Black Zetsu felt quite gratified.
Thankfully, it had lured Uehara Naraku early on. Compared to Uchiha Obito, who was always disobedient, arrogant, and even defected, Uehara was simply a good kid.
Also, every time White Zetsu reported intelligence from secretly monitoring Uehara Naraku, this little guy was always focused on practicing Ninjutsu, striving to become stronger.
The most important thing is.
Black Zetsu had no worries about Uehara Naraku going solo.
After all, this kid had no bloodline or advanced lineage, just an ordinary civilian genius ninja who could be replaced by others at any time.
He wouldn't vie with Uchiha Madara for control of the Ten-tailed either in the future.
If Uehara Naraku knew what Black Zetsu was thinking, he'd probably lament that the script of his life was not as good as Uchiha Obito's!
Uehara Naraku didn't have the time to think about that much. He thought of Black Zetsu's mentality; this old guy was worried about Uchiha Obito wanting to be the first to capture the Tailed Beasts, so he might as well turn this into reality, since Uchiha Obito was in his grasp anyway.
If Uchiha Obito could capture a few Tailed Beasts and lock them in the Kamui Space, it would allow Uehara to precisely control when and how the Ten-tailed would revive in the future.
As expected.
After Black Zetsu left, Uehara Naraku summoned Uchiha Obito. Ever since he successfully threatened Uchiha Obito, Uehara suddenly realized a problem.
Obito was really useful!
Not to mention, taking the blame was top-notch.
And Uehara had no fear about Uchiha Obito being caught or exposed, because with the Kamui Mangekyo Sharingan, no one could catch Obito.
Uehara Naraku tapped Uchiha Obito's coffin lid, "Obito-senpai, do you know the whereabouts of the Four-tailed Jinchuriki?"
"I don't know."
Uchiha Obito shook his head softly, "The whereabouts of the Jinchuriki are hard to grasp, but Black Zetsu has already investigated most of the Jinchuriki's identities."
"Black Zetsu definitely lied to you."
Uehara Naraku stroked his chin, continuing softly, "Black Zetsu just told me it has grasped part of the Jinchuriki's whereabouts. In the past, it hid the Jinchuriki's whereabouts from you, probably because it feared you'd go capture them early."
Looking at Uchiha Obito, Uehara Naraku smiled, "Heh, it seems Black Zetsu never trusted you; this guy is no good!"
"..."
Uchiha Obito didn't want to respond.
He acted as though Uehara himself was any better!
In Obito's eyes, Black Zetsu was sinister enough, but Uehara Naraku, who could fool Black Zetsu, was even more devious.
Uehara Naraku leaned against Obito's coffin, asking aloud, "Want revenge? Want to snatch the Four-tailed Jinchuriki in front of Black Zetsu?"
"Is there a chance?"
"Of course."
Uehara Naraku nodded slowly, "First go hide at the border of the Land of Earth. When we act tomorrow, I can tell you the Four-tailed Jinchuriki's position anytime through my control over Reanimation."
Uehara Naraku made a grasping motion with his hand and sharply chopped down, "First I'll beat the Four-tailed Jinchuriki half-dead, then you appear using Kamui and snatch the Four-tailed right in front of me!"
"Are you sure Black Zetsu won't suspect anything?"
Uchiha Obito expressed deep doubt, coldly saying, "The whereabouts of the Four-tailed Jinchuriki are only known to you and it. If leaked..."
"Where's your IQ?"
Uehara Naraku interrupted Uchiha Obito, furrowing his brow, "At that time, wouldn't it be fine if you acted a bit arrogant? Couldn't you say you were secretly tailing us to find the location?"
"...Alright."
Uchiha Obito nodded.
Uehara Naraku worried that Uchiha Obito might slip up, softly guiding him again, "Remember to wear your patterned mask, so that the Reanimation doesn't reveal any flaws..."
"Hmm."
Uchiha Obito's expression was a bit displeased.
Such trivial matters needed instructions? Anyway, he was someone who had secretly manipulated the Ninja World for years!
Uehara Naraku muttered many more instructions to Uchiha Obito before letting him leave using Kamui, heading to the border of the Land of Earth to lay low.
This time he could only use Uchiha Obito first.
Once the Dead Demon Consuming Seal breakthrough was completed on Orochimaru's side, Uehara Naraku planned to kill Orochimaru, immediately elevate Yakushi Kabuto, and have him transplant Hashirama Cells and the Kamui Sharingan to assist in his actions.
Once Uehara Naraku secretly controlled Uchiha Obito all the way to the Land of Earth's border, he was relieved, taking flight towards the Akatsuki hideout.
Because today was the day of the full meeting.
This was a victory meeting.
This was a summation meeting.
This was also a meeting for Akatsuki to advance to the next phase in its operations.
Deva Path of Pain, nominally the leader of the Akatsuki, was the first to speak, "The recent conflict between Konoha and The Hidden Rock Village has yielded us enough profits from our involvement to cover Akatsuki's future expenses. We can take this time to lay low. Konan, unimportant commissions can be deferred for now."
