Chapter 220: The Tragic Death of Hidan
"However, her puppet techniques are indeed exceptional."
Setting aside all the negative impressions, Sasori found himself very intrigued by Hyuga Miyuki's peculiar puppet techniques.
Without the need for chakra strings, she could make puppets move freely, as if they were imbued with sentience, which was astonishing.
If he could capture her, Sasori planned to turn her into a human puppet and thoroughly study this ability.
"I'm getting ahead of myself. I should focus on dealing with her first," he thought.
Sasori glanced at the floor. "Can your leader really help me deal with her?"
A White Zetsu emerged from the ground, grinning. "The Third Kazekage is nothing; for him, it's a piece of cake."
It was true that Black Zetsu had informed Obito about Nagato's restlessness, but Nagato's first target wasn't Uchiha Hikari—it was Sasori of the Red Sand standing before them.
The Uchiha girl was currently along the coast of the Land of Fire, seemingly searching for a safe route to the Land of Water and hadn't shown any intention of leaving the area.
Nagato intended to recruit Sasori first, then proceed to find Uchiha Hikari.
"If it's about recruiting allies, why choose me over that Hyuga ninja?" Sasori remained skeptical, wary of the White Zetsu who had approached him during his moment of crisis.
According to White Zetsu, all rogue ninjas were on Akatsuki's recruitment list. So why not go after Hyuga Miyuki?
Even though the Land of Fire hadn't issued a bounty or rogue ninja alert for Hyuga Miyuki, based on his encounter with her, it was clear that she was the stronger one at the moment.
"That Hyuga girl, according to our information, may be connected to our enemies, so naturally, we cannot assist her," White Zetsu patiently explained, emphasizing the word "enemies." "Moreover, as an S-rank rogue ninja, Lord Sasori should have confidence in his abilities. Compared to a ninja who can control puppets but cannot create them, you are far more valuable."
"Nice words. To you, rogue ninjas are just tools, aren't they?" Sasori sneered, no longer questioning it.
Having killed the strongest Third Kazekage and caused the rapid decline of the Land of Wind, Sasori was quite confident in his abilities.
Temporarily setting aside his doubts, Sasori looked in the direction of the Land of Wind, feeling somewhat conflicted.
Anyone who wasn't blind could see the dire state of the Land of Wind.
Without support from other countries, it was bound to be partitioned. Even if Grandma Chiyo hadn't died on the battlefield, by now, she probably...
Taking a deep breath, Sasori shook his head, burying the matter deep in his heart, and continued preparing to confront Hyuga Miyuki.
It's better to rely on oneself. He hadn't even met the leader of Akatsuki yet, so he wouldn't place much hope in him.
Sasori's gaze shifted to the stone platform behind him, where an old man struggled against his restraints.
His body was covered in burn marks, several kunai deeply embedded in his back, and a large wound on his chest from which blood continually flowed.
Such injuries would have been fatal for any other ninja, but the old man before him still held firm, even finding the strength to curse, "I am the high priest of Lord Jashin. You dare defy me and disrespect the deity? Lord Jashin will punish you!"
"Then let him come." Sasori showed no concern for the man's threats. He approached, smiling with interest. "I didn't expect to find such an excellent specimen here. Your abilities are quite good. I'll turn you into an exceptional human puppet to fight for me."
"Ah!!!"
Beside him, White Zetsu lowered his head as he watched Sasori begin working on the puppet, his gaze sweeping over the floor of the cave, cold and detached.
Corpses lay everywhere, their eyes wide open in death, unable to find peace.
But White Zetsu felt no sympathy for them.
'This small country is quite restless. Even after we replaced the daimyo with our people, there's still this Jashin cult. It's a good opportunity to clean things up.'
...
"So this is the place?"
Hyuga Miyuki followed the trail provided by the underground black market, leading her to the forest outside the village. She blinked, looking a bit surprised.
What was Sasori doing hiding in the forest? A battle here clearly favored her, as she now controlled the Third Kazekage puppet. If the fight were in a town, she would be at a disadvantage.
Thinking this, Hyuga Miyuki's gaze landed on a figure by the roadside, and she walked over to ask, "Is there any place nearby where people live?"
A boy, around ten years old, was idly counting leaves. Hearing her question, he turned to scrutinize the cloaked Hyuga Miyuki, his eyes flashing. "No, normal residents wouldn't pass through this area."
"I see, thank you."
Hyuga Miyuki hadn't expected a helpful answer, so she paid little attention and planned to continue her search.
But the boy's next words made her pause.
"However, our Jashin cult's base is right here," he said with reverence. "If you're willing to join us, I could take you for a look."
"Jashin cult?" Hyuga Miyuki turned to the boy, whose face was filled with reverence, and her expression grew serious.
Upon arriving in the Land of Hot Water, to avoid trouble, she naturally gathered information about the local factions. The Jashin cult, which had expanded greatly due to the war, was one such group that required close attention.
It was a cult centered around slaughter and destruction as its core doctrine.
Their teachings not only promoted violence and annihilation but also viewed them as the only way to get closer to their god. Under such beliefs, the cultists became cold-blooded, viewing life as worthless.
For a long time, the Jashin cult had taken root in the Land of Hot Water. Thanks to the chaotic growth during several ninja wars, even the nobles of the country had at one point accepted its presence, allowing it to develop unchecked.
This spoke volumes about the cult's terrifying influence.
"What's your name? Why did you join the Jashin cult?"
"Hidan." The boy named Hidan looked at her oddly. "Why did I join? Because I wanted to kill people, so I joined. Is that not allowed?"
From his tone, Hyuga Miyuki could sense both mockery and sincerity, her eyes flickering.
So the reason for joining the Jashin cult wasn't to kill, but if it was for killing, then joining wasn't strange? Hyuga Miyuki gave a wry smile, shaking her head at the thought of advising the boy. "I want to see your Jashin cult's base before making a decision. Could you point me in the direction?"
Hidan pointed a direction and watched as Hyuga Miyuki nodded and walked away, sneering.
"Hmph, putting on airs. Clearly a heretic with no faith. Letting someone like that into the cult's base might displease Lord Jashin."
"But it seems like she's looking for that Sasori guy. If they fight, that'd be great. Hopefully, Lord Jashin will forgive me."
When he approached the base earlier, Hidan had already smelled the scent of blood from afar. Based on his experience, he judged that the high priest and the other cultists were likely all dead.
And the only one capable of such a massacre was the Sasori they had invited the day before.
The high priest was foolish to invite a non-believer into their sanctuary, and he suffered the punishment of Lord Jashin for it...
While Hidan sneered silently, the Third Kazekage, shrouded in a black cloak, suddenly appeared before him. Before Hidan could react, the Iron Sand Sword slashed down, cleaving him in half.
In an instant, blood sprayed everywhere.
Ahead, Hyuga Miyuki's face remained indifferent, showing no concern for the commotion behind her.
(End of this chapter)
***
If you wish to read all the chapters of this fic till chapter 381 (where it ends) and support me.
You can go to patreon. com /NahinS77