Upon learning about Orochimaru's whereabouts, Nagato and Konan alerted Naruto, Black Zetsu, and White Zetsu, prompting them to set out immediately. They didn't plan to stay overnight, as the journey through the Grass, Waterfall, and Iron countries would lead them to the Land of Heaven. It was a challenging trek, especially considering the Iron nation's status as a samurai stronghold. Although the other countries had their own ninja villages, Naruto and his companions avoided conflict by steering clear of these villages.
In the Land of Grass, they encountered the : Village Hidden in the Grass. Similarly, in the Waterfall Country, they came across the Hidden Waterfall Village, known for its secretive location beneath a waterfall. Despite their desire to avoid conflict, they refrained from provoking these villages.
Originally, Naruto hoped to encounter Kakuzu in the Waterfall Country. Kakuzu was known for his financial acumen and was capable of funding Akatsuki's operations with his lucrative "missions." However, Kakuzu had been punished by his village for failing to assassinate the First Hokage. In retaliation, he stole a valuable secret treasure and went into hiding.
As Naruto expressed his interest in recruiting Kakuzu, White Zetsu revealed that they had previously attempted to locate him with Obito's help. They had heard rumors that Kakuzu was making money in a nearby country. This information had been relayed to White Zetsu by Black Zetsu during their journey.
This revelation marked a significant shift in White Zetsu's attitude. Previously wary of Naruto, he now seemed to be on their side. He even mentioned Obito's name in front of Naruto. Naruto's eyes lit up with excitement as he inquired about Kakuzu's whereabouts.
Kakuzu's financial prowess was well-known, and his presence would ensure Akatsuki's financial stability. With Kakuzu's resources, they wouldn't have to worry about funding their operations.
"But keep an eye on Konan and her associates; don't let those girls buy up all the detonation charms," Black Zetsu cautioned.
"I'll take care of it," White Zetsu volunteered, assuming responsibility for the task. With a nod of agreement, he parted ways from Black Zetsu, eager to begin his search.
Given White Zetsu's adept investigative skills, locating Kakuzu within the known parameters of his activities shouldn't pose a challenge.
"It appears that White Zetsu will likely return with favorable news before and after our visit to Orochimaru. However, before that, we've already found ourselves in the Iron Country," Black Zetsu reminded Naruto, who was unfamiliar with the geography, of their current location.
Unlike other nations with ninja villages, the Iron Country relied on a samurai force to safeguard itself and uphold law and order. Both Naruto and Black Zetsu regarded this distinction as significant.
Their intent was not to cause trouble as they discreetly ventured into the heartland of the Iron Country. There, nestled deep within, lay a colossal mountain.
This was the Mountain Tomb. The designation suggested a profound significance.
From a distance, the mountain's forest was punctuated by immense, eerie bones resembling the skeletal remnants of some monstrous creature.
Perhaps this site was once inhabited by a group of summoning beasts, the transformation of which into its current state remained a mystery.
Given the scale of the wreckage, only summoning beasts could feasibly reach it.
Tail beasts were an implausible explanation, as their chakra-based existence precluded leaving behind physical remains.
Adjacent to the skeletal remnants lay the true headquarters of the Akatsuki organization. If every facet of the Akatsuki's operations had been orchestrated by Uchiha Madara and his cohorts, then it followed that the Gedo Statue housed within marked the true heart of Akatsuki's operations.
Guiding Naruto, Black Zetsu led him into the mountain through a concealed cave entrance. Within the largest cavern, the Gedo Statue, summoned by Uchiha Madara from the moon's seal, stood silently.
Even Naruto couldn't suppress a sense of awe upon beholding the true visage of the Gedo Statue.
The immense Gedo Statue, the husk of the Ten Tails sacred tree, bore the semblance of a humanoid monster, yet its color and texture resembled lifeless wood – a stark reminder of its origin as a sacred tree.
The absence of the Nine-Tailed Beasts allowed the Gedo Statue to remain undisturbed, devoid of any interference.
With nine eyes corresponding precisely to the nine-tailed beasts, it sported colossal locks resembling handcuffs on its hands, wrists, and ankles. These symbols hinted at lingering seals that bound its power. Cross-legged and holding its hands on its chest, the statue projected an aura of containment, as if grasping an invisible force.
Despite being an empty shell, the Gedo Statue pulsated with formidable vitality, a silent testimony to its lingering essence. Towering over any tail beast, it emitted a dreadful aura.
Naruto, gazing up at the imposing figure, contemplated its appearance. The Gedo Statue seemed disconnected from the true form of the Ten Tails sacred tree. Unbeknownst to many, it was a tree cultivated by the Ōtsutsuki clan.
Simultaneously, in the spiritual realm, Naruto sought answers from Kurama, "Kurama, this is the Ten Tails. Can you see it? Can you consume it?"
Kurama responded, "Even sage if six paths hadn't attempted it. How would I know if it's possible? And Naruto, can you truly achieve this? Just approaching this place, I've sensed something. It's unsettling."
While uncertain about its ability to devour the Gedo Statue, Kurama admitted to feeling a sense of trepidation, perhaps due to an innate suppression effect – the entity being the bodies of their tail beasts.
In response, Naruto chuckled, the sound resonating in both the spiritual realm and the physical world. Kurama and Black Zetsu, taken aback, questioned his sanity.
"Behold, the God Tree. Once capable of absorbing all life on a planet, now reduced to sitting here, devoid of will or purpose. But even so..." Naruto trailed off, his words hanging in the air with an implication.
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