The following contains spoilers for Chapter 11 of Naruto: Konoha's Story -- The Steam Ninja Scrolls: The Manga, "The Resurrection Hot Springs," by Masashi Kishimoto, Natsuo Sai, Sho Hinata, Nathan A. Collins and Brandon Bovia, now available in English from Viz Media.
As Naruto: Konoha's Story -- The Steam Ninja Scrolls proceeds, there have been some intriguing throwbacks to the past. Even though this side-story is set in the Boruto era as Mirai Sarutobi aims to become Hokage, this diplomatic mission has nostalgia that really minds avid fans how the past was.
It speaks to Might Guy and Kakashi's bond with Asuma (Mirai's deceased father), and how Konoha's war-ridden past informed the future. Thankfully, there's a bit more peace across the region, although the Land of Steam is still symptomatic of problems not even Naruto could cure. Come Chapter 11, another homage is paid to the olden days courtesy of a sinister cult -- with this one actually being more twisted than the Akatsuki.
The Land of Steam Reveals Ryuki's Cult
After Choji helps save the hot springs, Mirai bonds with Tatsumi, a young lady at the Land of Steam's relaxation spot. Tatsumi has lost her mother, so she wants to visit a sacred spot where she can reconnect with the dead. Mirai, wanting to see Asuma for the first time, accompanies her, breaking rules and not letting Guy or Kakashi know of her whereabouts.
However, when they make their way out to a cave and waterfall, the cult there isn't into resurrections. It's all a ploy concocted by the leader, Ryuki, trapping women into a ritual. He has plants like Tatsumi preying on young women with tragic pasts, which lure them there to be drugged and abducted under the guise of him changing reality and giving them their dream come true. Mirai is perceptive, however, not drinking any water and immediately letting the cult know she's a shinobi who's prepared to kick their butts for their sins.
Ryuki's Cult Is Even Creepier Than the Akatsuki in Naruto
As Chapter 11 of Steam Ninja Scrolls ends, there are a couple of parallels to Naruto's Akatsuki, beginning with Ryuki's cult wearing black, assembling in a cave and giving off the same visual energy. Some even wear masks as well, nodding to Tobi (Obito of the ill-fated Uchiha clan). They have the same stealthy air as well, and to top if off, Ryuki (the leader) boasts that pale, emaciated look akin to Nagato.
The infamous Akatsuki leader was dying, which is why he used the likes of Itachi, as well as the Pain warriors to enact his mission of rebuilding the world, wanting to take out Naruto's alliance. Admittedly, Nagato had a sympathetic vibe because he'd lost his loved ones to criminals, so he saw his terrorism as a means of course-correcting a broken realm. However, Ryuki in Steam Ninja Scrolls isn't about warped order or justice; he's a pervert who just wants to kidnap girls, giving him creepier intentions.
The fact he has other girls out there baiting women to possibly be killed, trafficked or sacrificed is truly disturbing. In the Akatsuki's case, they were straight-up terrorists who roved and let people know their intentions. Ryuki's agents are in the shadows, spreading all over to claim victims. What's worse is they use the relatable hook of hope, offering ill women a chance to be cured. While Ryuki's cult has a smaller, more personal scope, this sort of streamlined crime feels more intimidating given how they've been getting away with it for years. Ultimately, it leaves fans wanting Mirai to bring them to justice ASAP and end the network, which has the potential to spread and become bigger than the toxic Akatsuki in Naruto.