The streets of the Hot Water Village were not wide, and under the afternoon sun, pedestrians were sparse.
Uchiha Shao Yu and Tekka carried their purchased supplies. Their pace seemed normal, but they were actually quietly speeding up, heading toward the secluded direction where the Matsukaze Pavilion Inn was located.
However, before they had gone far, Shao Yu's Mangekyo Sharingan caught several unusual gazes from behind.
The gazes came from within the town, carrying a sticky sensation mixed with greed, scrutiny, and... a certain fanaticism. They were being targeted by a group.
"Lord Shao Yu," Uchiha Tekka noticed as well. He tilted his head slightly, his voice kept extremely low, and his hand had already moved inconspicuously toward the hidden Kunai holster at his waist.
Shao Yu nodded. "Someone is following us. They aren't Ninja; their aura is messy, but there are many of them, about four or five. It started from the moment we left the grocery store."
Shao Yu remained calm, quickly scanning behind him with the corner of his eye.
Several men, dressed in ordinary Land of Hot Springs civilian clothes but with physiques significantly more robust than typical farmers or merchants, were trailing at a distance.
Their eyes flickered, and they exchanged subtle signals. Their pace seemed casual, yet they maintained a consistent tracking distance and angle.
"They aren't from Konoha."
Shao Yu judged quickly. These people's auras were completely different from the well-trained concealment of a Ninja; they were more like local thugs or... Rice Fire remembered that while buying the map, he seemed to have heard the shop owner complain in a low voice that the area near the town hadn't been peaceful lately, and that some "Jashin Believers" were active.
"Lead them away," Shao Yu whispered. "Don't make a move in a crowded place."
The two understood each other perfectly. They didn't return directly to the inn but instead deliberately turned into a secluded path leading to an abandoned mine in the town's back mountains.
This path was rarely traveled, flanked by dense bushes and jagged rocks—a perfect place to solve the problem.
Sure enough, seeing their targets enter a remote area, the four or five followers didn't retreat. Instead, they quickened their pace and quickly surrounded them, blocking Shao Yu and Tekka's way.
Leading them was a fierce-looking bald man with a scar on his face. He sized up Shao Yu and Tekka, grinning to reveal uneven yellow teeth.
"You two look very unfamiliar; not locals, are you? You bought so many things, seems like you've got plenty of grease on you."
He changed his tone, but his voice took on a strange, almost chanting cadence.
"However, money is but a worldly possession. Seeing your extraordinary countenances, I assume you aren't fools. Come with us and pay respects to the Great Lord Jashin! Lord Jashin will grant you immortality and power!"
The several people behind him also chimed in, their eyes reflecting a distorted light mixed with threats and fanaticism.
Jashin? So it really is these things.
Uchiha Shao Yu understood. It seemed the seeds of this Evil God Cult in the Land of Hot Springs already existed at this point in time, and they acted quite arrogantly, daring to forcibly recruit "believers" in broad daylight.
"Jashin?"
Shao Yu spoke calmly, his tone betraying no emotion.
"What if I say I'm not interested?"
"Not interested?"
The scarred bald man's face darkened, and he sneered, "That's not up to you! To be chosen by Lord Jashin is your honor! Come with us obediently and save yourselves some pain!"
With that, he gave a look, and two of his companions reached out to grab Shao Yu and Tekka. Their movements were crude, clearly not taking these two outsiders seriously.
Uchiha Shao Yu didn't even move his feet. He simply looked up slightly, and the Sharingan in his left eye instantly activated! Within that crimson base, strange bands of light suddenly swirled like an abyssal vortex, meeting the gazes of the scarred man and the two reaching for them.
No hand seals, no violent fluctuations of Chakra. It was just a single glance.
The scarred man and his companions froze instantly. The sneers and fanaticism on their faces were like a frozen oil painting, and their eyes quickly became hollow and dull, as if they had lost their souls.
They remained in their lunging or reaching postures, fixed in place like several crude statues.
"Take me to see your so-called 'Jashin,' or to your gathering place."
The scarred man, completely controlled by Genjutsu, had hollow eyes. He nodded mechanically, turned, and walked toward the deeper parts of the back mountain. The other two controlled companions followed mutely.
"Rice Fire," Shao Yu said to the Uchiha Tekka beside him, "Return to the inn first. Tell Renka and the others to pack their gear immediately and be ready to depart at any time.
This place isn't suitable for a long stay. The appearance of these Jashinists and my actions later might draw the attention of the local authorities. I'll head back after I settle this small trouble."
Rice Fire glanced at the several guys walking like living corpses under Genjutsu and nodded immediately without any hesitation.
"Yes, Lord Shao Yu! Please be careful!"
He knew well the power of Shao Yu's Mangekyo Sharingan. Dealing with a few thugs and so-called Jashinists was more than enough. The priority was to ensure the safety of the main group and prepare for evacuation.
Rice Fire didn't delay any longer. Carrying the supplies, his figure blurred as he leapt a few times and disappeared at the end of the path, racing toward the inn.
Uchiha Shao Yu slowly followed behind the controlled believers, the Tomoe in his eyes spinning slightly as he observed everything around him.
The reason he sent Rice Fire away and went alone wasn't due to arrogance. Besides clearing out these annoying flies, he did harbor a sense of curiosity.
The Land of Hot Springs, Evil God Cult... the place that would give birth to the immortal Hidan in the future of the original timeline.
Although according to the timeline, even if Hidan is born now, he's probably just a toddler, or hasn't been born at all.
But what exactly was this "Jashin" that could allow ordinary people to gain strange immortal abilities? Was it some unrecorded ancient Summoning Beast? A collection of negative energy like Moryo? Or a scam concocted by some Ninja or cult skilled in Forbidden Jutsu or curses?
The Uchiha Clan's Sharingan, especially the Mangekyo, possessed unique resistance and understanding of Genjutsu, spiritual power, and even certain Forbidden Jutsus involving the soul.
Perhaps he could take this opportunity to peek into the truth of this Jashin.
If it was just a fraudulent thing, he would wipe it out in passing to avoid it becoming a hidden danger in the future.
If there really was something to it... knowing about it wouldn't hurt. On the path of defection, mastering more unconventional intelligence or power might be useful in the future.
The several believers controlled by Genjutsu, without any awareness, led Shao Yu along an increasingly rugged and desolate mountain path toward a hidden hollow in the back mountain.
In the air, the faint smell of sulfur seemed to be masked by another indescribable scent, carrying a faint fishy and decaying odor.
Deep in the hollow, some crude stone buildings and traces of campfires were vaguely visible. That place seemed to be the stronghold of these Jashin believers.
Uchiha Shao Yu narrowed his eyes slightly. The speed of the light bands in his Mangekyo Sharingan increased slightly, acting like the most precise detector, beginning to fully sense the Chakra and energy fluctuations in the area ahead.
"Jashin... let me see what exactly you are."
Advance chapter available on pãtrêon Got1808