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The Land of Demons. Shion opened her eyes. White pupils constantly flickered with unusual light and shadow. A moment later, she reached out and touched her forehead, finding it covered in sweat.
"A dream?" Shion took a deep breath, clutching the bell at her chest. Inside it was a red stone, left to her by her mother, Miroku. It held the power to protect her.
"Lady Priestess." A familiar voice came from outside the door. It was her bodyguard, Sukeroku. Shion grabbed her miko attire, quickly put it on, walked a few steps to the door, and opened it.
"Lady Priestess," Sukeroku bowed. "We've received replies from the Five Great Villages."
"What do they say?" Anticipation appeared on Shion's face. Not long ago, the Land of Demons discovered traces of the Yomi Cult. Eight years ago, it was the Yomi Cult that released Mōryō, commanded the immortal army, and attempted to unify the ninja world. Shion had thought they were all eliminated, but unexpectedly, there were still remnants. She worried about the monster disturbance repeating, so she sent requests to the Five Great Villages. She hoped they could assist them in finding the Yomi Cult and preventing Mōryō from breaking free. Because once Mōryō was revived, there was only one way to defeat it: the priestess sealing it with her life. Shion's mother, Miroku, died because of this. She didn't want to follow in her footsteps.
"Konoha Village and the Hidden Cloud Village replied that they will send people," Sukeroku sighed. "The other three ninja villages politely declined with various excuses."
"Don't they understand that once Mōryō is revived, the entire ninja world will suffer?" Shion's face turned grim.
"Konoha Village and the Hidden Cloud Village are currently the strongest ninja villages. With their strength, dealing with the Yomi Cult should be no problem," Sukeroku quickly reassured her. "Lady Priestess, there's no need to be so angry." Shion's expression softened slightly upon hearing this. Although the Yomi Cult was strong back then, after so many years, it had weakened considerably. Furthermore, the key to Mōryō's revival lay in two shrines: one in the Land of Demons, which sealed its soul, and one in the Land of Swamps, which sealed its body. As long as the ninjas from Konoha Village and the Hidden Cloud Village guarded these two shrines, nothing would go wrong.
"Who are the ninjas they're sending?" Shion calmed down and asked.
"Konoha Village replied that Hokage Sasame himself will lead the team, and the Hidden Cloud Village will send a Jonin named Yugito Nii," Sukeroku immediately answered. Shion was slightly startled, a little surprised. The Hidden Cloud Village was understandable, but Konoha Village was sending Hokage Sasame. She had heard of his glorious achievements even in the Land of Demons. However, his name felt familiar; she thought she had seen it somewhere before. Shion lifted her miko skirt and ran outside. Sukeroku was a little confused but quickly followed her.
"Stay here," Shion said, stopping in front of a room, then opened the door and went inside. Sukeroku had no choice but to stop. He glanced at the plaque on the door. This was the secret room exclusive to successive priestesses. On the surface, it was a study, but beneath lay a room with a special purpose. Shion followed the passage until she reached her destination. She rummaged through boxes and cabinets, finally finding a box hidden in the deepest part. When Miroku died, Shion was only six years old. She was too young and didn't remember many things. Sasame had thought she didn't trust him, but the truth was she had no recollection. Shion opened the box and saw the promise left by Priestess Kikuri.
"It's actually real?" Because she possessed the ability to foresee others' deaths, she strongly believed in fate. At this moment, she breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't doubt it. In her understanding, priestesses all possessed mysterious and unpredictable powers. And Kikuri was a Great Priestess from a thousand years ago. In the era of the Sage of Six Paths, she must have been incredibly powerful, right? Perhaps her prophecy could truly foresee the future. That would explain it. Shion put the box back. She remembered Sukeroku just said that the ninja sent by Konoha Village was Sasame. This made her even more convinced by the note left by Priestess Kikuri. She composed herself and left the room.
"Lady Priestess," Sukeroku noticed her suddenly relaxed demeanor. "Is there good news?"
"Yes," Shion looked at him, took a deep breath, and reached out, placing her hand on his shoulder. Her eyes swirled like stars, reflecting his date of death. Sukeroku's heart immediately tightened. Because Shion could predict others' deaths, she was feared. But this ability had limitations. As long as one kept their distance from her, it wouldn't be triggered. Shion had always kept her distance from him before, precisely because she didn't want to see his death.
"Lady Priestess?" Sukeroku asked rather nervously.
