Chapter 126: Searching for the Akatsuki Organization

When Kirito arrived at the Temple of Fire, the devastation was overwhelming. Aside from the main gate, the entire temple lay in ruins, a shadow of its former glory.

The monk overseeing the aftermath, a senior named Ban Zhai, stood among the wreckage. Alongside him was Qianshi, the monk who had earlier reported the attack to Konoha.

During the Akatsuki's rampage, Ban Zhai and the others had been away on errands, narrowly escaping the massacre.

Kirito wasn't the only Konoha ninja dispatched to the temple. Asuma Sarutobi's team, consisting of Asuma, Shikamaru, Kamizuki Izumo, and Kotetsu Hagane, was also present. Asuma had a personal connection to the Temple of Fire, having been close friends with Chiriku, the abbot. Both had once served as members of the "Twelve Guardian Ninja," an elite group tasked with protecting the Land of Fire's daimyo.

Now, with Chiriku's death, Asuma was the sole surviving member of their class.

Under Ban Zhai's guidance, Kirito and the others reached the temple's square, where rows of coffins had been arranged.

Shikamaru and his teammates fell silent, their breaths catching at the sheer number of lives lost.

"We asked locals to help recover and prepare these remains," Ban Zhai explained solemnly. "They are all monks who once lived here at the Temple of Fire."

"It's too much…" Shikamaru murmured, his voice heavy with anger and sadness. For the first time, he fully grasped the brutality of the Akatsuki organization.

Asuma broke the silence, turning to Ban Zhai. "What about Chiriku? Where is his body?"

Ban Zhai and Qianshi exchanged somber glances before Qianshi replied, "We recovered many remains… but we couldn't find Chiriku's."

Hearing this, Asuma's expression darkened. A foreboding feeling gnawed at him.

"I remember," Izumo interjected. "Chiriku had a bounty on his head in the black market, didn't he?"

Shikamaru's eyes widened in realization. "The gold exchange… They might have taken Chiriku's body there to collect the bounty."

The group quickly set their next course of action. Flying pigeons were dispatched to nearby teams, instructing them to investigate any gold exchange locations in the area.

Before they left, Ban Zhai stopped Asuma. "Let me pray for your safety," the old monk said with a bow.

"I'll pass," Kirito said, stepping away. "I'd like to look around the ruins instead."

Ban Zhai cast a curious glance at Kirito, prompting Shikamaru to explain, "That's Kirito. He's assigned to standby here at the temple. If we encounter the Akatsuki, he'll provide immediate support."

Satisfied with the explanation, Ban Zhai returned to his prayers, while Kirito wandered through the ruins. The temple's unique architecture fascinated him.

"Do you have any scriptures I could borrow?" Kirito asked Qianshi.

"Most of them were lost in the destruction, but there are a few buried under the rubble," Qianshi replied, leading him to a collapsed section of the temple.

Spotting several books trapped beneath a heavy beam, Kirito effortlessly lifted the beam with one hand. "Take those out," he instructed, holding the weight steady.

Qianshi quickly retrieved the scriptures, staring in disbelief as Kirito let the beam crash back into place, unchanged.

Unfazed by Qianshi's astonishment, Kirito leafed through one of the texts. The chanting of the monks earlier had sparked his curiosity about this world's religious philosophies, especially since concepts like the Pure Land and souls had tangible significance here.

Meanwhile, Asuma's team had reached a nearby gold exchange, hidden within an innocuous public toilet near the temple.

Peering through the dense underbrush, they spotted a lone figure sitting on the steps, clad in a black robe with red clouds—the unmistakable attire of the Akatsuki.

"There he is," Kotetsu whispered, excitement tinged with fear.

Shikamaru studied the figure intently. While he'd heard about the Akatsuki's fearsome reputation, this was his first time encountering one of its members in person. The sight of the black-and-red cloak sent a chill down his spine.

"We'll confirm his identity first, then signal for backup," Kotetsu said, preparing the signal device Tsunade had provided.

"Wait," Asuma interrupted. "If we use the signal now, he'll realize we're here and might escape. Let's hit him with a surprise attack first. Even if we don't take him down, we can buy time."

The group nodded in agreement, trusting Asuma's judgment.

"Asuma-sensei," Shikamaru said, "let me handle the strategy."

"All right," Asuma replied, stepping back.

Shikamaru clasped his hands together, his eyes narrowing in concentration. Slowly, he began formulating a plan to confront the mysterious Akatsuki member.

(End of Chapter)

>>>>>

If you would like to read 80 Chapters ahead , check out Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)

Gimme power stonesssss

And, leave a review please 

50% discount code (DDBFC)