The rain in Amegakure never stopped.
Uehara Naraku and Kakuzu walked through the heavy steel gates of the village. The guards bowed respectfully to the Akatsuki members.
"We are here" Kakuzu said his voice muffled by his mask. "Go to the tower and report to the Leader. I have to go to the treasury to deposit the funds."
Kakuzu patted the heavy pouches at his waist. They contained over 40 million Ryo. He looked at them with genuine affection before turning his cold green eyes to Uehara.
"Don't forget kid. You are just an intern. Interns don't get a cut of the main profits."
Uehara watched Kakuzu walk away.
"Stingy old man" Uehara spat on the wet ground. "Just wait. One day I will buy the entire explosive tag industry and make you cry."
He turned and headed for the central tower.
Inside the atmosphere was as gloomy as ever. Uehara climbed the stairs to the top floor where Konan was waiting.
"Sensei! I am back!" Uehara shouted bursting into the room.
Konan was arranging flowers, origami flowers. She looked up her expression calm.
"Welcome back Naraku. I heard from the Leader that you and Kakuzu eliminated several high value targets."
"Yes!" Uehara walked over looking aggrieved. "But Sensei I have a complaint! I want to report Kakuzu san!"
Konan blinked. "Report him?"
"Yes! He is exploiting child labor!" Uehara pointed accusingly in the direction Kakuzu had gone. "I did most of the work! I acted as bait! I threw the cards! I even made the tea! But he only gave me 1 percent commission! 1 percent! That is not even enough to buy new shoes!"
He lifted his foot showing his Berserker's Greaves (which looked like cool metal boots).
"Look! My boots are... uh... well they are fine. But my heart is hurt! Is this how the Akatsuki treats its elites?"
Konan sighed. A rare look of amusement crossed her face.
"Kakuzu manages the finances because the organization requires vast resources to operate" Konan explained patiently. "We need money for equipment base maintenance and... other preparations."
"Like your paper bombs?" Uehara mumbled.
Konan froze. Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing!" Uehara straightened his back. "I said the organization's goals are noble!"
Konan relaxed. "Good. As for your reward... since Kakuzu is strict with money I will compensate you personally."
She opened a drawer and pulled out a scroll.
"This contains a B rank Water Release jutsu and 500000 Ryo. It is from my personal funds."
Uehara took the scroll. His eyes lit up.
"Thank you Sensei! You are the best! Much better than that green eyed miser!"
[Side Mission Complete: Complain to the Manager.]
[Reward: 100 Gold Coins.]
Uehara suppressed a grin. The System really had missions for everything.
"Now" Konan's tone became serious. "There is another matter. Pain sama has a new mission for you."
"Already?" Uehara asked tucking the money away. "I just got back."
"This is important" Konan said walking to the balcony. "We have received intelligence that a certain missing nin from Konoha is approaching the Land of Rain. He is looking to join the organization."
Uehara's heart skipped a beat. Missing nin from Konoha? Looking to join?
"Is it..." Uehara started.
"Itachi Uchiha" Konan confirmed. "The man who massacred his entire clan."
Uehara took a deep breath. Itachi. The tragic anti hero. The brother of Sasuke. The man with the Mangekyou Sharingan.
"Pain sama wants you to meet him" Konan continued. "He is currently being intercepted by another prospective member-Kisame Hoshigaki of the Mist."
"Kisame and Itachi..." Uehara muttered. "The Zombie Pair."
"Your mission is to observe them" Konan ordered. "Evaluate if they are worthy of joining the Akatsuki. And if they try anything suspicious... kill them."
Uehara looked at Konan. Kill Itachi and Kisame?
"Sensei" Uehara smiled stiffly. "You do know I am just a Genin right? Those are S rank monsters."
"You are my student" Konan said with absolute confidence. "And you have the ring. Do not shame the organization."
She turned and handed him a map.
"They are waiting at the Southern Bridge. Go."
Uehara took the map.
[Main Mission Triggered: The Akatsuki Assembly.]
[Description: Meet Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki.]
[Reward: 500 Gold Coins.]
"Well" Uehara sighed adjusting his raincoat. "I guess I have no choice. Time to meet the legends."
He walked out of the room. As he descended the stairs he opened the System Store.
"System. I have 2500 Gold now. I need more power if I am going to stand next to those monsters."
He looked at the item Nashor's Tooth. He needed 500 more gold to complete it.
"I guess I will have to farm some gold from Itachi's face."