As for world peace and such, Shinnō selectively ignored it. World peace? World peace under the rule of the Akatsuki was still peace. Dressing up one's own goals in a positive light was far too normal.
"I don't like lies and deception. What you say isn't a problem. Join us. I promise that in the peaceful new world to come, there will be a place for you and your Hidden Sky ninja."
"Anyone can talk big, but how can you prove you can actually do it? With your disunited internal affairs, or with your lip service?"
"Gate of View, open!"
As the words fell, Shinnō suddenly erupted with powerful chakra. Green light surrounded his body at the same time, and the immense power within him further boosted Shinnō's confidence.
"See that? This is my power. If you don't even have the ability to face me directly, don't think about recruiting me."
"Eight Gates Released Formation?"
Combining the opponent's display, Konan also recognized the ability the other party was using, but her expression still showed no change whatsoever.
Or rather, this was exactly what she wanted to see. The earlier Shinnō had performed far too ordinarily and didn't look like a particularly formidable ninja. Only now did he qualify to be recruited by them.
After Shinnō displayed his strength, Konan's body also underwent a change. It turned into sheets of paper fluttering in the air, finally condensing into a pair of wings behind her that carried her into the sky.
Although she did not like fighting, Konan also knew that sometimes words alone could not achieve the goal, especially with such untamed individuals.
She was quite familiar with this approach. For example, Sasori had been recruited after a battle, and now Shinnō would be the same.
"Tch, troublesome."
Seeing that after he revealed his strength, Konan remained completely unruffled and even prepared for battle, Shinnō could not help feeling a bit apprehensive inside.
He knew his own level clearly. Although he could open the Eight Gates Released Formation through special medical ninjutsu without years of accumulated taijutsu training.
But he was not skilled in combat. Using the power boost from the Eight Gates to deal with people weaker than him was fine, but to deal with this Akatsuki member in front of him—who clearly had considerable strength—it was probably a bit risky.
"Damn it, if the Zero-Tails were completed..."
"Wait, Konan."
Just as Shinnō was sighing inwardly, another voice suddenly came from the distance. Hearing it, Shinnō immediately turned his head to look. Would this one also be a member of the Akatsuki like the woman in front of him?
Why had he not sensed anything at all? One person was already hard enough to deal with. If another came...
After the owner of the new voice appeared, Shinnō's hanging heart finally died completely. The opponent's Akatsuki cloak already revealed his identity, and those eyes...
Aside from being initially drawn by the same cloak, Shinnō's entire attention afterward was involuntarily focused on the pair of purple eyes with concentric black rings.
"Could this be the legendary Rinnegan? The same eyes as the Sage of the Six Paths."
The newly arrived figure was naturally the Animal Path. While Shinnō was stunned by the Rinnegan, the Animal Path—controlled by Nagato—spoke again.
"Let me introduce myself. I am the leader of the Akatsuki, Pain. From your appearance, you seem to know some things. So, regarding the earlier question, do you think I—we—can accomplish what was just said? Bringing peace to this world."
"If I'm not mistaken, these should indeed be the legendary Rinnegan. If that's the case, I take back what I said earlier. With you, it can indeed be done."
As he spoke, Shinnō also released his Eight Gates state. He surrendered very straightforwardly and was quite perceptive of the situation.
But this was understandable. He was not particularly skilled in combat to begin with. Fighting Konan with the boost of the Eight Gates might still be possible, but fighting the Rinnegan... emm.
Although no hands were thrown, under Pain's gaze, Shinnō felt as if everything about him had been seen through. If they really fought, he feared he had no chance of winning at all.
Moreover, the other side had come here to recruit him, which could be considered valuing him. In the future, they might very well be comrades. Why create unnecessary friction between colleagues?
Yes, that's right. Shinnō quickly found a reason for his rapid change of face.
After recognizing that Pain's eyes were the legendary Rinnegan, the balance in Shinnō's heart tilted again.
What he had just said to Pain was not all flattery; it also reflected his true inner thoughts.
If before he had thought the Akatsuki was just a terrorist organization chasing unrealistic dreams, now he felt it truly had the possibility of realization.
Whether ruling the world or the so-called world peace, after these eyes appeared, neither was empty talk anymore.
Since that was the case, joining seemed like a good choice. After all, the other side had also promised that in the new world, there would be a place for the Hidden Sky ninja.
"Very good. Then I will ask you once more: do you wish to join us?"
"Since the leader of the Akatsuki has personally come to recruit me, refusing now would make me seem ungrateful. Clearly, my answer is only one: I join you."
"Hm."
Neither Konan nor Nagato was surprised by Shinnō's response, but from the other's earlier performance, it was enough to see the shift in his heart. It was just the expected answer.
"Since you've joined us, you're now a member of the Akatsuki. Put this on first."
"Alright." Taking the Akatsuki cloak handed over by Konan, Shinnō did not hesitate. He took it and quickly put it on.
"Then where are we going next? Back to your base first, or is there some mission you need me for?"
After getting dressed, Shinnō did not forget to ask about the next itinerary. As a newly joined member, he knew he needed to show some value.
"For now, there's nothing that needs you. Just follow us for the time being. The Akatsuki operates in pairs. Next, we're going to recruit your teammate."
"Understood."
Shinnō nodded upon hearing this and said no more. In his view, continuing to recruit members was also a good thing. The more combat power, the higher the chance of success in the future.
He just hoped his future teammate would be easier to get along with. He had heard that the people in the Akatsuki were all unruly types—this could already be seen from the earlier action of attacking the daimyo.
Even for Shinnō, such a thing was somewhat unimaginable. If they disliked a daimyo of a great nation, could they just take them out directly? But then again, it was not bad.