On the afternoon of April 24, Caozhen led Akaseki and his two companions to the sacrificial cave Lanyu had destroyed earlier.
The place had already been cleaned up, and three Konoha Chunin were keeping watch from the shadows...
When they saw the Uchiha Jonin arrive, all three emerged.
"Jonin Caozhen."
"How is it? Has anyone suspicious approached?" Caozhen asked with evident concern.
"No."
Caozhen nodded and said, "Keep watching... Akaseki, let's go inside and have a look."
"Those three kids... they're the ones who really stood out during last year's Chunin Ninja Exams, right?"
"That's right. Who would've thought they'd not only be among the first young ninja sent into battle this year, but... they'd also be entrusted with something as important as investigating the Jashin Cult."
"Tsk, tsk. That Uchiha Caozhen usually acts like everyone else is beneath him, but now he's showing three kids the way..."
"Yeah. Knowing the Uchiha, that Akaseki has probably surpassed him!"
After the four entered the cave, the three Chunin exchanged a few more remarks.
Akaseki and the others entered the cave.
There were no bodies left, but patches of dried blood were still visible...
"How many people died here?" Akaseki asked curiously.
"Only a few dozen... Most were scared off, and Clan Elder Lanyu let them leave. Only a few idiots who kept praying to Jashin got sent on their way by Clan Elder Lanyu's Fire Style!" Caozhen still gritted his teeth when he brought it up.
A bunch of incorrigible good-for-nothings, sitting here repenting for not being dead—hadn't Clan Elder Lanyu simply granted their wish?
And they even ambushed Elder Lanyu before they died. Despicable!
"Hmm? Is that the mural?" Akaseki noticed markings on the cave wall and went over to examine them...
Sure enough, the mural had a