"Hmm, alive, and freshly caught."
Uehara Naraku talked about White Zetsu as if discussing a fish. He then pulled out a map from his ninja pouch and handed it to Yakushi Kabuto: "Here's the map I drew, showing the base where White Zetsu is entrenched. You need to find a way to lead Orochimaru there to catch them."
"Understood."
Yakushi Kabuto glanced at the map. He had seen all kinds of messy maps during his time as a spy, but the map Uehara Naraku gave him was truly beyond words.
Fortunately, Yakushi Kabuto was familiar with most of the terrain in the Ninja World. Obediently, he accepted the map without saying anything rude, focusing more on the live White Zetsu in front of him.
These days, through their research, Yakushi Kabuto and Orochimaru have grown increasingly desperate for White Zetsu. The potential functions of this creature are enormous!
Yakushi Kabuto pushed his glasses, a hint of thirst for knowledge in his eyes: "I'm going to conduct human experiments for Hashirama Cells transplantation using this White Zetsu right now!"
"Are there Hashirama Cells here?"
Uehara Naraku's eyes lit up instantly: "Prepare a set of Hashirama Cells for me; I want to transplant them into an Uzumaki descendant!"
Originally, Uehara Naraku planned to obtain some Hashirama Cells for Nagato anyway, and since they were already available here, he might as well take some now!
"Is it Karin?"
Yakushi Kabuto's brows furrowed immediately, his mind seemingly clicking: "Yes, members of the Uzumaki Clan are naturally vigorous, making them ideal carriers for Hashirama Cells with a significant chance of awakening the Wood Release bloodline! Unfortunately, Uzumaki descendants are scattered across the Ninja World, making them hard to find and too wasteful for experimentation..."
"Spare me the theory."
Uehara Naraku glared at Yakushi Kabuto in dissatisfaction, softly saying: "This White Zetsu has already seen my true face; we can't let it live. Once you're done with the Hashirama Cell experiments, wring its neck!"
"Uehara Naraku, you bastard, you despicable, disgraceful, filthy scum!"
White Zetsu immediately started a barrage of curses, using every insulting term it knew in a short half-minute to describe Uehara Naraku.
Yakushi Kabuto listened in embarrassment.
In reality, Orochimaru occasionally secretly cursed Uehara Naraku too.
But compared to this White Zetsu, Orochimaru's insults appeared rather civilized, repeatedly calling him a vile opportunist and a non-human monster of Akatsuki...
Uehara Naraku listened the whole way, digging at his ears, ignoring White Zetsu, and simply watched Yakushi Kabuto go fetch the Hashirama Cells, asking: "Kabuto, where has Orochimaru gone? Is he plotting another scheme?"
"No."
Yakushi Kabuto picked up a sealed bottle, sealed it with a scroll, and handed it to Uehara Naraku: "Lord Orochimaru was handling a transaction with the Hidden Grass Village..."
For many years, Orochimaru's experimental funding largely came from transactions with small ninja villages, minor Daimyos, influential and wealthy individuals.
The Hidden Grass Village was also his cooperative partner.
"Oh, I hope he wraps up soon."
Uehara Naraku shook his head, saying with a face full of emotion: "Once I leave, I'm going to destroy the Hidden Grass Village. If Orochimaru hasn't secured enough money from the deal, he'll have an unrecoverable debt."
Yakushi Kabuto: "..."
Oh boy, is this another pitfall?
A few days ago, Orochimaru occasionally developed a tool seemingly applicable in war, hoping to earn from the Hidden Grass Village, so he was negotiating prices while collecting data. However, now this transaction might directly fall through!
Orochimaru didn't even demand advance payment from the Hidden Grass Village, overconfident in his strength, believing no small ninja village dared default on his debt.
But if this small ninja village were destroyed by Uehara Naraku, it would be deemed a true force majeure, and even Orochimaru would be helpless...
Yakushi Kabuto sighed, looking at Uehara Naraku speechlessly, bewildered why this new boss always undermined his old boss.
Uehara Naraku packed away the sealing scroll, lightly kicked the still-living White Zetsu, softly remarking: "As for luring Orochimaru to attack Uchiha Obito and White Zetsu's base, you don't need me to come up with a reason, right?"
