Chapter 9 — The First Mission
A moment later…
Hidan stepped out of the room, fists clenched, teeth gritting in rage.
"Bastard! Bastard! Bastard!"
"Just some pathetic 'Divine Punishment,' and doesn't need anyone meddling in his affairs."
"Absolutely infuriating!"
Meanwhile, as Hidan stormed off in frustration, Shinji's normally expressionless face suddenly curled into a small smile.
Just now, the system notification sounded.
His bond points with Hidan had suddenly risen by 80!
Adding the 20 points he had earned from the previous hot spring mission, in just over ten days he had completed what would have taken a month's worth of missions.
Clearly, he had become far more adept at handling Hidan.
All those eighteen blood holes inflicted in front of so many people hadn't been in vain after all.
Moreover, just before Hidan arrived, he had "died" once more, receiving a rating of "low excitement in death," which slightly increased his chakra, willpower, and physical stats.
He couldn't help but mutter to himself: how exactly does one die in a "spectacular" way?!
Do you have to explode into a rainbow of fireworks to be considered spectacular, or does it need to be meaningful?
He really couldn't understand it.
…
The "Divine Punishment," a ritual that had never allowed anyone to survive, had finally been broken. Shinji Akagi became the first person to endure it and live.
Of course, it wasn't that shocking—after all, it was just stabbing him a dozen or so times and letting some blood flow. An immortal body wasn't exactly fragile.
So most people didn't think much of it, and the internal affairs of the Cult of the Evil God quickly returned to normal.
In the following period, Hidan no longer sought out Shinji for trouble. Surprisingly, he began diligently training his body instead.
Clearly, he hadn't given up. He was preparing to become stronger before seeking revenge on Shinji.
Hidan's change in attitude secretly delighted Grandmaster Takihata and the others.
They had been debating whether to separate Hidan and Shinji for training, but this unexpected turn had pleasantly surprised them. Truly, the Evil God had blessed them!
Resources began to flow abundantly toward Hidan and Shinji.
Cult leader Takihata understood that, despite the rapid development of the Cult of the Evil God, they could at most bully smaller nations. If they truly provoked one of the Five Great Nations, a mere gesture from them would crush the cult instantly.
This was why he always kept the cult in a secluded location, never daring to provoke the Five Great Nations.
But now, with Hidan and Shinji, he saw new hope.
Two immortals combined, wielding the powerful curses Blood of the Dead Execution and Crimson Blood Manipulation, would eventually rival even shadow-level shinobi once fully grown!
With shadow-level guardians, the Cult of the Evil God could truly rise and become a force the ninja world could not ignore.
Grandmaster Takiha's ambition was vast, and his plans meticulous.
Of course, plans could never fully keep up with change.
"Shinji, how long have you been here?"
After drawing a vial of blood for experimentation, Shinji paused at the question, then thought for a moment.
"About… three months, I guess."
Takihata, asking knowingly, nodded gently.
"Since you've been with us for three months, hmm… it's time to assign you a mission."
Shinji was momentarily surprised, but forced himself to stay calm.
Had Takihata truly come to trust him, or was this merely a test?
Thinking it over, he decided it didn't matter.
He wasn't ready to abandon the Cult yet. Even if he wanted to leave, he would first extract every ounce of value he could.
Whether it was trust or a test, he had nothing to fear—he just needed to be himself.
With that thought, Shinji replied,
"I shall follow Grandmaster Takiha's orders. Shinji pledges everything to the Evil God, including his life!"
Seemingly satisfied with Shinji's display of loyalty, Takiha's smile grew warmer.
"You and Hidan are the future of our cult. Greater burdens will fall upon you in time. So don't rush to serve the Evil God just yet. The followers are ready for that day; it isn't your turn."
"Yes, Grandmaster Takiha. My apologies for overstepping."
Who in their right mind would rush to serve some Evil God!
This favor can be yours—go serve your god with the followers, not me!
Shinji bowed outwardly, but internally he was muttering like crazy.
Takihata gently patted Shinji's shoulder and continued,
"The mission isn't difficult. In the Land of Waves, there is a wealthy supporter of ours who has recently run into trouble. He requires our intervention."
"Your recent training with Hidan hasn't gone unnoticed. But hiding here won't make you stronger. Only through battle and the trial of blood can one grow into a true independent powerhouse."
"For this mission, I am sending only you and Hidan. I hope you do not disappoint me."
Shinji stared at Takihata's kindly smile, responding formally, yet silently thought:
"Yeah, right! You expect me to believe there aren't hidden strings attached?!"
"Otherwise, why would you trust me to go with Hidan?"
"If anything goes wrong, or we try to run, you'd have nowhere to cry! Hah!"
And…
He had absolutely no intention of going on a mission with Hidan!
…
"Who the hell wants to go on a mission with that bastard?!"
Hidan, also assigned to the mission, thought the same thing internally.
But since it had been decided by Grandmaster Takihata himself, personal preference was irrelevant.
In Takihata's eyes, the conflict between Hidan and Shinji was childish—a simple clash of temperaments.
Spending more time together in trials and battles would naturally improve their relationship.
For example, who could have expected Shinji to plead on Hidan's behalf last time, even taking on the punishment for him?
Who could have expected Hidan, completely unaware, to nearly beat to death a follower who spoke ill of Shinji?
Takiha was convinced his plan was correct.
Immortality wasn't invincible, but pairing two cursed immortals together would be more than twice as effective as each alone.
If Shinji and Hidan were to become true partners, they needed to start fighting and shedding blood together now—to forge that tacit understanding, that unbreakable bond.