After Uehara Naraku left.
Pieces of origami flew into the Hidden Rain Village's tower, landing in front of Nagato's room and revealing Konan's figure. As she pushed open the door and entered, she frowned and said, "Nagato, why are you here alone? Where's Naraku?"
"Cough cough cough..."
After coughing violently a few times, Nagato softly replied, "Didn't we receive news of unusual movements from the Hidden Grass Village recently? I sent Uehara to handle it."
"..."
Konan frowned, expressing some displeasure.
Just as Konan was about to turn and leave, Nagato persuaded, "Konan, don't push him too hard. At his age, Uehara wants to accomplish great things on his own."
"Yes, I understand."
Konan nodded, softly saying, "I only wanted to tell him that I permit him to become a member of Akatsuki, but he must conceal his identity during operations because the future leader of the Hidden Rain Village cannot be stained by darkness."
After saying this, Konan added, "Never mind, since he's already left, I'll tell him when he returns!"
Nagato's expression was quite complex, his eyes faintly showing a trace of pity: "It seems Uehara's luck isn't very good. I hope that little guy doesn't get into any more trouble."
Fate always works in mysterious ways.
Uehara Naraku was unaware of events in the Hidden Rain Village.
He was still searching for the secret base of Uchiha Obito and Zetsu, and just after he left the Hidden Rain Village, he encountered Zetsu waiting for him.
Black Zetsu blocked Uehara Naraku sinisterly and asked, "Uehara, after you went to Konoha, did you find any intelligence on Konoha's Nine-tailed Jinchuriki?"
"Yes, I have obtained intelligence on both the Nine-tailed Jinchuriki and the One-tailed Jinchuriki."
Uehara Naraku nodded, his expression gradually becoming serious: "However, I also obtained another piece of intelligence. I believe Senior Zetsu should have received the report about the rogue ninja codenamed 'Orphan,' right? Senior Obito isn't really a Konoha spy, is he?"
"How could that be?"
Black Zetsu shook his head and said with a sinister smile, "Obito is very focused on the Eye of the Moon Plan. How could he possibly be a Konoha spy?"
"Then I'm relieved."
Uehara Naraku nodded, not just making idle talk, but rather subtly planting a precaution in Black Zetsu's mind.
Although Uchiha Obito isn't a Konoha spy now.
But when Uehara Naraku returns from the Hidden Grass Village, it's likely that Black Zetsu will believe Uchiha Obito has become a 'Konoha spy,' and perhaps he'll even be a spy for Orochimaru!
At that point, Uchiha Obito, Black Zetsu, and Orochimaru will soon get into a chaotic battle. While Uehara Naraku can't predict other outcomes, he's sure Black Zetsu will lose.
Unbeknownst to Black Zetsu, who was full of admiration, nodding appreciatively: "Very good, once we've collected enough intelligence, we will be closer to achieving the Eye of the Moon Plan."
"Hmm."
Uehara Naraku nodded earnestly, softly continuing: "Senior Zetsu, let's not reveal our work on the Eye of the Moon Plan to anyone else."
"Don't worry, I'll be careful."
Zetsu's body slowly retreated underground.
Uehara Naraku's lips curled slightly; if we don't reveal the information, then only Uchiha Obito will reveal it!
However, this requires careful maneuvering.
It would be best if the timing could be arranged earlier.
Based on Uehara Naraku's last experiment with the shadow clone secret technique and his innate illusion charm skill, there are ways to discreetly leak the intelligence.
It's just unfortunate for Uchiha Obito.
Uehara Naraku always felt that Uchiha Obito bore burdens he shouldn't have.
Currently, among the Konoha Ninja, Uchiha Obito is a rogue ninja black hand responsible for the assassination of the Fourth Hokage couple and causing the Nine-tailed Fox Chaos.
Meanwhile, with Nagato and Konan, Uchiha Obito is seen as a murderer of his own juniors and suspected Konoha spy, yet to be cleared.
In the future, among Black Zetsu, Uchiha Obito will become known as an informant, a treacherous Uchiha, and a traitor to the Eye of the Moon.
"Let's get to work!"
Uehara Naraku's body slowly floated into the air, flying leisurely in the direction of the Land of Grass, while also checking the rewards from defeating Yamato.
Side mission: Defeat Yamato (1/1), task completed, reward one hidden legacy mission.
Hidden legacy mission: There are many surprises in the forest; state a correct name.
Without much hesitation, since heroes with similar Wood Attributes are scarce: "Zyra, Rise of the Thorns..."
The mission is complete.
The heroic inheritance has begun.
