The Genie Lamp is a being of information itself, and its perspective is from the dimension of information.
Before knowing that White Zetsu spores could exist within, its probing gaze only reached the surface, at most checking if a person was an original human.
After all, the detector's function was a capability it discovered on its own, and it tried to be energy-efficient when using it.
"That's good then."
Hearing the Genie Lamp's affirmative answer, Orochimaru nodded.
If it couldn't tell if someone was possessed by a White Zetsu clone, then preparations had to be made for all information to be exposed. This mode of operation is quite troublesome and tiring.
But while it's good to be able to identify a host body with spores, the timing of doing so still needs to be considered.
As he was deep in thought, Kakashi, lying on the bed, finally couldn't help but ask,
"Orochimaru-sama, what happened? Or is there something wrong with me?"
From Kakashi's perspective, what happened tonight was indeed strange.
First, Orochimaru came with a Hokage order for him to undergo a body enhancement surgery. But just as he lay down and before the surgery started, Orochimaru's expression changed drastically, and he exuded an extremely strong killing intent. As a ninja, his instinct was to immediately escape.
However, such an action was clearly inappropriate in front of Orochimaru.
If the other party truly had murderous intent, what difference would escaping make? And if this killing intent was not directed at him, wouldn't his flustered escape make the situation very awkward?
Fortunately, Orochimaru's cold aura came and went abruptly. As Kakashi breathed a sigh of relief, he couldn't help but ask the question in his heart while watching Orochimaru frown in thought.
"It's nothing major."
Orochimaru squinted his eyes slightly, "I just discovered a White Zetsu clone."
"A White Zetsu clone?" Kakashi's heart skipped a beat, "They can actually appear here?"
Saying this, he looked at Orochimaru, clearly wanting him to deal with the other party.
"It already escaped."
Orochimaru shook his head and tightened his grip on the scalpel, "I will deal with this later. Let's continue with the surgery now."
White Zetsu clones have a very peculiar communication method, similar to the connection between Slug Sage clones and their own clones. Dealing with it now would be like trying to mend a broken fence after the sheep have escaped – it's too late.
The Third Hokage has already prepared for war and can handle an assault from the Akatsuki organization without issue. There's no need for him to remind them. Observing the situation is the best choice right now.
Although Orochimaru didn't want to escalate to a decisive battle with the Akatsuki organization, if Nagato insisted, he wouldn't be afraid of him.
Orochimaru licked his lips, "Tsk, it's time to win over an ally."
Relying solely on Konoha's strength to resist the pressure from the Akatsuki organization and other ninja villages would be too difficult.
But with the addition of another ninja village, it would be different.
"Land of Wind, Sunagakure Village."
While performing the transplant surgery on Kakashi, Orochimaru recalled information he had encountered a year ago.
This village, due to its long-standing financial problems, began cutting significant funds, to the point where the ninja training system was on the verge of breaking apart.
In terms of village strength, it was even worse than Kirigakure, which had experienced civil war and even division. It had already become the lowest among the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, had the greatest advantage in becoming the Hokage of Sunagakure Village, surpassing Pakura with his Scorch Release ability, because his magnetic release was 'Gold Dust', which could improve Sunagakure Village's financial deficit.
This reason made sense, but it sounded like a joke. Therefore, the prosperity and revitalization of Sunagakure Village became Rasa's obsession.
His wife and third child, Gaara, became sacrifices for this goal.
"A weapon of war, the One-Tails Jinchuriki. This can be utilized," Orochimaru's eyes flashed with a golden light.
...
In Amegakure, after White Zetsu reported the entire happenings in the Hokage's office, Obito's face showed surprise, his eyes flashing with red light.
"This Orochimaru guy is truly not to be underestimated..."
Even though he had overestimated Orochimaru's research abilities as much as possible, he still didn't expect him to reach this level.
He had seen the effects of the 'body enhancement surgery' on those samurai. If this ability were to spread to all ninjas, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Obito sneered, "Heh... Now Orochimaru's threat can no longer be ignored. Let's see what reason Nagato has to refuse."
At this moment, Zetsu glanced at him and said slowly, "You also need to realize this. It's time to strengthen your own power."
Obito heard the implied meaning in Zetsu's words and said coldly, "What do you mean by that?"
