The Kamui dimension.
A desolate small world filled only with stone platforms of various sizes.
This was Orochimaru's first time coming here. Not only was he not afraid, he even curiously surveyed his surroundings. Anyone who didn't know better would think he had come here on a sightseeing trip.
"Is this the foundation that allows you to survive?"
"Not bad, not bad!"
To be honest, Orochimaru was extremely envious of Obito. If he had a space like this, he would no longer need to worry about suffering heavy losses while fleeing, nor would he have to worry about being disturbed while conducting experiments.
If only he could seize it for himself...
A flash of greed passed through his mind, but Orochimaru's expression remained unchanged as he looked at Obito. "You brought me here, so you must have something to say. Go on."
Obito examined Orochimaru. Not knowing what the other was thinking, he simply stared.
Orochimaru stood there calmly, enduring the scrutiny.
After quite a long while, Obito finally spoke.
"I can provide you with the main materials for cultivating Hashirama's cells. Now, tell me—what materials do you actually need next?"
Orochimaru smiled.
He had expected this.
To Orochimaru, the true identity of the masked man 'Tobi' was completely irrelevant. What mattered was that this man needed something from him.
Akatsuki had invested half a year into this operation, expending vast resources and funds. Backing out now would mean all their efforts would be wasted. They were already in too deep to quit.
"I don't know the exact nature of the Three-Tails' chakra, but I do know how to obtain it and how to rapidly increase its volume. However, this chakra is rootless—it needs a vessel, a shell."
"The Hashirama cells are merely a backup for me. What I truly want is the flesh and blood of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path."
'The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path?'
Hearing that name, a killing intent surged in Obito's heart.
He didn't know what Orochimaru had discovered, but he could feel that Orochimaru was beginning to slip beyond his control. He knew far too much.
"Actually, before I left Akatsuki back then, I already had doubts about the origin of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. It was precisely because I wanted to make a move on it that Pain drove me away."
Taking advantage of the fact that Obito didn't know the truth of those events, Orochimaru fabricated the story without hesitation.
At the time, only Pain and Orochimaru had been present. Obito wouldn't go verify it with Pain, so he could only take Orochimaru's words as truth.
"Tell me your speculation," Obito said.
Orochimaru smiled brightly, like a greedy snake watching its prey fall into the trap.
"Judging from your actions and the information I obtained in Konoha, you're targeting the tailed beasts, right?"
Obito remained expressionless. "Continue."
"There are nine tailed beasts. I don't know their origins, nor do I care to. But I surmise that the Akatsuki must have a container capable of holding all nine—and that container is none other than the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path."
As he said this, Orochimaru felt an indescribable thrill.
After all, Obito didn't know that this information had come from Kamizuki Hikari. He could pass it off as his own discovery and use it to pressure Obito.
Obito was shocked for a moment, then quickly regained his composure.
"You're right. The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path is the container for collecting the tailed beasts. Pain's idea is to seal all nine tailed beasts into it, then control the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and bring true peace to the shinobi world."
Obito didn't believe this explanation. Neither did Orochimaru.
The two of them each had their own ambitions, but at this moment, their goals showed signs of overlapping.
"Peace for the shinobi world, huh?"
"That does sound like something Pain would do."
Pain called himself a god, and Konan an angel. Orochimaru had always kept his distance from such titles. In his view, people like that were mentally immature and not worth paying attention to.
"I need a small sample of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path's cells for cultivation, to see what makes it special. If I succeed, I can create a temporary vessel capable of absorbing tailed beast chakra. As long as it absorbs a portion, I can use the technology to continuously amplify it. Even if the original tailed beast dies, this replica can be awakened and become a true tailed beast."
"The question is whether Pain will agree to my idea. I was still agonizing over that when you showed up, Tobi. Now, things should be much simpler!"
'Simpler, my ass!'
Obito didn't trust Orochimaru in the slightest.
But he had no choice. In the entire shinobi world, no one else possessed Orochimaru's extraordinary talent for research. Even his capable assistant, Kabuto, fell far short in comparison.
If Orochimaru was a pioneer, Kabuto was merely an inheritor—the difference between them was night and day.
So no matter how much Obito disliked Orochimaru, he still had to use him.
"I will find a way regarding this matter. Before I succeed, you are not to make a move. Otherwise, if Pain gets angry and strips the Three-Tails' chakra from you, I won't be able to help."
Fearing that Orochimaru would slip out of control, Obito issued a warning.
As his future trump card, the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path was now linked to Nagato. Anyone targeting it would have to face Nagato directly.
"Of course. I have no interest in overly dangerous endeavors!" Orochimaru replied, pushing up on his nose bridge with a finger—if he wore glasses, he would have looked every bit the villain.
"Then return for now."
As soon as Obito finished speaking, a vortex appeared beside Orochimaru and immediately transferred him out of the Kamui dimension.
After Orochimaru disappeared, a black figure crawled up from behind Obito. Staring at the spot where Orochimaru had vanished, it let out a sinister chuckle.
"Madara, are you really going to do as that man says?"
Black Zetsu felt uneasy. For the first time, he sensed a threat from Orochimaru.
It was because of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
The shell of the Ten-Tails had its true nature discovered by some insignificant human.
He was worried. Worried that in the future, Obito wouldn't be able to control Orochimaru.
"I'm thinking about that as well," Obito replied.
He didn't turn around. His lonely right eye stared straight into the void ahead, its thoughts unreadable.
"Orochimaru's research abilities are stronger than I anticipated. He seems obedient for now, but I suspect he has his own little schemes. The question is what he plans to do."
Now Obito felt like he was riding a snake he couldn't dismount.
He had originally intended to use Orochimaru. Now he realized that Orochimaru was becoming increasingly difficult to control, which filled him with unease.
"If that's the case, why not just kill him?" Black Zetsu suggested.
Although Black Zetsu coveted Orochimaru's research ability, he didn't want to nurture a snake he couldn't control.
He had plenty of time to help Kaguya's revival. Even if this generation failed, he still had a long future to plan and prepare.
As long as Kamizuki Hikari died, he could use the Rinnegan to revive Uchiha Madara, letting Madara forcibly collect all nine tailed beasts with his own power. At that point, no one would be able to stop his plan.