Drip.
Drip.
Drip.
An elite Jashin member sprinted into the underground plaza, dropping to one knee. His voice was urgent, like a shinobi reporting to a high commander.
"Squad Leader... uh, My Lord Bishop!"
"The brat who fought Kakuzu has disappeared. It's highly likely he's infiltrated our headquarters. He has a female Mist ninja with him—she uses Hidden Mist and a powerful Kekkei Genkai. They'll be difficult to handle."
The Jashin Bishop shook his head, his gaze drifting toward the ceiling of the cavern. "With the defenses at the entrance, no one should be able to break in unless they are at the level of the Sannin."
"But... but..." The elite hesitated before gritting his teeth. "One of the Sannin, Orochimaru, just appeared outside. His giant snake crushed many of our members upon landing."
The Bishop fell silent. He took two deep breaths, his expression darkening. "How many dead?"
"Over twenty elites. Almost half our strength," the member replied heavily.
The Bishop closed his eyes, his breathing growing ragged. "Again!" he whispered. "Again! This sudden disaster... this feeling of utter helplessness and humiliation!"
He snapped his eyes open, revealing bloodshot, pale-purple pupils filled with bone-deep hatred. His hand tightly gripped a black spear beneath his robe, the tip digging into his palm until blood splattered on the ground. Yet, under the pain, his face regained its cold indifference.
"Tell your superior to stay at his post. There's no need to worry. Everything will end soon."
"But My Lord! Those brats might sneak into the castle above! What if they use Earth Style to infiltrate the cavern from there?"
"It doesn't matter," the Bishop said calmly. "The Mist girl is likely connected to that strong Mist ninja who was recovering in the castle. She'll leave once she finds what she wants. If she goes deeper... someone will handle her." He looked up and let out a savage grin. "After all, we are just pests living in this cave. The true master of this territory will not allow his secrets to be pried into."
He turned his gaze to a cross in the center of a blood pool, where Hidan hung with his hands pinned. "Hidan... is this your new friend? No matter. Let him come. Let him witness the birth of a God. Since we've already offered our kin, colleagues, and elders for 'His' gaze and favor... what's one more friend?"
Meanwhile, on the inner castle wall.
"Wait, why are you giving me this?" Ren Uchiha asked in bewilderment, staring at the scroll Shinnō had just tossed him. Knowing it contained the incomplete Zero-Tails chakra Shinnō had been researching, Ren felt like he was holding a live nuclear core.
I'm already strong enough, why are you giving me cheats?! Ren thought, wanting to shake Shinnō by the neck.
"Why?" Shinnō sneered. "You fool! You don't understand the gap between you and a true master. Your foundation, Taijutsu, Kenjutsu, Ninjutsu, and Chakra reserves... none of them reach the standard of a Jonin. You're just splashing your imagination, combining the few abilities you have."
Shinnō's voice grew heavy. "But once your tricks are seen through and your intel is gathered, you will die. Look at Kakuzu—once he figured you out, he stopped clashing with you directly and just outmaneuvered you. You lost instantly."
Ren broke into a cold sweat, staring at Shinnō in horror. Is everyone in this world a 'tough love' mentor? First Setsuna, now this guy?
"Shinnō-san... why do you care if I die or not?"
Shinnō's eyes flickered. He gave a self-deprecating laugh. "Because... I suppose I want to see someone trample this despair-filled world and make it howl. Wouldn't that be interesting?"
He stepped forward and slammed a hand onto Ren's forehead. "Kid. If you want to be a hero, go for it without looking back. Childhood jokes turn into regrets with age. Shining dreams fade under the relentless strikes of reality. If you have fire in your heart, then burn! Roar! Fight!"
"Don't leave yourself with regrets. Even if you die!" Shinnō's face held a weight he didn't even realize. He looked toward the horizon as if seeing a home he could never return to. "Because that guilt will gnaw at your bones for the rest of your life."
With that, Shinnō turned. He reached out and literally uprooted a massive stone tower nearby.
BOOM!
He lifted the tower as easily as a spear. With a savage grin, he leaped across an impossible distance toward the distant battle, the ground shaking where he landed.
"Orochimaru! You destroyed my home and still want my techniques?" Shinnō roared. "Then let's start Round Two!"