A week passed since the incident on the bridge.
The construction of the bridge was finally completed. With Gato gone and his thugs either dead or reemployed by Uehara there was no one left to stop the progress. The citizens of the Land of Waves worked with renewed vigor inspired by the bravery of the Konoha ninjas and the strange generosity of their new corporate overlord.
On the day of Team 7's departure the mist had cleared completely leaving a bright blue sky.
At the entrance of the bridge Tazuna and the villagers gathered to say goodbye. Naruto Sasuke and Sakura stood with their backpacks ready. Kakashi was reading his book as usual but his eye occasionally darted toward the tree line.
"You really saved us" Tazuna said wiping a tear from his eye. "We won't forget you. This bridge will be the lifeline of our country."
"We will miss you old man!" Naruto grinned giving a thumbs up.
"And you too" Tazuna looked past them to the figure leaning against the bridge railing. "Uehara san."
Uehara Naraku was standing there dressed in his pristine Akatsuki robe (minus the clouds as he was undercover) and his purple raincoat. Zabuza and Haku stood behind him like bodyguards. Zabuza looked grumpy wearing a suit that didn't fit his muscular frame while Haku looked elegant as always.
"Don't thank me" Uehara waved his hand dismissively. "I am just a businessman protecting his investment. This bridge means my shipping trucks can travel faster. It is purely for profit."
"Even so" Tazuna insisted "you spared our lives. And you gave jobs to the ronin who were terrorizing us. You brought order to this chaos."
"Order is profitable" Uehara shrugged.
He walked over to Team 7.
"So you are leaving?" Uehara asked looking at Naruto.
"Yeah!" Naruto shouted. "We have to go back to the village and take missions! I am going to get stronger so I can beat you next time!"
"I look forward to it" Uehara smiled patting Naruto on the head. "But Naruto remember what I told you. Being loud doesn't make you strong. Using your brain does."
He glanced at Sasuke. The Uchiha boy was staring at Haku.
"And you Sasuke" Uehara said. "Don't sulk. You survived a fight with the Demon of the Mist. That is worth bragging about."
Sasuke huffed and looked away. "I didn't beat him. You interfered."
"Details details" Uehara laughed.
Kakashi stepped forward putting his book away.
"Uehara" Kakashi said his tone serious. "I don't know what your goal is. You say you are just a businessman but your skills... they are not normal. If I find out you are plotting against Konoha..."
"Relax Kakashi san" Uehara interrupted raising his hands. "I am just a simple employee of the Rain Village. We are allies remember? Well technically we are neutral. Besides I gave you a discount on the toll fee for the bridge. You should be thanking me."
Kakashi stared at him for a long moment then sighed. "Let's go."
As Team 7 walked away across the bridge Naruto turned back and yelled.
"Hey! What are we going to call this bridge?!"
Tazuna thought for a moment. He looked at the bridge then at the boy who had changed the heart of the village.
"The Great Naruto Bridge" Tazuna declared.
"Awesome!" Naruto cheered.
Uehara watched them leave until they were just dots on the horizon.
"The Great Naruto Bridge" Uehara muttered. "A fitting name for the protagonist."
He turned to Zabuza.
"Alright playtime is over. Zabuza get out of that suit. You look ridiculous."
Zabuza ripped the tight jacket off instantly. "Finally. I hate this thing. So what are the orders kid?"
"You and Haku will stay here" Uehara instructed handing Zabuza a scroll. "This contains the operational plans for the shipping company. Your job is to consolidate Gato's trade routes. Make money. A lot of money. And send 80 percent of the profits to the Rain Village every month."
"80 percent?" Zabuza choked. "You are robbing us!"
"I am providing protection" Uehara corrected. "And I saved your life. Twice. Consider it interest payments."
Zabuza grumbled but took the scroll. He knew he had no choice. Uehara was stronger than him and behind Uehara was the mysterious Akatsuki organization.
"What about you?" Haku asked softly.
"I am going back to headquarters" Uehara said stretching his arms. "I have a report to file. And I have some shopping to do."
He walked to the edge of the water.
"Don't fail me Zabuza san. If profits are down next month I might have to come back and turn you into a rug."
With a wave Uehara activated his Berserker's Greaves.
Whoosh.
He sped across the surface of the water disappearing into the remaining mist heading back toward the Land of Rain.
As he ran Uehara opened his System Interface.
