Starting as the mastermind behind Naruto

Chapter 179 A New Member of Akatsuki Reports! (Third Update! Please Subscribe!)

The central tower.

In Nagato's laboratory.

Uehara Naraku's ninja tool bag was like a treasure chest, from which he pulled out one pillar cell after another, and scrolls filled with experimental instruments.

"These are intercolumnar cells; the rest are experimental equipment."

Uehara Naraku clapped his hands and said softly, "I emptied Orochimaru's base in Otogakure. These are all things I brought back from there to build a biological science laboratory in the village."

"Let's not talk about that now."

Nagato shook his head, lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then hesitantly asked, "Um... Naraku, do you have a girl you like lately?"

"Um?"

Uehara Naraku glanced at Nagato with surprise, raising an eyebrow suspiciously: "Why are you suddenly asking this? What do you know?"

"Cough cough cough..."

Nagato coughed lightly, covering his mouth, and lowered his head to say, "I just saw you hand the umbrella to a girl through Payne's eyes, but that girl seemed quite young. That's not right..."

"Hey, hey, hey, what does that mean?!"

Uehara Naraku crossed his arms and leaned against the table, complaining, "I went through all that trouble to find the ingredients that can heal you, and you ask me these things? You don't care about your own health, but you're concerned about all this nonsense?"

"No, I didn't."

Nagato shook his head, quickly changing the subject: "Alright, alright, let's not talk about that anymore. First of all, congratulations on becoming a full member of Akatsuki!"

"Hehehehe..."

Uehara Naraku grinned from ear to ear and waved his hand, saying, "I didn't expect Konan-sensei to suddenly agree. I'll be leaving here to do a mission in half a month, so I'll stay here with you for the next two weeks to do experiments."

"it is good."

Nagato nodded and blinked.

Xiao Nan agreed because he had been persuading her from behind.

The little guy has grown up, and now he doesn't even tell him who he likes. Has he forgotten that they are on the same side?

Nagato and Uehara Naraku have a unique way of getting along. Despite being fifteen years apart in age, they are like an elder and a junior, as well as close friends despite their age difference.

Back then, Nagato was still manipulating Pain to boss around Uehara Naraku, which was extremely dissatisfying. But after killing Hanzo of the Salamander a few years ago, it seemed like his inner conflict had been resolved, and he began to care about this little guy again.

Half a month.

Intercolumn cell culture is very fast.

Of course, this kind of thing cannot be directly transplanted into Nagato's body, so Karin became the first beneficiary.

According to the consensus of the ninja world, the Uzumaki clan and the Senju clan are distant relatives with a certain bloodline connection, and both clans have abundant chakra and physical strength.

Therefore, the Whirlpool Clan is also the most suitable for transplanting Hashirama cells.

Karin's life force has been drained by the Kusagakure ninja for a long time, so transplanting Hashirama's cells into her would be beneficial and would increase her strength, so that she wouldn't just be a useless mobile blood bag in the Akatsuki organization.

On the experimental table in Amegakure Village.

The Hashirama cell transplantation surgery was performed by Pain, with Uehara Nara watching from the sidelines, ready to cut off a piece of Karin's body at any moment and then use the Star Infusion to save her life.

Fortunately, the transplant surgery was relatively successful.

The only pity is that he still hasn't been able to awaken Wood Release.

Moreover, a face grew out of her shoulder.

"What's going on?"

Pain's Rinnegan showed a hint of confusion as he stared at the face growing on Karin's arm. His surgery should have been flawless!

Uehara Naraku rubbed his forehead and said softly, "Perhaps the Hashirama cells are too pure. Maybe we should wait a while longer for the other surgery?"

"Need not."

Payne shook his head and said in a deep voice, "Since the experiment was successful, it proves that it works. Karin, how are you feeling?"

"I don't feel anything..."

Karin slowly sat up, clenched her fists, and whispered, "No, the chakra in my body has increased a lot, and my physical strength has also increased considerably."

After saying that, Karin subconsciously glanced at her left arm: "It's just that this face feels a little strange..."

"This is the face of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju."

