After Sailing with the Pirate King, I Returned to Konoha - 202

Chapter 202: Gaara Who Has Been Cursed

"Summoning Technique: Demonic Statue of the Outer Path!"

In the spacious cave, a White Zetsu clone possessing Rinnegan brought its hands together, then suddenly struck the ground. The next moment, the Rinnegan began extracting chakra from its body.

Soon, that clone became withered and dried up. But even after this White Zetsu clone was drained into a husk, the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path showed no signs of being summoned.

"Still no good."

Black Zetsu walked forward, removed the Rinnegan from the withered body's eye sockets, and handed them to Obito.

"White Zetsu clones lack the potential to use the Rinnegan's ocular powers and don't have massive chakra reserves to support it."

When Black Zetsu said this, his gaze seemed to penetrate Obito's mask, seeing the face below. His meaning was very clear. Now it seemed these two Rinnegan could only be used by Obito himself.

"Damn it—"

Obito took the Rinnegan but didn't immediately transplant them. Nagato was dead. Uchiha Madara's plan could be considered a staged failure. If they wanted to continue, they'd need at least one host capable of using the Rinnegan.

Currently, among the Uzumaki clan with such potential, there seemed only to be Naruto and that brat called Karin. To target her meant directly facing Naruto Uzumaki.

Just thinking about his teacher's son gave Obito a massive headache.

Truly worthy of being your child, sensei.

That power capable of breaking through space and affecting Kamui's intangibility—Obito recalled that day's brief contact, knowing they currently had no way to ignore the opponent's attacks.

Previously, Naruto's fingers were severed by space's self-repair force. Obito's internal organs fared no better. That feeling of organ loss—he didn't want to experience it again.

He'd even consumed one stockpiled Sharingan, activating the Uchiha clan's secret jutsu "Izanagi" to rewrite that unfavorable reality. Otherwise, forget experimenting with White Zetsu—in that condition, even standing was difficult.

Looking at the Rinnegan stored in the transparent container, Obito frowned but still had no intention of directly transplanting them. Even if he transplanted the Rinnegan now, he couldn't use their inherent powers. Conversely, he'd have to sacrifice chakra to supply the Rinnegan, making his combat ability decrease rather than increase.

If the Demonic Statue had already sealed several tailed beasts, the situation would be different.

Obito clenched the container, thinking resentfully. If the Demonic Statue contained tailed beast chakra—even just one tailed beast—then the Rinnegan could extract that power to support him, at least not requiring Obito to subsidize.

Black Zetsu also witnessed this tangled scene. He'd prepared himself—if Obito showed any intention of abandoning the plan, he'd strike without hesitation.

Obito knew too much. Black Zetsu couldn't risk it. He'd rather wait another century or two, let this generation die out, and restart the plan. After waiting over a thousand years, what difference did a bit more time make?

"How are Sasori and Deidara doing?"

Obito suddenly spoke, making Black Zetsu abandon his plans for silencing.

"Already sent White Zetsu clones to notify them."

Currently, Obito and Black Zetsu didn't yet know that the One-Tail Shukaku they wanted had been intercepted by Orochimaru.

"Have them bring the One-Tail Jinchūriki here as quickly as possible."

"What if they refuse to obey your orders?"

Black Zetsu's words weren't without basis. After all, when Deidara and Sasori joined Akatsuki, they only recognized "Pain" as leader. With Obito, this "Uchiha Madara," who'd barely shown his face, it was hard to guarantee they wouldn't harbor different intentions.

"Then dispose of them."

Obito's words were decisive. If he couldn't handle Naruto Uzumaki, could he not handle these two?

"No need to worry about Itachi Uchiha. He has his own purposes. As long as Akatsuki doesn't disband, he won't expose himself."

Hearing this, Black Zetsu nodded. Compared to the artistic duo who were completely in the dark, Uchiha Itachi was easier to control. To say nothing of Kisame staying by his side for constant surveillance.

Recruiting Shinnō was a failure. Hopefully Uchiha Itachi will have better luck.

Obito murmured. Currently, Akatsuki was critically understaffed. Excluding Zetsu, who had limited combat ability, and the artistic duo whose loyalty remained questionable, even adding Hiruko—whose recruitment was still uncertain—there were only four members total.

"How about having Yagura leave Kirigakure?"

Black Zetsu suddenly suggested. This reminded Obito. Fourth Mizukage Yagura was already under their control. If Obito gave the order, he'd follow them without hesitation. This way, at least one tailed beast's power was guaranteed.

"Fine, let's depart now."

Unlike usual "custody" behavior, this special action required Obito to personally order Yagura face-to-face. To avoid complications, Obito decided to leave for Kirigakure immediately.

On the other side, in the Land of Fields, Otogakure's underground base.

Gaara, chakra already sealed, fell straight onto the cell floor, letting out a muffled groan. He barely raised his head, looking at Orochimaru outside the cell, saying nothing—seemingly only wanting to burn this person's face into his memory.

Deidara and Sasori had ultimately underestimated Orochimaru. They should have considered—without solid escape skills, how could Orochimaru survive being hunted throughout the ninja world?

Using just a few diversions, Orochimaru led the pursuing artistic duo and Granny Chiyo toward other locations. Meanwhile, he leisurely brought the One-Tail Jinchūriki in circles before returning to Otogakure.

"Hehehe—no need to look at me like that, Gaara-kun."

Orochimaru's low, raspy voice echoed in the cell, like cold scales scraping across skin.

"What do you want?"

Even in this situation of being at another's mercy, Gaara showed no despair. Perhaps because from childhood his father wanted to kill him. Or perhaps simply numb to such malice.

"Don't worry—you're my important bargaining chip. I won't kill you."

Orochimaru licked his lips with his long tongue, then suddenly extended his neck, exposing sharp fangs.

"But before that, I need to conduct some small experiments on you."

As venomous fangs pierced his neck, Gaara clearly felt a completely different power being injected into his body. The stopper on his gourd automatically opened. Sand inside moved autonomously without a controller.

That sand transformed into sharp needles, stabbing toward Orochimaru, who was planting the curse mark. Unfortunately, such attacks meant nothing to Orochimaru.

"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

Just a casual wave, and countless snakes voluntarily blocked the sand needle attacks. Soon, the curse mark planting was complete. Then the scroll binding Gaara was retracted.

Gaara immediately tried launching sand ninjutsu attacks, but the Cursed Seal of Heaven on his neck suddenly heated up. A will began interfering with Gaara, making the sand uncontrollably fall back to the ground.

Seeing Gaara still able to move, Orochimaru's face showed a researcher's smile.

"Looks like I still can't completely control you—but no matter, we have plenty of time."