Inside the Hidden Rain Village.
Uehara Naraku lay in his room, feigning sleep.
With the Gedo Statue having absorbed seven Tailed Beasts, he needed to find a way to get Konan and Nagato out and clear their names before the Ten-tailed revival.
This was not an easy task.
Because Uehara Naraku also had to find a way to resurrect Uchiha Madara, toy with Madara's life, and complete his main and advanced missions.
"I still have to use the Rinnegan to resurrect that Madara monster…"
Uehara Naraku rubbed his forehead: "Lord Nagato has suffered so much in this life, I can't bear for him to be hurt again, right? He might have a mental breakdown!"
Nagato definitely wouldn't give up his Rinnegan.
Uehara Naraku couldn't reveal everything, otherwise, it would disrupt his plans, so he could only do what he wanted first.
Uehara Naraku tapped his fingers, murmuring: "Forget it, let him go to the Netherworld once and then resurrect him! As for who will use the Rinnegan to resurrect Uchiha Madara, there are many choices, Orochimaru should obediently listen, right?"
This could be considered a form of recycling.
Orochimaru had long wanted the Rinnegan.
Uehara Naraku began to ponder, why not provide Orochimaru with a body to resurrect and let Black Zetsu control Orochimaru's consciousness, then see which of these body-snatchers is more skilled…
"I'm truly a genius at being a behind-the-scenes manipulator!"
Uehara Naraku suddenly clenched his fist, feeling a bit excited that he could come up with such an idea — letting Orochimaru obtain the Rinnegan to resurrect Uchiha Madara.
And maybe test if Orochimaru could escape the fate of certain death after using Rinne Tensei.
The only problem is…
Having tricked Orochimaru so many times, now that Orochimaru finally had some peaceful years in Ryuchi Cave, he is being pulled out as a scapegoat...
Honestly, feeling a bit guilty inside.
After the guilt, there was a sudden thrill inside.
What makes a true mastermind is that every pawn has its value, and anyone can be placed on the chessboard by Uehara Naraku for manipulation at any time.
Uehara Naraku turned over and climbed out of bed, gazing at the tallest tower in the Hidden Rain Village, where Nagato lived.
Uehara Naraku sighed softly: "Then let you vent your pain once again! After enduring the release of pain, you will also have a very bright future."
Always.
Whether Nagato or Konan, they arranged a bright future for him, and now it was Uehara Naraku's turn to arrange their future.
The only trouble is…
Pain of Six Paths is now very, very strong.
Especially Asura Path Pain, not only armed to the teeth but also with one ultimate art.
Just one self-destruction could probably wipe out the entire Konoha Village, which is much more efficient than using Almighty Push and doesn't waste too much Chakra and life.
"Ugh…"
Uehara Naraku rubbed his forehead, muttering: "If Jiraiya hasn't died in the Hidden Rain Village, he and Uzumaki Naruto should be able to take on Pain, right?
Should I plan ahead now to send some information over, letting Konoha know the Akatsuki is soon going to attack them? With preparation, they probably won't lose!"
After their battle ends, I'll go pretending to be a villain to bring back the Rinnegan, but Teacher Konan's side is a bit troublesome, so I'll let her feel hurt, sorrowful, and desperate first, then find a way to show her everything I did was for her and Nagato…"
Thinking of this, Uehara Naraku's expression shifted; why does this script feel so familiar?
Isn't this Uchiha Itachi's script!
Will it turn out that the Akatsuki members are all like Uchiha Itachi?
Suddenly, Uehara Naraku inexplicably understood Uchiha Itachi's feelings, and couldn't help but slap his face to clear his mind: "Teacher Konan and Nagato, certainly like Sasuke… they will definitely understand me."
After pondering for a while.
Uehara Naraku decided to chat with Yakushi Kabuto to help prepare the matter of enticing Orochimaru to resurrect, and also to have him assist in finding any gaps in the plan.
"Destiny!"
Uehara Naraku quietly activated Destiny Skills, ready to use Infinite Teleportation to leave the Hidden Rain Village when he saw an avatar of an old white-haired man on the Destiny Skills panel, close at hand.
