"Half a day?! How is that possible? Can someone really be that fast?"
Yukio opened his mouth wide in shock.
The Slug Sage nodded slightly, a trace of emotion in its voice.
"Not only that, that young man was also training in Mount Myoboku, Ryuchi Cave, and Monkey Sage Arts at the same time."
"If he hadn't insisted on cultivating several paths together, he would have been even faster. If he had focused on only one, he could have mastered it in just one hour."
"And he even said that he was never afraid of training in sage arts, shouting that he wanted another one."
The Slug Sage recalled the scene back then, and traces of amazement still remained in its eyes.
Yukio was stunned and couldn't help exclaiming, "Wow! A person like that is practically a monster... no, a genius among geniuses!"
Tsunade beside him was also slightly moved.
She knew a bit about sage arts. Jiraiya had trained for years and was still only half-baked, while a genius like Orochimaru couldn't even learn it.
Among the Sannin, only Jiraiya had barely mastered sage arts, and even he couldn't activate it anytime and anywhere.
The Slug Sage smiled gently. Its voice was mild, yet carried unquestionable certainty.
"Calling him a genius is actually underestimating him. That child... is the most astonishing person I have ever seen."
As soon as it finished speaking, a cloud of white smoke suddenly rose.
Arisu had been summoned to Shikkotsu Forest.
The Slug Sage narrowed its eyes slightly. Just as they were talking about Arisu, he had arrived.
"Dad!"
Yukio's face lit up, and he rushed over excitedly.
"Dad! I learned sage arts! I only needed half a month!"
He raised his head proudly.
"Not bad. That's really impressive."
Arisu smiled and rubbed his son's head.
Half a month was indeed outstanding.
Back then, he had only needed half a day, but Yukio was still young. Being able to master it in half a month already made him one of the best.
In the original story, Naruto had only managed to finish it in one month with the help of multiple shadow clones.
"Arisu... finally remembered to come see your wife? Hmph..."
Tsunade crossed her arms and glared at him with slight dissatisfaction.
She had already taught him the Summoning Technique, but he had never once come to Shikkotsu Forest to see her on his own.
"There were some things these past few days. I went out to investigate Orochimaru's whereabouts.", Arisu explained casually.
"Investigate Orochimaru?"
Tsunade paused for a moment. To be honest, after so many years, she had long since forgotten that former companion.
"Yeah. Minato has officially listed him as an S-rank missing-nin, so he sent me to investigate."
Arisu nodded.
Tsunade suddenly blushed and leaned close to his ear.
"Then do you want to... investigate me too?"
"What do you mean?"
Arisu raised an eyebrow and instantly understood what she meant.
However, Yukio was still in Sage Mode, and his senses were extremely sharp. He heard their conversation clearly.
Blinking in confusion, Yukio asked, "Why does Dad need to investigate Mom? Mom may have been Orochimaru's classmate, but she's such a good person. Does Dad not trust Mom?"
As soon as those words came out, Tsunade's face darkened. She had almost forgotten how sensitive Yukio's hearing currently was.
"Alright, let's go home."
"Slug Sage, we're leaving."
Arisu smiled at the Slug Sage.
The Slug Sage instinctively bowed immediately.
"Come visit when you have time."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
She couldn't help muttering inwardly, "Why does it feel like the Slug Sage treats Arisu like an equal... It was putting on the airs of a sage with me and Yukio just now..."
"Forget it, forget it. It's so hot... I have to make Arisu work hard tonight."
Tsunade didn't think too deeply about it. Her mind was occupied by other things.
———
[At The Akatsuki Base]
"Are you sure that newcomer is reliable? You're sure he's not a spy sent by Konoha?"
The Deva Path Pain looked coldly at "Madara."
Uchiha Obito nodded calmly.
"I conveniently took care of a few Konoha ninja for him, then shifted the blame onto him. Even if he wants to clear his name, he won't be able to."
Hearing that, Pain simply nodded and said nothing more.
"Hopefully the newcomer isn't too weak."
Kakuzu spoke quietly, his voice somewhat hoarse.
Ever since Kinkaku and Ginkaku died, he had joined the Akatsuki in their place and had become one of its veterans.
"So my partner has arrived..."
"Hey?! Leader, are you sure no one followed him? I hope this guy doesn't bring Arisu here."
Juzo Biwa spoke quietly with some unease.
During the last ninja war, one casual attack from Arisu had nearly wiped out the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
He had survived by luck, but with deep fear, he joined the Akatsuki. Even now, he still had lingering fears.
"Relax. I checked."
"And even if Arisu finds this place, so what? He'll just be throwing his life away. Everyone except Sasori is here."
"Besides, Pain's power isn't something those mortals can touch.", Uchiha Obito answered calmly.
This was the Akatsuki's home ground. In a group battle, the few of them could absolutely beat Arisu senseless.
"I am the second Sage of Six Paths. I possess the eyes of the Sage of Ninshu. Those ants are nothing...", The Deva Path Pain also spoke calmly.
'Hard to say...' Kakuzu complained inwardly.
"Hehe...", Tobi also laughed. If the Great Sage came, he would run on the spot.
"Oh my, an Uchiha clan member. The newcomer is your clansman, Madara-sama~"
Tobi said with a playful grin.
Uchiha Obito glanced at him and said in a deep voice, "Be serious, Tobi."
"Understood!"
Tobi immediately dropped his smile and stood up straight.
At that moment, White Zetsu, who looked like a pitcher plant, suddenly spoke, "He's here."
Everyone looked toward the cave entrance at the same time.
A thin young man wearing Konoha Anbu clothes walked in at an unhurried pace.
The dim candlelight cast flickering shadows over his pale face, and his dark eyes were unfathomable.
"Uchiha Itachi of Konoha, welcome to the Akatsuki."
"Our goal is to bring true peace to the entire ninja world."
The Deva Path Pain looked at him, his voice calm and imposing.
Uchiha Itachi remained silent for a moment, then nodded lightly.
"...That's quite a dream."
Pain didn't bother with further persuasion.
All he needed was a sharp blade.
Itachi decisively carved a deep scratch across his forehead protector, symbolizing his complete break with Konoha.
"From now on, you are Uchiha Itachi of the Akatsuki."
Pain casually tossed a ring to him.
"Your codename in the organization is... Vermilion Bird."
"Understood."
Uchiha Itachi caught the ring and silently put it on without saying anything.
"From now on, your partner will be Juzo Biwa."
Pain looked at Juzo.
Juzo nodded calmly.
"Kid, come with me. From now on, I'm your partner."