Starting as the mastermind behind Naruto

Chapter 153 Hinata Hyuga, the Successor to the Head of the Main Clan

Itachi Uchiha fell for it.

If he knew who the new intern who was about to join Akatsuki was, he would definitely regret lending Uehara Naraku money today.

In the days to come, Uehara Naraku, using his reputation as a master of manipulation, under the guise of doing what's best for Uchiha Itachi, constantly instigated Itachi to kill this new intern.

At this moment, Itachi Uchiha knows nothing. After he and Kisame Hoshigaki infiltrated Konoha, they only felt that Konoha's defenses were somewhat tight. Itachi Uchiha did not find any information about Danzo Shimura, and was even discovered by Kakashi Hatake and others.

After a fierce battle, the two had no choice but to retreat.

In this battle, Kakashi Hatake suffered again. Faced with the Tsukuyomi genjutsu he had never seen before, Kakashi Hatake, who had just been discharged from the hospital, was admitted back to the hospital.

However, Konoha also learned that Akatsuki was plotting to seize the Nine-Tails from Konoha.

When Sasuke Uchiha learned of this, his first thought was to go and find Naruto Uzumaki to prevent him from encountering any danger.

As a result, Sasuke arrived too late and learned that Naruto had already been taken away by Jiraiya.

Jiraiya wanted to find Tsunade to return as the Fifth Hokage, a hot potato, and he brought Naruto along to protect him and teach him training.

That's really bad.

Sasuke Uchiha rushed to give chase, hoping that Naruto Uzumaki could escape Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki's pursuit, but he was caught red-handed by Itachi Uchiha.

Itachi Uchiha used Tsukuyomi to help his younger brother Sasuke understand it, which resulted in Sasuke also being hospitalized.

However, Jiraiya single-handedly forced Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki to retreat, forcing the two to abandon their mission to seize the Nine-Tails.

Uehara Naraku watched all this unfold, a slight smirk playing on his lips: "You're something else, Uchiha Itachi! You didn't do anything, yet you rashly leaked Akatsuki's information to Konoha. Spies are punished..."

"..."

Kabuto Yakushi, speechless, pushed up his glasses and stepped out from behind Naraku Uehara: "So this is why Lord Naraku wants to get Sasuke Uchiha? Is he hoping that Sasuke can defeat Itachi Uchiha?"

After speaking, Kabuto Yakushi did not wait for Uehara Naraku's reply and continued, "Excuse me for speaking frankly, but I do not believe that Uchiha Sasuke can defeat his brother... From what I understand, Uchiha Itachi is the most talented ninja in the Uchiha clan, and his talent is second only to that of Shisui of the Body Flicker."

"Don't worry, I'm absolutely confident."

Uehara Naraku shook his head and continued softly, "Are you ready on your end? What's Orochimaru doing right now?"

Kabuto Yakushi bowed respectfully and said, "Lord Orochimaru is studying the White Zetsu's corpse, but his body is about to give out. The Sound Four have received orders and will soon arrive in the Land of Fire to take Sasuke Uchiha away."

"It looks like our plan is going smoothly."

Uehara Naraku glanced at Uchiha Itachi, who was covering his eyes and escaping with Kisame's help, and whispered, "While Jiraiya is away and Hatake Kakashi is seriously injured and hospitalized, I will re-enter Konoha tomorrow and take away the equipment from the biological science laboratory to avoid any trouble."

"Thank you so much."

Kabuto nodded and chuckled, "After I finish my mission with Lord Orochimaru, I will head to Amegakure to provide Lord Uehara with a substantial return on my experimental results."

"That's good."

Uehara Naraku patted Yakushi Kabuto on the shoulder, looking very optimistic about him: "You can go to Orochimaru's side now and keep an eye on him for me. I will visit you secretly from time to time."

"..."

Kabuto nodded helplessly.

Is this a proper visit?

When Uehara Naraku went to Konoha to retrieve the biological science laboratory equipment required by the agreement, he did not hesitate. Konoha was weaker than before, and the only Kage-level fighter left in the village was Might Guy.

When Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado saw Naraku Uehara come to exchange the alliance agreement, they were somewhat surprised that Naraku Uehara was still alive and well, especially as an envoy of Amegakure.

Is Hanzo the Salamander too old to lift the knife anymore?

"Your Excellency seems quite surprised that I'm still alive?"

A smile appeared on Uehara Naraku's face as he said softly, "Lord Hanzo of the Salamander was indeed furious when he learned that I had given up his condition for becoming the Rain Kage. Unfortunately, the civil war in the Land of Rain has not yet been resolved, so Lord Hanzo has allowed me to atone for my sins through meritorious service."

"Yeah?"

Mitokado Homura rubbed his forehead and said, "We are quite pleased to have met such a genius ninja..."

What's there to be happy about!

These two Konoha advisors probably wanted to bring back the head of the envoy from Amegakure who was in charge of exchanging the alliance documents!

"I'm here to exchange the treaty documents."

Uehara Naraku ignored them, put down the alliance agreement in his hand, and said softly, "And take away the biological science experimental equipment that Konoha is supporting Amegakure."

