"Alright. What's the mission?"
"To attack the Konoha Anbu in the Land of Grass."
Konan put down the scroll in her hand and took out another scroll, speaking softly: "The Third Tsuchikage Onoki has made a high-priced request to the Akatsuki, asking our members to help them attack the Konoha Anbu and sabotage the alliance talks initiated by the Fifth Hokage."
This was the largest single task ever received by the Akatsuki.
However, this mission required quite a number of people. After all, a full-scale attack on Konoha's Anbu forces across the Land of Grass in a single day to drive them out was not something a small team could easily accomplish.
Moreover, we also have to find a way to sabotage the alliance talks composed of the Fifth Hokage Tsunade, the Hidden Mist Village's de facto leader Terumi Mei, the Hidden Sand Village advisor elder Chiyo, the Hidden Waterfall Village's leader Shibuki, and others.
The simplest approach is to have the Akatsuki members scattered all over to attack the squads of Tsunade, Terumi Mei, and Chiyo, and either kill or repel them.
The danger level is much higher than past missions.
"Alliance talks?"
Uehara Naraku, finally happy to be a member of the Akatsuki, became somewhat curious, as he hadn't really heard any news lately.
"This was initiated by the Fifth Hokage Tsunade."
Konan picked up the scroll she had previously placed on the table and handed it to Uehara Naraku: "The location is at the Daimyo Mansion in the Land of Grass, two weeks from now. Konoha has even invited our Hidden Rain Village to participate, and they wanted you or Hanzo of the Salamander to attend, but you need to carry out the Akatsuki's mission..."
Konan slowly lifted her head to look at Uehara Naraku, speaking softly, "Honestly, I'd really like you to attend this meeting. It would be a good chance for the Ninja World to acknowledge you as the future leader of the Hidden Rain Village, but Nagato says you should decide for yourself..."
"..."
Uehara Naraku subconsciously gripped the scroll.
After a while, Uehara Naraku suddenly looked up and chuckled lightly, "I'll attend the alliance talks, and also carry out the mission at the same time!"
"Hmm?"
"If you just look at the map, it doesn't matter if it's the Hidden Rock or Konoha that gets all the lands in the Land of Grass. It's very dangerous for us situated close to the Land of Grass, as we would be entangled with them along most of our borders."
Uehara Naraku stroked his chin, pondering for a while, and then slowly lifted his head, "Have the Akatsuki members attack the Konoha Anbu first to drive the Anbu out of the Land of Grass. Konoha certainly won't give up and the alliance talks will definitely continue, right?"
Uehara Naraku pinched his fingers, laughing softly, "Then I'll go to the alliance talks and see if we can reach some terms with Konoha, like getting part of the defensive strongholds."
This is essentially playing both sides.
On one side, using the Akatsuki and the Hidden Rock Village's mission request to put Konoha at a disadvantage in their struggle over the Land of Grass; on the other, using the identity of a Hidden Rain Ninja to help Konoha take land from the Land of Grass while also countering the Hidden Rock Village.
Uehara Naraku knew well.
The Land of Grass is not smaller than the Land of Rain, and it would be great if the Hidden Rain Village could secure a part of it. Getting more than that is impossible.
"..."
Konan was silent for a while and then suddenly clasped his hand, her other hand touching his cheek, her lips curling into a smile as she spoke softly, "Nagato was right, Naraku really has grown up!"
"Uh, it's alright, I guess!"
Uehara suddenly felt his face heat up, lightly rubbing Konan's fingers, only to find that her fingers were quite smooth.
The rain outside was getting heavier.
A Genin girl with a top-knot hairstyle suddenly called out from outside the window, "Angel, we just patrolled here and found someone has infiltrated..."
"Hmm? Ajisai?"
Konan instinctively retracted her hand, slowly turning her head to look at the approaching girl and explaining softly, "No one has infiltrated; it's just Naraku who has returned."
"Has Senior Naraku returned?"
Ajisai paused outside the window, clenched her little fist, then bowed slightly to Konan before stepping away.
"Wow, patrolling in such heavy rain?"
Uehara Naraku curiously watched Ajisai's figure fade into the rain, "Isn't it usually the Rain Tiger at Will Jutsu that's used for sensory defense?"
Konan shook her head, speaking softly, "We need to develop the village's ninja habits eventually; the Hidden Rain Village will rely on you young people sooner or later."
"Why would it?"
Uehara Naraku raised his eyebrows, chuckling as he shook his head, "Teacher Konan is only thirty-two this year! Still so young!"
This was the truth.
Thirty is when women are at their most mature.
Konan's face instantly cooled, speaking softly, "Alright, since you're back, go see Nagato. He must have missed you too."
"Mm."
Uehara Naraku nodded, speaking softly, "I also brought a gift for him, which should actually be helpful."
"Wait..."
Just as Uehara Naraku was about to leave, Konan's hand moved slightly, and pieces of origami turned into a paper umbrella, which she handed to Uehara Naraku, "It's raining heavily outside, don't get your clothes wet."
"..."
Uehara Naraku glanced at the paper umbrella with mixed feelings. Speaking of which, with such heavy rain outside, would a paper umbrella really work?
Besides, with his physique, he certainly doesn't mind the rain!
After leaving Konan's office, Uehara Naraku looked around, glancing at a group of Hidden Rain Genin who were still patrolling in the rain.
Three people shared two oil-paper umbrellas.
Ajisai was walking in the middle, looking rather pitiful.
Hmm, has the Hidden Rain Village's budget become this tight since I left?
"Hey, take this!"
Uehara Naraku handed his paper umbrella to Ajisai in the middle, speaking softly, "You all still have to patrol, while I'm heading to the Central Tower to see Lord Pain, and I don't really need an umbrella."
"Yes."
Ajisai reached out with a slightly timorous expression, speaking softly, "I don't really want your things, but I know this umbrella was made by Angel, so I will take it."
Uehara Naraku: "..."
So, you like Konan but not me?
What's wrong with the young girls in the Ninja World!
However, as Ajisai reached out to take the paper umbrella from Uehara Naraku, the chakra on the simple paper umbrella suddenly dissipated, and the entire umbrella came apart, turning into pieces of white paper scattered into the water.
Ajisai slowly raised her head, a hint of grief and anger in her eyes: "Senior Naraku, was this on purpose?"
Everyone in the Hidden Rain Village knew of Ajisai's admiration for Konan!
Uehara had just destroyed the paper umbrella Konan made!
Uehara Naraku slowly turned his head towards the window of Konan's office, where a tall figure was standing, watching him; it could only be Konan.
Looking at the aggrieved young girl, Uehara Naraku shook his head, sighed, and said, "To be honest, you might not believe me, but I want to ask my teacher as well."