Uehara Naraku smiled and said, "Why not come out from the shadows underground for some fresh air, Lord Jiraiya? We've been watching you!"
"..."
Jiraiya, hiding in the shadow of the Rain Village Ninja, felt his heart tighten.
Since he had been discovered, was there any need to hide?
The next moment, Jiraiya slowly emerged from the Rain Village Ninja's shadow, gradually restoring his own body. He looked up at Uehara Naraku, his eyes becoming increasingly complex.
The Uehara Naraku before him was wearing the Akatsuki's Cloud Black Robe uniform, which also declared Uehara Naraku's identity and stance.
Uehara Naraku no longer hid his membership in the Akatsuki.
Jiraiya's expression gradually became unpleasant, his eyes tightened slightly as he stared at Uehara Naraku and said, "Uehara kid, I never imagined you would be a member of the Akatsuki?"
"Oh, really..."
Uehara Naraku spread his palms, seemingly showing off his attire to Jiraiya, and chuckled, "Lord Jiraiya, do you think this outfit looks good? It's much prettier than the Akatsuki uniform from twenty years ago."
"..."
Jiraiya couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
Is now really the time to discuss how good the Akatsuki uniform looks!
However, Uehara Naraku's words hinted at a message: that the Akatsuki had already been established twenty years ago?
That's quite a long time!
This also means one thing: there must be someone even deeper behind the scenes of the Akatsuki, because the so-called founder, Uchiha Obito, at that time was just a Konoha Ninja, far from qualified!
"Huh?"
Uehara Naraku curiously glanced at Jiraiya and chuckled, "Lord Jiraiya, aren't you curious? Shouldn't you ask me something like, what was the situation with the Akatsuki twenty years ago..."
"..."
Jiraiya twitched the corner of his mouth, wordlessly glanced at Uehara Naraku, and said grumpily, "If I ask, would you tell me the truth? Would you, a guy full of lies, tell me the truth? Kid, coming from your mouth, Hanzo of the Salamander has been dead for seven or eight years already!"
"Hahahaha..."
Uehara Naraku couldn't help but laugh out loud, clearly already imagining the bewildered expression Jiraiya would have upon learning Hanzo had been dead for seven or eight years.
But after laughing, Uehara Naraku's expression gradually became serious. He looked at Jiraiya and said softly, "Other things I might hide, but about the Akatsuki twenty years ago, I won't hide a thing."
Uehara Naraku waved his hand, signaling the frightened Rain Village Ninja beside him to leave, then gently continued, "After all, the reason the Akatsuki was born twenty years ago was because of you, Lord Jiraiya!"
"What?"
"It's a pity though."
Uehara Naraku's face showed a bitter smile as he shook his head, "Because a Konoha Ninja trained three disciples, an organization named the Akatsuki was born; because of another Konoha Ninja, this organization named the Akatsuki headed towards destruction and extremes."
Jiraiya looked at Uehara Naraku, his expression growing more and more complex, as if recalling his three disciples: Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato.
Just as Uehara Naraku thought Jiraiya would follow the usual script and continue questioning him, Jiraiya slowly shook his head and said, "Kid, although I don't know what you might say, I know not a word you say is worth believing!"
"..."
Uehara Naraku fell silent.
Why wouldn't Jiraiya follow the usual script?
Just because I hid the fact that Hanzo died early?
Has my credibility really fallen that low?
Uehara Naraku wordlessly glanced at Jiraiya and sighed, "If my words aren't worth believing, then would you believe Teacher Konan?"
A familiar name suddenly heard.
Jiraiya's expression changed; he also noticed Uehara Naraku's reference to Konan and couldn't help but ask softly, "Konan... is your teacher?"
The next moment, Jiraiya whispered, "Konan, is she the so-called Angel of The Hidden Rain Village?"
"That's right."
Uehara Naraku nodded and chuckled, "It seems Lord Jiraiya doesn't know much either!"
Jiraiya looked at Uehara Naraku's smile and couldn't help but retort, "Who knows whether what you say is true or false! Konan was the gentlest of my disciples, how could she possibly have taught someone like you..."
"Naraku is right."
A cold female voice appeared in the open area.
Papers fell from the sky, gradually forming the shape of a person, it was Konan.
Konan looked at Jiraiya with complex emotions, let out a breath, and said solemnly, "Long time no see, Teacher Jiraiya."