Starting as the mastermind behind Naruto

Chapter 265 Kid, I won't believe a single word you say!

Rain-Hidden Village.

Underground pipeline area.

Jiraiya gradually calmed himself down.

As a professionally trained ninja, Jiraiya believed he could conceal his emotions no matter what happened in front of him.

The only problem is...

Uehara Naraku told so many lies outside that Jiraiya felt he couldn't even count them all.

After Jiraiya discovered that Hanzo's death was one of the loopholes, he quickly realized that everything else Uehara Naraku said was a lie.

How could there be someone like Uehara Naraku in the ninja world?!

Normally, ninjas only lie to one person occasionally or leak false information occasionally. Why would someone like Uehara Naraku suddenly appear?

Uehara Naraku has been pretending that Hanzo the Salamander is still alive, and has fabricated a bunch of lies based on the premise that Hanzo the Salamander is still alive. Just as Jiraiya realizes that one of the things Uehara said might be false, he realizes that another thing might also be false.

Everything is fake.

Everything is a lie.

The question is, what is the truth?

Even with his best efforts to guess and analyze, Jiraiya couldn't figure it out anymore, because Uehara Naraku's words completely collapsed, leaving him utterly clueless.

It was just the name of Hanzo the Salamander that Uehara Naraku used for a long time. Who knows which of these things might have actually happened but were just using Hanzo's name, and which didn't happen at all but were attributed to Hanzo?

Damn it, how could someone like Uehara Naraku appear in the ninja world?!

Jiraiya felt that he had traveled the ninja world for so long, and with his experience of over fifty years, what hadn't he experienced and what kind of people hadn't he seen?

But Uehara Naraku is truly a unique character!

After sighing for a while, Jiraiya realized that he seemed to have entered a certain misconception. His purpose in coming to Amegakure was to obtain information about Akatsuki, not to think about how much Uehara Naraku had done under the name of Hanzo the Salamander!

Perhaps Uehara Naraku and his teacher simply thought that Hanzo the Salamander's reputation as a ninja demigod was impressive, and used it to scare people away from entering the Land of Rain?

Jiraiya rubbed his wrist, glanced at the two Rain Village ninja patrolling the underground pipe area, gritted his teeth, and said, "Next, we need to thoroughly investigate whether that brat Uehara Naraku has any connection with Akatsuki, and then find out more information about Akatsuki..."

At this moment, Jiraiya desperately hoped that Uehara Naraku and his teacher simply wanted to take over Amegakure, and that it didn't matter even if Uehara Naraku and his teacher had previously cooperated with the Akatsuki.

For example, it's possible that Uehara Naraku collaborated with the Akatsuki to kill Hanzo, but that doesn't really matter, as long as he's not currently colluding with the Akatsuki.

Even though Uehara Naraku once colluded with Shimura Danzo and Orochimaru to instigate the Konoha Rebellion and assassinated the Third Hokage, it's not a big deal.

First, the best-case scenario for Konoha is that Amegakure promotes the creation of Akatsuki, and they ultimately part ways as Uehara said, becoming mortal enemies.

In this way, Konoha and Amegakure can continue to be allies.

Secondly, the worst-case scenario for Konoha is that Uehara Naraku is still a core member of Akatsuki and continues to provide the Akatsuki with information about Konoha.

From this perspective, it seems that Konoha has always been manipulated by others.

"The situation shouldn't be that bad, right?"

Jiraiya rubbed his temples, leaped down to a spot in the underground pipes, and followed the two Rain Village ninja. He muttered, "That brat Uehara Naraku can actually save people, his personality can't be that bad, can it?"

Unfortunately.

When Jiraiya used the Toad Mouth Binding Technique to capture two patrolling Rain Ninja and interrogate them for information, he realized that Uehara Naraku was far worse than he had imagined.

Inside the stomach wall of a toad.

Jiraiya stroked his chin, looking at the two stubborn Amegakure ninja before him, and chuckled as he asked, "Just who is Uehara Naraku? Is he the leader of Amegakure? It's obvious the villagers respect him greatly!"

"Lord Uehara is the most perfect ninja in history!"

An older patrolling rain ninja gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice, "If you're here to assassinate Lord Uehara, then you're dead!"

"Ha, the most perfect ninja?"

Jiraiya couldn't help but chuckle, a hint of wickedness creeping into his eyes: "Hmm, you and your wife, Tesuna, say the same things!"

"You bastard, how did you know my wife is Tsuna?!"

The middle-aged patrolling Rain Ninja's face gradually turned furious, then he looked at Jiraiya with a hint of helplessness: "I didn't expect your enemies would investigate a nobody like me?"

"Hahahaha..."

After chuckling a few times, Jiraiya looked at the middle-aged patrolling Rain Ninja with a serious expression and said in a deep voice, "If you want to return safely to see your wife, then tell me everything you know! What's the deal with Hanzo of the Salamander? What's the deal with the change of leadership in Amegakure? Who is Uehara Naraku?"

"..."

The middle-aged Yu Ren fell silent.

