Uchiha Makito looked toward the distant sea. Kirigakure had once served as their base, but now they could no longer remain here.
He had a feeling that Gekko Chizan would definitely come to the Land of Water again.
On top of that, with the Fourth Mizukage dead, Kirigakure would likely enter a very turbulent period.
That would be extremely unfavorable for them.
"Zetsu, if I suggest moving the base to the Land of Fire, what do you think?"
"..."
It had to be said that Uchiha Makito's train of thought was quite outrageous. At a time like this, he was actually suggesting moving the Akatsuki base to the Land of Fire?
Such a bold idea left Black Zetsu unsure how to respond for a moment.
"Hey, Zetsu, can you stop dragging your feet and recover Nagato's eyes first?"
"Then we'll leave this place and discuss going to the Land of Fire."
Still talking about the Land of Fire?
It seemed Uchiha Makito really did want to go there.
"Explain your reason for going to the Land of Fire..."
Kabuto couldn't get a word in from the side. After saying he was going to retrieve his puppets, he headed toward the ruins.
Only Uchiha Makito and Black Zetsu remained, and the two finally began their real discussion.
"Let's go to the Land of Fire. The Fire Daimyo's residence is currently in a tense relationship with Konoha."
"Hidden in plain sight. Even Gekko Chizan would never expect us to set up a base in the Land of Fire."
"As long as we don't make too much noise there, there won't be any problems."
"And once we enter the Land of Fire, it'll be much easier for us to obtain the intelligence we want."
A sharp light flashed in Uchiha Makito's eyes. This time, he had actually used his brain for once.
After hearing his analysis, Black Zetsu fell silent for a while.
"Are you sure?"
"Although what you said makes sense, the risk is huge. If something goes wrong, it will be a devastating blow for us."
Uchiha Makito nodded. Of course he understood the risks involved.
But for the current Akatsuki, what risk was there that they couldn't accept?
"Alright then. We'll go to the Land of Fire."
"What about the Rinnegan?"
"Any good suggestions?"
At the mention of the Rinnegan, Black Zetsu felt speechless.
Nagato had been personally chosen by Uchiha Madara, precisely because he was suited to the Rinnegan. The plan had been to wait until the right time and use the Rinnegan to cast the forbidden technique, Rinne Rebirth.
But now Nagato was dead. Trying to cultivate another person capable of wielding the Rinnegan would be extremely difficult.
"No."
"I don't understand the Rinnegan anyway."
"We'll just take it one step at a time. Who knows? Maybe we'll run into a suitable candidate."
Faced with Uchiha Makito's words, Black Zetsu could only nod helplessly. After all, there was no better solution for now.
As for Kabuto, who had been wandering around aimlessly, he unexpectedly discovered two people that made him very happy.
Oh no—two corpses.
"Kakuzu... tsk tsk. I was hoping you'd help me make money."
"Who would've thought you'd end up dead?"
"Oh well. Since that's the case, I can't just leave your body exposed in the wilderness."
"Hehehe. With your ability, if I turn you into a puppet..."
"I really am such a kind person."
Looking at Kakuzu, whom he had already sealed into a scroll, Kabuto smiled sinisterly.
Then he turned his gaze to the other side.
The green-haired Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura.
This was a powerhouse no weaker than the Third Kazekage.
His Water Mirror Technique was extremely formidable. Kabuto happily sealed him into a scroll as well.
Then he let out a sigh.
"If only I could turn Nagato's corpse into a puppet too."
"Unfortunately, those two probably wouldn't agree..."
...
Land of Waterfall.
"So you found the Akatsuki?"
"Of course I did—hey hey hey, be gentle! I'm injured, you know."
Orochimaru was treating Gekko Chizan's minor wounds with medical supplies.
Gekko Chizan had used all his chakra in battle, which left his defenses weaker later on. The final Planetary Devastation had still caused him some damage.
"So the Rinnegan user was killed as well?"
"Chizan-kun, it seems I underestimated your strength."
"Hehehe... I wonder how far you still are from that legendary God of Shinobi?"
Orochimaru finished treating all of Gekko Chizan's wounds, a trace of admiration flashing in his eyes.
Only a few years had passed, yet the little kid from back then had grown into a towering tree. Even he, the sensei, could only look up at him now.
"Come on, sensei, are you teasing me?"
"The God of Shinobi? How could I possibly compare to that?"
"Not even close."
Gekko Chizan lay to the side and stretched comfortably.
Haku quickly stepped forward and brought him some food and drinks.
"Little Haku, it looks like you've been living quite happily here with your grand-sensei."
"Hahaha, not bad."
Haku rolled his eyes. If he could choose, he really wouldn't want to stay here.
The place was gloomy and unsettling.
And that Kimimaro… something about him just felt wrong.
"What are you planning to do next?"
"If what you said is true, the Fourth Mizukage is dead. Kirigakure will probably fall into chaos soon."
Gekko Chizan nodded.
With the Fourth Mizukage dead, Kirigakure would remain in turmoil for quite some time.
On top of the Kumogakure pirate incident, the strength of the entire Land of Water had been suppressed.
"I'll return to the village and stay there for a while."
"Then I'll take another trip around the Land of Water."
"Although I don't think it'll lead to anything, I can't let even the smallest chance slip by."
"As for the Rinnegan—hmph. If they could cultivate one person, they can cultivate a second."
"If that guy's technique at the end hadn't exceeded my expectations, I definitely would've destroyed the Rinnegan."
Gekko Chizan took a long drink from his bottle to vent his frustration.
At the time, he had truly wanted to destroy the Rinnegan. That would have prevented many future problems.
Unfortunately, with that level of Planetary Devastation, he could only rely on Flying Thunder God to evade it. Otherwise, even with Chōmei, there was still a high chance he would've been seriously injured.
"The Land of Water..."
"I could go take a look."
"With Kirigakure in its current state, it's the perfect opportunity for infiltration."
"Who knows? I might even find some good experimental materials."
Orochimaru suddenly became interested.
After all, the last time he went to the Land of Water he had encountered Kimimaro. Who knew—if he went again, maybe he'd find another equally outstanding talent.
"Sure."
"If sensei goes, then I can rest."
"Just don't forget to help me look for the Akatsuki."
"If you find them, have Manda notify me. I'll head over immediately."
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