It was time to count the harvest.
[Main Mission: The Land of Waves Arc]
[Status: Complete.]
[Total Gold Earned: 2500 Gold.]
[Items Acquired: Warrior's Blood (Passive) Giant's Belt.]
"2500 Gold" Uehara calculated. "Plus the money I looted from Gato's vault... I am rich."
He currently had Nashor's Tooth (Attack Speed + AP) and Tear of the Goddess (Mana). With the Giant's Belt (+380 Health) he was becoming a well rounded fighter.
"I need more defense" Uehara thought as the scenery blurred past him. "My attack is high enough for now. But if I get hit by a Kage level jutsu I am still squishy."
He looked at the upgrades for the Giant's Belt.
[Warmog's Armor]
[Rylai's Crystal Scepter]
[Dead Man's Plate]
"Rylai's gives health and AP" Uehara mused. "And it slows enemies on spell hit. If I combine that with my rapid fire cards no one will be able to touch me."
He made a decision.
[Purchase Component: Blasting Wand.]
[Purchase Recipe: Rylai's Crystal Scepter.]
He didn't have enough gold to finish the full item yet but he was close.
Two days later Uehara arrived back in Amegakure. The rain was falling as always washing away the salt of the sea.
He walked directly to the central tower.
Konan was waiting for him in the origami room. She looked up from her paper folding as he entered.
"Welcome back Naraku" Konan said her expression softening slightly. "You were gone for two weeks."
"I missed the rain Sensei" Uehara smiled taking off his wet coat. "The sun in the Land of Waves is too bright. It hurts the eyes."
"Did you complete the mission?"
"Gato is dead" Uehara reported handing her a thick sealing scroll containing the seized funds. "The shipping company has been rebranded. Zabuza Momochi and Haku of the Ice Style have been recruited as external operatives. They will manage the business and send us the profits."
Konan took the scroll. She checked the contents and her eyes widened slightly.
"This is... a significant amount."
"Start up capital" Uehara said. "We can buy a lot of explosive tags with that."
Konan nodded approvingly. "You did well. Pain sama will be pleased."
"Is there a reward?" Uehara asked rubbing his hands together. "Maybe a promotion? Or a vacation?"
"There is a new mission" Konan said pulling out a document from her desk.
Uehara's face fell. "Already? I just got back!"
"This one is different" Konan said handing him the paper. "It is an invitation."
Uehara looked at the document. It was stamped with the symbol of the Leaf Village.
[Chunin Selection Exams]
"The Chunin Exams?" Uehara blinked. "But I am from the Rain Village."
"Exactly" Konan explained. "Konoha is hosting the exams this year. They have invited genin from allied nations to participate. The Rain Village has been invited to send a team."
She looked at him intensely.
"Hanzo the Salamander's influence is fading but the world still thinks he rules this village. We need to maintain that illusion while showing strength. You will go as the captain of the Rain Genin team."
"Me?" Uehara pointed to himself. "Go to Konoha? Walk right into the lion's den?"
"Yes" Konan said. "Your objective is simple. Gather intelligence on the other villages' new generation. And... if possible eliminate any potential threats to the Akatsuki's future."
Uehara looked at the invitation.
Chunin Exams.
Orochimaru would be there.
Gaara would be there.
Naruto and Sasuke would be there.
It was the stage for the biggest arc in Part 1.
[Main Mission Triggered: The Chunin Exams.]
[Objective: Advance to the finals.]
[Reward: Random Ultimate Skill (R).]
Uehara grinned. A true smile.
"Understood Sensei" Uehara bowed. "I will go. And I will make sure the Rain Village leaves a lasting impression."
"Good" Konan said. "You have three days to prepare. Choose your teammates wisely."
"I don't need teammates" Uehara thought. "I have the System."
But rules were rules. He needed two bodies to fill the slots.
"I will find some warm bodies" Uehara said turning to leave. "Konoha better be ready. The Mastermind is coming to town."
...
Author Note
Hi guys! Thank you for reading my fanfiction.
I wanted to let you know that I'll be releasing bonus chapters for Power Stones. Here are the goals:
15 Power Stones: 1 Bonus Chapters
30 Power Stones: 1 Bonus Chapters
50 Power Stones: 1 Bonus Chapters
75 Power Stones: 2 Bonus Chapters
100 Power Stones: 2 Bonus Chapters
Thanks for the support!