Rise of the Cult

1 month after the appointment of Hayami as a diamyo, she has finalised the budget for Sasuke. She sent people to find orphans and bring them. In this period, many die, so there are a lot of orphans but Sasuke only wants the ones with the potential to be great. He has asked Hayami to gather the orphans in a part of the castle that is separate from the main castle building. It has a mansion for guests but was given to Sasuke so that he will live here and teach the orphans here as well. Orphans will also live with him here. Hundreds of orphans were brought but Sasuke rejected many. He would select the orphans based on higher chakra, high intelligence or great potential. He found no one that had all three but many that had 2 qualities. After 2 more months of this recruitment phase only 40 were selected to be trained and become shinobis. Sasuke decided to teach the rest life skills like carpentry, blacksmithing, tailoring etc. The remaining won't be shinobis but they can be trained to be spies. Shinobis can be spies as well but they cannot be everywhere. So, the rest will be trained to be spies among common folk. This way Sasuke will create his spy network.

On a morning, 471 orphans of ages between 6 - 9 were standing in front of a building. This was a garden and it was surrounded by castle walls. The doors leading to this garden were protected by guards and entry or exit was not allowed without permission. Sasuke was standing in front of kids standing in a formation. He wasn't wearing his mask or his special attire. He was a handsome man with short black hair.

Sasuke: ALL OF YOU ARE CHOSEN FOR SOMETHING GREAT AND FOR A HIGHER PURPOSE. AS YOU WILL GO THROUGH YOUR TRAINING, YOU WILL LEARN WHAT THAT PURPOSE IS. FOR NOW, JUST KNOW THAT ALL OF YOU CAN'T GO BACK TO YOUR NORMAL LIVES. THIS PURPOSE DOESN'T ALLOW BETRAYAL SO KNOW THIS THAT IF YOU BETRAY THEN YOU ARE DEAD. BUT IF YOU REMAIN LOYAL, THEN YOU WILL BE REWARDED. THE TRAINING STARTS TODAY.

Everyone: HAI!!!

...

Hayami's territory was a border territory that touches the land of grass. Inside the land of grass, in a cave, a group of people were gathered. What was more important to note was that there are women between the ages of 12 - 45 lying dead and their blood being used in a ritual. A man in his early twenties got out of the pool of women's blood while the rest of men were around him in a circular fashion chanting chants and doing hand signs.

There were 12 people that stood out from the rest as they wore special clothes and were the only ones not chanting. There was an old man among them, probably in his 60s.

[Old man]: To think the day would come when we will have 13 saints serving Jashin-sama (said while tears ran down his face).

They were part of a horrifying cult that enjoys murder. They worship an entity named Jashin that grants them immortality when they do the ritual. After becoming immortal, they don't feel the pain of death. Instead the pain becomes pleasure the more closer to death they are. Right now a historic event was taking place as they were welcoming the 13th saint of their cult. The saints were the only ones who are immortal and stand at the highest peak of the cult. The man that got out of the blood bath is their youngest saint as the 12 others already achieved that rank. The man who was completely drenched in blood got down on his knees.

[man covered in blood]: I pledge my eternal loyalty to Jashin-sama.

[Old man]: It took 6 decades to reach this milestone. I remember that 6 decades ago we were still being hunted. I was the only saint that survived in an ambush that killed many. With only 29 disciples under me, I took command and under my leadership we now have our 13th saint (said while tears ran down his face).

The saints are immortal. Even if you cut their head off, they live but if their head is detached then their body can't move, so this is one of the few weakness they have. They have high healing abilities that helps them recover really fast with only a few limitations, like for example, they can't regenerate a limb. They have few weakness but enjoy many benefits, still they are bound to their faith and have to sacrifice others in rituals to keep enjoying these benefits. The old man looked to be in his 60s but he was actually 110 years old. 6 decades ago, a few hateful shinobi clans came together to destroy their faith and they were almost successful. The old man was the only saint to survive. In his time, there were 5 other saints but their hateful enemies used their weaknesses to immobilised others. He fled with only 29 disciples and through careful planning and laying low, he has made his cult even greater now.

[Old man]: During the time we were attacked, there were only 6 saints with me included. NOW, HAHAHAHAHA(maniacal laughter), THERE ARE 13. 13 I SAY. HAHAHAHAHA(maniacal laughter), THOSE HERETICS TRIED SO HARD TO ERASE US BUT BY JASHIN-SAMA'S WILL, I HAVE MADE US EVEN MORE GREAT.

[All Saints]: HAI! THAT'S WHY YOU ARE OUR GREAT SAINT.

