Starting as the Hidden Mastermind from Naruto

Chapter 157: Are You Messing With Me?

Akatsuki Base.

Because Konan was too overbearing, Naraku Uehara hadn't been to the Akatsuki base in a long time. He actually felt a faint sense of intimacy for this place.

This dangerous thought was immediately suppressed by Uehara.

Could it be that he had been playing the villain for too long recently and was getting addicted?

After entering the base, Naraku Uehara's group discovered that there were quite a few people here today. It seemed all relevant members had gathered.

Full members: Pain, Konan, Sasori of the Red Sand, Deidara, Mangetsu Hozuki, Zabuza Momochi, Kakuzu, Hidan, Zetsu, plus the just-arrived Kisame Hoshigaki and Itachi Uchiha. It was practically a full house of the official members.

The only intern was Naraku Uehara. Perhaps after today, Sasuke Uchiha would also become an intern of Akatsuki.

As for the external liaison personnel, Kimimaro Kaguya and Haku were also here. Today, their small team had one more person, Karin.

Wait, something's not right!

Naraku Uehara couldn't help but look at Kimimaro Kaguya's and Haku's clothes. Why were they wearing Akatsuki uniforms?

Based on strength, besides them, there should be no one else qualified to become a full member of Akatsuki, right?

Could it be a big giveaway of Akatsuki uniforms, opening up spots for full members?

A hint of joy couldn't help but appear on Naraku Uehara's face. If even Kimimaro Kaguya and Haku could join, didn't this mean he was also qualified to become a full member of Akatsuki?

Uehara slowly walked to his position and couldn't help but say with a light laugh, "What, is the organization having a team-building event today?"

Sasori of the Red Sand raised Hiruko's head and said coldly, "What team-building? Didn't they say we're welcoming a new member today?"

"It couldn't be this little brat, could it?"

Deidara looked at the unfamiliar Sasuke Uchiha with a ferocious grin, "This little brat doesn't look very strong. Is he qualified to stand with us?"

Kakuzu looked at Sasuke Uchiha with a displeased expression, "Akatsuki is not a place where any cat or dog can join! Stop recruiting these teenage brats all the time. Are you trying to turn this place into a kindergarten for brats?"

Hearing this, Deidara was immediately unhappy and retorted, "That's still much better than turning it into a senior citizens' activity center!"

After all, Deidara had also joined Akatsuki at the age of twelve. This year, he was only about fifteen or sixteen. The generation gap with an old man like Kakuzu was too large; they really couldn't get along.

After speaking, Deidara even kindly tried to win over another person of his own age, "Hey, Uehara, am I right?"

"…Ahem, ahem…"

Naraku Uehara coughed lightly. Just as he was about to say something, he looked up and glanced at Konan beside him. He saw Konan's cold face growing even colder, which made him subconsciously shut his mouth.

Ever since Uehara entered the Akatsuki base, Konan had not said a single word. This was quite different from her usual attitude towards Uehara.

Moreover, silence was generally a precursor to Konan's anger.

This was actually normal. After all, Konan had consistently disliked Naraku Uehara participating in Akatsuki's affairs, whereas Nagato's opinion was the complete opposite.

Seeing Konan so angry, which was rare, Naraku Uehara felt a bit of abnormal glee in his heart. Was it because he was going to become a full member of Akatsuki today?

"Alright."

Pain spoke up, interrupting everyone's bickering. He shifted his gaze to Naraku Uehara and said in a deep voice, "Uehara, introduce the new member you've recruited for Akatsuki, will you?"

"Instead of me introducing him, why not let Mr. Itachi do it?"

Naraku Uehara suppressed the smile at the corner of his mouth, afraid of provoking Konan's anger. He slowly raised his head to look at Itachi Uchiha and said softly, "Perhaps in the entire ninja world, no one understands our new member better than Mr. Itachi, right?"

Itachi Uchiha was silent for a moment, then turned to look at Sasuke and said softly, "This is Uchiha…"

"I am Sasuke Uchiha!"

Sasuke interrupted Itachi Uchiha's words coldly and said loudly, "The sole member of the Uchiha clan! My purpose for joining Akatsuki is to kill Itachi Uchiha and Obito Uchiha!"

"..."

Deidara was immediately dissatisfied, "What! Another Uchiha! Are all of you Uchihas going to run to Akatsuki!"

As someone who was defeated by Itachi Uchiha, Deidara undoubtedly disliked the Uchiha the most. Coincidentally, the Akatsuki organization seemed to have a fateful connection with the Uchiha.

A few years ago, there was one named Obito Uchiha who was forced to defect, and it was said he had always wanted to join. Now, a Sasuke Uchiha was being added. By this count, the few remaining Uchihas in the ninja world all had inextricable ties with the Akatsuki organization.

The Akatsuki members all shifted their gazes to Sasuke. Everyone's brows couldn't help but furrow. After a moment, their gazes fell on Itachi Uchiha, as if wanting to see his reaction.

