Starting as the Hidden Mastermind from Naruto

Chapter 156: Sasuke is Both Useless and a Pest

"Naraku Uehara, what is going on!"

Sasuke Uchiha sized up everyone present and finally decided to focus his attention on Naraku Uehara, because he believed Naraku Uehara was likely the weakest of the three.

"Allow me to introduce myself."

Naraku Uehara friendly extended his hand towards Sasuke Uchiha and explained cordially, "Sasuke Uchiha, on behalf of the Akatsuki organization, which is dedicated to maintaining peace in the ninja world, I formally extend an invitation to you, to recruit you as one of our interns."

"None of you look like good people!"

Sasuke Uchiha stared at Naraku Uehara with a gloomy face, "And to think I thought you were a good person. It turns out you're in league with Itachi Uchiha!"

"I have always been a good person."

The smile on Naraku Uehara's face did not diminish, and he even looked somewhat pleased with himself, "You'll know after you've been with me for a while… Now tell me, are you willing to join? Although the Akatsuki organization prohibits internal strife, it doesn't prohibit fratricide!"

"..."

Sasuke Uchiha was silent for a moment, then turned to look at Itachi Uchiha, "What is this Itachi Uchiha fellow's status in your organization!"

"Mr. Itachi is a full member of Akatsuki!"

Naraku Uehara chuckled lightly, pointing at himself and then at Sasuke Uchiha, "The two of us are just interns in the organization. When our strength is sufficient, the leader will permit us to become full members."

This explanation was very easy to understand.

Sasuke Uchiha instantly understood the hierarchy. He couldn't help but snort coldly at Naraku Uehara, "You were so arrogant during the Chunin Exams, I thought you were some big shot. I didn't expect you to be just an intern too."

"..."

The smile on Naraku Uehara's face instantly froze.

Clearly, Sasuke Uchiha's words had hit a sore spot.

Over the years, Naraku Uehara had applied to become a full member quite a few times. Each time, he was rejected by Konan. Even when Nagato pleaded on his behalf, it was no use.

Whenever Naraku Uehara saw that red-cloud-on-black-robe uniform, he couldn't help but think of that side quest with the generous reward.

However, that side quest to become a full member of Akatsuki was as difficult as winning a bet against Tsunade or making Naruto go dark. It had become a sickness in Uehara's heart.

This was too ridiculous!

Where did the problem lie!

Clearly, Uehara himself had worked very hard. To let Konan see his strength growing, Naraku Uehara put on an appearance of diligent training almost every day.

Whatever Konan asked him to do, he would do his best to complete it.

But every time he mentioned becoming a full member of Akatsuki, Konan would only coax him to train obediently in the village and learn to govern Amegakure with her.

It was just like coaxing a child.

The smile returned to Naraku Uehara's face. He turned to look at Itachi Uchiha and asked softly, "Mr. Itachi, can I discipline your younger brother on your behalf? Lest he speaks recklessly in the organization and offends other seniors."

"As you wish."

Itachi Uchiha carelessly turned his head away.

Crack!

A crisp sound of bone breaking was heard!

Naraku Uehara fiercely twisted Sasuke's arm!

"Ugh…"

Sasuke Uchiha couldn't help but cry out in pain.

Sasuke Uchiha's scream was so painful that it made Itachi Uchiha involuntarily turn back, his gaze fixed on Sasuke's wound, his brow slightly furrowed.

A green light glowed from Naraku Uehara's palm. While healing Sasuke Uchiha's wound, he persuaded with a light laugh, "Although I'm also an intern, you joined Akatsuki after me. In the future, remember to call me 'senior,' understand?"

"..."

Sasuke Uchiha just gritted his teeth in silence.

Just as Naraku Uehara was about to make another move, a large sword wrapped in bandages landed beside him, stopping his action.

Kisame Hoshigaki's lips curled into a smile as he said softly, "You have to give Mr. Itachi some face. Although the two of them are mortal enemies, they are still brothers after all…"

"..."

A trace of gratitude immediately appeared in Itachi Uchiha's eyes as he looked at Kisame Hoshigaki.

A trace of danger immediately appeared in Naraku Uehara's eyes as he looked at Kisame Hoshigaki. What was wrong with this spy? Was he getting a big head now that he was far away?

Sasuke Uchiha, however, was completely ungrateful, and even said coldly, "Who is his brother? Ever since he killed my parents and all my clansmen, he has been the enemy I wish I could chop into mince meat!"

"Mr. Itachi, you see…"

Kisame Hoshigaki immediately put on a helpless expression.

Itachi Uchiha shook his head and said in a low voice, "Don't mind him. Sasuke Uchiha has been weak since he was a child, only good at being arrogant with his mouth. I've said…"

Itachi Uchiha's words suddenly stopped, because he felt that if he said again that Sasuke Uchiha was not suitable to be a member of Akatsuki, Kisame Hoshigaki and Naraku Uehara would probably say something ruthless like "since Sasuke is not suitable, then let's kill him."

This was truly troublesome.

Itachi Uchiha didn't even know what to say anymore.

Itachi Uchiha slowly pulled his collar tighter and said softly, "Forget it, let's go. We need to hurry back to the organization's base to avoid being pursued by Konoha again!"

At this point, Itachi Uchiha could only find some joy in his bitterness.

After Sasuke Uchiha joined Akatsuki, he would be able to see Sasuke often and personally protect his safety. Things didn't seem so bad.

The only pain was Sasuke's hateful gaze.

However, this wouldn't last for too long. During the decisive battle between Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki, his Sharingan had already evolved from two tomoe to three.

