Starting as the Hidden Mastermind from Naruto

Chapter 178: A New Member of the Akatsuki, At Your Service!

Central Tower.

In Nagato's laboratory.

Naraku Uehara's ninja tool pouch was like a treasure chest, from which he successively took out a vial of Hashirama cells and scroll after scroll filled with experimental equipment.

"These are Hashirama cells, the others are all experimental equipment."

Naraku Uehara clapped his hands and said softly, "I emptied that fellow Orochimaru's base in Otogakure. These were all brought back from there, to build a biological science laboratory in the village."

"Let's not talk about that for now."

Nagato shook his head, lowered his head in thought for a moment, and then hesitantly asked, "Um… Naraku, have you fallen for a girl recently?"

"Hmm?"

Naraku Uehara looked at Nagato with surprise, raising his eyebrows suspiciously, "Why the sudden question? What do you know now?"

"Cough, cough, cough…"

Nagato covered his mouth and coughed lightly, then lowered his head and said, "I just saw you hand your umbrella to a girl through Pain's eyes. But that girl seems very young, this kind of thing is not right…"

"Hey, hey, hey, what do you mean!"

Naraku Uehara crossed his arms and leaned against the table discontentedly, "I worked so hard to find you the materials to cure you, and you ask me this? Not concerned about your own body, but concerned about some messy business?"

"I'm not, I didn't."

Nagato shook his head, quickly moving past the topic, "Alright, alright, let's not talk about this. First, congratulations on becoming a formal member of Akatsuki!"

"Hehehehe…"

Naraku Uehara couldn't stop smiling, waving his hand, "I didn't expect Teacher Konan to suddenly agree. I'll be leaving for a mission in half a month. For this half month, I'll accompany you here and do experiments."

"Okay."

Nagato nodded, blinking his eyes.

The reason Konan agreed, wasn't it because he had been persuading her from behind the scenes?

The little guy had grown up, and now he wouldn't even tell him who he liked. Had he forgotten that the two of them were on the same side?

The way Nagato and Naraku Uehara got along was very unique. They were fifteen years apart, sometimes like an elder and a junior, sometimes like good friends who had forgotten their age difference.

Back then, Nagato was still manipulating the Deva Path Pain to boss Naraku Uehara around, which was greatly dissatisfying. Ever since killing Hanzo of the Salamander a few years ago, the knot in his heart seemed to have been untied, and he began to quietly care for this little fellow again.

Half a month's time.

The cultivation speed of Hashirama cells was very fast.

Of course, this kind of thing couldn't be directly transplanted onto Nagato's body. Therefore, Karin became the first beneficiary.

According to the known consensus in the ninja world, the Uzumaki clan and the Senju clan were distant relatives, with a certain connection in their bloodlines. Both clans had very abundant chakra and stamina.

Therefore, the Uzumaki clan was also the most suitable for transplanting Hashirama cells.

Karin had been having her life force absorbed by Kusagakure ninjas for a long time. Transplanting Hashirama cells for her would be beneficial, and could also increase her strength, lest she really could only be a useless mobile blood bag in the Akatsuki organization.

On the experimental table in Amegakure.

The Hashirama cell transplant surgery was presided over by Pain, with Naraku Uehara observing from the side, ready to cut off a certain piece of Karin's body at any time and then use Starcall to save her life.

Fortunately, the transplant surgery was successful.

The only pity was that she still couldn't awaken Wood Release.

And on her shoulder, a face grew.

"What's going on?"

There was a bit of confusion in Pain's Rinnegan. He stared at the face that grew on Karin's arm. His surgery should not have had any mistakes!

Naraku Uehara rubbed his forehead and said softly, "Maybe the Hashirama cells were too pure. How about we wait a while for the other surgery?"

"No need."

Pain shook his head and said in a deep voice, "Since the experiment was successful, it proves that it is effective. Karin, how do you feel?"

"I don't feel anything…"

Karin slowly sat up, clenched her fist, and said softly, "No, wait, the chakra in my body has been enhanced a lot, and the strength of my body has also increased quite a bit."

After speaking, Karin subconsciously glanced at her left arm, "It's just that this face feels a bit strange…"

"This is the face of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju."

