From the direction of the Land of Rain, Jiraiya was rushing forward at full speed with Konan, Shino, Samui, and Akatsuchi in tow.
However, the pervy old man kept glancing back at Samui over his shoulder, his gaze sharp and focused.
Samui thought Jiraiya had something important to say and quickly asked, "Jiraiya-sama, is there anything we should pay attention to? Please tell us directly."
Jiraiya shook his head. "No, no."
Samui was puzzled. If there was nothing, then why did he keep staring at her?
Konan kindly reminded her, "Samui, Jiraiya-sensei is just checking out your figure. Don't forget, he's that ero old man whose peeping would put even the First Hokage to shame."
"Nani!" Samui's face instantly darkened. Her good impression of one of the legendary Sannin dropped straight off a cliff.
Jiraiya quickly argued, "Konan, don't talk nonsense. Sensei is doing research, research, got it? I'm a famous novelist in the ninja world. You've all at least heard of Icha Icha Paradise, right? It's a bestseller across the entire shinobi world!"
But everyone very decisively shook their heads.
Even though Shino and Akatsuchi were both men, they really had never read it.
Shino, however, did recall something. "Kakashi-sensei often reads Icha Icha Paradise, but I heard only the Raikage-han would read 'Liu Long'."
The others were full of curiosity. "What's 'Liu Bei' supposed to be?"
The lenses of Shino's sunglasses flashed. "Liu Bei is the Imperial Uncle."
Then Konan and Samui's gazes stabbed into Jiraiya like needles, making his hair stand on end. He didn't dare turn his head back to "gather material" anymore…
As if. He was never the type to change his habits just because he was scared!
It was just that, when faced with Samui's cold stare, he couldn't help the prickling sensation on his scalp.
The group's speed was extremely fast. In less than three days they had already reached the Land of Grass. You had to know, from the main camp of Kumogakure to the Land of Grass was no short distance—at full-speed marching it should have taken at least five or six days. To finish the trip in half the time really showed just how insane everyone's overall quality was.
"Back then, Nagato used to rely on Ukojizai no Jutsu (Rain Tiger at Will Technique) to sense through the rain and detect intruders. But Obito can't use Suiton (Water Release), so we shouldn't have to worry about that. Stay close to me, I'll lead you to Akatsuki's main base."
Konan warned them as she spoke, taking out some soldier pills and handing them around.
After all, long hours of high-speed movement would wear down even the strongest ninja. But they had no time to waste right now.
Very soon, after resting for a short while and recovering a bit, everyone set out again, following behind Konan as they slipped into the Land of Rain.
The Land of Rain lived up to its name—rain fell year-round, making it an extremely uncomfortable place. Fortunately, none of them were the type to be bothered by something like this. Under Konan's lead, they advanced rapidly.
They hadn't gone far when Shino suddenly spoke. "Stop! We can't move any further forward."
The others immediately braked. "What's going on?"
Shino raised his hand. On the tip of his finger rested a tiny insect. "I had my kikaichū scout the way ahead. There are a lot of White Zetsu moving around. If we keep going like this, we'll run straight into them and expose our presence."
"Oh? You can have the bugs move freely even in this kind of rain?"
Samui couldn't help but praise him. "Cool. As expected of the Aburame clan—truly worthy of respect."
Shino tilted his sunglasses slightly. His insects had long since been cultivated to the point they didn't fear any of the five basic elemental releases. A little rain was nothing. But he gladly accepted Samui's compliment.
Jiraiya rubbed his chin. "So the Gedō Mazō (Outer Path Demonic Statue) really is what's producing all those White Zetsu? Looks like we'll have to speed things up. Who knows how many more of them that thing will create. That would be massively disadvantageous for the Allied Shinobi Forces."
Samui, Akatsuchi, and Konan all nodded, then turned their eyes to Shino.
Shino said with confidence, "Follow me. The insects will guide us."
After that, under Shino's lead, the team twisted and turned their way forward, avoiding several groups of White Zetsu. Only then did they arrive near a secret stronghold—Akatsuki's main base.
However, the base was practically packed full of White Zetsu. One after another they filed out of the place in an endless stream.
Just looking at that sheer mass of white figures was enough to make anyone with trypophobia pass out on the spot.
But the more White Zetsu there were, the more certain it was that the Gedō Mazō was inside.
No need for further discussion—time to hit them head-on!
Jiraiya flew through hand seals, bit down on a mouthful of toad oil, then spat out a massive blaze. "Katon: Ten'en-dan (Fire Release: Heavenly Flame Bullet)!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The flames instantly engulfed a large cluster of White Zetsu. Screams rang out one after another, and at the same time the other White Zetsu were drawn by the disturbance, all swarming toward their direction.
Time was of the essence, and everyone else didn't hesitate.
Konan unleashed a storm of Kami Shuriken (Paper Shuriken), reaping huge swaths of White Zetsu in the blink of an eye.
Samui drew her short blade and sprinted forward. Wherever she passed, White Zetsu collapsed to the ground, and in an instant she carved out a clear path.
"Move! Get inside, quick!"
Samui urged them on, but her knife didn't slow down for even a moment…
Her swordsmanship had been self-taught by watching Killer B. Every stroke was fast, precise, and ruthless. Paired with her hot figure, it looked like a beautiful dance—one that was dangerously eye-catching.
Even if Jiraiya had wanted to sneak a few more looks, he didn't have the time. He charged straight into the base, and the others followed close behind.
The White Zetsu that had been massing outside now turned back in dense waves, intending to gang up on the intruders. That absolutely could not be allowed.
Seeing this, Akatsuchi quickly flew through hand signs and used Doton: Gōrei-shiki no Jutsu (Earth Release: Rock Regiment Technique). He opened his mouth and spat out a huge mass of rock, which formed into a stone giant that planted itself right in the entrance, its gigantic rocky fists sweeping away enemies in great swaths.
White Zetsu were never that strong individually. They were basically just a bunch of weirdos who could use a few basic techniques. Most of them couldn't even use proper ninjutsu.
No matter how many such guys there were, before true powerhouses they were worth next to nothing. For Akatsuchi, blocking them like this was practically effortless.
Shino, on the other hand, was even more brutal. His insect swarm opened a path at the very front, and wherever they passed, not a single White Zetsu was left standing.
What was more, the swarm directly used the fallen White Zetsu as nests, rapidly breeding more insects for Shino to command.
In no time at all, the interior of the base had practically turned into a massive insect hive.
"You two are doing great!"
Jiraiya shouted his praise, then led Samui and Konan deeper inside, cutting down any White Zetsu in their way.
Before long, the three of them arrived in front of the Gedō Mazō.
It looked like some kind of gigantic withered tree, but it had nine eyes on its face, making it look incredibly eerie and unsettling.
"So that's the Gedō Mazō?" Samui's pupils shrank. She had a bad feeling about this thing.
"Yeah, that's it. Hurry up and make your move!" Konan urged.
"Konan, Samui, you two handle the White Zetsu that rush in. I'll figure out a way to seal this thing."
Jiraiya gave his instructions and immediately pulled out a huge scroll, preparing to use sealing tools to set up a massive barrier. But before he could begin, he suddenly felt the space around his ear twist unnaturally.
He immediately flipped away, dragging Konan and Samui back with him.
A moment later, Obito appeared out of thin air, standing there at ease as he sized the three of them up. In the end his gaze locked onto Konan, filled with icy killing intent.
"Konan, I kindly spared you and Nagato, and this is how you repay me? Bringing people to infiltrate our main base and lay hands on the Gedō Mazō?"
(End of Chapter)
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