Konan interrupted their fight.
The woman with light blue hair lifted Uehara Naraku by his collar and placed him by her side, speaking coldly, "What are you doing?"
"Phew..."
Uehara Naraku let out a sigh of relief. After seeing the members of Akatsuki emerge, he pointed at the masked man and Uchiha Itachi, immediately putting on a big label, "Lady Konan, these two people wanted to kill me..."
"No, no, no..."
The masked man stepped forward, shaking his hands exaggeratedly, and explained, "We were just testing the strength of the organization's intern. We didn't expect he would defeat someone worthy of becoming a full-fledged member!"
Even though Uchiha Itachi hadn't used his Mangekyo Sharingan Dojutsu, in his normal state, Uchiha Itachi's strength is not something an ordinary ninja can overcome.
No one expected this little brat to suppress Uchiha Itachi with those perplexing jutsus he used, even nearly killing him before Itachi could use his trump card!
If the masked man wasn't mistaken, the last jutsu that this brat used was likely space-time related, as he noticed the space was distorting.
This little brat is truly remarkable!
He could definitely be regarded as a powerful asset for collecting Tailed Beasts for the Akatsuki. The members of Akatsuki had been constantly shuffled, with the groups always in vacancies; the manpower had never been fully assembled, and occasionally members even exchanged their comrades for money.
As for the potential threat Uehara Naraku might pose, the masked man considered it for just a second and then decided to abandon it.
This brat seems to lack any bloodline limits, and his Chakra only seemed slightly above average, not someone with a promising future.
But his talent is indeed remarkable, being able to develop a ninjutsu that can be released with a single seal, but that's the end of it.
He knows very well that only those with strong bloodlines can go further.
Regarding Uehara Naraku's method of manipulating twisted space, there is still a delay, and once his abilities are understood, they can be easily avoided.
Just now, Uchiha Itachi was hit by a directed shockwave because it was too sudden.
If Uchiha Itachi had been willing to expend his eye power from the start and unleashed his Mangekyo Dojutsu, the fight might have ended long ago!
But fortunately, he didn't do that.
Otherwise, the Akatsuki might very well lose a powerful asset in the future and even draw the ire of Konan.
"Hmm?"
Konan's gaze turned slightly confused as she looked down at Uehara Naraku beside her, touched his hair, and asked, "Is this true?"
It's a bit unbelievable that a twelve or thirteen-year-old boy, a wandering ninja, could have a strength that allows him to fight against a full member of Akatsuki.
However, in the meeting earlier, Zetsu mentioned some intelligence about Uehara, who seems to be a highly talented child.
"Some truth, some lies."
Uehara Naraku's face was unusually serious as he stared at the standing Uchiha Itachi and said softly, "I fought with him using the secret technique I developed myself, but this guy wasn't being serious at all. His Sharingan... it's strong!"
Uehara Naraku pondered a bit and continued to add, "Once he used his Sharingan, I was immediately trapped in Genjutsu and couldn't break free..."
"I understand."
Ordinary ninjas indeed find themselves at a disadvantage when facing Bloodline Ninjas.
Especially the Uchiha Clan, reputedly undefeated in one-on-one confrontations.
Konan nodded, accepting what he said.
At first, when she met Uehara Naraku, she had doubts about Uehara Naraku's identity and which side had sent him as a spy.
But in the meeting, Zetsu provided intelligence on Uehara Naraku, about how the little guy's father was indeed a ninja named Uehara Yochi, from a small village in the Land of Rain.
Information about Uehara Yochi was also gathered by Zetsu.
That person was an ordinary member of the First Generation Akatsuki.
Uehara Naraku had always lived in his father's hometown village, occasionally calling himself a ninja to take on tasks from villagers until after his mother passed away a little over a month ago, prompting him to leave that village.
Since his identity isn't in question, nothing else is a problem.
Konan gently patted Uehara Naraku on the shoulder and instructed, "Naraku, go rest for now. We have some matters to discuss with Mr. Uchiha Itachi..."
Anyway, being twelve is really too young.
Back when they were twelve, they had no choice but to fight for survival, but now that Akatsuki has resources, they should take good care of the next generation.
"Wait..."
Zetsu interrupted Konan with a sly smile, saying, "Konan, I believe this little guy can completely become a full member of the organization..."
Uehara Naraku's father died while protecting Konan back then. The killer was from Konoha's Root, led by Hokage's assistant Shimura Danzo's team.
Now it seems his talent is also quite good; with a little guidance, leading him into darkness, he could become an excellent asset.
"He's too young, and his combat abilities might be lacking, don't you think?"
Konan objected, having other plans for Uehara.
A woman's emotions are innately softer than a man's, and Konan wanted to conceal Akatsuki's dark dealings from him for a while longer.
"But his combat strength isn't bad."
Zetsu disagreed with her opinion, a cold smile on his face, "And if I remember correctly, the new member we welcomed today should also be only thirteen, right?"
Yes, Uchiha Itachi is only thirteen this year.
One has to admit, people in the ninja world mature too early.
Participating in battles at twelve, what's that? Uchiha Itachi was following his father to witness the Ninja World War at four and claimed the life of a Hidden Rock Ninja on the battlefield.
Pain pondered for a moment, then spoke, "Konan, let him join us! Even with the addition of Uchiha Itachi, there's still a vacancy in the organization..."
Konan suddenly lowered her head and said softly, "Pain, we are about to attack the Hidden Rain Village, to... avenge them... I want Naraku to participate as well."
"..."
Pain's brows furrowed into a line, and the Rinnegan in his eyes showed some hesitation. In the end, though, he nodded, accepting his friend's idea.
These years, he has been secretly developing Rinnegan's dojutsu, all for the purpose of revenge against Hanzo of the Salamander, the leader of the Hidden Rain Village.
Now that the Pain of Six Paths has been completed, it's time to go to the Hidden Rain Village and taste the fruits of revenge.
Originally, only he and Konan were to seek revenge; now there's one more, which is good.
"Then, Zetsu, continue finding suitable people for Kakuzu!"
Pain glanced over at everyone present, his eyes pausing on Uchiha Itachi, having already learned about Uchiha Itachi's background.
In Pain's understanding, this is a youth with cruel methods, someone who killed his own clan, his pain, his darkness must be immense.
After a brief conversation with Uchiha Itachi, Pain pulled out a ring from his sleeve, "Welcome to Akatsuki, your codename is Vermilion Bird. From today on, you are Akatsuki's Uchiha Itachi, and from now on.. you will act under the name of Akatsuki!"
"..."
Uchiha Itachi slowly nodded, reached out to take the ring, removed his ninja forehead protector, and carved a neat line on it with a kunai.
The Konoha's Vortex Headband seemed like a mirror, reflecting Uchiha Itachi's somewhat fierce cheeks, and it's unclear what he thought when he gazed at that forehead protector.
Standing next to Konan, Uehara Naraku was watching it all, then suddenly raised his head and said, "Could I get a uniform as well when you give him his?"