Nagi and Orochimaru walked over. Nagi spoke first.
"Kabuto, well done."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses and replied modestly, "You flatter me. It was only my duty."
Nagi then turned to Sasuke.
"Sasuke, why did you make the same mistake as last time? Fortunately, this was only a spar. Otherwise, you would've become a lamb awaiting slaughter."
Sasuke lowered his head. "I understand. I was careless this time. I'll be more cautious next time."
"I certainly hope so."
[Naruto Uzumaki: Heh, Sasuke tripped over the same stone twice.]
[Sasuke Uchiha: Shut up, Naruto.]
[Jiraiya: Still… Kabuto's Sage Mode is that strong? Even Mangekyō Sharingan genjutsu didn't work.]
[Kabuto Yakushi: Lord Jiraiya, that happens to be a personal ability of mine. I'm afraid I can't elaborate.]
[Jiraiya: Hmph. Fair enough.]
[Nono Yakushi: Kabuto, you've grown so strong.]
[Urushi: Yeah! Sage Mode looks incredible!]
[Kabuto: Director… Urushi…]
The scene shifted to one of the Akatsuki's hideouts.
Pain summoned the members using the Illusionary Projection Jutsu.
He spoke first.
"After the Two-Tails was sealed, I lost contact with Hidan and Kakuzu. I can no longer sense their rings."
Kisame frowned. "Could it be that fox-masked shinobi again?"
Konan replied calmly, "Unclear. According to intelligence from the bounty station near the Fire Temple and information gathered by Zetsu, they likely engaged in battle."
Kisame sighed. "Troublesome. That means nearly half our organization is gone."
Pain answered evenly, "There's nothing we can do if we can't reach them. Zetsu will continue investigating. For now, the Tailed Beasts are our priority.
According to Zetsu's latest report, the lake where the Three-Tails resides has been located. The whereabouts of the Four-Tails' Jinchūriki have also been discovered.
Kisame, Itachi—the Four-Tails is yours."
Kisame asked, "And the Three-Tails? Leader, will you and Konan handle it personally?"
Pain shook his head.
"No. Tobi has volunteered to capture the Three-Tails this time. Zetsu will accompany him."
Everyone present understood that "Tobi" was no mere Akatsuki initiate, so no one questioned further.
[Ōnoki: What?! The Four-Tails has been found too? Rōshi, you—]
[Rōshi: So what if they found me? Better than arguing with you, old fossil, back in Iwagakure.]
[Kurotsuchi: Hmph. Your temper's even worse than Grandpa's.]
[Yagura Karatachi: Isobu… sigh. It seems you won't escape this world's fate either.]
[Gengetsu Hōzuki: Hold on—if the Three-Tails has already revived, why hasn't Kirigakure received any intelligence? Even an isolated village shouldn't be this cut off.]
[Mei Terumi: ...]
[Ao: ...]
(We've been busy cleaning up this mess… and the Three-Tails probably reappeared only briefly. By the time word reached us, it may already have been sealed.)
[Guren: Orochimaru-sama… regarding the Three-Tails… what about Yūkimaru?]
[Orochimaru: Nagi and I only require a small sample. There's no need to capture the entire Three-Tails.]
Kabuto added coolly, "Guren, understand this clearly—if you choose to leave with Yūkimaru again, we will not take you back in the future."
"Understood."
After receiving intelligence about the Three-Tails, Orochimaru dispatched Kabuto to find Guren and the others.
Once again, Kabuto used a device to stimulate Yūkimaru while activating his Sage Mode sensory perception.
After detecting the Three-Tails' movements, he released Yūkimaru and entered the water alone.
Half an hour later—
Kabuto returned to the ship with a sealed container in hand. He led everyone back to Orochimaru's base.
…
Some time later—
Ripples formed across the surface of the lake. A spiraling distortion in space appeared, and a man wearing an orange, single-eyed spiral mask emerged.
Moments later, a massive pitcher plant rose from the ground. It opened, revealing half a black face and half a white one.
"Zetsu, is this the place?"
"Yes, Madara-sama. The Three-Tails manifested in this lake. Though I did sense someone leaving not long ago."
Obito replied calmly, "Ignore them. The Three-Tails is what matters. Zetsu, send White Zetsu clones to draw it out. I'll handle it personally."
"Understood, Madara-sama. Be careful not to kill it. If the Three-Tails dies, it'll take years to reappear."
Obito's voice turned cold. "I know. Just lure it out."
White Zetsu summoned numerous clones, sending them into the depths of the lake.
Before long, they located the Three-Tails drifting underwater. The clones began harassing it repeatedly, disrupting its movements and provoking it.
Enraged, the Three-Tails gave chase.
The clones swam upward—the beast following close behind.
"Madara, it's coming up," White Zetsu called.
"Withdraw. I alone am sufficient."
…
The lake's surface churned violently.
A colossal shadow burst forth—
A gigantic turtle encased in hardened armor, covered in countless spikes—
The Three-Tails, Isobu.
Obito gazed at it, lost briefly in thought.
For weeks, Isobu had been disturbed without rest. It was furious. Yet upon seeing the masked man before it, a familiar sense of danger stirred within its consciousness.
Obito spoke in a nostalgic tone.
"It's been a long time… Three-Tails."
At first, Isobu failed to recall him.
Obito suddenly raised his voice.
"Fire Release: Bomb Blast Dance!"
Combining his Mangekyō Sharingan with Fire Release, Obito first used Kamui to twist the surrounding space and generate a violent gale—then expelled a spiraling vortex of flame, forming a massive rotating inferno.
Isobu withdrew into its shell, barely withstanding the attack.
But in that instant, it recognized the chakra.
Its eyes widened in fury.
"So it was you! The orange spiral mask impostor who claimed to be Madara Uchiha! You controlled Yagura and me for years! I won't forgive you!!"
Even knowing escape was unlikely today, Isobu charged forward without hesitation—for its bond with Yagura, and for its hatred of the masked man.
"Water Release: Tailed Beast Ball!"
A massive sphere of condensed chakra water shot toward Obito.
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