Night falls.
At this time, in a house in a small town more than 20 kilometers southwest of the Hot Spring Village, a huge rectangular table had more than a dozen figures sitting around it, with dim lights casting shadows on their faces. The faces of these people looked extremely gloomy, not because of their looks, but because of the intense expressions on their faces.
At the head of the table, a man with white bandages wrapped around his neck and left arm attracted everyone's attention. It was Shinzo Kuriyama.
As Sakumo had expected, his left hand, which had been blown up, had recovered as usual. He crossed his hands and rested his elbows on the table, slightly covering his face, which looked pale under the light.
Kuriyama Shinzo looked at C, who was sitting to his left, and asked, "Can't we get some more ninjas from Cloud Village? With our current strength, this plan is too risky, not to mention that Hatake Sakumo is in the opposing camp."
Although Kuriyama Shinzo hadn't seen the entire fight that night, the result was obvious. This prominent figure from the Raika clan in Cloud Village was no match for Hatake Sakumo. Even with two jonins, Sakumo had still severely injured one of them. Moreover, although the Hot Spring Ninja Village is small, their leader is quite strong.
"So what if he's there? Do you think I can't beat him?" C was still angry. When he saw the name Hatake Sakumo, his eyes darkened.
"Of course not," Kuriyama Shinzo laughed, though his smile looked a little odd.
C glanced at him and then said, "The relationship between the five major ninja countries is tense, and combat power is tight. The village sending us out is the limit. What's more, it takes two or three days to get here from Cloud Village. Do you intend to give the Hot Spring Shinobi Village that much time to prepare more thoroughly?"
"And Konoha is much closer to the Land of Hot Springs than the Land of Lightning."
What he meant was that Cloud Shinobi Village couldn't provide more manpower now, and since Hatake Sakumo had already joined the Hot Spring Shinobi Village, it was clear that Konoha had begun to pay attention to the situation here.
If it weren't for the huge significance of Kuriyama Shinzo's success this time to the Land of Lightning, the Cloud Shinobi would not have involved themselves in this mess. It was impossible to ask for reinforcements from Cloud Shinobi Village.
At this time, Kuriyama Shinzo seemed a little hesitant. Although he was very anxious to become truly immortal, the current situation was serious, and the plan was not easy to succeed.
"Don't be timid. Under the blessing of the great Jashin, we will succeed!" a man with fiery eyes among the dozen figures said, his words full of enthusiasm.
"The gods are on our side, and we will be the winners!"
"The Jashin is omnipotent."
These words caused a wave of fanatical shouts. All the members of the Jashin Cult had a crazy belief in this so-called Jashin.
Seeing them like this, Kuriyama Shinzo sneered in his heart. He himself did not believe in any so-called Jashin and never believed that the existence of immortality was due to the so-called power of God.
According to his research, this seemed to be an ancient secret technique originating from thousands of years ago. As long as the ritual was completed, one could obtain an immortal body. With this power, he would no longer fear the pursuit of Konoha ninjas.
However, he now represented the messenger of God. Facing these fanatical followers, he stood up, stretched out his arms, and acted like a prophet. He said in a very hoarse voice, "You are right. The great God will give us invincible power to defeat all enemies. God cannot be disobeyed, and I am the messenger of God."
Except for C, the room was full of followers of Jashin. The fanaticism of these people made him a little uneasy.
"Okay, let me know when you are leaving as soon as possible. I am not interested in wasting time with you here."
Dozens of eyes were cast at him simultaneously. C glanced at them and left, unmoved.
"Reckless man," Kuriyama Shinzo sneered in his heart. This C might be strong, but he was too stupid. As a ninja, the first thing is to be calm and rational.
"Lord God's messenger," a man walked in from the door and knelt in front of Kuriyama Shinzo. Then he handed a scroll to Kuriyama Shinzo and left.
After reading the scroll carefully, Kuriyama Shinzo's expression changed slightly. "It seems that the guy's identity has been exposed. As an elder of the Hot Spring Village, he couldn't even figure out the exact location of the Bloody March Scythe."
Kuriyama Shinzo sneered. Even among the top leaders of the Hot Spring Village, there were those who sought immortality and eternal life. The older these elders got, the more they feared death.
It seemed the exact location of the Bloody March Scythe was known only by the leader of the Hot Spring Village, Yugimoto Kawahiko. In this case, things became more difficult to handle. After all, it was too difficult to find a weapon in such a large Hot Spring Village.
However, in contrast, this information contained something more valuable.
"Lord God's Envoy, the gathering of the followers is almost complete. What should we do?" asked the man next to Kuriyama Shinzo. Gathering this group of fanatics, the sooner the better. As C said, if it takes too long, it will only give the Hot Spring Ninja Village time to react.
"Let's go now, break into the Hot Spring Ninja Village, and take back the artifact!" Kuriyama Shinzo immediately stood up and raised his arms.
The rest of the people shouted fanatically, their eyes full of resentment. In their view, the Hot Spring Ninja Village had taken away the Bloody March Scythe, an act of blasphemy against God, and for this, a painful price must be paid.
Outside this small town, thousands of Jashin followers gathered, surrounding Kuriyama Shinzo, the God's Envoy. In their eyes, the person in front of them was the spokesperson of God.
"What are you going to do?" C asked. Invading a ninja village naturally requires a plan. It is impossible to rush in blindly. Even if he is reckless, he understands this.
Hearing this, Kuriyama smiled coldly and said, "Most of you will attack from the front. I believe Hatake Sakumo will target you first."
"And I will attack the shelter directly. As long as we capture Yugimoto Kawahiko's mother, our goal will be achieved."
C's face changed slightly. This despicable guy is going to make the leader of the Hot Spring Ninja Village choose between his mother and the safety of the village.