Looking at the astonished Pain and Konan before him,
A smile appeared on Kyo's face.
Being able to undergo such a wondrous change in an instant was naturally due to the use of two special items.
And these two items,
Both came from the system mall.
The first,
Was naturally the pair of black-rimmed glasses he was now wearing.
Mall Item: Black-rimmed Glasses, Commemorative Edition of Aizen Sosuke, Fifth Division's Captain.
Unique Effect: The wearer of these glasses will conceal their original aura, transforming into someone who looks like a very honest person.
In the mall, the price was only 99 points, practically a giveaway.
Kyo found it interesting and bought it directly.
Although it was the same limited edition as Aizen Sosuke from Bleach,
It came with a concealment effect similar to the Superman glasses, which was somewhat useful.
At the very least, if others didn't stare intently at him, it would be hard to recognize him.
The second item was relatively special.
Calling it an item wasn't quite accurate, because it was more like a rather nonsensical, useless skill-
Its name was... [Hair Gel Hand].
Mall price: 99 points.
After mastering this skill, he only needed to brush his hand over his hair to freely change his hairstyle and set it permanently.
It could almost be said to truly achieve the level where hair could be cut, but the style could not be messed up.
This style factor was firmly grasped.
Also because it was very cheap, Kyo bought it directly.
Originally, it was meant to be used occasionally for showing off.
For example, taking off the glasses in mid-air, brushing his hair back, and then saying something like "I will stand at the zenith".
But he never expected,
That now he would use it in reverse.
And it might actually serve some purpose during this trip to Konoha for the Joint Chunin Exams.
Which is kind of absurd.
Finally,
After confirming everything was in order,
Pain agreed to Kyo's suggestion and directly had Konan take Kyo to the academy to select the personnel.
Konan chose to spread her paper wings and fly through the air, and Kyo naturally followed, traveling through the sky as well.
...
Amegakure on a Sunday.
Due to the rare clear skies, it always seemed especially lively.
On the streets and alleys,
Many residents and Shinobi could be seen passing by each other, and even children playing and chasing around.
It was hard to believe this was still the place of suffering, once ravaged by war, from years past.
Kyo flew through the sky.
Looking down at the scene below, he couldn't help but marvel in his heart.
And beside him, Konan was flying steadily forward with her paper wings spread.
At this moment, noticing Kyo's gaze, Konan suddenly spoke calmly:
"It's amazing, isn't it."
"That this place, once called the Land of Death, Amegakure in the Land of Rain, can be so harmonious."
"It's as if everything is a dream."
"However, under Hanzo of the Salamander's leadership, Amegakure could never have had such a scene."
"Almost all of this was built single-handedly by Pain."
"Because of this, the people here worship him so much."
"They call him 'God'."
Konan's eyes lowered slightly as she spoke while moving forward.
These words,
She had actually said more than once.
But it seemed every time she saw the peace of Amegakure, she couldn't help but share her feelings with Kyo.
And a moment later,
They arrived at the location of the Amegakure's Shinobi Academy.
This place was situated almost at the very center of the entire Amegakure, showing how much Pain valued it.
The students of the Academy came from various families in Amegakure, as well as orphans from the Land of Rain who had been displaced by the war.
Pain didn't charge them at all, instead using Akatsuki's funds to occasionally allocate money for the Academy's normal operation.
Most of the Academy's teachers were Amegakure's Shinobi.
A large part of them had even been subordinates of Hanzo back in the day, but after Hanzo was defeated by Pain, they also turned from darkness to light.
Pain didn't target them; instead, he gave them a more stable life.
Over time, all the Amegakure's Shinobi naturally began to feel gratitude and admiration towards Pain.
This was also why the situation in Amegakure had stabilized.
"Wait here for a moment."
"I'll bring the students from the Academy."
After saying this softly to Kyo, Konan flew directly forward.
In her expression,
There seemed to be a trace of unprecedented complex emotion.
Perhaps seeing these children of Amegakure reminded her of her own past.
...
