After confirming that the two men weren't lying, Sora finally put away his blade.
The reason he didn't let Kurenai or Kakashi use Genjutsu for interrogation was that he heard them say they couldn't return to the Land of Fire. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been necessary to go through this much trouble.
"You two don't need to worry. We're Konoha Shinobi. This here is the new White Fang of Konoha, Kakashi Hatake," Sora said gently, pointing at Kakashi.
The two men looked at Kakashi's white hair and the short sword on his back. Instantly, tears poured down their faces. They were just a step away from clinging to his legs.
After they calmed down, they eagerly began to explain, "We're both fishermen from the Land of Fire, captured by the people of the Land of the Sun.
After we were captured, those who were deemed valuable were put to work, and those who weren't were sent as sacrifices to the Death God.
We don't know how many people have been captured in total, but there are less than two hundred of us left in this town, and almost all of us are fishermen from the Land of Fire.
The only reason we get to come out for a drink is that we know how to read, which makes us a bit more useful."
As Sora and the others listened to the two men's account, they began to understand the situation.
More than a decade ago, the people of this country suddenly began to worship the Death God Cult. But to perform rituals for the Death God, living sacrifices were needed.
At first, they used their own people. But over time, they began raiding the coasts of the Land of Fire, capturing people.
They made them work day and night, only keeping them alive enough to be functional.
On the 15th of each month, they would randomly pick two people and send them to the Death God Cult for sacrifice.
About ten years ago, this place supposedly incurred the wrath of the Death God, and people started dying mysteriously every day.
They tried everything but couldn't stop it. Then the leader of the Death God Cult appeared before them.
He told them that if they worshipped the Death God and offered sacrifices every month, the Death God would accept them again.
Desperate to survive, they all began to follow the Death God Cult, forcefully sending people to be sacrificed every month.
As long as it wasn't them, they didn't care who died.
When the lower classes were mostly sacrificed, the remaining rich landlords and merchants banded together. Since they couldn't sacrifice their own people anymore, they began raiding the coasts of the Land of Fire.
They captured people for sacrifice, finally feeling a sense of relief.
Over the years, more and more people were captured, and even more were sacrificed.
Every month, two people were needed. During holidays and festivals, ten were required.
By the end of the year, nearly a thousand souls were claimed by the Death God, and yet they could not escape.
Hearing this, Sora, Kakashi, and Kurenai's faces darkened. These scumbags were using people from the Land of Fire as sacrifices?
"Do you know which town the Death God Cult is based in?" Sora's voice was barely containing his anger.
"Although we've never left this town, we've heard things," one of the men quickly replied.
"The Death God Cult isn't in any of the eight towns. It's in the center of all of them, on a place called Peach Blossom Mountain.
The Death God Cult is inside the mountain. But beyond that, we don't know much."
Sora and the others understood. These two were just captives—fishermen, no less. Even if they were literate, there was no way they would know all the details.
"When is the next sacrifice?" Kakashi suddenly asked.
"In two days. Two nights from now is the next Death God Festival. The sacrifices have already been sent."
Sora nodded, patting the two men on the shoulder. "Stay here for the next two days. After we deal with the Death God Cult, we'll take you back to the Land of Fire."
Hearing this, the two rugged men broke down in tears again, sobbing too much to speak.
Watching them cry like that only made Sora, Kakashi, and Kurenai's expressions grow colder.
Just what kind of horrors had these animals put these people through to make men like this weep so desperately?
And these two were considered the "lucky" ones. What about the rest?
Under Sora's influence, Konoha had been changing bit by bit. Over the years, it had become very different from before.
All citizens of the Land of Fire were seen as their own people. Protecting their own was a matter of course.
Thanks to Sora's constant reminders, Kakashi and Kurenai had also adopted this mindset, which was why they were so furious.
After that, Sora and Kakashi split up to take action, with Kurenai going with Sora.
Although they had figured out the situation, they still knew very little about the actual strength of the Death God Cult.
The last time Sora fought the Death God Cult leader, the experience had left a lasting impression. Even now, it was something he wouldn't forget, so he had to be extra cautious.
Kakashi's task was to find a wealthy landlord, interrogate him with Genjutsu, and then make him disappear.
Meanwhile, Sora and Kurenai wandered around town, continuing to gather information about the ritual.
The sacrificial ceremony was a major event for the Death God Cult. Everyone would gather at Peach Blossom Mountain, which would be the perfect chance for Sora and the others to wipe them all out.
After a full day's work, Kakashi and Sora regrouped at the cliffside.
"Let's head inside first," Sora said, leading the way into the Wood Release house.
"Kakashi! Sora! Kurenai! You're finally back!" Guy's blindingly white teeth were the first thing to greet them as they walked in.
After a quick exchange of information, Sora and Kakashi began to go over what they had learned.
"Turns out the ANBU already alerted the Death God Cult. Lately, they've been secretly searching for that ANBU member.
"They've already issued orders for everyone in the Land of the Sun to be on the lookout. If anyone suspicious shows up, they're to be reported immediately."
Kakashi explained everything he'd learned from his interrogation, his expression serious.
Although the three of them had changed into civilian clothes before, they were still strangers, and there was a good chance they'd already been noticed.
Though it was just a possibility, Kakashi continued, "The exact strength of the Death God Cult isn't clear, but their numbers are definitely over two hundred.
"From what I've gathered, it should be similar to the last time. The only real powerhouse is the Cult Leader himself."
As he spoke, Kakashi glanced at Sora and Kurenai, habitually ignoring Guy.
Sora and Kurenai exchanged glances and nodded.
That guy had sacrificed everyone in Death God Mountain to boost his own power last time.
With his personality, he might give his subordinates a little something, but it definitely wouldn't be much.
He didn't even have enough for himself; why would he share?
"In that case, we'll wait for the Death God Festival in two days and take them all out in one go!"
In the end, Sora made the decision, and the others had no objections.
After that, Sora turned to Kakashi and said, "Over the next two days, you need to scout out the layout of Peach Blossom Mountain. We can't afford any surprises this time."
"No problem. I'll head out at night and be back by morning," Kakashi replied confidently.
This sort of mission was his specialty; there was no doubt he could handle it.