After a moment, the middle-aged Amegakure ninja slowly shook his head and replied in a deep voice, "Eight years ago, it is said that under the orders of Lord Pain, Lord Uehara killed Hanzo of the Salamander and hung Hanzo's body on the tower. Since then, Amegakure has been under their protection."

"Payne?"

"That's right, the leader of Amegakure is Lord Pain. He is the true god of this village. Lord Uehara and his teacher, Lord Angel, are both messengers sent by God!"

"God? Payne? Angel?"

Jiraiya rubbed his forehead, feeling his heart skip a beat. Why did it seem like the secrets of Amegakure were getting more and more complicated?

Both Pain and the angel sound like formidable opponents. One claims to be a god, and the other an angel; moreover, this so-called angel is Uehara Naraku's teacher, so one can imagine how powerful this angel is.

From this perspective, is Uehara Naraku still at the very bottom?

Jiraiya couldn't help but stroke his chin: "It seems that Uehara Naraku's status isn't as high as I thought..."

"No."

The middle-aged Amegakure ninja shook his head and said in a deep voice, "Lord Uehara is the next leader of Amegakure. He is the leader who can truly bring happiness to Amegakure!"

"Oh~"

Jiraiya nodded as if suddenly understanding, then abruptly asked, "So, are Uehara Naraku, Tenshi, and Pain members of Akatsuki?"

"..."

The middle-aged Yu Ren slowly lowered her head.

After a while, the middle-aged rain ninja shook his head, gritted his teeth, and said, "We don't know anything about this."

"Your pulse is racing."

Jiraiya's expression gradually turned grim, and he sighed, "It seems they might all be members of Akatsuki. The situation is much worse than I imagined..."

Jiraiya lived to be over fifty years old.

This was the first time he had ever seen anything like this.

On one hand, they stood in the camp of their own ninja village, shouting and killing at the members of the Akatsuki organization, and even personally instigating a major battle between the two sides;

While siding with the Akatsuki, they launched a direct and ruthless attack on the Great Ninja Village, seizing its tailed beasts and Jinchuriki.

Jiraiya suddenly realized a problem: why were there often several hooded ninjas among the Akatsuki members? It was because they wanted to hide their identities. Uehara Naraku was very likely involved in the siege of the Great Ninja Village!

"I can't understand..."

Jiraiya rubbed his forehead, recalling Uehara Naraku's every move: "Why would he do that? He was leaking information about Akatsuki, even helping to rescue the Fifth Kazekage of Sunagakure, while simultaneously attacking and destroying major ninja villages..."

No matter how he thought about it, Jiraiya couldn't understand it.

To this day, nothing like this has ever happened in the ninja world. Who has ever seen such a frivolous guy as Uehara Naraku, jumping back and forth between the two opposing camps!

Jiraiya's expression changed, and he considered a possible direction: "Could it be to steal information so they can capture Jinchuriki more easily? Whatever the reason, we must first find a way to continue investigating Uehara Naraku, the angel, and Pain..."

Underground pipeline area.

The torrential rain gradually stopped.

A middle-aged Rain Ninja appeared, straightened his clothes, and walked step by step into the depths of the Rain Village's pipe area.

As the middle-aged rain ninja walked deeper into the pipe, two figures appeared where he had been standing. They were Konan and Uehara Naraku, who had been following him.

Uehara Naraku slowly closed his umbrella and asked softly, "Sensei, is Jiraiya-sama inside the body of that genin in that village?"

"Yes, that's the Toad Shadow Manipulation Technique."

Konan nodded, reached out and patted the water droplets off Uehara Naraku's shoulder, and explained in a low voice, "Jiraiya-sensei's Toad Shadow Manipulation Technique can hide his body inside the shadow of other ninjas, thereby manipulating their actions."

"A remarkable infiltration technique."

Uehara Naraku looked curiously into the depths of the underground pipes and chuckled, "It seems he's already got our information. Now he should go and say hello to Lord Jiraiya."

"..."

Xiao Nan hesitated for a moment before nodding.

At the same time, Nagato's voice rang in their ears: "I have already sent Animal Path Pain to help. The most important thing in dealing with Jiraiya-sensei is to be able to handle his summoning beasts. The other Pains can arrive at any time."

"It doesn't matter!"

Uehara Naraku rubbed his hands and said softly, "I once encountered a summoning beast called Gamabunta. It wasn't very strong. I'll go and take care of it!"

"Uehara, don't underestimate Jiraiya-sensei's power."

Nagato's voice carried a hint of nostalgia as he continued softly, "Even I wouldn't dare guarantee that I could easily defeat Jiraiya-sensei."

"Anyway, let's go say hello first!"

Uehara Naraku walked deeper into the underground pipes, a smile on his face: "No matter what, Jiraiya-sama also took care of and educated Konan-sensei and Nagato-sama."

Now that Lord Jiraiya has come to visit our village, it would be extremely rude of us to attack him so rashly!

Xiao Nan: "..."

Nagato: "..."

Uehara Naraku seems to have a point.

At the very least, one should greet one's former teacher. So, shouldn't we now tell Jiraiya why things have come to this?

