CH 453

Kimimaro asked with a sigh, “Fine, what do you want?”

Kuroto chuckled at the fact that Kimimaro finally gave in, and asked: “Information, I want information about the Kaguya Clan and the shinobi named Kaguya Takashi who has recently joined the Akatsuki Organization.” As said previously, Kuroto doesn’t really want information on Kaguya Takashi, but to provide a cover to his real objective, he must ask this.

Kimimaro frowned but understood that the question was reasonable. And given the fact that Akatsuki is an enemy of Orochimaru-sama too, so he complied and answered nonetheless. Although, the information he gave was not very useful as Kimimaro himself did not know very much about the Kaguya Clan or Kaguya Takashi, so all the information he gave was based on his fight against Kaguya Takashi from a few days ago.

Kuroto still paid a good amount of attention to Kimimaro, as there is a distinct possibility that Kimimaro as a member of the Kaguya Clan might know something that Kuroto or the Yondaime Mizukage are not aware of about the Kaguya Clan.

At the same time, a voice sounded in Kuroto’s mind, “Kuroto-sama, the Genjutsu is in perfect effect, am I allowed to kill him?”

‘Oh right? Did I mention that all of this discussion of mine was happening in a Genjutsu? If I didn’t then I guess now’s the time to tell.’ Thought Kuroto after he heard that voice, then he also focused his attention on the real world.

…

Real World

In the real world, Kimimaro is standing motionless with a dazed expression. Kimimaro has yet to realize that the moment he stepped inside Kuroto’s house, he has been under a Genjutsu.

Kuroto looked at Kimimaro, who is completely vulnerable at the moment, Kuroto nodded to himself, then looked at the person responsible for casting this Genjutsu on Kimimaro.

“I must say, the Genjutsu mastery of the three priestesses of Ryuchi Cave is indeed praiseworthy.” Said Kuroto with a bit of an impressed tone as he looked at the floating girl next to him.

“Ne-ne Kuroto-sama, should I make him suffer mentally, should I? should I? Once he suffers a lot, his Chakra will weaken and it will be on the verge of disappearance; and just before he dies, I can eat all of his Chakra, I love Chakra which is weak and is about to disappear.” Ichikishima hime asked in an excited tone as some of her snake characteristics appeared on her face and she licked her lips, greedy for eating Kimimaro’s chakra.

Kuroto immediately shook his head, “No, he has to be kept alive.”

Ichikishima hime seemed a bit dejected by Kuroto’s refusal, but she quickly regained her cheerfulness and started to float around Kimimaro, observing his unique features.

Since the Genjutsu used by Ichikishima hime is based on the use of Natural energy, therefore it can be classified as a Senjutsu therefore, breaking out of it is an extremely difficult task, not to mention breaking out, even realizing that one is subjected to a Genjutsu is an extremely difficult task unless they are experienced enough with Genjutsu.

Although not as strong as the Genjutsu used by the combined effort of the Two Great Sage Toads of Mount Myoboku; which is capable of trapping even the Rinnegan and Tenseigan bearers, it is still one of the strongest Genjutsu there is.

This is why Kuroto isn’t really worried about the possibility of Kimimaro realizing his current situation, or being able to break out of it.

At this time, Ichikishima hime who was floating around Kimimaro asked Kuroto with a curious tone, “Since he is not here to be fed to me, then why is he here, Kuroto-sama? What do want from this brat?”

Kuroto did not answer Ichikishima hime but took out a storage scroll and unsealed the contents inside it. The contents inside the Storage Scroll included several test tube injections, as well as other pieces of equipment necessary to collect cell samples.

“Since he is a prisoner of mine, so naturally he must pay some ransom to be released, don’t you think Ichikishima hime? I am not going to kill him as he is of use to me but I will take some of his cells to carry out tests and experiments.” Said Kuroto to Ichikishima hime then proceeded to collect Kimimaro’s cells samples.

Although Ichikishima hime didn’t really understand what experiments Kuroto-sama wants to conduct, it didn’t really matter to her. As long as she is fed Chakra, she doesn’t care what Kuroto does.

Normally, Ichikishima hime likes to eat decaying chakra, the chakra that is on the verge of disappearance, which is why she usually traps her victims in a Genjutsu world and then makes them collapse mentally. But for some reason that even she doesn’t understand she likes to eat Kuroto’s Chakra too, ‘Maybe it’s because his Chakra is yin dominant in nature.’ She can only think of this as the possible reason, as any other explanation doesn’t make much sense.

‘Oh well, it doesn’t really matter anyway.’ But she doesn’t really care too much about the exact reason either.

On the other side, Kuroto considered that there wouldn’t be many opportunities in the future, so he collected several times the normal and also made sure to take Kimimaro’s blood samples, bone samples as well as hair samples, and then sealed them all in a storage Scroll.

After Kuroto was done in the real world, he focused his attention back on the Genjutsu world that Kimimaro was trapped in.

…

Genjutsu World

By now, Kimimaro has also finished giving out all the information that he knew about the Kaguya Clan and the shinobi named Kaguya Takashi.

