In the Land of Bears.
In a deserted forest.
Raiko was dragging Orochimaru underground, using Earth Release techniques to speed through the forest. As one of the three Great Sage Beasts of the ninja world, Raiko had an unparalleled mastery of Earth Release techniques. Even with Orochimaru in tow, she moved with incredible speed.
If she still possessed her original thousand-year-old snake body, she could escape a thousand miles in an instant, even eluding the Six Paths Sage.
Of course, if she still had her snake body, she wouldn't need to escape at all, as she could continuously draw natural energy from the earth.
However, given her current state, Raiko's speed, though fast, was insufficient against Shishou's Mayfly technique.
Before long, Shishou successfully intercepted Raiko and Orochimaru.
Glancing at Raiko beside Orochimaru, Shishou smirked and said, "Orochimaru, who is this Raiko? I've never heard of her in the ninja world."
Shishou had heard Raiko's name from Tsunade before but had not paid it much attention at the time.
Seeing Orochimaru show such respect and even deference to Raiko, Shishou had some suspicions.
Upon hearing Shishou's question, Raiko snorted and said angrily, "If you're going to fight, then fight. Enough with the chatter."
Shishou smiled calmly and said slowly, "I just didn't expect the White Snake Sage to still be alive."
Raiko was startled, her face changing drastically upon realizing that Shishou had recognized her identity.
This brat had ruthlessly killed her original body, and now that he knew she was still alive, he certainly wouldn't let her go.
With this realization, Raiko's heart sank.
Even Orochimaru was on high alert, staring at Shishou warily.
Seeing Raiko's reaction, Shishou's smile grew even brighter.
He had only been somewhat suspicious but had now confirmed the truth through her reaction.
Orochimaru stepped forward and said solemnly, "Raiko, I'll hold him off. You find a way to escape."
He had already given his transfer vessel to Raiko. If she could escape, Orochimaru could be resurrected through the transfer vessel even if he were killed.
As Orochimaru spoke, he placed his hand on the ground.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
With a bang, three coffins marked with the kanji for "oil" rose from the ground before Orochimaru.
Seeing this, Shishou raised an eyebrow, not surprised in the least. He would have found it strange if Orochimaru hadn't used the Reanimation Jutsu.
However, Orochimaru and Raiko's faces showed anger and frustration instead.
Seeing their expressions, Shishou curiously asked, "What's the matter? You two don't look too pleased."
Orochimaru's mouth twitched, momentarily at a loss for words.
Raiko, taking a few deep breaths, reluctantly explained, "We've been tricked by that Uchiha brat."
Over the years, Orochimaru had been grave-robbing to amass powerful reanimated warriors. He had even managed to retrieve the Fourth Hokage. But Raiko hadn't expected that Uchiha Obito had stolen all of Orochimaru's reanimated army, leaving only these three.
"Stolen?"
Shishou couldn't help but laugh at Orochimaru's predicament.
He found it amusing that Orochimaru had been outplayed by Uchiha Obito.
However, considering Obito's Kamui ability, Shishou understood. Without special sealing techniques and constant guard, hiding anything from Kamui was nearly impossible.
In the past, to hide the Gedo Statue, Konan had set up a massive sealing barrier with Miroku and Uzumaki Eri's help and had the Six Paths of Pain guarding it.
Taking a few deep breaths to calm himself, Orochimaru continued, "Raiko, you should go. I'll hold him off as best I can."
Shishou shook his head and said, "She left a while ago."
As he spoke, Raiko's body crumbled into pieces of stone.
Seeing this, Orochimaru's mouth twitched again. Although he had intended to stay behind, Raiko had fled too decisively.
Looking at Orochimaru's displeased expression, Shishou asked, "Why do you call her Raiko? Was that the White Snake Sage's old name?"
Orochimaru shook his head and replied, "That's her own choice. She said she no longer wants to be a snake."
Then, Orochimaru made a hand seal.
The lids of the three coffins before him fell to the ground.
The next moment, the reanimated bodies of Jiraiya, Fukasaku, and Shima stepped out of the coffins.
Seeing this, Shishou frowned slightly. So, Orochimaru had indeed killed Jiraiya. He would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
Meanwhile, in another location.
Amegakure, high tower.
Standing by the window, watching the villagers below, Konan turned and said coldly, "What do you want?"
Uchiha Obito emerged from the void not far away, demanding, "Give me the Gedo Statue and Madara's eyes."
Hearing this, Konan sneered and flew towards the sea outside Amegakure.
"If you want the Gedo Statue and the Rinnegan, come and take them."
Having awakened the power of Hashirama and the White Snake Sage, Konan now had no fear of Uchiha Obito.
To avoid involving the villagers of Amegakure, Konan chose to move the battle to the sea outside the village.
Seeing Konan's confidence, Obito's face under the mask turned grim.
He had initially planned to use the villagers or Nagato to threaten Konan, but from her actions, that was clearly not an option.
In the end, Obito had no choice but to follow Konan to the sea outside Amegakure.
With his trump cards, he was confident he could take back Madara's Rinnegan from Konan.
At the same time, in an underground room beneath Amegakure, the Deva Path of Pain stood up from its container and opened a sealing scroll.
Bang!
The scroll was activated, and a puff of white smoke revealed one of Shishou's clones before the Deva Path.
"Uchiha Obito has shown up," said the Deva Path before returning to its container.
The clone disappeared with a bang, relaying the information back to the original Shishou through the feedback mechanism of the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Meanwhile, information about Uchiha Obito's appearance in Amegakure was relayed by a fragment of the Great Slug Sage hidden within the village to Mikoto, Kushina, and others.
In an instant, everyone in Fire Source City, Shikkotsu Forest, and Ryuchi Cave prepared for battle.
Receiving a mask from Kushina, Rin Nohara solemnly put it on.
Whether her sensei and the others could kill Uchiha Obito in one strike depended on her performance.
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POWER STONE!!!!
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This fanfiction is complete on my P@treon. If you want to read it, you can find it at p@treon.com/Betek.
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