Naraku Uehara tapped that face and shrugged nonchalantly, "It's fine, this is a normal reaction to transplanting Hashirama cells. After all, you used someone else's cells, can't you let them leave a mark on your body?"

Karin: "..."

Pain: "..."

What was all this nonsense?

Since the surgery was successful, the transplant surgery for Nagato's main body could also be carried out, still performed by the Deva Path Pain.

In essence, it was performing surgery on oneself.

I don't know what that feels like.

Naraku Uehara planned to ask Kabuto Yakushi later. Anyway, for Kabuto's transplant of the Kamui Sharingan and Hashirama cells, he would have to rely on himself for the surgery.

Nagato's surgery was more troublesome.

His surgery required cultivating the shape of two legs with Hashirama cells in advance, and then transplanting these Hashirama cells onto his legs.

Nagato lay on the operating table, feeling the weight brought by the Hashirama cells. His body gradually became fuller. Clearly, the effect of his transplant was far better than Karin's.

"I want to transplant more."

Nagato frowned. He manipulated the Deva Path Pain to prepare more Hashirama cells. Clearly, he thought he might need more.

If there was too much, he could even fully unleash the power of the Rinnegan.

"No."

Naraku Uehara stopped Pain, looked at Nagato on the operating table, and said in a deep voice, "You can't transplant too much, only the same amount as Karin's transplant."

Nagato didn't know the truth, but Naraku Uehara knew some of it.

The reason Nagato could accommodate so many Hashirama cells was because of the Rinnegan he possessed. The Rinnegan could suppress all power.

However, this pair of Rinnegan did not belong to Nagato; it belonged to Madara Uchiha.

What's more, under the manipulation of the two masterminds, Naraku Uehara and Black Zetsu, Madara Uchiha was almost certain to be revived in the ninja world.

Black Zetsu was for its mother.

Uehara was for the main quest progress.

At this time, if Nagato were to rashly transplant too many Hashirama cells, it would be very detrimental to the future Nagato.

Nagato had one good point, and that was that he listened to advice.

This was also his shortcoming. When someone advised him, he would listen.

Naraku Uehara tilted his head and looked at Nagato sitting back in his wheelchair, tutted, and shook his head gently, "You always have this habit of listening to advice. You should change it in the future. You can't always change your plan just because someone persuades you a few times."

Nagato frowned in thought for a moment, and was about to climb back onto the operating table, "Then I'll transplant the Hashirama cells again now…"

"Wait, that's not what I mean!"

Naraku Uehara hurriedly shook his head and forcefully pushed him back into the wheelchair, "In the future, you just need to listen to what Teacher Konan and I say. Don't listen to anything anyone else says, especially that little yellow-hair like Deidara…"

"..."

Nagato couldn't help but glare at him. After a moment, he suddenly pushed Naraku Uehara away and tried to stand up step by step on his own.

Although Nagato walked a little unsteadily, he was, after all, walking step by step.

Nagato walked step by step with some pleasant surprise, looked up at Naraku Uehara, and said, "Uehara, I can stand up again…"

With the energy of the Hashirama cells, Nagato could finally stand up again, but on his calf grew the face of Hashirama Senju.

The First Hokage was too shameless!

He could grow his face wherever he wanted!

Naraku Uehara supported the trembling Nagato and helped him sit down, looking at him speechlessly, "Alright, alright, I see it, I see it. Hurry up and put on your pants!"

Nagato: "..."

What kind of strange words were those!

If Konan heard this, who knows what she would think of them!

But the fact that Nagato could stand and walk was indeed good news. With simple exercise, he would soon be able to move normally again.

Just as Nagato was about to go and tell Konan personally, Naraku Uehara suddenly pulled Nagato and whispered something. The two of them hid this news again.

Ten days later.

Naraku Uehara finally put on the official Akatsuki uniform, and by the way, also received a set of a hood and a kasa hat to hide his identity. Moreover, Konan restricted him from using his signature ninjutsu in battle.

Because the future leader of Amegakure, before the success of Akatsuki's plan, absolutely could not have any connection with the Akatsuki organization.

On this point, Naraku Uehara also agreed.

Naraku Uehara touched the auspicious cloud black robe on his body, feeling a little happy in his heart.

