The masked man's expression froze.
This...
Extend his life...?
What kind of damn questions are these?!
I've already revealed my Mangekyo Sharingan, and you still have so many doubts???
Just believe me like others do, wouldn't that be the end of it?!
The masked man's face was livid,
He never expected,
After he revealed his identity as Uchiha Madara...
This Kyo, far from being intimidated, instead... became even more fucking presumptuous!
The masked man's gaze was grim.
However,
At this moment,
Pain naturally also noticed this,
He suddenly raised his eyes, indifferently looking towards Kyo, and said calmly:
"Kyo, this matter... is a long story."
"But simply put, Madara and our Akatsuki are currently in a cooperative relationship."
"We all share the same goal -- that is to collect the tailed beasts, thereby achieving world peace."
"Therefore, you are not enemies."
"There's no need to suspect each other here."
Pain spoke in an indifferent tone.
At the end of his words,
He did not look at Kyo, but instead glanced towards the masked man Uchiha Madara on the side.
Because his words were, of course, not just meant for Kyo.
Equally,
They were also meant for the masked man.
After all, judging from the masked man's state today, he knew that this guy seemed to be about to frantically test Kyo again like he did a few years ago...
And this kind of suspicion,
Was clearly completely unfavorable for future plans.
As the leader of Akatsuki,
At this moment, he naturally had to step in to mediate.
"..."
When his words fell,
The masked man naturally understood Pain's meaning, and just slightly lowered his gaze, no longer speaking.
He still knew,
Talking to this golden-eyed guy was fundamentally unreasonable!
And the great name of Uchiha Madara,
Although enough to intimidate most of the Shinobi world,
Still couldn't intimidate this lawless guy before him.
Too troublesome.
He stared at Kyo, thinking in his heart.
And on this side, Kyo slightly raised an eyebrow, looked at Pain, and nodded thoughtfully:
"It seems,"
"The leader still trusts him very much."
"Then, of course, I won't continue to doubt..."
Saying this, Kyo shifted his gaze to the masked man, and then suddenly chuckled:
"Looking forward to working together from now on, Uchiha Madara."
"..."
The masked man did not reply, still coldly silent.
Kyo didn't force the issue, just waved his hand and chuckled:
"It seems this Madara-sama doesn't get along with me..."
"I'm off, I'm off."
Saying this,
Kyo directly turned around,
Slowly paced forward, and leisurely left directly.
This relaxed manner,
As if nothing had happened.
Instantly left the three behind him all frozen in place.
...
However, at this moment,
While walking back, Kyo's gaze flickered slightly.
The corners of his mouth even carried a faint smile.
This was naturally not because of Obito's self-revelation.
But because,
Right after that conversation just now,
He had unknowingly directly completed a hidden side mission --
[Witness one self-revelation of the mysterious masked man's identity (1/1), completed. Reward: Spiritual Pressure +1000, Shop Points +100.]
And, more importantly...
He had also triggered an additional special story mission!
That's right!
Not some side mission or main mission, but an unprecedented special story mission!
For this reason,
He decided to quickly leave that place and see what this mission was.
While walking forward holding an umbrella,
Kyo's eyes sparkled with expectation as he called out in his mind:
"System, open the mission list."
[Ding!]
The system notification immediately sounded in his mind.
[Congratulations, host! You have successfully triggered a special story mission!]
[Do you wish to begin receiving the mission?]
"Receive!"
Kyo naturally had no hesitation.
And then,
A watery blue illusory screen instantly unfolded before Kyo, and at the same time, the notification sounded again --
[Ding!]
[Special Story Mission: Report the true identity of the mysterious masked man to the Akatsuki (0/1), incomplete.]
[Mission Reward Preview: Shop System Upgrade; Hollowfication Ability Upgrade; Quincy Bloodline Upgrade!]
"--?!"
Huh???
As the notification fell, and looking at the mission list before him,
Kyo's eyes widened subconsciously.
Wait,
This so-called special story mission,
Is for me to scheme against Obito???
Directly report his true identity to Nagato and Konan...?
This...
