First Meeting with Hidan

Orochimaru had anticipated Hyuga Shin's departure.

Once he learned of Hyuga Shin's ideals and plans, he had his answer.

In this Ninja World shrouded in darkness, he and one or two others couldn't achieve great things.

The evils of the Ninja World were too deeply ingrained.

The thoughts of the vast majority were twisted, yet they all believed their actions were righteous.

Sometimes, the terrifying thing wasn't those who did evil, but the majority who gave trust and support to those who did.

And they took it for granted.

This was the state of the Ninja World under its shadow.

Before Orochimaru left, Hyuga Shin also took out his ring and scroll and handed them over in advance.

These were things every qualified seed needed to possess.

Hizashi Hyuga was still lacking in many respects. If Hyuga Shin hadn't intervened, it was estimated that he would only gradually begin to follow the path Hyuga Shin had planned for him after the war ended.

For the next few days, besides researching daily tasks, Hyuga Shin spent most of his other time communicating with Orochimaru.

This came as somewhat of a surprise to Tsunade, who was helping Orochimaru.

In Tsunade's opinion, Orochimaru wasn't an easy person to get along with. Even she and Jiraiya only became close friends after growing together with Orochimaru for a long time.

And Hyuga Shin?

In just one month, he had become friends with Orochimaru, to the point where Orochimaru was neglecting his own business and running over to Hyuga Shin's side every day.

If Tsunade hadn't been there the whole time, she would have suspected Hyuga Shin of using genjutsu on Orochimaru.

However, she had received a notification from Hyuga Shin yesterday that he would be leaving soon.

Tsunade felt a slight sadness about this.

Hyuga Shin was one of the few remaining elders in her cherished childhood memories. Moreover, he had saved Nawaki from the brink of death and changed her fate.

She wondered if this parting would be forever.

If Hyuga Shin knew her thoughts, he would surely say: Don't worry, you'll most likely die before me.

Of course, that was a joke.

He was the Great Teacher of Virtue who used his remaining life to sow seeds of hope in the Ninja World!

He was the guide of the future sages who would unify the Ninja World!

He couldn't become an evil dragon like the Sage of Six Paths.

Hyuga Shin understood the principle that the dragon slayer eventually becomes the dragon.

He would definitely arrange a glorious and influential end for this identity of his!

He imagined that at that time, he would be the only light illuminating this dark ninja world!

Under the personal send-off from Orochimaru and Tsunade, Hyuga Shin departed.

His mission here had been more than accomplished.

He had not only led Orochimaru onto the path he desired but also changed Tsunade Hime's predetermined fate.

Next, it was time to find some quality seeds to sow his ideals and hopes.

To guide these ignorant and pitiable puppets onto the glorious path of restoring the Ninja World.

As for Tsunade Hime's future, he would no longer interfere. Whether she could join their team was Orochimaru's task.

This was also a test for Orochimaru from Hyuga Shin.

However, he believed Orochimaru would not disappoint him. After all, Tsunade and Nawaki could be considered the only two people who had escaped the cage like him.

With Orochimaru's guidance, Nawaki would be fine.

Tsunade would definitely be more troublesome.

Her views were too rigid, and Hyuga Shin had not obtained the answers he wanted after several attempts.

Although reasonably intelligent, Tsunade's thinking was too narrow, and her ideology would be difficult to change in a short time.

And Hyuga Shin did not have much time to waste at the moment.

Before leaving, Hyuga Shin reminded Orochimaru and Tsunade that although he had changed Nawaki's fate, it did not mean he was safe, and they still needed to be extremely careful in the future.

Orochimaru understood, knowing Hyuga Shin's meaning.

The Sage of Six Paths might still act against Nawaki to steer fate back on track.

Tsunade also took Hyuga Shin's words to heart and said she would be careful.

Next, he needed to go to the Land of Wind to find Kakuzu and the other one.

According to the real-time location within the ring, Hyuga Shin quickly pinpointed the location of the immortal duo.

After leaving the surveillance range of the Konoha main camp, Hyuga Shin soared into the sky and shot towards the Land of Wind.

On a mountain peak where bandits were hidden in the Land of Wind.

Bandits who raided and plundered were nailed to the ground, their deaths gruesome, making it look as if they had all committed suicide.

This was the work of Hidan, who had taken on the mission.

