As Pain's words fell,
Two people immediately walked out from the cave behind him.
One had bandages wrapped around his face and carried a large sword on his back; the other had a calm expression and crimson pupils. Standing together, their auras were completely mismatched.
They were Akatsuki's third group—
Biwa Juzo, and the recently joined new member of Akatsuki, Uchiha Itachi!
The moment he saw them emerge, Kyo was momentarily stunned.
'Huh?'
'What's going on?'
'Weren't I supposed to be a solo group?'
'Why are you directly foisting two burdens onto me?'
'One is an iron-headed fool who wants to cut a Bijudama with a sword, the other is a Konoha's spy who loves to hold back in fights.'
Pain beside him seemed to see through Kyo's thoughts and suddenly slightly closed his eyes, explaining calmly:
"Don't worry, Kyo."
"They won't interfere with your mission."
"I've already instructed them that for this mission, they can only assist you from the shadows."
"They will absolutely not show themselves unless it's a critical moment."
"After all, one is from Kirigakure's Seven Swordsmen, the other is an Uchiha from Konoha. Both are too conspicuous."
"If they appear and are recognized, it would instead be problematic."
"..."
Hearing this, Kyo instantly understood and nodded, saying:
"Mm, that's more like it."
Pain's arrangement did indeed make sense.
After all, whether it was this Kubikiribocho from Kirigakure or the Uchiha Sharingan from Konoha, both were extremely famous characteristics.
Basically, the moment they acted, they could be recognized.
Fortunately,
These two guys were only watching from the sidelines this time, just slacking off. If they were also going to steal the achievements, Kyo wouldn't be happy.
Because, this trip to Sunagakure,
Besides completing Akatsuki's mission, Kyo also had a series of system side missions waiting to be done.
That's right.
Last night, after Kyo annihilated the Sunagakure's Anbu,
He immediately triggered a series of new side missions related to Sunagakure in the system—
[Defeat 30 Chunin of Sunagakure (15/30), Incomplete, Reward Unknown.]
[Defeat 10 Jonin of Sunagakure (6/10), Incomplete, Reward Unknown.]
[Defeat the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure · Rasa (0/1), Incomplete, Reward Unknown.]
[Defeat the One-Tail, Shukaku Jinchuriki of Sunagakure · Gaara (0/1), Incomplete, Reward Unknown.]
"..."
A series of missions like this, accumulating over time, would bring considerable Spiritual Power gains.
Since he was going to deter Sunagakure this time, there was no reason not to conveniently complete the side missions.
Kyo didn't want these two guys to disturb him.
Just then,
Suddenly, Itachi, who had been silent all along, walked straight up to Kyo.
Then, he suddenly raised his eyes, fixedly gazed at Kyo, and calmly spoke:
"'Kyo', is it..."
"It seems for this mission, we'll be temporary partners. Please take care of me."
His tone was unhurried, his expression very indifferent.
As if he just wanted to say hello.
Harmless.
However,
Just then,
Kyo's eyes suddenly narrowed slightly. Then, staring at Itachi, he chuckled lightly and raised one finger, saying:
"First, don't address me directly by my name."
"I'm not familiar with you. Since you joined Akatsuki after me, you should politely call me 'senior', understand?"
"..."
As the words fell, Itachi was momentarily stunned, not expecting Kyo to say this.
However, immediately after, something even more unexpected happened.
Kyo suddenly extended a second finger, and at the same time, the smile on his face vanished.
"Second..."
"Don't try to test me with your Sharingan's Genjutsu again."
"Next time, I'll gouge out your eyes."
"Got it?"
"!"
As the words fell, Kyo's Spiritual Pressure instantly erupted!
An invisible, terrifying pressure descended in an instant, surging in all directions!
"!!"
Pain, Konan, and Juzo beside him, hearing these words, immediately changed expression!
And Itachi was instantly stunned, his pupils constricting!
'Impossible!'
'My... my Sharingan was seen through?!'