Uehara Naraku's expression instantly darkened; he had just said Jiraiya hadn't come here to die, Konoha's strength would balance with Pain's strength.
Meanwhile, he could hitch a ride on a side quest.
But now Jiraiya had appeared in the Hidden Rain Village!
"Konoha… doesn't trust me?"
Uehara Naraku's eyes slightly fixed, leaping from his room: "I spent so much time praising Lord Hanzo in vain! Konoha doesn't believe what I said?"
This was purely Uehara Naraku overthinking it.
Jiraiya and Tsunade actually trusted Uehara Naraku; at the very least, they knew Uehara Naraku had always been very friendly towards Konoha.
They simply did not trust Hanzo of the Salamander.
The night gradually deepened.
The rain in the Hidden Rain Village had not yet ceased; the water on the ground had not receded, a frog poked its head out of the water, cautiously surveying its surroundings.
The rain sparsely fell on the toad's body.
This toad opened its mouth wide, and from its mouth, a hand emerged silently; the owner of that hand slowly squeezed out from the frog's mouth.
It was none other than Mount Myoboku's Secret Technique, Toad Concealment Jutsu.
As Jiraiya emerged from the frog, he waved his hand to let the frog return to Mount Myoboku, showing a determined expression on his face: "At least now the infiltration was successful…"
The rain in the sky slowly fell.
Raindrops landed on Jiraiya's body, the white-haired ninja was unbothered, walking straight into the streets of the Hidden Rain Village.
The Hidden Rain Village.
The highest point.
Deva Path of Pain stood here, sensing the Rain Tiger at Will Jutsu's transmitted messages, softly summoning Konan and Uehara Naraku within the village: "Someone has infiltrated, the enemy should be Teacher Jiraiya, his strength is very formidable, and he won't become our ally; now he's hidden in the village, wait until the rain stops to find him…"
"I've already found him!"
Uehara Naraku interrupted Pain, speaking softly: "I and Lord Jiraiya are old friends, Teacher Konan's Paper Release Secret Technique is too easily countered by Jiraiya's Fire Release and Oil Release, let me handle it."
"Uehara."
Konan's voice sounded, her tone slightly somber: "This matter with Teacher Jiraiya shouldn't be for you to involve…"
"What difference does it make?"
Uehara Naraku stroked his ring, sitting in a small teahouse, speaking slowly: "Teacher, wanting to resolve Lord Jiraiya isn't that easy, I've fought with him before, with his odd Summoning Beast, escaping is quite simple; it seems our secret can't be concealed from him…"
After Uehara Naraku spoke, he slowly turned his head to look through the teahouse's glass at the sneaky white-haired old man, sighing softly: "I hope the Hidden Rain Village's secret won't frighten him too much?"
Probably not.
Uehara Naraku watched as Jiraiya sat beside a dumpling seller, watching Jiraiya chat with the villager with great interest.
Jiraiya bought a dumpling, chatted cheerfully for a while, and seemingly casually mentioned a matter: "As expected, the legendary Hanzo the Salamander governs this place, which is why the village seems so peaceful…"
"..."
Footsteps on the street halted.
All eyes of the villagers focused on Jiraiya, instantly making him realize the situation was not quite right; Jiraiya hurriedly ate his dumpling, trying to cover up.
With his mouth stuffed with dumpling, Jiraiya looked up and noticed a brothel, a smile flashing across his face, then turned and entered the brothel.
In such a place, it's the most suitable for gathering intelligence.
"Really…"
Uehara Naraku sat in the teahouse, leisurely shaking his head; although the Hidden Rain Village had a few brothels, he had never visited them.
Uehara Naraku sighed, gazing at the paper-folded sunshine doll by the window, then another look at the paper crane on his table, chuckling as he shook his head.
On the other side.
Walking into the brothel, Jiraiya adeptly ordered a drink and a host, planning to inquire about the Hidden Rain Village's news under the influence of alcohol.
Originally, he only intended to sneak into Hanzo the Salamander's territory to steal some intel about the Akatsuki, but it seems he might uncover some unexpected gains.
Although…
These gains might be very shocking.