His Evil God had been urging him on these past few days, and now it had been fed its fill all at once.

He shouldn't be rushed again for a while.

Meanwhile, Kakuzu had taken the bandit leader's head to earn a bounty.

Although the money was little, Kakuzu didn't mind; as long as there was money to be made, it was fine, especially since he hadn't exerted much effort.

Having finished this mission, Kakuzu had intended to take on another to continue earning money, but he abandoned the idea upon seeing the light flashing on his ring.

He knew Hyuga Shin was arriving soon.

He then found a quiet place with Hidan and waited patiently.

Hyuga Shin traveled at full speed and arrived near Kakuzu and his companion's location in a short time.

He immediately descended from the sky and rushed on foot.

The place Kakuzu and Hidan chose was near a secluded canyon, surrounded by protruding rock pillars, resembling the battlefield of the Fourth Great Ninja War.

Due to the hard, rugged terrain, it was unsuitable for farming, hence few people lived in the vicinity, and there were relatively few birds and beasts.

This might also be related to the harsh environment of the Land of Wind.

"He's here!" Kakuzu sensed Hyuga Shin's arrival and alerted Hidan.

Kakuzu and Hidan immediately rose from the rocks to greet Hyuga Shin.

In just a few seconds, Hyuga Shin appeared before the immortal duo.

"Kakuzu, thank you for your hard work during this time. Your assistance has saved me a lot of time."

As soon as Hyuga Shin appeared, he praised Kakuzu's work ethic.

"Leader, you flatter me. This is what I should do. It is my honor to contribute to a great ideal."

Kakuzu had already begun to embrace his role, considering himself Hyuga Shin's subordinate.

He was a man of principles and a man who followed rules.

In front of newcomers, he had to establish authority for his leader. Kakuzu was truly a chosen subordinate!

Hyuga Shin couldn't help but feel proud of his choice once again.

"This kid must be Hidan, he looks quite young." Hyuga Shin couldn't help but tease.

"Old man, even if you're the leader, don't look down on me, or the Evil God will get angry!"

Although the young Hidan had been briefed by Kakuzu about Hyuga Shin's existence beforehand, he was still a fearless young man, daring to challenge authority.

"Hidan!"

"Show respect to the leader!" Before Hyuga Shin could speak, Kakuzu began to verbally reprimand Hidan.

"It's alright, it's good for young people to have some spirit! Do you want to spar with this old man?"

Hyuga Shin didn't care about Hidan's words and even invited him to spar.

In reality, he mainly wanted to teach Hidan a lesson, to let him know the vastness of the world and not to think he was invincible just because he had a secret technique.

Hidan was tempted.

Although he said he had no objections to Hyuga Shin as the leader, the underlying defiance was always there.

When Kakuzu had first told him that the leader was an eighty-year-old man, he couldn't believe his ears.

Most people at eighty would have grass growing over their graves, yet Hyuga Shin could still be the leader of the organization?

He had questioned Kakuzu then and there.

Kakuzu then educated Hidan on some Warring States period knowledge, which dispelled Hidan's doubts.

Although he outwardly accepted it, the inner defiance was certainly present.

He still couldn't believe that an eighty-year-old man could still possess any combat power.

This was also Kakuzu's fault for not telling Hidan about his own defeat.

Kakuzu had pride, after all; how could he speak of his embarrassing moments?

Seeing Hidan eager to try, Kakuzu didn't stop him; suffering a bit would be good for him.

It would be a good opportunity to let him know the leader's strength.

"Come on!" Hyuga Shin placed his left hand behind his back and waved his right sleeve, inviting Hidan.

"Then I'm coming!" With that, Hidan charged forward, dragging his Scythe of the Executioner.

Three minutes later, the spar ended.

Hidan was dejected.

He had been beaten so badly that he was almost traumatized.

If Kakuzu's beating of him was like an adult hitting a child, then Hyuga Shin dealing with him was easier than swatting an ant.

Forget about getting Hyuga Shin's blood; they couldn't even touch him, and he only used one hand.

It was hard to imagine he was an old man in his eighties.

Hidan finally became convinced of his leader's strength from the bottom of his heart.

The Ninja World is a place that values strength; only with strength can you earn respect.

After the spar ended and seeing Hidan had calmed down, Hyuga Shin began preparing his next move.

To clear the Will of the Six Paths embedded within the bodies of the immortal duo.