Truly ruthless...
While sighing,
Kyo suddenly curled his lips and revealed a smile.
Although a bit reluctant...
But a shop upgrade, Hollowfication ability upgrade, Quincy bloodline upgrade...
Such unprecedented major rewards, if he didn't try, wouldn't it be letting down the dog system's good intentions?
Sigh, no way,
Then... just like before, be the light of righteousness once more.
The smile in Kyo's eyes lit up slightly.
However,
That being said,
Completing this mission wasn't just a matter of talking.
After all,
From that conversation just now,
Kyo had keenly realized one thing.
That was,
Currently, Nagato and Konan still seemed to trust the masked man's identity very much.
Because, when Kyo tentatively raised his doubts about the identity of Madara at that time,
Their expressions almost completely unchanged.
This showed,
At least for now, they didn't have much doubt about "Madara".
Therefore, if Kyo just directly went,
And told Pain and Konan that the masked man's true identity was Uchiha Obito, it would probably be taken as a joke.
So, to complete this mission,
He had to find a way to completely confirm his identity.
"..."
Realizing this,
Kyo almost instantly thought of a suitable plan.
Then,
The smile on his face grew even stronger.
Next, he just needed to wait for the right opportunity.
Obito's behind-the-scenes career...
Was about to end.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Scene shift.
From the gloomy and damp Land of Rain to the distant Land of Fire with its singing birds and fragrant flowers.
It was naturally impossible for Kyo and the others in Akatsuki to know what had happened in Konoha these past few days.
But in fact,
These days were probably one of the most turbulent periods in Konoha since the Uchiha Clan Massacre.
Everything,
Was of course due to the major events that occurred during the recent Chunin Exams.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, died.
The last bloodline of the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Sasuke, was taken away.
The Hokage Rock exploded.
And this time,
Due to the failed pursuit of Orochimaru, it was declared a failure.
Kakashi's team and Asuma's team had no choice but to return to Konoha, and Sunagakure's Shinobi Forces had also departed for the Land of Wind.
Everything,
Seemed to be beginning to recover.
Many people,
On this day,
Chose to pay respects to the already buried Hiruzen.
But on this day,
A somewhat different Shinobi also came to the place of mourning.
He was tall, wearing a red vest over brown clothes, wooden sandals on his feet, and equipment resembling armor on his hands.
His wild white hair reached down to his waist, and there were red marks under his eyes.
He did not wear Konoha's forehead protector, but instead had a very conspicuous character for "Oil" written on it.
He was one of the legendary Sannin, Sarutobi Hiruzen's disciple-
Jiraiya.
As a naturally wild and unrestrained, freedom-loving optimistic Shinobi,
This time,
When he saw Hiruzen's tombstone ahead,
Even he,
Couldn't show his usual smile.
"..."
Silent silence permeated every corner.
Of course, many people around also noticed Jiraiya's arrival.
Such as Kakashi and Guy.
But,
At this heavy moment, no one chose to disturb him.
Jiraiya's expression was extremely heavy.
For some reason,
He knelt quietly by Hiruzen's grave for a long time.
Until,
The sky darkened, the yellow sun was about to set.
There were not many people left near the grave.
And Jiraiya,
Finally slowly stood up and decided to leave.
But,
Just as he turned around,
Suddenly,
He realized that behind him stood a serious-looking middle-aged man.
At this moment,
Seeing him, Jiraiya couldn't help but be slightly surprised.
This person turned out to be...
Konoha's genius strategist-
Nara Shikaku?
Just as he was thinking, Shikaku ahead spoke.
His gaze fixed, speaking solemnly:
"Jiraiya-sama,"
"Do you have time to talk... about this Chunin Exams?"
"In this war, there was a force ignored by everyone... I want you to know."
"...Hmm?"
Jiraiya was momentarily stunned.
"You... what did you say?"
Shikaku slightly raised his eyes and slowly spoke:
"That's right."
"I suspect that in this incident, besides Otogakure and Sunagakure, there were other forces involved as well..."
"The Land of Rain, Amegakure."
"--!?"