Kyo thought to himself while openly admiring the view.
Seeing Konan appear here, he had already more or less guessed the situation.
It was very likely that she had specifically come to invite Sasori to join the Akatsuki.
After all, opportunities for the two of them to appear together were rare, and encounters in the desert were even fewer.
Unfortunately, because of his own appearance as an outsider, Sasori had been taken out.
Which was why this scene was now playing out.
At that moment, Konan, floating in the air, naturally had no way of knowing what was going through the mind of the serious-faced young man below.
Her gaze merely rested lightly on Kyo as she spoke without emotion:
"Who are you?"
"To have single-handedly defeated the S-Rank Missing-nin, Sasori of the Red Sand, who was controlling the Third Kazekage puppet?"
"When did the Land of Wind's Sunagakure produce someone as powerful as you?"
Konan spoke with a blank expression.
In truth, the intention behind her words was obvious. Though it sounded like praise on the surface, she was actually probing for information about Kyo.
And Kyo naturally picked up on it, replying with a light chuckle:
"You've probably misunderstood something."
"I'm not from Sunagakure. The reason I fought Sasori was simply because he wanted to kill me."
As he spoke, Kyo spread his hands helplessly.
"..."
Konan's gaze shifted slightly, then she said flatly:
"Then… judging by your attire, you're someone without a home?"
Konan had seen many people dressed in such unusual clothing, most of whom had lost their homes due to war.
"Yeah, something like that."
Kyo scratched his head. He had only recently lost the shelter of his system's hidden territory, so he really did count as homeless.
Hearing Kyo's answer, Konan's eyes flickered. She then raised her hand and said:
"Then, wanderer, would you like to join the Akatsuki?"
"Our organization needs power like yours, and in return, we can provide a safe haven for someone like you."
"...?"
As her words fell, a small question mark practically appeared on Kyo's face.
'What was going on?'
'Was she already starting to recruit me?'
'She didn't even know who I was yet, did she?'
Kyo was inwardly surprised, but upon thinking it over carefully, he suddenly understood.
At this point in time, the Akatsuki was probably still in its early stages, far from the legendary ten-member powerhouse group it would become later.
Its true members were just Nagato, Konan, and the two actors, Tobi (Obito) and Zetsu.
In reality, they didn't have many members who could actually take action. Otherwise, they wouldn't have sent Konan, part of the leadership, out personally to recruit people.
Thinking of it that way, the fact that he had defeated Sasori might indeed make him a target for recruitment…
With this in mind, Kyo couldn't help but fall into contemplation.
Seeing Kyo thinking it over, Konan sensed an opportunity and continued:
"As long as you join us, aside from missions, nothing else will restrict you. You can still do whatever you want."
"So?"
"Someone alone like you should need an organization, shouldn't you?"
Konan spoke persuasively.
Kyo immediately rolled his eyes.
"I feel like you guys are acting like some kind of pyramid scheme."
"But honestly, what you're saying isn't entirely unreasonable."
"I can join."
As his words fell, a glimmer flashed in Konan's eyes. However, the next moment, she heard Kyo say:
"But let's get one thing straight first. What's the pay? Do you provide meals?"
"..."
Konan fell silent.
But right at that moment, a notification sound suddenly rang out in Kyo's mind.
[Ding, congratulations host, the main mission has been completed!]
[Join any organization (1/1). Reward: Shinigami Hollowfication Ability!]
[Shinigami Hollowfication Ability: The host will obtain a perfectly fused Hollow soul, allowing them to easily transcend the boundary between Shinigami and Hollow, entering a Hollowfied Masked state, gaining a comprehensive boost in all abilities!]
As the notification faded,
Kyo's eyes immediately lit up.
'A main mission?!'
It was only then that he vaguely recalled, ten years ago when he first transmigrated, he seemed to have heard the system issue this mission.
But because he had chosen to play it safe and stay hidden back then, he had never paid it any attention.
Who would have thought that today, by sheer coincidence, he would actually complete it!
This was definitely worth it…
If he had joined some organization within one of the Shinobi Villages, he might have had to deal with internal power struggles and schemes.
But within the Akatsuki, he could just blend in and coast along. Plus, he might even complete various side missions and continue to grow stronger…
Kyo looked up at Konan standing before him, a smile involuntarily tugging at the corners of his mouth.