Side Mission: Put on the red cloud black robe and become a formal member of the Akatsuki group (1/1). Mission completed. Reward: S-rank Rogue Ninja Certification.

S-rank Rogue Ninja Certification: Increases life energy by 10,000 points, chakra energy by 10,000 points, natural energy by 10,000 points. Increases life recovery effect by 50%, chakra energy recovery effect by 50%, and natural energy extraction effect by 50%.

After seeing the reward on the system panel, Naraku Uehara's eyes were clearly a little resentful. If he had been recognized as a formal member by Konan after joining Akatsuki back then, he would probably have long since become a Kage-level expert!

Before Naraku Uehara obtained Dark Harvest, his attribute points were only on par with the reward for putting on this red cloud black robe!

Now Naraku Uehara's various attribute points had already exceeded fifty thousand; clearly, he couldn't be too excited.

"Alright."

Konan reached out her hand to straighten Naraku Uehara's clothes and looked at him with a light laugh, "Naraku, this time I will be your teammate and go out on a mission with you. We haven't been on a mission together for a long time. Aren't you happy?"

"Happy…"

The corner of Naraku Uehara's eye twitched. He glanced at the person coming from behind them and said in a deep voice, "But, Teacher, I have already found myself a new teammate…"

"What?"

Konan couldn't help but look up and glance at him with some surprise, "Are you thinking of having that brat Sasuke Uchiha or Karin as your teammate?"

Konan quickly shook her head, "I can't agree to this. This mission is very dangerous. Someone must protect you."

(The latest novels are first released on 69shu bar!)

"No, his new teammate is an old senior of the organization."

Nagato, wearing the same auspicious cloud black robe, lifted the kasa hat on his head and stood beside them, "This senior of mine should be able to be his teammate, right?"

"Nagato…"

Konan looked at Nagato who had walked up to her, her face full of shock. She couldn't help but cover her lips, tears welling up in her eyes, "You… you can stand up?"

There were many things Konan felt guilty about over the years.

Besides the deaths of many members, there was Nagato's crippled legs.

Now, suddenly seeing Nagato walk up to her, Konan subconsciously took a few steps back, somewhat unable to believe what she was seeing.

"Ahem, ahem…"

Naraku Uehara reached out to help Konan wipe the tears from the corner of her eyes, held her face, and comforted her softly, "Alright, alright, Teacher. Actually, Lord Nagato's surgery was successful ten days ago and he could stand up, but I thought I should give you a surprise!"

"Bastard!"

"Alright, alright, Teacher…"

Nagato was watching them and snickering from the side. After Naraku Uehara comforted her for a good while, Konan's emotions finally stabilized.

After a while, Konan suddenly spoke, "So, you two have already discussed it, letting me stay in the village while you two go out on a mission together?"

"That's right!"

Naraku Uehara glanced at Nagato, and the two of them nodded as if it were a matter of course, "Ten days ago, the two of us already decided to go on a mission together this time."

"We're leaving, we're leaving."

Naraku Uehara put his arm around Nagato's shoulder and waved at Konan, "Teacher, Lord Nagato and I are leaving now! We still have to go to the organization's base to assemble!"

After speaking, the two of them didn't dare to look at Konan's stunned expression. They walked out of Amegakure shoulder to shoulder, chattering and discussing something, their identities as new members of Akatsuki completely exposed.

After all, no other team's members would maintain such a friendly relationship on the surface like Naraku Uehara and Nagato.

Nagato looked at Naraku Uehara and suddenly asked curiously, "By the way, have you thought of our codenames in the organization?"

"Not yet."

Naraku Uehara shook his head and stroked his chin, "What do you think of 'Red Hair' and 'Black-Haired Shinigami'?"

"Not great…"

Nagato looked at Naraku Uehara with a puzzled expression.

Naraku Uehara scratched his chin and proposed a new suggestion, "How about 'Red Hair' and 'Night Demon'?"

"Even worse…"

"'Red Hair' and 'Night Angel'?"

"What kind of mess is this? Can't you get past the 'Red Hair' threshold?"

"Then how about 'Little Red Riding Hood' and 'Black Emperor'?"

"Can't you be a little more normal?"

