Uehara Naraku didn't care much and, guided by Yakushi Kabuto, looted a bunch of snake-related ninjutsu researched by Orochimaru and threw them all into the exchange list during the limited exchange time.
In addition, Yakushi Kabuto wasn't idle either.
Yakushi Kabuto also had Uehara Naraku deal with a batch of experimental equipment that Orochimaru didn't use much, which he planned to use to set up a biological science laboratory in the Hidden Rain Village in the future.
This guy always likes to mix a bit of his own personal matters into his boss's business.
Uehara Naraku didn't mind, even wanting to take it further: "How about I take everything with me! After all, Orochimaru attacked Konoha again this time, and Tsunade will probably send people to besiege the Hidden Sound Village soon!"
"..."
Yakushi Kabuto looked at Uehara Naraku wordlessly and adjusted his glasses, suspecting a bit that Uehara Naraku had been eyeing this base for a while!
First plotting with Orochimaru to steal the Rashomon Summoning Contract Scroll and attack Konoha, then framing Orochimaru during the process, and now using the excuse that Konoha will soon attack Orochimaru's base to clear it out.
After all, in these past few years, Orochimaru has mainly focused his efforts on this base.
Some of the scientific experimental equipment here was handmade by Orochimaru; you can't find suitable ones in the Ninja World, nor can you find someone capable of recreating them.
"Alright, then I'll take everything."
Uehara Naraku took a bunch of Sealing Scrolls and, after clearing out Orochimaru's experimental base, waved goodbye to Yakushi Kabuto.
Before leaving, Uehara Naraku summoned Uchiha Obito to free Orochimaru, the Reanimation bodies of the First Hokage, and the Second Hokage.
"Bastard!"
Orochimaru gritted his teeth, glaring at Uehara Naraku's retreating figure, and clenched his fist fiercely: "Uehara Naraku, I haven't settled things with you yet!"
"Let's settle it next time together!"
Uehara Naraku glanced back at Orochimaru, squinted his eyes, smiled kindly, and then disappeared in front of Orochimaru.
"Again with the Space-Time Ninjutsu!"
Orochimaru frowned, his expression turning grim: "No wonder this guy always shows up suddenly, coming and going as he pleases!"
"Lord Orochimaru..."
Yakushi Kabuto helped Orochimaru up, a bit awkwardly saying, "Lord Naraku has already emptied this experimental base."
Only then did Orochimaru notice that the secret base of the Hidden Sound Village was already empty, a wave of anger surged up, and he could barely suppress his rage!
But he couldn't vent his anger on Yakushi Kabuto.
After all, Yakushi Kabuto didn't have the power to stop Uehara Naraku either.
"I... forget it."
Orochimaru clenched his fist, gradually letting go, and said in a deep voice: "This time, my exposure at Konoha again revealed my whereabouts, Tsunade will likely soon send people to besiege the Hidden Sound Village; this base is not going to be protected anyway, we'll move to the Northern Base!"
Orochimaru had already foreseen the crisis's approach.
To mobilize enough manpower to besiege Orochimaru, Konoha has decided to end the standoff with the Hidden Rock Village at the Land of Grass at all costs.
To avoid triggering a Ninja World war, Tsunade began using political and diplomatic means to solve the problem and decided to initiate an alliance meeting.
Apart from the Land of Wind and the Land of Water, the neighboring small countries to the Land of Earth, the Land of Rain and the Land of Waterfall, also received Tsunade's invitation.
This Fifth Hokage's methods are even more robust than her teacher, Sarutobi Hiruzen; she used both coercion and temptation, rendering these countries helpless, agreeing to her demands with little choice.
With the leader of the strongest nation in the Ninja World, the Konoha Village, showing no shame, there's truly no place to reason this out.
Within the Hidden Rain Village.
The rain was still pouring heavily.
When Uehara Naraku returned to the village, Konan was flipping through an invitation from the Konoha Envoy, her face showing a mix of complexity and hesitation.
When Konan heard Uehara's footsteps and looked up, the hesitation disappeared, and her eyes softened as she smiled gently: "Naraku, you came back just in time."
"Teacher?"
Uehara Naraku's expression showed mild confusion, a bit unaccustomed, since this was the first time he returned to the village without Konan being angry.
Wasn't this the perfect time to strike while the iron's hot?
Uehara Naraku swiftly took out the Book of Seals, smiling with squinted eyes as he handed it to Konan: "Teacher, this is a gift I brought for you this time!"
Konan's smile gradually faded, leaving only a trace of confusion and puzzlement: "Is this... someone else's corpse again?"
"No!"
Uehara Naraku patted the Book of Seals and softly explained: "This is the Book of Seals from Konoha Village. You know how Orochimaru attacked Konoha a few days ago, right? I assume he got the Book of Seals then and just happened to find it when I infiltrated his base."
"Hmm? Did you secretly go after Orochimaru again?"
Konan's brow immediately furrowed, ready to scold Uehara Naraku a bit, but instinctively closed her mouth again.
A moment later, the expression on Konan's face slightly relaxed, gently sighed, and said: "Ever since Orochimaru mastered the Reanimation Jutsu, he's managed to attack Konoha twice without a scratch; his power is not what it was, don't recklessly put yourself in danger."
"Hmm."
Uehara Naraku nodded obediently.
Konan slowly stood on her tiptoes, extending her hand to help Uehara Naraku arrange the hair on his forehead, softly continuing: "Didn't you say before you wanted to become an official member of Akatsuki? Nagato and I have agreed, and there happens to be a rather busy task needing people recently, but make sure to wear your hood and hide your identity while executing the task."