The situation in the Land of Fire is very tense.
Uehara Naraku waited at the border for quite some time, though he wasn't anxious, as the current situation was his own doing.
Pigeons flew back and forth from Konoha's outposts, the frequency of communication was very high, finally, someone came to the border to meet Uehara Naraku, and it was still an old acquaintance of his.
Yes, it was still Konoha's Seventh Class.
Led by Hatake Kakashi, the Seventh Class was ordered to support and assist in the encirclement of the Akatsuki, only for them to learn from Nara Shikamaru that the Akatsuki had dispatched six members.
To avoid innocent losses, Tsunade had to withdraw the defenses, and all squads were recalled around Konoha to avoid encounters with the Akatsuki's attacks.
The Seventh Class was strong, yet inevitably a bit worried, and just as Hatake Kakashi learned that Uehara Naraku arrived at the Land of Fire's border, he came to meet him at the border, intending to return to Konoha with him.
After all, having the powerful Uehara Naraku was a strong combat force for them, allowing them to support each other on their way back to Konoha Village.
"Uehara, your timing is too perfect."
Hatake Kakashi's face didn't look good, he glanced around the outposts and said in a low voice, "Six members of the Akatsuki have infiltrated the Land of Fire, Asuma was already killed in an encounter with the Akatsuki, and even his body was stolen."
Kakashi trusted Uehara Naraku like this.
No, or rather when it comes to matters against the Akatsuki, Hatake Kakashi still trusts the Hidden Rain Village very much, after all, Uehara Naraku was the first ninja to target the Akatsuki.
The Hidden Rain Village was also the first village to go to war with the Akatsuki.
"Six members?"
Uehara Naraku lived up to Kakashi's trust, his face instantly changed dramatically, widening his eyes, he suppressed his voice saying, "Kakashi, do you know what it means for the Akatsuki to send six members? And you dare to bring Uzumaki Naruto here!"
"I understand."
Hatake Kakashi nodded, looking at Uehara, he said, "But retreating alone is too unsafe for us, so I came to meet you, just to have you accompany us back to Konoha."
"I don't think this is a wise move."
Uehara Naraku shook his head, his face looking extremely unpleasant, "The Akatsuki usually operates in pairs, this way they can reduce internal discord amongst the traitors;
they dispatched six members, equivalent to three teams, which means there must be someone powerful enough within whose orders all members recognize, able to abandon their grudges against each other."
After all, Uehara Naraku's persona is a ninja from the Hidden Rain Village who knows a lot about the Akatsuki and holds a grudge against them, so he doesn't mind spouting some trivial nonsense.
"I understand."
Hatake Kakashi pulled at his mask, said in a low voice, "However, we've already gathered intelligence on those six from the Akatsuki, none of them is the cloaked guy we saw last time, the most troublesome one perhaps is Uchiha Itachi."
"Should I compliment you?"
Uehara Naraku gave Hatake Kakashi a glance, then looked at Sai, Uzumaki Naruto, and Haruno Sakura following them, and whispered, "If no cloaked member is present, I suspect this time the one commanding them might be Uchiha Obito…"
"..."
Hatake Kakashi's action of pulling his mask stopped, his face turning even grimmer than before: "Can this information be confirmed?"
"Of course, it can't be confirmed!"
Uehara Naraku looked at Hatake Kakashi as if he were an idiot and said, "I'm just a little ninja from the Hidden Rain Village, how could I possibly guess the mind of that group of Akatsuki freaks!"
"..."
Hatake Kakashi speechlessly glanced at Uehara Naraku, this guy being taken so seriously even by the Akatsuki members, has the nerve to call himself a small ninja?
Uehara Naraku rubbed his temple, softly explaining, "When the Akatsuki engages with our Hidden Rain Village, they usually dispatch at least four members, maybe they worry about being assassinated by Lord Hanzo.
I remember when the Akatsuki took the initiative to fight with Lord Hanzo, they usually dispatched at least six members, and their leader usually commands from behind the scenes, and possibly intervenes personally if necessary."
After Uehara Naraku finished speaking, he revealed a sneer, "Heh, that naive bunch, thinking a numerical advantage could let them battle with Lord Hanzo, who do they think they are?"
When Uehara Naraku reached this point, a fanatic expression timely appeared on his face, "Those Akatsuki punks, just a few S-Class traitors, want to challenge the undefeatable legend of the Ninja Demigod!"
"..."
Hatake Kakashi couldn't help but turn to look at Uehara Naraku's expression, letting out a sigh, "If only the person Rain Village sent to the alliance talks wasn't you but Salamander Hanzo the Demigod himself."
This was Hatake Kakashi's sincere wish.
One could say that the leader of the Hidden Rain deserves to be the legendary Ninja Demigod, second only to the God of Ninja Senju Hashirama. To face six members of the Akatsuki and Uchiha Obito's attack, he can still fight under no pressure...
Moreover, among the six active Akatsuki members this time, three are former Seven-swords Ninja of the Hidden Mist who excel in Water Release Ninjutsu and sword techniques, to be frank, these Seven-swords Ninja are just naturally countered by Salamander Hanzo.
Because Salamander Hanzo is also very skilled in Water Release Ninjutsu and sword techniques, his strength could definitely overpower those Seven-swords Ninja.
"You don't have to be so dismissive of me!"