"Hey, hey, hey, even something so domineering isn't good enough? Is my codename going to be 'Black Dog'?"

"..."

The two of them muttered all the way to the Akatsuki base. Clearly, these two wearing kasa hats attracted the attention of all the members, and curious gazes were cast over one after another.

Nagato naturally needed to hide his identity.

Naraku Uehara, however, had no such need at all. He decisively lifted his kasa hat, revealing a sinister smile, "From today onwards, I ask all seniors for your guidance. By the way, please call me by my codename."

"Oh, right."

Naraku Uehara slowly looked at everyone present, his voice gradually becoming cold, "When you're outside, just call me 'White Lotus'. Remember not to call me by the wrong name, otherwise, I'll kill you!"

"Hehehehe…"

Before anyone else could say anything, Kisame Hoshigaki suddenly let out a few laughs and said softly, "The name of our First Mizukage seems to be Byakuren?"

Naraku Uehara's expression instantly collapsed. Then he shrugged nonchalantly, "Then you can call me 'Green Tea' in the future. As for the one standing next to me, just call him 'Black Tea'!"

Nagato: "..."

Don't just give him such a random codename!

As expected, Naraku Uehara's actions immediately aroused Deidara's dissatisfaction, "Hey, little one, so casual. Do you think going on a mission is like going for afternoon tea?"

"With our strength…"

Naraku Uehara put his arm around Nagato's shoulder and glanced sideways at everyone present, "Actually, going on a mission is no different from going for afternoon tea. Don't you think so, Black Tea?"

"Right…"

Nagato subconsciously nodded.

The next moment, the expression under Nagato's kasa hat instantly changed. Right my ass! Why did he let Naraku Uehara come up with the codenames!

It's not like he himself wasn't good at naming things!

After all, the codenames of all the members of Akatsuki were personally chosen by him!

Kakuzu frowned and said coldly, "Brat, becoming a formal member doesn't mean you're qualified to be so arrogant!"

Naraku Uehara rubbed his forehead and said softly, "Quick, Black Tea, show them what you've got!"

"..."

Nagato looked at Naraku Uehara speechlessly. Of course, Nagato wouldn't choose to show everyone what he's got, because he had a better solution.

"Alright, stop arguing."

Under Nagato's control, the Deva Path Pain spoke, "They are new members of Akatsuki. One is Naraku Uehara, codename 'Dong-jun' (Lord of the East), the other new member, codename 'Gui-yi' (Return to One)…"

Naraku Uehara immediately raised his hand and said loudly, "Lord Pain, I don't think my teammate likes this codename very much!"

Many members cast surprised glances at Naraku Uehara. Clearly, this was the first time they had seen someone dare to object to Pain's opinion.

What kind of lesson would Naraku Uehara receive?

Not only did Pain not teach him a lesson, but he retorted, "No, he likes it very much. I told him this before."

"..."

Naraku Uehara sullenly closed his mouth.

Both Nagato's and Pain's fingers were subconsciously clenching. He really regretted supporting Uehara in becoming a formal member. Now he kind of wanted to expel Uehara.

This was too mischievous!

However, some things still had to be said upfront.

Pain looked at everyone present and continued in a deep voice, "In addition, if anyone dares to leak the identity information of the organization's members to the outside, they will be hunted down endlessly by Akatsuki!"

Clearly, this point was emphasized specifically for Naraku Uehara.

Pain sized up the expressions of everyone present, nodded seriously, and said, "The specific actions of this mission will be handled by Naraku Uehara!

After all, Uehara destroyed Kusagakure with his own strength, and it was also he who provoked the confrontation between Iwagakure and Konoha."

Hearing Pain's words, the expressions on everyone's faces were different.

There were indeed many people present who had attacked a country and destroyed a town, but a medium-sized ninja village like Kusagakure, besides the five great nations, its combat power could also be ranked at the forefront.

It was not so simple to want to destroy Kusagakure.

That intern brat, his strength had indeed always been great, but no one knew exactly how strong he was. This time, perhaps they would be able to see…

Naraku Uehara flexed his wrist, looked at the varied expressions of everyone present, and curled his lips, "Then along the way, I'll have to ask all you seniors for your care!"

(End of Chapter)

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