Inside the dark coffin.
Uchiha Itachi felt a trace of despair in his heart.
But even until the last moment, Uchiha Itachi still refused to give up.
The determination in Uchiha Itachi's eyes gradually hardened, and he said in a deep voice, "Although I have failed, there will eventually be others in the Ninja World who can clear away your fog and dispel the darkness you have brought to this world..."
"You're overthinking it."
Uehara Naraku chuckled, looking at Uchiha Itachi standing in the coffin, smiling with squinted eyes, "Mr. Itachi, since it's me who brings darkness to the Ninja World, why can't it be me who brings light to it?"
"..."
Uchiha Itachi was speechless.
Yakushi Kabuto waved his hand, the pitch-black coffin lid fell, sealing Uchiha Itachi inside, putting him into a deep slumber.
"Alright."
Uehara Naraku waved to the people present, speaking softly, "Now that I'm feeling much better, you all can leave! We need to prepare to capture the Five-tailed Jinchuriki tomorrow. Kabuto, Kisame, get some rest early when you return!"
Yakushi Kabuto: "..."
Hoshigaki Kisame: "..."
Uchiha Obito: "..."
Did you resurrect Uchiha Itachi in the middle of the night just to gain a sense of achievement and pleasure as a mastermind?
As a villain.
No, as a mastermind.
In front of those manipulated from behind, revealing one's schemes and witnessing their shocked or uneasy expressions, inevitably gives rise to a sense of accomplishment.
No one does it better than you, Lord Uehara Naraku!
To unmask the truth of your control before the despairing, watching their faces grow amazed, he's capable of even that!
But with Uehara Naraku's layout, perhaps even more such events will occur in the future, and thinking about it brings despair for those manipulated.
Uehara Naraku is not as shallow as they think.
Arranging Uchiha Itachi this time not only pleased Uehara Naraku but also increased the main task progress by seven percent.
This illustrates one thing.
The main task progress can also be advanced through other means.
As a qualified mastermind, you must learn to reveal the truth of your control; otherwise, what's the point of secretly rejoicing behind the scenes?
Everyone's happiness is true happiness.
When Uehara Naraku emerged from the Hidden Rain Village, his expression was as dark as could rain, not even assistants like Hoshigaki Kisame and Yakushi Kabuto dared to offend him.
Now, Uehara Naraku's heart seemed to be blossoming with joy.
At least he could sleep well tonight, no longer worrying about how to kick Nagato and Konan out of Akatsuki.
The next day.
At the Akatsuki base.
Just as a new meeting was about to start, Uchiha Sasuke approached Uehara Naraku, speaking softly, "Senior Uehara, can I be on your team?"
Uchiha Sasuke was unaware of last night's events.
Uchiha Sasuke pondered all night in his room, deciding to choose a partner who would be most beneficial to him. Uehara Naraku, being a medical ninja and greatly skilled, was undoubtedly the most favored teammate in Akatsuki.
Moreover, Uehara Naraku was the earliest acquaintance with his brother Uchiha Itachi, with the deepest friendship and best relations, which was also a reason why Uchiha Sasuke wished to choose Uehara Naraku.
Uchiha Sasuke also wanted, like his brother, to have a loyal friend like Uehara Naraku.
"Of course."
Uehara Naraku extended two fingers, tapping Sasuke's forehead, like a kind elder brother, smiling as he said, "Then for the future, I'll be counting on your guidance, Sasuke."
"Senior..."
Uchiha Sasuke nodded his head in shame and whispered, "I will prove to you my strength, I won't let Itachi lose face!"
"But first, you must learn to protect yourself."
Uehara Naraku shook his head, then touched his chin and said, "Actually, it doesn't matter, my medical ninjutsu is very strong."
"Mmm..."
Sasuke nodded.
This was undeniable by anyone.
According to the arrangement by Nagato and Uehara Naraku, the plan for today was indeed to capture the Five-tailed Jinchuriki, Six-tailed Jinchuriki, and Seven-tailed Jinchuriki.
Deva Path of Pain looked at those present, solemnly announcing his orders, "Kakuzu, Hidan, Ringo Ameyuri, Hoshigaki Kisame, Hozuki Suigetsu, Hozuki Mangetsu, you are to capture the Seven-tailed Jinchuriki."
"Understood."
Kakuzu nodded with a muffled voice.
Kakuzu was a ninja from the Hidden Waterfall Village and was extremely familiar with the terrain of the Land of Waterfall and the Hidden Waterfall Village. If one wanted to capture the Seven-Tailed Beast there, it would indeed be difficult without Kakuzu's guidance.
