A few days later Uehara Naraku received a summons.
He followed Konan deep into the underground cavern beneath the central tower. The air here was stale and cold. There was no rain only the dripping of water from stalactites echoing in the vast darkness.
In the center of the cavern stood a colossal statue. It was humanoid with nine closed eyes and its hands were shackled. This was the Gedo Statue the vessel of the Ten Tails though Uehara was one of the few people in the world who knew its true name.
Pain stood upon one of the statue's upturned thumbs. Konan took her place on another finger.
"Stand there Naraku" Pain ordered pointing to the little finger of the statue's right hand.
Uehara leaped up and landed on the stone digit. He felt a strange resonance.
"Magic Lantern Body Technique."
Pain formed a hand seal.
Suddenly the dark cavern was illuminated by spectral flames. On the other fingers of the Gedo Statue colorful holograms flickered into existence. They were indistinct and wavy like candle flames but their voices were clear.
"We are all here" Pain's voice echoed with divine authority.
Uehara looked around. It was a gathering of monsters.
On one finger was a hunched figure hiding inside a puppet shell. Sasori of the Red Sand.
Next to him was a figure with a high ponytail. Deidara.
Then there was the familiar towering silhouette of Kakuzu.
And beside him a figure carrying a triple bladed scythe. Hidan.
Finally the two new recruits Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki appeared on the remaining fingers.
And in the corner watching silently was Zetsu (and likely Obito lurking in the shadows).
"Today we formally welcome our new members" Pain announced. "Itachi Uchiha. Kisame Hoshigaki."
"Heh. The Uchiha survivor?" A rough voice spoke up. It was Deidara. "I heard those eyes are special. I hate eyes that look down on my art."
"Art is eternal beauty" Sasori's raspy voice argued instantly from inside Hiruko. "Not your fleeting explosions brat."
"Art is an EXPLOSION! Un!" Deidara shouted back.
"Shut up both of you" Kakuzu grumbled. "You are giving me a headache. And time is money."
"Wait a second!" Hidan's loud voice cut through the bickering. "Who is the brat on the pinky finger? Isn't that the kid who stole my kill last week?!"
Hidan pointed his scythe at Uehara.
"Pain sama! Why is this heathen here? He doesn't respect Lord Jashin! He mocked my rituals! I should sacrifice him right now!"
Uehara sighed. He stepped forward on his finger.
"Hidan san" Uehara said politely but his voice carried a sharp edge. "If you try to sacrifice me I will bury you so deep underground that even your god won't be able to hear your screaming. I heard you are immortal. I wonder what it feels like to suffocate for eternity?"
"You little-!" Hidan swung his scythe but since he was a hologram it passed harmlessly through the air.
"Silence" Pain ordered. The Rinnegan flared.
The pressure in the cavern increased tenfold. Hidan immediately shut his mouth though he kept glaring at Uehara.
"Uehara Naraku has proven his worth" Pain stated calmly. "He has completed difficult missions and possesses unique abilities. From today he is an official operative of the Akatsuki outer circle."
Pain paused letting the information sink in.
"Our goal remains the same" the Leader continued. "We must gather capital. We need money to fund our future operations. We will operate as mercenaries accepting war commissions from small countries."
He began to assign tasks.
"Sasori Deidara. You will cover the Land of Earth and Land of Wind. Spread terror and accept bombing commissions."
"Kakuzu Hidan. Continue the bounty hunts. The organization's funds are still insufficient."
"Itachi Kisame. You will investigate the Jinchuriki of the Four Tails. Do not engage yet. Just gather intelligence."
"Understood" the voices replied in unison.
"And Uehara" Pain turned his gaze to the boy.
"Yes Leader" Uehara bowed.
"You will travel to the Land of Waves" Pain said. "We have received reports of a businessman named Gato. He controls the shipping routes and has amassed a large fortune. However he has been interfering with our smuggling operations in the region."
"Gato..." Uehara's eyes lit up.
He knew that name. Gato was the villain of the first major arc in the Naruto story.
"Go to the Land of Waves" Pain ordered. "Eliminate Gato. Seize his assets for the organization. And if there are any valuable ninjas employed by him... deal with them."
"Understood" Uehara replied suppressing his excitement. "I will handle it."
[Main Mission Triggered: The Devil of the Mist.]
[Objective: Defeat Zabuza Momochi.]
[Reward: Skill - Warrior's Blood (Passive).]
Uehara almost smiled. Warrior's Blood. That was likely a regeneration skill perhaps from Dr. Mundo or Garen. It was exactly what he needed to make himself tankier.
"Dismissed" Pain said.
The colorful flames flickered and vanished one by one as the members cut their connections.
Only Pain Konan and Uehara remained in the physical cavern.
"Naraku" Konan spoke softly stepping down from the statue. "The Land of Waves is far. And Gato is known to hire rogue ninjas for protection. Be careful."
"Don't worry Sensei" Uehara jumped down landing lightly on the ground. "I have prepared well. Besides I just bought a new... toy."
He clenched his fist feeling the power of Nashor's Tooth humming in his chakra network.
"When do I leave?" Uehara asked.
"Immediately" Pain said. "The world is moving. We must move faster."
Uehara nodded. He turned and walked towards the exit of the cave.
"I will bring back Gato's head" Uehara promised. "And his wallet. Mostly his wallet."
As he walked out into the rain again Uehara looked towards the east.
"Land of Waves..." he muttered to himself a grin finally breaking onto his face. "Team 7. Kakashi Hatake. Zabuza and Haku. The main plot is finally starting."
He adjusted his ring.
"I wonder if Naruto is ready to meet the Mastermind?"
With a flicker of movement Uehara disappeared into the rain leaving Amegakure behind. His novice days were over. The real game had begun.