"What's with all that weird talk?!" Jashin Cult jonin took two steps back, then, flushed with anger, waved his hand. "All of you—attack!"
"Just a few brats!"
At his command, the cultists behind him surged forward like a tide.
He himself, however, stayed in the back, hands flashing through seals.
"Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu!"
Seeing this, Seisui drew his blade fully, tapped his foot against the ground, and vanished from sight.
In the blink of an eye, he appeared behind the charging cultists.
He didn't even look back—his sword slid smoothly into its sheath.
Click.
As the blade settled into place, a burst of crimson sprayed from the necks of the cultists behind him.
"I told you—before me, you're like mayflies before the heavens."
Seisui turned slightly as he spoke, his tone calm, almost casual, as if describing something trivial.
Meanwhile, Jashin Cult jonin hiding underground through his Earth Style jutsu stared upward in horror.
"Damn it—this brat's supposed to be a chunin?!"
That was the effect of the Headhunter Jutsu—hiding underground, pulling targets below the surface, leaving only their heads exposed.
"When I get out of here, I'll tear your skin off and break every bone you've got!" the jonin thought furiously.
But he never would.
The five cultists who had been carrying message scrolls were among those Seisui had slain instantly.
And now, it was his turn.
Seisui glanced down at the ground, then brought his hands together. "Water Style: Hidden Mist Jutsu!"
This was a modified version of the Water Prison Jutsu—the first water technique Jiraiya had taught him. Though weak in attack and defense, it could convert his water chakra into dense mist.
Originally, Seisui had used it to complement his decapitation techniques.
But now that he'd mastered Sage Mode, he could manipulate chakra freely to form mist—vastly denser and wider than before.
It wasn't particularly useful these days... but right now, it was perfect.
Just like with his water-based assassination jutsu—once enemies were enveloped by his mist, he could condense it into flowing water to restrain them.
"Damn brat!" Jashin Cult jonin realized the danger and decided to gamble everything.
"Get down here!"
Two hands burst out of the ground, trying to drag Seisui under.
But the moment the hands touched him, the jonin felt moisture gathering around his wrists—then his arms refused to move.
"What—what is this?" He frowned, trying to pull back, but couldn't.
"Not coming out?" Seisui glanced down at the hands bound by flowing water, a faint smile curling his lips.
"Then die down there."
As his words fell, the thin mist surrounding him thickened instantly, turning into droplets that fell to the ground—seeping into the soil, soaking it through.
Uchiha Haru hesitated. "Isn't this… a bit troublesome?"
"Yeah," Seisui rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Takes a bit of time."
"I'll do it." Haru stepped forward, drawing his blade. "Let's end this quickly—I want to rest."
"Alright." Seisui nodded and stepped aside.
Haru glanced down at the two hands sticking out of the ground, drew his sword, and charged lightning through it.
The black blade crackled with blue-violet arcs of electricity, making Seisui blink in surprise.
"This is…"
"I've channeled Chidori through my sword—it can paralyze enemies and increase cutting power," Haru explained coolly. "Chidori works well with the Sharingan."
He stabbed downward between the hands.
Blood oozed from the ground.
Seisui rubbed his chin, not surprised by the lightning coating itself—but struck by how familiar that sight felt.
Like he'd seen it somewhere before.
As blood seeped through the damp earth, Minato stepped closer. "Should we report this to Hokage-sama?"
"I remember seeing that this mission had already been taken once—those ninja might be the ones who disappeared."
Seisui nodded. "Send a toad to tell Jiraiya-sensei."
"He'll handle it."
Minato nodded, summoning a messenger toad.
Meanwhile, Seisui grabbed the trapped cult jonin by the wrist and yanked him out of the ground.
Since Seisui had been baiting him deliberately, Haru hadn't struck a vital point—just the shoulder.
Far away, in the cult's mountain stronghold, the High Priest sat on a raised seat, flanked by his left and right guardians. Dozens of black-robed followers knelt below.
"Why hasn't Jinzo returned yet?!"
"He was only facing four chunin!"
"Did he betray us?"
"The ritual's about to begin—if he doesn't come back soon, he'll miss it!"
"Silence."
The High Priest's voice was calm and cold, but it cut through the noise like a blade.
"We'll wait a little longer. If Jinzo still doesn't return, we proceed with the ritual."
"Yes!" the followers chorused.
"High Priest," murmured the left guardian, "could Jinzo have defected? If he reveals Lord Jashin's plans—"
The High Priest shook his head. "Jinzo's loyalty to Lord Jashin is absolute. He likely ran into unforeseen trouble. After the ritual, you'll lead a team to investigate."
"Yes."
Jinzo—one of the three Jashin Cult jonin, alongside the left and right guardians.
No one knew the true power of the High Priest.
Back at the battlefield, Seisui stared coldly at the captured Jinzo.
"Talk. Why are you kidnapping ninja for sacrifices?"
"Heh… you think I'd tell you?!" Jinzo's pale face twisted into a sneer. "Lord Jashin is beyond your comprehension!"
"Not afraid of death?" Seisui raised a brow.
"Death? Hah! Lord Jashin will guide us to paradise after death!" Jinzo roared, lifting a fist to smash his own skull.
"You'll never get a word out of me—Lord Jashin's glory is eter—"
Before he could finish, his eyes glazed over—caught in Seisui's scarlet Mangekyo Sharingan. His body froze, puppet-like.
Kushina gasped, pointing at Seisui in shock. "Th–that's a Sharingan?!"
Seisui smacked his forehead. He'd forgotten she was there.
"Yeah… somehow awakened it out of nowhere," he said casually.
It wasn't exactly convincing, but what could they say?
If they didn't believe it—well, they could try him.
If they did—great, they could make up whatever reason they liked.
Brushing it off, Seisui turned back to the entranced Jinzo.
He didn't know illusion techniques—but the Sharingan's hypnotic power came built in.
And his Mangekyo could push that power to its absolute peak.
As long as someone looked into his eyes, they became his puppet.
A fitting substitute for lacking genjutsu skill.