However, Itachi Uchiha's face was calm, as if he didn't care at all what nonsense Sasuke Uchiha was spouting. This was the confidence of an absolute powerhouse.

The enthusiasm on the Akatsuki members' faces to watch a good show immediately faded by more than half, and they turned to look at Naraku Uehara.

Sasori of the Red Sand couldn't help but ask first, "Uehara, what kind of trick are you playing, recruiting the mortal enemy of a full member into Akatsuki?"

"Hey, hey, hey, Senior Sasori, this was not my idea."

Naraku Uehara hurriedly shook his head, a smile on his face, "This was mentioned by Mr. Itachi himself. He took the initiative to recruit the newly defected Sasuke Uchiha. Senior Kisame and I were strongly against it!"

"Mm."

Itachi Uchiha nodded and replied, "My genjutsu needs to be trained on someone with vast spiritual energy. It just so happens that Sasuke Uchiha has awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan and still has some value."

"Oh? Seems like a little genius!"

Sasori of the Red Sand immediately changed his attitude and, in the tone of a senior, lectured Sasuke, "Hey, brat, remember not to be too arrogant in front of others in the future. If you're like this Deidara fellow next to me, you won't live long!"

"..."

Sasuke Uchiha couldn't be bothered to respond to him.

Instead, it was Deidara who flew into a rage, "Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, Sasori my man, I've always been very respectful to you!"

"But you've also blown up quite a few of my puppets!"

"That just proves my art is a level higher than yours, Sasori my man!"

"Are you looking to die?"

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"Deidara, Sasori, stop arguing."

Pain coldly interrupted their quarrel and said in a deep voice, "I will announce the new team compositions for the organization! Kimimaro Kaguya and Haku, from today onwards, will become full members of Akatsuki, with the codenames 'Bone' and 'Snow'!"

"Yes."

Kimimaro Kaguya and Haku answered seriously.

Pain nodded in satisfaction, then turned to look at Naraku Uehara. But when Pain saw the expression on Konan's face next to him, he suddenly fell silent, as if he had gotten stuck.

After a long while, Pain seemed to have made up his mind and said in a deep voice, "Originally, I wanted to delay for a while, but since Uehara has recruited Sasuke Uchiha, from now on, you will act as a full member together with Sasuke Uchiha!"

"I don't approve."

Konan slowly raised her head, looked directly at Pain, and said, "Naraku has a more important mission, and he almost caused a great disaster this time he went out…"

"I also object."

Itachi Uchiha said in a deep voice, "Although Naraku Uehara's strength is great, I suspect he may have had some connection with Orochimaru during this Chunin Exam. He should still be under Senior Konan's supervision."

After saying this, Itachi Uchiha added, "And during this time, I need to keep Sasuke Uchiha by my side. On one hand, I can use him for training; on the other hand, it's also convenient to monitor him, lest this fellow defects like Obito Uchiha."

These words couldn't be more reasonable.

The corner of Kisame Hoshigaki's mouth curled up as he chuckled lightly, "Actually, I also object to this, but I'm not objecting to Naraku Uehara becoming a full member, but rather I believe Sasuke Uchiha is not yet qualified to team up with him."

"I think so too."

"I don't approve either!"

Kakuzu coldly sized up Naraku Uehara and said in a deep voice, "I think this Naraku Uehara brat should just stay obediently in Amegakure and be a money-counting accountant! Akatsuki already has enough manpower!"

To be honest, after Naraku Uehara left, Kakuzu kind of missed him.

Although Naraku Uehara was always quick to collect money, he was also very straightforward when it came to allocating activity funds. This was much better than his teacher, Konan…

"I agree with Senior Kakuzu's opinion!"

"I also think Senior Kakuzu has a point!"

"I also agree with Senior Kakuzu's opinion!"

For a time, several teams expressed their agreement with the opinion Kakuzu had raised. It seemed that there were quite a few victims who had been tortured by Konan's allocation of activity funds.

After all, Konan, who had a difficult childhood, naturally disliked others spending money lavishly.

Konan, of course, didn't care what they thought.

Hearing a group of people indirectly supporting her opinion, a slight smile appeared on Konan's cold face. Her palm gently landed on Naraku Uehara's shoulder, pulling her disciple closer, and she said softly, "Then let Naraku continue to learn from me for a while!"

Deva Path Pain was silent for a moment, sized up everyone present, and slowly nodded, "Then let Uehara continue to learn from you. For the time being, let Sasuke Uchiha follow Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki's team!"

"???"

Naraku Uehara slowly raised his head, a trace of confusion in his gaze as he looked at Deva Path Pain. After all you said today, you're just messing with me again?

Konan took Naraku Uehara's hand, the smile on her face slowly fading. She had returned to her usual cold appearance.

"Naraku, come with me. I have something to discuss with you."

Konan was still angry.

(End of Chapter)

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