Everyone crossed the defensive line and arrived before the largest hot spring shrine in the Land of Hot Water.
The sight before them left Rock Lee gaping.
Several thousand civilians.
They held white candles and sat around the enormous hot spring pool. Several hundred out-of-control people were soaking in the pool.
There were no doctors, no Sealing Corps.
Only prayers.
Thousands of voices gathered together, low and solemn, creating a strange resonance.
"May the hot springs wash away our sins..."
"May the Guardian grant us peace..."
As the prayers grew louder and louder, a pillar of golden light rose from the center of the crowd.
It was the Land of Hot Water's inherited secret technique, pure spiritual energy given physical form.
Once, this technique had been used by the ruler for personal gain. Now, it was being used to protect ordinary people.
The golden light shone upon the out-of-control people.
The Pollution within them was like snow beneath a blazing sun, rapidly melting away.
Naruto watched the pillar of light and could even feel the Nine-Tails Chakra inside him trembling faintly.
"This is..." Hinata covered her mouth.
"Faith." Kagura stood beside Naruto, watching the light. "For generations, the Land of Hot Water has worshipped the god of hot springs. But in this generation, the god's name has changed."
Kagura turned to look at Naruto.
"What they believe in is not some vague idol, but Naruto Uzumaki—the man who trampled the daimyo beneath his feet and told them, 'People can live like people.'"
Naruto's cheek twitched.
"I hate making gods." Naruto looked at the fanatical civilians, feeling uncomfortable all over. "This kind of thing is the easiest to exploit, and the easiest to collapse."
"This isn't making a god. It's consensus." Kagura smiled. "We are not blindly worshipping some glittering idol