Chapter 473: 438. Akatsuki’s Whereabout Part-2

Chapter 473: 438. Akatsuki’s Whereabout Part-2

In a dense forest in the Mountain's graveyard,

Whoosh... whoosh...

Anko and her team swiftly dash through the forest.

"Everyone!" Anko signals to them to stop.

Swoosh...

The group quickly stops and hides their presence in a thicket.

"Kabuto is somewhere around here. I can sense his presence. We have to be careful." She warns the rest of her teammates.

She turns towards Tokuma.

"Tokuma, use your Byakugan at two o'clock!"

"Yes, captain! Byakugan!"

Tokuma Hyuga activates his Byakugan and surveys the area, while Muta sends his insects to observe their surroundings.

"AH..."

Tokuma gasps at the sight of something.

"Tokuma, what's the matter?" Ranka inquires.

"Captain Mitarashi! This is..."

"What's the matter?"

"It's not just Kabuto! He is with a masked member of Akatsuki! The two of them are going through some kind of underground entrance."

"What?" Tokuma's words shock everyone.

"That masked figure... could it be Madara Uchiha?" Ranka and the rest tremble at the sighting of a masked figure.

"It's most probably him!" Sweat trickles down Tokuma's forehead as he confirms their suspicion.

"Does this mean we found their hideout?" Dango speculates.

"Quite possibly!" Anko nods with a grim expression.

"Did Kabuto purposely lure us here to show us Madara's hideout?" Anko contemplates.

"But why? If they have joined forces... then won't it mean Kabuto is betraying Madara?" Muta remarks.

"Hmm... that's what I am confused about. Madara aims to destroy the five great shinobi nations to create a so-called paradise, while other than his vengeance towards Konoha, what other motive could Kabuto possibly have?" Anko shakes her head.

"Captain, what should we do next?" Ranka inquires.

"Hmm... for now we should send a word to the headquarters immediately and continue to observe the movements of our enemies." Anko issues an order.

"Yes, captain!"

Muta takes out a jar from his pocket. There is a pair of small beetles inside the jar.

Muta takes out a small piece of paper and scribbles the location of their position on it. He ties the small paper around the beetle's back and releases it.

"They are already in!"

Tokuma, who is monitoring Kabuto, remarks.

"Let's get closer to get a better look." After some contemplation, Anko decides to take a gamble.

They have yet to figure out the military might of their enemies. It would be a huge intel if they could figure out the number of their enemies. Even though they have sent a message to the headquarter, it might be too late if Akatsuki decides to mobilize their army.

"Yes, Captain!" Ranka and the rest nod and carefully move toward Akatsuki's hideout.

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Inside the Akatsuki's hideout.

"Hmm... so?!"

"The modified Hashirama cells in my body are significantly stronger than the normal. The strengthening effect is far superior to normal Hashirama cells. If my estimation is correct, then the combat prowess of Zetsu will rise from chunnin to that of a jounin. However, that's just my speculation. It could be less; it could be more." Kabuto reveals a smile.

Tobi's and Zetsu's gaze trembles at Kabuto's words.

"Follow me!" Tobi remarks, signifying his silent agreement.

The trio walks deeper into the cavern and appears in front of a giant wooden gate.

Swish... swish... swish...

Tobi makes a series of hand signs and slams his palm on the door.

Rumble... rumble...

The giant door trembles and opens slightly to reveal a giant hall.

Kabuto walks into the hall. A giant, earthen-colored humanoid entity with a mummified appearance draws his attention. Numerous spiky protrusions jut out from the giant statue's back and there are a total of nine eyes on top of the statue's head. Currently, all the nine-eyes are closed.

"So, this is the Gedo statue, huh? The husk of the ten-tails!" Kabuto remarks as he curiously glances at the giant statue.

Tobi and Zetsu's expression flickers for a second but soon return to normal.

The Gedo statue is located on top of a giant dried flower bud with multiple pedicels.

"It's down here!"

Tobi walks downstairs, and Kabuto follows after him. The trio descends a series of stairs and reaches the giant lake located at the very base of the mountain.

"This is..."

Kabuto's eyes slightly widen as he gazes at a figure jutting out from the base of the giant tree.

"Yes, he's alive." Tobi nods at him and walks onto the top of the giant lake. Kabuto mimics his action.

"That's Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage. Well, he was merely cultivated from the living cells harvested from Senju during that battle. So, he is like a clone of the first Hokage. Though he doesn't have a conscious."

"Oh!" Kabuto curiously stares at Hashirama's figure.

"What you're interested in is down below." Tobi calmly states.

"Huh!" Kabuto is shocked and immediately lowers his head to gaze at the bottom of the lake.

"This is amazing. Since when?" Kabuto stares at an army of Zetsu numbering in thousands.

"This war is risky for us. I have to use a considerable amount of chakra from the tailed beast inside the Gedo statue to cultivate this army of Zetsu. I want to preserve this as much as possible. If, due to this, the revival of ten-tails is delayed, then it means our plans are delayed as well."

"Mm... how many are here?" Kabuto nods and asks Tobi.

"Around a hundred thousand!" He replies to Kabuto.

"So, can you do it? Strengthening all of them!"

Hmm...

Kabuto ponders for a while.

"Strengthening such a number without overtaxing the Gedo statue might be a bit difficult. However, I can at least strengthen half of them. Though it will take me around ten days to do so. Also, this should be sufficient time for the tailed beasts to recover their chakra."

"Very well! Do it!" Tobi gives his approval.

Kuku...

"Now, I can't wait to surprise the Five Great Shinobi Nations. Kuku..."

A peal of laughter echoes in the depth of the mountain.

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A/N:- My new Naruto fan-fic, 'The Rogue Demon of the Shinobi World' is out.

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