After Kimimaro was done, Kuroto in the Genjutsu world was silent for a while, then asked curiously, “By the way, is there anything unusual in your body?”

Kimimaro frowned, “What do you mean by ‘unusual’??”

Kuroto said, “In the sense that, have you been feeling any sudden weakness or unnatural paralyzing sensations in your body?”

Kimimaro narrowed his eyes, and asked, “How do you know?”

Kaguya Takashi has told him about the curse of the Kaguya Clan, but Kimimaro has yet to tell anyone about it, even Jugo gave his words to Kimimaro that he won’t talk about this to anyone, even to Orochimaru-sama unless Kimimaro instructs him to. Even before, Kimimaro did not mention anything about the curse of the Kaguya Clan, because he did not want to give out information about his weakness.

But the fact that Hyuga Kuroto knows about this has surprised him.

Kuroto did not answer Kimimaro’s question, instead, he asked a question in return, “What is Orochimaru-sama’s theory about the cause of your illness? And what treatment is he using?”

Kimimaro’s tone became heavier, “I have yet to inform Orochimaru-sama about it.”

Kuroto was stunned, then said, “It doesn’t matter whether you have told him or not, he must have noticed that something is unusual with your body, but maybe he lacks the right information to be able to properly understand what it is. I advise you to tell him everything you know about your illness immediately. If he understands the true cause of your illness early enough, maybe you will be able to survive.”

“You don’t need to worry about my business or my well-being.” Said Kimimaro in a cold tone, although his expression said that he was seriously considering Kuroto’s words.

The reason why Kuroto advised Kimimaro is not because of his kindness or worry for Kimimaro, but to better understand Shikotsumyaku, at the same time, he also wants Orochimaru’s research on this Kekkei Genkai and the results he obtains while trying to figure out a way about how to cure the curse of the Kaguya Clan.

Kuroto knows that the true potential of Shikotsumyaku is very-very high, and traces back to Kaguya’s use of All Killing Ash Bones, which is a Kekkei Mora Jutsu. All Killing Ash Bones are even superior to the Truth-Seeking Orbs when it comes to their potential. Just a single touch is enough to turn even the Six-Path level opponents into ashes. This is why Kuroto is very interested in it.

And seeing that Kimimaro has taken his words seriously Kuroto said nothing more, just released the seal on Kimimaro that was sealing his Chakra (still in the Genjutsu world) at the same time, the ground that was encasing Kimimaro also retracted backward under Kuroto’s command (still in Genjutsu World).

Kuroto then said, “Alright then, since I have obtained what I wanted you can go back now. Also, this is Konoha, so you better not run around like this time. The number of people in this village who are capable of killing you is more than several dozens. Once you are caught snooping around, even he won’t be able to save you.”

Kimimaro snorted and jumped towards the window, and just before he left, he looked at Kuroto coldly, and said, “This time I lost, but next time it won’t be so easy for you, Hyuga Kuroto, you are a traitor and I will definitely eliminate you.”

Kuroto just chuckled, “Is that so? in that case, I will wait.”

Kimimaro snorted and jumped out of the window and went back towards the guest house.

‘Poor kid doesn’t even realize that the entire time he was in my house, he was under a Genjutsu.’ Thought Kuroto then shook his head.

Kuroto knows that Kimimaro’s potential is extremely high, but neither does he have any understanding of Natural energy, nor any in-depth experience of Genjutsu so it was natural that in his normal state Kimimaro did not figure out that he is under a Genjutsu.

Of course, if Kimimaro had used Curse Seal, then he would have been able to sense that something is wrong and maybe be able to take countermeasures, but Kuroto of course did not allow Kimimaro to do so, as he wasn’t interested in fighting a child.

After Kimimaro was gone, Kuroto turned towards Ichikishima hime and said, “You can also go back, I will summon you if I need you.”

Ichikishima hime nodded, and just before disappearing in a poof of smoke, she did not forget to speak, “Don’t forget to prepare prey for me Kuroto-sama.”

Kuroto nodded, but not so seriously.

Now with Kuroto left alone in the house, he murmured, “Obito and Nagato probably won’t give me much time, so I need to speed up the Project Godhood.”

…

Inside a secret underground base of Akatsuki Organization.

A spiraling whirl appeared in the void, and Obito, without a mask walked out of it.

Zetsu and Tobi Senior came over and looked at Obito’s left eye and asked, “How does it feel? Do you have any method to turn this Sharingan into the Mangekyou Sharingan?”

Obito indifferently replied, “It’s already a Mangekyou Sharingan.”

Tobi Senior said in a surprised tone, “Already turned into a Mangekyou Sharingan? You really are worthy to have been selected by Madara-sama.”

Obito shook his head, “No, it was Mangekyou Sharingan, even before I took it back.” Having said that Obito’s face showed a trace of emotion and remembered the time when he witnessed Rin’s death, “Hatake Kakashi probably awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan at the same time as I did.”

