Orochimaru immediately called a meeting. Everyone was present—except Sasuke.
Kabuto recounted his encounter.
THUD!
Jiraiya slammed the table and shot to his feet.
"Jiraiya," Orochimaru's voice was calm, measured. "I understand. I am dealing with the fallout."
Jiraiya's left fist, clenched so tight the wrappings threatened to split, slowly relaxed. He sat back down.
Orochimaru was usually good at lightening the mood, but now was not the time for jokes. He wasted no words.
Fortunately, everyone present was fully briefed. No need for lengthy explanations.
"The simplest motive for Black Zetsu kidnapping Naruto is to seal the Nine-Tails and revive the Ten-Tails."
"But as the final seal, Naruto's life is, at the very least, safe until then."
The words registered. Jiraiya forced a measure of calm.
"You said that's the simplest motive. Meaning there's a more complex one."
Orochimaru nodded. "Black Zetsu is Kaguya's will, yet he poses as Madara's. He hides his true power, even from his allies. He doesn't hunt the Tailed Beasts personally. With his skills, he's had countless opportunities to take Naruto over the years. He chooses now. His scheme is likely… intricate."
Itachi spoke quietly. "To analyze motive, start with desire."
"Precisely," Orochimaru said. "Black Zetsu's desire is to resurrect his mother, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki. Resurrecting Kaguya isn't as simple as reviving the Ten-Tails. It requires a specific genjutsu—the Infinite Tsukuyomi—to be successfully cast."
"And the Infinite Tsukuyomi inevitably involves the true master of Nagato's Rinnegan… Uchiha Madara."
Jiraiya heard the name 'Nagato' again. It finally gave a visceral weight to Orochimaru's story of the 'previous life.'
"Nagato… He truly was the leader of the Akatsuki? The real Pain?"
"Putting it all together," Orochimaru continued, "I suspect Black Zetsu's motive for taking Naruto is linked to Madara."
"In the previous timeline, Black Zetsu admitted he deliberately led Kabuto to Madara's corpse, enabling his Edo Tensei resurrection."
"Meaning, Black Zetsu controls Madara's remains."
Kabuto's eyes widened. "Could it be… he plans to use Naruto to perform Edo Tensei on Madara himself?!"
"Patience, Kabuto," Orochimaru chided gently. "Rushing leads to mistakes."
"Black Zetsu knows we are aware of his greatest secret. We could expose him at any moment. If we did, what would happen to the Madara he's using?"
"Madara knows how to break free from Edo Tensei. Black Zetsu would never take that risk."
"A more plausible theory than using Naruto to resurrect Madara… is that Black Zetsu intends to groom Naruto. To mold him into someone capable of fulfilling Madara's role in casting the Infinite Tsukuyomi. After all… Naruto is the reincarnation of Asura."
"Based on current intelligence, this is as far as my deduction can go. Regardless of Black Zetsu's true motive, Naruto's life is safe for now. We must not panic. Our next step is a steady, calculated rescue."
Itachi observed, "You excluded Sasuke from this meeting. You don't intend for him to be involved."
"Correct," Orochimaru confirmed. "With Kabuto's right eye blinded, we've lost our means of instantaneous travel across the ninja world. However, no matter what happens, the Ten-Battle Project must proceed. Furthermore, Sasuke's involvement would not change the situation."
"It's better he remains focused, undistracted by news of Naruto."
Orochimaru's gaze shifted to Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya. Even if I told you to stay here and wait, you'd be climbing the walls. So, go. Investigate Naruto's whereabouts. But I can't let you go alone. Take Itachi, Kabuto, and Karin with you."
Kabuto bowed deeply. "Please, allow me to accompany you!"
Itachi gave a slight nod. "I am at your service."
Orochimaru looked at Karin. "Karin. You will miss observing Sasuke's sixth battle. Any objections?"
Karin pushed up her glasses. "Observing won't change the outcome. I'd rather do something tangible to help Sasuke."
"Good," Orochimaru said. "Now, one last minor issue to resolve, and we can move."
They proceeded to the clone research facility Itachi had seen before.
In the processing center, a finished product awaited—a cloned White Zetsu.
Orochimaru plucked one from its tank. With a swift motion, he severed its left hand and tossed it to Kabuto.
Kabuto caught it. Without ceremony, he grafted the new limb onto his stump.
Next, Orochimaru placed the fragments of bone Kabuto had retrieved on the floor. With a few deft strokes, he drew a sealing array. Two fingers formed a seal.
—Impure World Reincarnation!
"Gyaaaaah—!!"
The White Zetsu thrashed, its form dissolving into a swirl of dust and ash that coalesced into a new shape—Yamato.
"I… I remember… I was… Where is this… What… Orochimaru?! You…!!!"
Jiraiya stepped forward quickly. "Yamato! Don't ask. I'll explain everything."
Orochimaru turned, sleeve flicking. "Then, we move separately."
Jiraiya watched his old friend's retreating back, emotions swirling.
In a crisis, this was Orochimaru—calm, efficient, decisive. He considered the bigger picture and accounted for everyone's feelings. Forget ninja prowess; just this ability to handle affairs left Jiraiya feeling utterly inadequate.
"I never dreamed… Orochimaru could become someone so rational yet empathetic, so mindful of his comrades. If that future was real… this might be the thing that makes me happiest."
"Orochimaru… To see you like this in my lifetime… It's good."
Jiraiya called out, "Orochimaru! You're taking Sasuke to the next battle now, right? The so-called Sixth Battle?"
Orochimaru didn't break stride. "Without space-time travel, getting from Pale Moon Island to the outside world takes a solid month. The journey for the Sixth Battle begins now."
Jiraiya's voice was low. "And the opponent?"
Orochimaru paused slightly, glancing back with a faint, knowing smile. "Someone… you know well."
Jiraiya's hand slowly clenched.
Ah… The Hidden Rain Village. Pain. Nagato.
…
The ship cut through the mist. Estimated travel time: one month.
Sasuke sat meditating at the stern. Orochimaru manned the helm at the bow.
Sasuke's voice cut through the fog. "Why not use Kabuto this time?"
"Kabuto has other duties. I won't trouble him."
Sasuke kept his eyes on the dark water. "You're hiding something from me."
Orochimaru smiled. "What could I possibly hide?"
Sasuke's fingers dug into the fabric over his knees. "You have your reasons for arranging things this way. So, after the Sixth Battle… you will tell me. What. Happened. To. Naruto."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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