A commercial street near the Hyuga Residence.
"You come around here every day—could it be you're looking for someone?"
A voice came from behind. Kabuto Yakushi turned his head to see a woman with Byakugan silently appear beside him.
Her expression was extremely cold.
Before he could speak, two more Hyuga clansmen suddenly appeared.
"I..."
Pushing up his glasses, he had just opened his mouth when the two Hyuga clansmen behind him struck acupuncture points on his body.
Anger flared up inside Kabuto.
The Hyuga clan really went too far!
"Hey, what do you think you're doing? Can't I even walk by here?"
Kaguya ignored him completely. Facing the two Hyuga clansmen, she said coldly, "Hand him over to Tsunade. She knows what to do."
They nodded, lifting Kabuto up before vanishing from Kaguya's sight.
Not understanding what was happening, Kabuto was struck unconscious immediately.
When he woke again, he found himself in a brightly lit room.
Kabuto hesitated briefly, then realization hit—those bright lights were typical operating lamps used during surgery.
This place looked like either a hospital or a biological research lab.
A white-haired man wearing a high-necked coat walked forward calmly, smiling faintly, "Allow me to introduce myself—Shimon Hiruko."
"Hiruko... That name sounds familiar..." Kabuto murmured.
Shimon Hiruko chuckled as he asked, "Kabuto, I've heard you're one of Orochimaru's men?"
Kabuto grew visibly uneasy and shook his head, "Who is Orochimaru?"
"Is that so?" Shimon Hiruko shrugged nonchalantly, teasingly asking, "Tell me, who do you think is superior between Orochimaru and me?"
Kabuto inwardly sighed at this strange question—who asked such things?
"Orochimaru, what is he researching?"
Kabuto's expression turned more and more puzzled, clearly confused.
"Haha..." Shimon Hiruko burst into laughter. "Don't play dumb. We already know everything about you."
Finally, he sighed, "The world is full of wonders beyond imagination..."
"Where exactly am I now? I need to see the Hokage-sama!"
"This," Shimon Hiruko replied, "is an abandoned Anbu base. Now it belongs to me. And as for the Hokage, there's no need to meet her—you're here because she left you here."
As Shimon Hiruko spoke, a White Zetsu stepped forward. Since Kabuto's chakra had been sealed, and his body bound by Shimon, the White Zetsu effortlessly implanted spores into him.
Although something clearly entered his body, Kabuto didn't feel anything unusual.
"You can stay here or return to Orochimaru's base—it makes no difference either way," continued Shimon Hiruko.
"What exactly do you people want?!" Kabuto questioned again.
"I'll ask you just once more: What is Orochimaru up to anyway?"
Kabuto gave no further denial but hesitated instead, "I've always stayed in Konoha..."
"Then go back." With that, Shimon Hiruko held out a document. "And take this with you when you see him."
"What is this?" Kabuto asked, growing ever more confused about Shimon Hiruko's intentions.
"These are my research materials on Kekkei Genkai. You can give them to him, and when you return, don't forget to bring the materials from Orochimaru as well."
"What?" Kabuto Yakushi asked in confusion.
It made sense to hand over such valuable research materials.
But why did this person believe he would come back again?
"The spores that entered your body earlier will remain inside you permanently, unless you completely stop using chakra or lose your vital signs. Otherwise, they could grow at any moment..."
Kabuto felt a chill run through his heart. Was this person implying that his life was in constant danger?
"Alright, now stay here and think about how not to raise Orochimaru's suspicions," said Shimon Hiruko.
With that, Shimon Hiruko turned around and left.
The white robe wide with black tomoe patterns embroidered upon it, the woman's figure seemed ethereal.
Though clearly present before him, she appeared detached from the world itself.
Shimon Hiruko lowered his head slightly. "Master."
...
In some part of Konoha, Tsunade stood together with Might Guy.
A certain red-haired figure carrying a large sickle swaggered down the street with a loose, arrogant gait. Anyone who passed by instinctively kept their distance.
Pointing toward that direction, Tsunade spoke to Might Guy beside her: "Guy, from now on, you'll be responsible for watching that guy. If he makes any suspicious moves, beat him up—give him a thorough beating. Don't worry, he can't die."
Might Guy was quite confused initially, but seeing the seriousness on Tsunade's face, he immediately grew serious too, solemnly nodding, "Hokage-sama, please rest assured."
Akatsuki headquarters.
Another meeting was held, and this time Obito didn't hide himself. For the first time, he showed up openly.
He glanced coldly at the others present — Pain's Deva Path, Konan, Itachi Uchiha, Hoshigaki Kisame, Kakuzu, and Sasori of the Red Sands.
Obito's mood soured slightly. Sometimes, you only realize someone's value after losing them.
Without Zetsu's intelligence, I've become like a frog stuck in a well, unable to perceive the world beyond.
Before Pain could even speak, Obito coldly voiced, "Zetsu has betrayed Akatsuki. Our current priority is to assign someone else to handle intelligence gathering. Who among you wants this job?"
Everyone remained silent.
As the atmosphere grew tense, Itachi Uchiha calmly spoke out, "Let me do it."
Instantly, all eyes turned toward him.
Everyone felt an unusual mixture of emotions.
Even fools could tell Itachi had divided loyalties.
Putting him in charge of intelligence—wouldn't that put us all at risk?
Under everyone's gaze, Itachi felt somewhat awkward.
"My abilities are most suitable."
Actually, Itachi was still deeply concerned about Sasuke and wanted a legitimate excuse to investigate his whereabouts.
"Just like how we gathered intel on the Tailed Beasts before," Konan interjected, "each team can monitor several areas."
"Then let's proceed according to Konan's suggestion," Pain concluded.
Obito inwardly sighed; he couldn't really find a better alternative.
There was truth to "the division of expertise." Though these comrades were formidable fighters, none could rival Zetsu when it came to gathering intelligence.
The meeting ended, and the illusions of several figures slowly faded away.
Outside the Country of Rain.
In a secluded spot, Kakuzu shot an annoyed look at Zetsu, who had just appeared beside him. "Aren't you supposed to take me to see that individual?"
"I still need to ask when she's willing to grant you an audience," replied Black Zetsu. "She isn't someone you can summon on a whim and dismiss at will."
Kakuzu remained indifferent and sarcastically remarked, "To prevent you from running around like a mouse, Nagato is setting up large-scale sealing formations."
In a dense forest on the outskirts of the Land of Fire, leaves fluttered in the air as a figure descended from above, landing before Jiraiya.
Jiraiya, who had been walking along the path, immediately stopped.
"Konan?"
"Master Jiraiya, we'd like to talk with you again."
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