"Understood."
Konan nodded and said softly: "Anyone who needs funding for practicing or researching Ninjutsu can come to me to apply. We will have about two years to focus on training."
"This doesn't seem like the time for training."
Zetsu shook his head gloomily and said in a deep voice: "Uchiha Obito, that traitor, is quite active in the Land of Grass. I'm worried he's planning to secretly capture Konoha's Jinchuriki.
I believe we should capture the Jinchuriki outside the Five Great Countries before Uchiha Obito realizes it."
"But if the Tailed Beasts go on a rampage, it will be a huge problem!"
Deidara furrowed his brow and said in a low voice: "I've seen a Jinchuriki go berserk firsthand. They have no rationality whatsoever, and their power cannot be underestimated…"
If a Jinchuriki goes berserk, it's not that it can't be dealt with. The Akatsuki have so many strong fighters; they can mostly solve the problem easily.
The trouble is, it could lead to leaked information.
After all, it's hard to hide a Jinchuriki going berserk. If someone were lurking near the Akatsuki Hideout and used powerful Perception Ninjutsu, they could discover the Jinchuriki's whereabouts.
"I will solve this problem."
Deva Path of Pain hooked his finger and said in a deep voice: "I will use Fuinjutsu to temporarily seal the Jinchuriki's chakra."
This problem is indeed a problem for others.
It's not really a big deal for Nagato, who manipulates Pain from behind the scenes, because the Book of Seals brought by Uehara Naraku contains some of the Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques.
Karin has recently mastered two Vajra Seals, and Nagato, who has more talent and strength than her, finds it even easier to learn.
As for Tailed Beasts…
The Uzumaki Clan is simply their nemesis.
"However, capturing the Jinchuriki in advance must not be leaked."
Deva Path of Pain glanced at everyone present and instructed in a low voice: "It's best to capture the Jinchuriki without any of the major nations' ninja villages noticing…"
"Tch!"
Deidara pouted in discontent.
Deidara felt that Deva Path of Pain was targeting him.
What's wrong with his jutsu being a bit flashy?
A bit more flashy makes it lively, doesn't it!
Besides Deidara, Sasori of the Red Sand, Hozuki Mangetsu, Kakuzu, and Hidan are also not suitable for the capture, let alone Momochi Zabuza, Kaguya Kimimaro, and Haku—these three are more like fillers in the Akatsuki.
"Then we'll start with reconnaissance."
Black Zetsu turned his head, scanning those present. His gaze paused imperceptibly on Uehara Naraku before moving on to the others: "If the opportunity arises, we proceed with the capture. So I need a combatant to accompany me."
"Let me go!"
Uchiha Itachi's eyes turned blood-red as he volunteered: "The Sharingan's Genjutsu is also quite effective against Tailed Beasts, so it shouldn't cause too much commotion."
This person's thoughts aligned with Uehara Naraku.
If they can't stop the Akatsuki's progress in capturing the Tailed Beasts, they must at least keep it within their control to adapt as needed.
"I should go!"
Uehara Naraku glanced at Pain, then at Konan, and said softly: "Since it's our first strike against the Jinchuriki, if something goes wrong and we're surrounded, I can fly away, while Mr. Itachi might have a harder time, right?"
"It's alright."
Uchiha Itachi slowly turned and looked at Uehara Naraku, the scarlet in his eyes heavy: "If I'm surrounded, I can just kill everyone surrounding me."
Those words were truly domineering.
Black Zetsu cast a sinister glance at Uchiha Itachi and said in a grim voice: "But our main focus this time is reconnaissance. If an opportunity arises, then we'll take action; thus, I need someone who can move flexibly, preferably who can fly."
Only a handful of people in the Akatsuki can fly.
Deidara definitely can't go because he's always loud and clearly unreliable; Konan also won't go as she's been staying in the Hidden Rain Village and rarely participates in any missions.
"Then let Uehara accompany you!"
Deva Path of Pain nodded towards Uehara Naraku and continued: "No matter which enemies you encounter, Uehara can easily deal with them."
Because Uehara Naraku can Summon the Six Paths of Pain and even use his Medical Ninjutsu to infuse them with chakra.
At least in this era of the Ninja World, no matter what kind of enemies Uehara Naraku encounters, they can all be dealt with by the Six Paths of Pain.
"As for the rest of you."
Pain looked around at the diverse individuals and continued in a soft voice: "For the time being, rest or train at the Akatsuki base. Konoha is still investigating Akatsuki, so no one is to go out lightly to avoid leaking information!"
After seeing everyone nodding in agreement, Pain looked at Uehara Naraku again and reminded him: "If you encounter danger, don't hesitate…"
To not hesitate means...
To summon the Six Paths of Pain immediately when Uehara encounters danger.
Uehara Naraku nodded strangely.
To be honest, considering Uehara's strength, it should be quite difficult for him to encounter any danger.