Reborn!

40: Offerings, Returned

"Hidan will immediately pay respects to Jashin-sama!"

Hidan whipped out a three-bladed scythe from who-knows-where and ran towards the onlookers.

"Halt. Cease with those formalities," Naruto commanded in a clipped voice. "Your weekly offerings are redundant."

The civilians were shrieking and running away in a frenzy, but the fanatic paid it no heed.

Hearing his God's declaration, he swiftly turned around and knelt to Naruto again.

"I thank my Lord for your grace! I swear, Jashin-sama, that my faith in Jashinism shall never waver!" Hidan cried out, his eyes filled with worship and adoration.

It was not quite fawning yet, but it came close.

Naruto realised that there was another misunderstanding here -- Hidan clearly felt moved by his supposed compassion toward his apparent believer.

While being the object of such reverence gave him goosebumps, Naruto was aware that it would be easier for him to just keep up a farce. Rather than trying to convince Hidan that he was not the Jashin-sama being worshipped by the cult of Jashin, letting Hidan treat him as a deity was much easier to accomplish. This was especially so, for the evidence from Naruto's actions thus far only proved his godliness -- from Hidan's perspective -- if nothing else.

Anyway, from what he understood of the God worshipped by this cult...

"I represent war and killing, not meaningless annihilation. The only sacrifices I require are those of blood and battle. Fight, chosen warrior of mine, and shed the blood of your enemies in my name, but never forget your goal," Naruto spoke solemnly.

Hidan reverently kissed the ground next to Naruto's feet.

"I understand now, Jashin-sama," Hidan promised.

The other two members of the Akatsuki who came along have long been reduced to a backdrop.

Hidan noticed them belatedly, having gotten too distracted from realising his God has descended in human form to spot his insignificant colleagues.

"Sasori? Itachi? Kneel to Jashin-sama, you two," Hidan hissed, still stuck to the ground.

Neither Sasori nor Itachi managed to find his wits immediately.

That prompted Hidan to grumble beneath his breath, "These insolent mortals know nought the might of a God..."

Hidan thought indignantly, pointedly glaring at Sasori, 'One of them has even been granted a blessing of immortality, but he fails to display an appropriate level of respect in the presence of a God!'

Naruto could not say outright that he was not a God. In terms of capabilities, he would count in the ranks of deities belonging to myths and legends. All he lacked was an appropriate following. In terms of feats deserving of one's ascension to godhood, he has the attainments of resurrecting the dead, granting eternity, changing fate and creating life. He only fell short in comparison with traditional deities in terms of believers.

Sasori knelt very obediently, with Itachi following a beat after.

Sasori felt it was necessary to first explain the situation.

"This person is none other than Naruto, the master I mentioned to have granted me immortality," Sasori properly introduced Naruto to Hidan.

Hidan's eyes on Naruto began to burn even more passionately. His regard for Jashin has soared further in the process of this meeting. Discovering that the blond before him was the same as the person who turned Sasori into an immortal existence further cemented his belief. Hidan staunchly regarded Naruto as a benevolent deity and worshipped him wholeheartedly.