However, there was also Aoki's ambition to become stronger by fighting tough people out there.
But there was another reason behind Aoki's help for Kurisu. Aoki wanted to ensure that Kurisu and her group would be part of Aoki's grand plan—to form a mercenary group that Aoki would establish. This group would not only be a tool for survival but also the first step to carving a name in the Shinobi world.
"So, what is your real goal?" Kurisu asked, her voice trembling. "You've helped me a lot. In fact, because of me... you ended up seriously injured like this, unconscious for ten days."
"What? Ten days!" Aoki exclaimed, struggling to believe what he had just heard.
Kurisu nodded slowly. "Yes, you were unconscious for ten days. We were really worried."
Aoki fell silent, trying to process that information. Aoki knew his body was extraordinary due to his training in Senjutsu, which gave him rapid healing and recovery abilities. But the fact that Aoki remained unconscious for ten days made him realize something.
At this moment, Aoki was still too young. Too weak.
Just to take down eight Jonin in a short time, Aoki had to push himself to his limits. And as a result, Aoki almost lost everything. If additional enemies had appeared, and if Kurisu and her group hadn't been there, Aoki would surely have been dead.
That thought hit Aoki like a massive wave. Aoki remembered geniuses like Kakashi, the figure of Minato with extraordinary talent, as well as the Five Kage from the Five Great Nations, then the Jinchuriki, and even members of the Otsutsuki Clan.
Compared to them, Aoki was just a tiny grain of sand in the ocean of power in the Shinobi world.
However, that feeling of weakness did not make Aoki despair. On the contrary, Aoki felt increasingly confident in his ambitions. Where Aoki needed to build a strong army, a mercenary group like Akatsuki.
But unlike Akatsuki, which was obsessed with the destruction of the world, Aoki's group would be more normal—a force capable of shaking the foundations of every major group in the Shinobi world without causing unnecessary chaos.
Aoki was determined. He then looked at Kurisu with a confident smile, making the girl confused by that gaze.
"What's wrong? Why are you smiling like that?" Kurisu asked, a bit puzzled by Aoki's steady gaze.
Aoki just shook his head slightly and said, "It's nothing. Just thinking about something."
"Anyway, you owe me something. So, in return, you and your entire group have to be part of the mercenary group that I will form." Aoki said with a wide smile, his tone sounding light yet full of confidence.
"What?" Kurisu was stunned, looking at Aoki with a confused and disbelieving expression.
"Why? Aren't you in debt to me? So, in return, you have to be part of my group, including all your subordinates." Aoki repeated casually, his smile not fading at all.
"... Have you forgotten? We are being hunted by the entire Black Market! How could we possibly be part of the mercenary group you are planning?" Kurisu replied with an annoyed tone, her eyes glaring sharply at Aoki.
"All of that can be solved by using masks! That way, no one will recognize you," Aoki said confidently, as if the problem was trivial.
"Even with masks, it's not as easy as you think..." Kurisu shook her head slightly, looking confused about how to respond.
"Don't worry! I guarantee you all will be fine. In return, you will become stronger and have a very good income!" Aoki tried to persuade Kurisu, his optimistic smile never fading.
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