Chapter 945 : Missing Intel!

Fujin thought, ‘Even if I assume Jashin is unable to interact with the world beyond the formation of his seeds and occasionally speaking, considering the cult's failure to expand for over 650 years, I still can't act rashly. Despite spending over 2 decades as a Bishop in the cult, this useless fellow only saw the abilities of 4 important cultists.

Elder Shimeiryuu, who already was over 200 years back then, excels in Fuinjutsu and can use it effectively during the battlefield. Lady Shiranui, who is the youngest person to become an Elder in the cult, is an expert at Genjutsu and can cast large scale and complicated illusions. Elder Jikininki, also close to 200 years old, has great control over the fire. Though Ketsueki didn't understand it, his flames must be a combination of Fire Release and Yin Release.

And lastly, Guardian Seirou, whose ability is very dangerous. He's the oldest person in the cult, and should be over 350 years old if still alive. He can absorb life force from others by touching them, allowing him to remain young for so long. Luckily, he can't help others maintain their youth, or that cult would have already reigned supreme. However, he can still transfer the stolen life force into others to heal serious injuries. Ketsueki learnt of his abilities because Seirou acts as the medical ninja there.

Apart from these 4, Ketsueki never learnt of any one else's abilities. I can't even begin to guess what weird abilities the remaining Guardians possess, let alone guess what the Pontiff can do. How can I act openly while being so much in the dark?’

Ever since Fujin transmigrated into the ninja world, one advantage he almost always enjoyed was information. While this advantage might seem simple at first glance, it actually had far reaching implications. Not only did Fujin know of the future events and the abilities of every ninja of significance, but he also knew their personalities, their dreams, their goals, where their loyalties lay and even what their future actions would be!

In a way, he knew his enemies better than even they knew themselves! After all, the current Nagato could never imagine that he'd die by sacrificing his life to revive the very people he killed. Nor could someone like Kisame imagine he'd commit suicide without any hesitation to prevent leaking intel to the enemies.

And, his enemies were completely in the dark that Fujin possessed such intel. The advantage this provided Fujin was simply too big of a factor. Many of his major successes could be attributed to this single factor. Deidara's death was probably the best example of how big of a factor this intel played. Without understanding everything about Deidara and Akatsuki, Fujin could never have managed to kill Deidara under those circumstances without exposing something like the Flying Thunder God jutsu.

So, Fujin had gotten used to operating in conditions where he understood everything about the situation. He had reduced his dependence on this intel after being caught off guard by Roshi's Tailed Beast Bomb, but it still played a huge role in his schemes.

As such, Fujin was very uncomfortable with the current situation. Not only did he not know of his enemy's abilities, but he also wasn't aware of their personalities, behavior and other details. The only thing he knew was their obsession with serving Jashin.

However, that wasn't very helpful either. Even if every person had the same goal, it didn't imply their actions would be similar. For instance, Hiruzen, Tsunade, Jiraiya and Danzo all wanted Konoha to prosper. But the means each chose was quite different from one another. Without sufficient intel, Fujin couldn't speculate the actions of the cultists.

With a frown on his face, Fujin thought, ‘Under normal circumstances, the best way forward would be to induce a conflict. The location of the cult is closest to the Land of Earth. If I can cause a full scale war between the two, I can stay in the shadows and learn more about the Guardians.

Unfortunately, this is more or less impossible. Iwagakure is currently locked in a hidden battle against Konoha. They can't spare the resources needed to deal with such a formidable force. Even if they could, Onoki is unlikely to do it. The other villages aren't in shape to take on such a force either. Only Konoha can, but Konoha's strength is the foundation of the current peace. Hiruzen and Tsunade won't make a move that could break this balance.

I suppose the best option for inducing a conflict is actually Akatsuki. However, that's too risky… It might have the opposite effect of what I intend…’

It was important to remember that Fujin didn't hold any hatred towards Jashin or his cult. On the contrary, he viewed them as tools to grow stronger. If Fujin were to create conflict between Akatsuki and Jashin, Akatsuki could very well absorb the gains from the cult, learning all their secrets while leaving Fujin with nothing. Though that would harm the cult, it wouldn't benefit Fujin and could even be detrimental to him.

In addition, Fujin was also cautious about a possible alliance between the two forces, considering Akatsuki already had a Jashin follower. If that happened, Jashin's cult could replace Kabuto's role in the next Great Ninja War, undoing Fujin's good work to an extent.

Fujin sighed, ‘Inducing a conflict with Iwagakure is indeed the best option. Unfortunately, it can't be done in a short time. I wouldn't mind waiting, perhaps even until the Five Kage Summit so that I can use them as cannon fodder, but considering what happened last time…’

Fujin still recalled how frustrating the chase was when he went after Hidan and the Bishop who conducted the ritual. That day, he had a feeling that someone was purposefully messing with him to ensure he couldn't read the Bishop's memories. In the end, Fujin had completely failed despite being far stronger than Hidan and having a proper tracking squad.

Having read Ketsueki’s memories, Fujin instinctively felt that the cult wasn't unaware of his existence and his actions. He thought, ‘If I delay too long, I have a feeling that the entire cult might move away, eliminating the only clue I have. Considering the level of their Fuinjutsu, finding them again will be near impossible and completely reliant on luck. I can't wait until I trap them in a scheme. I have to either take the risk now or I should simply give up on them…’

Thoughts continued clashing in Fujin's mind as he considered every possible path. Seconds turned into minutes. In the end, a smile appeared on his lips. He looked at the reanimated Ketsueki and thought, ‘Interesting... To drive me in a corner like this despite me possessing the initiative. Hehehe, I'm looking forward to visiting you now…’

If it was when he had just entered the ninja world, Fujin wouldn't take such a risk. He'd stick to the safer means of gaining strength and wouldn't expose himself to something that could prove catastrophic. However, years of experience in the real world had changed Fujin's personality considerably. He was no longer averse to taking risks. On the contrary, he felt excitement about the upcoming challenge.

Of course, that didn't imply that Fujin was being suicidal or took his safety lightly. He decided, ‘Even if I can't employ schemes, it doesn't mean I can't employ battle tactics. 19 rank S ninjas… I wonder how many will fall before I have to make a strategic retreat.’

Since Fujin couldn't use others as cannon fodder, he decided to employ the basic guerrilla tactic. He would attempt to infiltrate, kill and retreat as many times as needed to slowly whittle down the cult's strength. Once he began, it wouldn't matter if they tried to escape. Fujin would always keep an eye on them!

Calming himself down, Fujin decided, ‘Even so, I shouldn't be too hasty. Heading in blind may result in falling into a deadly trap. During this battle, I won't hold anything back. However, it'll be best to still hold techniques like the Flying Thunder God jutsu until the most critical time for me to benefit the most. Exposing it simply to escape a trap will be a shame…

Firstly, I should get a grasp of Ketsueki’s Fuinjutsu and learn the new seals. I don't need to master them right now, just gain an in-depth understanding, so that I can anticipate their traps. Secondly…’

Fujin hadn't forgotten the reason why he became interested in Jashin's cult in the first place. Without wasting any more time, Fujin sacrificed another pirate and reanimated Zankoku! Just like Ketsueki, his soul was quickly pulled out as well.

However, Fujin didn't attempt to read his memories. Instead, he carefully observed his soul. Some time later, Fujin sighed, ‘As I suspected. His soul no longer possesses the Living Seal. Without it, I can't recreate his blood manipulation abilities. I have to read the Pontiff's memories or capture some Guardians alive to observe the living seal and find ways to recreate them without involving Jashin…’