36. Proof, Stronger Than Chen Xiaoxi

Chen Xiaoxi was stunned when he heard that.

What was going on?

He was in a group by himself?

Chen Xiaoxi blinked, suspecting he had misheard.

But just then, Juzo Biwa, who was beside him, suddenly spoke, interrupting Chen Xiaoxi's thoughts.

Juzo Biwa frowned, looking at Pain, and said:

"I have a question."

"Since everyone has joined the Akatsuki, it means they are all top-tier experts, right?"

"Why do experts at our level still need to team up for missions?"

"Especially..."

"Making me team up with this newly joined Konoha brat."

As he spoke, Juzo glanced at Itachi Uchiha, revealing an impatient expression.

To be honest, the moment Juzo saw this young man, he immediately felt he didn't like him.

Now, having to partner with such a guy was worse than letting him act alone.

Hearing this, Chen Xiaoxi's expression remained unchanged, but he was inwardly amused.

This guy didn't seem like the one who would take a Tailed Beast Bomb for Itachi in the future...

Just as Chen Xiaoxi was thinking, Pain calmly spoke, saying indifferently:

"It's precisely because you have such thoughts that we need to team up.

"That's right, everyone in the Akatsuki is indeed very strong."

"But, because everyone is so confident in their own strength, it inevitably leads to arrogance."

"And this arrogance is precisely the Akatsuki's greatest weakness."

"Due to their arrogance, they might underestimate their opponents or become too attached to fighting, thus putting themselves in danger and dying."

"Therefore, we need to team up to prevent such situations from occurring."

Having said that, Heavenly Path Pain paused slightly and continued indifferently:

"Another reason is intelligence."

"The Akatsuki exists independently of the various countries in the Ninja World, and intelligence is of utmost importance."

"Therefore, to survive, we must prevent spies from appearing."

"And the model of two people teaming up can allow them to supervise each other for any betrayal of the organization."

"This is the reason."

After speaking, Pain looked at Juzo Biwa and said no more.

At this moment, after hearing these words, Juzo Biwa was rendered speechless and stunned.

Being simple-minded, he hadn't expected that such an ordinary grouping would have so many hidden meanings...

However, even so, Juzo Biwa still seemed somewhat unwilling and suddenly raised his hand, pointing at Chen Xiaoxi, and said:

"Then what about this guy?"

"Why is he acting alone, unlike us?"

"Even if it's due to a lack of manpower, that's too perfunctory. I request to switch with him!"

"Let this Chen Xiaoxi cooperate with that guy from Konoha, and I'll go solo!"

Juzo spoke rapidly.

He directly proposed to switch partners with Chen Xiaoxi.

Clearly, he still seemed to want to act alone, perhaps still traumatized by the group battle of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen from back then...

As soon as his voice fell, Chen Xiaoxi's eyes flashed.

To be honest, after hearing the grouping, he had indeed felt strange...

The Masked Man Obito had always been wary of him and had arranged various White Zetsu to monitor him.

Why wasn't he assigned a teammate to monitor him during the team assignments?

This was truly bizarre...

As if to answer Juzo's question, or perhaps to resolve Chen Xiaoxi's confusion.

At this moment, Konan, who had been silent, spoke.

She slightly raised her eyes, gazing at Juzo Biwa before her with a calm, unruffled expression, and said indifferently:

"The reason Chen Xiaoxi was singled out as a separate team."

"Is certainly not just because of a personnel shortage."

"More importantly, it's because, up to this point, his overall strength is the most comprehensive and strongest within our entire organization."

"Whether it's action speed, destructive power, defensive measures, or combat intellect."

"He is the most top-tier existence."

"It is precisely for this reason that Pain and I decided to let him act alone for the time being."

"And his main mission is to be responsible for providing support to other member combinations at any time, and—"

"To carry out annihilation missions against all enemies of the Akatsuki!"

"?"

Upon hearing this, it wasn't just Juzo, but even Chen Xiaoxi's eyes flickered instantly.

I'm responsible for annihilating all of the Akatsuki's enemies?

This mission doesn't sound simple at all...

They just handed it to me just like that?

Chen Xiaoxi felt a mix of amusement and exasperation.

However, Konan didn't stop, but indifferently looked at Juzo and asked faintly:

"If you want to swap teams with him, that's fine."

"But the prerequisite is that you must prove to us... that you are stronger than Chen Xiaoxi."

"How about it?"

"Can you do it, Juzo Biwa?"

"...Huh?"

The moment he heard Konan's words, Juzo Biwa, who had been so resolute moments ago, suddenly turned pale and let out a strange sound.

Did I hear that right?

What's going on?

They want me to prove I'm stronger than that Chen Xiaoxi?

No, you've got to be kidding me...

How could I possibly win against him?

"..."

Juzo Biwa's expression was strange as he glanced at Chen Xiaoxi.

He couldn't help but recall a past event.

Although he hadn't been in the Akatsuki for long and hadn't gone on missions with Chen Xiaoxi, nor had he seen his strength.

However, Juzo had once been on a mission with Kakuzu.

During that mission, he had personally witnessed the formidable power of the man known as the "Immortal Ninja."

He wielded the powerful secret technique called Earth Grudge Fear, and alone, he could contend with several Jonin, even annihilating them.

Even Juzo Biwa, who hailed from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, had to admit that his own strength... was indeed below Kakuzu's.

But, Not long after.

On an accidental mission, Juzo Biwa encountered Chen Xiaoxi.

He initially thought he was an enemy, but unexpectedly, he was also wearing the exact same Akatsuki Uniform and wore the Jade Ring exclusive to official members.

Juzo Biwa immediately felt disdain.

He questioned Chen Xiaoxi with great surprise, asking why the Akatsuki would let such a brat join.

As a result, Before he could even finish speaking, he saw Kakuzu beside him suddenly change his expression and grab Juzo's arm, forcibly pulling him away.

At that time, Juzo Biwa was naturally bewildered.

What was going on?

The immortal Kakuzu's expression changed just seeing this young man?

When he asked Kakuzu for the reason, Kakuzu let out a huff, his expression indifferent as he spoke:

"Tch, because this guy Chen Xiaoxi... destroyed two of my hearts the very day he joined the Akatsuki."

Upon hearing this, Juzo Biwa was instantly stunned.

He knew full well just how powerful Kakuzu's secret technique, Earth Grudge Fear, truly was.

Yet, that kid with the Golden Eyes named Chen Xiaoxi, who looked so ignorant, had actually managed to destroy two of his hearts?

That was just absurd!

From that point on, Whenever he saw Chen Xiaoxi, Juzo Biwa would basically choose to take a detour, just like Kakuzu.

After all, even though this guy was always grinning and seemed very amiable, He was more ruthless than anyone else when it came to a fight!

A classic example of a reserved powerhouse.