Akatsuki's base.
Because Konan manages things too tightly, Uehara Naraku hasn't been to Akatsuki's base for a long time. Surprisingly, he felt a faint sense of familiarity here.
This dangerous thought was immediately suppressed by Uehara.
Has he been playing the villain for too long and become a bit addicted?
When they entered the base, Uehara Naraku and his party realized that there were quite a few people today, and it seemed like all relevant members had gathered here.
Official members: Pain, Konan, Sasori of the Red Sand, Deidara, Hozuki Mangetsu, Momochi Zabuza, Kakuzu, Hidan, Zetsu, along with the newly arrived Hoshigaki Kisame and Uchiha Itachi, nearly all the official members were present.
The only intern was Uehara Naraku, but perhaps after today, Uchiha Sasuke would also become an intern of Akatsuki.
As for the external liaisons, Kaguya Kimimaro and Haku were also there, and today their team had a new addition, Karin.
Wait, something's not right!
Uehara Naraku couldn't help but glance at Kaguya Kimimaro and Haku's clothes. Why were the two of them wearing Akatsuki's uniforms?
Judging by strength, only Kaguya Kimimaro and Haku shouldn't be eligible to become official members of Akatsuki, right?
Is it that Akatsuki is giving away uniforms and opening official member slots?
Uehara Naraku couldn't help but show a hint of delight on his face. Even Kaguya Kimimaro and Haku could join; doesn't that mean he is also eligible to become an official member of Akatsuki?
Uehara slowly walked to his position, and couldn't help but chuckle as he spoke: "What's going on, is the organization having a team building event today?"
Sasori lifted the head of Hiruko and said coldly, "What team building? Isn't it said that today we're welcoming a new member?"
"Could it be this kid?"
Deidara looked at the unfamiliar Uchiha Sasuke with a sneer on his face: "It seems like this kid's strength isn't much. Is he qualified to stand with us?"
Kakuzu looked at Uchiha Sasuke with dissatisfaction: "Akatsuki isn't something that just any stray cat or dog can join! Stop recruiting these ten-year-old brats; are you trying to turn this place into a kindergarten for kids?"
Upon hearing this, Deidara immediately disagreed and retorted: "It's still better than turning into a senior citizen activity center, right?"
After all, Deidara joined the Akatsuki at twelve, and he's only about fifteen or sixteen now. The gap between him and an old-timer like Kakuzu is way too big, and they simply couldn't get along.
After finishing speaking, Deidara even good-naturedly tried to rope in another peer: "Hey, Uehara, I'm right, aren't I?"
"...Cough, cough, cough, cough..."
Uehara Naraku coughed lightly a few times, just as he was about to say something, he glanced at Konan beside him, only to see her usually calm face growing increasingly cold, which instinctively made him close his mouth.
Since Uehara entered the Akatsuki base, Konan hadn't spoken a single word, which was quite a different attitude towards Uehara.
Besides, silence is usually a sign that Konan is angry.
This is entirely normal, given that Konan has always been disinclined for Uehara Naraku to get involved in Akatsuki matters, while Nagato's views are completely opposite to hers.
Seeing Konan so rarely angry, Uehara Naraku felt an abnormal sense of glee—is it because he's about to become an official member of Akatsuki today?
"Alright."
Pain interrupted everyone's quarrel, shifting his gaze to Uehara Naraku, and said solemnly: "Uehara, introduce the new member you've recruited for Akatsuki?"
"Instead of having me introduce, why not let Mr. Itachi do it?"
Uehara Naraku suppressed the smile at the corner of his mouth, fearing to provoke Konan's anger, and slowly lifted his head to look at Uchiha Itachi, speaking softly: "Perhaps no one in the entire Ninja World knows our new member better than Mr. Itachi?"
Uchiha Itachi was silent for a moment, then turned to look at Sasuke and spoke softly: "This is Uchiha..."
"I am Uchiha Sasuke!"
Sasuke coldly interrupted Uchiha Itachi, speaking loudly: "The sole member of the Uchiha Clan, and I joined Akatsuki to kill Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Obito!"
"..."
Deidara immediately complained: "What the heck! Another Uchiha! Are all of you Uchiha planning to run to Akatsuki?"
As a loser to Uchiha Itachi, Deidara undoubtedly disliked the Uchiha Clan the most, and coincidentally, the Akatsuki seemed to be inexplicably linked with the Uchiha.
A few years ago, there was an Uchiha Obito who was forced to defect and supposedly always wanted to join; now there's an addition of Uchiha Sasuke, which means that the few remaining Uchiha in the Ninja World all seem to have ties with the Akatsuki.