Uehara Naraku tapped the face, shrugged nonchalantly, and said, "It's nothing, this is a normal reaction to transplanting Hashirama's cells. After all, we used his cells, so shouldn't we be allowed to leave a mark on him?"

Karin: "..."

Payne: "..."

What a mess this is!

Now that the surgery is successful, the transplantation of Nagato's main body can also be performed, still by Pain.

Essentially, it's like performing surgery on yourself.

I don't know what kind of feeling this is.

Uehara Naraku planned to ask Yakushi Kabuto about it later, since Yakushi Kabuto would have to do the surgery himself, including transplanting the Kamui Sharingan and Hashirama cells.

Nagato's surgery was more complicated.

His surgery required pre-treating the shape of his two legs using interstitial cells, and then transplanting these interstitial cells onto his legs.

Nagato lay on the operating table, feeling the weight of the Hashirama cells. His body gradually felt fuller, clearly indicating that the transplant was far more effective than Karin's.

"I want to have more transplanted."

Nagato frowned and manipulated Pain to prepare more Hashirama cells, clearly believing he might need more.

If there are too many, he can even fully unleash the power of the Rinnegan.

"no."

Uehara Naraku stopped Pain, looked at Nagato on the operating table, and said in a deep voice, "We can't transplant too many; we can only follow the dosage for Karin."

Nagato was unaware of the truth, while Uehara Naraku knew more about it.

Nagato was able to accommodate a large number of Hashirama cells because he possessed the Rinnegan, which can suppress all power.

However, these two Rinnegan did not belong to Nagato, but to Madara Uchiha.

Moreover, with Uchiha Madara under the control of the two masterminds, Uehara Naraku and Black Zetsu, he is almost certain to be resurrected in the ninja world.

Black Zetsu did it for its mother.

Uehara is there for the main quest progress.

At this point, if Nagato were to have too many hagiography cells transplanted prematurely, it would be very detrimental to Nagato's future development.

One good thing about Nagato is that he can listen to advice.

This is also his weakness; he listens to advice from others.

Uehara Naraku tilted his head and watched Nagato sit back in his wheelchair. He clicked his tongue and gently shook his head: "You have this habit of always listening to others' advice. You need to change that in the future. You can't always change your plans just because someone gives you a few words of advice."

Nagato frowned and pondered for a moment, then climbed back onto the operating table: "Then I'll transplant the Hashirama cells again now..."

"Wait, that's not what I meant!"

Uehara Naraku hurriedly shook his head and forcefully pressed him into the wheelchair: "From now on, you only need to listen to what Konan-sensei and I say. Don't listen to anyone else, especially that blond-haired kid like Deidara..."

"..."

Nagato couldn't help but glare at him. A moment later, he suddenly pushed Uehara Naraku away and tried to stand up step by step.

Although Nagato's steps were somewhat unsteady, he was still moving forward step by step.

Nagato walked forward with a hint of surprise, then looked up at Uehara Naraku and said, "Uehara, I can stand up again..."

With the help of Hashirama's cells, Nagato was finally able to stand up again, but a face resembling Hashirama Senju grew on his calf.

The First Hokage was so shameless!

It's like they can put their face wherever they want!

Uehara Naraku helped the trembling Nagato sit down, giving him a speechless look: "Alright, alright, I saw it, I saw it, hurry up and put your pants back on!"

Nagato: "..."

What kind of weird talk is that!

If Xiao Nan heard this, who knows what she would think of them!

However, it is indeed good news that Nagato can stand up and walk again. With a little training, he will soon be able to resume normal activities.

Just as Nagato was about to tell Konan himself, Uehara Naraku suddenly pulled Nagato aside, whispered something to him, and the two of them kept the news a secret.

Ten days later.

Uehara Naraku finally put on Akatsuki's official uniform, and also received a hood and straw hat to conceal his identity. Konan also restricted him from using his signature ninjutsu in battle.

Because the future leader of Amegakure must not have any involvement with the Akatsuki organization before the Akatsuki's plan succeeds.

Uehara Naraku also thought so.

Uehara Naraku touched the auspicious cloud-patterned black robe he was wearing, feeling a little happy.

