Chapter 189: Next, We'll Crush Them Completely!
Oborotsuki had deliberately let Nagato and Black Zetsu escape. At this moment, Terumī Mei, Kushina, and the others—who had been pursuing Kakuzu—also returned.
Every one of their faces carried deep frustration and disappointment.
Just from their expressions and empty hands, Oborotsuki didn't even need to ask—he already knew the result of the chase.
"Damn it!"
"We let those Akatsuki bastards get away!!"
Terumī Mei clenched her fists tightly, filled with unwillingness.
Everything that had happened to Kirigakure today—the village reduced to ruins—was ultimately because of Akatsuki.
If they hadn't deliberately framed Kirigakure… well, it wasn't entirely framing.
But if they hadn't lured the other four ninja villages here on purpose, this devastating battle would never have happened!
Thinking about it, Terumī Mei's gaze shifted toward Oborotsuki.
Right now, she felt both love and resentment toward this man.
After all, at least half the responsibility for today's disaster lay with him.
But Terumī Mei wasn't so unreasonable. She also understood clearly: if Oborotsuki hadn't brought the tailed beasts back to Kirigakure, with Akatsuki's methods and strength, they would likely have already completed the Eye of the Moon Plan by now.
"Enough—stop looking so down."
"I already said I would handle this personally. Since I made the promise, of course I'll keep it."
Oborotsuki saw the depressed expressions on Kushina, Terumī Mei, and the others. He walked over and comforted them gently.
At the same time, he gave Terumī Mei a few meaningful glances.
With just that look, Terumī Mei immediately understood what Oborotsuki was trying to convey.
She didn't waste words. She walked straight over and asked:
"Akatsuki has already taken several tailed beasts. What do you plan to do now?"
She had previously promised Oborotsuki: if he could resolve the Akatsuki threat, she would marry him and let him do whatever he wanted.
Her words now were clearly a subtle reminder.
Oborotsuki gave a playful smile.
"You didn't really think that if I wanted to keep them here, they could actually escape, did you?"
"What do you mean?"
Terumī Mei was stunned.
Kushina, Kurenai, Konan, and Yekura all turned to look at him curiously.
"I let them take the tailed beasts on purpose."
Oborotsuki explained again.
"You… let them on purpose?"
Terumī Mei was shocked, completely puzzled.
"Oborotsuki, why would you deliberately let them escape?"
Kushina couldn't figure out what Oborotsuki was planning.
Even Konan—who knew him best and understood Akatsuki's goals the most—was now slightly curious.
"Oborotsuki, what exactly is your plan?"
Konan knew very well that Oborotsuki would never waste time or effort on meaningless actions.
So at this moment, she vaguely sensed something.
This was likely just one part of Oborotsuki's plan to deal with Akatsuki.
"Letting them take the tailed beasts doesn't mean they'll successfully seal them."
"Next—I'll wipe them all out in one go."
"And completely crush Akatsuki's useless scheme."
"As for all of you—just stay obediently in the village and keep a close eye on those guys while they work."
Oborotsuki smiled as he explained to Terumī Mei and the others.
Right now, none of them yet knew that Oborotsuki had already taken all the invaders from the four ninja villages hostage in Kirigakure.
Hearing his mysterious words, they immediately grew even more curious.
"You'll find out when we get back."
Oborotsuki gave them a cryptic smile, then turned and walked toward the center of Kirigakure.
Seeing how mysterious he was being, Terumī Mei exchanged glances with the other women, then quickly followed after him.
…
Meanwhile, on the other side—
Black Zetsu and Kakuzu had returned to Akatsuki's headquarters.
The Six Paths of Pain (controlled by Nagato) were already waiting here.
On the ground lay the subdued Two-Tails jinchūriki Yugito Nii, Eight-Tails jinchūriki Killer Bee, and Six-Tails jinchūriki Utakata.
"Madara has been captured. Now only the three of us remain active."
"He bought us time to recover the tailed beasts. That means Madara has entrusted the mission of realizing the Eye of the Moon Plan to us."
"We cannot let him down."
The Deva Path reminded Kakuzu and Zetsu.
Kakuzu remained silent, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.
Black Zetsu spoke first:
"We need quite a bit of time to seal these three tailed beasts. Let's hurry and get started."
"Then we'll begin with the Eight-Tails—the one with the most massive chakra."
The Deva Path said, looking toward Killer Bee.
Tailed beast strength isn't fixed, but one clear way to judge their relative power is by the number of tails.
With that, the Deva Path began forming hand seals to summon the Gedo Statue.
But at that moment, Black Zetsu suddenly interrupted:
"Wait."
"What is it?"
The Deva Path looked at him in confusion.
Black Zetsu answered:
"Last time, that kid Hōzuki Oborotsuki followed us back to headquarters. He tried to seize the Gedo Statue."
"I'm worried… what if that kid already knows the secret of the Gedo Statue?"
"If that's the case, we must ensure the Gedo Statue's absolute safety. Otherwise, if it falls into his hands, our plan will be completely impossible to complete."
Black Zetsu was genuinely worried only about the plan.
The Eye of the Moon Plan was the key to reviving his mother, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
If the plan failed, everything he had done would be meaningless.
Given how special the current situation was, they had to guarantee absolute security.
Hearing Black Zetsu's warning, the Deva Path immediately thought of Konan.
In an instant, his gaze turned extremely cold.
Konan had grown up together with Yahiko and himself. The three of them knew each other's strength and secrets inside out.
If Hōzuki Oborotsuki knew about the Gedo Statue's secret, it could only have come from Konan!
This traitor had now completely disappointed Nagato.
"We'll find a safer location first, then seal these three tailed beasts."
Though filled with rage and resentment in his heart,
Nagato wasn't foolish enough to act recklessly. He also clearly understood how terrifying Oborotsuki's strength was.
So now—following Black Zetsu's advice—Nagato decided to first find a sufficiently secure place before summoning the Gedo Statue again.
"So… what kind of place would be considered safe enough?"
Kakuzu raised this question.
In his mind, Oborotsuki had already become omnipotent.
No matter where they hid, it wouldn't feel safe.
"I actually know one place that should be safe enough."
Black Zetsu immediately replied.
Hearing this, both the Deva Path and Kakuzu turned to look at him.
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