Cults are not something that I was glad to deal with.
I knew by meta-knowledge that these would come to exist eventually, that the chances to completely suppress those was not attainable within the level of tracking ninja could currently rely on, and that sometimes new ones can be originated through a careful plotting which tricked weak-minded people into submitting to the cult's mentality. Especially when those were being commanded by an individual which could mind-control people.
To say that I was surprised that there was an effective effort in the capital to subjugate more worshipers to that creepy priest's cause would be an understatement. Posters, books, dresses being sold, gifts being offered, 'kindness being shown' by helping beggars- this entire place had turned into a mortal trap and I wasn't happy at what I was looking at.
Muramasa was equally alarmed by this, and he had taken precautions on the path we were going to take to leave the capital. The place was packed with fanatics, and some of them had started to 'shift oddly' as one of his old friends had told him. And this unusual behavior coincided with our arrival. They knew we were here and thus were looking around to try and find us.
Hence why we could no longer afford to stay here because the more we lingered, the higher the chances were we may end up facing a combined assault. I didn't need to explain how the previous occasions may have given the priest the chance to understand one thing: A single Genryu would fail to kill me, and would just provide me with more power once defeated. If he stacked his entire forces against me? That would put me in a bit of a hassle. Which is why I wanted to avoid that at all costs.
Once we started to make our way out, I could sense that people were moving a bit too nervously around. Something was soon to happen, and everyone could tell that, whatever it was, it was going to happen quite soon. And my intuition proved to be right as the underground city started to shake- something was attacking it, and we were its target. Smartly enough, we took the path that led the furthest away from the danger, and we were quite close to get out without getting spotted.
A mistaken hope, I reckon, especially when the lack of people, as the crowds dissipated the moment the attack started, allowed for the cultists to see us easily. Picking up the pace was a good beginning, but a few of those chasing us were already close. Cutting them was easy, they were civilian-level strong fighters and went down with ease, but I had a feeling they didn't care how many comrades they were to lose in the process of capturing us.
That was another thing I hated about cults: the way they worshiped an ideal or a god to the very death. They considered life to be worthless without the completion of their goals, and thus it was easily discarded for the sake of the 'greater good'. More cultists flocked after us, but we were faster, and quite close to the exit. Once we crossed it, relief washed over us for a while. It was a brief victory, and one that was ruined by the presence of a priest right outside the gates, and an army of armed cultists behind him.
The man smiled, but instead of staring at Nashiro as creepily as he did back when we first dealt with him, he was aiming his gaze at me. It was the intensity, the way he was aiming his focus at me- it was purposely meant to show something different than last time: if before Nashiro was his primary goal, it was clear I had replaced her in that role. And it meant one thing that I wasn't really pleased to face quite soon. Some lies may have to be broken at once because of this unwarranted situation.
Hand gripping the hilt of my sword, I took a few steps forward.
"To think that someone of great importance would end up crossing paths with my target," The priest hummed, smiling deviously. "Sasaki Kojiro... you are more than you introduce yourself as. I wonder why."
"Let's just say I wanted to enjoy some training without my name bringing me any issues. A blank slate to start with during this journey," I remarked flatly. "And from the way you sound, I have reason to believe you and I may have a mutual acquaintance."
"A god-"
"Someone that I came close to killing a few years ago can't be a god," I interjected, and the priest frowned at this comment. "Say, are you still sure you want to do this? Once my name comes out, no amount of old legends is going to stop me. Trust my word on that."
For the first time ever, I saw a different emotion beyond numb confidence on this bastard's face. Genuine fear. I wasn't exactly sure what he was hoping to get out of this battle, and I could tell that he knew how this wasn't going to go well for him and his little squad. I may have not used my Ninja skills in a while, but I was still sharp enough to remember all potential Jutsu that could decimate such a limited attack force.
But while Ashihei looked genuinely frightened for a moment, his mood returned to normal shortly after. Almost amused if not certain that he had a chance. And that bravado was warranted as he raised his hand to the sky and something big and fast started to approach us. I blinked, glancing over my shoulder and I saw a green-ass dragon bolting towards me. Wind energy made him break the sound barrier as he dove towards me with absurd speed. I wouldn't have normally been able to turn and effectively cut it down.
My sword was strong, but since it was a matter of speed and mass, I wasn't going to stop the attack with a sword alone. Hence why I had to employ a different solution to this issue. A large white rib cage formed over my frame, creating an external barrier that was quickly reinforced by 'skin' and an extra layer of armor- from there a right arm formed, going through the same process and manifesting as a strong-looking limb.
