Only Returning to His Embrace

"Get ready to move out."

With that, Maruboshi Kosuke rose to his feet, ready to infiltrate Chuntai City.

But just then...

"The insects that slipped into the city just sent word back. According to the intelligence the Anbu Ninja obtained, the security office replaced a batch of guards yesterday. It seems we'll need to change our plan."

Shibi Aburame suddenly spoke, the Kikaichū in his sleeves giving off a faint flutter of wings.

"Replaced the guards?"

Maruboshi Kosuke frowned deeply at that and turned to Shibi Aburame.

He had assumed that with so many children missing in Chuntai City, plenty of people would have gone to the security office to report it. That meant the people at the security office would also know the most about the city's missing children.

But now...

"Apparently, Chuntai City's mayor transferred them from the garrison at the Land of Fire's border prefecture. None of them are local samurai."

Shibi Aburame spoke quietly, his voice showing little inflection.

"After learning that, I sent insects to the security office. Then... the insects smelled traces of blood in the gaps in their armor.

It looks like the situation in Chuntai City is more troublesome than we imagined. Replacing all the guards outright practically makes it clear that this city's mayor... is a problem."

"If I had to hazard a guess, the reason those people left that Chunin squad's bodies in the sewers for our people to find... was to provoke us.

The whole Shinobi World knows to destroy bodies when dealing with Konoha Ninja, yet they brazenly left them in a place as obvious and poorly concealed as the sewers.

Combined with the intelligence we just received, these people... really are bold. No, perhaps they intend to use this city's civilians as leverage to threaten Konoha."

Shibi Aburame analyzed the situation calmly.

"How arrogant!"

The moment he finished, Maruboshi Kosuke beside him could not help roaring in anger.

At that moment, all Maruboshi Kosuke could think about was that the enemy had left Konoha Ninja's bodies in the sewers just to provoke Konoha.

"Say, sir, does that mean we're changing the plan now? What do you think... about fighting our way straight in? Simple and effective."

Beside them, Uchiha Gen could not help curling his lips upward at that.

Wonderful. Someone actually dared to provoke Konoha so openly. Although Uchiha Gen had little interest in Konoha's collective honor, he did acknowledge its overall strength.

After all, this was the strongest shinobi village, one that could fight four other shinobi villages at once and still maintain a slight advantage.

Meanwhile.

Inside the mayor's residence in Chuntai City.

"Fujii Sakura, aren't we making this too obvious? Replacing everyone in the security office with our own people outright-isn't that telling them there's something wrong with you, the mayor?"

The cloaked man spoke quietly, suspicion in his eyes. Now he felt Fujii Sakura was just as stupid as he was.

"Shut up! Do you think I wanted to?! You've already exposed your face. With Konoha's investigative abilities, it was only a matter of time before they traced it back to me.

Since they'd find out sooner or later anyway, I might as well take a gamble! As long as Konoha still cares about its reputation among those civilians, they'll hesitate over whether to act immediately.

During that time, your job is to abduct as many more children as possible. As for me, I need to escape Chuntai City as soon as I can."

Fujii Sakura spoke in a low voice, displeasure written all over his face. It was all because of this damned bloodline disease. Otherwise... why would he give up a perfectly good position as mayor to risk his life against Konoha?

"No wonder you suddenly told us to stop holding back when we'd only just started capturing those children along the border. So you were planning to go all in.

Wait, that doesn't make sense. If you were going to expose yourself anyway, why didn't you wait until after leaving Chuntai City? Wouldn't that make it easier for you to escape?"

The cloaked man nodded in sudden understanding, but immediately afterward, he seemed to spot the key point and spoke up.

As he spoke, the cloaked man even made sure to look at Fujii Sakura as though he were an idiot.

And you had the nerve to call me stupid. You're not much better yourself, are you?

"..."

Looking at the cloaked man staring at him as though he were an idiot, Fujii Sakura could not help feeling a headache coming on.

"Don't you know there's a technique called the Clone Technique? Besides, when did I ever say I hadn't already left?"

There was a hint of mockery in Fujii Sakura's voice.

He had finally rid himself of this fool.

"What?? You've already left!!! What am I supposed to do?? Without your Blood Release backing me up, how could someone of my strength possibly stop Konoha's ninja?! Come back right now!! Don't forget! You still need us to make your medicine!"

The cloaked man was dumbfounded. Looking at Fujii Sakura, he anxiously reached out to grab him, only to worry that he might accidentally disperse Fujii Sakura's clone.

For a moment, the cloaked man could only stand helplessly before Fujii Sakura's clone, roaring anxiously.

"Tell me, have you considered the possibility that I never intended to leave the Jashin Cult? I've merely changed partners. To Elder Yuzuki of the main cult, for instance.

Heizhi, since things have come to this, there's no point hiding anything from you anymore. You... have been abandoned.

As for why, every senior member at the Jashin Cult's headquarters agreed that a fool like you would bring the Jashin Cult endless trouble. Besides, someone needs to smooth over this mess in Chuntai City.

And you, along with the cultists under you, are the sacrifices this time. But... there's no need to worry. You're merely returning to Lord Jashin's embrace."

With that, a relieved smile curled Fujii Sakura's lips.

That felt so good to say. I'd wanted to say that for so long.

"Why?? I've captured so much human material for the holy cult! And... and how could my uncle possibly agree to the other elders' decision?!"

The cloaked man tore off his hood, revealing a face full of disbelief as he roared.

"Your uncle? You mean the deputy cult leader? I'd always thought it strange that you could become a branch elder. So that was the connection.

Unfortunately, do you think you matter more to him than the Jashin Cult? Your face has already been exposed, so for the main cult's safety, your branch can only be abandoned.

Don't worry. As I just said, you're... merely returning to Lord Jashin's embrace. Isn't that... what every one of you cultists wishes for?"

With that...

Poof!

A cloud of white smoke burst forth, and Fujii Sakura's clone dispersed with it.