Mastermind of the Akatsuki

[Yugakure has joined the Akatsuki. You have gained Basic Water Release, Basic Fire Release, Basic Earth Release…]

[Yugakure has joined the Akatsuki. You have acquired the Forbidden Techniques of the Evil God Cult.]

After hearing the system notification in his ears, Byakuya frowned.

Yugakure was just a minor ninja village, so it was normal for the rewards to be less impressive than those from Amegakure. After all, if Yugakure had any real secret techniques, they would have long been snatched by the Five Great Ninja Villages.

He was already quite satisfied with being able to supplement his ninjutsu and increase his chakra.

However, why would recruiting Yugakure result in a reward of the Evil God Cult's techniques? Could it be that Yugakure had been flirting with the Evil God Cult all along?

This was completely inconsistent with Yugakure's atmosphere of comfort and relaxation.

After all, in Byakuya's memory, the Evil God Cult was a sect devoted to sacrifices, where the more painful the death of the offering, the more favor they earned from the evil god.

In the original timeline of the Akatsuki, there was also Hidan, a member of the Evil God Cult.

Returning his thoughts to the present, Byakuya accepted the Forbidden Techniques of the Evil God Cult, which contained a technique called 'Curse Technique: Death Controlling Possessed Blood' along with its accompanying techniques.

Byakuya was not unfamiliar with this technique.

It was Hidan's signature technique; as long as he could obtain the blood of the corresponding ninja, he could perform the technique and harm his enemies through self-harm.

Ninja like Asuma, the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, and the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki all died under this technique.

After carefully reviewing the conditions for performing the Curse Technique: Death Controlling Possessed Blood, Byakuya's mouth twitched slightly. This forbidden technique of the Evil God Cult was quite similar to the Hyuga's Gentle Fist; it was useful but not particularly powerful.

First of all, to use Curse Technique: Death Controlling Possessed Blood, one must first obtain the enemy's blood.

This step isn't particularly difficult, as it is easy to obtain blood during battle, and there are also various underhanded means.

However, to perform Curse Technique: Death Controlling Possessed Blood, one must first set up a ritual array and stand within it to cast the technique.

The enemy has ample time to destroy the ritual array, rendering this technique ineffective. Furthermore, this technique has a range limit, and if it exceeds that range, its effects will also fail.

The most demanding aspect is the cost of performing this technique.

To curse the enemy, one must inflict the same amount of harm upon oneself and, after the ritual is over, self-harm for half an hour to please the evil god.

All these conditions combined require immense courage and an undying body to perform Curse Technique: Death Controlling Possessed Blood.

No wonder the Evil God Cult possesses such powerful techniques. After developing for so many years, they still hide near Yugakure. What normal ninja would perform such rituals? Even their followers might not be able to do it.

Only Hidan, who had undergone forbidden experiments to gain his immortal body, could barely use it.

Complaints aside, Byakuya still noted the techniques of the Evil God Cult down. Although this technique was almost useless, it could still serve as a surprise attack, showcasing decent effects in critical moments.

Stepping out of the room, Byakuya strolled through the streets of Yugakure, looking for something interesting to join.

After this meeting, Konohagakure and Kumogakure would surely be seething with anger and might clash at any moment.

When that time came, he could step in to mediate the conflict between the two sides.

Unfortunately, Byakuya did not see many Konohagakure or Kumogakure ninjas. The few that appeared quickly fled upon noticing him.

"Am I really that scary?"

Byakuya shrugged, revealing an expression of helplessness.

Just then, Byakuya sensed unusual movements outside the village; several chakra signatures at the level of jōnin were erupting, prompting him to hurry over to see what was going on.

Before long, Byakuya arrived at the battle site.

He saw Kakuzu and Sasori, both dressed in the Akatsuki's signature cloaks, surrounding a seemingly mentally unstable young man. Despite being covered in blood, the young man's face radiated arrogance, as if he were intoxicated by the pain.

Could this person be Hidan?

After silently reciting a few words in his heart, Byakuya approached Kakuzu and Sasori, asking, "Kakuzu, Sasori, didn't the organization instruct all members not to cause trouble in Yugakure? Yugakure is a village we're trying to recruit."

Sasori snorted coldly and replied, "This guy provoked us first. He showed up asking us to join some cleansing cult and was babbling about sacrifices and other crazy talk. If it weren't for the fact that this guy has no bounty, I would've taken his head for a reward already."

Kakuzu nodded and then seemed to recall something, saying, "But this kid can really take a beating. Even after I pierced through his body, he kept on fighting."

Feigning surprise, Byakuya exclaimed, "Does that mean he has an immortal body just like you, Kakuzu-senpai? Haven't you tried to recruit him?"

Kakuzu remained silent, seemingly realizing he had indeed forgotten about that.

At that moment, Hidan noticed Byakuya and shouted, "Hey, kid over there! Do you want to join the Evil God Cult? Just sacrifice yourself, and you can embrace Lord Jashin!"

Byakuya couldn't help but roll his eyes at Hidan's words. "What kind of god is called an evil god? Are you trying to tarnish your own god's reputation?"

"The Evil Lord is the evil god, who never pretends."

Byakuya sneered and replied, "Since your evil lord enjoys sacrifices so much, why don't you offer yourself as a sacrifice?"

Hidan scratched his head and grinned widely, "I want to offer a sacrifice to the evil god too, but I have an immortal body, so it's not that easy for me to die. Plus, staying alive helps me please the evil god better."

"I see. But I have one more question for you: since the evil god loves pain and sacrifices so much, why doesn't he sacrifice himself?"

"Well…"

Upon hearing this, Hidan fell into deep thought, pondering why the evil god wouldn't sacrifice himself.

If the evil lord truly loved pain and sacrifices, then the evil god should be the first to offer himself, right? Could it be that the evil god doesn't really enjoy pain and sacrifice?

Seeing this scene, Byakuya, Kakuzu, and Sasori all looked at Hidan as if he were a fool.

After thinking for a long time without arriving at an answer, Hidan finally heard the laughter from Byakuya and the others and, in frustration, shouted:

"Let me ask you one last time, do you want to join the Evil God Cult or not?"

Byakuya gently shook his head and said, "Sorry, I have no intention of joining the Evil God Cult, nor do my two subordinates. I was just teasing you."

Hidan's expression darkened immediately, and he swung his scythe, charging toward Byakuya.

Byakuya didn't make a move; he simply said calmly, "Kakuzu, Sasori, this guy is up to you. Isn't he supposed to be immortal? You don't need to hold back."