Chapter 80: The Second Sacrifice—Fear Beyond Death!
After tying Uchiha Tsukasa to the cross, the Jashin Cult leader quickly turned and left, walking to the edge of the blood pool where he began forming hand seals.
"When Gods Bleed—what is that?" Tsukasa was stunned, confused.
Hidan, who was hanging on the cross nearby, frowned and said:
"I know about this. It's the highest-level ritual of the Jashin Cult. It requires torturing one hundred young women and one thousand living people, with their suffering sacrificed to the Evil God."
"Using extreme pain to bargain for power from Jashin-sama."
Tsukasa frowned and turned to look at his surroundings.
On the crosses nearby, people with haggard faces had been tortured to the point of losing all awareness—it was unclear whether they were even still alive.
"That doesn't make sense. You said they're sacrificing pain to Jashin, but these people look completely numb. How can they possibly feel any pain?"
Tsukasa asked, surprise evident on his face.
"So what, your cult can store pain?"
"Torture first, then cash it in later? What kind of twisted system is that?"
"Hey, that's enough! I'm not a member of the Jashin Cult!" Hidan protested, his lips curling in dissatisfaction.
The hellish scene surrounding them was so shocking that he couldn't help but fall silent.
If achieving peace in the Land of Hot Water required this kind of price, then what was the difference between those who committed such acts and the ninja from the great nations who ravaged the Land of Hot Water?
Hidan suddenly raised his head, frowning as he explained to Tsukasa:
"However, the Jashin Cult's sacrificial rituals do inflict pain in exchange for Jashin-sama's pleasure and the subsequent granting of power."
Tsukasa looked at Hidan, his eyes sharp with understanding.
"You seem to know an awful lot about this."
"What the hell is that look for? I read it in a book!" Hidan roared indignantly.
"What kind of book explains the inner workings of a death cult this clearly?" Tsukasa shook his head, unsure how to respond, so he continued.
"But if what you're saying is true, it can only mean one thing—"
Tsukasa's tone dropped ominously.
"A sacrifice has already been completed here."
"Which means... there's another one coming."
The two exchanged glances, taking in the oppressive silence surrounding them and the expressions of the victims frozen in agony on the crosses. They fell quiet, a wave of dread filling their hearts.
"Another sacrifice..." Hidan raised his head, frowning deeply. He glanced around, realizing that aside from the two of them and the massive Jashin Cult leader, there were no other living creatures capable of making any sound.
Tied to the cross while desperately trying to gather chakra, Tsukasa turned his head and looked at Hidan. He couldn't help but ask:
"Hidan, have you been screaming a lot?"
"What? What are you talking about?" Hidan glared at him.
"Look around."
Tsukasa grinned, giving a dry laugh. "No need to guess who the sacrifice is—it has to be us two."
"But I'm a true shinobi!"
"A ninja who wouldn't cry out even with a blade through his gut. A man who can endure the pain of hell itself!"
"So the pain required to sacrifice to Jashin... probably has to come from you."
Tsukasa's tone darkened, his eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at the cult leader who was preparing the ritual. He asked quietly:
"Are you mentally prepared for what's coming?"
"What did you say?" Hidan was stunned, not understanding Tsukasa's meaning.
Tsukasa shook his head, his eyes growing colder. He said nothing more, only working harder to draw even a trace of chakra from his depleted reserves.
If his theory was correct, then what was about to happen would be far too cruel for Hidan.
A thousand-person sacrifice had already taken place.
And the second ritual that would soon begin would surely inflict even greater and more intense suffering to appease the Evil God.
Tsukasa had initially wondered what kind of torture could have transformed the seemingly normal Hidan into the masochistic, death-obsessed fanatic he would become.
Now, as the clues converged, the true nature of this ritual was gradually being revealed.
This would be a sacrifice of terror and agony—a sacrifice that transcended the very limits of death itself!
The bloodshed of gods. Fear beyond death's threshold!
A sacrificial ritual to attain true immortality!
Tsukasa's only thought was to end this tragedy!
To rewrite the future!
In the ruined castle—
An elderly man in a dark robe landed on the ground, leaning on a cane. His gaze swept across the devastated battlefield, and his brow furrowed with slight disappointment.
Beside him, White Zetsu twisted his body, creating a Spore Clone that dove into the ground to observe the situation within the cavern.
"Madara-sama, that kid is still alive in the underground caverns. Do you want me to keep monitoring?"
Uchiha Madara shook his head and said calmly:
"No need."
"I was intrigued at first, but now I'm certain."
"That boy has death in his eyes. He's throwing himself into this battle deliberately, seeking to die."
"He's glimpsed the truth of this world and understood the futility of the cycle of suffering."
White Zetsu asked curiously, "Isn't that even better?"
"It's remarkable! At such a young age, he possesses the same perspective as Madara-sama."
Uchiha Madara shook his head, somewhat disappointed.
"No, quite the opposite."
"At an age when one should still believe in hope, he's already comprehended the darkness of this world—yet he hasn't gained the power to sever the chains of fate."
"His only option is to escape."
"Until the day there's nowhere left to run."
Madara frowned, his thoughts churning. He was certain this boy possessed the potential to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.
When that day came, he would either awaken it—or simply die.
But trying to manipulate someone who was actively seeking death would be like trying to leash the wind. It was simply too troublesome.
He didn't have much time left.
"Sometimes, being too perceptive isn't a blessing."
Uchiha Madara shook his head and walked into the shadows.
From a distance, he issued a final order:
"Zetsu, implant your Spore Technique in that brat. If necessary, you can provide him with chakra."
White Zetsu stood there, bewildered.
What exactly did Madara-sama have planned?
At the entrance to the Jashin Cult's headquarters—
Seiichiro stood before the gate, his eyes trembling with overwhelming emotion.
Massive destruction marks, shattered walls, and toppled towers lay before him.
And blocking his path, dozens of the Jashin Cult's elite members stood ready for battle.
Carrying a massive scroll, Uchiha Seiichiro clenched his teeth, his eyes wide with rage, his jaw and entire body trembling violently.
"It's okay. It's okay. I can do this."
"I have the Sharingan. Before these eyes, these people are nothing but trash!"
Seiichiro encouraged himself and took a difficult step forward.
One step. Two steps. Three steps. Countless steps!
Until he broke into a full charge!
The wind whipped through his hair, and his fearful eyes transformed into something sharp and determined.
His hands flew through seals, and his Sharingan spun rapidly!
"Kill him! Ninjutsu barrage!" A group of elite Jashin Cult members surged toward him, roaring orders.
Facing the overwhelming assault, Seiichiro strode forward, his eyes blazing:
"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"
End of Chapter 80
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