Upon hearing Konan's reminder, Uehara Naraku composed himself and looked up at the two groups of ninjas appearing in the canyon.
One group wore Hidden Rain forehead protectors, led by a ninja with a red mark on his face, looking fierce and menacing, likely to be the so-called right-hand man of Hanzo of the Salamander, Kandachi.
The other group uniformly wore animal masks and standard equipment, appearing more organized compared to the Hidden Rain ninjas.
Is that the Konoha Root?
Uehara Naraku silently activated his Destiny Skills, wanting to see if he recognized anyone among these Konoha ninjas.
As the Destiny Skills activated, Uehara Naraku's expression changed immediately.
Among the Konoha Root ninjas was a familiar face, seemingly called Yamanaka Fuu?
But why is Zetsu here in this area?
This guy is plotting something...
Below the negotiation area.
Black Zetsu spoke sinisterly: "Konan has already taken that kid Uehara over to ambush them. As long as they get into a fierce fight, we'll take the opportunity to secretly hide the intel on one of the ninjas..."
"Won't there be problems?"
White Zetsu spoke hesitantly: "What if Konan can't defeat them? Or if we're accidentally discovered..."
"..."
Black Zetsu didn't want to acknowledge it.
Unfortunately, they shared one body, and even if the other half was an idiot, Black Zetsu had to calm his side's emotions: "Don't worry, Konan's power isn't weak at all!"
After all, if even Uehara Naraku can summon the Deva Path of Pain, how could Konan not have learned how to summon Pain?
Black Zetsu even had a subtle feeling that Konan didn't care about the other members of the Akatsuki, maybe because she believes her powers surpass theirs!
Based on Black Zetsu's own intel analysis on Konan, this blue-haired woman didn't seem to be the arrogant type!
If even she thinks she can defeat the other Akatsuki members, then it means she truly holds that power.
Black Zetsu's guess was correct.
Konan indeed had immense confidence in her own power.
When Konan noticed Uehara Naraku's odd expression, she gently patted his arm and comforted him: "Naraku, what's wrong? Don't be afraid, I'm here with you..."
"..."
Uehara Naraku shook his head speechlessly.
Why did Konan think he would be scared?
Even he had some ninja abilities after all!
Does his mentor still think he only survived the mission from the Hidden Mist Village because of those one hundred million paper bombs?
He, Uehara Naraku, is very strong now!
However, seeing Konan's comforting gesture, Uehara Naraku still helplessly leaned towards Konan and whispered: "Sensei, let's first observe their negotiation outcomes! I feel these ninjas are a bit strange…"
"Mhm."
Konan nodded.
To be honest, Konan genuinely thought Uehara was scared by the numerous ninjas gathering, as their current adversaries were unlike the past ones.
Compared to those lazy ninjas from strongholds, most of these are elite ninjas, and some are even Jonin captains.
Jonin, just happen to be the most ambiguous concept in the Ninja World.
The Sannin of Konoha, the Golden Flash, who would dare consider them as mere ordinary Jonin?
One against seven? One against ten?
The Golden Flash could defeat fifty Jonin without a scratch!
Hattori Heikawa, looking down as the Root ninjas arrived, gripped his ninja blade and asked: "Aren't you going to act now?"
"..."
Uehara Naraku and Konan looked at Hattori Heikawa as if they were watching a fool.
Honestly, Konan was probably the person there who most wanted Hanzo and Danzo to unite.
That way, she and Nagato could take revenge on their past enemies in one fell swoop.
But events didn't unfold as Konan wished.
As time passed, negotiations between the Hidden Rain's Kandachi and Konoha Root Captain Yamanaka Fuu seemed to reach an impasse.
After a while, the two even began to quarrel.
Their argument grew louder and louder, Kandachi and Yamanaka Fuu both stepped back and shouted: "Everyone, stay alert!"
Clang!
The sound of ninja blades being drawn echoed continuously!
One by one, the Rain Village ninjas revealed themselves, standing above the canyon!
Yet a group of Konoha ninjas suddenly emerged on the opposite side of the canyon, watching vigilantly, confronting the Rain ninjas!
Neither side trusts the other completely.
Yamanaka Fuu glared at Kandachi and shouted harshly: "The Hidden Rain Village has lost its credibility, you have no genuine intention of forming an alliance!"
"It's clearly you Konoha ninjas trying to shirk responsibility!"
Kandachi retorted loudly, not backing down: "If it wasn't for Shimura Danzo and Konoha ninjas retreating at the last moment, the Akatsuki would have been eliminated by now!"
"..."
The two quickly began to violently accuse and blame each other.
In fact, this is just a basic negotiation tactic by both sides, trying to hold the other accountable for previous cooperation to gain an advantage in the current negotiation by playing the victim.
The condition proposed by the Konoha Root ninjas: Hanzo of the Salamander must first support Shimura Danzo becoming Hokage, at which time he will, as the Hokage of Konoha, deploy ninja forces to support Hanzo in eliminating the Akatsuki in the Land of Rain.
The condition proposed by the Hidden Rain ninjas: Shimura Danzo must send people to first support Hanzo in eliminating the Akatsuki, then discuss supporting Danzo to become Hokage.
Both sides appear to be trying to get something for nothing.
The Konoha Root had suffered from the previous cooperation, even though Shimura Danzo had shown up for support, Hanzo of the Salamander didn't honor the deal...
Therefore, Danzo instructed his subordinates that the premise for this cooperation is that Hanzo of the Salamander must first clearly support him.
As long as the Hidden Rain Village and Konoha establish a friendly alliance, they will attempt to change Konoha's high-level opinions by utilizing the influence of a Ninja Demigod...
The Hidden Rain ninjas were naturally reluctant.
Who knows when Shimura Danzo will become Hokage?
Can't it be like the last cooperation?
Konoha Root would assist Hidden Rain in eliminating the Akatsuki, and once the Akatsuki is destroyed, Lord Hanzo would naturally support Danzo!
The first round of talks will definitely not be concluded easily.
Konan, watching the shouting and blame of both sides below, felt slightly displeased and asked, "Naraku, what's happening? Did their negotiations fall apart?"
"Obviously."
Uehara Naraku nodded.
Konan couldn't help but frown, her face turning slightly grim as she asked: "Is Shimura Danzo not coming?"
"He's not coming, right?"
Uehara Naraku was also a bit puzzled.
According to his memory, it seems that the cooperation between Shimura Danzo and Hanzo of the Salamander happened only once, until later when Hanzo was killed by Pain, Danzo's shadow was never seen.
"Then what are we waiting for!"
Konan's face darkened with gritted teeth as she whispered: "Then let's kill everyone present first and collect some interest!"
"Ha?"
Uehara Naraku looked somewhat confusedly at his mentor.
However, this didn't affect Uehara's judgment; seeing Konan about to rush out, Uehara Naraku hurriedly pulled her wrist and brought her back to his side!
"Sensei, don't be impulsive!"
Uehara Naraku hastily held down Konan, meeting her puzzled gaze, and softly explained: "Sensei, let's observe the situation first, maybe we can try another plan."
If nothing else, we can't just let Black Zetsu's plot succeed by collecting some interest!
Though Uehara still doesn't know what Black Zetsu is plotting...
However!
As someone who aims to become the shadow emperor and mastermind behind Akatsuki, disrupting a competitor's plan is the most crucial!