Uehara Naraku always thought the changes in the Ninja World were fantastical enough, but something even more extraordinary would come along to refresh his understanding.
Originally, he thought it was particularly fantastical for someone like him, a mastermind behind the scenes, to attend the Five Kage Summit. But now he received a handwritten letter from Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, who actually wanted to hold the Five Kage Summit in The Hidden Rain Village?
Was it him who had a problem?
Or had he broken the world?
Uehara Naraku glanced at Konan, who had just landed beside him, and showed a bitter smile, handing the letter to Konan: "Lady Tsunade from Konoha wants to hold the Five Kage Summit in The Hidden Rain Village…"
"..."
Konan's expression was also full of confusion.
After a while, Konan finished reading Tsunade's handwritten letter, which, besides asking if the Five Kage Summit could be held in The Hidden Rain Village, also inquired about handling those S-Class traitors of Akatsuki.
"Naraku, what do you think?"
Konan looked at Uehara Naraku and asked softly, "Do you think we should accept Lady Tsunade's proposal?"
"..."
Uehara Naraku was silent for a moment, shook his head, and said quietly, "Let's write her a letter to decline! If those shadows from the big ninja villages dare to come to The Hidden Rain Village, then we wouldn't mind hosting the Five Kage Summit in the village, but…"
Speaking of this, Uehara Naraku sighed and said, "It's just that the Ninja World is currently at its most dangerous. No one knows what might happen tomorrow, and those traitors like Orochimaru won't let the Five Kage Summit be held smoothly. I'm just worried it might cause some trouble…"
Because Uehara Naraku wanted Uchiha Obito and Yakushi Kabuto to stir things up at the Five Kage Summit, it couldn't be held in The Hidden Rain Village…
Otherwise, it would likely cause a chain reaction.
After mentioning the trouble, Uehara Naraku continued, "Akatsuki is quite peaceful now, so let's not give them a sense of crisis…"
The members of Akatsuki trust Uehara Naraku so much that if they saw someone from their hometown, they'd surely feel a bit awkward and uneasy. Who knows if these big ninja villages would randomly demand the pursuit of their village's traitors!
The bunch of goofs in Akatsuki is living so happily now; why disturb their life with outsiders like the Five Kage?
"…Okay."
Konan nodded and said softly, "I will now write back to Lady Tsunade, declining her kind offer."
As Konan's reply reached Konoha, Tsunade also realized she hadn't thought things through enough. She only wanted a quick fix, to swiftly resolve the grudge between The Hidden Rain Village and the other major ninja villages, but forgot a conflict in The Hidden Rain Village could easily lead to trouble.
So it would have to be held in the Land of Iron.
After contacting Mifune from the Land of Iron, Tsunade began frequently contacting various ninja villages to confirm the time and location for the Five Kage Summit.
Uehara Naraku also received an invitation.
Unfortunately, when Uehara Naraku received the invitation, he was having afternoon tea with the members of Akatsuki, making them feel like it was a new year, celebrating Uehara Naraku's infiltration into the Five Great Countries.
"You're really impressive, Uehara!"
Deidara giggled while hugging Uehara Naraku's shoulder and waved his little fist: "I honestly want to be your bodyguard and witness the look on Old Man Onoki's face!"
"Uh…"
Uehara Naraku's expression was slightly awkward.
Deidara really dared to dream!
Of course, if Deidara hadn't defected, and obediently inherited Onoki's Dust Release, he might have attended this Five Kage Summit as the Fourth Tsuchikage.
What a goof; doesn't want to be Tsuchikage and just likes eating dirt every day!
"Alright, you all rest here!"
Uehara Naraku put down a cup of juice, glanced at Konan sitting in the middle of Ringo Ameyuri and Karin, and waved her over: "Teacher, let's go! Prepare a bit and handle the affairs of the village."
"…Hmm."
Konan nodded, casually tapping Karin's head, and finally reassured her: "Karin, live well in the base and don't worry about Yakushi Kabuto's defection. Uehara said that Kabuto's betrayal wouldn't implicate you…"
"Yes, Lady Konan."
Karin adjusted her glasses on her nose bridge, nodded seriously, and then slightly shifted her gaze to Uehara Naraku.
The depths of the Ninja World are profound.
After Yakushi Kabuto defected, he specifically reminded Karin when he came to Akatsuki's base to take the Gedo Statue, to follow Uehara Naraku's orders and not overthink.
Honestly, Karin really didn't think Yakushi Kabuto dared to betray Uehara Naraku. Because all along, she knew Yakushi Kabuto had secretly shown an incomprehensible respect and fear toward Uehara Naraku.
It's said Yakushi Kabuto had personally told Karin that any ninja in this world who dared to defy Lord Naraku's will cannot control their life or death, never escape emotional bonds, or even redeem their soul…
Anyone who opposes Lord Naraku would suffer from eternal mental torment, more frightening than physical torture.
Someone secretly fearful and respectful of Uehara Naraku suddenly betraying him is impossible, right?
And wasn't it said Orochimaru has always been played by Uehara Naraku?
Why does everyone say Yakushi Kabuto stands behind Orochimaru? Wasn't he always Uehara Naraku's spy?
