Peripheral Members [Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!]

"Are there other test subjects?"

Ryūsetsuna looked surprised.

Her reaction now was almost exactly the same as Chiyo's when she learned Ryūsetsuna existed: surprise mixed with anticipation.

"Yeah!"

Shinji nodded.

Ryūsetsuna went on to ask, "Is she also a ninja from Kusagakure?"

"No. She's a descendant of a fallen bloodline family!" After a brief pause, Shinji said calmly, "She has no family, no clan, and no village!"

"I see."

A trace of pity appeared on Ryūsetsuna's face. At the same time, she wondered how someone with no one to rely on had managed to survive in the cruel Shinobi World.

Shinji leisurely put away the notebook where he had recorded the data, then said slowly, "Do you know who I am?"

"You?" Ryūsetsuna froze, then asked, "Aren't you the doctor Karin-sama arranged for me?"

Shinji shook his head. "I'm a member of the Akatsuki Organization!"

"What?!"

Ryūsetsuna was startled. Her body reflexively shifted into a battle-ready stance.

Everyone knew of the Akatsuki Organization's feud with the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Kusagakure was also part of the Shinobi Alliance, and the Akatsuki Organization had intervened during the recent war in the Grass Country. Ryūsetsuna was therefore filled with hostility toward the organization.

Shinji reassured her, "There's no need to be nervous."

Ryūsetsuna demanded, "Are you using Karin-sama?"

"Karin is one of us, too!"

Shinji calmly revealed a piece of news that sent Ryūsetsuna reeling and made her pupils contract.

Ryūsetsuna stared blankly at him. "Karin-sama joined the Akatsuki Organization? How is that possible?!"

"We're not what you think we are."

Shinji explained that there were actually two Akatsuki Organizations. One was at war with the Five Great Shinobi Villages and sought to collect the nine Tailed Beasts, revive the Ten-Tails, and rule the Shinobi World. The other aimed to protect the