The kages of the four great Shinobi villages have departed, taking with them a new hope and a mission to preserve the spark of humanity.
Finally, Nagato and the others reported that they needed Tailed Beasts. Kamui's space was an imperfect, closed ecosystem that needed energy. The Tailed Beasts were supposed to be its source, and they hoped that at the right moment, the Shinobi villages would provide the power of all nine beasts to keep the space running.
"So that's it, they need something from us," this thought dispelled the last doubts.
Quite reasonable, isn't it? It is not surprising that these guys did not secretly take the seeds of humanity and hide, but made contact. It turns out that it was all about the Tailed Beasts.
This, on the contrary, calmed Oonoki and Rasa. Selfless benevolence is always alarming, but when there is a selfish interest, this is already normal.
***
After the others left, Orochimaru returned.
— Orochimaru, what's going on in Konoha? Nagato looked at him angrily. — How did you manage to lose the jinchuuriki of the Nine-Tails? Is that your explanation?
Why are the problems coming from Konoha again? At such a critical moment, they had missed jinchuuriki. If the Nine-Tails escaped, how would they complete their plan and obtain the ultimate weapon? Nagato was speechless.
—Mr. Nagato, I will take responsibility," Orochimaru lowered his head, clenching his fists tightly. "I will definitely find jinchuuriki Nine—Tails and bring him back!"
He himself didn't understand why all the problems had fallen on Konoha. First Uchiha Yue, then Sarutobi Hiruzen, and now jinchuuriki is lost.
Damn it!
Their Konoha is too weak right now. Jigen did not even think to help in the search. Ha, "kidnapped"... Everyone knew perfectly well that Konoha's jinchuuriki had turned to darkness. He wasn't abducted, he escaped.
"You didn't keep track in Konoha, and now I have to clean up after you? Dream on!"
"Responsibility?" Nagato looked at Orochimaru tiredly and shook his head. — What are you going to answer? You don't even know where he is! How will you respond?!
"You don't seem to know that the jinchuuriki of the Nine—Tails has already found a way to remove the seal from himself," Uchiha Obito's voice sounded next to him, which also sounded extremely annoyed. "Answer?" To hell with your responsibility! A little more and he will break the seal. And in the pitiful state your Konoha is in now, if you run into him, he'll kill you all!
If it wasn't for their White Zetsu, capable of searching all over the world, and if something had happened to jinchuuriki by accident, their plan would have gone to waste. There wasn't much time left anyway, and it definitely wouldn't be enough to revive the Nine-Tails.
Orochimaru lowered his head in silence. In this case, the blame was on him. He failed. Indeed, Konoha still hasn't found any trace of Naruto. What can I do, the village suffered too heavy losses.
It wasn't that he couldn't be found. In fact, they had already discovered some clues, but Naruto himself was still a long way off. And as Uchiha Obito said, if Naruto finds a way to remove the seal, it will all be over.
Until the completion of the perfect Edo Tensei… But there were problems with Edo Tensei, too. Senju Tobirama and all the Konoha researchers were taken by Jigen. Even he himself had to do his assignments while in the village.
The situation is completely out of control. It could be said that they weren't Naruto's match right now. Last time, Jiraiya almost lost his life and won only because Naruto made a mistake. Later, after analyzing what happened, they came to the conclusion that Naruto had faltered because of Namikaze Minato, his father. Perhaps Minato's chakra remained in Naruto's body, and at the last moment he chose the village over his son.
If it wasn't for Namikaze Minato, Konoha might have fallen long ago.
Wait a minute…
— Leader, have you found traces of Naruto? Orochimaru raised his head, looking at Nagato in surprise.
"That's right, we found him. But that's not your concern anymore, Orochimaru. Better take care of Konoha. Select people and remember: no one should know about Uchiha Madara's abilities! The child from the prophecy is meaningless. Uchiha Yue is invincible. Only the power of time can destroy it!
The purple Rinnegan bit into Orochimaru, creating an inexplicable pressure. The Nagato who was once absolutely confident of defeating Uchiha Yue has now become his ardent apologist, proclaiming his invincibility.
"This is not a man, not our enemy — this is a natural disaster. Whether you are a mortal or a god, is it possible to be at enmity with the elements? Faced with a natural disaster, mortals always run for their lives. How can they conquer it?"
— Yes, leader!
"But that's not certain yet,— Orochimaru mused, slowly retreating. "If the Child from the prophecy can destroy Uchiha Yue, then why the hell join this Akatsuki organization?" My current status is the noble Hokage of Konoha. I may look pathetic right now, and anyone can spit in my face.… But the research of the perfect Edo Tensei must be continued, no matter what! If the Child of the prophecy defeats Uchiha Yue in the future, the power of the First Hokage will be the key to Konoha's survival in the Shinobi world! It's also the key to my escape from Akatsuki and free myself from Nagato's influence!"
All the scientists in the village might have been requisitioned, but he was still there. Although he had to work remotely, he still had some personal time. The perfect Edo Tensei — he was obliged to bring this jutsu to mind.
***
Somewhere in the Shinobi world, Naruto was sitting cross-legged. Behind him, several ninjas placed their hands on his back, transferring their power into his body. Using this energy, Naruto acted from the inside, and his assistants from the outside. Together with the Nine-Tails, they tirelessly weakened and broke through the seal on his body.
"Soon... soon enough... just a little more, and I'll be able to completely remove the seal inside of me." And then... then Konoha will pay for everything!
"Naruto, we've come to help."