Naruto: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 223: Where Is My Akatsuki Organization?

Uchiha Obito had just returned from a trip to the Land of Lightning.

His purpose was to gather information on the whereabouts and activities of the Jinchuriki of the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails.

Unlike Konoha and other villages, which produced numerous S-rank ninja, the Hidden Cloud Village was known for having few rogue ninjas.

Over the years, the Akatsuki's roster of rogue ninjas did not include any from the Cloud.

Without an inside connection, the Akatsuki had limited knowledge of the Hidden Cloud Village.

Even with the exceptional infiltration and information-gathering abilities of White Zetsu, gaining core information in the highly militarized and tightly guarded Hidden Cloud Village was challenging.

The movements of the Jinchuriki were one of the core pieces of information.

Obito personally took action, not to capture the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails immediately.

After all, he was waiting for the five major ninja villages and Hagoromo Gengetsu to clash, allowing him and the Akatsuki to benefit from the chaos.

This trip was just a preliminary investigation to ensure the success of the future plan to capture the tailed beasts.

The operation went smoothly.

With his elusive time-space ninjutsu and White Zetsu's floating technique, Obito gathered detailed information on the habits and usual locations of the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails Jinchuriki without alerting anyone.

As he triumphantly returned to the Hidden Rain Village, ready to report the information to Pain and declare the nearing success of the Akatsuki's grand plan and their shared goal, he found the highest tower in the village empty.

Obito, initially unconcerned, casually asked, "Has Pain gone out again?"

"It would be best to ask the White Zetsu here," replied Black Zetsu, who had returned with Obito from the Land of Lightning.

Soon, a White Zetsu emerged from the ground, smiling, "Pain went out to capture the Six-Tails Jinchuriki."

"Is there news on the Six-Tails Jinchuriki already? Good," Obito nodded in satisfaction.

The more Pain worked hard, the closer Obito's Moon's Eye Plan came to success.

If Pain, or rather Nagato behind the scenes, survived until the end, Obito didn't mind allowing him to live in the world of Infinite Tsukuyomi, realizing a version of peace according to his vision. This was his form of mercy.

"But," White Zetsu suddenly scratched his head, his smile fading slightly.

Both Obito and Black Zetsu looked over.

"But what?" Black Zetsu asked.

Having lived for a thousand years, he disliked phrases like "but" as they implied variables.

As expected, White Zetsu shrugged, "The White Zetsu following Pain hasn't reported back in the last couple of days. It's unclear if they are slacking off or something unexpected happened."

"White Zetsu hasn't reported back?" Obito frowned.

This could mean that Pain had been out of contact for two or three days.

While White Zetsu had strong infiltration abilities, they weren't infallible, given the myriad of strange things in the ninja world. They would occasionally lose contact.

But this time, Pain was with them.

Obito doubted anyone could eliminate White Zetsu right under Pain's nose.

Unless someone defeated Pain?

Obito shook his head.

Impossible.

With the abilities of the Rinnegan, Pain was nearly unbeatable in the ninja world.

The only possible exception was Hagoromo...

Obito's expression darkened.

Hagoromo Gengetsu should be busy dealing with the pressure from the five great ninja villages and shouldn't have any conflict with the Akatsuki.

Moreover, when Obito met Hagoromo Gengetsu a year ago, there was no animosity towards the Akatsuki.

It couldn't be him.

Thinking this, Obito was about to relax.

No, something's wrong!

Suddenly, he realized something.

Pain's Rinnegan!

If anyone else sought the Rinnegan, they would be like a dumpling sent to a dog's mouth—no return.

But if Hagoromo Gengetsu sought it...

Obito clenched his fists.

Could it be that coincidental?

Obito was unaware that, with Black Zetsu's urging, Hagoromo Gengetsu had uncovered the truth behind the Moon's Eye Plan and had even taken an interest.

In Obito's understanding, the most he could imagine was an accidental encounter between Hagoromo Gengetsu and Pain, with the possibility of the Rinnegan being taken.

Now, Obito only hoped his speculation was wrong.

He anxiously instructed Black Zetsu, "Black Zetsu, contact Pain using the ring."

At this time, Obito, known as "Tobi," was not an official member of the Akatsuki and did not possess an Akatsuki ring.

As the Akatsuki's "Genbu," Black Zetsu, who had merged with White Zetsu, naturally had a ring.

Black Zetsu nodded.

He had guessed the same possibility Obito had thought of.

'Was it really Hagoromo Gengetsu? Is he that proactive?'

Black Zetsu pondered while infusing chakra into the ring, sending a thought wave.

If Pain wished, he could receive the thought wave and appear in a phantom form for communication.

But one second... five seconds... ten seconds...

A minute passed.

There was no response from Pain.

"Something happened!" Black Zetsu said gravely.

Obito was silent.

The Rinnegan was a crucial part of the plan.

If lost, the years of meticulous planning to create a world where Rin existed would be in vain.

He couldn't allow such a thing to happen!

Obito forced himself to calm down and quickly ordered, "Send another squad of White Zetsu to investigate the area where we lost contact! Leave no stone unturned!"

"Also, notify the other Akatsuki members to suspend all missions and rendezvous at Base A3."

"Understood!"

Knowing "Madara" was in a foul mood, White Zetsu responded promptly and quickly disappeared underground.

After giving these orders, Obito didn't wait idly; he swiftly headed to the secret base of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.

Black Zetsu, contemplating whether this change was beneficial or detrimental, followed Obito.

Soon.

In the secret base, Obito found the place where the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path should have been standing completely empty.

Obito was immediately at a loss.

The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path was gone.

No need for reports; his speculations were almost entirely correct!

And it wasn't over.

Some time later, when White Zetsu reported that all Akatsuki members could not be reached and were presumably missing, Obito's hands trembled violently.

He had only been away for a few days.

Where is my Rinnegan?

Where is my Demonic Statue of the Outer Path?

Where is my entire Akatsuki organization???

At the same time, Black Zetsu, hearing the news, looked at the dumbstruck Obito and stroked his chin, thinking:

"Is it too late to switch sides now?"