Deadly Bloom: After deploying a cluster of sturdy vines in the target area, the vines will explode and release countless wooden spikes. This skill consumes a minimum of 70 chakra points and has a cooldown time of 3 seconds.
Entangling Roots: Releases vines forward to quickly bind the enemy's actions. This skill consumes a minimum of 70 chakra points and has a cooldown time of 5 seconds.
Strangling Vine: Summons the wrath of nature, releasing dense vines in a vast area. The vines will automatically attack targets within the area, consuming a minimum of 100 chakra points with a cooldown time of 45 seconds.
All of these belong to the realm of Wood Release.
Uehara Naraku is actually more looking forward to the authentic Wood Release.
After finishing business in the Land of Grass this time, if possible, he could trouble Orochimaru and see if, after defeating the Reanimation of Senju Hashirama, he can gain more powerful Wood Release skills.
Besides Senju Hashirama, there's also the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama, known as the strongest with Water Release, and the two powerful Kinjutsu of Reanimation and Immortal Reanimation that Orochimaru needs to surrender. They are indeed valuable resources!
It's only been a short time, and Orochimaru's resources can be harvested again!
Of course, it's not just about harvesting; one must also learn to cultivate, and perhaps Yakushi Kabuto can be persuaded to learn the Sage Mode of Ryuchi Cave.
According to Uehara's speculation, his way of advancing in the Sage Mode Ascension to Divinity should be to defeat the Sage Modes of the Three Great Holy Lands.
"Sage Mode, activate!"
Uehara Naraku's finger touched the winged sword rune on his arm, and the natural energy contained within surged into his body almost instantly, making him feel his internal power rapidly expand!
His back felt as if something was pressing to break free, causing a slight itchiness!
In no time, two pairs of white wings sprouted from Uehara Naraku's back!
In a flash, Uehara Naraku felt a qualitative change in his internal power, as if all his chakra had been converted into Sage Chakra!
Sage Mode Ascension to Divinity Second Form Rising!
In the state of Sage Mode, Uehara Naraku felt uncertain, as the power boost from activating the Sage Mode was almost unbelievable.
Second Form Rising (Activated): Automatic conversion of chakra to Sage Chakra, reducing all skill cooldown times by +100%, increasing life energy by 400%, enhancing life energy recovery effect by 400%, and augmenting Sage energy recovery effect by 400%.
Life Energy: 57124 points (Sage Mode)
Sage Chakra Energy: 14765 points (Sage Mode)
Life Energy Recovery: 36 points/second (Sage Mode)
Sage Chakra Recovery: 24 points/second (Sage Mode)
Minimum Chakra Consumption in Sage Mode: 10 points/second
Uehara Naraku frowned as he looked at his skills panel. Other than the cooldown times all disappearing, the skill consumption hadn't changed, meaning if he used some powerful skills indiscriminately, the Sage Mode might not last long.
"It seems it can be used for flying? Or even for Taijutsu combat?"
Uehara Naraku manipulated the two pairs of white wings behind him to gracefully ascend, his speed seemingly increasing by about four times, making him feel as if he had been strengthened.
If only the two pairs of wings at his back could be retracted...
That way, he could perhaps maintain the Sage Mode state at all times?
However, these two pairs of white wings are the symbol of Uehara Naraku's activation of Sage Mode, much like the toad eyes of Mount Myoboku Sage Mode, and can't be retracted, which is somewhat regretful!
Aside from being stylish, these two wings are pretty much useless...
But wings are a dream for humans!
Because standing on the ground, humans always long for flight.
Uehara Naraku sighed and flew toward the Hidden Grass Village at an extremely high speed, almost leaving a shadow in the air!
After flying for a while, Uehara Naraku suddenly realized a problem: he seemed to be thinking too narrowly.
In the state of Sage Mode, his skills have no cooldown at all, which means they aren't just for blasting enemies; they can also be used to hasten travel speed, like the skill Destiny which originally had a cooldown now has none...
"Destiny!"
A subtle, unfathomable smile appeared on Uehara Naraku's face, and suddenly his body vanished into the air. An ongoing series of long-distance relocations and reconnaissance finally began.
A few minutes later.
Uehara Naraku completed the reconnaissance of the entire Land of Grass and the bordering territories, finally pinpointing a person and a group of White Zetsu.
Uehara Naraku stood on a tall tree, overlooking a secluded cave.
Uehara's eyes glinted golden, a sign he had activated the Hunting Rhythm perception skill. He carefully observed the ground beneath the cave, unable to hide the grin on his lips: "It's been a long time, Uchiha Obito-senpai..."