Xiaonan didn't keep them guessing. Under everyone's puzzled gaze, she slowly said, "According to the latest information, it's been confirmed that Shinji Uchiha has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan!"
"I knew it!"
Hiruko looked furious.
Unlike the other members of the Akatsuki Organization, he hadn't been surprised when Xiaonan mentioned keeping an eye on Shinji Uchiha. His reaction had been the least pronounced of them all.
Having suffered several setbacks at Shinji's hands, he knew better than anyone how troublesome Shinji could be.
Ranmaru chimed in, "No wonder. So he's already awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan!"
Like Hiruko, Ranmaru had also suffered at Shinji's hands. He'd instinctively sensed that Shinji was different from ordinary Konoha Ninja.
Deidara pursed his lips. "Even if that kid named Shinji Uchiha has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, there's no need to specifically warn us about him, is there?"
Hidan said, "Yeah. He's only twelve or thirteen. We're not going to keep suffering at the hands of some kid like Hiruko did!"
Hiruko flew into a rage. "You bastard! What's that supposed to mean?"
Kakuzu said coldly, "If you hadn't failed time and again, the Nine-Tails would already be in our hands!"
Hiruko was momentarily at a loss for words, then shot back, "You have no idea how troublesome that kid is! Ranmaru and Shinnō have both been beaten by him too. Ask them if you don't believe me!"
When he saw the blame turning toward him, Shinnō hurriedly said, "I wasn't in good shape at the time, and I was being attacked by a large number of Konoha Ninja. That kid only got lucky!"
Hiruko glared at Shinnō, furious. "You—"
Seeing everyone bickering, "Pain" spoke up. "That's enough!"
At their leader's command, the Akatsuki members fell silent. Even Hiruko, burning with anger, had to swallow his words.