Chapter 444: Jashin's Ritual

In a cave close to the former village, Bishop Ketsueki healed Zankoku. Zankoku's condition was very bad and he needed a couple of days to even be able to move.

As soon as he could, he got up and informed Ketsueki, "I'm heading back to my village."

Ketsueki replied remorsefully, "Your village is no more. The battle was over in a few minutes after you fell. If I hadn't rescued you, then you would have been dead as well. The ninjas from the Hidden Eagle Village have already retreated, leaving behind a few ninjas to watch over your village."

Ketsueki's words shocked Zankoku. While he knew what the result would be, his heart didn't want to accept it. The village had his parents, his siblings, his lover, the friends he grew up with and trusted his back to and everyone else whom he saw on a daily basis. Losing them all at the same time was a huge blow to him.

Ketsueki allowed Zankoku to mourn his loss in silence for a while. When he noticed that Zankoku had accepted the reality, he said, "Lord Jashin had warned me about the calamity that would befall your village five years ago. It is fate. Nothing would change that. Lord Jashin could only give you an opportunity to act first and strengthen yourself to take revenge on the ones who would destroy you. Unfortunately, you didn't accept the ritual."

Zankoku looked at Ketsueki. Hatred, determination and a strong will were visible in his eyes. He asked, "Will Lord Jashin allow me to complete the ritual now?"



Ketsueki answered, "As long as you have faith in Lord Jashin and are willing to follow his teachings, you can."

Zankoku replied, "I have faith in Lord Jashin and I'm willing to follow his teachings."The inaugural upload of this chapter took place via N0v3l-B1n.

Ketsueki replied, "Good. Unfortunately, everyone in your village is dead. All your family and clan members who shared your blood are no more. Fortunately, it hasn't been too long since then. The ritual can still happen. However, it will require even more sacrifice."

Zankoku replied, "It doesn't matter who or how many need to be sacrificed, I am willing! Everyone I know and cherish is already dead. I am willing to sacrifice the entire world if I need to!"

Ketsueki nodded in approval and said, "Good."



Zankoku nodded. He desperately wanted the power to avenge his village and to serve Lord Jashin. So he had no intention of messing up the only thing that would immediately make him stronger. He waited patiently while meditating and worshipping Lord Jashin.

On the night of the full moon, Zankoku moved to the center of the cave. The center of the cave had a large circular room with a dome-like ceiling. There were eight narrow pathways connected to the room. Several symbols and seals were drawn from those pathways to the room.

At the center of the room was a small circular pool that contained blood that Zankoku had collected earlier. If one looked closely, then numerous hearts could be seen at the bottom of this pool. A narrow canal came in from each of the 8 pathways connecting to the room and joined the pool. However, those canals were empty for the time being.

Following Ketsueki's instructions, Zankoku walked into the pool and sat at its center. He closed his eyes and began meditating, his mind only having thoughts about Lord Jashin and gaining strength.

Meanwhile, Ketsueki started the ritual. Zankoku was instructed to only focus on meditation and to not get distracted even for a second. Ketsueki activated all the symbols in the room. Immediately, a glow appeared in the room due to the seals shining. At the same time, several seals on Zankoku's body were activated as well.

Zankoku immediately felt a surge in chakra. At the same time, his body felt intense pressure while his mind became very restless. He gritted his teeth and recalled the bloody state of his village. He continued meditating and believing in Lord Jashin.

Slowly, the hearts in the bloody pool began burning up. The blood in the pool began flowing towards the seals on Zankoku's body.

On the other side of the 8 narrow pathways surrounding the room were 8 rooms. Each had a hundred ordinary people. The seals on their bodies began glowing as well. Suddenly, they felt an intense pain. The pain was so high that they snapped out of the Genjutsu they were under. Unfortunately, they couldn't do anything. They all screamed in pain as blood was being sucked out of their bodies!

Their screams could be heard in the central room where Zankoku was meditating. However, he paid no attention to them and just gritted his teeth. The pain he experienced was far more intense than any of the 800 screaming civilians.

The blood extracted from their bodies began moving through the canals connecting to the blood pool. Soon, their blood flowed into the pool as well.

Under Ketsueki's control, all the blood began flowing into Zankoku's body with the help of seals he had inscribed on Zankoku's body. Despite the intense pain, Zankoku hung on.