Chapter 273: The White Karma
While battles raged outside, a single White Zetsu infiltrated Iwagakure's underground laboratory.
This was under Obito's orders: taking advantage of the chaos to sabotage Iwagakure's legacies and seize or destroy their cloning research data. Clearly, Obito was deeply wary of cloning technology.
The underground lab was located deep within Iwagakure, its entrance hidden behind a massive boulder, surrounded by intricate seals and traps. However, these posed no challenge to White Zetsu. Using its unique abilities, it effortlessly phased through the rock and seals as if they weren't there.
Upon entering the lab, White Zetsu quickly surveyed its surroundings. The space was filled with complex instruments and experimental equipment. Scrolls detailing various jutsu and experiment logs hung on the walls, and the air was tinged with the faint scent of chemicals, mixed with an unidentifiable biological odor.
White Zetsu's mission was clear: locate secret experimental data, particularly those involving human experiments and forbidden techniques. Moving silently like a ghost, it navigated the labyrinth of laboratories and archives.
Pausing before a massive glass container, White Zetsu observed the creature suspended in a pale green liquid. The being resembled a human in shape, but its body was covered with strange markings. Frowning slightly, White Zetsu moved on.
Eventually, it reached a hidden chamber located in the deepest part of the lab. The entrance was covered in intricate seals, but they posed no obstacle. Inside, it found experimental logs, peculiar devices, and other equipment.
Picking up a log at random, White Zetsu scanned its contents, its frown deepening.
The logs were recent, likely left behind in haste when the lab personnel evacuated.
"White Karma? Ultimate Weapon? That strange creature earlier is Iwagakure's so-called ultimate weapon?"
Recalling the odd being it had seen earlier, White Zetsu's expression darkened.
It appeared to be a clone, but what kind of clone could be considered an ultimate weapon?
Before White Zetsu could piece things together, it heard faint footsteps approaching the hidden chamber's entrance. Quickly returning the scroll to its original place, it melded into the walls, vanishing without a trace.
Moments later, a group of Iwagakure shinobi cautiously entered the chamber. Dressed in dark gray uniforms, their eyes were filled with vigilance.
The leader, a middle-aged man with sharp eyes, motioned for his team to halt before stepping carefully into the room, scanning his surroundings.
"Strange. I was certain I felt a chakra disturbance here," he murmured, his gaze sweeping the room.
White Zetsu remained hidden within the walls, utterly motionless, blending seamlessly with the earth.
The leader examined the logs and equipment but found no signs of tampering. Though puzzled, he ultimately stored the logs and turned to leave.
"Sir, with the enemy attacking, should we really be retrieving these logs instead of providing reinforcements?" one of his subordinates asked hesitantly.
"Our mission is to safeguard the researchers. The village's future depends on them. As for dealing with the enemy... go and activate the creature in the stasis pod."
The subordinate paled at the command but complied, trembling.
"This is a direct order from Mr. Jigen," the leader added with a sigh.
"…Understood."
Watching the group leave, White Zetsu frowned inwardly and resumed collecting data while sending updates to Obito.
That clone… it seemed extraordinarily dangerous.
---
After successfully capturing two tailed beasts, Nagato was momentarily relieved—until he received an urgent message from Tamako.
"Leader, Uchiha Madara and Obito are in trouble. If we leave them alone, they might die. Can you send reinforcements?"
"???"
Nagato's first reaction was disbelief.
With Obito's survival abilities and Madara's strength, who could pose a threat to them?
But Tamako wouldn't joke about something like this, especially not in such dire circumstances.
Nagato instinctively glanced toward the distant battlefield, where he could faintly make out a blue Susano'o.
Then, to his shock, he saw the Susano'o being sent flying.
"..."
With a twitch of his eye, Nagato sighed. "The two tailed beasts are secure. We'll head there immediately."
"Leader, you don't need to go personally. Send Konan and Shinno. Be cautious yourself," Tamako advised.
Nagato frowned in confusion. "Why?"
As the strongest member of Akatsuki, it seemed illogical for him to stay behind while sending two weaker allies.
"Your opponent is from the Ōtsutsuki clan. With their knowledge of Rinnegan abilities, they likely have a strategy against you. Consider this: why would he focus on fighting Madara instead of protecting the Four-Tails and Five-Tails, despite the battle taking place so close to Iwagakure?"
The clash between Madara and Isshiki had been one-sided ever since the latter revealed his true power. Yet, Isshiki had not moved the battle closer to the tailed beasts, even though it would have allowed him to both fight and protect them.
"Leader, don't forget—besides keeping tailed beasts out of our hands, there's another way to stop us from reviving the Ten-Tails. Perhaps his true target isn't the tailed beasts but you. You should leave Iwagakure immediately."
Nagato's frown deepened, his Rinnegan swirling with faint unease.
It was already surprising that one Ōtsutsuki had appeared in Iwagakure, but just one opponent seemed manageable. What was there to fear?
Before he could speak, Tamako interjected, "The tailed beasts are secured. There's no need to risk everything against the Ōtsutsuki and Iwagakure. Konan and Shinno are better suited to cover your retreat."
Konan's fighting style made her ideal for creating diversions, while Shinno… was expendable.
"…Fine."
Reluctantly, Nagato agreed. While holding off Ōnoki's furious attacks, he instructed Konan and Shennong to assist Madara and Obito before retreating himself.
As Tamako had pointed out, there was no reason to risk a direct confrontation.
---
For the first time, Obito was being utterly overwhelmed.
Despite having Susano'o and Kamui, he couldn't completely fend off Isshiki's relentless attacks.
Even Kamui's offensive capabilities, once so devastating, proved useless against Isshiki's ability to manipulate space and resize objects at will. Kamui shuriken struck only air.
One by one, Obito's trump cards were neutralized. Shaken, he abandoned any lingering arrogance.
If not for Madara's support, he would have been killed long ago.
Yet even together, they couldn't find an opportunity to retreat—until the battlefield was suddenly engulfed in countless explosive tags.
(End of Chapter)