Uehara Naraku's words were not wrong.
Some things are only cherished after they are lost.
All along, Uehara Naraku had shown too much trust in Black Zetsu, to the point where Black Zetsu didn't appreciate it. Simply put, Black Zetsu was given too much trust before...
From now on, the way they interact must change, find a way to make Black Zetsu come to Uehara Naraku, seeking trust by all means, no longer able to act at will over Uehara Naraku.
If Black Zetsu wants to return to that state of manipulating Uehara Naraku, then keep working harder! Strive to regain Uehara Naraku's trust, strive to make Uehara Naraku recognize its Eye of the Moon Plan again...
Of course.
This method also carries certain risks.
What if Black Zetsu turns around, shamelessly and subserviently, to collaborate with others?
This risk isn't much of a trouble for Uehara Naraku since all those in the Ninja World who could cooperate with Black Zetsu have been controlled by Uehara Naraku.
Uehara Naraku leaned back into the chair, gazing at the raindrops falling outside the window. He just sat there calmly, but his aura gradually seemed somewhat different: "Treating people's hearts as a chessboard is what gives the chess player a higher sense of achievement."
While others in the Ninja World adopted strong-arm tactics to control others, Uehara Naraku used people's emotions, gradually consolidating the world.
Until now, he was about to successfully control Black Zetsu.
"As expected... that's the master for you!"
Hoshigaki Kisame looked at Uehara Naraku, grinning to reveal a mouthful of shark teeth, his small eyes reflecting a hint of admiration at the appropriate time.
This was the moment when Uehara Naraku felt the highest sense of accomplishment.
As a competent subordinate, Hoshigaki Kisame naturally didn't want to let the scene down.
"Alright, go ahead!"
Uehara Naraku cast an approving glance at Kisame, nodded, and said, "Once you've discussed with Black Zetsu, report back every detail of your meeting to me!"
"Yes, master."
Hoshigaki Kisame bowed his head respectfully.
Hoshigaki Kisame lowered his head and slowly exited the office.
All the members of Akatsuki got the answers they wanted from Uehara Naraku's mouth. After returning to Akatsuki's base from The Hidden Rain Village, Uehara Naraku managed to regroup these powerful but eccentric guys.
Although these Akatsuki members couldn't act as recklessly as they did in the Pain era, they seemed to be able to live more safely than in the Pain era.
At least, there shouldn't be any more days where they live in constant danger.
After all the members of Akatsuki left The Hidden Rain Village, as Uehara Naraku planned to leave the office and return to continue watching over Konan while she slept, a little girl quietly pushed open the office door and tiptoed inside.
"Uehara Naraku."
Ajisai walked up to Uehara Naraku's side, her face serious as she looked at Uehara Naraku and asked, "Is something happening in the village? Is there any danger?"
"No."
Uehara Naraku extended his finger to tap her forehead and said softly, "Don't worry! As long as I'm here, nothing will happen to this village."
"I saw it."
Ajisai covered her forehead, still maintaining a serious expression on her face: "I saw it earlier, Angel-sama was crying..."
"Oh, you saw it wrong."
Uehara Naraku casually dismissed her statement.
He honestly didn't expect that Ajisai, this girl, would be so perceptive.
Uehara Naraku's perfunctory attitude couldn't satisfy Ajisai. She stubbornly lifted her head and asked in a deep voice, "I'm sure I didn't see it wrong, Uehara Naraku, tell me, what exactly happened in the village?"
"..."
Uehara Naraku was silent for a while, then reached out and tousled her hair, saying in a low voice, "Our leader... Pain-dono has sacrificed himself."
"..."
Ajisai's body stiffened at this.
For The Hidden Rain Village, Pain meant something extraordinary.
It was precisely due to Pain's existence that the wars in the Land of Rain ceased, and the entire country gradually saw no more orphans, no more wandering ninjas, no more chaos and slaughter.
Members of Akatsuki didn't particularly care about that cold leader; their concern was for the entire Akatsuki. However, the ninjas from The Hidden Rain paid great attention to the Pain who ruled over them, because they knew what Pain's existence signified.
Even though Pain rarely appeared over the years, Uehara Naraku and Konan, who acted in his will, had done many things for The Hidden Rain Village!
Now that Pain has fallen in battle...
Ajisai slowly lifted her head, gazing at Uehara Naraku.
The girl's personality is very calm. In just a moment, the panic on Ajisai's face gradually faded away, replaced by determination: "Uehara Naraku, you will definitely succeed as the leader of the village, right?"
"I don't know... Maybe..."
Uehara Naraku looked at the heavy rain outside the window and murmured softly: "Maybe... Anyway, I will stay in this village. I will replace Lord Pain in protecting you all."
At this moment, Uehara Naraku also felt Konan's pain.
