Chapter 14 – The Annihilation of the Cult of Jashin
[Ding!]
[Please note: this mission will be graded—Rank S, A, or B. Rank S will grant a rare item; Rank A, a common item; Rank B yields no additional reward.]
The system's mechanical voice echoed in Yusuke's mind once more.
"So if I complete this mission perfectly, I get a Devil Fruit... and a rare item too?" Yusuke asked aloud, just to be sure.
[Correct. As long as you earn the highest rank.]
As usual, the system's reply was cold and emotionless.
"Then I have no choice but to go all in. I have to finish this with an S rank."
Yusuke clenched his fist, his heart pounding with quiet resolve. If he really obtained a Devil Fruit, his power would skyrocket.
"For now, let's head back and wait for Captain's squad to report in," he said to Hyūga Inaka, who stood silently beside him.
By the time they returned to the inn, the rest of the team had already regrouped.
"Captain, just as we suspected—Noda is a member of the Evil God Sect, and their main base is located in Mount Tenshū," Yusuke reported without delay.
"Well done," Black Hound nodded in approval.
"We've gathered some key intel as well. The enemy has considerable strength. At least three Jōnin-class shinobi. One is particularly strong, the other two are more or less Tokubetsu Jōnin level. Still, compared to our Jōnin in Konoha, they're barely elite Chūnin."
"Captain, I'm confident I can handle one of them myself," Yusuke said calmly, but with unmistakable confidence.
"I know your abilities," Black Hound replied. "But they've also got about ten Chūnin, a number of Genin, and civilian cultists. We still don't know how powerful their leader is, but I doubt he's any weaker than I am."
"Then we still have a solid chance of wiping them out—especially with the help of troops from the Steam Nation," Aburame Shisei analyzed coolly.
"Exactly. But listen up—I won't be able to protect you on the battlefield. You'll have to watch each other's backs," Black Hound warned.
"Captain, let me handle their lower-level combat unit," Yusuke offered without hesitation.
"Fang, don't underestimate them just because they're from a small country," Black Hound replied sternly. "Even ants can kill an elephant if there are enough of them."
"Don't worry. I have my reasons," Yusuke said, standing firm.
"Very well. You three will go with Yusuke. Keep each other safe," Black Hound agreed, deciding to test just how far the boy's resolve would take him.
His warning earlier hadn't just been a reminder—it was pressure. A necessary weight for young shinobi to carry.
"All right. Everyone, get some rest and be ready by morning."
With that, Black Hound ended the meeting.
That night, Yusuke couldn't contain his anticipation. Beneath his usual calm exterior, his blood was already surging for battle. He didn't just like fighting—he lived for it.
In terms of battle thirst alone, the only one who could compare to him was that man—the Ashura of the Shinobi World, Uchiha Madara himself. A true war-maniac.
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"Move out!"
Black Hound gave the order the next morning.
"Yes, Captain!" the team echoed back in perfect sync.
"I'm Jōnin Kana, from the Land of Hot Water. I'm in charge of this region," a man introduced himself formally. He clearly understood the gap between Jōnin from small nations and those from the Five Great Nations—thus his respectful tone.
"No need for formalities, Jōnin Kana. Let's move," Black Hound replied.
As they traveled toward Mount Tenshū, they encountered neither enemies nor traps. But instead of relief, Yusuke glanced suspiciously at Noda several times.
Even Noda seemed confused—where were all the traps they had prepared?
"Hold up! Enemy ahead!"
A sudden shout came from the vanguard unit.
From both sides of the narrow mountain path, enemies poured out in ambush.
With a swift, clean slash, Black Hound cut down the nearest enemy and immediately charged into the next wave.
Jōnin Kana didn't hesitate either, dashing forward to join the fight. In mere seconds, chaos erupted across the battlefield.
"Yusuke, what do we do?" Shisei asked, scanning their surroundings warily.
"Don't move yet. Leave this batch to the Captain and the others."
Just then, Noda began sneaking away. But Yusuke had been monitoring him through his Observation Haki from the beginning.
"You three—follow me. We're tailing Noda."
Yusuke gave the order, and the team followed in silence.
They trailed Noda until he reached a cave hidden deep in the cliffs. There, a dark figure emerged to meet him.
"You idiot! They've been following you and you didn't even notice?!"
The man—clearly a high-ranking member—scolded Noda furiously.
"V-Vice Leader, I…"
"Silence! You four hiding over there—come out, or I'll drag you out myself!"
So much for stealth.
Realizing they'd been found, Yusuke and the others calmly stepped into view.
"Just a bunch of brats? Fine—seize them!"
About forty cultists emerged from the cave.
"I don't care how many of you there are. You're not stopping me," Yusuke said, voice steady.
His teammates took battle stances without hesitation.
"This fight... I'm going all out. Hold onto your chakra and let me handle the rest."
With that, Yusuke shot forward.
Lightning Style: Multi-Lightning Sphere!
In a blur of motion, Yusuke created and hurled several orbs of crackling lightning toward the enemy.
Earth Release: Earth Wall!
One cultist quickly formed hand seals, raising a barrier of earth to block the attack. It absorbed most of the damage, but several others weren't so lucky—paralyzed by the electric blasts.
"Not bad," Yusuke muttered, folding his arms.
And then—Conqueror's Haki.
He narrowed his gaze.
In an instant, the air trembled. A powerful wave of raw will surged from his small frame, crashing down upon the battlefield.
Dozens of cultists dropped unconscious, unable to withstand the sheer pressure.
Only a handful of Chūnin remained conscious—but even then, their knees buckled, hands trembling, eyes wide with fear.
Yusuke let out a quiet breath.
This ability... was almost unfair. The Conqueror's Haki overwhelmed weaklings effortlessly.
If they were from Konoha, they might've lasted longer, he thought.
"W-What are you?!" the Vice Leader of the cult stared at him in horror.
Yusuke's teammates were stunned. They had no idea what kind of technique he'd just used—but the results were clear as day.
The Vice Leader had planned to reinforce the main sect leader and complete the body transformation of the boy named Hidan—but he hadn't even taken a step before the entire squad had been wiped out.
So fast…
Even Yusuke himself hadn't expected the fight to end this quickly. He'd anticipated a drawn-out battle—that's why he told the others to conserve chakra.
But this?
This was a one-sided massacre.
The Cult of Jashin, once feared, had clearly been exiled from the modern shinobi world. They might have chakra, but their ninjutsu was crude—mostly curse-based, like the Curse Technique: Death Controlling Possessed Blood, which required blood as a medium.
And now? All it took was a single glare.
"You call that sorcery? Pathetic. You have no idea what true power looks like."
Yusuke raised one hand.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
A string of hand seals, and a massive fireball exploded from his mouth, engulfing the helpless cultists.
In seconds, their bodies were reduced to ash.
"You brat...! You'll pay for that!! Offer your soul to Jashin-sama!!"
The Vice Leader screamed in rage, face twisted in madness as he leapt forward with a large double-bladed scythe.
"Close-range combat with me? You're in for a rude awakening."
Yusuke unfurled a sealing scroll—three katanas sprang forth.
Two in his hands. One in his mouth.
Three-Sword Style.
He blocked the scythe's swing with two blades and spun into a counterattack, slashing with the sword gripped in his mouth.
The enemy reacted quickly, intercepting the strike with his weapon.
"You little bastard!!" the man snarled, swinging the scythe again with even more force.
Tch... his strength is increasing, Yusuke thought as his feet slid back slightly.
Each strike was getting heavier.
And the real fight... was only just beginning.
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