Starting as the Hidden Mastermind from Naruto

Chapter 158: The Mission to Destroy Kusagakure

By the lakeside.

Konan looked up at Naraku Uehara. This disciple of hers was already taller than her, which couldn't help but remind Konan of Nagato's persuasion and Jiraiya's teachings.

The anger in Konan's chest slowly subsided. She reached out to straighten Naraku Uehara's clothes, "Naraku, tomorrow I will arrange the succession ceremony for you to become the leader of Amegakure. You are a ninja of the Land of Rain. First, slowly learn to shoulder the responsibilities of a leader!"

Naraku Uehara's face immediately fell, and he shook his head listlessly, "Teacher Konan, Pain is the most suitable leader for Amegakure."

Naraku Uehara already knew this in his heart.

Konan didn't want Naraku Uehara to get involved with the current Akatsuki. Instead, she wanted him to follow the predetermined path she had set for him and become the leader of Amegakure. This was the point of divergence between Naraku Uehara and Konan, and also between Nagato and Konan.

Perhaps because she had suffered too much, Konan always wanted to arrange a bright and smooth path for him. However, what Naraku Uehara wanted was not this!

To be confined to a small ninja village every day in the future, sheltered under the wings of Konan and Nagato – was this something he, a mastermind behind the scenes, should be doing?

Naraku Uehara grabbed Konan's hand and said in a deep voice, "Teacher, I have trained in the village for four years. I have researched many ninjutsu. This time, I didn't even fall into a disadvantage when fighting Lord Jiraiya."

"I know. Your courage is too great."

Konan slowly raised her head to look at Naraku Uehara and said in a deep voice, "And this time you actually assassinated the Third Hokage in Konoha. What if something had happened to you…"

"But nothing went wrong, did it…"

Naraku Uehara helplessly patted his forehead and said in a deep voice, "Anyway, I refuse to accept the position of leader of Amegakure."

Konan slowly extended her hand and caressed his cheek. Her warm breath fell on Naraku Uehara's neck, her voice growing lower and lower, "Naraku, we want to give you the best things. Why do you always refuse?"

"Perhaps there's a generation gap in our views?"

Naraku Uehara blinked, staring into Konan's eyes which were just inches away. Her orange pupils were somewhat beautiful. He softly changed the subject, "Um… Teacher, I brought you a gift. You will definitely like it!"

"Hmm?"

A hint of confusion immediately appeared in Konan's eyes.

Naraku Uehara quickly took out a scroll from his ninja tool pouch and placed it in Konan's palm. He chuckled lightly, "Didn't I tell you before? After assassinating the Third Hokage, I contacted Danzo…"

This was, of course, a lie.

In reality, Danzo was assassinated even earlier.

However, besides Kabuto Yakushi, no one else knew the truth.

Konan's gaze immediately showed some hesitation. Her expression was hard to describe as she looked at the scroll in her hand, "So the thing inside this is…"

Naraku Uehara nodded, a proud smile on his face, "That's right, it's Danzo Shimura's corpse."

Naraku Uehara shook his head and sighed, continuing to explain, "Danzo Shimura seemed to have mastered a forbidden technique. He had a bunch of Sharingan transplanted into his body. Each time he closed one Sharingan, he would be immune to any harm for a period of time. It took quite a bit of effort…"

This was also to give them a heads-up.

In the future, when Konan or Nagato encountered Obito Uchiha, they had to be clear that possessing a Sharingan meant having a period of invincibility from Izanagi.

Naraku Uehara's face showed a slight regret, "It's because of this that I couldn't capture him alive and could only bring back his corpse."

"..."

Konan's expression was slightly dazed.

At this moment, her feelings were particularly complex, not knowing what to do.

Every time this disciple of hers went out, he would bring back some strange gifts. Although these gifts were agreeable in some ways, they always felt a bit odd.

Yes, she did indeed hate Danzo Shimura.

But more important than Danzo Shimura was Naraku Uehara's emotional intelligence.

No matter what, for Naraku Uehara to bring a corpse as a gift, wasn't his emotional intelligence a little bit low? Had her education gone astray somewhere?

"Alright, I have to go treat Lord Nagato first."

Naraku Uehara waved his hand, taking this opportunity to interrupt the chat with Konan, and turned to leave.

Konan nodded hesitantly, her gaze falling back on the scroll in her hand.

A trace of hatred flashed in Konan's eyes as she saw an explosive tag attached to the scroll.

Konan threw the scroll with the explosive tag into the lake and quickly brought her hands together, "Summoning: Mutual Multiplying Explosive Tags Technique!"

Countless explosive tags instantly blew the scroll to smithereens!

Clearly, both the scroll and the corpse inside were completely annihilated!

After doing all this, a trace of relief slowly flashed in Konan's eyes. A pair of wings spread out behind her, carrying her slowly up into the sky.

Within Amegakure.

On top of the high tower.

Nagato was still polishing the Asura Path Pain. After hearing the sound of the door opening, he turned his head with a smile, "How was it? Is Konan still angry?"

"What was with today?"

