Starting as the mastermind behind Naruto

Chapter 456 Uehara Naraku... he's really not human (Third update!)

Uehara Naraku was quite happy.

Because Crocodile followed his plan without any unexpected events, and walked straight into the trap he had set.

just now…

It's finally time to settle the score!

"..."

Crocodile's expression clearly showed he wasn't happy.

Crocodile originally came to this deserted island intending to teach the Navy a lesson and let them know that Crocodile is not someone to be trifled with... but now that he's arrived on this island, it seems like he's walked right into a trap!

Crocodile's expression gradually turned sinister, and he immediately asked the One-Tailed Shukaku within him, "Shukaku, what exactly is going on?"

This Shukaku, why is he providing false information!

Shukaku's laughter finally turned malicious: "Hehehehehe... Crocodile, how should I know? The person you should be asking is sitting right in front of you!"

"..."

Crocodile slowly raised his head, looking at the three people at the wooden table. Admirals Aokiji and Akainu sat on either side, while Naraku Uehara sat in the main seat…

This seating arrangement is a bit outrageous.

"Hmph, could it really be a Marine Admiral?"

Crocodile's eyes narrowed slightly; he knew he might not be able to escape. He simply asked the person he knew best in a low voice, "Hey, Uehara Naraku, what's going on here? What are you and these two Marine Admirals doing here?"

"We're waiting for you..."

Naraku Uehara smiled at Crocodile, spreading his palms and saying, "Hurry up and sit down, Captain. I have so much to tell you... Robin should have sailed away by now, so you can't escape no matter what!"

"..."

Crocodile's expression darkened, and he asked, enunciating each word clearly, "Nicole Robin betrayed me, sold me out to you?"

"No, Captain."

Uehara Naraku patted the table, tilted his head, and chuckled softly, saying, "This is actually a very long story. Don't rush, let's sit down and tell you slowly..."

"snort…"

Crocodile snorted coldly and sat down at the last seat on the wooden table with a grim expression. His eyes flickered slightly as he sized up the two Marine Admirals beside him.

Uehara Naraku looked at Crocodile, narrowed his eyes, and chuckled as he spoke, "First, let me introduce myself to the captain... I have many roles, so where should I begin..."

"Multiple identities..."

Crocodile stared intently at Naraku Uehara, his voice grim as he said, "So you have connections with the Navy too... So you're a traitor too!"

"That's a lie..."

Uehara Naraku shook his head, slowly closing his palms, a meaningful smile playing on his lips: "Actually, there's one thing you're wrong about: all those who betrayed you... have always been my people!"

Uehara Naraku chuckled and continued, "Kisame Hoshigaki, Deidara, Sasori, Nico Robin—they're all my subordinates… As for those in Baroque Works who refused to be loyal to me, I've already had them all eliminated!"

Uehara Naraku, observing Crocodile's unusually complex expression, grew increasingly pleased with himself: "I emptied out Baroque Works long ago! Of course, this is understandable for you, since you've never cared about Baroque Works..."

"asshole…"

Crocodile couldn't help but grit his teeth.

Although he did not care about Baroque Works, as Uehara Naraku said, it does not mean that Crocodile enjoys being toyed with!

That bastard…

Uehara Naraku continued slowly, "You think you're in control of everything in the dark, but actually everything you do is under my control... Unfortunately, it's too difficult to gain your trust, so I have to think of another way."

Uehara Naraku pointed a finger at Crocodile and said softly, "That's to implant the One-Tailed Shukaku into your body. It's my pet... How does it feel? Its power is pretty good, isn't it?"

"..."

Crocodile's expression changed drastically!

Now, Shukaku, the One-Tailed Beast, is his greatest asset. It is precisely because Shukaku is willing to lend him its power that Crocodile dares to act recklessly!

Crocodile had suspected something was wrong with Shukaku earlier...

However, Crocodile still finds it hard to believe that Uehara Naraku has personally admitted that Shukaku was arranged by him. In that case, his life has always been in Uehara Naraku's hands!

Crocodile slowly clenched his fingers and said in a deep voice, "So what exactly is your purpose in lurking by my side all this time?"

"It's fun."

Uehara Naraku's words made Crocodile's forehead throb with anger!

What the hell kind of reason is that?!

Just for fun, you're going to mess with him like this?

"Actually, I didn't want to either."

Uehara Naraku sighed and said softly, "Originally, I just wanted to stay at Baroque Works, wholeheartedly serve Mr. Crocodile, and occasionally help you raid Marineford, attack Mary Geoise, and kill a few Celestial Dragons or something..."

"..."

Crocodile's expression was subtle.

What the hell is this efficacy?!

Which boss in the world would dare to let you work for them like this!

Should he be glad that Baroque Works disbanded early? If that bastard Uehara Naraku had actually done that, he would probably be hunted down all over the world by the Navy and the World Government!

Uehara Naraku sighed softly, "What a pity... Captain Crocodile... you only made me a mid-level agent and were unwilling to promote me..."

Uehara Naraku looked at Crocodile with a resentful expression and said, "Do you know how serious the consequences are if you don't promote and raise a hardworking employee? That hardworking employee could destroy your company!"

