The world of Naruto was much like a realm of immortals. There were cultivators standing high above all others, and common people regarded as little more than weeds...
But what made it worse than such realms was that these commoners had no choice in the matter. They were born lowly, and there was virtually no way for them to change their fate.
Under such circumstances, if a voice were to call out to them: Do you desire power equal to that of a shinobi? Then come to me. Pay but a small price, and you shall become one...
Even if that voice belonged to a demon, the crowds rushing forward would trample down the demon's very gates.
"All are equal before God; God loves all living beings!"
"Only with divine power can you protect your family!"
"For the sake of family, death holds no regret!"
In a very short time, such slogans appeared everywhere across the Land of Rain.
The core message was always the same: Hanzō is a God, and he shall grant you great power to protect your loved ones.
"But... people die from this, don't they?" A middle-aged man with a worn, sorrowful face stood at the village gate, eyeing the slogans warily.
"I had a neighbor who came here a few days ago. He never came back alive."
Hearing this, the crowd that had been eagerly lining up to receive the "God's Blessing" hesitated.
They had known there was a risk of death, but seeing such a cold, real-life example right before them made them want to retreat.
Just then, Aoi Ren walked out wearing a priest's robe. He spoke with solemn authority:
"Believe in the God. Love the God. As long as you are devout, you shall surely receive His grace!"
"And as for those who perished... they were all unfaithful heretics who tried to steal divine power that was not theirs to take!" Aoi Ren nodded with a faint smile.
"God loves all living beings. He is merciful..."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving a stir of excitement in his wake.
"Did you hear? That three-year-old child is the Divine Child!"
"They say God's favor is what makes him so wise at such a young age."
"He looks incredibly powerful, doesn't he?"
Once again, people from all over the land felt their resolve waver. Yet they still held back, lingering at the gate, undecided.
---
Inside the shrine of Amegakure...
Watching the scene unfold, Aoi Ren took off his priest's robe, a cold smirk curling his lips. "Looks like I need to add a little more fuel to the fire."
A moment later, a burly, muscular man burst out of the shrine, throwing his head back and laughing triumphantly. "Hahaha! Now... I can avenge my son!"
With a roar, he slammed his fist into the ground with such force that it left a crater half a meter deep.
The believers at the gate stood frozen, eyes wide with shock...
The same middle-aged man who had hesitated earlier stepped forward, smiling, and grabbed the strong man's arm. "Brother... are you a shinobi?"
"A shinobi?"
At the word, the burly man's fists clenched tight with hatred. "I am NOT a shinobi! But I will kill every last shinobi there is! All for the glory of God!"
It finally dawned on the crowd... this man was one of the lucky ones who had received the blessing.
"Such immense power!"
The crowd grew frantic with excitement. With strength like that, those shinobi would never dare to bully their families again!
Just then, a priest walked out of the shrine with a stern expression. "Today, there are only fifty slots for God's Blessing. Those who wish to receive it must hurry!"
Gulp...
Throats were swallowed hard. Success was standing right before their eyes. There was no more reason to hesitate — not if they didn't want to lose their chance.
"I want the blessing!"
"Please! I am truly devout..."
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