Naruto: Starting with Snatching the Mangekyō Sharingan

"As long as we can clone Uchiha Madara's eyes. Opening the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan will no longer be an issue," Black Zetsu explained.

Hikaru's expression turned contemplative. "Why not use his brother's eyes? Do you think Uchiha Madara is unique?"

"Madara is the only one who has awakened the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. Perhaps he truly is special. Using the eyes of someone who successfully opened theirs is far better than relying on someone unproven," Black Zetsu replied.

"Fair enough. Let's proceed with this plan." Hikaru nodded with satisfaction.

As for how to clone Uchiha Madara, Hikaru had no interest in the details. That was Black Zetsu's problem to solve. Her only role was to wait, transplant the eyes, and awaken the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.

With Uchiha Akira as an unprecedented threat, the Akatsuki would undoubtedly do their utmost to secure her cooperation.

In the dark cave, spectral blue chains spewed from the mouth of the Gedo Statue, ensnaring the Five-Tails Kokuō and the shattered body of the Four-Tails.

With the clinking sound of chains, the Gedo Statue pulled the two beasts closer, swallowing them whole.

Moments later, bloodshot eyes abruptly opened on the statue's head. Five enormous, blood-filled eyes now adorned its massive skull, their black pupils swiveling as if scrutinizing the world around them.

Having absorbed the chakra of five tailed beasts, the Gedo Statue emanated an even more terrifying aura. The chakra within it surged like a vast, boundless ocean.

Gazing at the statue, Hikaru couldn't help but remark, "This thing is truly extraordinary."

"Of course it is," Black Zetsu replied meaningfully. "This is a weapon capable of ending the world. Even the Sage of Six Paths expended immense time and effort to seal it away."

Watching the gradual reawakening of the Gedo Statue, Black Zetsu felt immense satisfaction.

With the chakra of the Two-Tails, Four-Tails, Five-Tails, Six-Tails, and Eight-Tails already recovered, the statue was now tantalizingly close to revival. Only the One-Tail, the deceased Three-Tails, the Seven-Tails, and the mighty Nine-Tails remained.

"We need to accelerate the collection of the tailed beasts," Nagato said gravely. "Uchiha Akira knows our true objective. He won't just stand by and let us capture them. He's already tried to take the Gedo Statue from us once."

"Capturing the One-Tail and the Seven-Tails shouldn't be too difficult. The Three-Tails hasn't even revived yet, so there's no rush. But the Nine-Tails—that will be the hardest," Black Zetsu said darkly.

Nagato shook his head. "Even if the One-Tail and the Seven-Tails aren't hard to capture, we should secure them as soon as possible. I can't shake the feeling that Akira won't let us act unimpeded."

"Then why don't we move now?" Hikaru suggested with a shrug, her tone casual and unconcerned.

After her recent recovery, she was back in fighting shape. Transplanting Hashirama's cells had significantly boosted her regenerative abilities.

"It's too late," Black Zetsu interrupted, shaking his head. "Our plans have already been leaked to Konoha. The entire shinobi world now knows we're after the tailed beasts. Sunagakure and Takigakure have already hidden their jinchūriki."

"Didn't the White Zetsu clones infiltrating their villages find where they've been hidden?" Nagato asked.

"They couldn't," Black Zetsu admitted. "The jinchūriki are being guarded by their villages' core personnel. It's almost impossible for White Zetsu to replace them. Locating the jinchūriki will take time."

"What a shame," Nagato said regretfully. "I had hoped to capture the One-Tail and Seven-Tails in a swift strike."

"Then we'll just have to wait until White Zetsu finds them," Hikaru said nonchalantly.

Historically, the villages had always heavily guarded their jinchūriki, with only a handful of people knowing their true identities. Of course, this didn't apply to famous jinchūriki, but for those still maturing, secrecy was paramount.

For White Zetsu, discovering their identities was usually straightforward. Even if they were hidden now, patience and effort would yield results.

As Black Zetsu had said, Konoha's victory over Kumogakure and Iwagakure—and Akatsuki's exposure—had spread across the shinobi world within hours. All major villages and intelligence networks were abuzz with the news.

Sunagakure and Takigakure immediately took action, concealing their jinchūriki with the utmost secrecy.

In Sunagakure, Rasa wasted no time ordering his trusted aides to hide his son, Gaara, in a secret location.

Reading through the battlefield reports, Rasa couldn't stop the cold sweat pouring down his face.

Complete-body Susanoo, Wood Human Technique... These were powers far beyond anything he had anticipated. Rasa felt parched just reading about them.

"Good thing I didn't act on impulse and deploy my forces. Otherwise, this would've been a funeral procession," Rasa muttered, relieved by his earlier restraint.

Initially, Rasa had considered seizing the opportunity to act when Konoha seemed on the verge of collapse.

But then Uchiha Akira appeared, a figure whose strength rivaled the legendary Madara. In a few moves, he reversed the tides, crushing Kumogakure and even defeating Nagato—who wielded the Rinnegan and Wood Human Technique.

Even Iwagakure's mysterious Uchiha, capable of complete-body Susanoo, fell to Akira.

The battle had turned into Akira's personal stage.

"Thank goodness I held back. Any action would've spelled disaster," Rasa sighed deeply, feeling fortunate.

"If not for Akira, no one would be able to check Akatsuki's ambitions," he murmured.

Rasa feared Akatsuki more than Konoha. The organization was too dangerous, too powerful.

Their defeat wasn't due to weakness but because Akira was monstrously strong.

Judging by the intel, Akatsuki's top-tier strength rivaled that of Konoha's founders during the village's inception.

But Akira's space-time jutsu was simply too overwhelming, leading to their downfall.

"Konoha's next Hokage will likely be Uchiha Akira... The future looks grim. We'll be stuck surviving between Konoha and Akatsuki," Rasa muttered, sighing in resignation.

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