"Some problems have arisen in Konoha."

After receiving the pledge, Koharu Utatane said softly, "We may need the signature of the new Fifth Hokage to ensure its long-term effectiveness. However, she is currently away on business and has not yet returned to Konoha to assume her post. You may need to wait a while longer."

Uehara Naraku immediately frowned and said, "Are the signatures of the two Hokage advisors and Jiraiya-sama also invalid?"

Without needing Koharu to tell him, Uehara Naraku had already guessed that the Fifth Hokage of Konoha was definitely Tsunade!

He didn't want to see that woman, Tsunade!

What if Tsunade stops him from leaving Konoha?

Besides, at that time, Konoha will have two of the Legendary Sannin, and they might dare to renege on their promises. So the sooner the Konoha issue is resolved, the better.

"No, we just believe that after the Fifth Hokage signs the alliance agreement, our alliance can last longer."

Koharu Utatane spoke slowly, adopting an air of concern for the peace between Amegakure and Konoha: "What if, after we both retire in the future, the Fifth Hokage thinks our alliance is unreasonable..."

"I believe that won't happen."

Uehara Naraku interrupted Utatane Koharu, saying in a deep voice, "Advisor, things can change in the long run. Who knows what might happen in the future? What if the Fifth Hokage of Konoha refuses to sign the contract? How am I supposed to explain this to Lord Hanzo?"

Uehara Naraku clenched his fist and continued, "Furthermore, I recently heard that a rogue ninja codenamed 'Orphan' is spreading rumors about the deeds of your village's Third Hokage. I don't think many ninjas would still dare to trust the Hokage's credibility, would they? I'd rather believe in Lord Jiraiya."

"..."

Koharu's expression suddenly changed.

The ANBU member codenamed "Orphan" was Hiruzen Sarutobi's confidant and the person they had been secretly investigating. How did Amegakure know about this?

Did that guy defect?

Hiruzen Sarutobi has really left behind a huge problem!

Koharu Utatane instantly calmed down and whispered, "How did you learn of this information...? It's all slander against the Third Hokage!"

"I don't know if it's slander..."

Uehara Naraku shook his head and continued, "But this would greatly reduce our trust in your village, and I also need to return to the Land of Rain as soon as possible to participate in the civil war. I can't afford to waste even a day here!"

"I see."

Koharu Utatane sighed and said softly, "If Amegakure encounters that rogue ninja, please assist us in arresting him or passing on relevant information. We will provide Amegakure with generous rewards and support."

The Leaf Village cannot afford to be in chaos any longer.

First and foremost, we absolutely cannot allow that traitorous ANBU member known as the Orphan to roam or defect to an enemy ninja village. If Konoha's many dark secrets are exposed, the blow to Konoha will be greater than the death of the Third Hokage!

I'm afraid there might be big problems even within Konoha.

Before the news spreads completely, we must immediately dispatch the ANBU to search for and capture that rogue ninja. That guy is a greater threat than an S-rank rogue ninja!

Since Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado had more important things to do, they stopped arguing with Naraku Uehara and directly gave him a set of equipment for a biological science laboratory.

Kabuto Yakushi knows Konoha too well. He just created a rogue ninja out of thin air, and he managed to throw two high-ranking Konoha officials into a panic...

Who knows if this person even exists?

When Uehara Naraku left Konoha, a piece of news made him raise an eyebrow: it was a strange hidden mission…

Hidden Quest: Hinata Hyuga becomes the head of the Hyuga clan (1/1). Quest completed. Reward: Golden Bell Shield skill.

Golden Bell Shield: Quickly dash to the side of an ally and grant both the user and the ally a shield. The skill consumes 50 chakra points and has a 7-second cooldown.

Compared to the reward, Uehara Naraku was even more astonished by Hinata Hyuga's succession as the head of the main clan. This world is truly getting more and more interesting...

Hyuga main family.

As the main character of the day, Hinata Hyuga made a grand entrance, and this Byakugan girl appeared very calm during the succession ceremony.

Her face showed less weakness and more resilience.

If you hadn't seen Hinata Hyuga's appearance before, you probably wouldn't have guessed that just over half a month ago she was a cowardly genin.

Sitting next to her was Hyuga Hiashi, who was paralyzed in a chair, except that this former head of the main family had a Caged Bird Seal on his forehead.

It must be said that because Hiashi Hyuga was unable to protect his Byakugan bloodline, he took the initiative to carve the Caged Bird Seal on his head as a last line of defense, thus gaining the loyalty of many branch family ninjas for his daughter.

Hinata Hyuga lifted her robe, straightened her posture, and waited for the final step of the succession ceremony.

Rows of Byakugan ninjas from the branch family knelt respectfully on the ground, bowing to the twelve-year-old girl clan leader. Their voices echoed throughout the entire main family's vast mansion.

"Greetings, Lady Hinata!"

"Please...please get up."

The girl with the white eyes had a soft, sweet voice that didn't quite match her status; it wasn't particularly dignified, which gave her a somewhat endearing, unexpected charm.

(End of this chapter)