"It's nothing," Shion smiled. "You won't die."
"It seems there won't be any danger this time," Sukeroku immediately took several deep breaths, then also smiled.
Meanwhile, in a certain valley in the Land of Demons.
"Yomi, when do you plan to act?" Danzo Shimura asked, leaning on his cane, his face grim. Since his two resurrections from the dead, he had lost his Three-Tomoe Sharingan. Now he could only transplant ordinary eyes. Fortunately, the arm Orochimaru gave him was still usable. His strength hadn't dropped too much. After his failure in the Hidden Sand Village, Danzo Shimura had sought out Orochimaru. But the reply he received was, "Let's not contact each other anymore; Konoha Village might misunderstand." In other words, Orochimaru just wanted to focus on his research and didn't want to deal with him. Danzo Shimura was so angry he wanted to spit blood, but he could do nothing. Compared to Konoha Village, he truly couldn't offer Orochimaru more.
Danzo Shimura wandered to the Land of Demons, not far from the Hidden Sand Village, and immediately recalled the monster disturbance eight years ago. The foreign monster Mōryō and the immortal army led by the Yomi Cult. At that time, they caused immense trouble. And Danzo Shimura remembered that Mōryō, even in its incomplete form, was comparable to a Tailed Beast. He immediately had an idea. After some effort, he found Yomi. Yomi also lacked strong individuals, so the two quickly reached an agreement. Danzo Shimura even gained something beneficial from this misfortune; his strength improved. The reason was Yomi's dark medical ninjutsu. It sounded somewhat similar to Shin'ō's dark chakra. However, Shin'ō's dark chakra came from the Zero-Tails. Yomi's dark medical ninjutsu was actually normal medical ninjutsu. But its use was abnormal. He didn't use it to save people, but to kill. By modifying and enhancing oneself, one could gain power far exceeding their normal state. It was actually more like Orochimaru's cursed seals. However, its effects were far inferior. One could only say its strength was limited. But for Danzo Shimura, it was a rare surprise. After all, he temporarily had no other way to improve himself.
"Wait a few more days," Yomi explained. "My subordinates haven't found the location of the sealing shrine yet."
"But you have to be careful of the ninjas from Konoha Village and the Hidden Cloud Village," Danzo Shimura's voice held hatred. "Especially since Konoha Village is sending Hokage Sasame this time." Although he had left Konoha Village, the Root he secretly cultivated still existed, so he had some intelligence sources. However, without a base, these members were like water without a source; they would eventually disappear. After all, they were one less every time they were used.
"Don't worry, no matter how many people come, it's useless," Yomi lifted his chin slightly, speaking confidently. "Lord Mōryō and the immortal army are invincible."
"I hope so," Danzo Shimura hadn't seen it with his own eyes back then, so he was somewhat skeptical. After all, even Shukaku wasn't Sasame's match. Now, he could only pray that what Yomi said was true: that Mōryō's complete form could surpass Tailed Beasts and possess the power to destroy everything.
Hidden Mist Village, Mizukage's Office.
Mei Terumī gazed blankly out the window. It was as misty as ever. There was no good scenery to admire. She was simply lost in thought. Sasame hadn't visited for a long time, had he? Mei Terumī subconsciously bit her lip. Was she really that unattractive? She wondered what he was busy with in Konoha Village. Mei Terumī sighed. She thought for a moment, then called out, "Haku."
Soon, the fair-faced Haku appeared before her. He was now the captain of the Hidden Mist Village's Anbu.
"Lady Mizukage," Haku bowed slightly. "Please give your orders."
"What has the Sixth Hokage Sasame been doing lately?" Mei Terumī added, as if trying to hide something, "As allies, we need to always be aware of his movements."
"He and his three students went to Hozuki Castle," Haku recalled the intel.
So he was on a mission? Mei Terumī secretly thought she had misjudged him. As Hokage, Sasame must be as busy as she was. Just then, a knock sounded.
"Come in," Mei Terumī waved her hand. Haku disappeared. Ao entered, his face grim. "Lord Yagura's body has reached its limit." Mei Terumī froze. Yagura had experienced problems not long ago. She hadn't expected him to deteriorate so quickly.
