In the hot spring, the crowd outside was bustling and noisy.
Other than Lihuo, no one heard Orochimaru's whisper. Seeing the sharp glint in Orochimaru's eyes, Lihuo knew his teacher was about to stir up trouble again.
Orochimaru continued.
"This was intelligence I obtained during the Second Shinobi World War. It said that a small faction had emerged in the Land of Hot Water, carrying out killings in the name of religion."
Orochimaru looked composed. Though he was speaking of something bloody, to a battle-hardened ninja, it was nothing out of the ordinary.
"Because there was so much fighting at the time, I had no time to deal with it. But later, I heard that this organization was actually researching an immortal body!"
At that, Orochimaru could not hide his excitement and licked his lips.
"You must understand, the human body is the most fragile thing. The reason I have devoted all my efforts to learning every ninjutsu in the world is to develop the art of immortality!"
Lihuo nodded. Whether in his previous life or this one, he had always known about Orochimaru's grand ambition.
"Then, Teacher, you mean..."
Orochimaru continued.
"I did not believe it at first, but over the years, more and more intelligence has indicated that this faction in the Land of Hot Water has come close to discovering the method of immortality."
"Since we have come to the Land of Hot Water this time, we might as well..."
Lihuo understood Orochimaru's meaning. Moreover, he knew even more clearly than Orochimaru where this "immortal body" came from.
But he still feigned ignorance and asked, "Teacher, what is this organization's name?"
"The Jashin Cult!"
Meanwhile, in a corner of the bustling city, an izakaya was packed with people.
Yet amid this seemingly ordinary scene was a