Before Nagato sacrificed himself, be it matters with the Akatsuki or the Hidden Rain Village, there seemed no need to worry, because Uehara Naraku knew Nagato was the one who held everything up.
Now Nagato has sacrificed himself.
Be it the Hidden Rain Village or the Akatsuki, all the burdens seemed to fall all at once on Uehara Naraku's shoulders. He finally experienced the feeling of losing Nagato.
However, Uehara Naraku's character is quite different from Konan's...
Konan would think about Nagato and feel sad, shedding tears.
When Uehara Naraku thought about Nagato, he only wondered about getting Yakushi Kabuto to hurry up and create a body adapted to the power of the Rinnegan, revive Orochimaru after, and then use Rinne Rebirth to fully revive Nagato!
Uehara Naraku lowered his head, patted Ajisai's head gently, and said softly, "Alright, if you're tired from patrolling, go get some rest! This heavy rain will continue until dawn and will act as our lookout for intruders."
"Uehara."
Ajisai didn't pay attention to Uehara's words, instead grabbing Uehara Naraku's hand and solemnly pleaded, "You must become the leader of the village!"
"I understand."
Uehara Naraku glanced at Ajisai helplessly and said softly, "Weren't you always rather fed up with me? Why want me to become the leader?"
"There's really no other choice."
Ajisai shook her head calmly and said softly, "Once the news of Lord Pain's death spreads, the Land of Rain might fall into chaos. Some will want to seize power in the village. Rather than letting those guys take power, it's better to have someone like you, who has always been by Lord Pain's and the Angel's side, become the leader."
"You really do like to overthink things, huh!"
Uehara Naraku couldn't help but knock on Ajisai's forehead again, laughing while soothing her, "Don't worry, Teacher Konan and I won't let this happen!"
Uehara Naraku suddenly realized that this young girl, Ajisai, actually represents the current ninjas of the Hidden Rain Village. Aside from appeasing the Akatsuki members, he also seems to have to reassure the village's ninjas?
Things are becoming more and more troublesome!
After Nagato's sacrifice, suddenly a myriad of troublesome issues popped up for Uehara Naraku to handle. All these matters are little trivial ones!
Indeed, reviving Nagato quickly seems like the proper task!
"Ajisai."
Uehara Naraku gazed into Ajisai's eyes and spoke softly, "For now, keep the news of Lord Pain's death a secret! It won't be long before perhaps Lord Pain will return."
Uehara Naraku curled his lips, reached out his hand to rub Ajisai's hair, "This is the Ninja World, after all! Death doesn't necessarily mean you can't be reborn!"
The Akatsuki base.
Hoshigaki Kisame returned with Uehara Naraku's task. If all goes as expected, Black Zetsu is likely hiding in his room waiting for his return.
Still on the way, Hoshigaki Kisame contemplated Uehara Naraku's orders and guidance. He slowly pushed open the door to his room and saw Black Zetsu sitting inside. Kisame couldn't help but sigh softly in his heart.
In recent years, the intelligence Uehara Naraku entrusted to them hardly ever went awry, so surely Black Zetsu was hiding in his room.
Hoshigaki Kisame looked at Black Zetsu, a smile appearing on his face, "Haha... I thought Lord Zetsu would have chosen to look for Uehara Naraku after Lord Pain was killed first!
After all, he has just become the leader of the Akatsuki, which is far more useful than a nameless pawn like me in the Eye of the Moon Plan!"
The words should align with Uehara Naraku's guidance, not to trust Black Zetsu indefinitely, but rather let Black Zetsu strive to earn their trust...
Hoshigaki Kisame spoke these words effortlessly; it's clear he's spent a lot of time with Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke brothers, becoming a seasoned manipulator...
Sure enough.
As Hoshigaki Kisame expressed a bit of disdain, Black Zetsu's face instantly showed a sinister smile, "Hehe... Kisame, compared to Uehara Naraku, I have always trusted you more!"
"Hmm?"
Kisame's expression changed slightly, looking at Black Zetsu in surprise, "Does Lord Zetsu already know that Uehara Naraku, just like that traitor Yakushi Kabuto, plans to betray the Eye of the Moon Plan?"
"What?"
Black Zetsu's sinister smile froze on its face as it stared at Hoshigaki Kisame, hurriedly asking, "Where did you learn of this matter? Uehara Naraku… also plans to betray us?"
Black Zetsu rushed to Hoshigaki Kisame, intending to calm this honest man, and also wanted Kisame to test Uehara Naraku.
After all, by its side, only Kisame and Uehara Naraku are left.
Especially after Yakushi Kabuto's betrayal, the Rinnegan and Gedo Statue being taken away, the Eye of the Moon Plan is at its most perilous moment now; Black Zetsu is extremely anxious, and upon hearing Uehara Naraku might be betraying...
Isn't this like encountering a torrent when the roof is leaking?