In the forest, Shinji and Hidan had shed their disguises and were swaggering along.
Although matching wits and courage against thin air was embarrassing, as long as I wasn't embarrassed, someone else would be.
So Shinji refused to mention it.
But as they walked, a figure blocked their path.
"Hey, a good dog doesn't block the road. Get lost!"
Dressed in an Akatsuki Cloak, Pain Deva Path said without a change in expression, "Hidan, originally from Yugakure. You later murdered people and defected, joining the Jashin Cult. Approximately one month ago, you slaughtered every other member of the cult."
A little surprised that the man actually knew him, Hidan abruptly looked him up and down.
"I get it! You want to join our Jashin Cult, don't you?"
"Hahaha, good taste! What's your name, brother? How many people have you killed? Are you willing to worship Lord Jashin for life?"
Inside a tree Konan had disguised with Dance of the Shikigami, Nagato silently lowered the "script" in his hands in the face of Hidan's enthusiastic interruption.
He had only intended to seize the initiative with an opening speech identifying the other man.
He had used the same approach when he appeared to "persuade" Kakuzu to join the Akatsuki.
But who could have imagined that the man would refuse to follow the script and instead try to recruit him first? It left him at a complete loss.
"What's wrong, Nagato?" Konan asked with concern beside him.
"Nothing. It's been too long since I dealt with someone without a brain, so I didn't quite react in time."
After reassuring Konan, Nagato immediately shifted his view back to Pain Deva Path.
"My name is... Pain."
"Followers of the Evil God... Hidan, Akagi Shinji, I now invite you to join on behalf of the Akatsuki."