"Big Sis, wait a moment." Naruto said hastily, "I think we can still negotiate. If you let those two release my companion, I'll join your organization and help you capture the other Biju and Jinchuriki."
Konan let out a cold chuckle, "Why would I ever believe you?"
"You can trust me." Naruto insisted, placing a hand on his stomach. With a forceful pull, a warm, orange glow emerged in his hand.
"Look, I can even extract the Kyubi myself without dying."
"Wait, what?"
Seeing this scene, Konan was a little confused.
It is well known fact that a Jinchuriki would die if their Biju is extracted from their body. But Konan wondered how could Naruto manage to pull out the Kyubi so effortlessly?
"If you're still worried, you can place some kind of binding technique on me to ensure I can't betray you." Naruto said again.
Konan frowned and asked, "Why would you go to such lengths? What are you after?"
Naruto replied earnestly, "I raised Wartortle like my own son. All I want is for it to grow up healthy and safe!"
Although this was technically true, Naruto had deliberately delivered it with heartfelt sincerity. His true aim was to exploit Konan's deep value for camaraderie.
In the past, he had read analyses of the Akatsuki's members, noting that each represented a distinct human aspiration. Konan symbolized friendship. By highlighting his devotion to his bond, he aimed to strike a chord in her heart.
As expected, Konan was visibly moved by his words. After a long silence, she finally said, "If you're willing to accept a binding technique, I'll discuss this with the leader."
"Of course no problem!" Naruto agreed without hesitation.
"Then wait here," After saying that, Konan disappeared in a flash.
As Konan walked away, Itachi finally spoke, "Are you really prepared to accept control? What if something goes wrong?"
"Don't worry, I've got it handled." Naruto said with a confident smirk.
If Nagato is not a fool, he will not use the complete mental domination using Genjutsu. Doing so would render Naruto's combat abilities ineffective, as a weakened Nagato wouldn't be able to utilize Naruto's full power.
Additionally, Naruto had the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan and the system's safeguards, making it nearly impossible for standard Genjutsu to work on him.
Naruto predicted that Nagato would instead opt for a method akin to administering a deadly poison and would provide the antidote from time to time. This method is used to ensure obedience by threatening the victim's life.
This approach made sense. After all, most people only have one life to lose, and a poison-based control method would be highly effective.
Unfortunately for Nagato, Naruto had two resurrection coins at his disposal.
Dying was simply not on the table.
Of course, this is just the worst-case scenario.
Even if Nagato resorted to poison, Naruto held additional trump cards: he might obtain an antidote from the system's rewards at some point, sparing him the cost of a resurrection coin.
Moreover, with Orochimaru as his servant, creating a cure would be trivial...
Whoosh!
Not long after, Konan returned and said to Naruto, "Come with me. The leader wishes to see you."
"Got it," Naruto replied. With Konan's paper restraining his upper body, he followed her to the Akatsuki's base.
Though the Akatsuki's members typically operated in pairs and the organization lacked a fixed headquarters, the leader's location was unmistakably the group's central hub. This time, it led them to the towering structure of Amegakure.
Inside the ominous high tower, a suffocating aura filled the air, sending chills down one's spine.
Naruto ascended the winding staircase, eventually reaching the topmost floor.
There, a man stood motionless. He wore the Akatsuki's cloak. His spiky, orange hair was paired with an Amegakure's forehead protector marked with a scratch. His eerie, ripple-patterned Rinnegan glowed faintly in his purple eyes.
Numerous black piercings adorned his face, functioning as receivers. His expression remained stoic, devoid of emotion, as his gaze locked onto Naruto.
This individual was none other than Deva Path Pain, one of the Six Paths of Pain, created from Yahiko's corpse!
Who would have thought that the current leader of the Akatsuki was nothing more than a puppet created from a corpse?
"Leader, I've brought Uzumaki Naruto."
After saying this, Konan stood behind Deva Path Pain.
Pain's cold voice echoed through the room, "I've heard about your situation. Swallow this, and you will officially become a member of the Akatsuki."
As he said that, he stretched out his right hand, and in his palm was a black pill that looked like a hawthorn pill.
"What is this?" Naruto feigned ignorance.
Pain explained, "This is the Destructive Blood Rot Pill, a lethal poison created by Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin. It won't activate under normal circumstances but requires an antidote once a year. Without it, your body will rot from the inside out."
"Uh, this…"
Naruto appeared genuinely stunned.
" ou're unwilling?" Pain's tone turned icy.
"For Wartortle, I'll fight!"
Naruto grabbed the pill and swallowed it in one gulp. A hint of hesitation and pain flashed across his resolute expression.
Naruto's acting skills were impeccable. The stunned expression just now, however, was entirely genuine.
Because he never thought that this poison was actually developed by Orochimaru.
Orochimaru was renowned as a poison expert and had indeed been a former member of the Akatsuki. So creating such a concoction was well within his capabilities.
But the key point is… Orochimaru is his servant.
When Naruto had previously brainstormed ways to counteract the poison, he had thought of seeking Orochimaru for help. What he didn't expect was that the poison itself originated from Orochimaru.
That made obtaining an antidote ridiculously easy for Naruto.
There wasn't even the slightest challenge.
Naruto couldn't help but feel a bit smug.
For any other transmigrator in his position, this situation would've been significantly trickier.
Orochimaru's whereabouts were notoriously elusive. And even if one managed to locate him and obtain the antidote, there'd always be doubts about its authenticity.
This highlighted the immense advantage of Naruto's Servant Contract and his early encounter with Orochimaru.
It was, as they say, the best arrangement possible!
Everything had aligned perfectly for Naruto's success.
"Naruto-kun, welcome to the Akatsuki!"
Seeing the hint of pain flash across Naruto's face, Tendo Pain was visibly pleased. Even his tone softened slightly.
Most Akatsuki's members had joined due to circumstances beyond their control, making them difficult to fully manipulate.
Naruto, however, had consumed the poison willingly, making him the most controllable member to date.
How could Pain, or rather Nagato, not be happy?
"Now, can you give Wartortle back to me?"
Naruto will not forget the key point of the matter when acting out the whole thing. He must set up his character well so that Nagato and Konan will not have any doubts at all.
"Of course," Pain agreed, then instructed Konan, "Konan, take care of this matter."
Konan nodded, releasing Naruto from his paper restraints before preparing to escort him out.
But at this moment, Naruto suddenly spoke up, "Leader, wait a moment. There's one more thing."
"Oh? What else, Naruto-kun?" Pain inquired, intrigued.
Naruto explained, "My strength surpasses those two idiots outside. I don't want to be just an ordinary member. Since I can't betray you now, why not make me the second-in-command? That way, I can personally seek revenge on those two!"
Naruto wasn't about to challenge Nagato's authority until he located the true body. Even so, he aimed to seize control of the Akatsuki's members, giving him command over the entire organization.
It was a childhood dream of his from his previous life as a Naruto fan, one he now sought to fulfill.