Starting as the mastermind behind Naruto

Chapter 158 Are You Playing Me? (Fourth Update!)

Xiao's base.

Because Konan was so nosy, Uehara Naraku hadn't been to Akatsuki's base for a long time, and he even felt a faint sense of familiarity with the place.

Uehara immediately suppressed this dangerous thought.

Could it be that he's been playing villains for so long lately that he's become a little addicted?

Once inside the base, Uehara Naraku and his group realized that there were quite a lot of people there today; it seemed that all the relevant members had gathered here.

Official members: Pain, Konan, Sasori of the Red Sand, Deidara, Hozuki Mangetsu, Momochi Zabuza, Kakuzu, Hidan, Zetsu, plus Kisame Hoshigaki and Itachi Uchiha who just arrived, so the official members are now all present.

There is only one intern, Uehara Naraku. Perhaps from today onwards, Uchiha Sasuke will also become an intern of Akatsuki.

As for the unofficial liaisons Kaguya Kimimaro and Haku, they are also here. Today, their team has an additional member, Karin.

Wait a minute, something's not right!

Uehara Naraku couldn't help but glance at Kaguya Kimimaro and Haku's clothes. Why were they wearing Akatsuki uniforms?

Based on strength, apart from Kaguya Kimimaro and Haku, they probably wouldn't be qualified to become official members of Akatsuki, right?

Could it be that Akatsuki is giving away their uniforms and opening up official member slots?

Uehara Naraku couldn't help but show a hint of joy on his face. If even Kaguya Kimimaro and Haku could join, wouldn't that mean he was also qualified to become a formal member of Akatsuki?

Uehara slowly walked to his seat, unable to resist chuckling as he said, "What, is the organization having a team-building event today?"

Sasori raised Hiruko's head and said coldly, "What team building? Didn't we say we were welcoming a new member today?"

"Could it be this brat?"

Deidara grinned maliciously at the unfamiliar Uchiha Sasuke: "This brat doesn't seem very strong. Does he even deserve to stand with us?"

Kakuzu glared at Sasuke Uchiha with displeasure: "Akatsuki isn't a place where just any kitten or puppy can join! Stop recruiting these kids who're only ten or so years old. Are you trying to turn this place into a kindergarten for brats?"

Upon hearing this, Deidara immediately objected, retorting, "That's still much better than turning it into a senior citizens' activity center!"

After all, Deidara joined the Akatsuki organization when he was twelve years old, and he is only about fifteen or sixteen years old this year. There is too big a generation gap between him and an old man like Kakuzu, so they really can't get along.

After saying that, Deidara even went so far as to kindly try to win over another person his age: "Hey, Uehara, wasn't I right?"

"...cough cough cough..."

Uehara Naraku coughed a few times, and was about to say something when he glanced at Konan beside him. He saw that Konan's cold expression was getting colder and colder, which made him subconsciously shut his mouth.

Since Uehara entered Akatsuki's base, Konan hasn't uttered a single word, which is quite different from her attitude towards Uehara.

Moreover, silence is usually a precursor to Xiao Nan getting angry.

This is quite normal, since Konan has always disliked Uehara Naraku's involvement with Akatsuki, but Nagato's opinion is completely opposite to hers.

Seeing Konan so angry, Uehara Naraku felt a strange sense of smugness. Was it because he was going to become a full member of Akatsuki today?

"alright."

Pain interrupted the commotion, turning his gaze to Uehara Naraku, and said in a deep voice, "Uehara, introduce the new member you've recruited for Akatsuki."

"Instead of me introducing them, why don't you let Itachi-san do the introductions?"

Uehara Naraku suppressed a smile, afraid of provoking Konan's anger. He slowly raised his head to look at Uchiha Itachi and said softly, "Perhaps no one in the entire ninja world understands our new member better than Mr. Itachi?"

Itachi Uchiha was silent for a moment, then turned to look at Sasuke and said softly, "This is the Uchiha..."

"I am Uchiha Sasuke!"

Sasuke coldly interrupted Itachi Uchiha, declaring loudly, "The sole member of the Uchiha clan, I joined Akatsuki to kill Itachi Uchiha and Obito Uchiha!"

"..."

Deidara immediately complained, "What?! Another Uchiha! Do all Uchiha have to come to Akatsuki?!"

As Itachi Uchiha's defeated opponent, Deidara undoubtedly hated the Uchiha the most, and coincidentally, the Akatsuki organization had a connection with the Uchiha.

A few years ago, a man named Obito Uchiha was forced to defect, and I heard that he had always wanted to join. Now, Sasuke Uchiha has joined as well. So, all the few remaining Uchiha in the ninja world have some connection with the Akatsuki organization.

The Akatsuki members all turned their attention to Sasuke, their brows furrowing involuntarily. After a moment, their gazes fell on Itachi Uchiha, as if they wanted to see his reaction.

