The group of three continued to walk towards the center of Amegakure.
The city was a labyrinth of metal towers and stone bridges. The poverty was evident everywhere. People huddled under rusting metal awnings watching the rain with dead hopeless eyes. The industrial pipes leaked steam and oil into the streets creating a slick rainbow film on the wet ground.
Itachi Uchiha observed everything silently.
His eyes which had seen the darkness of the ninja world in Konoha were now witnessing a different kind of darkness. This was a country that had been weeping for decades.
"This country..." Itachi spoke softly his voice barely audible over the sound of the downpour. "It is always raining."
"It is the weeping of the land" Uehara said playing the role of the loyal guide perfectly. He walked slightly ahead leading the way with a confident stride.
"Amegakure has been the battlefield for the Great Nations for decades" Uehara continued his tone turning solemn. "Konoha Iwa and Suna... the Great Villages claim to love peace. But when they fight they choose our land as their battleground. They burned our villages killed our people and destroyed our economy just to spare their own countries the damage."
He pointed to a ruined building that had partially collapsed into the river.
"My parents died in one of those wars. Killed by Konoha ninjas who claimed they were bringing justice. That is the reality of this world. The big nations enjoy peace while the small nations suffer their wars."
Itachi remained silent. He knew the history. He knew the darkness of his own village better than anyone. He had slaughtered his own clan to prevent a war that would have likely spilled over into lands like this.
Kisame Hoshigaki smirked resting Samehada on his shoulder.
"So that is why you joined the Akatsuki?" Kisame asked. "Revenge?"
"No not revenge" Uehara shook his head. "Justice."
He stopped and turned to face the two S Rank criminals.
"Pain sama wants to change the world" Uehara said his voice filled with a rehearsed but convincing fanaticism. "He wants to end the cycle of hatred. The world is sick. People have forgotten what true pain feels like so they start wars casually."
"And how does the Leader plan to fix that?" Itachi asked his black eyes boring into Uehara. "By causing more pain?"
"By controlling it" Uehara replied without hesitation. "By creating a weapon so terrible a power so absolute that the fear of it will stop all wars. A child only learns not to touch fire after being burned. The world is a child that needs to be taught a lesson."
Uehara looked at the rain falling from the gray sky.
"If everyone feels the same pain they will finally understand each other. It is a simple philosophy. Peace through pain."
The bridge fell silent for a moment except for the drumming of the rain.
"Simple... and naive" Kisame scoffed but there was no mockery in his eyes this time. "But I like it. A world of lies is tiring. A world of truth... even if it is painful... sounds better than the mist I lived in."
Itachi closed his eyes for a second then opened them. "Let us continue."
Uehara turned back around and resumed walking. Internally he let out a sigh of relief.
That speech was ripped straight from the anime Uehara thought. Hopefully that is enough to convince Itachi that I am a brainwashed loyalist and not someone worth investigating too closely.
They walked for another ten minutes until the massive central tower of Amegakure came into view. It pierced the clouds standing like a tombstone over the city.
At the entrance of the tower a woman was waiting.
She wore the Akatsuki cloak and had a large paper flower in her blue hair. Her expression was cold and aloof like a statue made of ice.
"Konan sensei" Uehara bowed respectfully stepping to the side. "I have brought the guests as ordered."
Konan nodded her amber eyes sweeping over Itachi and Kisame.
"Welcome to Amegakure" Konan said calmly. "The Leader is waiting for you at the top. Follow me."
"Thank you" Itachi said politely.
Konan turned and led the way into the dark interior of the tower.
As Kisame walked past Uehara he suddenly stopped. The shark man leaned down his massive frame towering over the boy.
"Hey kid."
Uehara looked up. "Yes Kisame san?"
"You are strong" Kisame admitted grudgingly his voice a low rumble. "For a shrimp. Maybe being in this organization won't be so boring after all."
"I try to be entertaining" Uehara replied with a modest smile.
"Next time though" Kisame grinned exposing his sharp teeth "I won't be frozen by a trick. I will tear you apart properly."
"I look forward to it" Uehara said. "But bring your wallet. My sparring sessions are expensive."
Kisame barked a short laugh and followed Itachi and Konan into the darkness.
Once the heavy steel doors closed Uehara was finally alone.
He leaned against the wet metal wall and slid down slightly letting out a long breath. His back was soaked in cold sweat.
"That was terrifying" he whispered to the empty street. "Standing between a Tailed Beast without a Tail and a Genius with the Mangekyou Sharingan... my stress levels are through the roof."
He wiped the rain from his face.
"One wrong move one wrong word and Itachi would have put me in a Tsukuyomi for 72 hours. Or Kisame would have turned me into fish food. I need to get stronger. Much stronger."
He closed his eyes and summoned his System Interface.
He looked at his Gold balance.
[Gold: 3100]
The spar with Kisame had given him the final 100 Gold needed.
"Finally."
He navigated to the store interface. His eyes locked onto the item he had been coveting for weeks. It was a core item for his build.
[Purchase Item: Nashor's Tooth.]
[Confirm?]
"Confirm" Uehara thought firmly.
A brilliant golden light flashed in his mind invisible to the outside world. He felt a surge of energy rush through his body. It wasn't the warm gentle flow of chakra like when he bought the Tear of the Goddess.
This was sharp. Aggressive.
He felt his muscles tighten and his nerves fire faster. His perception of time seemed to slow down slightly.
[Item Acquired: Nashor's Tooth.]
[Stats:]
[+50 Percent Attack Speed.]
[+100 Ability Power.]
[Unique Passive: Icathian Bite - Basic attacks deal 15 + (20 percent AP) bonus magic damage on hit.]
Uehara opened his eyes. He clenched his fist.
He drew a single card from his pouch. He didn't activate a skill. He just threw it at a nearby steel pipe.
THWACK!
The card didn't just stick into the metal. It punched straight through it embedding itself deep into the stone wall behind it. The hole in the metal glowed faintly with purple magical energy before fading.
"Incredible" Uehara muttered.
Before this his basic card throws were just physical attacks. They relied on sharpness and accuracy. To do real damage he had to use his active skills like Wild Cards or Red Card which had cooldowns and mana costs.
But now thanks to the Nashor's Tooth passive every single card he threw carried magical damage.
"I am no longer a mage who has to wait for cooldowns" Uehara smirked standing up. "Now I am a machine gun."
He looked up at the top of the tower where Pain Itachi and Kisame were likely discussing the fate of the world.
"You guys can talk about philosophy" Uehara said turning to walk back to his room. "I have a build to complete."
He touched the ring on his finger.
"Next item... maybe Rabadon's Deathcap? No that is too expensive. Maybe Zhonya's Hourglass for safety? Decisions decisions."
The Mastermind of Konoha walked away into the rain ready for the next stage of his game.