"Uehara Naraku, what's going on here?"
Uchiha Sasuke glanced around at everyone present, finally deciding to focus his gaze on Uehara Naraku, because he believed Uehara Naraku was the weakest among the three.
"Allow me to introduce myself."
Uehara Naraku extended his hand amicably toward Uchiha Sasuke and explained warmly, "Uchiha Sasuke, on behalf of the Akatsuki organization, which is dedicated to maintaining peace in the Ninja World, I formally invite you to join us as an intern."
"You all don't seem like good people!"
Uchiha Sasuke glared at Uehara Naraku with a sullen face, "I thought you were a good guy, but it turns out you're in cahoots with Uchiha Itachi!"
"I've always been a good person."
Uehara Naraku's smile remained unchanged, even appearing a bit smug, "Once you get to know me, you'll see... Now tell me, are you willing to join? While Akatsuki prohibits internal struggles, it doesn't forbid sibling rivalry!"
"..."
Uchiha Sasuke was silent for a moment, then turned to look at Uchiha Itachi, "What kind of position does Uchiha Itachi hold in your organization?"
"Mr. Itachi is an official member of Akatsuki!"
Uehara Naraku chuckled and pointed to himself, then at Uchiha Sasuke, "The two of us are just interns in the organization; once our strength is sufficient, the leader will allow us to become official members."
This explanation was very easy to understand.
Uchiha Sasuke instantly understood the hierarchy and couldn't help but sneer at Uehara Naraku, "You were so arrogant during the Chunin Examination, I thought you were someone amazing, but it turns out you're just an intern."
"..."
The smile on Uehara Naraku's face froze instantly.
Obviously, Uchiha Sasuke's words hit a sore spot.
For many years, Uehara Naraku had applied numerous times to become an official member, only to be rejected by Konan every time, even when Nagato pleaded on his behalf.
Whenever Uehara Naraku saw those red cloud black robes, he couldn't help but think of that side mission with rich rewards.
However, that side mission to become an official member of Akatsuki seemed just as difficult as winning a bet with Tsunade or turning Naruto to the dark side, almost becoming Uehara's obsession.
This is ridiculous!
Where is the problem?
Clearly, Uehara himself was working very hard, trying to show Konan his growing strength, and almost every day putting on a show of diligent training.
No matter what Konan asked him to do, he would try his best to complete it.
Yet whenever the topic of becoming an official member of Akatsuki was brought up, Konan would just coax him to train obediently in the village and study managing the Hidden Rain Village with her.
It was just like coaxing a child.
The smile on Uehara Naraku's face gradually returned, and he turned to look at Uchiha Itachi, asking softly, "Mr. Itachi, may I discipline your brother a bit? Otherwise, he might offend other seniors with his reckless words."
"As you wish."
Uchiha Itachi turned his head nonchalantly.
Crack!
A crisp sound of bones cracking echoed!
Uehara Naraku suddenly twisted Sasuke's arm with force!
"Ugh..."
Uchiha Sasuke couldn't help but cry out in pain.
Sasuke's cry was so painful that it involuntarily drew Uchiha Itachi's attention back, making him frown slightly as he looked at Sasuke's injury.
Uehara Naraku's hand glowed green as he treated Sasuke's wound, chuckling as he advised, "Even though I'm also an intern, you joined Akatsuki after me, so remember to call me 'senior' in the future, understood?"
"..."
Uchiha Sasuke just gritted his teeth, saying nothing.
Just as Uehara Naraku was about to continue his actions, a large sword wrapped in bandages fell beside him, stopping his movement.
Hoshigaki Kisame smiled slightly and said softly, "After all, we have to give Mr. Itachi some face, even though they're mortal enemies, they're still brothers..."
"..."
Uchiha Itachi looked at Hoshigaki Kisame with a touch of gratitude in his eyes.
Uehara Naraku looked at Hoshigaki Kisame with a hint of danger in his eyes—what's up with this spy? Is he getting cocky from being too far away?
Uchiha Sasuke, however, was entirely unappreciative, even coldly remarking, "Who's his brother? Ever since he killed my parents and all our clansmen, he became the enemy I'd love to cut into pieces!"
"Mr. Itachi, you see..."
Hoshigaki Kisame displayed a helpless expression.
Uchiha Itachi shook his head and said softly, "Don't mind him, Uchiha Sasuke's strength has been weak since he was young, always wanting to appear strong with words, as I've said..."
Uchiha Itachi's words suddenly stopped because he felt if he said Sasuke wasn't fit to be a member of Akatsuki, Hoshigaki Kisame and Uehara Naraku might say something harsh like, "If Sasuke isn't suitable, then let's kill him instead."
What a headache.
Uchiha Itachi didn't know what to say anymore.
Uchiha Itachi gradually tidied up his collar, speaking softly, "Forget it, let's go. Let's hurry back to the organization's base to avoid being pursued by Konoha again!"
At this point, Uchiha Itachi could only find amusement in his struggles.
After Uchiha Sasuke joined the Akatsuki, he could see Sasuke often and personally protect his safety, so things didn't seem too bad.
The only pain was Sasuke's resentful gaze.
However, this time wouldn't last long. Just now, during the battle where Uchiha Sasuke broke off with Uzumaki Naruto, his Double Tomoe Sharingan evolved into the Three Tomoe Sharingan.
