Regardless of whether the Five Great Ninja Villages' responses were ultimately correct, compared to the smaller nations and minor ninja villages, their actions were undoubtedly swift and effective.
As cursed spirits began to appear one after another, the ones who suffered the most were actually those small countries with little to no ans of self-defense.
And when a nation's rulers can no longer protect the lives of their people, even greater chaos is bound to follow.
It was precisely at this critical juncture that certain individuals and factions also beca keenly aware of the opportunities hidden within the crisis.
For example, an organization known as Akatsuki began to be hired by so of the smaller countries to hunt down those unknown monsters and help restore stability.
Thanks to their extrely high efficiency, they quickly earned widespread praise.
Then there was another organization—the Jashin Cult—which took advantage of the situation to expand aggressively, amassing large sums of money and countless sacrifices.
Due to its doctrines and propaganda, it even attracted quite a few powerful scumbags to join.
Logically speaking, the expansion of the Jashin Cult should have been a good thing for Hidan.
But in reality, the conflicts between the cult's leader, Takihata, and Hidan only grew more frequent…
---
Inside the base.
Boom!
A gloomy-looking young man with slicked-back gray hair kicked a door to pieces and strode out of the room.
Inside, Cult Leader Takihata was left with an ashen expression, grinding his teeth in fury.
The situation itself was simple enough. Recently, the Jashin Cult had taken in quite a number of new mbers.
Those scumbags with so asure of strength often considered themselves exceptional. Upon arriving sowhere new, instead of keeping a low profile, they would try every ans possible to flaunt their power and status.
Unfortunately for them, their luck was terrible.
Out of everyone they could have provoked, they chose to ss with Hidan.
The veterans naturally watched with schadenfreude, choosing to stand by and say nothing. No one bothered to warn the newcors.
As a result, Hidan sent everyone who ca looking for trouble straight to et Lord Jashin.
That should have been the end of it.
But unexpectedly, among the dead were people whose relatives had been hiding nearby and survived.
That very night, one of them sneaked over and stabbed Hidan.
Although Hidan wasn't injured and imdiately counter-killed the attacker, the incident thoroughly enraged him.
It also made him believe that this new batch of recruits didn't truly believe in Lord Jashin at all—they were heretics!
Unable to sleep, he picked up his bloodstained triple-bladed scythe and went out. Taking advantage of the darkness, he slaughtered that entire group of new cultists.
Not a single one escaped!
Two veteran mbers who tried to persuade Hidan were also dragged down with them.
When Cult Leader Takihata rushed to the scene, what he saw was Hidan, his entire body bathed in blood, devoutly praying to Lord Jashin.
A crowd stood frozen around them—no one dared to make a sound…
Because those who dared to talk back were already lying on the ground.
Takihata was furious at the ti, but what truly angered him—and made him realize the situation was spiraling out of control—was that Hidan had begun to disobey his orders.
In the end, it was Akagi Shinji who stepped in and persuaded Hidan to go back and rest.
From that day on, Takihata noticed that the way people looked at him had subtly changed.
In a den of murderers like this, survival of the fittest was the fundantal law.
If he couldn't suppress Hidan, others would naturally follow suit—and once that happened, no one would obey him anymore.
Yet Hidan was one of only two successful products he had obtained after sacrificing countless lives. Unless absolutely necessary, he didn't want to completely fall out with him.
So, after thinking all night, Cult Leader Takihata decided to talk to Hidan first thing the next day.
After all, yesterday's incident had its causes, and Hidan's poor attitude might have simply been the aftermath of killing too many people.
As long as Hidan was still willing to follow his orders and still call him "Cult Leader," he could forgive everything Hidan had done.
However, Hidan had long since grown dissatisfied with this man.
Bossing him around day after day, ordering him here and there. And the sacrifices offered to Lord Jashin were getting worse each ti.
So-called expansion was nothing more than an increase in numbers.
Power, status, wealth… what use were those things?
Most importantly—
Why should he listen to the orders of a weakling?
He, Hidan, was Lord Jashin's most favored and most devout believer.
Well… perhaps Shinji counted too.
But Takihata was absolutely not Lord Jashin's spokesperson.
Once Hidan harbored such thoughts, the outco of this conversation was all but predetermined.
In the end, the two parted on bad terms.
"Cult Leader…"
"I'm fine. Have soone clean this place up."
When Takihata left, the look in his eyes was filled with bone-chilling killing intent.
He would never allow a killing weapon he personally forged to turn around and devour its master.
Since it refused to obey, then it could only be destroyed.
After all, from the very beginning, Hidan was never the only one…
---
Not long after, inside a secret chamber.
Shinji sat across from Takihata.
"Shinji, what do you think of my proposal? As long as you agree, you'll be the next Cult Leader."
Takihata's expression was exceptionally sincere, tinged with a hint of sorrow and helplessness.
As if he had been forced into this position.
The mont Shinji heard the proposal, he knew it was ti to put his acting skills to the test.
He revealed an expression that was both tempted and troubled.
"I've always treated Hidan as a brother. This really puts in a difficult position…"
"You're unwilling?"
"Cough—what I an is… we need to add more money."
Shinji flashed a bright, dazzling smile.
Since he was a brother, of course the price had to go up. After all, the legendary "Pay More Hero" had built his reputation on this very principle.
Takihata laughed as well. He wasn't afraid of conditions being set.
After all, the reason a lion dared to open its jaws wide was because a lion eats people.
After a long discussion, the two erged from the secret chamber in high spirits.
"Indeed, compared to you, Hidan really is a failed product."
"Please rest assured, Lord Takihata. Leave Hidan to ."
Once they parted ways, the smile on Shinji's face vanished instantly.
If he truly had to choose between the Jashin Cult and Hidan, then his choice was obvious—
The dog.
What could the Jashin Cult offer him?
Nothing more than status and wealth—those tired, clichéd things.
Did such things really matter in this world?
And Hidan?
He was Shinji's bond target, a renewable source of benefits, a living tool that could continuously be harvested to grow stronger.
So was there even a need to choose?
That said, he couldn't make it too obvious.
After all, he already had plenty of experience grinding bond points.
If he directly told Hidan that Takihata was planning to deal with him, it probably wouldn't have much effect.
The whole affair had to be full of twists and turns—only then could it beco a true spectacle.
So Shinji not only deliberately ca to conspire with Cult Leader Takihata, he also agreed to help him deal with Hidan.
And the most brilliant part?
Before coming, he had intentionally piqued Hidan's curiosity and suspicion.
Casting a glance toward the corner, Shinji curled his lips into a faint smile and left as if nothing had happened.
Only after everyone had gone did a figure step out from the shadows—
It was Hidan, who had followed Shinji there!
At this mont, Hidan's face was filled with disappointnt and fury!
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