35. Grouping

The Masked Man couldn't help but freeze slightly, looking up at Chen Xiaoxi's leisurely retreating back.

What did he mean?

Would he be surprised by their fight?

He had already seen Itachi Uchiha get instantly defeated, so how could he possibly be surprised by such a small matter?

The Masked Man let out a breath without a trace, his mind beginning to ponder.

Tsk...

This kid Chen Xiaoxi, as always, was like a mist, impossible to see through.

If it weren't for White Zetsu constantly monitoring this guy, I would have almost suspected that this guy had secretly gone to Konoha to put on a show...

That's right.

White Zetsu's surveillance.

The Masked Man had of course never given up his suspicion of Chen Xiaoxi.

In fact, a long time ago, he had already arranged for several White Zetsu to disguise themselves as residents of Amegakure, thereby conducting meticulous 24-hour surveillance on Chen Xiaoxi's residence!

And this time, when the Masked Man returned to Amegakure, he immediately took the time to inquire about the surveillance situation.

The result was that—

Chen Xiaoxi had not left his room all night.

All the White Zetsu reported that he only emerged from his room when the Akatsuki meeting was about to begin.

Furthermore, if Chen Xiaoxi had truly left Amegakure privately, he would have already been detected by Pain's Rain Tiger at Will Technique.

There was no need for further verification.

Unless... this guy with the Golden Eyes possessed a space-type ninjutsu similar to his own, it would be absolutely impossible to travel to Konoha without being discovered.

However, in reality, during the few months since Chen Xiaoxi joined the Akatsuki, the Masked Man had secretly observed him countless times.

He had already been able to basically conclude, That his ocular jutsu, named [Wicked Eye of the Tyrant], did not contain any space-type skills.

Therefore, Based on these facts, Obito had finally gradually given up his suspicion of Chen Xiaoxi.

Although it had to be said that the Fox Ghost and Chen Xiaoxi were both eerily powerful, their styles were indeed vastly different.

They were indeed two completely different existences.

The Masked Man's gaze flickered slightly.

Then, he silently stepped forward to follow.

He didn't really pay much attention to the mysterious words Chen Xiaoxi had just spoken.

After all, he had known for a long time that this guy was a complete riddle-teller, who loved to say things that interfered with people's thinking.

At this moment, Obito was thinking, Perhaps, when he encountered the guy with the Fox Ghost Mask again in the future, he wouldn't have to worry about not having a henchman...

However, At this moment, he did not know—

That on a certain day in the future, He would recall Chen Xiaoxi's words from today.

Because at that time, He would personally witness the moment Chen Xiaoxi put on the Fox Ghost Mask.

"The person who injured Itachi has already escaped."

This was the first thing the intern Tobi said upon returning to the cave.

It could be seen.

His mood seemed very dejected, far from the excitement he had before, his head constantly drooping.

And the members of the Akatsuki in the cave, upon hearing this news, They immediately looked at each other in dismay.

"That's it?"

The person they had just said they wanted to capture had escaped in such a short time?

Juzo Biwa and Fujii beside him immediately showed expressions of disappointment.

Kakuzu's gaze sharpened, and with his arms crossed, he glanced at the Masked Man before indifferently spitting out a few words.

"Tsk, boring trick."

Orochimaru, standing to the side, had a flickering gaze, lost in thought.

But at this moment, Heavenly Path Pain, Konan, and Itachi were all filled with surprise and doubt.

After all, only they knew the Masked Man's true abilities. By all rights... he shouldn't have let anyone escape.

Had something gone wrong in the process?

After a moment of silence, Heavenly Path Pain set aside his thoughts and spoke indifferently:

"Since that is the case, then let us put aside the topic of the enemy for now."

"We will now officially begin Akatsuki's first grouping meeting."

"Everyone, follow me."

As he spoke, Heavenly Path Pain turned and walked into a deeper cave.

Clearly, that was the location for the most confidential meeting.

Chen Xiaoxi and the others immediately followed him in.

The Masked Man, wisely, stayed put and did not follow.

After all, his current status was merely an intern, and he was not qualified to participate in the meeting.

Upon entering the cave, Chen Xiaoxi immediately saw a gray behemoth situated in its center.

Its appearance was ferocious and ugly, and its size was immense.

It raised its hands, extending ten fingers, and assumed a strange posture as if begging for favor.

It remained still, seemingly devoid of any life force.

The moment he saw it, Chen Xiaoxi's gaze flickered.

The other Akatsuki members might not have known what this thing was or its purpose.

However, he knew perfectly well.

This was the husk of the Ten-Tails, a special existence known as the "Outer Path Demonic Statue."

Chen Xiaoxi looked up, gazing towards the top, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

He hadn't expected this thing to be considerably larger up close than he had imagined.

Just then, A familiar prompt sound suddenly echoed in Chen Xiaoxi's mind—

"Ding! Congratulations to the host, side quest complete!"

"Observed the Ten-Tails husk, the Outer Path Demonic Statue, up close (1/1), mission accomplished! Reward: Reiatsu +1000, Mall points +100!"

"Hmm?"

As the prompt faded, Chen Xiaoxi's expression shifted, and a surprised smile appeared.

This works too?

He got a reward just by looking at it twice?

And there are even mall points?

After a moment of astonishment, Chen Xiaoxi instantly understood.

It seemed that ever since the System Shop was unlocked, all future side quests would likely come with a certain amount of point rewards.

This isn't bad; it saves me from having to specifically do extra tasks to earn money later...

I can also start considering buying items from the system's shop.

Just as Chen Xiaoxi was pondering, Heavenly Path Pain's voice rang out.

He swept his gaze over everyone expressionlessly before speaking indifferently:

"From today onwards, Itachi Uchiha will officially join Akatsuki."

"He will be our comrade and act together for our future world conquest plan."

"However, here..."

"I need to remind everyone once more."

"Akatsuki's absolute prohibition: members are strictly forbidden from any private fights or malicious attacks against each other."

"Violators will be deemed Traitors of Akatsuki, expelled from the organization, and hunted by all members of Akatsuki!"

"Do you all understand?"

As he spoke, Pain's gaze seemed to intentionally or unintentionally drift towards Orochimaru, who stood nearby.

"?"

Sensing the look, Orochimaru's expression flickered. He immediately withdrew his thoughts and chuckled sinisterly.

"My, my, this is truly strange..."

"Why does it feel like the Leader is speaking to me when he says that?"

"Don't worry,"

"I won't be foolish enough to do something like that."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Pain slowly withdrew his gaze and said indifferently, "It's best if you don't."

Then, he continued, "Next—"

"It will be the Akatsuki's first official team assignments."

"These will likely be the partners you'll be working with for a long time to come."

"So, please be sure to remember—"

"Team One will be myself and Konan."

"Team Two, Kakuzu and Fujiwara."

"Team Three, Itachi Uchiha and Juzo Biwa."

"Team Four, Orochimaru and Zetsu."

"Team Five, due to a lack of members, will temporarily... be Chen Xiaoxi alone."