The members of Akatsuki shifted their gaze to Sasuke, each person's brow furrowed unconsciously, and shortly after, their gaze fell back on Uchiha Itachi, seemingly wanting to see his reaction.
However, Uchiha Itachi's face remained calm, seemingly indifferent to what dream talk Uchiha Sasuke was saying—this was the confidence of an absolute powerhouse.
The enthusiasm on the faces of Akatsuki members eager to see drama quickly died down, and they turned to look at Uehara Naraku.
Sasori of the Red Sand couldn't help asking first: "Uehara, what are you up to, recruiting an enemy of the official members into Akatsuki?"
"Hey, hey, hey, Senior Sasori, that wasn't my idea."
Uehara Naraku hurriedly shook his head, a smile appearing on his face, "This was suggested by Mr. Itachi himself, actively recruiting Uchiha Sasuke, who just became a rogue ninja. Kisame and I were strongly against it!"
"Hmm."
Uchiha Itachi nodded and replied, "I need someone with a large amount of spiritual energy to train my Genjutsu, and Uchiha Sasuke, having activated his Three Tomoe Sharingan, has some value."
"Oh? Seems like a little genius then!"
Sasori of the Red Sand immediately changed his attitude, slowly advising Sasuke with a senior's tone, "Hey, kid, remember not to show off too much in front of people. If you act like this guy Deidara next to me, you won't last long!"
"..."
Uchiha Sasuke couldn't be bothered to respond to him.
On the contrary, Deidara was furious, "Hey, hey, hey, Sasori! I've always respected you!"
"But you also blew up a lot of my puppets!"
"This proves my art is a level higher than yours, Sasori!"
"Are you looking to die?"
"Deidara, Sasori, stop arguing."
Pain interrupted their quarrel coldly, stating, "I am here to announce the new team assignments for the organization! Kaguya Kimimaro and Haku, starting today, will be formal members of Akatsuki, codenamed Bone and Snow!"
"Yes."
Kaguya Kimimaro and Haku seriously agreed.
After Pain nodded in satisfaction, he turned to Uehara Naraku, but when he saw Konan's expression, he suddenly fell silent, seemingly at a loss for words.
After a long while, Pain seemed to make a decision and spoke in a deep voice, "I originally wanted to delay for a while, but since you recruited Uchiha Sasuke, he will become a formal member and operate together with you!"
"I don't agree."
Konan slowly raised her head and looked Pain in the eye, saying, "Naraku has more important tasks, and he almost caused a big trouble this time out..."
"I also object."
Uchiha Itachi spoke solemnly, "Although Uehara Naraku is very strong, I suspect he might have some connection with Orochimaru during this Chunin Examination, so he still needs to be under Senior Konan's supervision."
Finishing these words, Uchiha Itachi added, "And during this period, I need to keep Uchiha Sasuke by my side, on one hand for my training purposes, and on the other to monitor him, lest he defects like Uchiha Obito."
These arguments sounded perfectly reasonable.
Hoshigaki Kisame's lips curved into a small smile, "Actually, I am also against this, not because Uehara Naraku shouldn't be a member, but because I think Uchiha Sasuke is not qualified to team up with him."
"I think so too."
"I also don't agree!"
Kakuzu gave Uehara Naraku a cold once-over and said, "I think Uehara Naraku should obediently be an accountant in The Hidden Rain Village! Akatsuki already has enough members!"
To be honest, after Uehara Naraku left, Kakuzu kind of missed him.
Although Uehara Naraku was efficient in collecting money, he was also very quick in distributing funds for activities, much better than his teacher Konan...
"I agree with Kakuzu Senior's opinion!"
"I also think Kakuzu Senior makes sense!"
"I agree with Kakuzu Senior's opinion!"
Several teams expressed their agreement with Kakuzu's suggestion, as if there were many victims suffering under Konan's tight control of activity funds.
After all, having grown up in hardship, Konan naturally didn't like others spending money lavishly.
Konan didn't care what they thought.
Hearing the crowd indirectly support her opinion, a slight smile appeared on Konan's usually cold face, as she gently placed her hand on Uehara Naraku's shoulder, drawing him closer, and said softly, "Then let Naraku continue to study with me for a while!"
Deva Path of Pain observed the group in silence for a moment, then slowly nodded, "Then let Uehara continue his study with you, and temporarily allow Uchiha Sasuke to follow Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame's team for now!"
"???"
Uehara Naraku slowly lifted his head, looking at Deva Path of Pain with a hint of confusion, is this all a joke at my expense?
Konan held Uehara Naraku's hand, her smile gradually fading, and she returned to her usual icy demeanor.
"Naraku, come with me, I have something to discuss with you."
Konan was still upset.