Regardless of whether the Five Great Ninja Villages' responses were ultimately correct, compared to the smaller nations and minor ninja villages, their actions were undoubtedly swift and effective.
As cursed spirits began to appear one after another, the ones who suffered the most were actually those small countries with little to no means of self-defense.
And when a nation's rulers can no longer protect the lives of their people, even greater chaos is bound to follow.
It was precisely at this critical juncture that certain individuals and factions also became keenly aware of the opportunities hidden within the crisis.
For example, an organization known as Akatsuki began to be hired by some of the smaller countries to hunt down those unknown monsters and help restore stability.
Thanks to their extremely high efficiency, they quickly earned widespread praise.
Then there was another organization—the Jashin Cult—which took advantage of the situation to expand aggressively, amassing large sums of money and countless sacrifices.
Due to its doctrines and propaganda, it even attracted quite a few powerful scumbags to join.
Logically speaking, the expansion of the Jashin Cult should have been a good thing for Hidan.
But in reality, the conflicts between the cult's leader, Takihata, and Hidan only grew more frequent…
Inside the base.
Boom!
A gloomy-looking young man with slicked-back gray hair kicked a door to pieces and strode out of the room.
Inside, Cult Leader Takihata was left with an ashen expression, grinding his teeth in fury.
The situation itself was simple enough. Recently, the Jashin Cult had taken in quite a number of new members.
Those scumbags with some measure of strength often considered themselves exceptional. Upon arriving somewhere new, instead of keeping a low profile, they would try every means possible to flaunt their power and status.
Unfortunately for them, their luck was terrible.
Out of everyone they could have provoked, they chose to mess with Hidan.
The veterans naturally watched with schadenfreude, choosing to stand by and say nothing. No one bothered to warn the newcomers.
As a result, Hidan sent everyone who came looking for trouble straight to meet Lord Jashin.
That should have been the end of it.
But unexpectedly, among the dead were people whose relatives had been hiding nearby and survived.
That very night, one of them sneaked over and stabbed Hidan.
Although Hidan wasn't injured and immediately counter-killed the attacker, the incident thoroughly enraged him.
It also made him believe that this new batch of recruits didn't truly believe in Lord Jashin at all—they were heretics!
Unable to sleep, he picked up his bloodstained triple-bladed scythe and went out. Taking advantage of the darkness, he slaughtered that entire group of new cultists.
Not a single one escaped!
Two veteran members who tried to persuade Hidan were also dragged down with them.
When Cult Leader Takihata rushed to the scene, what he saw was Hidan, his entire body bathed in blood, devoutly praying to Lord Jashin.
A crowd stood frozen around them—no one dared to make a sound…
Because those who dared to talk back were already lying on the ground.
Takihata was furious at the time, but what truly angered him—and made him realize the situation was spiraling out of control—was that Hidan had begun to disobey his orders.
In the end, it was Akagi Shinji who stepped in and persuaded Hidan to go back and rest.
From that day on, Takihata noticed that the way people looked at him had subtly changed.
In a den of murderers like this, survival of the fittest was the fundamental law.
If he couldn't suppress Hidan, others would naturally follow suit—and once that happened, no one would obey him anymore.
Yet Hidan was one of only two successful products he had obtained after sacrificing countless lives. Unless absolutely necessary, he didn't want to completely fall out with him.
So, after thinking all night, Cult Leader Takihata decided to talk to Hidan first thing the next day.
After all, yesterday's incident had its causes, and Hidan's poor attitude might have simply been the aftermath of killing too many people.
As long as Hidan was still willing to follow his orders and still call him "Cult Leader," he could forgive everything Hidan had done.
However, Hidan had long since grown dissatisfied with this man.
Bossing him around day after day, ordering him here and there. And the sacrifices offered to Lord Jashin were getting worse each time.
So-called expansion was nothing more than an increase in numbers.
Power, status, wealth… what use were those things?
Most importantly—
Why should he listen to the orders of a weakling?
He, Hidan, was Lord Jashin's most favored and most devout believer.
Well… perhaps Shinji counted too.
But Takihata was absolutely not Lord Jashin's spokesperson.
Once Hidan harbored such thoughts, the outcome of this conversation was all but predetermined.
In the end, the two parted on bad terms.
"Cult Leader…"
"I'm fine. Have someone clean this place up."
When Takihata left, the look in his eyes was filled with bone-chilling killing intent.
He would never allow a killing weapon he personally forged to turn around and devour its master.
Since it refused to obey, then it could only be destroyed.
After all, from the very beginning, Hidan was never the only one…
Not long after, inside a secret chamber.
Shinji sat across from Takihata.
"Shinji, what do you think of my proposal? As long as you agree, you'll be the next Cult Leader."
Takihata's expression was exceptionally sincere, tinged with a hint of sorrow and helplessness.
As if he had been forced into this position.
The moment Shinji heard the proposal, he knew it was time to put his acting skills to the test.
He revealed an expression that was both tempted and troubled.
"I've always treated Hidan as a brother. This really puts me in a difficult position…"
"You're unwilling?"
"Cough—what I mean is… we need to add more money."
Shinji flashed a bright, dazzling smile.
Since he was a brother, of course the price had to go up. After all, the legendary "Pay More Hero" had built his reputation on this very principle.
Takihata laughed as well. He wasn't afraid of conditions being set.
After all, the reason a lion dared to open its jaws wide was because a lion eats people.
After a long discussion, the two emerged from the secret chamber in high spirits.
"Indeed, compared to you, Hidan really is a failed product."
"Please rest assured, Lord Takihata. Leave Hidan to me."
Once they parted ways, the smile on Shinji's face vanished instantly.
If he truly had to choose between the Jashin Cult and Hidan, then his choice was obvious—
The dog.
What could the Jashin Cult offer him?
Nothing more than status and wealth—those tired, clichéd things.
Did such things really matter in this world?
And Hidan?
He was Shinji's bond target, a renewable source of benefits, a living tool that could continuously be harvested to grow stronger.
So was there even a need to choose?
That said, he couldn't make it too obvious.
After all, he already had plenty of experience grinding bond points.
If he directly told Hidan that Takihata was planning to deal with him, it probably wouldn't have much effect.
The whole affair had to be full of twists and turns—only then could it become a true spectacle.
So Shinji not only deliberately came to conspire with Cult Leader Takihata, he also agreed to help him deal with Hidan.
And the most brilliant part?
Before coming, he had intentionally piqued Hidan's curiosity and suspicion.
Casting a glance toward the corner, Shinji curled his lips into a faint smile and left as if nothing had happened.
Only after everyone had gone did a figure step out from the shadows—
It was Hidan, who had followed Shinji there!
At this moment, Hidan's face was filled with disappointment and fury!