Shinji stated the conditions for joining the Jashin Cult very high, completely forgetting how he had roped in members from all over the place in the past.
However, one thing he didn't say was wrong: people without sufficient strength truly were not qualified to join the Jashin Cult.
In fact, even the level of a regular Jōnin was no longer sufficient for his needs.
His direction for the development of the Jashin Cult was "better few than many," following the absolute elite route of the Akatsuki.
Because the enemies in the later stages would make it impossible to bridge the gap in strength solely through numbers.
No matter how many cannon fodder there were, they would still be cannon fodder.
Upon hearing this requirement, Sasuke's heart sank.
If it were other requirements, he might have found a way, but for a strict requirement like strength, what could he do?
He wanted to join the Jashin Cult precisely to increase his strength quickly.
But without sufficient strength, he couldn't join the Jashin Cult.
Well, it was a direct vicious cycle.
On his way back, Sasuke was still trying to find a solution.
In fact, he wasn't insistent on joining the Jashin Cult. It was just that his growth rate in Konoha was too slow.
Moreover, after deducing the so-called truth, he had completely lost trust in the village and his desire for revenge had grown stronger.
If he continued to stay, he truly suspected that one day he would wake up and do something irrational, thus ruining himself.
Therefore, choosing to leave and join an organization that could help him rapidly increase his strength became his immediate priority.
And the only one he could currently access was Akagi Shinji's Jashin Cult.
Furthermore, in his 'true' memories, the other party had defeated that man, which perfectly fit his requirements.
It's just that he wanted to join, but they didn't want him.
Elite Jōnin strength...
If he had the strength of an Elite Jōnin, he might have already gone out to find that man and question him face-to-face.
Just as Sasuke was at a loss, a pebble hit him on the head with a snap.
"Who?"
Sasuke looked up, his eyes filled with killing intent.
Then he saw someone hiding behind a tree, showing his masked head and beckoning to him.
Sasuke recognized the other party at a glance: it was one of Akagi Shinji's two companions, the strange masked man.
Although he didn't know why the other party was looking for him, he walked over for that sliver of a chance to join.
To his surprise, the other party turned and ran, gesturing for him to follow quickly.
Sasuke was stunned and quickly quickened his pace to catch up.
However, no matter how fast he ran, he could only eat dust behind the other party, unable to close the distance even slightly.
Sasuke knew this was due to the vast difference in speed between them.
He was once again hit with a blow, realizing that he was far inferior even to that strange masked man.
But he quickly remembered what Shinji had said, realizing that those who could join the Jashin Cult were all strong individuals. This meant that the strange masked man, whom he had previously looked down upon, was likely an Elite Jōnin at the very least.
As for anything higher, he dared not imagine.
Could he possibly be a Kage?
Following along, the two finally stopped in a secluded open space.
Besides the three of them, there was no one else here.
Yes, that's right, three people.
Because Hidan had been waiting here for a long time.
"Senior Hidan, I've brought the person for you~"
"Well done, Tobi."
Hidan praised Tobi, who immediately scratched his head sheepishly and honestly.
The two of them were no longer rolling on the ground, tearing and fighting each other like before.
"Brat, I heard you want to join us?"
Sasuke was secretly on guard. Hearing Hidan's words, he couldn't help but nod. "I do want to join you, but I was rejected. Someone told me that I must have the strength of an Elite Jōnin and pass an assessment before I can join."
Upon hearing this, Hidan burst into hearty laughter. "Well said. Our Jashin Cult isn't a place where just any cat, dog, or rotten fish can join."
Sasuke was very displeased to hear this, but he couldn't refute it. He could only stare coldly at the other party and say, "So you lured me here just to mock my overestimation of myself to my face?"
"Of course... not. We're not that bored to come out specifically to bully a kid."
Hidan said proudly, "Tobi thought you had some potential, so he begged me to give you a chance."
Tobi was speechless and suddenly raised his hand. "Um... what I originally said was..."
"That's not important!"
"..."
Tobi was interrupted before he could finish. In reality, what he had said at the time was that if they let that brat join, wouldn't they no longer have to go out to buy groceries and clean the house? From now on, all the chores could be thrown to that brat.
Then Hidan was moved!
He stopped fighting and, after Shinji returned, the two of them sneaked out, leading to this scene.
But in reality, Tobi's true intention was not this.
Don't forget, he was also present on that night five years ago and understood very well how important this brat was to Itachi.
Although he didn't know why this brat kept pestering Akagi Shinji and had learned part of the truth about the tragedy.
But he could definitely use him as a contingency.
As long as Sasuke never forgot his hatred and desire for revenge against Konoha, the Jashin Cult would always stand in opposition to Konoha.
And this was the result he wanted to see.
However, the prerequisite was that Sasuke could successfully join the Jashin Cult and gain the approval of a certain person.
Tobi pondered and felt that only the idiot Hidan could possibly accomplish this, which was why he deliberately said that.
"Give me a chance?"
Sasuke looked at Tobi and Hidan with confusion, then said something that made Tobi inwardly exclaim "Oh no."
"Isn't Akagi Shinji the one in charge of the Jashin Cult? Even if you give me a chance, if that person doesn't agree in the end, won't the result be the same?"
Sasuke was just stating what he had seen, completely unaware of how damaging his words were.
As expected, Hidan's expression immediately turned grim.
Tobi quickly tried to salvage the situation. "Brat, you're mistaken! This Senior Hidan is the leader of the Jashin Cult."
Sasuke was stunned. Not only did he not believe it, but he also looked at Hidan suspiciously, his eyes filled with distrust.
"Very well. Although you don't believe me, I am still willing to open the entry assessment for you." Hidan suddenly smiled terrifyingly.
"What assessment?"
"Survive."
"Huh? What..."
Bang!
Before Sasuke could ask clearly, he was sent flying backward.
The Bloody Three-Moon Scythe heavily struck his crossed arms in front of his chest, directly emitting the sound of cracking bones.
If he hadn't blocked this blow in time, he might have lost his ability to resist on the spot.
"Survive means... survive."
Hidan walked up to Sasuke and raised his Bloody Three-Moon Scythe again!
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