Chapter 13 – The Cult of Jashin
"Captain, what kind of mission do we have today?" Honda Kaori asked, her voice lively and full of excitement.
"This time, our mission is to eliminate the Cult of Jashin," Black Hound replied, his voice low and heavy. "The location is in the Land of Hot Water. It's a heretical organization made up of fanatics who worship a wicked deity. They're nothing but a pack of bloodthirsty lunatics."
"This mission will be far more dangerous than anything we've handled before. Is that understood?"
"Understood!" the four team members answered in unison.
"Good. Then let's move out."
After a full day of travel, they finally arrived at the Land of Hot Water.
"Captain, since we're here... how about we stop by an onsen?" Kaori suggested cheerfully.
"Not a bad idea. Let's take it easy for today," Black Hound nodded.
It didn't feel right to visit the Land of Hot Water without enjoying one of its famous hot springs—and there were always inns nearby.
— — —
Somewhere in a dark room…
"Leader, isn't this operation a little too conspicuous? What if the Hidden Hot Water Village cooperates with other nations' shinobi and attacks us?" a man asked respectfully.
"Hmph. A tiny village like that dares oppose the will of Jashin-sama? Once we find the true Heir of Jashin-sama, we'll offer them all as a sacrifice," the leader said, bloodlust thick in his voice.
"Leader, we've found a child in the Hidden Hot Water Village who might be the perfect vessel to become Jashin's apostle."
"Oh? Then bring me to him immediately!" the leader said, eyes gleaming with madness.
— — —
"Captain, where should we start gathering intel?" Aburame Shisei asked.
"We're heading to the Hidden Hot Water Village. The mission originated from them—they should have at least some information," Black Hound replied.
"Understood. Let's head straight there."
The journey to the village was uneventful.
"Captain, we're almost at the Hidden Hot Water Village," Shisei reported.
"Good. Let's meet with their village head."
At the village gates, they were greeted by an elderly man.
"Welcome. I am Noda, advisor to the Hidden Hot Water Village. It's a pleasure to meet you," the man greeted politely.
"I'm xxx, from Konohagakure. Here's the official assignment document from our village," Black Hound said, handing over a scroll.
"No need for formalities, sir. We trust Konoha completely. Our village head has been expecting you. Please, follow me," Noda said with a smile.
"Before that, Noda-san—do you have any leads regarding the cult?" Black Hound asked.
"To be honest, the information we have is limited. Several children from our village were abducted without warning. The rest… you'll need to hear from our village head directly," Noda replied grimly.
"Noda-jii-san, why would they target children?" Hatake Yusuke asked, brows furrowed.
"Could be to intimidate us... or to destroy the next generation," Black Hound said quietly.
"The Cult of Jashin cannot be allowed to continue. They need to be wiped out," Yusuke said with cold fury.
He subtly glanced at Shisei.
Without a word, Shisei understood and discreetly released a small insect from beneath his collar, which latched onto Noda's robe.
"We're here. The village head is inside," Noda said as he knocked on the door.
"Come in," a tired voice called out from within.
"Village Head, these are the shinobi sent by Konoha," Noda introduced them.
"Thank you for coming all this way. I'm the head of the Hidden Hot Water Village. We sincerely ask for your help," the man said with a slight bow.
"There's no need for formality, sir. We're just doing our job. Please share everything you know," Black Hound said, getting straight to the point.
"The cult consists of people from the Land of Hot Water and neighboring nations. They possess strange curse-related powers. According to reports, they abduct children to use in experiments related to… immortality."
"Immortality?" Black Hound narrowed his eyes.
"Yes… even I'm not sure of the details. But villagers claim to have seen suspicious figures in strange robes near Mount Tenshū."
"Understood. We'll do everything we can to crush the Cult of Jashin," Black Hound declared.
"Then allow me to arrange your accommodations for tonight. If there's any news, I'll contact you immediately," the head said.
"We appreciate it, Village Head," Black Hound replied.
"Noda-san, please guide them," the head instructed.
"This way, please," Noda said, leading the team to a large guest house.
"Whoa, this room's huge!" Kaori and Hyūga Inaka gasped upon entering.
"Please rest here. We've prepared a hot spring as well—it's our village's specialty and perfect for relieving fatigue," Noda said kindly.
"Thank you very much," Black Hound replied.
"I'll take my leave. There are other matters I must attend to," Noda said with a slight bow and left.
— — —
"Captain… I think Noda is suspicious," Yusuke said quietly once the man was gone.
"Oh? Explain," Black Hound said, turning to face him.
"First, he didn't verify our documents. Any trained shinobi would at least check their authenticity. That tells me either he knows you personally… or he simply doesn't care. I'm betting on the second."
"Go on," Black Hound said, clearly impressed.
"Second, when I insulted the Cult of Jashin, he paused—just for a second, but it was there. That reaction was too subtle for an ordinary civilian. He's likely one of them," Yusuke said, tapping into his keen observation skills and sensory training.
"Still not enough to convict," Murakami Shigeno muttered from the side.
"We're not here to find a criminal—we're here to find traces of the cult. Even the smallest suspicion is a clue worth pursuing," Yusuke replied with confidence.
"Well said. Sharp instincts," Black Hound nodded. "Tonight, you and Sun will tail Noda. If anything happens, report immediately—don't act alone."
"Understood," Yusuke and Inaka said in unison.
"In the meantime, I'll head to Mount Tenshū with Nightingale and Bug to scout."
"Understood, Captain."
"Fang, this insect will lead you to the target," Aburame Shisei said.
"Got it. You all be careful," Yusuke said.
— — —
That night, two shadows silently followed a man as he slipped into the woods outside the village.
He's definitely up to something… Yusuke thought, narrowing his eyes.
"Inform the High Priest that our base on Mount Tenshū has been exposed. We must relocate immediately. Tomorrow, shinobi from the Hot Water Village will attack alongside Konoha," Noda whispered.
"We can't relocate yet. A boy named Hidan is currently undergoing the ritual to become Jashin's Apostle. He will gain an immortal body," a robed figure responded with a twisted grin.
"The Apostle of Jashin… Then tell the High Priest to prepare a trap. Let them come—so we can bury them," Noda said, eyes gleaming with fanatic devotion.
"The Cult of Jashin will soon rule the shinobi world," the man in the shadows declared.
As the two cultists vanished into the night, Yusuke and Hyūga Inaka quickly turned back.
— — —
[Ding!]
[Main Quest Unlocked: Annihilate the Cult of the Evil God. Reward: 1 Random Devil Fruit]
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