Deep within the hidden base of the cultists, the ritual was about to begin. As had been the case for the past six months, a group of frightened, ragged children were herded into the massive underground cavern where the altar stood.
Igen , the god's envoy, stood at his usual spot, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. He hoped that among today's sacrifices, a few more "Kui Ma" would be created.
A sudden thought struck him.
What if Rinto's immortality could be combined with Yangren's curse, Death by Blood? That would make him an ultimate weapon.
If he could collect the blood of the strongest warriors on the battlefield, controlling them would be effortless. His ambitions of ruling the world would no longer be a distant dream.
Igen turned to an elderly man in a white coat nearby and gestured for him to approach.
The old man, the lead researcher on the immortality experiment, quickly shuffled over, rubbing his hands together obsequiously.
"Lord Messenger, what do you need?"
"Where is the immortal body?" Igen scanned the crowd impatiently.
The old man hesitated before responding with a troubled expression.
"Sir, please don't let that troublemaker be involved in the ritual! He's completely useless except for wasting food!"
He had studied Rinto extensively and knew the boy was an anomaly. A poison test had proven futile—Rinto didn't vomit blood, collapse, or even show discomfort. Instead, he had asked for more as if he were consuming food pills. The experiment had nearly driven the old man mad.
And more importantly, this was a solemn sacrifice. Having an irreverent figure like Rinto, who constantly demanded food, would surely anger the dark god.
Igen face darkened.
"I didn't ask for your opinion. Just bring him here."
Reluctantly, the old man nodded.
"Yes, Lord Messenger."
He turned to a nearby cultist.
"Go fetch the immortal body."
"Understood." The cultist swiftly departed.
Inside the Holding Cells
The prison was silent. Rinto sat in a dark corner, whispering to himself.
"If I'm escaping, I can't afford to carry any extra weight."
With that, he used his sharp nails to slice open his forearm. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he extracted a square iron weight embedded in his flesh and dropped it to the ground with a loud clang.
One by one, he removed several more weights, tearing through his flesh and muscle—his left hand, legs, and abdomen. Blood dripped onto the floor, mixing with the metal weights.
Staring at them, he sighed.
"If it weren't so inconvenient, I'd never abandon you."
Testing his movements, Rinto jumped lightly. His fists clenched, his body felt lighter, and a grin spread across his face.
With a powerful push, he leaped through a hole in the wall, landing in the adjacent cell.
If his calculations were correct, he could now easily handle a Genin like Renjun in direct combat. If it were a sneak attack, he could eliminate an enemy before they even reacted. A Chūnin would be out of his league, but with his speed, he could escape before being caught.
"Time to go!"
He retrieved a key and began testing it on each cell lock.
A faint "click" sounded.
Rinto smirked.
But before he could open the door, a voice cut through the darkness.
"Immortal, are you planning to escape?"
His body tensed.
"Who's there?"
A figure emerged from the shadows—a man in a ninja uniform, staring at him with a mocking expression.
Rinto recognized him instantly. Kaito Fujiwara, one of the laboratory guards.
Kaito glanced between the key and Rinto's face before stretching out his hand.
"Give me the key. Stop wasting your time."
Rinto hesitated, then handed it over. But as Kaito took it, Rinto's eyes flicked past him.
His expression changed. His face paled.
"Lord Igen ! Y-You're here?"
He straightened immediately and bowed deeply.
Kaito stiffened. Among the cultists, Igen Yong was a figure of absolute authority. Only the old researcher dared speak to him directly.
Instinctively, Kaito turned to look—
Pain exploded through his spine.
His body collapsed, paralyzed from the neck down.
Rinto chuckled.
"Didn't your ninja school ever teach you not to turn your back on the enemy?"
Kaito's wide eyes burned with fury and disbelief.
"Why? Why betray the Evil God?!"
Rinto crouched beside him, his face twisting into a wild grin.
"Why?!" He laughed, his body shaking with hysterics.
Tears streamed down his face as he finally calmed.
"In six months, you've stabbed me 34,551 times, burned me 13 times, electrocuted me 5 times, starved me for two months and four days, and made me drink six bottles of instant-kill poison.
But guess what? I forgive you!"
His voice dripped with mockery.
Kaito seethed.
"You filthy monster! The Evil God will punish you!"
Rinto rolled his eyes.
"Sure. Let him come save you."
Kaito, who had remained calm despite his injuries, suddenly lost control.
"I will KILL YOU! Even if I have to use my teeth!"
Rinto ignored him.
Snatching the ninja bag, he walked into the darkness, whispering,
"Excuse me, Kaito. I have a date."
"With freedom."
The Sacrifice Begins
Back at the altar, Igen e's patience wore thin.
He turned to the old researcher.
"Where is Rinto?"
The old man, engrossed in the ritual, waved dismissively.
"Maybe Kaito Fujiwara got delayed. You know how stubborn that brat is."
A moment later, a panicked cultist rushed in.
"My lord! Kaito Fujiwara is gravely injured—Rinto has escaped!"
"What?!"
Igen Yong's face twisted in rage.
He clenched his fists.
That little brat had played him.
Now, he had two choices—
Abandon the sacrifice and give chase, risking the god's wrath.
Or continue the ritual and let Rinto go.
With so many eyes on him, he had no choice.
"Proceed with the sacrifice."
As the massacre began, his mind burned with fury.
"You can't run forever, Rinto. I'll carve you into pieces."
Freedom at Last
Rinto finally emerged from the underground base.
As his eyes adjusted to the light, he took in the vast green forest, the winding river, and the endless blue sky.
A soft breeze carried the scent of camellias.
For the first time, he truly appreciated the beauty of the world.
A genuine smile replaced his usual fake one.
But there was no time to celebrate.
He had to disappear before they tracked him.
With his weights removed, he was faster than ever. He sprinted into the distance, his mind racing.
"I need a populated place. Somewhere they won't chase me openly."
Then, he remembered something.
The cultists had bounties on their heads.
"If I report them, maybe I can get them all caught!"
Just as he was planning his next move, he noticed a path leading to a large lake.
In the center stood a village with towering black steel buildings, covered in pipes.
A familiar sight.
His stomach dropped.
"Amegakure?"
His body tensed.
Nagato ruled here. Even Jiraiya had died trying to infiltrate.
But he relaxed.
"I'm just a nobody. They won't bother with me."
Blending in with the crowd, he entered the village.
At last, he was free.
Or so he thought.
A voice whispered from the shadows.
"Really, Rinto-kun?"
His blood ran cold.