A Show of Force and True Value

"You didn't notice at all?"

Konan raised her hand, her slender fingers casually pointing to Hiruko's left and right sides, and finally to the upper diagonal behind him.

"Chief, you actually arrived quite some time ago."

"Wh-what?!" Hiruko's anger froze instantly, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head, and all the blood in his body seemed to freeze at that moment.

An indescribable chill shot from his tailbone straight to the top of his head. He abruptly turned his head, following the direction Konan was pointing, and frantically scanned his surroundings with a look of terror and disbelief.

His pupils suddenly contracted to pinpoints as soon as he saw it!

To the left front, a figure dressed in Black-bottomed Red Cloud Robe floated silently. The short orange-red hair was particularly eye-catching in the rain, and several strange black metal rods were stuck in his face. What was most chilling were his emotionless purple wavy eyes!

To the right rear, in the shadow of the giant tree's canopy, a figure wearing an orange Spiral Mask seemed like a phantom as it passed straight through the branches and landed on the ground.

Behind and slightly above, a creature that was half black and half white, like a bizarre combination of plant and human, grinned, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth, and let out a silent laugh.

The three of them formed a triangle, trapping him firmly in the center!

And he was completely unaware of this! Until the other party revealed themselves!

"This—how is this possible—" Hiruko's voice was dry, like sandpaper being rubbed, and his body trembled slightly uncontrollably.

The anger and humiliation of the past receded like the tide, leaving only boundless fear and chilling awe.

Faced with an absolute disparity in strength, his pitiful pride and resentment were crushed to pieces.

"When—when did it get so close—I didn't even notice—"

Hiruko to himself, his expression immediately becoming respectful.

"Tsk tsk tsk, they really know how to seize the moment!"

A word that was neither mockery nor praise came from White Zetsu's mouth, Hiruko's already pale face instantly turned bright red, as if it were about to bleed. He lowered his head tightly, not daring to meet those three tangible gazes again.

"This—" Konan's cool voice rang out at the opportune moment, as if offering Hiruko a way out, she pointed to Pain, "Is the leader of our Akatsuki, Lord Pain."

Her gaze swept over Obito and Zetsu. "These two are also official members of the organization."

Pain's gaze lingered on Hiruko for a moment, his calm eyes revealing no emotion. He didn't speak, but simply turned his head slightly, his gaze falling on Kakuzu.

A single glance is enough.

A hint of impatience flashed in Kakuzu's dark green pupils, but he still quite consciously straightened up, stepped out of the shadow of the ancient tree, and finally stopped ten steps in front of Hiruko.

"The leader wants me to test your strength," Kakuzu's voice was low and hoarse. "Show me your full power, brat. Otherwise—"

He didn't say the rest of his words, but the killing intent flashing in his dark green eyes carried more weight than any threat.

Hiruko of the cold, damp air, forcibly suppressing the fear and humiliation in his heart.

He knew this was his only chance—a chance to survive, a chance to prove his worth!

He suddenly raised his head, a resolute glint flashing in his eyes, and his hands instantly Hand Seals!

Steel Release: Hardening Technique.

With a low growl, Hiruko's body suddenly underwent a dramatic change! His skin surface visibly developed a cold metallic sheen, and its color rapidly deepened, changing from grayish-white to a deep, heavy dark silver.

In the blink of an eye, he seemed to transform into a statue cast from living metal!

"Oh?" A hint of surprise flashed in Kakuzu's dark green eyes, but more so, an interest like that of someone eyeing new prey. "A metallic body? Interesting."

Before he finished speaking, his hands were already raised, moving so fast that only a blur remained!

Fire Style: Searing Migraine!

Wind Style: Pressure Damage!

A massive, blazing Fireball and a violently compressed vortex of wind erupted almost simultaneously! The wind fueled the fire, and the fire, aided by the wind, created a vast, all-encompassing storm of flames, carrying an aura of utter destruction that Hiruko fiercely toward the metallized Biruho!

The surrounding rainwater instantly evaporated into a large cloud of white mist, and the temperature in the forest soared!

Faced with this terrifying combined Ninjutsu, Hiruko's eyes flashed with a ruthless glint, yet he neither dodged nor evaded!

He let out a deep growl, pushing his Steel Release to its limit. His dark silver body gleamed with a cold, hard luster in the Kakkou, like the most solid fortress, as he crashed headlong into the destructive firestorm!