"Certainly not."
Yakushi Kabuto quickly smiled and shook his head: "I can easily handle this minor issue myself as I have ample reasons."
After speaking, Yakushi Kabuto regretfully glanced at this White Zetsu: "It's a pity for this White Zetsu, if Lord Orochimaru were here, he could exploit it more..."
"Alright, we'll catch more later."
Uehara Naraku patted Yakushi Kabuto's shoulder, showing an expression of high regard: "Keep infiltrating Orochimaru's place properly; he's simply a tool. Your potential is limitless, so work hard to master Reanimation and Ryuchi Cave Sage Mode, got it?"
Throughout the history of the Ninja World, only Yakushi Kabuto learned Ryuchi Cave Sage Mode. Uehara Naraku wanted to evolve his Sage Mode, relying temporarily on Yakushi Kabuto; otherwise, he'd have to try killing the White Snake Sage...
Furthermore, Yakushi Kabuto could adeptly manage Reanimation. He's a stock of potential, among Uehara's three subordinates, destined for the highest achievements, surpassing Hoshigaki Kisame and Hozuki Mangetsu.
"Understood."
Yakushi Kabuto hesitated then nodded, genuinely fearing the high expectations Uehara Naraku had for him!
"Oh, also a few more things."
Uehara Naraku suddenly turned around, grabbing Yakushi Kabuto's shoulder, softly inquiring: "I want to frame Uchiha Obito for leaking White Zetsu base information. He's alone anyway, so even if it's pinned on him nobody would believe him. Do you have any solutions for this?"
"...Yes."
Yakushi Kabuto adjusted his glasses, speaking quietly: "I'll handle this, so don't worry, Lord Naraku."
"Besides this, there's the information about Zetsu..."
Uehara Naraku patted Yakushi Kabuto's shoulder and continued asking: "Zetsu has Black Zetsu and White Zetsu; White Zetsu is a bunch of rubbish, weak in combat;
But Black Zetsu claims to be Uchiha Madara's will, existing for a grand plan. I'll tell you about this plan once I figure out how to fabricate it.
Nonetheless, you can leak this to Orochimaru in advance, stating it's also Uchiha Obito's leak. It's up to you, any issues?"
Uehara Naraku found it genuinely advantageous to have a spy placed beside Orochimaru, allowing him to directly hand intelligence to Yakushi Kabuto, who would find ways to leak it to Orochimaru.
This way, he wouldn't rashly manipulate matters using Orochimaru's identity, avoiding any potential mistakes.
Yakushi Kabuto glancing at Uehara Naraku speechlessly, pondering that he needed to craft a story, basically wanting to smear Black Zetsu.
However, Yakushi Kabuto knew as a subordinate when to ask questions and when not to, when to respond, and when to remain silent.
Yakushi Kabuto silently paused for a while, gazing at the soon-to-be-dead White Zetsu beside him: "Lord Naraku, I wish to understand more about White Zetsu. Do they possess human thoughts, or are they Black Zetsu's subordinate creatures?"
"You're asking whether this White Zetsu aligns better with Uchiha Obito or Black Zetsu, right?"
Uehara Naraku stroked his chin, examining the increasingly agitated White Zetsu, softly stating: "White Zetsu, seems to be brainless, following whatever whims they have. Maybe their heads are filled with water?"
"You're the brainless bastard!"
Beside them, the persistently cursing White Zetsu got roused again: "Uehara Naraku, you vile scoundrel, disgraceful and filthy; your head is filled with water!"
Yakushi Kabuto sluggishly pushed his glasses, softly speaking: "It appears we can frame this White Zetsu as a envoy sent by Uchiha Obito to collaborate with Lord Orochimaru. If they indeed collaborate, will it pose a threat to Lord Naraku?"
"Rest assured."
Uehara Naraku grinned confidently, spreading his hands: "There are few people in the entire Ninja World who can challenge me; I have countermeasures for anything..."
That's the confidence after acquiring Sage Mode!
The stronger the adversary, the stronger he becomes!