Even Black Zetsu was surprised but he chose not to speak anything.

A shinobi who is neither an Uchiha nor a Senju or Uzumaki; and doesn’t have any close blood relationship with the descendants of Hagoromo actually managed to awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan? In Black Zetsu’s opinion, the talent of Hatake Kakashi is extremely high, one of the best talents to have ever been seen in the Shinobi World.

Obito doesn’t seem to want to talk too much about Hatake Kakashi, or the Mangekyou Sharingan, so he turned towards Zetsu and asked, “Forget about these things, let’s talk about what’s important, how is Nagato’s condition, has he adapted to the transplantation?”

White Zetsu said with a smile, “It went unexpectedly good. The Uzumaki Clan and the Senju Clan are really worthy of being close relatives. His body almost perfectly adapted to Hashirama Cells.”

Obito nodded, but also whispered to himself, “I will have to make sure that Nagato does not get out of hand.”

Obito is very clear, and perfectly understands that if Nagato is too strong it would be difficult to control him, at the same time, he is left with no other choice because if Nagato were to die, and if the Rinnegan were to be destroyed then the Project Tsuki no Me cannot be completed, so he was left with no choice but to transplant Hashirama Cells in Nagato.

But because the stronger Nagato will be extremely difficult to control, with Obito’s previous strength; this is one of the reasons why Obito took back his left eye as well as increased his direct control in the Akatsuki Organization.

Obito then turned towards Tobi Senior and asked, “How is the adaption of the person inside you?”

Tobi Senior crossed both of his arms, and said with an excited tone, “He was a perfect choice.”

Obito nodded, then said, “How much combat power do you think you have with him inside you?”

Tobi Senior thought a little, then said, “I think I will be able to suppress the five Kage quite easily.”

“Even Yagura?” Obito asked again, he knows that it is the case, but he just needs to be sure.

Tobi Senior nodded, “Hmm, after all, the one inside me has both the Sharingan and Wood Release.”

Zetsu said from the side, “It was a waste to let him stay with Shimura Danzo, taking him was the best thing, although, the fact that he didn’t have one arm was a bit of an issue, with Tobi wrapped over him; it wouldn’t be a problem.”

Obito nodded, “In that case, you can officially join the Akatsuki, and you replace me as the only Tobi.”

Zetsu asked, “Then what about you?”

“I will need a new mask, and I will be the one who I am, Uchiha Madara.” Said Obito with an indifferent tone.

“Alright.” Zetsu wasn’t much surprised and nodded. Before Madara died, he entrusted Obito to be Madara in his place, and Obito is Madara in his place.

Zetsu then said to Obito, “The investigation against Amatsukami has still not resulted in any useful information. Except for some rumors that have no conclusive evidence to back them up, there is nothing we can find about them, they appear out of nowhere and vanish into nowhere, it’s as if they don’t exist at all.”

“And what about the temple of the Land of Sky, that disappeared?” asked Obito.

Zetsu said, “It hasn’t been sighted, it’s possible that either it has been disposed of somewhere, or maybe it has been hidden too well that we are unable to find it.”

“Continue to investigate, we will find something useful sooner or later.” Said Obito as he walked towards a glass wall.

At a glance, the glass wall is made up of many glass containers, and a few of these glass containers seem to have something floating in them which looks like eyes.

Some of them were brought by Madara when he left Konoha; as the former Patriarch of the Uchiha Clan, Madara obviously had a lot of Sharingan of the dead Uchiha in his hands. So, when he left Konoha, Madara brought them with him.

Then many others have been collected by Zetsu Clones from the graves of the dead Uchiha, while some of them were stolen by Obito from the Root Base at the time when Shinichi defected.

Looking at the Sharingan in front of him, Obito had a thoughtful expression, after considering for a while he took off his Akatsuki robe, as well as his combat gear, then said to Zetsu beside him, “I need you to transplant a few Sharingan as a sacrifice for using Izanagi.”

Zetsu asked, “But you already have both of your eyes, where to transplant them?”

Obito said indifferently, “Anywhere in my body where they are not directly visible to me, I do not want to see these eyes.”

Zetsu said, “For the maximum effect, the eyes must be connected to the Optic Nerve, if it is transplanted in other parts of the body, then the effect may decrease, moreover, there is a distinct possibility of rejection.”

Obito did not care, and said lightly, “It doesn’t matter, we have more than enough Sharingan to try multiple times.”

Obito knows very well that what Zetsu has said is true, but to him, it does not matter. The effect ultimately depends on the control of the user. And for him, who has Hashirama Cells in his body, the effect will certainly be good. Besides, as long as he gets even a single second while using Izanagi, it is more than enough for him.

“Alright, lie down, I will transplant them.” Said Zetsu as he started with the work, but suddenly he remembered something and said again, “By the way, it seems that Nagato’s training is going quite smoothly, and he has been planning something recently.”

Obito quirked his eyebrow, and asked, “What’s he planning?”

Zetsu said, “I am not too sure, but he seems to want to make Konoha feel pain or something along the lines.”