Protector Wu

"You're asking me to become your Protector Wu??" Lin Chuan stared wide-eyed at Meng Jingxian, the corner of his mouth twitching.

"What? Is there a problem?" Meng Jingxian was quite dissatisfied with the boy's reaction. Under normal circumstances, as long as someone bore no grudge against Akatsuki, they would be desperately eager to join the organization. With Akatsuki's current reputation, it was no inferior to any major power, and it had broad prospects with few restrictions.

Once one joined Akatsuki, the benefits would far outweigh the drawbacks. And this was the protector of a Divine Envoy—the highest honor apart from Akatsuki's ten Divine Envoys. Countless people would kill to get in, yet the boy before him looked utterly unwilling.

Lin Chuan shook his head helplessly. This guy really is Akatsuki's mascot!

An unidentified genius, invited to join Akatsuki without any investigation whatsoever—was that really okay?

"Hey, this is the first time I've met someone as clueless as you. Are you joining or not? Answer me already!" Meng Jingxian grew impatient. The disgust written all over the boy's face was seriously irritating him.

"I am willing!" Lin Chuan said through gritted teeth, looking deeply aggrieved as he secretly removed the ring from his right index finger.

"Hmph, that's more like it!" Meng Jingxian snorted and flicked over a ring bearing the character Wu. The inner band bore the character Bei. At the same time, he handed over an Akatsuki Robe.

Lin Chuan examined it and found that this Akatsuki Robe differed from the one Northern Dipper wore. It had several fewer red clouds, likely meant to distinguish the status of a Divine Envoy from that of a protector.

It seems Akatsuki has changed a great deal—and improved a great deal—over the years I've been gone... Lin Chuan thought.

Next, under Meng