The battle in the canyon had ended, but the sound of the rain remained the only melody in the world.
The corpses of the Akatsuki members who had been killed by the explosion lay scattered in the mud. These were the first generation of members—idealists who had followed Yahiko's dream of peace. Now, they were nothing but cold flesh.
Konan stood silently in the rain, looking at the bodies of her comrades. Her paper wings had vanished, and her shoulders slumped slightly. Even though she was a strong kunoichi, the betrayal and the massacre weighed heavily on her.
"Teacher," Uehara Naraku approached her softly.
He didn't check his loot. He didn't count his gold. He knew that right now, playing the role of the empathetic disciple was crucial for his survival and standing in the organization.
"They are gone," Konan whispered.
"They died for their ideals," Uehara said, his voice firm and solemn. He reached out and gently pulled a muddy Akatsuki cloak over a fallen member's face. "Hanzō may have killed them, but he cannot kill the will they left behind. We will carry it for them."
Konan turned to look at him. Uehara's face was stained with dirt and blood, but his eyes were clear and determined.
[Ding!]
[Side Mission Triggered: Comfort the Angel.] Description: Your teacher is grieving. A few words of comfort can strengthen the bond between master and disciple.
Reward: 50 Gold Coins.
Uehara suppressed a twitch of his eyebrow. Even this gives money? The system is surprisingly humane.
"You are right, Naraku," Konan took a deep breath, her expression returning to its usual calmness, though her eyes were colder than before. "We will carry their will. And we will make Hanzō pay."
The Deva Path (Yahiko's body) floated over to them. His face was devoid of expression, but the chakra radiating from him was turbulent.
"We need to clean up," the Deva Path stated. "We cannot leave their bodies here for the wild beasts or Hanzō's scavengers."
"I'll do it," Uehara volunteered immediately. "I will bury them."
Konan nodded. "I will help you."
"No," Uehara shook his head. "Teacher, you and the Leader need to conserve chakra in case Hanzō returns. Let me handle this. It's the least I can do for my seniors."
In reality, Uehara just wanted to see if interacting with the corpses or their gear would trigger any hidden loot or missions. Plus, doing manual labor was a great way to farm "Loyalty Points" with the bosses.
Nagato, watching through the Deva Path, felt a flicker of approval. This child was sensible, hardworking, and loyal. A rare find.
"Go ahead," the Deva Path said.
Uehara began the grim task. He gathered the bodies of the fallen Akatsuki members. He dug graves in the soft, rain-soaked earth using a kunai and his enhanced physical strength.
As he moved a body, his hand brushed against a ninja pouch.
[System Prompt: Found 'Explosive Tag' x3. Do you want to convert to Gold?]
Oh? Scavenging feature?
"Convert," Uehara thought instantly.
[+15 Gold.]
It wasn't much, but it added up. He moved from body to body, ostensibly arranging them respectfully for burial, but secretly stripping any residual value from their gear via the system.
[Found 'Broken Kunai'. Convert? +2 Gold.] [Found 'Soldier Pill'. Convert? +10 Gold.]
By the time he finished burying the twelve fallen members, Uehara had farmed an extra 150 Gold. Combined with the mission reward for comforting Konan, he was back up to a decent amount.
He stood before the row of fresh mounds, clasped his hands together, and bowed his head in prayer.
"Rest in peace," he said aloud. "I will ensure your dreams come true."
And thanks for the gold, he added silently.
Konan walked up behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Thank you, Naraku."
"It's nothing, Teacher."
The Deva Path looked at the graves, then turned toward the direction of Amegakure's central tower.
"From today on," the Deva Path announced, his voice echoing with a strange, divine resonance, "the Akatsuki is reborn. We will no longer seek peace through words. We will enforce it through pain."
He looked at Uehara.
"Naraku."
"Yes, Leader!" Uehara stood at attention.
"You possess a unique power," Pain said. "That golden light... it creates a moment of absolute vulnerability in the enemy. Even Hanzō could not resist it."
Uehara's heart tightened. He knew Nagato would ask about it eventually.
"It is my kekkei genkai (bloodline limit)," Uehara lied smoothly. "I call it... The Card of Fate."
"Fate..." Nagato mused. "A fitting name. Keep honing it. In the battles to come, you will be my vanguard."
[Ding!]
[Side Mission Complete: Gain the Leader's Trust.] Reward: 100 Gold Coins.
Uehara smirked internally. Easy money.
"I will not let you down, God," Uehara bowed deeply, switching his address from 'Leader' to 'God' to stroke Nagato's ego.
Nagato didn't correct him. He had already begun to view himself as a deity meant to judge the world.
"Let us return," Pain commanded. "We must purge the village of Hanzō's influence. Tonight, the rain will run red."
As they began the trek back to the tower, Uehara walked behind them, checking his inventory.
He had bought the Ruby Crystal earlier, giving him +150 Health.
He now had enough gold again to buy another basic item.
"Should I save for a bigger item?" Uehara pondered. "Or buy a Long Sword for Attack Damage?"
Suddenly, he felt a prickling sensation on the back of his neck. It was a feeling of being watched. Not by a ninja, but by something... distinct.
Uehara stopped and turned his head slightly, glancing at the dense forest on top of the canyon cliffs.
There was nothing there. Just rain and shadows.
But Uehara knew better. In this timeline, at this specific event, there was always an observer.
Zetsu? Or Obito?
He turned back and continued walking, pretending he saw nothing. But a new plan began to form in his mind.
If the "Madara" of this world wanted to manipulate the Akatsuki, he would have to go through Uehara Naraku first.
Being a mastermind is hard work, Uehara sighed. But at least the pay is good.
[Current Gold: 465]
[Inventory: Boots of Speed, Ruby Crystal]
[Skills: Destiny (Twisted Fate), Dance of the Shikigami (Incomplete)]