Mastermind of the Akatsuki

After finalizing the plan to collect the Tailed Beasts, creating a weapon of war, and using absolute power to intimidate the Shinobi World, the high-level meeting in Amegakure came to an end.

Before the meeting, Yahiko never imagined the discussion would veer toward the Tailed Beasts.

The act of gathering the Tailed Beasts would undoubtedly offend the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Even if done in secret, there was always the risk of exposure. But some things are worth doing, even if they risk failure.

If reviving the Ten-Tails could truly bring decades of peace to the Shinobi World, what did it matter if he became a villain?

He, Konan, Nagato, and Byakuya were war orphans with nothing to their names except the dream of world peace.

Even if their actions ultimately failed, they would leave their mark on the history of the Shinobi World.

After the meeting concluded, Yahiko was about to return to his office in Amegakure to work when Byakuya stopped him. With a light chuckle, Byakuya said, "Yahiko, don't rush back to work. Let's take a look at the Gedo Statue first."

"What's there to see about the Gedo Statue?" Yahiko's twitched. There were still countless village matters awaiting his signature—he was extremely busy. But on second thought, he realized he had never truly examined the Gedo Statue, so he nodded in agreement.

With Yahiko convinced, Byakuya turned to Konan and Nagato, who both agreed without objection, eager to visit the Gedo Statue.

They, too, were curious about what gave the Gedo Statue the power to intimidate the Shinobi World.

The group moved quickly, arriving shortly after at a vast underground cavern outside Amegakure. The cavern was enormous, with a ceiling over a hundred meters high and an area spanning several football fields.

In the depths of the cavern, the group immediately spotted the central figure: the Gedo Statue.

The statue was grotesque, with nine eyes and a body resembling desiccated wood. Ten column-like protrusions jutted out from its back, making it look like a meditating demon god.

At first glance, Konan found the statue strangely familiar, as if it had been crafted using Wood Release techniques—something Byakuya happened to specialize in.

Having seen Byakuya use Wood Release before, Konan had memorized its distinctive traits.

"Byakuya, this Gedo Statue looks like it's made of wood. Is it related to Wood Release?"

Byakuya nodded and explained, "The Gedo Statue is indeed connected to Wood Release. In fact, it is the origin of Wood Release. Though it appears withered and damaged now, its vitality is astonishing. Heck, its destructive power surpasses that of most Tailed Beasts."

Hearing this, Konan swiftly moved closer to the statue. As she approached, she felt its overwhelming vitality, accompanied by an inexplicable sense of dread. It was as if her body and chakra were instinctively recoiling from the Gedo Statue.

Unable to stay near it for long, Konan returned to Byakuya's side, visibly shaken and asked with a trembling voice, "Byakuya, I believe this Gedo Statue is the shell of the Ten-Tails. Its oppressive presence is simply terrifying."

Nearby, Yahiko stroked his chin, deep in thought.

He, too, felt the suffocating pressure emanating from the Gedo Statue, which reinforced the feasibility of Byakuya's plan. But was the Gedo Statue truly reliable? Could the Akatsuki control such a force? And what would happen if the statue turned against them?

At that moment, Nagato, who had been silent, showed a surprised expression.

"Compared to a few years ago, the Gedo Statue seems much stronger now. I remember it being much weaker before. Byakuya, did you do something to enhance it?"

Byakuya nodded again and said, "You're correct, Nagato. Over the years, I've been working to restore the Gedo Statue. I tried having ninja infuse it with chakra and even relocating it to areas rich in chakra, but the results were unsatisfactory. Eventually, after researching its origins, I realized the Gedo Statue needs Tailed Beasts to regain its strength. So, I captured a Jinchūriki to provide it with chakra."

"You captured a Jinchūriki?"

Nagato quickly caught onto the key detail and, after a moment's thought, asked, "Was it during that mission to Yugakure, when we were hired by Jiraiya-sensei?"

"Exactly. After capturing the Two-Tails' Jinchūriki, I secretly kept her instead of handing her over to Konoha or Kumogakure. It was all in preparation for reviving the Ten-Tails."

Faced with Nagato's skepticism, Byakuya revealed everything without hesitation.

Konan, shocked, exclaimed, "That was three years ago! You were planning to revive the Ten-Tails as far back as three years ago? That's way too early."

Byakuya took a deep breath and replied with a hint of helplessness, "I've always been someone who plans three steps ahead. After securing Amegakure, I began thinking about how to bring more shinobi villages under Akatsuki's influence but due to Amegakure's inherent limitations, no matter how fast we develop, we lack the ability to challenge the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Only by possessing an overwhelming power can we make the Five Great Shinobi Villages truly listen to us."

Konan nodded, understanding the truth in Byakuya's words. If not for Byakuya's near-maniacal strategic thinking, Akatsuki would have perished under Hanzo and Danzo's combined assaults long ago.

After a long silence, Yahiko stood with his hands behind his back and asked, "What's the condition of the Two-Tails' Jinchūriki? I recall you mentioned in the meeting earlier that during the process of collecting the Tailed Beasts, you need to extract them from their Jinchūriki and seal them into the Gedo Statue."

Byakuya glanced toward the sealed chamber behind the Gedo Statue. After sensing the state of the sealing array within, he replied, "Her condition isn't great, but it's not terrible either..."

Yahiko sighed deeply. "Don't make her suffer too long. Once the timing is right, proceed with the sealing ceremony. For a Jinchūriki, being imprisoned like this is a torment in itself."

Both Konan and Nagato nodded in agreement.

In the Shinobi World, it was common knowledge that once a Tailed Beast was extracted from its Jinchūriki, the host would die due to the sudden loss of vast amounts of chakra and life force. Thus, the process of collecting the Tailed Beasts inevitably endangered the Jinchūriki's life.

Though Yahiko and the others were pragmatic ninja, they didn't want to see a Jinchūriki endure excessive suffering.

Byakuya's tone turned slightly odd as he said, "Who told you a Jinchūriki has to die when separated from their Tailed Beast? As long as a large amount of life force is supplied promptly, a Jinchūriki can survive even after the Tailed Beast is extracted. Heh! Do you underestimate the Uzumaki clan's bloodline, or are you underestimating my medical ninjutsu?"