Orochimaru, a master of shady schemes.
Among the few things he excelled at most in his life, sneak attacks were one.
And just now,
When he saw Kyo's main body, the first thing he noticed was those powerful golden eyes!
This feeling was no less than the experience he had when he first saw the Sharingan.
Thus,
He decided to get his hands on them first.
However, as soon as his words fell, just as his hand was about to get within thirty centimeters of Kyo,
Suddenly, a change occurred. Kyo's faint voice was heard:
"Hado #58, Tenran."
Boom!!
A powerful white gale suddenly appeared, blasting directly and fiercely into Orochimaru's face!
"?!"
Thump!!!
Amidst the gale filling the sky, Orochimaru had no room to dodge and was hit square on!
"Ugh!!!"
As he spat out a mouthful of old blood, Orochimaru's body instantly flew backward dozens of meters like a kite with a broken string!
Along the way, all the trees and plants were destroyed!
After landing, Orochimaru's face was immediately filled with shock and confusion.
'Hmm???'
'What's going on?'
'From such a close distance... when did this guy form the hand seals?!'
Meanwhile, the masked man, witnessing this scene, instantly reacted, his eyes narrowing slightly.
'Tch... another strange Dojutsu ability has appeared?'
'After the markless golden Lightning Release and blue Fire Release, now there's a Wind Release...'
"Orochimaru,"
"Let's stop these boring games here."
Kyo's expression remained unchanged as he looked at Orochimaru and said with a light smile:
"It's about time you got to your real business."
"..."
Hearing this, Orochimaru got up, grinning as he looked at Kyo, and laughed hoarsely:
"Hehe... indeed."
"Although I just wanted to try my luck, it seems it won't be that easy after all."
"As for the real business—"
Orochimaru paused slightly, then smiled:
"I noticed you Akatsuki are recruiting members, aren't you? So... how about letting me join Akatsuki as well?"
"I've always been very interested in your organization."
"If I join, it should also increase your strength, right?"
"..."
"Moreover, I have quite a lot of intelligence on various countries, which could definitely provide your organization with considerable convenience."
"Don't you think?"
Orochimaru stared intently at Kyo, speaking with a half-smile.
He had indeed established many intelligence networks in various countries over the years; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to learn of Akatsuki's existence.
Upon hearing this, the corner of Kyo's mouth lifted slightly.
'Sure enough, the time for the snake to recommend himself had come—'
'This bastard really wanted to join Akatsuki.'
Kyo glanced at the system panel, which clearly showed a brand new series of side missions—
[Recruit one member for the Akatsuki (0/1), incomplete, reward unknown.]
[Recruit two members for the Akatsuki (0/2), incomplete, reward unknown.]
[Recruit three members for the Akatsuki (0/3), incomplete, reward unknown.]
This series of missions had three in total.
That meant he could obtain three rewards by recruiting three members.
The Orochimaru before him was practically handing himself over; there was no reason to refuse.
So, after hearing Orochimaru's words,
Kyo, almost without any hesitation, smiled and said:
"I see."
"It seems... you really do fit well with Akatsuki."
"Then, I'll act on behalf of Leader Pain's name and permit you to join—"
"?!"
As the words fell.
Both Orochimaru and the masked man's expressions shifted.
Orochimaru's mood was naturally very good; he hadn't expected to receive such an affirmative answer so easily...
However, the masked man beside him was displeased.
But he hadn't forgotten his current identity, so he spoke in Tobi's usual tone:
"Hey, Kyo-senpai?"
"I, I think this is inappropriate, right?"
"If this guy Orochimaru really joins Akatsuki, he might steal our intelligence..."
"I think we should refuse him!"
As soon as this was said,
Orochimaru's brows furrowed slightly, and he prepared to retort.
But before he could retort, he saw Kyo in front look at the masked man, roll his eyes, and say coldly:
"You're just an intern, why worry about this?"
"..."
Kyo stared intently at Obito's spiral mask, speaking with a half-smile:
"Could it be... you think you're the secret leader of Akatsuki, with even more authority than Pain?"
As the words fell,
Obito, beneath the mask, felt a lump in his throat and froze.
'Huh?'
'What the...'
'What does that mean?'
'I am literally the secret leader of Akatsuki, okay?!!'