"Boom!!!"

A deafening explosion echoed through the forest! The violent shockwave, carrying intense heat, spread rapidly in all directions, snapping trees and scorching their branches and leaves.

Thick smoke and steam billowed and rose into the air.

However, Hiruko went straight through the center of the explosion and continued charging towards Kakuzu.

"Defense—indeed impressive." Kakuzu commented coldly, but his eyes sharpened even more. He could see that although his opponent's defense was astonishing, his speed and agility seemed to have been greatly reduced after transforming into metal.

Hiruko the burning pain and tremors throughout his body, letting out a low roar like a wounded metal beast. He suddenly exerted his strength, trying to close the distance and use the terrifying power and defense granted by his Steel Release to engage in close-quarters combat!

However, Kakuzu is far more experienced in battle than anyone else; would he really give him that opportunity?

The two chased and retreated, with Kakuzu's Kakuzu never stopping as he retreated, continuously unleashing one Ninjutsu after another.

While creating obstacles for Hiruko, they continuously weakened his defenses.

While Steel Release allows the body to become metallic, providing sufficient defense, it also has its limits.

In particular, Kakuzu's Fire Style and Lightning Style are quite effective against Steel Release.

Finally, when the metallic luster on Hiruko's body dimmed to its lowest point, Kakuzu unleashed his ultimate attack.

The instant Hiruko, Kakuzu Hand Seals again, moving even faster!

Lightning Style: False Darkness!

A blinding azure lightning bolt instantly condensed in his palm into a violent lightning spear! With a sharp, tearing sound, Hiruko instantly.

"Sizzle--!"

The raging lightning wolf slammed into Hiruko's metal chest.

A dazzling electric snake instantly crawled all over his body. Hiruko a shrill, distorted scream. His metallic body convulsed and twitched violently under the high voltage, and the dark silver luster instantly turned charred black.

He could no longer hold on and collapsed heavily to his knees in the cold mud with a "plop." His whole body went numb, and the metallic state receded as quickly as the tide, revealing his originally pale skin, now covered with charred wounds.

We lost.

The defeat was so swift and so complete.

Faced with Kakuzu's seasoned tactics, his prized Steel Release failed to even touch the hem of Kakuzu's clothes from beginning to end.

It can only be said that Kakuzu is really good at Hiruko.

Pain's Rinnegan remained completely still, as if everything before him was merely a trivial interlude.

Obito's gaze behind the mask held undisguised contempt, as if he were looking at a failed product. Zetsu's mockery was even more blatant.

Konan slightly furrowed her delicate brows, looking at the Hiruko in the muddy water, a subtle and complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

Despite the pressure from Kakuzu, the person she finally found after many days of hard work demonstrated somewhat disappointing combat capabilities.

Only the sound of rain washing away the mud and the suppressed, painful gasps of Hiruko remained in the dense forest.

Pain finally spoke, his voice cold, flat, and devoid of any emotion, as if stating a given fact. "Your strength is limited to this?"

That indifferent tone made Hiruko feel more ashamed than any rebuke.

The immense loss and utter despair of being completely rejected instantly gripped Hiruko's heart, almost suffocating him.

He clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms, but the physical pain paled in comparison to the anguish in his heart.

However, in this suffocating silence, Pain's cold words rang out again, like the last flicker of a candle, igniting his remaining hope. "Speak, you, and your research." Pain's gaze, as if it were tangible, fell upon Hiruko. "Akatsuki doesn't keep useless people. Prove your worth."

Prove your worth!

These five words exploded in Hiruko's mind like a thunderclap!

He suddenly raised his head, ignoring the excruciating pain in his body and the blood spilling from the corner of his mouth. The look of defeat on his face vanished, replaced by an almost manic excitement!

"Research! Yes! My research!" Hiruko's voice became hoarse and high-pitched with excitement, "The Chimera Technique! This is my true value! This is the power that can change everything!"

He struggled to his feet, staggering from his injuries, but he paid no heed, his eyes burning with fanatical flames as he stared intently at Pain's cold Rinnegan: "What you saw was Steel Release! Just the beginning! Just the first step!" He waved his arms, as if to tear apart the rain before him, "Chimera Technique, it can devour and fuse, perfectly integrating the power of different creatures and different Kekkei Genkai into one, making it one's own, breaking the shackles of bloodlines, breaking the cage of talent!"

