Chapter 99: The Heretical Cult

Minato also looked over at the Hot Water ninja Sakumo mentioned - two women and one man.

The kunoichi on the left was of average height but had an extremely cute appearance, with large light green eyes giving off a gentle vibe. 

The tall woman in the middle wasn't as adorable-looking, instead having sharp phoenix-like eyes the same pale yellow shade as Minato's hair.

Most striking was that in the ninja profession dominated by males, the Hot Water Village had sent two kunoichi while the remaining shinobi seemed a mere boy.

He appeared only a few years older than Minato and Uchiha Homura, around 12 or 13, yet his boyish handsome face radiated brashness - the first impression he gave.

Observing him reminded Minato of Uchiha Homura back at the ninja academy.

"As expected of Konoha's ninja - you detected us so quickly," the tall kunoichi remarked, her gaze lingering on the tantō blade Sakumo held before studying him intently.

"That white hair and chakra blade...you must be Sakumo Hatake?" She exclaimed in recognition.

After all, Sakumo's name was known even to the Kage of the Five Great Shinobi Nations.

Hearing this, her two companions also reacted - the cute kunoichi's lips parted while the cocky boy's pupils shrank as he reined in his arrogance.

The ninja before them was mightier than even the Hot Water Village's leader.

"Indeed, that is my name," Sakumo smiled thinly. His teammates knew his formidable strength, so the trio's reaction came as no surprise.

"It really is you!" The three Hot Water ninja immediately switched to respectful honorifics.

Sakumo studied them. "You arrived quickly."

Their battle with the Cloud ninja last night in the forest outside Izumi Town would have left traces. Combined with Sakumo making no effort to hide, it was natural for the Hot Water Village's sensors to locate them.

However, this response time was swifter than he expected. It seemed the small Hidden Hot Water Village had a fairly capable intelligence network.

"Could you perhaps inform us of last night's situation?" the tall kunoichi inquired, her demeanor calm once more.

Her question mildly surprised Sakumo's team. As foreign ninja operating within Hot Water territory during heightened international tensions, the village should have been more guarded.

Yet the trio showed no such wariness on their faces.

Seeming to sense their bewilderment, the cute kunoichi added: "Our Land of Hot Water values peace, so we extend hospitality to foreigners and ninja alike. Moreover, we know your group entered with no ill intent towards our village."

Apparently Hot Water was aware of Sakumo's team's mission objective, explaining the friendly reception. Otherwise, such indiscriminate amiability in the ninja world inevitably courted danger - the tiny nation and village could not have survived otherwise.

"Due to operational security, I cannot divulge specifics," Sakumo stated. This high-level mission involving the missing-nin Kuriyama Shinzo was known to few in Konoha, let alone sharing details with Hot Water's forces.

"However, since you're here, I assume our mission was not fully successful." Sakumo sighed ruefully. 

Minato and the others froze in realization. Was it possible Kuriyama Shinzo, headless, could still be alive? 

Having his head severed by Sakumo should have killed him, right?

The Hot Water trio clearly understood the shinobi world's realities.

"While I don't know how powerful you are, it seems the traitorous Kuriyama Shinzo from your nation has not perished," the tall kunoichi stated.

"I figured as much," Sakumo remarked, his gaze betraying a hint of disquiet despite anticipating this outcome.

"So then, since Hot Water is aware our target was the missing-nin Kuriyama, I assume you also know about the Cloud ninja's incursion and other developments?"

By "other developments," Sakumo referred to Kuriyama's objective of retrieving something from the Land of Hot Water.

The kunoichi nodded. "However, our intelligence is not as comprehensive as Konoha's regarding where and when exactly the Cloud ninja and Kuriyama plan to infiltrate our borders."

Her implication was clear - while informed of the situation, Hot Water lacked the capability to preemptively counter the elite Cloud forces. The tiny village and nation simply could not guard against such a contingency. 

Sakumo had deduced Kuriyama's route into Hot Water based on their arrival point near Izumi Town. 

Their team's detection was undoubtedly due to last night's battle.

"So could you inform me what it is Kuriyama came to acquire from your nation?" Sakumo asked, then held up a hand. "Of course, you may decline if this matter involves your country's secrets."

When the Third Hokage assigned this mission, he mentioned the Hidden Hot Water Village harbored undisclosed secrets potentially tied to their objective here.

The Land of Hot Water was Kuriyama's first destination after defecting, and he appeared to have spent considerable time within its borders.

"There's no need. In fact, the Third Hokage and our village leader have already reached an accord. We've come to assist your mission," the cute kunoichi said, retrieving a scroll and handing it to Sakumo.

After perusing it briefly, Sakumo nodded to Minato's team. Negotiations must have continued in Konoha following their hasty departure. 

"Therefore, I can answer your question. However, I ask that the four of you keep what I'm about to say confidential - do not share it with anyone, even other Konoha ninja," the tall kunoichi stated.

Sakumo's group nodded, understanding the ensuing information involved Hot Water's national interests.

Reassured, the kunoichi continued: "In truth, besides our official Hidden Village, there exists an extremely powerful rogue militant group in the Land of Hot Water called the Heretical Cult - unrecognized by our government and comprised of fervent zealots."

"The Heretical Cult?" Sakumo and the others looked puzzled, having never heard that name before.

No wonder Hot Water seemed so tense if an unsanctioned armed faction operated within the small nation's borders, threatening its stability. 

Especially for a minor country like Hot Water, such a revelation risked provoking intervention from the major powers if it became widely known.

(End of chapter)