A moment later,
A group of young Genin, boys and girls of various appearances, quickly followed behind Konan towards this place.
At this moment, they were all very well-behaved, walking forward, looking at Konan's back with admiration and awe.
This is the Angel-sama, Konan...
And at this moment,
They saw the figure waiting ahead,
Kyo in his red cloud black robe.
At this time, he had already taken off the glasses and naturally reverted to his normal aura.
The moment they saw him, many showed puzzled expressions.
'What's going on...?'
'Isn't this person that swordsmanship instructor from the Academy...?'
'Why is he here?'
Just as everyone was wondering, suddenly, Konan ahead stopped walking.
The group naturally stopped as well.
At this moment,
Konan turned around, looked at the young boys and girls, her gaze calm.
And at this moment,
A girl in the crowd carefully spoke up.
"Angel-sama... did you call us here to give us some special mission to carry out?"
"..."
As her words faded, Konan lowered her eyes slightly and said calmly:
"That's right."
"The Joint Chunin Exams are about to begin in Konoha of the Land of Fire."
"We, Amegakure, have also received an invitation from Konoha and Sunagakure to participate in this joint exam."
"And you all are Shinobi with Genin-level strength, so you need to represent Amegakure in this examination."
"As long as you successfully pass, you can be promoted to Chunin."
Having said this,
The young boys and girls below were first stunned, then their expressions varied.
Some looked nervous, seeming hesitant.
While others had shining eyes, looking forward to it greatly.
After a slight pause, Konan continued calmly:
"However,"
"Before you officially depart, there are a few things I need to explain to you."
"Our Amegakure is currently undergoing a new reform and rise. All intelligence is very important."
"Therefore, we must absolutely not let other villages know our secrets."
"On this trip to Konoha,"
"You must make everyone believe that Amegakure is still under the rule of Hanzo of the Salamander."
"...Understood?"
"Yes... Angel-sama."
The young boys and girls immediately nodded seriously with grave expressions.
Although they weren't very old,
Having grown up in this special environment,
When faced with major issues concerning the village, they could certainly adjust their attitudes well.
Seeing their expressions, Konan raised her eyes slightly and said softly:
"Good."
"Then next, I will introduce your leader for this trip."
Saying this,
Konan slightly turned, making way for Kyo, and then said calmly:
"This is Kyo-"
"You should all know that he occasionally serves as a swordsmanship instructor at the Academy."
"And for this trip to Konoha for the Joint Chunin Exams,"
"He will personally lead you."
"-?!"
As soon as these words were spoken,
Instantly, all the young boys and girls were surprised.
'What...?'
'Him leading us...?'
At this moment,
Many showed somewhat strange expressions.
Although they weren't top-tier in strength as Shinobi,
They could, of course, sense to varying degrees the Chakra of others.
But now,
The Kyo standing before them had a Chakra level so faint it was almost negligible.
'With such weak Chakra... he can be the leader...?'
Everyone began to feel confused.
But just then, Konan seemed to notice their strange expressions.
Before Kyo could react,
Konan slightly lowered her eyes, then spoke calmly:
"What's with those expressions of yours...?"
"Are you questioning him?"
"Fine... then I'll say it directly."
"Your teacher Kyo's strength, even placed in the entire Shinobi World, is at the very highest level."
"His personal presence should be an honor for you, not a source of doubt."
"If, during the Chunin Exams later, you still judge an opponent's strength solely by their Chakra levels like this..."
"Then you will lose badly!"
"You might even... lose your lives!"
"Understand?"
Konan spoke calmly, but towards the end, her tone suddenly intensified!
Like a strict teacher!
And the young boys and girls from Amegakure below were all terrified!
They never expected that the usually composed Angel-sama would suddenly get angry at them like this because of that teacher Kyo...
However, what they didn't know,
Was that because Konan saw her own past self in them, she didn't want them to develop this bad habit of underestimating the enemy!
They needed to know that although Kyo's Chakra was faint,
His strength was so great that even Nagato and that Uchiha Madara had to acknowledge it.
No one had the right to question that.