Hoshigaki Kisame is Uehara Naraku's first subordinate.
Uehara Naraku never doubts Hoshigaki Kisame's loyalty; this guy will never make any mistakes in serious matters and is still closely monitoring Uchiha Itachi.
Besides, Kisame hides it well; before it was Uchiha Obito, now it's Black Zetsu, everyone believes Kisame is loyal to them.
Uehara Naraku glanced at everyone present, chuckled lightly, and said, "Since no one seems to have any objections to this allocation, let's have Kisame, Mr. Itachi, Ringo Ameyuri, and Hozuki Mangetsu, the four official members, go to assist Senior Kakuzu and Hidan in collecting funds!"
Uehara Naraku was clearly someone who issued orders.
The Deva Path of Pain seemed completely unbothered by his approach, even nodding approvingly toward Uehara Naraku, and softly added, "Then the members to capture the Three-tailed will be Uehara, Kiichi (Nagato), Momochi Zabuza, Deidara, Sasori, and Uchiha Sasuke!"
"No problem!"
Deidara was very satisfied with this arrangement.
Sasori of the Red Sand also nodded silently.
The Art Duo might feel comfortable executing tasks with Uehara Naraku, after all, Uehara Naraku has a fairly easy-going personality. Even though he's strong, he never shows disdain or contempt toward other companions.
However, Kakuzu expressed a different opinion, unhappily saying, "I said, it's just a matter of killing a few people to exchange for bounties, we don't need so many people!"
"Better to be careful."
The Deva Path of Pain glanced at Kakuzu and spoke coldly, "When has Uehara's plan ever gone wrong? Kakuzu, just do as he says!"
Kakuzu frowned, sighed, and said with some helplessness, "Really, the kid grew up and finally starts to put pressure on the old employees, huh?"
He really has the right to say something like that.
Kakuzu and Sasori are members from the early Akatsuki days.
Uehara Naraku and Uchiha Itachi joined the Akatsuki at the same time, and Uehara was about the same age as Kakuzu when he was young, so Kakuzu watched this little guy grow up little by little, and he quite liked him.
Uehara Naraku killed the Fourth Kazekage and let Sasori of the Red Sand extract gold sand from the Fourth Kazekage; then he stirred things up in the Land of Grass, directly making the Akatsuki rich.
Kakuzu's attitude towards Uehara is understandable.
Whoever lets Lord Kakuzu earn money is Kakuzu's friend; whoever lets Lord Kakuzu earn big money is Kakuzu's benefactor.
So their relationship is quite good.
And also, when Uehara Naraku previously served as accountant, he was generous in allocating activity funds to Kakuzu, always maintaining high standards, high benefits, and high treatment.
Lord Kakuzu is this materialistic.
Moreover, Uehara Naraku is a very easy person to get along with, he doesn't have the arrogant attitude of a genius, and it's only this year that he started to stand out and take responsibility, and the Akatsuki members find him quite approachable in normal times.
To be honest, if he could, Kakuzu sometimes really wants to kill that low-intelligence Hidan and let Uehara Naraku be his partner, but unfortunately, he can't kill Hidan...
Konan wouldn't agree to Uehara and Kakuzu partnering up either.
But their relationship is genuinely good.
So after hearing Kakuzu's complaints, Uehara Naraku rubbed his forehead and said softly, "Hey, Senior Kakuzu, I'm just worried about your safety. I previously investigated the Konoha Ninja's information, and they're crazily hunting us!"
"Hmph, I'm not afraid of them."
"It's always better to be careful."
Uehara Naraku sighed and advised softly, "Mr. Itachi, Kisame, and the others will secretly support you. With so many helpers, you can gather more activity funds for the organization. We've been dormant for some time, and we're indeed a bit short on money."
"I see."
In a muffled voice, Kakuzu finished speaking and then murmured again, complaining, "Even though everyone knows there's not much money in the organization, they still want to squander it by making so many move together, young people really don't know frugality..."
Uehara Naraku: "..."
He sounds just like an elder at home... But this old guy is truly enough! Risking his life all for money?
You're really something!
Once Konoha's Fifth Hokage Tsunade sends people to pursue Kakuzu and Hidan, he'll know how valuable this arrangement is.
And the most important thing this time is...
To let Uchiha Itachi take the opportunity to meet Uzumaki Naruto.
"Then let's rest for a few days first."
The Deva Path of Pain looked at everyone present and said softly, "Once everyone is done resting, carry out your respective tasks."
"Yes."
Sealing the Tailed Beasts is laborious work, and no one opposed the Deva Path of Pain's opinion, each returning to their own living quarters.
When Uehara Naraku was looking at Sasori of the Red Sand, he suddenly called out to him, "Senior Sasori, there's something I want to tell you."
"Hmm?"
Sasori slowly turned his head to look at Uehara Naraku.
When everyone else had left, and only Deidara was still there, Uehara Naraku's expression gradually grew complex, and he softly said to Sasori, "Lady Chiyo has sacrificed herself."
It's better to tell Sasori this news sooner.
Sasori of the Red Sand would eventually find out, and by that time, there might be a grudge in his heart since most Akatsuki members already know that Granny Chiyo was his grandmother.