Uehara Naraku looked at Hatake Kakashi with an amused yet helpless expression, shaking his head he softly explained, "Lord Hanzo is cautious, moreover given the deep grudge between the Hidden Rain Village and the Akatsuki, if the information of him leaving the village leaks to the Akatsuki, the village would certainly be attacked."
"I understand."
Hatake Kakashi nodded and sighed, "In fact, if we can gather all those who can fight the Akatsuki from various ninja villages, and have the right opportunity, we certainly can wipe out the Akatsuki."
"..."
Uehara Naraku looked at Kakashi speechlessly.
You don't know anything!
Of course, Uehara Naraku wouldn't agree to such a thing. After all, Hanzo's bones have long decayed. How can he conjure up a Hanzo of the Salamander?
Even reanimation isn't reliable.
Over the years, Uehara Naraku has exaggerated Hanzo of the Salamander's power so much that, facing the S-Class traitors of the Akatsuki, Lord Hanzo seemed invincible, taking on four, six, or even seven enemies at once, like a ninja demigod.
If Hanzo's reanimation body were to appear and Tsunade and Jiraiya discovered that the old guy wasn't as strong, wouldn't that reveal a flaw?
"Don't overthink it."
Uehara Naraku patted Hatake Kakashi on the shoulder, sighing softly, "Lord Hanzo was always cautious throughout his life, haunted by the past ninja wars. If he can let go of past grievances, send me to share intelligence, and support you, you should be grateful for Lord Hanzo's magnanimity."
Hatake Kakashi: "..."
Somehow, these words seem reasonable.
But isn't Konoha also letting go of past grievances to collaborate with you?
Otherwise, considering Uehara's attempt to assassinate the Third Hokage, how could Konoha have let him off easily? Even if they spared him back then, there would have been secret attempts to assassinate him.
Unfortunately, Konoha has set aside such thoughts.
Right now, the threat of the Akatsuki is the most critical issue for the entire ninja world.
Uehara Naraku finished talking with Hatake Kakashi and turned to Uzumaki Naruto: "Naruto, how have you been lately?"
"Mm!"
Uzumaki Naruto nodded enthusiastically, gripping his arm as he seriously replied, "Uehara, I've recently developed a really powerful jutsu. In the next battle, I won't be dragging anyone down."
Indeed, Uzumaki Naruto deeply felt his inadequacy in strength.
Ever since returning from the Hidden Sand Village, Naruto has been training hard and finally developed the Wind Release: Rasen Shuriken. Unfortunately, this jutsu isn't perfected and injures his own body.
Smack!
Uehara Naraku suddenly extended his hand to grip Naruto's arm, causing Sai and Haruno Sakura to immediately become alert!
Uehara Naraku gave Sai and Haruno Sakura a look and pointed to the bandages on Naruto's arm: "I'm just checking on Naruto's injuries."
"... Sorry, Senior Uehara."
Haruno Sakura quickly lowered her head to apologize.
Hatake Kakashi also looked at the bandages on Naruto's hand, adjusted his ninja headband, and asked, "Do you have any solutions?"
"Tch, the usual way."
Life energy from Uehara Naraku's body entered into Uzumaki Naruto as he spoke softly, "From my observation, there's even some necrosis on the surface. The cells inside are directly damaged. I can only try to provide him with life energy. Who caused this injury? It's a bit too harsh."
"Uh..."
Uzumaki Naruto choked up for a moment, then awkwardly answered, "This injury was caused by my own jutsu, hahaha, because that jutsu isn't fully developed yet..."
"Then you should be a little more careful."
Uehara Naraku shook his head, sighing, "If you injure yourself again, soon all your cells will be damaged, and you might soon be unable to extract chakra."
Haruno Sakura nodded quickly beside him, full of anticipation as she said, "Lady Tsunade also made the same judgment about Naruto's injuries. Does Senior Uehara have any good solutions?"
"No good solutions, just prohibit getting injured."
Uehara Naraku shook his head, sighing softly, "I can temporarily use my unique medical ninjutsu to infuse him with life energy, which can artificially increase the strength and lifespan of his other cells, allowing for multiple divisions, but what about after I leave Konoha?"
Uzumaki Naruto shook his head, replying in a deep voice, "Sorry, Uehara, I absolutely cannot stop because Sasuke is still waiting for me to bring him back from the Akatsuki!"
"..."
The others couldn't help but lower their heads.
Looking at Naruto's determined spirit, Uehara Naraku spoke softly, "I admire your resolve, but I must remind you that Uchiha Sasuke may have changed. He has now joined the evil Akatsuki!"
"I'll bring him back!"
Uzumaki Naruto's resolve remained unwavering, not the least bit swayed, and even revealed a hint of a smile: "Besides, Sasuke isn't like those cruel individuals. I believe he will return!"
Uehara Naraku frowned: "To bring him back, aren't you worried that you won't be able to continue as a ninja, or that you'll lose the chance to become Hokage?"
"If I can't bring my comrade back to the village..."
Uzumaki Naruto clenched his fist tightly, shouting, "Then what is the point of becoming Hokage?"
"I wish you luck."
Uehara Naraku patted Naruto's shoulder.
Ah, stop dreaming, Sasuke won't return.
He, Uehara Naraku, the mastermind, had already arranged a whole new path for Sasuke, where Uchiha Sasuke would only come to hate Konoha more.
And that hatred would only continue to grow.