Uchiha Itachi began to plan in his heart, contemplating how he could give Sasuke an opportunity to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan, so that he could die in peace then.
He didn't even mind using his own death to help Sasuke resolve his inner conflict.
But before dying, he must arrange Sasuke's life well. If by that time, Sasuke is still in the Akatsuki, he might be continuously bullied.
Unfortunately, this was just Uchiha Itachi's wishful thinking.
As they passed by a dessert shop, Hoshigaki Kisame suggested they have lunch there. Uchiha Sasuke immediately expressed his dissatisfaction, "I hate natto and sweets."
"But Itachi-san really likes sweets."
Hoshigaki Kisame smirked nastily at Uchiha Sasuke, seemingly enjoying teasing Sasuke to help Uchiha Itachi.
Uchiha Itachi was watching helplessly from the side and could only turn to an outsider, "Uehara, what do you want for lunch?"
Uehara Naraku casually glanced at Hoshigaki Kisame, "Recently, my taste has been a bit peculiar; I want to eat shark fin."
"…"
Upon hearing Uehara Naraku's words, Hoshigaki Kisame's face immediately turned sour, obviously becoming much more compliant.
After the group was full and satisfied.
Uchiha Sasuke, seizing the opportunity while Uchiha Itachi was drinking water, suddenly had lightning flash in his palm and charged towards Uchiha Itachi: "Chidori!"
Bam!
Uchiha Sasuke was kicked to the ground by Uchiha Itachi!
Uchiha Itachi stomped on Sasuke's wrist, breaking it before slowly speaking, "Uehara, this injury shouldn't be a problem, right? I don't want him to become a complete waste before squeezing out his residual value."
"Don't worry."
Uehara Naraku chuckled, waving his hand to heal Sasuke's wound, "As long as you don't twist Sasuke's head off, I can heal him."
On the way back to the Land of Rain, and even before leaving the border of the Land of Fire, Uchiha Sasuke attempted to assassinate Uchiha Itachi more than three times a day, only to be easily defeated by Itachi each time.
All along the way, Uchiha Sasuke never succeeded in his assassination attempts, only earning the distance of Hoshigaki Kisame and the unease of Uchiha Itachi.
Uchiha Itachi felt that Sasuke didn't understand patience.
Kisame thought Sasuke was both weak and troublesome.
While the Akatsuki was deeply discontented with Uchiha Sasuke here, in another part of the ninja world, a ninja who liked adopting orphans was furious.
In the Hidden Sound Village.
The sacrifice of the Sound Four had not yet brought back news of Sasuke, and Orochimaru's temper was noticeably irritable, "What exactly is going on? My current body is about to reach its limit, and Kidomaru and the others still haven't brought Sasuke back!"
"Perhaps there was a deviation in our plan."
Yakushi Kabuto pushed his glasses, helplessly advising, "Orochimaru-sama, perhaps you should perform an Immortal Reanimation first! And besides, Uchiha Sasuke's Sharingan Bloodline might not be your best choice…"
"But he's the most suitable right now!"
Orochimaru slammed his fist on the laboratory table, using too much force, and had to shakily collapse onto the chair, "Begin preparations for the Immortal Reanimation then! A new body can last for three years, just enough time for me to capture and study White Zetsu..."
After speaking, Orochimaru slowly turned his head, his snake-like eyes showing a trace of danger and gratitude, "Kabuto, I must thank you for bringing back a White Zetsu corpse, allowing me to discover a new possibility."
As Yakushi Kabuto turned to leave, he suddenly paused in his steps, appearing increasingly respectful, "No, it's I who must thank you, Orochimaru-sama, because your existence has shown me the most suitable path for a ninja."
"Heheheh..."
Orochimaru slowly laughed, supporting his forehead, speaking softly, "Indeed, I've discovered a new path; as long as we capture enough White Zetsu, Reanimation... Immortal Reanimation... can be further improved!"
Orochimaru slowly turned his head, looking at a coffin carved with the character for "First" beside him, a glint of obsession in his eyes, "Once I obtain White Zetsu, soon I can wield the power of the First Hokage!"
Since Orochimaru began researching the White Zetsu's corpse, he quickly discovered its wondrous structure; this creature was entirely unlike a ninja, seemingly able to accommodate any chakra.
This was remarkable.
As long as it could accommodate chakra, it meant it could contain any Kekkeigenkai, which for Orochimaru meant the bloodline he desired could integrate into a White Zetsu's body.
As long as he obtained a living White Zetsu that could accept the Wood Release Bloodline, Orochimaru believed he could establish himself in the ninja world with the power of Wood Release!
Most importantly, the White Zetsu's bodily structure was unique.
Orochimaru discovered that perhaps the White Zetsu could serve as a vessel for Reanimation sacrifices, potentially allowing the deceased to wield formidable power, though the only issue was that powerful Reanimation beings were difficult to control.
And where on earth could one find White Zetsu?
Orochimaru gently tapped his fingers, his cold pupils narrowing slightly as he muttered, "I remember that Zetsu fellow has always been Akatsuki's intelligence operative, and these White Zetsu should all be its clones. Yet, that Zetsu is elusive, it seems I need to extract some intelligence from an Akatsuki member..."