Because of Jue's intelligence control, Akatsuki has been exposed to enormous systemic risks.
Even if the two sides reconcile now, they can no longer completely trust each other, so Pain decided to accelerate the construction of intelligence systems in various regions.
To prevent being blackmailed by the other party again.
The Land of Lightning is too forceful and unsuitable for conducting business there. The focus should now shift to the heart of the continent, the Land of Fire.
Aoki Tsuki had worked in Root for a period of time and visited Konoha several times, so he was quite familiar with the situation.
Konan decided to assign him to be in charge of business expansion in the Land of Fire and to carry out intelligence work.
Ultimately, the Land of Fire is the leader of the Five Great Nations and the place that supports Konoha. Therefore, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of this greatest enemy.
To make things easier, Aoki Tsuki decided to start in the capital of the Land of Fire, and also transferred his assistant Butsushura, who was originally in charge of the Land of Hot Water, to join him in this great undertaking.
At the same time, a group of members of the Jashin Cult were also transferred.
They still operate on two fronts, one overt and one covert. The Jashin Cult is responsible for drawing fire, while secretly recruiting talent, gathering intelligence, and carrying out assassinations.
Inside a cave outside the Land of Fire, this place has been secretly transformed into a temporary stronghold of the Jashin Cult.
Aoki Tsuki wore a Yama mask.
" Butsushura, for the sake of easier management, starting today, you will also join the Jashin Cult."
"Thank you, sir. I will certainly live up to your expectations."
Only one person in Akatsuki joined the Jashin Cult, and that is the core member Azure Dragon right before our eyes.
Butsushura remembered that last time, a group of people from Akatsuki secretly joined the Jashin Cult, and they were all killed by Azure Dragon, which showed that the other party held a high position in the Jashin Cult.
"This is, after all, the Land of Fire, teeming with experts and possessing all sorts of unimaginable secret techniques. To avoid leaking information, we must proceed with utmost discretion."
"What are your instructions, sir?"
"First, we will replicate the development model we used in the Land of Lightning. In addition, we will secretly recruit outstanding rogue ninjas into the organization and operate under the name of ' Left Hand of God '."
"For assassination missions, a bloody handprint on the left hand must be left as proof of presence."
"Yes! Your insight is brilliant, sir," Butsushura immediately replied.
Why 'left hand' instead of 'right hand'? Butsushura speculated that it was probably due to the Azure Dragon's ranking within the organization.
The leader of Akatsuki claimed to be a god, Azure Dragon was one of the god's left and right arms. The saying goes, " Azure Dragon on the left, White Tiger on the right," which is essentially the left hand.
Soon, the members of the Jashin Cult arrived at the hall, Aoki Tsuki led them in a prayer as usual.
Then began the pre-battle mobilization.
" The Land of Hot Water is just a tiny place; it's unlikely we'll achieve much there. We need a bigger stage to showcase ourselves."
The Land of Fire is our new battlefield. Capturing high-quality ninjas to sacrifice to the Lord Jashin will please Him even more.
Before that, we need to announce our arrival with an attack. What are your thoughts?
Upon hearing this, the crowd immediately began to discuss it, some with worry and others with joy:
"Grand Steward, isn't this going a bit too far? After all, this is Konoha territory."
"Yes, I've seen Konoha ninjas before. They're incredibly powerful. I've heard there's a ' Yellow Flash ' who's guaranteed to kill you if you encounter him."
"What are you afraid of? The Yellow Flash is gone. I don't believe he can jump out of his grave and kill us again."
"That's true, what about ' Body Flicker Shisui '? That's from the Uchiha Clan..."
" Body Flicker Shisui is dead too. Konoha is not what it used to be. Don't think too much, just do it."
"That's right. With the Grand Steward here, I can do whatever I want without worry. I really miss the days when I roamed the Land of Lightning."
"Yes, we have our Grand Deacon; he will take care of it."
Aoki Tsuki was very satisfied with everyone's performance. This was the Jashin Cult; when it came to causing trouble, they had never disappointed him.
Last time at the ninja arena, Kumogakure only caught him off guard.
The biggest enemy of this missionary work in the Land of Fire is the local 'Root' organization. As the boss of the underworld, Root's intelligence-gathering ability is unparalleled in the Shinobi World.
If it weren't for the White Zetsu, Akatsuki would probably have been completely humiliated.
Zetsu and Obito may have already made a deal with Danzo, so they can no longer be trusted. That's why Pain needs to build his own intelligence network.
Establishing an intelligence station right under Root's nose is no easy task.
Snatching food from a tiger's mouth will inevitably provoke a counterattack.
To lure the tiger away from the mountain, the Jashin Cult was the obvious bait, while Xiao secretly carried out his operations in the shadows.
Standing in the crowd, Butsushura listened to the discussions and was surprised to realize that the Grand Steward everyone was talking about seemed to be Azure Dragon. He opened his mouth wide in astonishment.
"As expected of you, Lord Azure Dragon."
