they were, so he paid without hesitation and left, never once considering bargaining.
"Thanks a lot!" he called out cheerfully as he walked out the door.
Hearing that line, Ino was completely unsatisfied.
"Damn it! I wanted to see him get flustered over the price! Where's my fun?!"
With a frustrated sigh, she grumbled, "Fine, I'll give him a discount next time… Just to make up for it."
----
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