Itachi Uchiha began to calculate in his mind what kind of opportunity he should create for Sasuke to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan. At that time, he could die in peace.

Itachi Uchiha wouldn't even mind using his own death to resolve the knot in Sasuke's heart.

However, before he died, he had to arrange Sasuke's life properly. If Sasuke was still in Akatsuki at that time, he was afraid he would be bullied constantly.

Unfortunately, this was just Itachi Uchiha's wishful thinking.

When passing by a dessert shop, Kisame Hoshigaki suggested having lunch there. Sasuke Uchiha immediately expressed his dissatisfaction, "I hate natto and sweets."

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"But Mr. Itachi really likes sweets."

The corner of Kisame Hoshigaki's mouth curled up. He looked at Sasuke Uchiha with a very malicious smile. It seemed that in order to help Itachi Uchiha, he especially liked to bully Sasuke.

Itachi Uchiha looked on helplessly from the side and could only turn to look at an outsider, "Uehara, what do you want for lunch?"

Naraku Uehara carelessly glanced at Kisame Hoshigaki, "My tastes have been a little strange recently. I feel like eating shark fin."

"..."

Hearing Naraku Uehara's words, Kisame Hoshigaki's expression immediately became unpleasant, and he clearly became much more honest.

After the group had eaten and drunk their fill.

Seeing an opportunity while Itachi Uchiha was drinking water, a flash of lightning suddenly appeared in Sasuke Uchiha's palm, and he charged towards Itachi Uchiha, "Chidori!"

Bang!

Sasuke Uchiha was kicked to the ground by Itachi Uchiha!

Itachi Uchiha then stomped on Sasuke's wrist, breaking it, before slowly opening his mouth, "Uehara, this injury shouldn't be a problem, right? I don't want him to become a complete waste before I've squeezed out his remaining value."

"Don't worry."

Naraku Uehara chuckled lightly and healed Sasuke's wound with a wave of his hand, "As long as you don't twist Sasuke's head off, I can heal him."

On their way back to the Land of Rain, before they had even left the borders of the Land of Fire, Sasuke Uchiha would launch sneak attacks to assassinate Itachi Uchiha at a frequency of more than three times a day. Each time, he was easily defeated by Itachi Uchiha.

Along the way, Sasuke Uchiha did not succeed in a single assassination. Instead, he earned Kisame Hoshigaki's alienation and Itachi Uchiha's unease.

Itachi Uchiha felt that Sasuke didn't know how to endure.

Kisame felt that Sasuke was both useless and a troublemaker.

While Akatsuki was utterly disgusted with Sasuke Uchiha, another ninja in the world who liked to adopt orphans was flying into a rage.

In Otogakure.

Having sacrificed the Sound Four and still not receiving any news of Sasuke, Orochimaru's temper had clearly become much more foul, "What is going on? This body of mine is about to reach its limit, and Kidomaru and the others still haven't brought Sasuke back!"

"Perhaps there was some deviation in our plan."

Kabuto Yakushi pushed his glasses and helplessly persuaded, "Lord Orochimaru, why don't you perform the Living Corpse Reincarnation first! Besides, Sasuke Uchiha's Sharingan kekkei genkai may not be Lord Orochimaru's optimal choice…"

"But he is the most suitable right now!"

Orochimaru slammed his fist on the experimental table. Due to excessive force, he could only tremble and lie down on a nearby chair, "Go and prepare for this Living Corpse Reincarnation for me first! A new body can still support me for three years, just enough time for me to go and capture and research White Zetsu…"

After speaking, Orochimaru slowly turned his head. A trace of danger and gratitude was mixed in his pair of snake pupils, "Kabuto, I must also thank you for bringing back a White Zetsu corpse, allowing me to find a new possibility."

Just as Kabuto Yakushi turned to leave, he suddenly stopped, his face becoming even more respectful, "No, it is I who should thank Lord Orochimaru. Because of your existence, I was able to see the most suitable path for a ninja."

"Hehehehe…"

Orochimaru slowly laughed and held his forehead, saying in a low voice, "That's right, I have discovered a new path. As long as we can capture a sufficient number of White Zetsu, Edo Tensei… Living Corpse Reincarnation… can be further perfected!"

Orochimaru slowly turned his head and looked at a coffin with the character for 'First' carved on it beside him, a hint of obsession flashing in his eyes, "As long as I get White Zetsu, I will soon be able to possess the power of the First Hokage!"

Ever since Orochimaru began to study the corpse of White Zetsu, he quickly discovered the wondrous structure of this creature. This creature was completely unlike a ninja; their bodies seemed to be compatible with the existence of any chakra.

This point was very magical.

As long as it could be compatible with chakra, it meant it could accommodate any kekkei genkai. For Orochimaru, the kekkei genkai he wished to obtain could be integrated into a White Zetsu's body.

As long as he obtained a living White Zetsu, as long as that White Zetsu could accommodate the Wood Release kekkei genkai, Orochimaru believed he could completely establish himself in the ninja world with the power of Wood Release!

Most importantly, the body structure of White Zetsu was very unique.

Orochimaru discovered that this creature, White Zetsu, might be able to serve as a sacrificial vessel for Edo Tensei, perhaps allowing the deceased to exert powerful strength. The only problem was that powerful Edo Tensei subjects were not easy to control.

And where on earth should he find this White Zetsu?

Orochimaru gently tapped his fingers, his cold pupils slightly constricting. He slowly murmured, "I remember that Zetsu fellow has always been Akatsuki's intelligence personnel. These White Zetsu should all be his clones. It's just that Zetsu's whereabouts are usually uncertain. It seems I'll have to find a way to get information about him from an Akatsuki member's mouth…"

(End of Chapter)

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