Seeing that everyone had finished their discussion, Aoki Tsuki raised his hand to signal quiet and explained:
"Do you know why I chose you to come here? Because you are all my elite followers, bold and meticulous."
But your performance just now has truly disappointed me, and I now seriously doubt your loyalty to the Lord Jashin.
Loyalty that is not absolute is absolute disloyalty!
"Please forgive us, Lord Jashin..."
"We were wrong..."
The believers hurriedly prayed for atonement; they were a group of outlaws who relied entirely on the protection of the Jashin Cult to survive.
They used to think that Jashin were illusory deities, until one day, the god's son, Hidan, pierced through the heart and cut off the head in front of everyone, yet he was still alive and kicking.
That terrifying appearance, that immortality—what else could it be but possession by Jashin? Now no one doubted it anymore.
At some point, a rumor began circulating within the cult that anyone who steadfastly believed in Jashin would have the opportunity to acquire this ability.
"High Deacon, please guide us..." the group pleaded.
"This is precisely my duty: to guide you lost sheep, for this land is the heart of the Konoha Village."
The souls of the people who live here are pure; the Lord Jashin will surely like them.
Aoki Tsuki turned her gaze to Butsushura.
The latter immediately understood and raised his arm, shouting, "Offer my heart to the Lord Jashin!"
Upon hearing this, the crowd joined in shouting, "Offer our hearts to the Lord Jashin!"
"Offer my heart to the Lord Jashin!"
"Offer my heart to the Lord Jashin!"
The next day, the sun shone brightly. For the people living in the capital of the Land of Fire, the place was prosperous and wealthy, and their faces were filled with happy smiles.
Konoha stationed a ninja army here to ensure the safety of the capital.
The daimyo is surrounded by twelve Guardian Ninja, all of whom are elites recruited from various ninja factions in the Land of Fire.
That day, a group of people dressed in black robes and hoodies came to the street. Each of them had a red necklace around their neck, like missionaries.
"Beautiful lady, believe in the Jashin, and you will receive Jashin protection..."
The flyer was handed to a passerby, who took it, glanced at it, threw it on the ground, and stomped on it.
"Pshaw! You're crazy."
Click... click...
The high heels gradually disappeared into the distance in a rhythmic fashion.
The man in black robes picked up the flyer, blew off the dust, and put it away again. "Hmph, the people of the Land of Fire, how arrogant they are."
Just then, another man passed by, and the man in black robes quickly stepped forward, "Sir, believe in the Jashin, and you will receive..."
The man took it and glanced at it, saying, " Jashin Cult, judging from the name, it's not a legitimate organization. How boring. I'd rather play cards."
With a rip, he tore the flyer to shreds and tossed it aside.
"How dare you blaspheme the Lord Jashin!" The man in black clenched his fists in anger.
The man glared at him. "What are you doing? Trying to hit me? Believe me, if I just shout, Konoha ninjas will arrest you..."
" Doru, don't be impulsive." Another man in black robes quickly reached out and pulled him back.
"I can tell you're from out of town just by your accents. You dare to bare your teeth at me? Pshaw, a bunch of country rats."
Pooh...
The man spat dismissively and walked away.
"Hmph, what's Doru? Don't take it to heart. The Lord Jashin will protect us."
" Tatsuya, I suddenly understand. Perhaps the Grand Butler was right. Everyone here is guilty and should be offered to the Lord Jashin."
"Yes, only the Lord Jashin can subdue them."
"Soon, tonight we'll let them experience the greatness of Jashin."
Thinking of this, anticipation shone in their eyes. The first sacrifice in the Land of Fire would be personally initiated by the High Deacon, and the light of the Jashin would shine forth.
In the future, when other outsiders come to this place, they will receive the respect they deserve.
It's not because the people of the Land of Fire have become kinder, but because 'they' have been here...
Night fell quickly, and the capital city was illuminated with dazzling lights. Many people were still strolling the streets.
Kido Kōsuke, a well-known arms dealer in the Land of Fire, went to work in his study after dinner.
Boom boom boom...
Suddenly, violent explosions erupted throughout the mansion, followed by shouts of battle.
Upon hearing the noise, Kido Kōsuke didn't open the door to check; instead, he immediately locked the door and prepared to go to the secret room to hide inside.
He didn't notice a puff of poisonous smoke drifting in through the window, and his head lolled to the side as he passed out.
When he woke up again, he found himself hanging under a red torii gate.
A thick purple shimenawa rope hangs from the torii gate, and as the breeze blows, countless bells ring out with a clear, crisp sound.
Looking down, twenty-eight torii gates stand in a row along the winding road leading down the mountain, a truly magnificent sight.
A person hangs from each torii gate; they are all members of his guard.
"This is... Shinmei Shrine..."
The Shinmei Shrine on the outskirts of the capital of the Land of Fire enshrines Great Goddess Amaterasu who controls fire.
Because he had done too many bad things in his life, and feared being tormented after death, Kido Kōsuke often came here to pray for the gods' forgiveness; he was a devout believer.
A group of people stood around, each carrying a scythe-shaped weapon, like the Shinigami.