And since Yakushi Kabuto betrayed Uehara Naraku, why specifically warn her not to defy Uehara Naraku's will?
Karin distinctly remembered Yakushi Kabuto's last words to her: "No matter what happens, never think about betraying Lord Naraku, otherwise I, the person closest to you, will come to deal with you."
After his betrayal, Yakushi Kabuto specifically warned Karin never to betray Uehara Naraku, otherwise, it would very likely be him, Karin's friend, who would execute her.
Karin couldn't help but glance at Uehara Naraku again.
That young man with a friendly smile and squinting eyes was gently reaching out to help Konan wipe the tea stain from her lips, his face always carrying that doting smile...
Uehara Naraku, that guy, really seemed like a person with a good temper and easy to get along with, and he always appeared so kind.
However, Karin had seen the most terrifying side of Uehara Naraku...
At that time, when Orochimaru was at his most proud moment, Uehara Naraku appeared in front of Orochimaru and threw a sinful shuriken!
Since then, Orochimaru, one of the Konoha Sannin, vanished.
Yakushi Kabuto, who had always been by Orochimaru's side, took his place.
Karin looked at Uehara Naraku full of kindness, watching the shadow under Uehara Naraku's feet; it seemed to her that the shadow gradually transformed into a hideous monster, its size swelling to cover the entire Ninja World like the sky...
Just as Karin's gaze on Uehara Naraku gradually filled with fear, sweat began to form on her forehead, causing her to quickly lower her head to avoid drawing attention.
Sitting nearby Karin, Ringo Ameyuri noticed her actions, leisurely drinking a cup of tea, and softly said, "Some thoughts that shouldn't appear must be forgotten immediately. Don't let yourself and your loved ones be plunged into danger..."
"..."
Karin's heart chilled.
This Ringo Ameyuri... unlike Konan, didn't comfort her in fright but instead seemed to threaten her with an underlying meaning!
Could it be that Yakushi Kabuto's betrayal was under Uehara Naraku's control too?
The waters of the Ninja World are too deep, aren't they?
This time, those who should understand truly understood.
Moreover, this concerns life and death, so Karin dared not dwell on it further; some things are dangerous just knowing them, let alone speaking them out loud.
Karin slowly lowered her head.
Uehara Naraku didn't pay attention to what happened here; he rarely paid attention to minor matters. He and Konan left the Akatsuki's base, heading back to The Hidden Rain Village.
Even if Uehara Naraku attended the Five Kage Summit as a leader of a small Ninja Village, he still had the qualification to bring guards, plus Konan's recent situation compelled her to insist on attending the summit alongside Uehara Naraku...
Who among them would attend the meeting and who would act as the guard truly became a matter worth discussing. Uehara Naraku actually preferred their old toolman, Hattori Heikawa, a Jonin from The Hidden Rain Village.
Indeed, getting older...
He started to prefer hanging out with men.
Unfortunately, Konan's determination was firm.
Standing on the balcony, Uehara Naraku glanced at Konan, who was helping pack luggage in his room, a glint flashed in his eyes, and he slowly raised his finger.
The next moment.
Uehara's will was transmitted thousands of miles away.
In the Land of Snow, covered in ice and snow in the north, inside a secret underground laboratory, Yakushi Kabuto continued experimenting with the compatibility of the Rinnegan and Hashirama Cells. He even started incorporating Curse Seals of Natural Energy, hoping to complete the experiment as soon as possible.
To this end, Yakushi Kabuto brought along Jugo, who Orochimaru once captured, serving as his experimental assistant and providing a source of Curse Seals of Natural Energy.
Honestly, this Jugo with his clumsy hands was liable to become violent at any moment, and Yakushi Kabuto indeed missed that assistant, Karin...
Just as Yakushi Kabuto completed an experiment and acquired a critical data point, preparing to take a short break, Jugo hurriedly rushed over!
"Kabuto! Those dead bodies in the underground have been revived!"
"..."
Yakushi Kabuto looked at the terrified Jugo with a face full of confusion; was this Jugo the so-called appealing contrast?
In his usual state, Jugo was incredibly timid;
Once he turned violent, he even dared to confront Uchiha Sasuke!
Yakushi Kabuto looked at Jugo, sighed, and said, "I know, it should be the command from our superior... By the way, where is Sasuke?"
"Sasuke is still training outside..."
Jugo shivered from the cold, asking curiously, "Speaking of which, isn't Uchiha Sasuke afraid of the cold wearing so little…"
"Of course not..."
Yakushi Kabuto pushed his glasses with a firm face.
What fantastic questions did this Jugo come up with!
Ninjas must endure what ordinary people cannot; this isn't the time to be discussing whether they are afraid of the cold!
At that very moment.
A golden light flashed before them, and Namikaze Minato stood in front of Yakushi Kabuto and Jugo, delivering Uehara Naraku's command.
"Kabuto, create chaos at the Five Kage Summit!"
Uehara Naraku's voice was filled with gloom and malevolence, and he continued in a deep tone, "In the name of Orochimaru, announce to the world, the start of the Fourth Ninja World War!"