Uehara Naraku glanced around at his team, three of the Seven-swords Ninja of the Hidden Mist, and two burdens with bloodline limits, one of whom was a seriously ill patient.
Uehara Naraku looked at Kaguya Kimimaro and asked softly, "Did you see any strange people on the way here? For example, someone with snake eyes..."
There is an unwritten rule in the Ninja World.
Whenever there are displaced gifted children around, the world's number one kidnapper, Orochimaru, would almost always appear, driving a large brown snake to abduct these kids.
"Yes."
After giving his answer, Kaguya Kimimaro lowered his little head to think for a moment before using his limited vocabulary to describe the person's appearance, "That person is strong, stronger than many I've seen, and also looks very nice."
"…"
Uehara Naraku felt a bit dazed hearing this.
Is this really Orochimaru? Why would you describe Orochimaru as nice-looking, has he changed from Snake Uncle to Snake Aunt?
Kaguya Kimimaro continued to elaborate, "I remember that person said before if I could come back alive, he would take me away from here..."
A slight smile appeared at the corner of Uehara Naraku's mouth as he nodded, "Then let's go see, I also want to know what he means by the meaning of life!"
If he could meet Orochimaru, he'd also take the opportunity to retrieve the Ring of the Void from Orochimaru, as that ring symbolizes official membership in the Akatsuki and can also be used for the Illusionary Body Jutsu.
Uehara Naraku thought of returning to the Akatsuki Hideout with three of the Seven-swords Ninja of the Hidden Mist and the Ring of the Void, rubbing his hands in anticipation, maybe this time he could become an official member and wear the Akatsuki's Red Cloud Black Robe?
As for that gaudy nail polish, it's better to avoid it.
Uehara Naraku wanted to wear that Red Cloud Black Robe not only because it would make him look cooler but also because there was a corresponding side quest.
Based on Uehara's understanding of his kind, there must be many fans of the second dimension who want to wear the Red Cloud Black Robe, so the reward should be quite generous!
Unfortunately, Konan hoped Uehara's future would be bright and didn't want him getting involved in the current affairs of the Akatsuki.
Every time Uehara mentioned the Akatsuki to Konan, she would imply she wanted him to stay away from its members.
This is the aftermath of overacting.
Uehara Naraku's identity and displayed talent made Konan develop the idea of grooming him to become a successor to the Dawn...
However, Uehara Naraku just wanted to secretly play the Matryoshka game.
In the mountains and forests outside the Hidden Mist Village.
With Kaguya Kimimaro as their guide, Uehara Naraku's group quickly found Orochimaru and the still-tensed Hatake Kakashi and Karin.
As Orochimaru turned and saw Kaguya Kimimaro, a smile could not help but emerge on his face, "It seems the potential vessel I wanted has returned alive..."
The next moment, the smile on Orochimaru's face gradually stiffened.
Because a few more people were following behind Kaguya Kimimaro, it was clear this little brat didn't come to join him but to bring people to deal with him!
Three men stood at the back of this group, each with a peculiar Ninja Blade on their back. They were none other than Momochi Zabuza, Hozuki Mangetsu, and Hoshigaki Kisame of the Hidden Mist Village's Seven-swords Ninja, whom Orochimaru had heard of.
Just as Orochimaru wanted to deliver a few lines, a childish voice called out, "Take a good look, everyone, at our predecessor, this is one of the Konoha Sannin, Orochimaru! Normally, you wouldn't even get the chance to see him!"
"…"
Orochimaru's face turned slightly black.
Who was making that comment here?
Was the implication that he was to be looked at like a monkey on display?
Momochi Zabuza and Hozuki Mangetsu stepped aside, revealing Uehara Naraku standing out, which made Orochimaru's eyes narrow.
He recognized Uehara Naraku!
As one of the only two interns in the Akatsuki, especially since Uehara Naraku was the youngest member of the Akatsuki, Orochimaru had some impression of him.
Uehara Naraku stepped forward to stand in front of everyone, his gaze locked onto Orochimaru, the smile on his face gradually fading and turning into a fierce demeanor, "After witnessing the demeanor of a senior...next, we should properly entertain this senior of the Ninja World!"
"…"
Orochimaru's eyes flashed with anger, and he looked at Uehara Naraku with a face full of sarcasm, "Just a kid, and you think you have the qualification..."
"Orochimaru-senpai!"
Uehara Naraku interrupted Orochimaru, "Defeated by just a glare, what right do you have to boast in front of me? Do you think I'm easier to bully than others?"
Uehara himself concluded that when facing strong enemies, the tactic was to relentlessly expose their scars, undermining their prestige!
This way...
Uehara's own momentum would relatively rise.
"Annoying brat!"
Being defeated by a single glare from Uchiha Itachi was a deeply resented matter for Orochimaru, and it also led to his intense obsession with the power of the Sharingan.
Otherwise, Orochimaru wouldn't have proactively blocked Kakashi...
However, as a seasoned ninja, Orochimaru's mental resilience was solid. After uttering a curse with a gloomy face, he regained his smile, "Heh heh heh… Forget it, after all, I have to thank you for sending back what I wanted!"
"Are you just too old to see the situation clearly?"
Uehara Naraku turned to Orochimaru and the person behind him, Hatake Kakashi, saying, "Oh, it seems we have Kakashi from Konoha here as well..."
Hatake Kakashi felt somewhat tense. During the verbal exchange between Orochimaru and Uehara Naraku, Kakashi couldn't discern the situation and was reluctant to speak.
Kakashi had once personally witnessed Uehara destroying numerous Mist Village Ninjas with a unique Lightning Release Ninjutsu that even the Sharingan couldn't replicate, that youth surrounded by others was very strong!
And it seemed that this young man had some sort of connection with Obito...
Unable to hold back anymore, Hatake Kakashi finally asked, "Who exactly are you? What's your connection with… that masked person?"
With Orochimaru right beside him, Kakashi was reluctant to bring up matters concerning Obito.
But Uehara Naraku didn't care about Kakashi's concerns and chose to lay the truth bare, "Kakashi, if you're asking about Afei-senpai… I should call him Obito-senpai now, right?"
"Obito?"
Hearing that name, Orochimaru's expression subtly changed since he knew how Hatake Kakashi got that Sharingan!
With a smirk, Orochimaru glanced at Hatake Kakashi and then at Uehara Naraku, "So, that ridiculous Afei is actually Konoha's deceased hero..."
"…"
Hatake Kakashi didn't look pleased; it would've been bearable for others to know about Uchiha Obito, but Orochimaru was a nutcase who liked to meddle with everything!
Uehara Naraku didn't care about what Kakashi thought; he continued speaking, "I don't know why Obito-senpai hid his identity, and as for our relationship..."
Uehara Naraku hesitated for a moment, contemplating how to cause trouble for Uchiha Obito without revealing his own intelligence.
"Karin already told me that you and Kakashi fought fiercely."
Hatake Kakashi frowned slightly, bypassing the Uchiha Obito topic, he quietly continued, "Who are you?"
"Some secrets are better left unexplored."
Uehara Naraku looked deeply at Hatake Kakashi and redirected the topic back to Uchiha Obito, "If I didn't know Obito-senpai's identity, perhaps the conflict between us wouldn't have been so significant…"