Mastermind of the Akatsuki

While Shisui was immersed in playing the role of Danzo, Byakuya had already transformed into an ordinary tourist, strolling around the streets of Konoha.

Compared to seven or eight years ago, the changes in the streets of Konoha were substantial.

The narrow streets, after the Night of the Nine-Tails, had been rebuilt into bright, wide boulevards. The only thing that seemed unchanged was the Ichiraku Ramen shop in the corner.

No matter what kind of crisis Konoha faced, Ichiraku Ramen always seemed to appear on the streets.

After ordering a bowl of ramen at Ichiraku, Byakuya ate the sour bamboo shoots and narutomaki on the ramen while waiting for the person he was meeting.

A few minutes later, Naruto rushed into the ramen shop, panting, and said to Teuchi, "Teuchi-ojisan, I'll have a super-sized bowl of ramen. I'll pay you back later. I just got another help request, and I have to go help them right away."

"The money doesn't matter..." Teuchi, looking at the panting Naruto, asked with some concern, "Naruto, who asked for your help this time? What's the reward?"

"It seems they want me to find a lost stray cat... No reward."

Teuchi furrowed his brows and said, "How can there be no reward? If everyone just asks you to help for free, won't you be working all day long?"

Naruto smiled nonchalantly and said, "As long as they acknowledge me, that's enough!"

Teuchi sighed softly, knowing that Naruto wouldn't listen to him, but he always found it hard to watch others take advantage of Naruto.

Naruto was an orphan, and now so many people were using him.

After Teuchi entered the kitchen, Naruto looked around before turning to Byakuya, puzzled. "Who are you? I've never seen you around the village before."

Byakuya smiled and replied, "I'm just a passing traveler. It's normal that you haven't seen me."

"Oh." Naruto scratched his head and then said, "Do you need help with something? I love helping people. As long as you recognize me, I can help you with anything."

"Recognize you?" Byakuya asked, somewhat confused. "So if I recognize you, you'll do anything for me?"

Naruto nodded, grinning. "Yep, as long as you recognize me, I can help you with anything, as long as I'm capable of doing it."

Byakuya frowned. "Just a word of recognition, and you won't lose anything?"

The other diners overheard their conversation and laughed, saying, "Naruto is different from others. He's going to become Hokage someday. If he helps us now, we'll help him back in the future."

When Naruto heard the word "Hokage," his eyes lit up.

Becoming Hokage had always been his dream since he was a child. As long as he could become Hokage, he would do anything, and to become Hokage, he needed the villagers' recognition.

In the past, Naruto didn't know how to earn recognition, but now he had found the answer. As long as he helped the villagers for free, they would give him a thumbs-up and recognize his actions.

Soon, Teuchi brought out a bowl of ramen and placed it in front of Naruto.

Naruto didn't waste any time. He quickly finished the ramen and left Ichiraku, eager to help more people.

Byakuya glanced at Naruto, who had left, with a strange expression.

The Naruto in his memory was indeed kind-hearted, but he would never be so honest and humble in helping others.

Moreover, although this Naruto appeared cheerful and sunny, he was only a hair's breadth away from being corrupted.

The experiences of being exploited by others would give Naruto a sense of validation, but once people became accustomed to being helped by him, they might start taking advantage of him and even repay his kindness with hostility.

Even if Naruto were the reincarnation of Ashura, he could still become a problem in the Tsukuyomi world.

One could only say, as expected, the methods of Black Zetsu, who had cultivated both Madara Uchiha and Obito, were formidable.

After slowly finishing his ramen, Byakuya walked to a residential house. He looked at the shadow on the ground and slowly said, "Black Zetsu-senpai, is this the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki you've trained? He seems to be close to falling to the dark side. Black Zetsu-senpai, you've done even better than I imagined."

Black Zetsu emerged from the ground. He was somewhat surprised by Byakuya's visit and didn't know why Byakuya had come at this moment.

However, after hearing Byakuya mention Naruto, Black Zetsu smiled and said, "These are just small matters. Your plan is much better. If I deliberately guide the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki toward darkness, he might be discovered by the Hokage. But your plan is different. First, let Naruto treat the villagers with sincerity. When the villagers can no longer reciprocate with sincerity, Naruto will explode with pent-up emotions, becoming a ticking time bomb for Konoha."

Byakuya nodded and said, "My plan is good, but without the cooperation of Konoha's higher-ups, I can't lead Naruto to that point. Of course, I also can't do it without Black Zetsu-senpai's guidance."

Black Zetsu accepted Byakuya's praise calmly.

He seemed to remember something and then asked Byakuya, "Byakuya, are you here to capture the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki? If so then I don't think there's no need for you to take action against him. I have a way to make Naruto leave Konoha voluntarily."

During the years he spent with Naruto, Black Zetsu had developed some feelings for him. He recognized a similar sense of loneliness in Naruto, both being orphans who had lost their mothers.

If possible, he wanted to spare Naruto's life.

Byakuya noticed Black Zetsu's thoughts and gently shook his head, saying, "The Akatsuki doesn't yet have the strength to declare war on the Five Great Nations. The mission to capture the tailed beasts is still being carried out in the shadows. Actually, I'm here for the Uchiha. I've heard that the conflict between the Uchiha and the higher-ups of Konoha has reached an irreparable point. A civil war could break out in Konoha at any moment."

After hearing that Byakuya wasn't targeting Naruto, Black Zetsu sighed with relief and then said, "The Uchiha and Konoha's higher-ups are indeed on the brink of a clash, but this task has always been handled by the Masked Man. Are you interested in it?"

"The Masked Man is involved too?" Byakuya frowned. "Doesn't he know that I've already set my sights on the Uchiha? What gives him the right to interfere in my mission?"

"You're also interested in the Uchiha?" Black Zetsu asked, somewhat puzzled.

Byakuya nodded and then said, "I've had my eye on the Uchiha since before the Nine-Tails' attack. Once an Uchiha awakens the Mangekyō Sharingan, capturing the tailed beasts becomes much easier. That's why I intentionally got close to Shisui Uchiha, to get the Uchiha clan to join the Akatsuki."

Upon hearing this, Black Zetsu's expression changed, and he said, "The Masked Man is also planning to target the Uchiha. He wants to eliminate the Uchiha... Are you two planning to clash?"