Starting as the mastermind behind Naruto

Chapter 16 Xiao Organization Meeting

Revenge needs to be done with a sense of rhythm.

Konan knew that Hanzo the Salamander was always cunning and malicious, and that he was likely to set traps at other ninja outposts.

Although any trap would be nothing to Konan now, their goal was to get Hanzo of the Salamander to gather all his confidants back to Amegakure to protect him, while preventing him from secretly escaping out of fear of the enemy's strength.

In the following period, Konan decided to temporarily return to Akatsuki's base to meddle in some matters, and then continue selectively attacking Amegakure strongholds.

A mere Rain Village can be solved with a little effort.

The Akatsuki organization is different; it concerns their future and dreams.

The organization often has some messy problems, but this time the problem they are facing is particularly troublesome. During the time that Konan was away from the base, three teams of the Akatsuki organization encountered problems and lost three members.

First, yet another of Kakuzu's partners has died in battle.

During the mission, the poor teammate was killed by Kakuzu's Fire Release technique, which blew up the enemy along with him. His body was then taken to the exchange shop and exchanged for a box of money.

This wasn't too surprising; the Akatsuki members were used to Kakuzu's methods, but because of the money, no one said much.

However, the newcomer in the organization, Uchiha Itachi, lost his partner, Biwa Juzo, in battle, and he died in his hometown, Kirigakure!

According to Itachi Uchiha's report, their team encountered the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, and his pursuing ninja forces while on a mission in Kirigakure.

As one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist who defected from Kirigakure, Juzo Biwa knew very well what the consequences would be if he fell into the hands of the Mizukage and the pursuing ninja forces. Even though he tried his best to escape, they were eventually surrounded by Yagura and his men.

Yagura was both the Fourth Mizukage and the Jinchūriki of the Three-Tails.

During the battle, Yagura entered a semi-tailed beast state. Juzo Biwa used his Executioner's Blade to catch the Tailed Beast Ball and save Itachi Uchiha... However, Juzo himself was not so lucky and was stabbed in the chest and abdomen by the broken Executioner's Blade.

These are minor matters. For Payne, the death of a member in a mission only proves that he is not strong enough.

The last thing is something I absolutely cannot tolerate.

Orochimaru attacked the returning Itachi Uchiha, but was defeated by Itachi's genjutsu with a single glance. Perhaps fearing that he would be punished, the snake immediately defected.

When Konan brought Uehara Naraku back to the base, the remaining members of Akatsuki were discussing hunting down Orochimaru and replenishing their manpower.

"Xiao Nan, you're back."

Pain glanced at Konan and the boy beside her, and said softly, "We are discussing the issue of replenishing the organization's manpower. Zetsu has found two suitable people to be Kakuzu's and Itachi's partners, and we just need someone to win them over."

"clear."

Xiao Nan frowned and nodded.

"The first one is a follower of an evil god from Yugakure named Hidan. He is said to be immortal, which allows him to act alongside Kakuzu."

After Pain finished recounting the information about the first person, he turned to Konan and said, "Konan, take Itachi and Kakuzu to try and win over Hidan..."

"Yes."

"Zetsu, tell me about the next person!"

"The second person's name is Kisame Hoshigaki."

After mentioning the first person's information, Zetsu turned to the mysterious masked man and continued in a hoarse voice, "He is a member of the Hoshigaki clan from the Land of Water, known as the 'Haunted Mist Monster,' and like Juzo Biwa, he is one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist..."

"Hey, hey, hey, I'm the one who found Kisame!"

The mysterious masked man suddenly interrupted Zetsu, waving his hands and volunteering, "Perfect timing! Let me recruit him into the organization; he can be Itachi's partner!"

"..."

Pain pondered for a moment, then looked up at the masked man with a puzzled expression: "I remember hearing this name before. Kisame Hoshigaki isn't a rogue ninja yet, is he?"

"We can lure him into defecting at any time!"

The mysterious masked man chuckled and waved his hand dismissively: "Kisame Hoshigaki's mission in Kirigakure has always been to slaughter his own comrades; he's definitely been planning to defect for a long time!"

Payne nodded, not questioning his methods, and simply assigned him the task requested: "Then go and recruit Kisame Hoshigaki!"

"Hehehe...Okay!"

After agreeing with a chuckle, the masked man twisted his fingers, then said somewhat embarrassedly, "Um, this mission might be a bit troublesome. Could another intern from the organization come with me?"

"..."

What a pain!

Isn't Kisame Hoshigaki one of your subordinates?

Another Akatsuki intern, Uehara Naraku, was alarmed. Why did this treacherous and despicable guy drag him into this?

Before Uehara Naraku could respond, Konan spoke first, refusing him: "No."

"Huh?"

The masked man waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "But if I go on a mission, we're short-handed! Kirigakure is a very dangerous place..."

"He is my disciple."

Konan frowned, her gaze turning cold as she looked at the masked man who coveted her disciple: "I don't think he needs to go on a mission with you... If you think Kirigakure is dangerous, I can go and win over Kisame Hoshigaki in your place!"

The masked man hesitated before speaking, "Senior Konan, he's also a member of the organization. We're both interns... Why can't he go on missions with me?"

"..."

Xiao Nan's face immediately showed some impatience.

Because she knew the mysterious masked man was the extremely evil Uchiha Madara, she was unwilling to let her disciple have any contact with him.

Not only the mysterious masked man, but also anyone else in the Akatsuki organization besides herself and Pain, Konan did not want Uehara to have any contact with them.

Just then, everyone turned their attention to Xiao Nan, looking at her with some surprise and strange expressions.

Although a group of S-rank rogue ninjas are not afraid of danger, it's obvious that Konan is showing favoritism, not letting her own disciples go on dangerous missions, but letting these members do them?

It seems unfair.

Pain glanced at everyone present and made his final decision: "Konan, you, Kakuzu, and Itachi Uchiha will go and try to win over Hidan... As for Uehara, let him and Tobi contact Kisame Hoshigaki!"

Xiao Nan looked at Payne reluctantly, and seeing him shake his head slightly, she could only lower her head and agree: "...Yes."

"Actually, it doesn't have to be that complicated."

Uehara Naraku looked up at everyone present and said softly, "Since you're worried about the danger, senior, why don't I go to Kirigakure myself? It's just about recruiting someone into the organization; it's not a particularly dangerous mission."

"Huh? Okay!"

The mysterious masked man suddenly clapped his hands and said loudly, "In that case, I can free up some time to help Senior Scorpion find a suitable partner with Jue..."

"Can."

Payne agreed.

Sasori of the Red Sand, however, had a different opinion. A hoarse voice came from within the puppet: "You guys go ahead. I don't like searching for people aimlessly..."

After saying that, Sasori turned to Pain and asked, "Now that Orochimaru has defected, can I go and kill him?"

When Orochimaru was still in Akatsuki, the two of them always argued about their ideologies and funding. Now that Orochimaru has defected, Sasori of the Red Sand naturally wants revenge and wants to kill him!

"sure."

Payne asked softly, "Do you have any leads?"

Sasori nodded, his voice grim. "I've already planted a spy next to him. We'll be able to find out about him soon."

"Then I'll leave the task of investigating Orochimaru to you."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

It's Monday, please give me some recommendation votes!

(End of this chapter)