Side Quest: Don the Crimson Cloud Black Robe and become a full member of the Akatsuki (1/1). Quest complete. Reward: S-Rank Rogue Ninja Certification.

S-Rank Rogue Ninja Certification: Increases life energy by 10000 points, increases chakra energy by 10000 points, increases natural energy by 10000 points, increases life recovery effect by 50%, increases chakra energy recovery effect by 50%, and increases natural energy extraction effect by 50%.

After seeing the rewards on the system panel, Uehara Naraku's eyes showed a hint of resentment. If he had been recognized as a full member by Konan after joining the Akatsuki organization back then, he probably would have become a Kage-level powerhouse long ago!

Before Uehara Naraku obtained the Dark Harvest, his attribute points were only equal to the reward for wearing this red cloud black robe!

Now that Uehara Naraku's attribute points have all exceeded 50,000, he obviously can't be too excited anymore.

"alright."

Konan reached out and helped Uehara Naraku straighten his clothes, looking at him with a light laugh and saying, "Naraku, this time I'll be your teammate, going out on a mission with you. We haven't done a mission together in a long time, aren't you happy?"

"Happy…"

Uehara Naraku's eye twitched. He glanced at the people approaching from behind them and said in a deep voice, "However, teacher, I have already found a new teammate for myself..."

"What?"

Konan couldn't help but look up at him, somewhat surprised: "Do you want that brat Uchiha Sasuke or Karin to be your teammate?"

Xiao Nan quickly shook her head and said, "I can't agree to this. This mission is very dangerous, and someone must protect you."

"No, his new teammate is a senior member of the organization."

Nagato, dressed in the same black robe adorned with auspicious cloud patterns, lifted his straw hat and stood beside them: "As his senior, shouldn't I be able to be his teammate?"

"Nagato..."

Konan stared in shock at Nagato, who had walked up to her, and couldn't help but cover her lips, tears welling in her eyes: "You...can you stand up?"

Xiao Nan had many things she felt guilty about back then.

Besides the many members who died in battle, Nagato was left with crippled legs.

Seeing Nagato suddenly walk up to her, Konan subconsciously took a few steps back, somewhat disbelieving what she was seeing.

"Cough cough cough..."

Uehara Naraku reached out and wiped away the tears from Konan's eyes, gently comforting her by cupping her cheeks, "Alright, alright, teacher. Actually, Nagato-sama's surgery was successful ten days ago, and he's able to stand up again, but I thought I should give you a surprise!"

"asshole!"

"Alright, alright, teacher..."

Nagato watched them from the sidelines, chuckling to himself. It took Uehara Naraku quite a while to calm Konan down.

After a while, Xiao Nan suddenly spoke up: "So, you two had already discussed it beforehand, deciding that I would stay in the village while you went out on the mission together?"

"yes!"

Uehara Naraku glanced at Nagato, and the two nodded as if it were a matter of course: "Ten days ago, we decided that we would go out on a mission together this time."

"Let's go, let's go."

Uehara Naraku put his arm around Nagato's shoulder and waved to Konan, saying, "Sensei, Nagato-sama and I are off! We need to meet at the organization's base!"

After they finished speaking, neither of them dared to look at Konan's stunned expression. They walked out of Amegakure side by side, chatting and discussing something, their identities as rookie members of Akatsuki now obvious.

After all, no group of members can maintain a friendly relationship on the surface like Uehara Naraku and Nagato.

Nagato looked at Uehara Naraku and suddenly asked curiously, "By the way, have we decided on our codenames for the organization?"

"I haven't decided yet."

Uehara Naraku shook his head and stroked his chin: "What do you think of the red-haired and black-haired Shinigami?"

"Not very good..."

Nagato glanced at Uehara Naraku with a puzzled look.

Uehara Naraku scratched his chin and offered a new suggestion: "What about the red-haired guy and the Night Demon?"

"It's even worse now..."

"Where are the red-haired guy and the angel of the night?"

"What nonsense! Can't you even cross the line with redhead?"

"How about Little Red Riding Hood and the Black King?"

