"At least we need to gather intelligence on him first!"
Tsunade clenched her fist and said coldly, "Whether it's about Orochimaru or the Akatsuki, we must collect all the information as soon as possible."
"Alright..."
Jiraiya sighed and said, "Meeting Minato this time wasn't all bad news. I also discovered a new approach to training Naruto. He must learn Sage Mode and slowly try to communicate with the Nine-Tails."
Namikaze Minato had always used Sage Mode in battle, but he had stated that he disengaged Nine-Tails Mode because the power of Nine-Tails Mode was too strong.
This gave Jiraiya new thoughts.
Uzumaki Naruto, this disciple, might just be the new hope for Konoha.
"Hmm."
Tsunade glanced at Jiraiya and said softly, "To eliminate the Akatsuki, our strength alone seems a bit insufficient. Besides having the younger generation in the village strengthen their training, perhaps we need to find a way to enlist some other allies."
"What kind of allies?"
"Hanzo of the Salamander."
Tsunade folded her hands and said solemnly, "If we encounter Akatsuki information again, we must gather all the force we can, only then will we have the chance to take them down in one strike. Originally, I didn't want to resort to that old guy's power..."
"Hanzo, that guy..."
Jiraiya recalled their near-death encounter with Hanzo in their younger days and couldn't help but sigh, "That guy is indeed strong. If he could also join us in a siege against the Akatsuki, it would indeed add a formidable force to eliminate them."
"The problem is Hanzo is unwilling to come out..."
Tsunade pressed her temple wearily and explained softly, "I asked Uehara Naraku to propose this request to Hanzo before he left, but that kid only said he would report to Hanzo, and the outcome is uncertain."
"Then there's no way around it."
Jiraiya waved his hand and laughed lightly, "Rather than trusting that guy Hanzo, I'd believe Naruto would create miracles! I'll take Naruto to Mount Myoboku first!"
The atmosphere in Konoha Village was somewhat disheartened.
Meanwhile, things were rather lively on the Akatsuki side.
Uehara Naraku thought since Yakushi Kabuto had stepped in to help, he might as well seize the opportunity to accept Black Zetsu's solicitation, joining the Akatsuki and the Eye of the Moon team.
Therefore, when Uehara Naraku returned to the Akatsuki Hideout, Black Zetsu eagerly introduced Yakushi Kabuto to him: "This is Yakushi Kabuto, a new member of our Eye of the Moon Plan. Uehara, you should recognize him, right?"
"We've met before."
Uehara Naraku extended his hand towards Yakushi Kabuto, looking at him coldly, "I didn't expect to see you here one day... Orochimaru's lackey."
At this moment, he seemed to have a deep-seated grudge against Yakushi Kabuto.
Just as Black Zetsu was about to mediate, Uehara Naraku looked at Yakushi Kabuto and continued to warn, "Yakushi Kabuto, since Senior Zetsu has invited you to join the Eye of the Moon Plan, I hope you live up to Senior Zetsu's expectations."
"I'm just curious to see how interesting the Eye of the Moon Plan will be."
Yakushi Kabuto curled his lips, slowly adjusted his glasses, staring intently at Uehara Naraku as if he were a snake.
"Heh heh heh heh... It's bound to be very interesting. This is the Eye of the Moon Plan that brings hopes for peace to the entire Ninja World. Your arrival has made us stronger!"
Black Zetsu chuckled eerily, satisfied with Uehara Naraku's performance earlier, and said softly, "Then from now on, Kabuto, you will act according to Uehara's will within the Akatsuki. He is now our Eye of the Moon Plan's leader."
"Understood."
Yakushi Kabuto nodded humbly.
As for Yakushi Kabuto's thoughts, he started pondering how the creature known as Black Zetsu was formed. Its intelligence seems questionable, similar to that of White Zetsu.
There were originally three members left in the Eye of the Moon Plan; besides Black Zetsu, there were Uehara Naraku and Hoshigaki Kisame, both of whom were undercover.
The newly joined Yakushi Kabuto...
Was still Uehara Naraku's mole.
The Eye of the Moon Plan had become a completely leaky sieve; every aspect, from progress to other matters, was thoroughly controlled by Uehara Naraku.
How could Black Zetsu still smile so happily?
Damn fool!
Black Zetsu was unaware that Yakushi Kabuto was questioning its intelligence.
Black Zetsu was genuinely happy; it sincerely yearned for Yakushi Kabuto's addition so it could indirectly inquire about the progress of resurrecting Uchiha Madara from Yakushi Kabuto.
Unfortunately, Yakushi Kabuto was an experienced spy.
Facing Black Zetsu's indirect probing, Yakushi Kabuto responded directly with the conduct of a scientist: "From my assessment, resurrecting Uchiha Madara now is far from his prime. Doing so now would waste the remains of this Ninja World Asura!"
"Alright."
Black Zetsu nodded and said solemnly, "If you need any help or materials, feel free to come to me."
"Understood."
Yakushi Kabuto curled his lips.
After Black Zetsu sank into the ground and left,
Yakushi Kabuto bowed respectfully to Uehara Naraku and said, "Lord Naraku, the resurrection of Uchiha Madara is ready."
"Wait for my notification then!"
Uehara Naraku raised an eyebrow and led Yakushi Kabuto towards the Akatsuki base, asking on the way, "Do you know of Hozuki Suigetsu's whereabouts? Bring him along too!"
"Understood."
Yakushi Kabuto nodded.
Uehara Naraku squinted at the wooden torii gate at the entrance of the Akatsuki Hideout, "Then let the Hozuki brothers, Mangetsu and Suigetsu, give the Uchiha brothers a preview before their battle!"