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"Is that so?"
Hearing this, Uchiha Madara was momentarily stunned but quickly regained his composure. "You're right. I don't need new eyes. I just need to reclaim my own Rinnegan!"
"However, I might need your help with that. Black Zetsu is not easy to deal with—his escape abilities are top-tier!"
"I think the best course of action is to capture him while reclaiming my eyes!"
"I've left a tracking method in my eyes. I can locate him at any time and provide coordinates."
"What do you think?"
As he spoke, Madara closed his eyes and used his sensory abilities to look in Kaito's direction.
"Of course, no problem!" Kaito nodded confidently. "Even if you didn't ask, we need to help you regain your peak strength as soon as possible and push you to the Six Paths level. So retrieving your Rinnegan is a must."
"Naturally, once you've reclaimed your Rinnegan, I'd like to study it for a few days."
"I want to understand the difference between the Rinnegan and the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan."
"This research will be crucial for my future attempts to awaken and even create methods for obtaining the Rinnegan!"
Over the past six months, Kaito had successfully developed a training method for Mangekyō Sharingan abilities by studying Uchiha Kagami's eyes. He had even mastered techniques from his mother's Mangekyō Sharingan, as well as those from other Uchihas.
"Fine."
Madara agreed without hesitation. This was a good thing for him.
If Kaito could develop a systematic method for unlocking the Rinnegan, it would benefit the entire Uchiha clan—especially his younger brother, Izuna.
Moreover, given Kaito's track record, whatever he created would likely further enhance the development and mastery of the Rinnegan.
This was too tempting to refuse.
"I'm glad you agree!" Kaito was satisfied with Madara's attitude. "As for capturing Black Zetsu? I'm in!"
"Indeed, since we're taking back the Rinnegan, there's no reason to let him roam free and cause more trouble."
"However, this does mean that my original plan to use Black Zetsu as bait to bring other ninja villages to our side is completely scrapped."
"But we still need a way to continue the Eye of the Moon Plan and revive Kaguya."
"What do you all think?"
If they had to attack multiple great ninja villages head-on, it would create too much hatred and make it harder to recruit contractors from those villages.
Senju Tobirama spoke up directly: "We can completely control Black Zetsu and make him continue executing the plan. Alternatively, we could let Madara take the role of the mastermind behind Akatsuki, gathering forces and stirring up conflicts."
"After all, this was something he was planning to do in the past. Now, he's just picking up where he left off, which should be easy for him."
"Especially since he's now fully revived and at his true peak, with even more powerful abilities."
"With this, he can even serve as a distraction for the Sage of Six Paths, buying us more time."
"Oh?"
Hearing Tobirama's suggestion, Kaito and the others couldn't help but exchange glances.
They had to admit—it was a good plan, even if it was a bit manipulative toward Madara.
Madara, of course, noticed Tobirama's bias against him. However, he merely turned his head slightly to "look" at Tobirama before refocusing on Kaito.
"Although Tobirama annoys me, I agree with this plan."
"This is simple for me."
"Most of the time, I can just have a doppelgänger execute the plan."
"I can even accelerate Akatsuki's formation by personally training Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan, while secretly recruiting the original Akatsuki members."
"I'll continue executing the original plan under Akatsuki's name."
"If Konoha provides covert support, it'll be even more flawless!"
"We can coordinate our efforts to accelerate Konoha's..."
"Oh, right!" Madara suddenly turned to Kaito. "You should create a fake identity within Akatsuki as well."
"I'll help you earn the members' trust so you can contract them and turn them into our people!"
"That way, we'll have even more powerful subordinates in the future."
"What do you think?"
"Oh?"
Kaito's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "I expected no less from you, Uchiha Madara! This opens up so many possibilities!"
"Great, I approve of this plan!"
"Once we've captured Black Zetsu, I'll send a shadow clone to assist you in forming Akatsuki."
"As for Konoha's cooperation, that's not an issue at all!"
"Izuna-senpai can oversee Konoha's part of the plan and coordinate with you. How does that sound?"
He then glanced at Uchiha Izuna.
"Agreed."
Madara and Izuna exchanged a look. Although Madara couldn't physically see, he could sense Izuna's presence. Both nodded in agreement.