"We need to find a new jinchuriki quickly," Ao paused, continuing. "Otherwise, we'll have no choice but to let the Three-Tails be reborn." A jinchuriki wasn't just anyone who could be found. It required a very high physical constitution. Naruto Uzumaki was so easily able to become one because he had the Uzumaki clan's bloodline. But other ninja villages weren't so lucky. For example, the Hidden Sand Village. In the original work, it was mentioned that after the One-Tail jinchuriki Bunpuku died, Rasa experimented with three jinchuriki test subjects, but all of them rampaged. Finally, on Chiyo's suggestion, Gaara was made the jinchuriki, barely qualifying.
The Hidden Mist Village's situation was even worse than the Hidden Sand Village's. Mei Terumī had considered becoming a jinchuriki herself, like Yagura. But she couldn't bear the consequences of failure. Because failure would mean she might die. If the Hidden Mist Village lost her, their future was unimaginable. Similarly, Mei Terumī was unwilling for Zabuza Momochi, Ao, or Haku to attempt it, unless there was absolute certainty.
"Have you found Utakata?" Mei Terumī slowly frowned and asked. The Hidden Mist Village had two jinchuriki: the Three-Tails jinchuriki Yagura, and the Six-Tails jinchuriki Utakata. The former was controlled, the latter defected. And the reason for his defection was quite careless: it was because of Utakata's teacher. He researched a ninjutsu that allowed a jinchuriki to live even after losing their Tailed Beast. When it was implemented on Utakata, he thought his teacher was trying to kill him, so he immediately fled. In short, this jinchuriki left the Hidden Mist Village due to a misunderstanding. After Mei Terumī became Mizukage, she had always sent Anbu to search for him all over the world. She wanted to bring him back. After all, a jinchuriki was a guarantee of military might. And if they had Utakata, even if they lost the Three-Tails, they wouldn't need to panic too much.
"No," Ao also understood the importance of a jinchuriki, but luck was not on the Hidden Mist Village's side.
"Is that so?" Mei Terumī rubbed her forehead, annoyed. The Hidden Mist Village's predicament was truly too difficult. It was only thanks to Sasame's support that they could barely manage. However, all this support came at a price. It was fine as long as the Hidden Mist Village and Konoha Village didn't clash. But if there was a Fourth Great Shinobi War, Sasame could completely coerce the Hidden Mist Village through their loans. At that time, they would only be able to fight for Konoha Village. Although Mei Terumī liked Sasame, she didn't want to see this happen. Thinking of this, she secretly sighed. She didn't want it, yet it was unavoidable. If she truly cut off ties with Sasame, the Hidden Mist Village would be unable to cope. They were too afraid of poverty.
"Ao, you may leave. I'll find a way," Mei Terumī said after a long pause.
"Yes," Ao noticed her expression, but he didn't know what to say. He turned and left.
Mei Terumī leaned back in the Mizukage's chair, exhaled, and said, "If that guy were here, he should be able to solve it, right?"
"Solve what?" A sudden voice made her immediately straighten up. She instinctively turned her head and saw a familiar, handsome face. Mei Terumī opened her mouth, wanting to speak but holding back, finally saying wistfully, "Are you here to mock me?" Her tone held a hint of resentment and something else.
"How could I?" Sasame leaned closer, sitting on the office desk, looking down at her.
"Looking around again," Mei Terumī glared at him.
"You're showing it to me, so why wouldn't I look?" Sasame said, looking at her bare, fair, smooth shoulders and sexy collarbones, and couldn't help but chuckle.
"..." Mei Terumī crossed her arms, covering some of herself, and asked with disdain, "If the people of Konoha Village knew their Hokage was a pervert, what do you think they'd think?"
"Hey, that's slander!" Sasame said, displeased. "I'm your big financial backer!" Mei Terumī was immediately reminded that she still owed him a lot of money. Not just money, but also two and a half years of "working" time. Oh, and adding the condition for exchanging Zabuza Momochi and Haku. Seven days as a little maid. Mei Terumī pouted, then put down her arms, letting him admire the scenery of the "valley."
"What do you want?"
"I don't want anything, but you seem to have a problem," Sasame's gaze shifted to her face.
"You heard my conversation with Ao?" Mei Terumī frowned and couldn't help but say, "As Hokage, how can you do such a thing?"
"The Hokage can't, but the financial backer can," Sasame smiled nonchalantly and asked, "So, do you want me to help you?"
"..." Mei Terumī immediately fell silent. A jinchuriki was, of course, a top priority for the Hidden Mist Village. If someone helped, she would welcome it. But if that person was the Hokage, the nature of the matter changed.
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