Country of Rivers, Canyon Gorge
In a dark, damp cave lies a secret base of the Akatsuki organization.
Perhaps due to the potential induction of new members, today was unusually lively, with many people present.
However, it was strange that the members, led by Tendo Pain, were all silent, simply watching as Shinji and his group were brought in by Konan and Huang Quan.
It was Shinji who first broke the silence. He released his grip on Minato's head, which had been pressed into the rock floor, and with a light-hearted laugh, addressed the group.
"Sorry about that, my Minato got a bit excited. He probably has a slight aversion to people wearing masks. Please understand, everyone has their dislikes. For example, I hate impure evil and... those who lack the courage to admit their own evil."
Though many didn't quite understand, they felt his words carried a certain weight. Especially Orochimaru, who, if he thought he could win, would love to discuss philosophy with Shinji. The reason for his reluctance dated back to the moment Shinji and his group entered.
In an instant, as soon as Minato put down the door he was carrying and saw a masked man, memories of that night of the Nine-Tails attack flooded back.
Recognizing the mark he had left on the man's back during the Nine-Tails incident, Minato attempted to use the Flying Thunder God technique to resolve this potential threat to the ninja world on the spot. However, Shinji had kicked him out of the space-time continuum and slammed his head into the rock floor, shattering a large chunk of it.
In less than a second, the seasoned ninjas present were astonished.
First, the supposed doorman's sudden disappearance was undoubtedly a space-time ninjutsu, not a simple teleportation technique. Then, this seemingly invincible technique was instantly countered by the blue-haired man, who had dragged Minato out of space-time with ease. It was ridiculously powerful.
After getting up, Shinji smiled at the masked man before him, "Anyway, since he didn't succeed, why not give me some face and let it go?"
At this moment, Obito was still reeling from the shock.
Had it not been for the blue-haired youth stopping him at the last moment, he might have been in serious trouble!
That space-time technique, comparable to the Fourth Hokage's! Not to be underestimated!
Neither Angra Mainyu, the blue-haired youth, nor his black-haired servant were simple characters.
Playing his role as Tobi, Obito rubbed his head and laughed foolishly, "No worries, no worries, but it was really scary. I thought I was going to die for a second there, haha..."
"Right? Most people don't get to experience such a close brush with death. In a way, you're lucky. Usually, no amount of money can buy such an experience."
With Shinji's hand familiarly resting on his shoulder, Obito inwardly cursed.
Listen to him, talking like that! Truly befitting the title of 'Evil of the World'!
"Yes, yes, I nearly wet myself, hahaha..."
Watching Obito laugh foolishly again, Shinji frowned slightly and then leaned in, whispering, "Still, it feels like a waste to let it go for free. How about you give me something?"
Obito: ...
Isn't there a limit to not acting like a decent person? Nearly killing me and then asking for money?
"Well, uh, since I'm an intern, I don't get paid yet... so, um, money is..."
Watching Obito poke his fingers together, Shinji raised his hand to his ear and said, "What's that? You feel too bad to give so little? Insist on multiplying it by ten? If I don't take it, you'll keep at it until we're at odds?"
You son of a...!
Obito cursed internally.
"Uh, haha... you're really funny, but I..."
Obito didn't finish before Shinji interrupted again.
"Not a matter of life and death, but you'd beg me to take it? Hey, hey, no need to go that far. I'll take it, I'll take it. Seriously, you're such a persistent guy."
With Shinji's hand on his shoulder and a sigh of resignation, Obito's face beneath the mask twisted in anger. This was the most infuriating person he'd ever met!
This guy wasn't just annoying; he was exceptionally annoying!
Meanwhile, Minato slowly got up from the ground and apologized, "Anri-sensei, sorry for getting a bit excited earlier. Also, if there's a next time, please go a bit easier. Several ribs broke from that kick..."
Minato wasn't stupid. Anri-sensei stopping him meant he had an interest in the masked man. If he kept pushing, he'd be the one to suffer.
Still, he hadn't expected this masked man to hide in such a place and, judging from the conversation, be here as an intern? If that's not a conspiracy, who'd believe it?
Seeing Minato rise, Obito quickly pointed at him in reprimand, "Hey! You tried to kill me just because I wore a mask. That's too much!"
Hearing this, Minato, constrained by Shinji's presence, otherwise would have blasted him with a few Giant Rasengans.
Nice act, you cunning snake!
Shinji, arms crossed, nodded, "He's right, Minato. You can't hate everyone who wears a mask just because you don't like masks. Maybe there's a good reason for it. For example, I believe this guy wears a mask because he's too ugly to scare people. Right?"
Inwardly stabbing Shinji with countless imaginary knives, Obito rubbed his head and laughed foolishly, "No, I..."
"You're really a gentle person..."
Interrupted again, Obito almost couldn't contain his killing intent.
This guy was infuriatingly annoying!
Konan, on the other hand, found their interaction amusing.
Seeing someone like Madara being bullied like this was... unavoidably funny.
"Miss Angel, what's wrong?"
Seeing Konan covering her mouth and looking away, her shoulders trembling, Huang Quan, oblivious to the atmosphere, asked his question out loud.
"Nothing."
Konan turned back, her face a mask of cold indifference, before signaling Pain with a glance. Receiving her signal, Pain stepped forward.
"Angra Mainyu, from today, you are..."
"It wasn't supposed to be like this."
Shinji interrupted, hands in his pockets, calmly meeting Pain's gaze, speaking casually.
"I said I was just here to have a look. As for whether I join your little playgroup, I haven't decided yet.
I need to see if this organization is interesting. If not, I'll destroy it on the spot. But for now..."
Hearing this, many present were shocked.
Akatsuki members thought this young man didn't know his place, daring to say such things among so many S-rank criminals.
Especially in front of Tendo Pain, with the legendary Rinnegan!
Saying such things here was practically suicidal!
However, a few didn't think Shinji was bluffing. Among them were Minato, who was inwardly delighted. If Shinji took action, none here would survive, and the masked man with a likely sinister plot would be among the casualties.
Two others, though not as certain as Minato, also didn't think Shinji was bluffing. One was Konan, who had interacted deeply with Shinji, and the other was Orochimaru.
Angra Mainyu... that name...
Orochimaru licked his lips, his snake-like eyes filled with ambition and desire.
If he was truly that Angra Mainyu, it meant he had lived for thousands of years! The secret to immortality might lie within him!
Clang! Boom!!
A glowing sword, wrapped in complex runes, shot straight at Orochimaru's feet, shattering the rock.
Cold sweat broke out on Orochimaru's back.
Had it hit...
It would have been disastrous!
He read the warning in the runes on the sword.
"I don't mind greed and desire, but please match them to your abilities. Greed and desire beyond your capability are just burdens."
"I understand. Thank you for the reminder."
Orochimaru nodded slightly, acknowledging the warning.
After all, one must respect the powerful.
Pain sneered, "Hmph, not just long-lived, but also full of big talk."
"Pain!"
Konan warned, but it seemed a bit late...