Suddenly, the aggressive assault from Yomi startled Shion.
Yomi's grotesque face drew closer and closer, leaving Shion momentarily frozen in shock.
But just as Yomi was about to reach her, his head was forcefully grabbed by a hand and slammed into the ground.
Thud!
A loud crash echoed as the overbearing Yomi fell silent in an instant.
His hideous head was pinned to the ground, causing several cracks to spiderweb across the surface.
"You're annoyingly loud. For a nobody, you sure talk a lot," Kimimaro remarked casually as he stood protectively in front of Shion.
He wasn't interested in Yomi at all. To him, Yomi was merely a puppet for Mōryō's resurrection, devoid of any true worth.
As Shion regained her composure, she stared at the tall figure shielding her. For the first time, she felt a deep sense of security. Most of her earlier fear dissipated.
"Thank you," she said softly.
"It's a bit early for that. The real threat hasn't even shown up yet," Kimimaro replied.
Activating his Byakugan, Kimimaro surveyed the entire cave.
This cave was anything but ordinary. Its walls emanated a sinister energy, the same energy found in the stone warriors outside.
This energy could be loosely described as chakra, though it had distinct differences.
The two of them stood on a circular sealing platform. Beyond its edge lay an endless abyss. Even with his Byakugan fully extended, Kimimaro couldn't see its bottom.
The abyss was over 2,500 meters deep. Using his advanced sensory skills, however, he only sensed chaos.
"This place is indeed strange," Kimimaro thought. While he couldn't unravel the mysteries of the abyss, he could feel Mōryō's presence emanating from Yomi. Its soul was stirring, ready to break free.
Yet, Kimimaro noticed something peculiar: Mōryō's physical body wasn't here—or so it seemed. Instead, it felt as though Shion herself was intricately linked to Mōryō.
Upon closer inspection, Kimimaro discerned that Shion and Mōryō were like two sides of the same coin.
They appeared completely different but were intrinsically connected.
"So that's it. The priestess and Mōryō were once one entity, split into two: one representing good, the other evil," Kimimaro muttered under his breath.
"You… you've figured it out?" Shion's face turned pale as she realized Kimimaro had uncovered the link between her and Mōryō.
The idea of an angel and a demon being one and the same could easily shatter people's trust. Shion had known this secret all along but had no idea how to reveal it. If she spoke the truth, the revered priestess might become a target of scorn.
At that moment, Mōryō broke free, transforming into countless chakra dragons.
"Priestess! You can't hide this secret forever! Soon, the world will see you as no different from me. Come, today is the day we reunite as one!" Mōryō's voice dripped with malevolence and seduction.
"No! My mother separated us to sever all ties with you. I'll never align myself with you again!" Shion declared, activating the sealing formation her mother had left behind.
Boom!
A pillar of violet light erupted, enveloping everyone within.
"Heh, your power is indeed stronger than your mother's, but I've grown too. Sealing me again? Foolishness!" Mōryō sneered as the chakra dragons lunged forward.
Shion was startled and quickly summoned her priestess powers. A holy radiance emanated from her, and though she seemed more composed than before, her lack of battle experience was apparent. She clumsily dodged the oncoming chakra dragons.
"This isn't good!"
As the dragons multiplied, Shion found herself overwhelmed, unable to activate her sealing powers in time.
Just as one of the dragons was about to strike her, Kimimaro finally intervened.
With a swing of his black bone sword, he cleaved the dragon's head clean off, dispersing it instantly.
"Argh! You cursed human!" Mōryō roared in anger.
"You… you're still willing to help me?" Shion asked in surprise.
"Why wouldn't I? Concepts like good and evil bore me. Right now, it's simply more sensible to help a charming young lady than an ugly monster like Mōryō," Kimimaro replied nonchalantly.
"Thank you," Shion said, a faint smile forming on her lips. Then, as if making a decision, she added, "Kimimaro, hold off Mōryō for ten seconds. I'll use my priestess powers to seal it again!"
"Sealing it at the cost of your life?" Kimimaro questioned.
Shion nodded solemnly.
"In that case, forget it. Seals can always be broken. Your mother had you to take her place, but you have no successor. What happens when Mōryō breaks free again? Let's not leave a mess for others to clean up. We'll end it here and now," Kimimaro said firmly.
"But… Mōryō is too strong. Sealing it is the best I can manage," Shion admitted, feeling powerless.
"Strong? It's just some fancy chakra. With your priestess powers, I'll finish it in one strike," Kimimaro scoffed.
"Alright, I trust you," Shion said, her confidence in Kimimaro unwavering. His immense strength had already left a deep impression on her.
"How laughable! A priestess stooping to collaborate with a mere mortal? How pathetic!" Mōryō mocked, its voice laced with derision.
Neither Kimimaro nor Shion paid any attention to the taunt. Mōryō, however, launched another wave of chakra dragons at them.
As the violet dragons surged forward, sealing off all escape routes, Kimimaro grabbed Shion's hand and, using his immense speed, dashed upward.
The two quickly ascended into the sky. Holding Shion on his back, Kimimaro extended his left hand, conjuring a white bone bow. In his right, a bone arrow materialized, poised on the bowstring formed of pure chakra.
"Shion, lend me your power," he said.
Shion nodded, channeling her priestess energy through Kimimaro into the arrow.
"Please… stop it, Kimimaro," Shion whispered, placing all her hope in him.
Kimimaro gave a small smile. "Purging Arrow!" he declared.
