Ren Uchiha's plan was simple.
Stand up, blend in, betray them at the last second, spam the 'A' button, and then get carried out in a body bag. Against an evil force like this, there was no need for mercy or hesitation. He'd just use a little disguise, trick the cultists into taking him to their headquarters, and then—bam!—he'd break free.
He'd shout: "Freeze! Police!" and naturally, hundreds of cultists with blades would swarm him. Before being hacked to death, he'd strike a pose, activate his Sharingan, and ask coolly: "Do you also wish to dance?"
He'd fulfill his childhood dream of acting like a total badass in front of a crowd while bringing home a massive insurance payout. What could be sweeter? Just thinking about it made Ren's eyes glow like lasers.
His gaze was even more intense than Hidan's, which actually left Hidan feeling a bit confused. Hidan had been worried he'd have to give Ren a pep talk. After all, if the sacrifice worked, you became a zealot of Jashin; if it failed, you just died on the altar. Hidan had tried this with others, but they never cooperated, leaving him to kick them in frustration before letting them go.
Is this the power of knowledge? Hidan wondered, scratching his head. Is Ren trying to steal Lord Jashin's favor from me? He started looking at Ren with a hint of wariness.
Just then—
"Everyone, out." A cold voice drifted from outside.
Hidan straightened his collar like a salaryman going into a big interview and marched out with vigor. Ren narrowed his eyes, tucked the S-Rank scroll into his leg bandages, and followed.
Refugees trickled out from every corner of the ruined village, gathering in the central clearing. Ren was surprised; these people looked far better fed than your average war-torn drifters. No one looked skeletal or starved.
In the center stood three men in high-collared black robes, leather scripture cases strapped to their forearms. At their feet were two large vats. The leader had slicked-back black hair and deep-set, sunken eyes. He scanned the crowd and muttered to his subordinates: "Begin."
They uncovered the vats, revealing bowl after bowl of steaming, cooked meat. The villagers' eyes lit up with hunger. Even Ren was handed a generous bowl.
The leader pulled out handwritten scriptures and raised a hand. The crowd went silent. "God is God," he began, his voice echoing. "But before we discuss that, let's talk about where the leaders of this land fail compared to Him."
He launched into a thousand-word "bible" rant, listing the "Seven Deadly Sins" of the Great Nations, the Hot Springs nobles, and the Yugakure ninjas. He even listed how many concubines the Daimyo had. Ren found himself nodding off, while Hidan and the villagers were fired up, ready to march on the capital and swap the Daimyo's head for a new one.
After the sermon, the leader took a sip of water and said coldly: "Present the sacrifices, and then you may partake in the Holy Meal."
The villagers prostrated themselves, shouting: "Thank you, Messenger of God!"
A woman stood up fervently, pulling a small girl named Yuko forward. "Go, Yuko. Follow the masters of the cult. That way, our family will have endless meat to eat."
Yuko stood frozen until she was about to be handed over. She suddenly gripped her mother's kimono sleeve, her face pale as a ghost, eyes wide with terror. "No! No! Mom, don't! Save me! I don't want to be eaten! I don't want to die! Mom, look at me!"
The mother's mask of devotion shattered into a hysterical scream. "Let go! Yuko, let go! Do you want to ruin this whole family?!"
Yuko clung tighter, trembling. "Mom... can't you see? Can't you really see?! In the bowl... in the bowl... Big Brother is in there! Mom..."
Shing!
The leader's face darkened the moment he heard the word "brother." He flicked his wrist, and a sharp, black spear—the unique weapon of the Jashin Cult—extended from his sleeve. He stepped forward, thrusting the spear directly toward Yuko's back.
Ren Uchiha looked at the bowl of meat in his hand. His face went grim. Without a second thought, he abandoned every plan he had.
Forget the infiltration. Forget the "A" button. Forget the insurance.
Rage ignited in his heart, surging through his body. His eyes bled into a deep, crimson red. Ren slammed the bowl of meat onto the ground, shattering it. He leaped forward with the stride of a man possessed by justice.
"STOP RIGHT THERE!"