Once fully formed swiftly rushed from the side and, just as it took hold of the dragon-like entity, used the momentum carried by its rush to slam it towards the priest and his posse. The bastard noticed in time, barely making it out alive with a swift jump, while his gang was decimated by the dragon-shaped artillery shell that slammed onto them.
It was a massacre, and it wasn't just a display for Ashihei to see, but also for the cultists that had watched this development unfold a couple of meters away from Muramasa and Nashiro. Cultists or not, when your own 'leader' is unable to withstand someone, then it was best to not face it. Especially when the priest looked like he had crapped his pants at what just happened.
"Y-You- Our Lord was right. Your power- there is no doubt. You are what he is looking for!"
I scoffed. "Oh please, tell him to come so I put an end to the Ootsutsuki invasion for good. Please do."
A shudder, but the priest, rather than stay, rushed away from me, diving for the bushes and using the forest on the side as a means to get away from me. I could have given chase, but I was certain that would have only emboldened the bastard to turn around, dodge me, and try to catch Nashiro from Muramasa.
For now I would let him be, but I now had his energy pattern down and I had a dragon to absorb. I approached the Genryu, the green-scaled entity writing in pain as the bloodied impact had shredded into its once smooth scales and created large injuries all over its body. It didn't even put any resistance as I went on to absorb it. The Wind Genryu was soon no more, its energy now resting within my blade.
Three down, two more left to deal with.
I walked up to Muramasa and Nashiro, the old man giving me a look that demanded a lot of questions... The girl looked absolutely ecstatic of what had just happened from the way she was staring at me and the way her tail wagged with clear excitement.
And here I hoped to not have to reveal my identity to anyone during this trip...
"D-Did you see that, Neechan?" Little Mifune asked, looking to the side of a very annoyed Musashi.
When the 'earthquake' happened, she had been tempted to leave for the shelters with the rascal of a boy Mifune was. But when she saw Kojiro-baka running through one of the gates while being chased by some of those pesky cultists. She gave chase, Mifune tagged along since he wanted to keep around his big sis-
And soon they were staring at quite the unexpected display of power. To say that Musashi was shocked would be an understatement: Musashi was floored. She compared the way Kojiro-baka fought her in that duel to this and, beyond awe, a raw emotion consumed her current thoughts.
Anger.
That bastard has been holding back against me!
To a prideful swordswoman like Musashi, that was a greater offense than a mere defeat. Here she thought she had a chance- that this Kojiro-baka was reasonably strong for her to beat in a battle so that she could get a potential husband and stop the nagging coming from the few suitors seeking her. While it was reasonable for a woman to pursue swordsmanship, it would be a lie to say all women had the same rights as most men. Marriage was one of the things that differed between a man and a woman.
While a woman could refuse a verbal request, a duel can easily cost them the right to say no and end up married to a Samurai. Musashi was close to the age of being considered an adult, and thus required to accept duels by one of the samurai trying to get her. Many were twice if not thrice as old as she was, and none were pleasant enough to be considered 'good people' to be together with. Marriage was a fright, and thus Musashi sought the one that could claim her now to deprive others the chance to 'steal her'.
Despite the many feelings of irritation and contempt she held for that baka, Kojiro's display of strength further cemented her interest in him, and the fact that he had this 'little sister' to care for also confirmed that he had a heart. He was kind and he was strong- that was enough in Musashi's book to get him as her husband. But while it was easy to lay down a plan, Musashi knew that trying to stop him now wouldn't do. Following him out of the capital was the best option and... maybe it wouldn't be bad to finally depart and lessen the pressure many had on her.
Yes, that was the best option. The only gripe was the exchange between him and Mifune. Truth be told, bringing the kid for this journey was dangerous. She saw what happened with that dragon-like creature and- even though Kojiro was strong enough to face them, it didn't feel safe for her to be the one protecting the boy from those monsters. She just wasn't that strong but... she can learn! Maybe if she also trained like Kojiro did, she could become strong enough to beat him and then get him as a husband!
Yes, the plan was sound and she ultimately conceded to the giddy Mifune tagging along for this trip. It was still unusual for her to pack her things for such an aimless journey, but it was a matter of heart now. Heart and pride.
She couldn't accept any defeats from now on!