Akatsuki Organization Meeting

At the whisper by his ear, Ranmaru jolted in alarm.

When he whipped around, he realized that the Akatsuki Organization's leader, "Deva Path," had somehow appeared behind him.

"I-I..."

Ranmaru hurriedly deactivated Shadow Release and stammered.

Deva Path stepped closer and looked him up and down. "You're the Red Eye boy who was with Raiga Kurosuki?"

"Yes!"

Ranmaru answered respectfully.

Even though he had been transformed completely, he wouldn't dare show the slightest disrespect in front of the Akatsuki Organization's leader.

Deva Path's tone remained indifferent. "Was this Hiruko's ritual?"

Ranmaru nodded. "Yes. With Lord Hiruko's help, I completed the ritual and fused with Nether Release and Swift Release."

After Ranmaru finished speaking, Deva Path asked, "What you used just now was Shadow Release?"

"Yes!"

Under Deva Path's barrage of questions, Ranmaru grew increasingly nervous.

Deva Path, meanwhile, seemed deep in thought.

In fact, he had spotted Ranmaru while he was using Shadow Release thanks to his Rinnegan's keen perception combined with the Rain Tiger at Will Technique.

Neither the Rinnegan nor the Rain Tiger at Will Technique alone would have been enough to detect Ranmaru, which was why Deva Path hadn't immediately captured him when he was spying from outside the forest.

After thinking for a moment, Deva Path said to Ranmaru, "With your strength now, you're qualified to join the organization. Do you want to?"

"I..." Ranmaru hesitated, then nodded. "Yes!"

He had no idea what would happen if he refused, so he could only grit his teeth and accept.

Besides, he had nothing left to tie him to the Shinobi World. Joining an organization might at least give him some sense of belonging.

Deva Path fixed his gaze on Ranmaru. "Good. From now on, you'll be partnered with Hiruko."

"Then, I..."

As he spoke, Ranmaru glanced toward