"…Shut up!"

Crocodile's face darkened. He stared intently at Uehara Naraku and said, "Anyone who hires an employee like you is doomed..."

"No, no, no, you're wrong about that..."

Uehara Naraku waved his hand and said softly, "My previous boss was incredibly lucky. After his company went bankrupt, he got a stable and long-term job from me..."

"..."

The other people present had subtle expressions. Your previous boss went bankrupt and ended up becoming your employee. Is that what you call good luck?

That unlucky boss…

How bad is it?!

Aokiji and Akainu's gazes slowly fell on Crocodile. Crocodile must be that unlucky boss, right?

"Just say it!"

Crocodile stared at Uehara Naraku and said in a deep voice, "Uehara Naraku, who exactly are you? What has been your purpose in following me all this time?!"

"Alas, I'm just an ordinary god!"

Uehara Naraku shook his head and sighed, then continued, "The purpose of staying by your side all this time was simply to see your expression right now..."

"..."

Crocodile was completely bewildered.

Aokiji and Akainu were speechless.

What kind of devilish words are these?!

Uehara Naraku chuckled and explained, "Mr. Crocodile, you're actually quite lucky. There are seven Shichibukai in total, and after much deliberation, I chose you as a scapegoat..."

It's a shame you're so incompetent. All you want to do is stay in Alabasta. When will you ever become the Pirate King? You're a man destined to become the Pirate King, how can you just stay in Alabasta and be a mere Shichibukai!

So I secretly manipulated Baroque Works, making others do all sorts of bad things on the sea, attracting countless powerful enemies for Baroque!

"Only after forcing the Navy to fully commit to Baroque Works did I secretly collude with them and betray your identity."

"..."

Crocodile's expression grew increasingly grim.

Oh shit.

That guy has the nerve to say that!

Baroque Works has always maintained a low profile, but since recruiting Uehara Naraku and his group, the entire Baroque Works' style has undergone a dramatic transformation...

He seemed to have a sworn enemy of the entire world...

This directly forced him, the behind-the-scenes boss of Baroque Works, to not dare to show his face...

However, Uehara Naraku, who had put Baroque Works in such a dangerous situation, escaped and colluded with the Navy, directly betraying him and making him take the blame for everything!

草…

Confused and bewildered, they ended up taking the blame for a series of terrible things!

Damn it, how could Uehara Naraku be such a bastard!

Uehara Naraku rubbed his forehead, smiled at Crocodile, and continued, "But I soon realized that your strength was too weak."

"I couldn't even put on a show of a stalemate with Admiral Aokiji for the World Government, so I gave Shukaku to you..."

Uehara Naraku picked up the juice on the table, took a sip, and continued, "From that moment on, everything about you was in my hands..."

A hint of regret gradually appeared on Uehara Naraku's face: "I forced you towards the sea because I wanted to go to the New World with you, to let you provoke the Four Emperors of the New World, and climb all the way to the top, either to Impel Down or directly to Hell. Unfortunately, something unexpected happened along the way..."

"..."

Crocodile no longer knew what kind of expression he had...

Damn it, Impeldown is an underwater prison!

What kind of summit is this? He's never heard of anyone summiting Impelton in all these years!

Other captains are said to reach the top and become the Pirate King, but this bastard is going to either end up in Impel Down or go straight to hell...

Before saying these things, can't you think about whether you're speaking human language?

Uehara Naraku looked at Crocodile, frowned, and said, "Hmm? Captain Crocodile, shouldn't you be asking me what happened at this time?"

"..."

Crocodile took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "What accident?"

I won't tell you.

Uehara Naraku's words nearly choked Crocodile again before he could finish, "If you had come to rescue me, I would still have been your ship's doctor... Unfortunately, you abandoned your own comrades!"

"Thank goodness I didn't come to save you..."

Crocodile said through gritted teeth, "If I had saved you, who knows how long you would have kept playing me like a puppet!"

"well…"

Uehara Naraku shook his head and sighed, "Mr. Crocodile, isn't that a good thing? Ignorance is a blessing!"

"asshole!"

Crocodile clenched his fists tightly, his face grim, and said, "What exactly is your purpose in doing all this to me?!"

"I already said that."

Uehara Naraku raised his head, stared at Crocodile's face, and said with a smile, "Right now, I just want to see what kind of expression you'll give me after I ruined your plans and turned your life into this mess..."

"asshole!"

Crocodile felt his mind go blank.

An endless rage instantly overwhelmed his reason; all he wanted was to drain Uehara Naraku dry and turn him into a mummy!

Looking at Crocodile's ever-changing, slightly ferocious expression, Uehara Naraku nodded in satisfaction and said, "Hmm, that expression is truly spectacular. I'm quite satisfied... Mr. Aokiji, Mr. Akainu, what do you two think?"

"..."

Aokiji and Akainu fell silent.

The two admirals of the Navy Headquarters, whose personalities clashed, were surprisingly in sync at this moment; they had only one thought.

Uehara Naraku... he's not human.

Delivered at midnight, time to sleep...

I've had a bit of a cold these past couple of days, so I'm a little late... Sorry...

(End of this chapter)