In the blink of an eye, the black and purple mist transformed by the monsters had almost vanished.
What began as verbal abuse and threats soon turned to desperate pleas for mercy.
Naruto shook his head and reached out to grab the hideous face.
Snap—
The monster, born of the black and purple mist, shattered completely. At the same time, the monster's magical energy and original power were fully absorbed by Naruto.
He glanced back at Shion. At this moment, Shion's face was pale, and she appeared to have collapsed, lying on the ground.
"It's indirect proof that the magical energy and chakra used by Kurama, after he obtained the Ninja Clan's power, are similar in nature."
"They are very dependent on each other, almost parasitic."
"However, this can be solved with a trace of the power of origin."
As Naruto spoke, he bent down and lifted the weakened Shion.
At the same time, a faint, pure source of magical power flowed into Shion's body.
Instantly, Shion began to recover at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"So warm...ah~"
Naruto carried her outside as the underground palace began to collapse.
The volcano was on the verge of eruption.
Having never witnessed a volcanic eruption in either his previous life or this one, Naruto couldn't miss it.
Holding Shion, he soared to the top of a nearby mountain and channeled a trace of his magical power into the Baihui acupoint.
He then injected a nutrient ball into his Baihui acupoint.
Suddenly, the nutrient cluster, which had been dim, emitted a dazzling light, reminiscent of the light that had shone from Shion when she transformed earlier.
This nutrient naturally came from Shion's mother, Miroku, whose physical body had disappeared, leaving only her soul.
Naruto gently placed Shion on a rock.
"Your mother has a chance to be resurrected."
"What?" Shion asked, startled.
Boom boom
The volcano erupted at that moment, interrupting their conversation.
Naruto sat down, and Shion naturally moved closer to him.
The volcano erupted in the distance, spewing magma into the sky like fireworks.
All the animals near the volcano had already fled due to the appearance of the ghostly army of monsters—the Terracotta Warriors.
At this moment, in addition to the awe-inspiring volcanic eruption, countless plants sprang up from the ground, their branches holding tiny roots as they scurried away.
Shion's eyes widened.
She had never seen or even heard of such a thing.
Especially at this moment, a towering tree behind them extended a wooden hand. The hand morphed into a bench below them, lifting them high into the air to provide an excellent viewing position.
"This..." Shion murmured in astonishment.
Gurgle~
Shion swallowed, taking a moment to process this phenomenon beyond her understanding.
"So, you stupid miko, you're not going to keep talking about fate, right?"
Naruto chuckled and turned to her.
Shion gazed at Naruto's handsome face, and with the help of the Princess Killer buff, her cheeks flushed red.
She replied softly, "What gives rise to monsters in this world is the evil hearts of humans. No one can guarantee that another monster won't appear."
"Especially those with power... especially Genin."
Naruto blinked, taken aback. "Hmm? That's right... I'm still a Genin..."
Oh no, Konoha's Genin really can't be messed with.
"The stupid miko has suddenly become more flexible."
Naruto gently patted her head and shook his head.
"Wanderers aren't created by evil within. But you're right. Wanderers can still appear, like from you... or from me."
Shion blinked and teased, "Then I'll never say that fate is a curse again."
"But... I'm still a miko. Until you eliminate the problems here... I'll always guard the connection between the two worlds."
She then turned away, too shy to look at Naruto, whispering:
"And... I want to pass on my power to the next miko..."
Finally, she closed her eyes and spoke quietly, "Naruto... can you lend me your strength?"
If Kushina were here, she'd probably say it without hesitation—You have to queue.
Now, Naruto looked at Shion, her eyes closed, her eyelashes trembling.
Meanwhile...
After Naruto absorbed both the body and soul of the monster, the three holy places sensed that the demon world's aura had dissipated.
"Why did it turn out like this?" the White Snake Immortal asked slowly, exhaling a puff of smoke.
She frowned. "Uzumaki Naruto... When did he show up?"
"Why were there no signs? In just half a year, the entire ninja world has undergone earth-shaking changes."
"Orochimaru and Kabuto... those two idiots, now they don't even listen to me."
