35 Before the War 2 (1/2)

Some days later, inside Akatsuki's hideout. Rafi wore Obito's second mask with his Akatsuki's cloak as he was cultivating. Karin was beside him when Zetsu appeared from the ground, and Kabuto stepped out from the shadow at the time of their appointed meeting.

”Unexpectedly, they are going to finish their preparation soon, Rafi. Our times is getting short.” Zetsu spoke with bits of worry in his voice.

”If you've given Yamato to me before, I could quickly strengthen all the White Zetsus. Unfortunately, we don't have much time left now, ku ku ku.” Kabuto glanced at Zetsu as he chuckled lightly to Rafi.

”No need for that, you only need to focus on your Edo Tensei, Kabuto. I've strengthened all the White Zetsus myself. They should be strong enough for this war.” After Rafi integrated with Ddraig, he channeled his boosted chakra to the Mother Tree of Zetsu, for increasing the white Zetsu army's strength. As his chakra were more pure than even Hagoromo, it worked well rather than just using Hashirama's chakra. The strengthening were repeated many times until all the white Zetsus had been enhanced, comparable to Jonin-level shinobi.

”Oh, you could do it yourself? They ARE the First Hokage's inferior clones, but you actually could synchronize with them. I am really curious of who you actually are.

It seems like my interest in Sasuke, pales in comparison with you now. If possible, I want to get some of your gene materials, ku ku ku.

As for Edo Tensei army, it is better now. Anko's chakra is quite a nice boost for me.” Kabuto looked at Rafi with increasing interest as he said calmly.

Anko's team was decimated by Rafi, while Anko was captured alive by him when Kabuto first approached him. As Rafi knew that Kabuto was luring Anko to Akatsuki's hideout at that time. However, Anko's capture was a surprise for Kabuto as he didn't expect his deceit in their first meeting was seen through easily by Rafi. It made Kabuto was more careful around him as he didn't dare to play any trick in front of Rafi, though it was unknown if it was behind his back.

”...I can give you some of it.”

”Ohh?”

”Only, if you can bring me Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails. I believe they are together now in Turtle Island from Kisame's intel.”

”Quite a tough job there, isn't it. But, then I also want a lot of gene materials from you, ku ku ku.”

”...just bring them to me first!”

”Fine.” Kabuto said lightly.

”Use all the former members of Akatsuki as you see fit, in retrieving Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails. Prepare the other reanimated ones in their place like we planned before. The war is beginning now.”

”...are you sure? It will make my job easier if I can use them all I want to. Looks like you are rather impatient to give me your own materials, heh.” Kabuto was laughing eerily as he said it. He then began to disappear inside the shadow after he spoke.

”Word of advice, you should use 'him', or you will meet a failure when retrieving them.” Rafi spoke calmly to the shadow where Kabuto had just disappeared.

”...is that so...” An intrigued voice sounded from the shadow.

”...he is gone now, Rafi.” Karin spoke slowly after she didn't detect Kabuto's chakra anymore.

”Well, Zetsu, you could try to kidnap the Daimyos later when the war starts. It is better if you could actually kidnap them, but if you couldn't, then create a disturbance as large as possible to divert some of the Alliance's attention.”

”Ok. But, what about Kabuto? Is it okay to give him the mission of retrieving Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails? He is...not trustworthy. He may use our plan for his own device.” Zetsu nodded as he then reminded Rafi of Kabuto.

”I know what he is up to, Zetsu. Besides, I just need Kabuto to be their warm-up.” Rafi replied Zetsu mysteriously.'

”...but, there is something bugging me for a while, Rafi. Why is Obito not leading the Alliance straight to us, if he really betrayed us?” Zetsu asked after a brief silence.

”...I don't really know why actually. He may still want to see the outcome of the war or he has other reasons. However, it works well for us. Actually, even if he does bring the Alliance's shinobi straight here, he will not be able to step in this area. I have put something similar to a barrier here, it is called a Bounded Field. Only those that I have allowed, will be able to find this place. Leave one of your clone at that place for later communication, Zetsu. Now, it is not a good time for futher explanations.”

”Ok, then, I am going.” Zetsu spoke curiously as he was moving back to inside the ground.

”Isn't that right, Obito?” After Zetsu was gone, Rafi said calmly to the space in front of him. A shinobi wearing Anbu outfit with the mask on suddenly appeared from a space vortex in front of Rafi and Karin, much to Karin's surprise.

”Woah...this guy is?!!” Karin said surprisedly as she was hiding behind Rafi.

”...you are purposely leading me here...”

”Normally, you can't reach this place, Obito. It is just that I have sensed you outside my barrier just now, and so the invitation. Well, how is Rin, now? She is a real one isn't she?” Rafi said lightly as he was smiling a bit.

”...why? You already have that much power, yet you still started the war. You...don't need the Infinite Tsukuyomi World, do you?”

”They didn't tell you?? Well, although I don't need that genjutsu world, but I have just a use for this war.” Rafi replied calmly to a puzzled Obito.

”I...am grateful to you...for reviving her. But, if this war will take her away from me, again. I will kill you right now, rather than losing her again.” Obito took out his kunai as his Mangekyo flashed a bit. However, he was suddenly locked in place as he was about to strike Rafi.

”You should know that you can't defeat me Obito, just like before. But, well, I have a gift for you here. It could saves many, if it is used sparingly. Now, just go back to Konoha.” Rafi locked the area around Obito as he said calmly. He threw a vial of Blood Potion he purchased from System to Obito, through the controlled Space-Lock. He then teleported Obito to just outside the range of his Bounded Field.

”Huh?!” Obito was surprised as he couldn't found Akatsuki's hideout again after he was just there before.

”But, still, it looks like his preparation is done. I need to relay this to Lady Tsunade. And this small bottle...” Obito kept the Blood Potion inside his Kamui as he then teleported back to Konoha, bringing his recent the intel.

”Is it okay to allow him leave here, Rafi? He have gotten on our intel now.” Karin asked him with bits of worry.

”No problem, Karin. He doesn't know much as I just teleported him here right after Zetsu is gone. Beside that, how is your training, Karin?”

”Hmph,...cough, like you say, I can now use my ability on myself. And I can materialize the sealing chains, but not much. I don't expect that Uzumaki clan to have that ability, Rafi.” Karin replied disgruntled at first as she felt wronged by his training, but she then trembled after she remembered his 'punishment' before. As his 'punishment' didn't let her to rest, when they were at 'it' all night along.