Deva Path of Pain turned to look at Uehara Naraku and said softly, "Uehara Naraku, Uchiha Sasuke, Sasori, Deidara, Yakushi Kabuto, you will go to the Hidden Rock Village to capture the Five-Tails Jinchuriki. Any questions?"
This was based on the allocation of strength.
Although Uehara Naraku's team's strength was slightly less compared to Kakuzu's team, it was undoubtedly more than sufficient.
"No problem."
Uehara Naraku also quickly nodded.
Deidara excitedly slung his arm around Uehara Naraku's shoulder, chuckling and saying, "This time we're going to the Hidden Rock Village to trouble the old man. Hey, Uehara, help me arrange a grand entrance; I want the old man to see it!"
"What?"
Uehara Naraku had a question mark on his face.
"That kind of super cool entrance!"
Deidara spread out his palms, smiling as he explained, "Just to let that old man Onoki see..."
"Got it."
Uehara Naraku interrupted Deidara, looking at him oddly and nodding, "Alright, I'll figure out a way to arrange that for you."
A rogue ninja returning to his hometown with such swagger...
Scared that Deidara might get beaten to death by Onoki!
"Alright."
Deva Path of Pain looked down at everyone present and continued solemnly, "Zetsu will continue gathering intelligence. I will personally capture the Six-Tails. Kimimaro, Haku, you will guard the base."
This time, all of the Pain of Six Paths would be deployed to capture the Six-Tails!
Uehara Naraku wasn't too worried, as he knew the Pain of Six Paths' strength should be greater than it was in history, especially with the Asura Path that Nagato had modified countless times.
Since the rough allocation was set, everyone dispensed with more words and each team set off to capture the Tailed Beasts.
Although collective action was slower, it was safer.
Over time, the Akatsuki captured many Tailed Beasts, practically only losing the constantly rebellious Momochi Zabuza and the internally conflicted Uchiha Itachi.
An ancient giant dragon flew towards the Hidden Rock Village.
One must say, being Uehara Naraku's teammate was quite relaxing, especially for Deidara and Sasori of the Red Sand, who had completed several missions with Uehara Naraku and increasingly enjoyed the feeling of soaring on the wind.
"Deidara."
Uehara Naraku glanced at Deidara, who was extending his arms happily against the wind. How could this joker be so consistently cheerful?
Unable to help but twitch his eye, Uehara Naraku eventually asked about the mission, "Hey, Deidara, let's discuss strategy! Besides the Third Tsuchikage Onoki, is there anyone in the Hidden Rock Village we should particularly watch out for to prevent unnecessary losses?"
"Yes!"
Deidara nodded, his face turning gradually serious, "The first is our target this time, the Steam Ninja Five-Tails Jinchuriki Han. This guy is definitely different from the other Jinchuriki we've captured."
After saying this, as everyone else started to take it seriously, Deidara suddenly waved his hand with a laugh, "But don't worry, I can easily take care of him!"
"..."
While the others were speechless, Deidara's expression finally became solemn, "What you need to be careful of is that old man Onoki and Uncle Huang Tu!"
The Third Tsuchikage, Both Scales Onoki.
The son of the Third Tsuchikage, Huang Tu.
One is a ninja capable of using Dust Release Kekkeitota, the other has mastered Earth Release Ninjutsu to the extreme. These two are the most troublesome.
Aside from these two, Deidara seemingly didn't care much for any other miscellaneous figures, only occasionally mentioning a young girl named Kurotsuchi.
"Hmm, Kurotsuchi is Uncle Huang Tu's daughter, right?"
Deidara puffed his cheeks as he continued to analyze, "Kurotsuchi seems to have some talent, mastering Lava Release Kekkeigenkai at a young age, but that bloodline is actually quite common in the Hidden Rock Village, you can randomly find several..."
"..."
Uehara Naraku looked speechlessly at Deidara, seemingly unable to detect any trace of interest in Kurotsuchi from Deidara's expression.
"There's another troublesome aspect."
Deidara puffed his cheeks, grumbling as he continued, "The number of ninja in the Hidden Rock Village is very high. When I was a kid, if I tossed a bomb from my house upstairs, it would definitely hit four or five ninjas."
"That's right."
Yakushi Kabuto nodded, speaking in a deep voice, "If I remember correctly, the Hidden Rock Village has dispatched a number of ninjas comparable to the total of other villages in each Ninja World War, which is why they often have the confidence to fight on two or three fronts."
"No problem."
Uehara Naraku stood on the back of the ancient giant dragon, overlooking the barren mountains and deserts of the Land of Earth, speaking with a smile, "The more ninjas the Hidden Rock Village has, the better."