[Old man]: HAHAHAHAHA(maniacal laughter), NOW WE DON'T NEED TO HIDE. WE CONTROL MOST OF THE LAND OF GRASS. EVEN THE DIAMYOS IN THIS LAND ARE UNDER OUR THUMB. WE WILL SCATTER TO THE OTHER LANDS AND SPREAD OUR FAITH.

[All Saints]: HAI!

Sasuke didn't know yet that in his time the cult has reached great heights. They have the land of grass under their control now. To reach much greater heights, they have now decided to come out of hiding and spread to the other lands. Hayami's domain touches borders with the land of grass and some of these cultist will definitely make a move towards it. It was only a matter of time.

...

Sasuke was on one knee in front of Hayami giving her his report.

Sasuke: The training of orphans has begun today. Because of the recent attack and due to me being present, we won't have any attack soon. But it is only a matter of time before someone attacks or a scheme is used against us.

Hayami: How long do you think we have?

Sasuke: I have killed shinobis in hundereds although they are not from a single clan. A big clan like Uchiha or Senju have shinobis between 1000 - 1500. This is only an estimate that I learned when I was being trained to be a shinobi. I don't know how true those numbers are today, but even if they are not then a rough estimate would be 1000 - 2000. From each clan that attacked, between 4 - 13 shinobis were sent. So small clans which have shinobis between 10 - 100 did receive a major blow if I killed 10 from them. Clans in lower middle rankings have shinobis from 100 - 300. Middle ranking clans have between 300 - 600 and upper middle clans have between 600 - 700. A clan can be considered to be a high rank if they have more than 700 shinobis. Of course, not only numbers, but powerful shinobis are also needed for a clan to be a great clan. So, even though I killed shinobis in hundreds, only small clans were affected. Although, my show of power would hinder others from attacking, but it is only a matter of time or a matter of circumstances before we are attacked.

Hayami: What do you mean by "matter of time" and "matter of circumstances"?

Sasuke: "matter of time" means that some might be plotting right now on how to attack us and we will be either attacked physically or through schemes after some time. "matter of circumstances" means, hmm...how do I explain this?...Yeah, for example, you have started mining and the profits would start coming in soon. Some will start getting jealous and might want to take those mines so they might make alliances and then attack us.

Hayami put her right hand on her forehead. She was worried now.

Hayami: So, using the mines have actually confirmed that we will be attacked.

Sasuke: Even if you didn't use those mines, do you believe no one would have attacked? People knew there are mines in this territory, so of course they would attack.

Hayami: How are your measures regarding the secrecy of the mines?

Sasuke has asked Hayami to leave the management of the mines to him. He did this because mines are a great source of income and he doesn't want any information regarding them to leak.

Sasuke: Rest assured Hayami-sama I have took many measures. I have erased every spy I could find. Although, it is only a matter of time before new spies are planted. I have used Earth Style to cover the entrance of the mines and I have made tunnels that lead directly to them. We are using carts pulled by cattle to transport whatever is dug and everything moves through my underground tunnels. Because workers are moving through these underground tunnels, they don't know the exact location. The mines are far from any town but If workers appear in any town then the location of mines will be revealed. To maintain secrecy, I have thus decided to make tunnels directly from this castle to the mines. A peasant can reach the mines by walking for 11-14 hours from this castle to the mines. Same time is required to come back if they are walking. That is the reason we decided to use cattle and carts. A cart pulled by a cow/bull take about 10 - 11 hours of roundtrip, to go to mines from this castle, load what was dug and come back. If the cattle runs while it is leaving for the mines when the cart is empty, then the return trip is between 6 - 10 hours. Horses are faster and can take about 4 - 10 hours.

Hayami: As long as the workers are constantly digging, you don't need to give me the details.

Sasuke: Yes, but I made sure that the condition that they are working in are as less painful as possible.

[Sasuke-inner-thought: REJOICE!!! REJOICE YE IGNORANT PEOPLE! FOR I AM THE FIRST PERSON IN THIS WORLD WHO HAVE DECIDED TO NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU. WHERE OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE OVERWORKED THESE MINERS, I HAVE DECIDED TO TREAT THEM LIKE HUMANS. Sigh...what the fuck am I doing? I increased my workload because I didn't want the workers to be overworked or work under extreme conditions. THE WORLD BETTER FUCKING REMEMBER ME AS A SAINT WHENEVER IT LEARNS ABOUT THESE MINES AND HOW THE PEOPLE WORK HERE. MY GRAVESTONE SHOULD HAVE "HERE LIES SAINT SASUKE WHO INTRODUCED LABOUR LAWS" WRITTEN.]