"No... I need to prepare."
"Tashima-shin-hime, Ichikishima-hime, Mizutsu-hime, come here!"
"This time we must make friends with that toad before he does."
"Hehe... No, from the information Kabuto sent me earlier, it seems the human the old toad tricked isn't exactly well-received in Konoha."
"Then, we just need to be cautious of the Wet Bone Forest."
Soon, the three snake princesses—Tanashima-hime, Ichikishima-hime, and Mizutsu-hime—arrived.
"You two should discuss and find a way to gather all the intelligence from the outside world during this time."
"The priority is Konoha... Uzumaki Naruto's information."
"No matter how big or small, I want everything!"
Auntie Sanshe quickly responded, "Yes!"
… Somewhere Else—Wet Bone Forest, One of the Three Great Sage Lands
A massive form stirred deep within the dense, misty expanse of Wet Bone Forest. The Slug Sage slowly raised her head, her translucent body shimmering with spiritual energy.
"…Naruto-sama's chakra," she murmured, sensing the tremor across space. "That monster... it wasn't sealed. Could it have been destroyed… by Naruto-sama?"
She turned to gaze at the towering, root-like trees stretching infinitely above—no true sky existed here, only the endless canopy of giant lifeforms native to the forest.
A slow, thoughtful breath escaped the Slug Sage. "Good… Wet Bone Forest chose wisely this time."
She remembered the past, when Myōboku Mountain had outpaced them—finding the child of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki first, forging a connection that earned them reverence throughout the ninja world.
"But Myōboku's glory fades. Their influence wanes, even if they remain honored. Meanwhile… Ryūchi Cave, Wet Bone Forest, we were too slow then. But things are different now."
Her gaze turned solemn.
"The Uzumaki clan is gone. Mito once brought us closer through her marriage to Hashirama Senju… but now, even the Senju clan has vanished."
A ripple of chakra passed through her body.
"Yet among the Three Sage Lands, my Wet Bone Forest now holds the greatest hope."
With resolve, the Slug Sage split into countless smaller slugs, scattering like mist into the forest.
"Master Naruto has not yet signed a summoning contract. I must act swiftly. With Hagoromo no longer watching over Myōboku Mountain from the Pure Land… the time has come to choose again."
Meanwhile – Mount Myōboku
Deep within the sacred land of toads, a ripple of energy drew Jiraiya to a familiar gathering.
"Yo! Jiraiya, long time no see," Gamabunta called, his gravelly voice echoing across the pond.
Nearby, Toad Shima and Toad Kō stood with mugs in hand, clinking them before downing their drinks in one go. Two smaller toads below them sneakily dipped into the spring water, giggling to themselves.
Jiraiya gave them a nod but kept his focus on the matter at hand.
"Master Fukasaku," he said, his voice steady, "take me to see the Great Toad Sage. It's urgent."
Fukasaku exchanged a glance with Shima, then nodded. "Follow me."
With swift, practiced leaps, the trio made their way through the moss-covered chambers of Mount Myōboku, bypassing the guards, until they arrived at the resting place of the Great Toad Sage—Gamamaru.
The ancient toad was massive, reclining in a pool of thick mist, his eyes closed in what seemed like a deep slumber.
"Haaaaah~ …Huuuuh~…"
"Old fool! Jiraiya's here, wake up already!" Shima shouted, her voice unrestrained. "Hey, don't hold me back, Fukasaku!"
Fukasaku sighed and shook his head. "He was just awake a moment ago…"
Jiraiya waited patiently until the sage stirred.
"Ah… mmm… Jiraiya, is that you?" The Great Toad Sage slowly opened one eye, ancient and cloudy, his voice creaking like old bark. "I saw it... the future..."
A pause.
"Uzumaki Naruto… he is not the Child of Prophecy."
Jiraiya's heart clenched. "What…?"
"All that he's doing now… will invite enemies beyond our understanding. Forces that even he cannot resist. His path will bring ruin to the shinobi world..."
The old toad's voice faded like mist on the wind.
"You must stop him, Jiraiya…"
...
TN:
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