Naraku Uehara waved his hand with a helpless expression, then his gaze immediately fell on the Asura Path, "Eh? Does the Asura Path have some new ideas?"

"Mm, didn't you persuade me before? I've now made the Asura Path into a one-time-use puppet that can self-destruct in a crisis. Its self-destruction can directly destroy everything within a radius of dozens of kilometers, as Pain's last resort."

Nagato casually put away the Asura Path Pain and said softly, "From now on, take the Asura Path with you when you go out! If the Asura Path runs out of chakra, you can also use your healing method to input chakra into its body."

"..."

Naraku Uehara shook his head speechlessly, then brought up the previous topic again, "What was with today? How did Kimimaro and Haku become full members of Akatsuki? Hey, hey, hey, Lord Nagato, you promised me before. I want to wear the uniform too!"

"Those two children were raised by Konan. They naturally listen more to Konan's orders. Didn't I just happen to help you get rid of two people who were secretly monitoring you?"

Nagato glanced at him and sighed, "Uehara, if you hadn't assassinated the Third Hokage this time, you would have become a full member of Akatsuki upon your return…"

"..."

The corner of Naraku Uehara's eye couldn't help but twitch, "But by assassinating the Third Hokage, doesn't that prove I've become stronger?"

"But your courage is also too great!"

Nagato shook his head and said in a deep voice, "The five great ninja villages are not as simple as we imagine. Don't do such dangerous things in the future. Even if you must, summon the Six Paths of Pain over beforehand!"

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"Got it."

Naraku Uehara waved his hand, "How come you're just like Teacher Konan now? Lord Nagato, we're on the same side!"

"Being on the same side as you is too dangerous."

Nagato glanced at Uehara and continued to shake his head gloomily, "If I had known your courage was so great now, I would have…"

"Hey, alright, alright, that's enough."

Naraku Uehara hurriedly interrupted Nagato and said loudly, "Anyway, you promised me during the chakra communication that you would let me wear the Akatsuki uniform and become a full member of Akatsuki!"

"This is just a small matter."

Nagato patted Naraku Uehara's arm and said in a deep voice, "After I've handled everything, you will be the new generation's leader of Akatsuki…"

Naraku Uehara: "..."

The thoughts of these two, Konan and Nagato, were outrageous. One wanted him to become the leader of Amegakure, the other wanted him to become the leader of Akatsuki. He just wanted to wear a uniform and complete a mission!

"Hurry up and give me a mission."

Naraku Uehara patted Nagato's arm and urged anxiously, "I'm worried Teacher Konan will force me to succeed as the village leader tomorrow. If that succeeds, it might be difficult to leave the village in the future. I'll go out and hide for a while today."

To be honest, Uehara felt a little scared to come back. Konan and Nagato had placed too many high hopes on him, but he just wanted to be a mastermind behind the scenes.

Nagato, of course, was unwilling to agree and was about to refuse him with a shake of his head, "What if Konan can't find you? She'll cause trouble for me…"

"Are you going to help or not?"

Naraku Uehara crossed his arms.

Nagato held his forehead and said in a low voice, "Fine, I happen to have a mission here. Go and attack and destroy Kusagakure. This mission was originally intended for Sasori and Deidara, but now it will be your test…"

"Is there a reason?"

"Yes, and a very good one."

Nagato nodded and explained in a deep voice, "The territory of the Land of Grass connects to the Land of Earth and the Land of Fire. After Kusagakure is destroyed, the two countries will definitely have disputes over the ownership of the Land1 of Grass's territory.

Moreover, after the Land of Grass has no armed forces, the personnel from Konoha and Iwagakure who infiltrate the Land of Rain will also be dispatched to the Land of Grass, reducing the chances of us being exposed."

Nagato slowly brought his palms together and continued in a deep voice, "The last reason, Deva Path Pain heard something from Karin. Her mother was also a descendant of the Uzumaki, but she died under the abuse of Kusagakure…"

Perhaps this reason was the most important.

As the relationship between Naraku Uehara and Nagato grew better and better, Nagato also gradually became more human. He slowly relearned gentleness, and also relearned anger.

Karin and her mother were Uzumaki descendants, and in a sense, also Nagato's clansmen. He naturally had some thoughts of settling this debt.

"Alright then!"

Naraku Uehara nodded with a solemn expression. He glanced at the Asura Path in the room and said softly, "After I get there, I will summon the Asura Path to act together!"

"Good."

After Nagato nodded seriously, he added, "I heard that Kusagakure has been constantly at war recently. Perhaps you can look for evidence of them attempting to launch a war against Amegakure. This could also make Konan feel that you are doing proper business…"

"Got it. I'll bring you guys gifts when I get back!"

Naraku Uehara flash-stepped out of Nagato's room, his face already turned grave!

If he remembered correctly, Obito Uchiha's hidden base should be within the Land of Grass. That was where Madara Uchiha lived. He wondered if there were still some White Zetsu entrenched there?

Ever since I learned that Author Huang Cao recommended my book, my heart has been panicking…

Alright, I'll add another chapter over the weekend. I won't die, I'll pull through!

(End of Chapter)

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