Sasuke: There was an underground hot spring so I used that. You could even say that I have created 2 underground villages for both mines. Through my Earth Style, I have created their living quarters, underground hot spring baths and more. I would even say that I have achieved something amazing. As I have created 2 underground villages with all the essential amenities.

Hayami: WHAT? WHY?

Sasuke: Umm....What do you mean why?

Hayami: Why did you made baths and such? What have you used the separate budget that I allocated for mines and assigned you for? Now explain to me what have you done exactly for mines and why you did what you did?

Hayami was puzzled. She was a sheltered princess so of course she doesn't know how hard peasant's life is. She thought although peasants weren't rich their life is still easy.

[Sasuke-inner-thought: THIS FUCKING SHELTERED PRINCESS! DOES SHE EVEN KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO WORK IN THE MINES? NO SASUKE NO, YOU CAN'T SLAP HER. Hold yourself back. Please, Hold yourself back. Phew(Sigh)....Looks like I have to educate her about everything. She is ignorant about how normal people live and so she might create policies that would anger normal folk. People will consider her a tyrant due to this. FUCK! I have been working my ass off for the last 3 months. Although I did wanted to improve my Earth Style and so I decided to use the mine management task as a form of training, and thus I ended up increasing my workload, but FUCK! this b***h clearly won't be a good leader if she can't see what I have achieved. I thought she was smart when she gave verbal jabs to Hikari but It seems that she is ignorant about a lot of things.]

Sasuke: Hayami-sama, how much do you know about the life of normal folks?

Hayami: What does that have to do with my question?

Sasuke: Hayami-sama please answer.

Sasuke said the last line in a serious tone and the air of room changed. Hayami felt it.

[Hayami-inner-thought: Why is he so serious?]

Hayami: Of course, I know a lot.

Sasuke: Can you please elaborate?

Hayami: They live to serve. They are not rich and so they work to make a living.

Sasuke:.....

Hayami:.....

There was a silence for several seconds after Hayami gave the last answer.

Sasuke: Umm...Ha..Hayami-sama?

Hayami: Yes?

Hayami asked ignorantly and in a cute way while tilting her head. She asked with confusion as she thought she gave a good answer.

Sasuke: Wa...What else?

Hayami: That's it. I just told you my complete answer.

When Sasuke heard that his facial expression changed. He quickly bowed his head to her. He was till on one knee. The reason he bowed his head was because after hearing her answer, his face turned into one of panic.

[Sasuke-inner-thought: FUCK, FUCK, FUCK, FUCK, THIS BI**H. SHE DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING. I DECIDED TO FORCE HER TO BE DIAMYO BECAUSE I THOUGHT SHE WOULD BECOME A GOOD ONE BUT FUCK. SHE IS IGNORANT AND FOOLISH. BASED ON THE MEETINGS I SAW HER LEAD, I THOUGHT SHE IS DOING A GOOD JOB. BUT SHE DOESN'T KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMON FOLK. HOW THEY ARE IMPORTANT TO SOCIETY, LIKE FARMING, COMMERCE ETC. SHIT....SHIT....SHIT, I GAVE THRONE TO AN IGNORANT GIRL WHO ONLY SAW HER GRANDFATHER RULE AND DOESN'T REALLY KNOW HOW TO DO IT. NO, I AM A FUCKING IDIOT AS WELL. IN ALL THE MEETINGS, THE MINISTERS WERE THE ONES WHO GAVE HER PROPOSALS AND SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS. I SHOULD HAVE NOTICED THAT.]

Hayami: What happened?

[Sasuke-inner-thought: IF I DON'T DO SOMETHING THEN SHE CAN'T BE MY SUPPORT. HECK, I AM SURE SHE WOULD FALL INTO SOME SCHEME OR BE USED BY SOMEONE. OF COURSE, I CAN USE HER AS WELL BUT I AM NOT GONNA BE BY HER SIDE 24/7 IN THE NEAR FUTURE, SO IF I AM ON SOME MISSION AND SOMEONE REVOLTS THEN MY FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL SUPPORT WOULD DISAPPEAR. I WAS FUCKING PLAYING A 3D CHESS AGAINST OTHER GRANDMASTERS NOT KNOWING THAT MY QUEEN ONLY MOVES IN 1D. FUCK!!! DDDDDAAAMMMNNNNN IIIITTTT!]

Hayami: What happened? Why are you keeping your head bowed?

After cursing in his mind for close to 2 mins, Sasuke finally lifted his head and looked at Hayami seriously.