"Kakashi's Mangekyo Sharingan, you don't seem to have any intention of taking it back."
Zetsu said slowly, "His ability is to distort space and send things from the ninja world to another dimension. It's very likely the place you are in. Even for safety's sake, you cannot allow Kakashi to use it."
Hearing this news before was one thing, Mangekyo Sharingan's ocular techniques are very precious, almost depleting with each use. Unless one transplants First Hokage cells, there is no way to recover them.
Kakashi clearly doesn't have the qualifications to have First Hokage cells transplanted.
However, Orochimaru's research capabilities are truly formidable. It's hard to say if he will, in the future, like with White Zetsu, research a method to popularize First Hokage cells.
If that step is reached, it will be too dangerous.
What allows Obito to cause trouble all over the ninja world? Isn't it Kamui and that pocket dimension? If this is restricted, he would merely be an ordinary Kage-level powerful ninja.
In fact, due to not engaging in frontal combat for a long time, his actual combat power might not even be able to defeat the battle-hardened Kakashi.
Zetsu naturally did not want to see Obito in such a dangerous situation. Obito is an important part of the millennia-long 'Moon Eye' plan.
However, even after emphasizing Kakashi's predicament just now, the other party remained indifferent.
Obito said coldly, "My own affairs do not require your excessive talk."
"This is just a suggestion."
Zetsu's tone was full of temptation, "You haven't fully utilized the abilities of your Mangekyo Sharingan yet. If you can perform Susanoo, you will have a chance to fight even against Orochimaru again."
To use Susanoo with one eye is something only Shisui could do.
It's not a matter of whether the ocular power is more or less strong, but purely the characteristic of the Mangekyo Sharingan itself. Obito cannot do this.
"I don't need your suggestions."
Obito sneered at Zetsu, "This is not something to be done now. If Kakashi threatens my plan, I will deal with him myself."
After saying these words, Obito disappeared into the Uzumaki.
Zetsu watched Obito leave and let out a soft laugh, "Heh... indecisive fellow. Obito, in the end, is no match for Madara."
When faced with the same situation, that guy acted without hesitation and killed friends who stood in his way.
However, both Hashirama and Madara were powerful figures encountered only once in a thousand years. It's understandable that Obito couldn't compare.
...
In a large hall within the black spire, Obito relayed the news he heard from the White Zetsu clone.
When Pain heard that the body enhancement surgery was limitless and could be applied to almost all ninjas, his face also showed surprise.
The leader of the Akatsuki organization had the same thought as Obito, and the killing intent in his eyes grew heavier.
However, upon hearing the series of actions discussed by the Konoha higher-ups, he withdrew his aura.
Obito found it strange but still said, "Nagato, what are you still thinking about? Orochimaru's threat must be dealt with. If his surgery continues unchecked, the organization cannot compete with him."
A wooden body signifies not only fearlessness in carrying out missions but also obvious benefits during regular training.
White Zetsu clones don't have much to distinguish them; they have few desires, nor do they compete with each other, wasting this advantage. But humans are different. Their 'internal competition' and self-suppression are enough to make the most unscrupulous businessman feel ashamed.
It's conceivable that once this surgery is performed on a large scale, a large number of 'strivers' will emerge.
With the development to this point, it can be said that Nagato's plan to bankrupt various ninja villages by dumping ninja labor can be declared a failure – humans cannot compete with machines.
Obito didn't understand why Nagato was still hesitating. He should have flown to Konoha now. Not to completely eliminate Orochimaru, as that would be too difficult, but at least to use force to destroy his foundation.
Tendo Pain frowned and asked, "When you investigated the Konoha meeting intelligence with a White Zetsu clone, were you exposed?"
"Of course not. It's a special method. Even if Orochimaru studied Senjutsu, he wouldn't be able to discover it."
Obito stated definitively. He naturally didn't explain in detail to Nagato the methods White Zetsu used. Even he couldn't easily speak about such things. But on the other hand, he was very confident in this method.
"If that's the case, then the organization still has a chance."
Tendo Pain narrowed his eyes into slits and said in a deep voice, "Let's set a limit of fifteen days. We'll see if Yakushi Kabuto and those few can develop the 'body enhancement surgery'."