The Purging Arrow, a reward Kimimaro had obtained, was inspired by Kikyo's legendary attack from Inuyasha. Designed to expel evil spirits, it was devastatingly powerful. Coupled with Shion's priestess energy, it became an unstoppable force.
With the combined power of the two, they prepared to end Mōryō once and for all.
"In this way, we can ensure nothing goes wrong."
The bone arrow radiated a dazzling white light, illuminating the previously dark and eerie sealed space.
"What is this power?"
The demon, Mouryou, was visibly shaken. It could feel that the arrow carried not only the shrine maiden's power but also another force that suppressed it greatly. Against this arrow, Mouryou had no advantage.
Shion stared at the radiant arrow, her eyes filled with astonishment. "This power feels similar to my shrine maiden's strength."
"It's over, Mouryou!"
With a loud shout, Kimimaro unleashed the Purifying Arrow, shooting it straight at the demon.
Whoosh!
The arrow sliced through the darkness, dissolving the approaching chakra dragons. The Purifying Arrow drew closer, resembling the rising sun that banished all shadows.
"No!"
Mouryou let out a scream as the arrow struck its forehead. The evil spirit's power began to dissipate as its consciousness was gradually scattered by the Purifying Arrow. Yet, it felt as though its strength was being sealed away.
"Could this human be trying to...?"
Mouryou seemed to grasp what was happening, but it was too late.
White bone chains emerged from the Purifying Arrow, triggering a surge of sealing energy. The cave, once shrouded in darkness, was now filled with light. The arrow vanished, leaving behind a purple orb ensnared by white bone chains.
This orb was Mouryou's essence of power.
"It worked!"
Shion could sense Mouryou's complete eradication. A smile of relief spread across her face.
Meanwhile, Kimimaro's right palm emitted a sudden, intense suction. Universal Pull!
The purple orb, bound by the bone chains, flew into Kimimaro's hand. He could feel the overwhelming soul energy within.
Since Mouryou existed purely as a spirit, erasing its consciousness left behind only its raw soul power. However, not just anyone could absorb such energy.
To consume it risked corrupting one's own soul, making progress impossible.
For Kimimaro, it held little personal value—his potential was boundless. Yet, in the hands of Sasori, it could create the perfect artificial human.
Sasori, having little room for growth, would benefit immensely.
"Is this Mouryou's soul energy?" Shion asked, recognizing the purple orb.
"Yes. Its consciousness has been erased. Mouryou no longer exists in this world."
"That arrow you fired—it seemed infused with shrine maiden energy. How did you do it?"
Shion looked at Kimimaro as though seeing a kindred spirit.
"It's just a coincidence. This technique I learned by chance, and it's quite different from your shrine maiden powers."
Not wanting to dwell on the topic, Kimimaro changed the subject. "The grudge between you and Mouryou is over. Don't worry—your connection to it will remain a secret. You're still the revered shrine maiden of the Land of Demons."
"Thank you, Kimimaro."
They exchanged smiles, a mutual understanding forming between them. Some things no longer needed to be said.
"Let me take you back."
"Alright."
Back at the Land of Demons' palace, chaos reigned.
The shrine maiden had been abducted by a mysterious ninja, and Todo had mobilized everyone to find her. But how could they track Kimimaro?
Moreover, the region was overrun with stone golem soldiers, making the search even more difficult.
"Damn it! At this rate, when will we find Lady Shion?"
Todo was furious, blaming his own weakness for Shion's abduction. He felt unworthy as her bodyguard.
"Lord Todo! Look! The stone golems are crumbling! Could it be that Lady Shion has sealed Mouryou?"
Indeed, the once-mighty golems shattered into fragments, and the soldiers of the Land of Demons erupted in cheers.
Todo was overjoyed. "It must be! Lady Shion succeeded! That ninja really did help her defeat Mouryou."
At that moment, Kimimaro descended from the sky with Shion in his arms.
"Lady Shion!" Todo rushed to her side.
Shion nodded slightly, her gaze lingering on Kimimaro.
"This is where we part ways," Kimimaro said softly.
"Will we meet again?" Shion asked, her tone laced with reluctance.
Aside from her mother, Kimimaro was the only person who made her feel safe and supported—a rare feeling for her.
Now that he was leaving, her reluctance was understandable.
"The ninja world isn't that big. Meeting again isn't difficult. Farewell, little shrine maiden."
Kimimaro smiled faintly, then leaped into the air, walking as though on the wind until he vanished.
"Little shrine maiden? I'm not little!" Shion muttered, pouting as she watched him leave.
Unaware of Shion's wistful gaze, Kimimaro was already on his way to find Sasori.
"Congratulations, traveler, for sealing Mouryou and claiming the Purifying Arrow as your reward!"
The Purifying Arrow, a skill from Inuyasha, possessed immense sealing power.
"A Purifying Arrow, huh? Another tool for handling tailed beasts," Kimimaro mused, quickening his pace.
In a secluded canyon, Sasori was repairing his puppets. Battling thousands of stone golems had taken a toll on his creations.
When the stone army crumbled, Sasori knew Kimimaro had succeeded.
"Kimimaro," Sasori greeted as Kimimaro landed in front of him. "Did you get it?"
Kimimaro nodded, tossing the soul orb to Sasori.
Catching it, Sasori examined it with curiosity. "So this is Mouryou's soul energy. Impressive."
"With this, your modified regeneration core can evolve further into perfection. Try it."
"Gladly."
Without hesitation, Sasori placed the soul orb into his regeneration core.
Instantly, the chains binding the orb vanished as the core absorbed it like a living entity.
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