Sasuke: Hayami-sama I will be frank with you. If you can't understand why I did what I did then you have shown me that you are not cut out to be a leader.

Sasuke said everything seriously. In the room, there was no one else aside from both as Sasuke made it clear that whenever they talk there shouldn't be others nearby. This also included servants that would normally be present all the time. But what he said is not something that any servant serving their diamyo can say.

Hayami: WHAT? DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SAYING?

Although Hayami was new to being a diamyo, she does know what a servant can say and cannot.

Sasuke: You don't need to shout. I know what I am saying and I am saying this for your benefit.

Hayami: MY BENEFIT? WHO ARE YOU TO LECTURE M..ME....

Hayami suddenly started to stammer at the end of sentence because Sasuke release killing intent. Just enough to scare her. Hayami couldn't speak any more and started shivering.

[Hayami-inner-thought: Wh...What is happening? Why am I feeling chilly?]

Suddenly the feeling was gone and Hayami who was sitting comfortable on the chair moved to put her hands on the arm rests and her head slightly bowed while she took long breaths.

Sasuke: Have you calmed down yet?

Hayami: Wh...What....was that?

Sasuke: What you felt was the fear of death.

Hayami: Wh...Why did you do that?

[Sasuke-inner-thought: She can't understand that as well? I really failed miserably by selecting her. Why can't she understand that I am the one who gave her power? is she an idiot? was she an idiot who can give good verbal jabs? did Hikari lost some war of words to an idiot?]

Sasuke: You are getting something wrong. We are equals in our relationship. I....am...not...your...servant.

The phrase "I....am...not...your...servant" was said one word at a time.

Hayami: Wha..What?

Sasuke: If it wasn't for me then any one of your ministers would have taken the throne and you would be nothing more than plaything for them. My martial power is what kept you alive and safe.

Hayami: B..But my grand....

Sasuke: Your grandfather did hire me but never did I say that I would behave as a servant. Tell me, when I came to you after I killed all the enemy shinobis and when you didn't want to be a diamyo, but you ultimately decided to become one when you realised that it is the only way to get revenge, have I ever said that I was your servant? I simply said that I was hired by your grandfather do a job. Even after that when I was working as your shadow, I never took any oath.

Hayami: Tha..That...

Sasuke: Didn't you become diamyo after I told you everything about me and how Hikari is our common enemy? I think my words were "I will be your sword that will kill her and you will be my support". I never said I was your servant. My words always implied that we are equals.

Hayami: Bu..But as a shinobi...

Sasuke: Yes, as a shinobi we do serve diamyo but we only protect you or do a mission. But remember my words I said "I will be your sword that will kill her and you will be my support". Our relationship is not of a normal diamyo and a normal shinobi. We have a common enemy and we decided to join hands to take her down. Also, I never said I would serve you.

Hayami: Th..Thats...(bites her lips)

Sasuke: You can't be me support if you can't be a good leader.

Hayami: .....

Hayami became silent and thought for a few seconds.

Hayami: Does that mean you will kill me if I become useless to you?

Sasuke: No. I will simply leave. I believe your ministers will do the rest.

When Hayami heard that answer, her eyes widened and she was shocked.

Sasuke: A true leader listens to others first and is the last one to speak. He/She should be open minded and should welcome criticism by others. You can only learn new things when you don't speak and listen. He/She shouldn't be arrogant as well, as arrogance can lead to making bad decisions and even stop others from giving you good counsel.

Hayami absorbed those words and thought for a few seconds. She then looked at Sasuke with determination.

Hayami: Will.....Will you teach me how to be a leader?

Sasuke: No.

Hayami was shocked when Sasuke refused so readily.

Sasuke: I will train you to be a great leader. If you really put aside your pride and are willing to learn then you can become someone who is cherished and respected by their subordinates. Also, you can become someone who is feared by your enemies.

After hearing that Hayami thought for a few seconds and got off from her seat. She moved in front of Sasuke so that she is only 1 meter away and then she bowed to him.

Hayami: Please....Please teach me.

When Sasuke saw that there was a smile on his lips.

[Sasuke-inner-thought: Looks like I have to hold on deciding whether I failed miserably by selecting her. She is willing to put aside her pride and throw arrogance out the window to learn.]

Sasuke: Your training starts today as well then. We will have lessons in the evening or after dinner. You will call me Sasuke sensei during our lessons. I will teach you many things like economics, diplomacy and ruling tactics.

Hayami: Hai.

...

Later that night, close to the border of the land of grass, a village was slaughtered.

[Jashin Saint]: HAHAHAHAHA, WE KILLED THE HERETICS. LET'S ENTER THE LAND OF FIRE.