Why Attack Orochimaru? To Show Off Our Muscles!

With the boost of over 3,500 terrifying power attribute points, the Leaf Whirlwind taijutsu, which had undergone a qualitative change, was even more powerful than before.

"Whoosh—"

As Xuan Yu kicked out, a large swathe of white airflow suddenly surged, forming a small, rapidly rotating hurricane that engulfed Orochimaru!

Orochimaru, caught off guard, suffered the same fate as Kakuzu before him, being swept away by the whirlwind Xuan Yu's kick had generated and sent flying backward.

Attacked for no apparent reason, Orochimaru was both shocked and enraged. He roared, "You're asking for death!"

Before his voice even fell, his arm twitched violently.

"Shadow Snake Hands!"

Instantly, a large number of dark brown snakes surged from Orochimaru's wide sleeves, lunging and biting at Xuan Yu with ferocious intent.

"Swish! Swish! Swish!"

Xuan Yu's figure flickered three times on the platform, effortlessly dodging Orochimaru's ninjutsu attack and appearing behind him in the blink of an eye.

Upon appearing behind Orochimaru, Xuan Yu didn't press his advantage to strike a fatal blow. Instead, he said with a playful grin, "Brother Snake, it was just a joke. Don't get so angry."

Orochimaru let out a cold snort, his killing intent palpable.

Xuan Yu's previous series of movements had showcased both speed and power, nearly taking him down on the spot. He even suspected Xuan Yu might be an elite ANBU from Konoha, sent specifically to hunt him.

He was just about to use the Shadow Snake Hands on his left arm to entangle Xuan Yu's limbs and then spit out the Grass Cutter Sword from his mouth to aim for Xuan Yu's throat, completely subduing him before anything else.

However, before Orochimaru could make a move, Heavenly Path Pain spoke coldly, "Enough!"

As his voice fell, Heavenly Path Pain's indifferent Rinnegan slowly turned towards Xuan Yu, and he asked in a deep voice, "Why did you attack Orochimaru?"

Xuan Yu's initial display of speed and power, along with his showy use of the Leaf Whirlwind taijutsu, was naturally intended to flex his muscles.

If he didn't demonstrate sufficient value, the Akatsuki organization clearly wouldn't bother hiring him.

Of course, Xuan Yu had no intention of admitting that his previous actions were a show of strength.

Hearing Heavenly Path's questioning, he simply replied with a playful grin, "I found Brother Snake very approachable, so I couldn't help but want to say hello."

As Xuan Yu spoke, his eyes were filled with sincerity.

The air fell silent. Heavenly Path, Konan, and the others were left speechless.

Orochimaru was both angry and speechless, feeling like he was about to vomit blood.

Xuan Yu's reason, no matter how you looked at it, was utter nonsense presented with a straight face!

While everyone was still in a state of speechless awkwardness, Xuan Yu spoke again, "Not long ago, Kakuzu found me and invited me to join the Akatsuki. But I'm different from other Akatsuki members. They either agree with the Akatsuki's ideals or have needs that align with each other, which is why they joined.

"As for me, my situation is different from all of them. I have no need to join the Akatsuki. However, if the Akatsuki is willing to offer missions and pay me, a ninja, to serve you, I would be very happy to establish a deep friendship and maintain a long-term cooperative relationship with the Akatsuki."

After Xuan Yu finished speaking, Heavenly Path and Konan were once again rendered speechless.

When she heard Xuan Yu's initial words, Konan was still puzzled. If Xuan Yu didn't want to join the Akatsuki, then why did he come to the Akatsuki's base in Amegakure?

Heavenly Path's mind raced, contemplating whether to use Almighty Push to subdue Xuan Yu immediately.

Fortunately, Xuan Yu soon revealed the purpose of his visit.

After understanding Xuan Yu's intentions, Heavenly Path, Konan, and the rest of the Akatsuki members were stunned.

The Akatsuki was, in essence, a mercenary organization, and Xuan Yu's proposal was for the Akatsuki to pay him, a "mercenary," to serve the organization.

This was akin to joining a mercenary organization in the manner of a mercenary...

Such a peculiar request was unprecedented. If not for the intelligence provided by Kakuzu earlier and Xuan Yu's recent display of strength, Heavenly Path might have immediately taken action to discipline this arrogant brat.

However, at this moment, Heavenly Path Pain had to seriously consider Xuan Yu's request.

After a brief moment of thought, Heavenly Path Pain's indifferent gaze fixed on Xuan Yu, and he asked in a deep voice, "Why should the Akatsuki cooperate with you in your proposed manner?"

As soon as he said this, the atmosphere on the entire rooftop became tense.

The Akatsuki members closed in, as if they would immediately swarm and capture Xuan Yu if his answer was unsatisfactory.

The sudden increase in oppressive pressure around him seemed to have no effect on Xuan Yu.

He yawned and casually held up three fingers, "First, my strength is no less than that of other Akatsuki members, and my background also meets the criteria for joining the Akatsuki. Cooperating with the Akatsuki as a mercenary will genuinely contribute to the organization's development and the advancement of its plans."

Heavenly Path Pain frowned slightly, "Continue."

He didn't deny the first point Xuan Yu made—his frown was merely due to Xuan Yu's seemingly excessive knowledge of the Akatsuki.

A sense of unease inexplicably arose in Heavenly Path's heart.

This brat before him seemed to view the Akatsuki as if it were a transparent glass tank, with no secrets whatsoever.

Yet, the Akatsuki's security was always stringent, and acquiring so much insider information should have come at an unimaginable cost.

After Heavenly Path prompted him, Xuan Yu lazily continued, "Second, I am a genius ninja myself, possessing incredible ninja talent and growth speed."

However, before Xuan Yu could finish his second point, Heavenly Path interrupted him.

"Stop right there! According to the intelligence we have, you are merely a civilian Uchiha with no ninja talent. Not only is your talent abysmal, but you haven't even awakened the Sharingan that the Uchiha clan prides itself on."

"The abilities you displayed just now were also based on your own fundamental strength, speed, and taijutsu."

Heavenly Path's words finished, and Xuan Yu was immediately displeased.

He waved his hand and said to Heavenly Path, "Brother Men, your intelligence is wildly inaccurate! I didn't show ninja talent in the Leaf Village because I keenly sensed the irreconcilable conflict between the Leaf Village's various clans and the Uchiha Clan. The entire Leaf Village is a giant barrel of gunpowder, ready to explode at any moment.

"To successfully defect from the Leaf Village, I've been pretending to be like a commoner Uchiha with no talent. Why don't you ask Kakuzi? He'll tell you how strong my talent is and how fast I grow."

As soon as Xuan Yu finished speaking, Heavenly Path and Konan exchanged a glance.

Even Konan felt at this moment that Xuan Yu knew far too much about the Akatsuki's internal secrets.

Xuan Yu had actually called Heavenly Path Pain "Brother Men" directly, which clearly implied he had likely seen through Pain's secret.

Heavenly Path Pain turned his head to look at Kakuzu, hoping Kakuzu could confirm Xuan Yu's claims about his ninja talent and growth speed.