"If they can develop it, all the better. If not, I will announce this news to the ninja world. While the various ninja villages are hesitating, I will personally eliminate Konoha."
Fifteen days is not enough time to change the situation, even if thirty wood-style Jonin appear openly or in secret.
What Nagato truly feared was Orochimaru being uninhibited and performing three to five hundred surgeries.
If that were to happen, other ninja villages would have to reconsider whether to attack Konoha.
Even using the 'body enhancement surgery' as a bargaining chip, Konoha could trade with other ninja villages.
This would be troublesome.
Nagato also had concerns about not acting immediately.
Even if he went all out, he might not be able to keep Orochimaru.
This guy had too many life-saving techniques, and unlike Jiraiya-sensei, he didn't value Konoha. If the situation developed to a certain point, it was foreseeable that Orochimaru would abandon Konoha.
And with Orochimaru possessing the body enhancement surgery, other ninja villages would absolutely not refuse this opportunity to strengthen their ninja forces, which would eventually lead to the creation of another Konoha.
Having witnessed Konoha's fate, other ninja villages would definitely not give him another chance to act.
Whether he could destroy Konoha or not, he would then be attacked by all the ninja villages at any cost.
If you think about it from their perspective, no ninja village could accept someone who could arbitrarily destroy them and had the intention to do so.
The reason the Akatsuki organization could maintain superficial peace with the surrounding ninja villages was simply because he hadn't truly acted yet, and those people could pretend to be blind. If that veil were truly torn down, it would likely result in an endless war.
This was not the outcome Nagato desired.
In his vision, after truly revealing his strength, the various ninja villages should have bowed in submission, or even disbanded obediently.
Right now, fear was not enough.
Obito heard Nagato's thoughts and said sarcastically,
"If you are afraid of exposing your strength and provoking an attack, you can release the news now and let the ninja villages deal with Konoha."
"That is not advisable, it would be like beating a grass snake and startling it."
Tendo Pain looked at the masked man and said slowly, "These ninja villages do not have your intelligence gathering ability. Confirming the facts would take at least two to three days. During this time, it would be enough for Orochimaru to complete forty to fifty surgeries."
From the moment he learned the specifics of the 'body enhancement surgery,' Nagato knew that relying on other ninja villages to deal with Konoha was completely unreliable.
By the time the Four Great Shinobi Villages allied and decided how to deal with Konoha, a mighty army of immortal ninjas would have already been created.
If they were to truly break face, it would be a complete lightning strike, leaving Konoha and Orochimaru no chance to breathe.
But this option, no matter what, would lead to an unfavorable outcome. Therefore, Nagato wanted to take a gamble, a gamble that Yakushi Kabuto and the others could research the 'body enhancement surgery.'
Even if the fatality rate were slightly higher, both sides would be back on the same starting line.
For this reason, Nagato needed some time, and during this period, he even had to prevent news of Konoha's 'body enhancement surgery' from leaking.
Obito's voice was neither joyful nor sad, but mocking. "Your idea is truly eye-opening."
In Obito's view, Nagato's thinking was flawed.
But he didn't realize that the fundamental reason lay in the difference in their perceptions.
He viewed the Ten-Tails as a treasure to fulfill his wishes, and anything else seemed redundant. But Nagato did not see it that way.
The Gedo Statue and the Nine Tailed Beasts are merely weapons, and very dangerous ones at that. If not handled carefully, they could threaten oneself. Therefore, Nagato placed more hope on controllable forces.
However, due to the immense threat posed by Orochimaru, Nagato had to make a choice in another aspect.
He looked at Obito and said in a deep voice, "Besides the body enhancement surgery, the matter of collecting the Tailed Beasts must also be put on the agenda."
Before the possible decisive battle arrived, he wanted to improve his strength as much as possible. Ordinary methods would naturally not be effective, but the masked man had always emphasized – the Tailed Beasts would reduce the burden on the Gedo Statue, so it was worth trying.
Hearing Nagato say this, a sharp glint flashed in Obito's eyes. "This is the choice you should be making."
"The Gedo Statue absorbing the Tailed Beasts should be done gradually. I will bring you Shukaku, the One-Tail."
Visibly, Obito's enthusiasm immediately surged.
Tendo Pain inwardly sneered upon seeing the masked man's state, but outwardly said, "This matter will be entrusted to you."
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