Chapter 273: Searching for the Destroyed Jashin Cult
It wasn't much of a secret that the Hyuga clan had a ninja abducted by people from Kirigakure.
Even if Konoha and the Hyuga clan wanted to keep this matter hidden, the intelligence networks of the various ninja villages were not to be trifled with.
Moreover, the entire ninja world right now, whether it was Konoha, Kirigakure, or Uchiha Madara, could be said to be targets of attention for the entire ninja world.
Any slightest movement could attract the gaze of the entire ninja world.
This was also the reason why the Yugakure ninja present had suddenly become tense.
A drop of cold sweat dripped from the forehead of the leading Yugakure ninja.
If the young man before him was truly the one from Kirigakure that he was thinking of, then Yugakure absolutely could not afford to offend him.
As for the somewhat hot-tempered Yugakure ninja from earlier, his face had already paled.
This Yugakure ninja now only hoped that his words earlier hadn't angered the other party, otherwise, Yugakure might face complete destruction.
Just as the atmosphere between the two sides was growing increasingly tense.
A frantic footsteps suddenly sounded from the distance. A middle-aged man dressed as a civilian, wiping the sweat from his forehead with a panicked expression, jogged toward everyone's direction.
Seeing the appearance of this middle-aged man, the numerous Yugakure ninja who had surrounded Wang Fan and Neji instantly disappeared from their spots and appeared before this middle-aged man.
"Yugakage!"
The many Yugakure ninja looked at this middle-aged man and spoke with respectful expressions.
Yugakage?
This middle-aged man who looked honest and ordinary, almost like a common villager?
Neji showed a puzzled expression on his face.
Under the insight of Neji's Byakugan, there was not a trace of chakra on this middle-aged man before him, which meant this person was just an ordinary person.
How could an ordinary person possibly be the shadow of a village?
As if sensing Neji's confusion, Yuto, who was standing beside him, said with a faint smile on his face:
"Yugakure is different from most ninja villages in the ninja world. The village was founded by a couple. These two people obtained a partial rubbing of a scroll from somewhere, and then through research, established Yugakure's special ninja system."
"However, due to the geographical location of Yugakure and the village's constant pursuit of peace, subsequent Yugakage have generally been respected ordinary people from the village."
A look of realization flashed in Neji's eyes, then as if he thought of something, he spoke in a low voice:
"Is that why you came to Yugakure this time, Yuto-dono? For the special ninjutsu of Yugakure?"
"Do you really think I would set my sights on the ninjutsu of a small village?" Yuto raised an eyebrow, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes.
Why did Neji's words make it seem as if he had come to plunder by force.
Neji quickly shut his mouth. At this moment, it was best for him not to speak.
The conversation between the two did not avoid the Yugakure ninja present. The middle-aged man, being the Yugakage, didn't mind what Yuto said.
How Yugakure was founded wasn't much of a secret, just like how Konoha was founded by Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama—such matters couldn't even be considered secrets.
Seeing that Yuto and Neji had finished speaking, the plainly dressed middle-aged man walked to a position not far before Yuto with a solemn expression:
"I am the Yugakage of Yugakure. I don't know what assistance Yuto-dono needs appearing in our village?"
It wasn't surprising that the Yugakage before him recognized him. Ordinary ninja might not know him, but these village leaders had probably been paying attention to Yuto and others for a long time.
"Hidan should be someone from your village, right?"
Yuto didn't intend to beat around the bush and spoke directly.
The Yugakage's expression froze slightly, wearing a simple, honest smile as he spoke cautiously:
"Hidan is indeed from Yugakure, but he defected a long time ago."
"I want all the intelligence you've collected about the Jashin cult, and the location of the Jashin cult that you have already destroyed."
Yuto glanced at the Yugakage and spoke in a cold tone.
Jashin Cult!
Hearing these three words, the Yugakage's expression clearly changed, but it quickly returned to normal.
"No problem, Yuto-dono." The Yugakage nodded.
The emergence of the Jashin cult could be said to be a painful period in Yugakure's history.
Although the Yugakage was unwilling to bring it up again, the Yuto before him was clearly not an easy person to talk to.
Before long, a scroll containing intelligence about the Jashin cult and a map of the original location of the destroyed Jashin cult appeared in Yuto's hands.
Looking at the things in his hands, Yuto didn't pay attention to the nervous expressions on the Yugakure ninja's faces. He turned and led Neji toward the location marked on the map.
Only after Yuto and Neji's figures completely disappeared from everyone's sight did the Yugakure ninja finally breathe a heavy sigh of relief.
"It seems their purpose is only the Jashin cult, not our Yugakure."
One Yugakure ninja sighed in relief while showing a look of lingering fear.
"Yugakage-dono, what should we do next?"
The leading Yugakure ninja's face was filled with a heavy expression as he looked at the Yugakage.
"The legends about these old monsters are not something we can interfere with. I have already informed Konoha about the information that the First Mizukage, Yuto, has appeared in our Yugakure."
"Since we have done what we should, the following matters are no longer our concern. Notify all civilians and ninja in Yugakure not to leave the village for this period of time."
The seemingly honest Yugakage's eyes flashed with a sharp light.
The moment Yuto and Neji appeared within the borders of the Land of Hot Water, the Yugakage had already received the information.
After all, their blatant behavior, combined with Neji's easily recognizable Byakugan, made it hard not to notice them.
The reason the Yugakage was a little late was precisely because he was transmitting information to Konoha.
How could it truly be so simple to become a shadow with the identity of an ordinary person.
Konoha.
In the Hokage's office.
As afterimage flashed, a ninja from Anbu respectfully placed a piece of information before Jiraiya and then disappeared again.
"Intelligence from Yugakure?"
Seeing the information before him, a surprised look flashed in Jiraiya's eyes.
As a village famous for its many hot springs, Yugakure was one of Jiraiya's favorite countries.
After all, before returning to Konoha, Jiraiya had also been using the guise of gathering intelligence to travel around the ninja world.
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Hey everyone,
I need to tell you what's actually happening.
I just got hit with mass cancellations. On top of being buried in academics until the 9th. I'm in deep financial trouble right now—like, genuinely don't-know-how-I-cover-next-month trouble.
I want to do more for you. I have another Naruto fic ready to drop the moment this academic hell ends. But I can't keep creating if I can't survive.
I'm not powerless about the work—I know I can deliver for you. But I'm powerless to stop the bleeding alone.
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