Deep inside the underground pipes.

The middle-aged Rain Ninja, controlled by Jiraiya using the Toad Shadow Manipulation Technique, had just passed through an entrance. He was carefully observing his surroundings for any enemies when he heard a familiar voice.

"It must be really stuffy in the shadows, right?"

Uehara Naraku suddenly appeared, grabbed the middle-aged Rain Ninja by the shoulder, and stared intently at him with narrowed eyes.

Uehara Naraku smiled and said, "Come out of the shadows underground and get some fresh air, Jiraiya-sama. We've been watching you!"

"..."

Jiraiya, hiding in the shadows of the Rain Ninja, tensed up.

Now that we've been discovered, there's no need to hide anymore, right?

The next moment, Jiraiya slowly emerged from the shadow of the Rain Ninja, gradually regaining his strength. He looked up at Uehara Naraku, his gaze becoming increasingly complex.

The Uehara Naraku before them was wearing the Akatsuki uniform with a black robe adorned with auspicious clouds, which indicated both his identity and his attitude.

Uehara Naraku no longer hides that he is a member of Akatsuki.

Jiraiya's expression gradually darkened, his eyes narrowing as he stared at Uehara Naraku, saying, "Uehara brat, I never imagined you'd be a member of Akatsuki?"

"I see..."

Uehara Naraku spread out his palms, seemingly showing his clothes to Jiraiya, and said with a light laugh, "Lord Jiraiya, do you think this outfit looks good? It's much nicer than the Akatsuki uniform from twenty years ago."

"..."

Jiraiya's lips twitched involuntarily.

Is this the time to discuss whether the Akatsuki's clothes are good-looking or not?

However, Uehara Naraku's words revealed a piece of information: that the Akatsuki organization was already established twenty years ago?

That's plenty of time!

This means that there must be someone even more hidden behind the Akatsuki organization, because at this time, Obito Uchiha, who is supposed to have founded the Akatsuki, was just a Konoha ninja and was far from qualified!

"Why?"

Uehara Naraku glanced at Jiraiya curiously, then chuckled and continued, "Lord Jiraiya, why aren't you curious? Shouldn't you be asking me the usual questions? You should be asking me what the Akatsuki organization was like twenty years ago, and all that..."

"..."

Jiraiya's lips twitched. He glanced at Uehara Naraku speechlessly and said irritably, "Do you think you'll tell me the truth if I ask? Do you think you, a liar, will tell me the truth? Kid, in your mouth, Hanzo of the Salamander has been working overtime for seven or eight years!"

"Ha ha ha ha…"

Uehara Naraku couldn't help but laugh out loud. He could clearly imagine the bewildered look on Jiraiya's face when he learned that Hanzo had been dead for seven or eight years.

After laughing, Uehara Naraku's expression gradually became serious. He looked at Jiraiya and said softly, "I may hide other things, but I will not hide anything about the Akatsuki organization from twenty years ago."

Uehara Naraku waved his hand, signaling the startled Rain Ninja to leave, before continuing softly, "After all, the Akatsuki organization was born twenty years ago because of Lord Jiraiya!"

"What?"

"Unfortunately."

Uehara Naraku gave a bitter smile and shook his head, saying, "Because a Konoha ninja trained three disciples, an organization called Akatsuki was born; because of another Konoha ninja, this organization called Akatsuki went to destruction and extremism."

Jiraiya looked at Uehara Naraku, his expression gradually becoming more and more complicated, as if he was thinking of his three disciples, Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato.

Just as Uehara Naraku thought Jiraiya would continue questioning him according to the usual pattern, Jiraiya slowly shook his head and said, "Kid, although I don't know what you're going to say, I know that not a single word you say is worth believing!"

"..."

Uehara Naraku fell silent.

Why does Jiraiya refuse to play by the rules?

All they did was conceal the fact that Hanzo had died young.

Has his credibility really plummeted to such a low level?

Uehara Naraku glanced at Jiraiya speechlessly, then sighed softly, "If my words are not to be believed, then would you believe Konan-sensei's words?"

Suddenly I heard a familiar name.

Jiraiya's expression changed. He also noticed the way Uehara Naraku addressed Konan and couldn't help but whisper, "Konan... is she your teacher?"

The next moment, Jiraiya whispered, "Konan, is she the so-called angel of Amegakure?"

"That's right."

Uehara Naraku nodded and chuckled, "It seems that Jiraiya-sama doesn't know much!"

Looking at Uehara Naraku's smile, Jiraiya couldn't help but say, "Who knows if you're telling the truth, brat! Konan is the gentlest of my disciples, how could she possibly have raised someone like you..."

"Naraku is right."

A cold female voice appeared in the empty area.

One by one, pieces of white paper floated down from the sky, hovering and gradually forming the shape of a person, which was Xiao Nan.

Konan looked at Jiraiya with a complicated expression, let out a long breath, and said in a deep voice, "It's been a long time, Jiraiya-sensei."

One more chapter to come

Damn, I've already written four thousand words!

(End of this chapter)