"Haha! This works out nicely!" Hashirama laughed cheerfully.
At that moment, Tobirama turned to Kaito again and asked, "Fourth, do you have a plan for dealing with the Ōtsutsuki clan?"
"Should we consider capturing Ōtsutsuki Isshiki along with his Divine Tree sapling for research?"
"Leaving him in the shadows, recovering and scheming, is definitely a bad idea."
"Also, will Ōtsutsuki Momoshiki, Ōtsutsuki Kinshiki, and Ōtsutsuki Urashiki show up sooner or later?"
Clearly, he disliked passive defense and preferred to be proactive in countering threats—even launching preemptive strikes. Moreover, he was deeply curious about the Ōtsutsuki clan and the Divine Tree, eager to study them.
"Heh, I agree with Second Hokage. Leaving Ōtsutsuki Isshiki and his Divine Tree out there is too risky. We should snatch them up while we can!" Orochimaru licked his lips, looking eager.
"Agreed!" Vegapunk also nodded with a smile.
Kaito looked at the three of them, speechless. "Are you all really worried about the danger they pose? Or do you just want to study them?"
"No need to be shy. Just admit it, I understand."
"Hahaha!"
Orochimaru and the others chuckled in response.
Tobirama crossed his arms and looked at Kaito. "Are you tempted or not?"
He knew very well that Kaito was just as much of a research fanatic as they were. Kaito never skipped a day in the research department, always sending a shadow clone to help. His research capabilities had even surpassed Tobirama's, making him an undeniable expert.
With live Ōtsutsuki subjects and a Divine Tree at hand, Tobirama doubted Kaito could resist.
"Of course, I'm tempted!" Kaito admitted with a grin. "Alright, it's settled!"
"First, we'll help Madara reclaim his Rinnegan, capture Black Zetsu, and establish the Akatsuki. Then, we'll move on to capturing Ōtsutsuki Isshiki and his Divine Tree!"
"I've already narrowed down his hiding place half a year ago. He won't be able to escape."
Back then, he hadn't acted because he wasn't confident in his ability to capture Isshiki completely. Not that he feared defeating a half-dead Ōtsutsuki, but rather, ensuring that Isshiki couldn't flee.
That was an entirely different challenge.
Now, however, with his time-based Dojutsu and his current level of power, he was absolutely certain he could capture him.
"Alright!" Tobirama and the others grinned and nodded.
"Heh!" Uchiha Izuna clicked his tongue. "You researchers are crazy. To you, even the Ōtsutsuki are just test subjects. I can't even imagine what you'll do in the future. At this rate, everything will be a specimen to you."
A chill ran down his spine.
"Kaito, be careful. Even if you're conducting research, you must have limits and boundaries." Uchiha Naori warned, looking worriedly at her son.
She didn't want him to become a mad scientist.
"Tobirama, you too!" Hashirama turned a serious gaze toward his brother.
"And you, Orochimaru!" Tsunade frowned at him. "Watch yourself. I don't want to be the one who has to put you down in the future."
Orochimaru instinctively shrank back, giving Tsunade an awkward smile. "That day will never come!"
Truthfully, he was a bit afraid of her punches. This woman was absurdly violent.
As for fighting back? He wouldn't dare.
Tobirama, facing his brother's stern expression, remained composed. "Relax, big brother! You should know by now that I always have a sense of proportion."
Hashirama rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right! I trust you in every other area, but when it comes to research, you have zero restraint."
"Otherwise, how do you explain all those Forbidden Jutsu you created?"
"This is the one thing I can't trust you on!"
Tobirama sighed, clearly frustrated, but faced with his brother's unwavering gaze, he eventually conceded. "Fine! I promise I'll be careful!"
"Besides, we have the Fourth Hokage watching over everything! It's not like we'll go off the rails."
"Exactly!" Kaito nodded. "You can rest assured, I'll make sure the research stays ethical. I won't let them run wild, and I'll monitor their mental states as well."
"Alright." Hashirama finally nodded in approval. "Then I'll leave it to you, Fourth."
With that, he turned to Madara. "Madara, try to sense where your eyes are."
"Let's get your Rinnegan back and capture Black Zetsu first."
After all, Hashirama was eager to take Madara on a trip to the Pirate world.
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