The figure had short orange-yellow hair and wore a black robe patterned with red clouds. As for those eyes...
Itachi was secretly alarmed. The pressure he felt came from those bizarre purple eyes.
The figure spoke slowly. "Akatsuki's goal is true peace in the Shinobi World. Akatsuki will replace the Five Great Nations and rule the world."
"What an ambitious dream."
Itachi appeared perfectly calm, but inwardly, he was shocked.
Kakashi-san had been right. This organization truly harbored enormous ambitions. They wanted to overturn the entire Shinobi World!
"So, we recruit all outstanding ninja, regardless of background or past."
The figure's voice carried no emotional fluctuation at all. To Itachi, he seemed like someone who had long since lost all human emotion.
"Itachi of Konoha, welcome to Akatsuki!"
Konoha Training Ground.
Guy looked at the three exhausted little ones before him, his eyes full of anticipation.
"Come on, little ones! Use every last bit of your strength and let your youth burn!"
"Ah!"
The three little ones roared and each threw a punch at Guy.
"Huh? We actually hit him?" a little girl asked in confusion.
That strange uncle had been so fast just now that none of them could even touch the hem of his clothes. Yet now, all three of their fists had landed on his face?
Guy scooped the three little ones into a hug. "Congratulations! You all passed the test. You're now qualified ninja!"
"Urgh!" The three little ones could barely breathe in Guy's crushing embrace.
Only after a moment did Guy loosen his powerful arms, and all three let out long breaths.
"My name is Might Guy, and from now on, I'll be your Jōnin instructor!"
Guy gave them a thumbs-up, his smile revealing eight gleaming white teeth.
To Guy's delight, one of the