However, Itachi Uchiha remained calm and composed, seemingly unconcerned about what Sasuke Uchiha was talking about in his sleep. This was the confidence of an absolute powerhouse.

The members of Akatsuki's enthusiasm for watching a good show immediately faded, and they turned to look at Uehara Naraku.

Sasori of the Red Sand couldn't help but speak first, asking, "Uehara, what are you up to? Recruiting an enemy of a full member into Akatsuki?"

"Hey, hey, hey, Senior Scorpion, that's not what I wanted to say."

Uehara Naraku quickly shook his head, a smile appearing on his face: "This was brought up by Itachi himself, actively recruiting Uchiha Sasuke, who has just become a rogue ninja. Kisame-senpai and I strongly opposed it!"

"Um."

Itachi Uchiha nodded and replied, "My genjutsu requires the use of someone with a large amount of spiritual energy for training, and Sasuke Uchiha happens to have awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan, so he has some value."

"Oh? Seems like a little genius!"

Sasori immediately changed his attitude, slowly lecturing Sasuke in a senior's tone: "Hey, kid, remember not to be too arrogant in front of others. If you act like Deidara next to me, you won't live long!"

"..."

Uchiha Sasuke couldn't be bothered with him.

Deidara, on the other hand, was furious: "Hey, hey, hey, hey, Sasori, I've always treated you with the utmost respect!"

"But you also destroyed quite a few of my puppets!"

"This proves that my art is a level above Seraphim's!"

"Do you want to die?"

"Deidara, Sasori, stop arguing."

Payne coldly interrupted their argument, saying in a deep voice, "I'm here to announce the formation of the organization's new team! Kaguya Kimimaro and Haku, from today onwards, are official members of Akatsuki, codenamed Bones and Snow!"

"Yes."

Kaguya Kimimaro and Haku agreed with serious expressions.

After nodding in satisfaction, Pain turned to look at Uehara Naraku. However, when Pain saw the expression on Konan's face, he suddenly fell silent, seemingly at a loss for words.

After a long silence, Pain seemed to have made up his mind and said in a deep voice, "Originally, I wanted to delay for a while, but now that Uehara has recruited Uchiha Sasuke, I'll act as a full member and work with him from now on!"

I disagree.

Konan slowly raised her head, looked directly at Pain, and said, "Naraku has an even more important mission, and he almost caused a major disaster this time..."

"I also object."

Uchiha Itachi said in a deep voice, "Although Uehara Naraku is very strong, I suspect that he may have some kind of connection with Orochimaru during this Chunin Exams, and he should still be under Konan's supervision."

After saying this, Itachi Uchiha added, "Moreover, I need to keep Sasuke Uchiha by my side during this period. On the one hand, I can use him for training, and on the other hand, it will be convenient to monitor him to prevent him from defecting like Obito Uchiha."

These words couldn't be more reasonable.

Kisame Hoshigaki smirked and chuckled, "Actually, I also object to doing this, but I'm not against Uehara Naraku becoming a full member. I just think Uchiha Sasuke isn't qualified to team up with him."

"I think so too."

"I don't agree either!"

Kakuzu gave Uehara Naraku a cold look and said in a deep voice, "I think this brat Uehara Naraku should just stay in Amegakure and be a good accountant! Akatsuki already has enough manpower!"

To be honest, Kakuzu still missed Uehara Naraku a little after he left.

Although Uehara Naraku is always quick to collect money, he's also very generous when allocating event funds, which is far better than his teacher, Konan…

"I agree with Kakuzu-senpai's opinion!"

"I also think Kakuzu-senpai makes a good point!"

"I agree with Kakuzu-senpai's opinion!"

Several teams immediately expressed their agreement with Kakuzu's suggestion, indicating that there were quite a few victims tormented by Konan's allocation of activity funds.

Having experienced hardship since childhood, Xiao Nan naturally disliked others who spent money extravagantly.

Xiao Nan naturally didn't care what they thought.

Hearing a group of people supporting her opinion from the sidelines, Konan's usually cool face softened into a slight smile. She gently placed her hand on Uehara Naraku's shoulder, embracing her disciple, and whispered, "Then let Naraku study with me for a while longer!"

Pain remained silent for a moment, surveying everyone present, before slowly nodding and saying, "Then let Uehara continue learning from you. For now, let Sasuke Uchiha accompany Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki's team!"

"???"

Uehara Naraku slowly raised his head, a hint of doubt appearing in his eyes as he looked at Pain. "You've said so much today, but you're just playing me again?"

Konan took Uehara Naraku's hand, her smile slowly fading, and she returned to her aloof demeanor.

"Naraku, come with me. I need to talk to you about something."

Xiao Nan is still angry.

(End of this chapter)