He pointed to the charred wounds on his body, his voice trembling with extreme excitement. "Steel Release! Do you see? This power didn't originally belong to me! I obtained it by absorbing and fusing with a ninja who possessed the Steel Release bloodline limit through the Chimera Technique!"

This body, this once ordinary body, now possesses a defense of steel! And this is just the first one!

He suddenly opened his arms wide, as if to embrace the whole world, his face radiating an almost divine light. "Steel Release is just the foundation! Give me enough resources, enough support! I can integrate even more!"

Swift Release, Dark Release, Storm Release, even Byakugan Sharingan ----"

His voice suddenly rose, carrying a do-or-die determination and ambition. "As long as the conditions are ripe, and the theory is perfected—" His gaze swept almost greedily over Pain's eyes, then quickly lowered, filled with extreme fanaticism and awe, "Even your eyes could—no! They are inevitable! The ultimate goal of the Chimera Technique is to gather all bloodlines into one body, becoming a truly perfect god, transcending the mortal realm!"

Pain's eye twitched slightly.

God?

A disdainful smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, but he offered no objection.

Having ideals is good. Having ideals gives you motivation, and that's exactly the kind of talent organizations need.

"I approve of your research."

Pain's tone was indifferent, but his words Hiruko immense joy. The recognition of his research by others was something he was more pleased with than any increase in his strength.

"But your strength still needs improvement. Akatsuki doesn't tolerate useless people. The organization will fulfill the conditions Konan promised you before, but within six months, we also need to see you fuse a second Kekkei Genkai. This is how we demonstrate your value."

With that, Pain took out a ring marked with the word "empty" and tossed it over.

"This is a ring that every official member of the organization possesses. It bears your code name. By connecting your Chakra the ring, you can find out its purpose."

Hiruko and took the ring, eagerly putting it on the little finger of his left hand, his Chakra extending to explore the ring's function.

Before Pain could finish speaking, he glanced at Kakuzu, who was resting to the side, and then at Hiruko, who was still fiddling with his ring. This combination seemed pretty good.

"Next, Kuuchin, you will partner with Hokuto (Kakuzu) to complete the tasks assigned by the organization in the future. You can arrange your own free time."

After saying that, without Hiruko's reaction, he returned directly to the base, and Konan, Obito, and Zetsu also left.

Hiruko was stunned for a moment before he realized that Kuuchin was referring to him.

He had just noticed that everyone was wearing the same style of ring on different fingers.

The only one left on the field, the one who fought him, has a ring marked with the North on the middle finger of his left hand. It seems that Hokuto is him.

Hiruko was a man who was willing to lose face, and immediately stepped forward to befriend Kakuzu.

Kakuzu already had reservations about partnering with Konan, mainly because Konan worked too hard and was taking up his time to make money.

Now look what's happened! A guy with no experience and who can't even beat me has arrived. From now on, I'll be in charge of this team.

With this in mind, he rarely showed a chilling smile and began to talk to Hiruko quite enthusiastically, introducing him to Akatsuki's situation and benefits.

Meanwhile, Pain led the way, heading back to the base. He didn't care how Kakuzu and Hiruko would get along; as long as the two could complete the tasks he assigned, he would acknowledge their identities.

Otherwise, he wouldn't mind replacing them with new people.

Behind him, a familiar sound of footsteps approached. Pain continued walking, but noticeably slowed his pace.

In just a few breaths, Konan caught up from behind.

"Nagato, how have you been lately?"

Konan and Pain walked side by side, and now that they were alone, she put aside her official duties and immediately inquired about Nagato's health.

"Don't worry, it's the same as always. I won't die easily before we achieve our goal."

Nagato, who was controlling Pain, spoke to Konan with a gentle tone.

Konan inquired about Nagato's recent situation before changing the subject to official business.

"Just before I arrived, I thought I heard that Madara was angry. What happened? He usually seems so confident of victory."

"Heh, you came back in a hurry. You probably haven't received the news yet. Our intelligence officer has really done a big job."

Then Nagato recounted the foolish things that Juegan had done.

"The Akatsuki is currently the target of everyone's attacks. I think we may have to remain silent for a while, wait for this storm to pass, and then take action again."