"Can't you be normal?"

"Hey, hey, hey, even something this domineering isn't acceptable? Am I supposed to call myself Black Dog?"

"..."

The two of them arrived at Akatsuki's base, whispering to each other. Obviously, these two guys wearing straw hats had attracted the attention of all the members, and curious eyes were looking at them.

Nagato naturally needed to conceal his identity.

Uehara Naraku, however, saw no need for such formalities. He simply lifted his straw hat, revealing a sinister smile: "From today onwards, please take good care of me, seniors, and by the way, please address me by my code name."

"Oh, right."

Uehara Naraku slowly surveyed everyone present, his voice gradually turning icy: "When you're out in the world, just call me Byakuren. Remember, don't call me by the wrong name, or I'll kill you all!"

"Hehehehe..."

Before anyone else could say anything, Kisame Hoshigaki suddenly burst into laughter a few times, then said softly, "Our First Mizukage's name seems to be Byakuren?"

Uehara Naraku's expression instantly crumbled, then he nonchalantly shrugged and said, "From now on, you can call me Green Tea, and the guy standing next to me, let's call him Red Tea!"

Nagato: "..."

Don't give him such a casual nickname!

As expected, Uehara Naraku's actions immediately displeased Deidara: "Hey, kid, so casual! Do you think going on a mission is like going out for afternoon tea?"

"With our strength..."

Uehara Naraku put his arm around Nagato's shoulder, glancing sideways at everyone present: "Actually, going on a mission is no different from going out for afternoon tea, right? Black tea?"

"right…"

Nagato nodded subconsciously.

The next moment, Nagato's expression, hidden under his straw hat, changed instantly. What the hell?! Why did he have Uehara Naraku come up with that codename?!

It's not like he's bad at naming things!

After all, he personally chose the codenames for all the members of Akatsuki!

Kakuzu frowned and said coldly, "Kid, becoming a full member doesn't give you the right to be so arrogant!"

Uehara Naraku rubbed his forehead and whispered, "Quick, Black Tea, show them what you've got!"

"..."

Nagato glanced at Uehara Naraku speechlessly. Of course, Nagato wouldn't choose to show off his skills, because he had a better solution.

"Alright, let's stop arguing."

Under Nagato's manipulation, Pain spoke: "They are new members of Akatsuki. One is Uehara Naraku, codenamed 'Eastern Lord,' and the other is a new member, codenamed 'Return to One'..."

Uehara Naraku immediately raised his hand and shouted, "Lord Pain, I think my teammates really dislike this codename!"

Many members cast surprised glances at Uehara Naraku, clearly seeing for the first time someone dared to oppose Pain's opinion.

What lesson will Uehara Naraku learn?

Instead of reprimanding him, Payne argued, "No, he likes it, I told him that before."

"..."

Uehara Naraku reluctantly shut his mouth.

Nagato and Payne's fingers clenched unconsciously. He was starting to regret supporting Uehara's rise to a full member, and now he was considering expelling him.

That's so naughty!

However, some things still need to be said upfront.

Payne looked at everyone present and continued in a deep voice, "Furthermore, anyone who dares to leak the identities of members of the organization will face endless pursuit and death from Akatsuki!"

Clearly, this point is emphasized specifically for Uehara Naraku.

Payne observed the expressions of everyone present, nodded seriously, and said, "Let Uehara Naraku be in charge of the specific operations for this mission!"

After all, Uehara single-handedly destroyed the people of Kusagakure, and he was also the one who instigated the confrontation between Iwagakure and Konoha.

Upon hearing Payne's words, everyone's expressions varied.

Indeed, there were quite a few people present who had attacked a country and destroyed a town, but Kusagakure, a medium-sized ninja village, was among the top in terms of combat strength, second only to the Five Great Nations.

Destroying Kusagakure won't be that easy.

That intern kid has always been very strong, but no one has ever really known just how strong he is. This time, maybe we'll see…

Uehara Naraku twisted his wrist, glanced at the various expressions on everyone's faces, and smiled, "Then I'll ask you all to take good care of me on this journey!"

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(End of this chapter)