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"Tch, how brutal. Does that immortal body have a hobby of killing?"
Kagaya stared at the blood-drenched corpse hanging from the tree and sighed. He had long known Hidan was cruel, but seeing his handiwork in person still turned his stomach.
"Not for money, nor for revenge. Killing simply because he feels like it."
Kakuzu couldn't quite comprehend this pattern of behavior. Killing without seeking anything—it seemed he was a pure serial killer.
Kagaya lowered his head, looking at the ground beneath the tree. There was a mark there: a triangle enclosed within a circle.
It was a pattern drawn in blood.
"Hmm? What's this? A mark left after killing?"
Although Kagaya knew what this thing was, in front of Konan and Kakuzu, he certainly had to act as if he knew nothing.
Kakuzu also looked over.
"Not sure. Everything will probably become clear once we meet that guy."
Konan, who had been silent, thought for a moment before speaking calmly.
"Perhaps it's some kind of ritual or seal."
After the Akatsuki meeting concluded, the three had assembled and set out, following the clues to find this immortal individual. However, before finding the person, they had come across this scene.
Konan looked at Kagaya.
"Kagaya, you will act as the bait later."
"Bait?"
"Yes. Since he attacks passersby, he likely won't let a child walking alone on the road slip by either."
"Understood."
Kakuzu mocked, "I never knew you had such a use. I guess a brat is only good for that."
Kagaya looked coldly at Kakuzu. "Would you like to test that theory?"
Kakuzu turned his body to face Kagaya.
"Gladly. I'm quite interested in your heart. Why not hand it over?"
Kagaya also turned fully to face Kakuzu.
"If you can take it."
However, a hand appeared between the two. Konan spoke.
"Both of you, that's enough."
Kakuzu snorted.
"So that's why the leader sent you along, to prevent me from killing Kagaya."
"You can interpret it that way."
"Hmph!"
*****
A short while later, Kagaya walked alone on the road, preparing to lure out Hidan.
To be honest, Kagaya was feeling a bit of regret now. He should have firmly refused this mission from the start. With this time, he could have been researching the Impure World Reincarnation, striving to master it sooner. Furthermore, he needed to dedicate time to training his ocular prowess and physical body. At the very least, he needed to ensure that by the time of the future Konoha invasion, activating his Mangekyō wouldn't render him useless after one use. How could he invade Konoha like that?
Now, assigned to this mission, not only did he have to constantly be wary of Kakuzu, but he was also wasting time searching for this Hidan.
'Speaking of which, didn't that system say it could take me to other worlds?'
Calculating the time, in the original story, Orochimaru's invasion of Konoha happened not long after Naruto and the others graduated, around when they were twelve years old.
Kagaya was the same age as Naruto and the others. That meant he had a little less than four years, or just over three years. If he stayed with the Akatsuki the entire time, constantly carrying out missions, his training time would be further reduced. In the end, he might only have a little over a year for dedicated training.
So, Kagaya began to consider the words of that system.
[Confirm travel to the next world? Note: After traveling to the next world, you cannot leave until the designated task is completed.]
The system suddenly emerged, responding to Kagaya's thoughts.
Kagaya was startled but continued asking silently in his mind.
'Then, what would happen to me in this current world?'
[After you travel to another world, you will disappear from this world. Simultaneously, time in this world will progress at a slower rate, but it will not stop.]
'A slower rate? Can you provide a specific value?'
Kagaya didn't want such a vague statement. Only by knowing the exact flow of time could he ensure his return before the Konoha invasion.
[It depends on the world you are going to. This value will only be disclosed when you confirm your intention to travel to the next world.]
'I see.'
[Then, will you travel now?]
'No, wait for now.'
Kagaya continued looking ahead at the road. He had indeed considered traveling to another world before; he planned to use the time in another world to improve himself and prepare for the future invasion of Konoha.
However, the system's stipulation that he couldn't leave the world until completing a task was quite a drawback. Kagaya found it somewhat unacceptable. No matter what, Danzō was his primary target; he couldn't afford any mishaps. If he went to another world and returned to find too much time had passed, that would be disastrous.
For now, he should focus on completing this mission.
*****
"Hey, kid over there! Wanna join the Jashin Cult?"
A man dressed in a stylish black overcoat and jeans, carrying a large red triple-bladed scythe, with slicked-back grey hair, walked up to Kagaya and posed the question.
Kagaya smiled inwardly. Finally lured you out, Hidan.
"The Jashin Cult?"
"Yeah, the Jashin Cult!"
"What kind of cult is it?"
Hidan spoke with keen interest.
"You can kill people and won't be held accountable! Not only that, Lord Jashin will be even happier!"
"Is that so."
"So, how about it? Pretty good doctrine, right! Wanna join?"
Kagaya smiled slightly.
"Sorry, I'm not interested. I'll pass on joining. However, what you just said confirms one thing for me. It seems you are that serial killer."
Hidan replied dismissively.
"Serial killer? Nothing of the sort. I'm simply offering prayers to Lord Jashin. Since you won't join, it looks like I'll have to offer you to Lord Jashin instead!"
Hidan raised his large red scythe, pointing it at Kagaya.
Kagaya slightly raised his right hand, several kunai appearing in his grasp.
"Shall I test if he's truly immortal?"
Konan and Kakuzu appeared beside Kagaya. Konan shook her head and looked at Kakuzu.
"Since it's about testing immortality, it's better to let Kakuzu try."
Hidan looked at the three in surprise.
"What's with you guys? Wearing the same clothes... are you a band? An orchestra? That gloomy-faced guy is on bass, the girl is the lead singer, and this kid is on keyboards."
Kakuzu stepped forward, voice low and dark.
"We are not a band."
Hidan grinned.
"With offerings like these, Lord Jashin will be pleased."