Hidan Admits Defeat! Konoha ANBU's Pursuit!
A madman is not a fool.
Being simple-minded does not mean lacking intelligence.
Immortality does not mean true immortality.
Under the black flames of Amaterasu the inextinguishable fire of the Mangekyō Sharingan no matter what method Hidan used, he could not extinguish it. The flames clung to his body, burning endlessly, devouring flesh and bone alike.
Though his body possessed the strange "immortality" granted through the rituals of Jashin cult, even he understood one thing clearly if this continued, he would be reduced to ashes.
Immortal did not mean indestructible.
Feeling the unprecedented pain, Hidan finally made a decision he had never made before in his life.
He compromised.
He begged for mercy.
He admitted defeat.
"Cheh, cheh…"
"I thought you'd keep screaming about Lord Jashin and endure it."
Kakuzu, who had never liked Hidan's loud and reckless personality, couldn't help but mock him coldly.
"Damn bastard!"
"Say that again and I'll kill you!"
Already humiliated after being utterly suppressed by Uchiha Yi's Mangekyō power, Hidan was now provoked by Kakuzu. His temper instantly flared. He grabbed his three-bladed scythe from his back, chakra surging as if ready to fight to the death.
However
When he noticed Uchiha Yi's gaze flick toward him, the murderous aura that had filled the air earlier seemed to resurface.
Hidan stiffened.
"…Tch."
He reluctantly suppressed his rage.
Kakuzu, having gained the verbal advantage, wisely stopped there. If the two of them truly started fighting, it might attract the attention of Pain.
Although Akatsuki was a rogue ninja organization, it still had strict internal rules members were forbidden from attacking one another. Violators would be punished personally by their leader.
As one of the oldest members, Kakuzu knew very well how terrifying Pain truly was.
With Hidan subdued and recruited, the mission was essentially complete.
However, Uchiha Yi only left behind a shadow clone to accompany them back to the Rain Country and report to the Akatsuki base. His real body remained in the Land of Hot Water.
Compared to the gloomy, rain-soaked skies of Amegakure in the Land of Rain, the climate of the Land of Hot Water was far more pleasant. There was no endless downpour, no oppressive gray clouds.
Moreover, the Land of Hot Water was famous throughout the ninja world for its hot springs. Since he was already here, it would be a waste not to experience them.
On the main road leading from Konohagakure to the Land of Hot Water
Three masked shinobi dressed in standard Anbu attire were moving at high speed through the trees.
"Senpai… after this mission, are you really leaving the ANBU?"
A purple-haired kunoichi wearing an ANBU mask accelerated slightly. The wind pressed her uniform tightly against her body as she caught up to the white-haired ninja leading the team. Her voice was clear despite the rushing air.
"…Ah."
The white-haired ninja paused briefly before answering in a low tone.
This man was none other than Kakashi Hatake, though his mask concealed his identity.
"Yes. After this mission, I'll step down."
He did not elaborate further. The true reason lay buried deep within his past his father, the White Fang of Konoha, and the heavy shadow that history had cast over him.
"That's a shame…"
"I was hoping to continue serving alongside you."
The purple-haired kunoichi Yugao Uzuki sighed softly, a hint of disappointment in her tone.
"There's no need to look so down."
"I'm sure your next captain will be reliable."
Kakashi was not skilled at comforting others. His response was blunt but sincere.
After a brief silence, his expression grew serious.
"This mission involves remnants of the Jashin cult."
"Be careful. They are fanatics bloody, brutal, and completely indifferent to life."
He remembered his father once mentioning the cult during an old mission. Even the White Fang had described them as troublesome lunatics who glorified slaughter.
If the cult had resurfaced in the Land of Hot Water, it was no simple matter.
"Yes, Captain."
The three shinobi increased their pace.
Before long, they arrived in the Land of Hot Water.
According to mission intelligence, a self-proclaimed follower of Jashin had been attacking civilians and travelers. The murders were cruel and ritualistic, spreading panic throughout the country. Trade had nearly halted.
The daimyō of the Land of Hot Water had no choice but to request assistance from Konoha.
After investigating for some time, the ANBU located several crime scenes that had not yet been cleared.
Even as elite shinobi accustomed to bloodshed, the sight before them was unsettling. Ritual circles drawn in blood. Bodies arranged deliberately.
It was not simple killing it was worship.
"What have you found?" Kakashi asked calmly.
Yūgao and the third ANBU operative reported their observations. Signs of battle. Multiple chakra traces.
"It seems our target encountered someone else before we arrived," Kakashi analyzed.
"There are traces of at least four individuals."
"But the outcome is unclear."
The trail alone was not enough.
Kakashi bit his thumb, formed hand seals rapidly, and slammed his palm onto the ground.
Tadpole-like sealing marks spread outward.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
With a puff of white smoke, a small ninja dog wearing a Konoha forehead protector appeared.
"Yo, Kakashi."
It was Pakkun.
"Pakkun, track the scent. I need to know which direction they went."
"No problem. The smell hasn't faded yet."
Pakkun sniffed carefully around the scene, moving with practiced precision.
"Got it!"
"There were four people here."
"Three of them left in that direction."
"But one scent… stayed behind in the Land of Hot Water."
"If I had to guess either a shadow clone left with the group, or the original body remained here."
Kakashi's visible eye narrowed thoughtfully.
"I understand."
"Pakkun, track the one who stayed."
Piecing together the clues, Kakashi formed a preliminary conclusion.
The Jashin cultist likely encountered three powerful shinobi on the road. Misjudging their strength, he was defeated or forced to retreat.
However, given the unusual chakra traces and the possibility of shadow clones, the situation was more complex than it appeared.
If so
Then the true follower of Jashin was most likely still hiding somewhere within the Land of Hot Water.