It was a crisp autumn morning.
After a whole night, Natsume finally ended his physical training.
He hadn't gotten a wink of sleep.
Fortunately, thanks to the Sage Body, pulling an all-nighter wasn't a big deal.
"You should wear this outfit while in the Land of Demons."
Natsume opened a scroll and pulled out a Jonin vest from Konoha Village that he'd prepared in advance.
Without a disguise, Kaguya Otsutsuki would stand out way too much. Anyone could tell there was something off about her.
If this had happened before, convincing Kaguya Otsutsuki to change clothes would have taken quite a bit of persuasion.
But now, she happened to be in a good mood.
So she didn't protest and simply put it on.
Nodding in approval, Natsume kissed her forehead.
He got up and opened the door.
Someone else had already prepared breakfast.
Natsume knew Kaguya Otsutsuki wouldn't eat food cooked by anyone else, so he borrowed the kitchen to make her a bowl of noodles.
After breakfast, Natsume spoke at the table: "We'll be entering the Land of Demons soon."
Kaguya Otsutsuki stared at him intently, clearly lost in her own thoughts.
Only Hinata seemed unsettled by the news.
It wasn't fear of danger that troubled her—it was the worry that she might fall short. That thought made her feel like she wouldn't live up to the Banishing Bow and Void Fist Natsume had given her.
"This time, not only has Konoha taken the mission—other ninja villages are involved too, so there could be conflicts."
Natsume looked at Kaguya Otsutsuki, holding her gaze for a moment before adding, "Especially you—you're not to act without my go-ahead."
Honestly, this was a pretty risky thing to say.
If their relationship hadn't progressed further, he wouldn't dare order around the ultimate villain.
Kaguya Otsutsuki remained as cold as ever, showing no reaction at all.
Knowing this meant she'd agreed, Natsume let out a breath of relief.
If he let her fight freely, just imagining it was terrifying enough.
"As for you, Hinata—don't worry about the mission. Focus on staying safe."
Natsume smiled and asked, "Understood? Don't overdo it."
Hinata blushed slightly and nodded.
She understood exactly what Natsume meant.
This also proved her earlier worries had already been noticed.
Half an hour later, the train came to a halt.
They had arrived at the nearest station to the Land of Demons.
There were no tracks beyond this point.
Still, Natsume planned to use this mission to discuss cooperation with Shion—at the very least, to extend the railway.
Compared to the Land of Snow, the climate in the Land of Demons wasn't nearly as cold, and there wasn't a trace of snow anywhere.
Pulling out a map, Natsume glanced at it before saying, "Go that way."
Their destination, naturally, was the Miko Palace in the Land of Demons.
This special country, just like a thousand years ago, still maintained the tradition where the Miko served as the Daimyo.
The three of them moved swiftly.
Though just a Genin, Hinata was stronger than the average Chunin and kept up easily.
As for Natsume and Kaguya, they obviously didn't need to explain anything.
If not for wanting to experience life a little more, he would have already traveled using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
After walking for half an hour, Kaguya Otsutsuki suddenly stopped in her tracks.
Hinata Hyuga looked puzzled, but after all, she was a ninja from the Hyuga clan.
Byakugan activated.
Her expression changed from confusion to shock.
There were eight ninja approaching from the north.
One of them possessed an extremely terrifying amount of chakra.
Hinata had only seen something similar on Natsume and Naruto Uzumaki before.
Was it a Jinchuriki?
"It should be ninjas from Kumogakure."
Natsume's sensory abilities couldn't compare with Kaguya Otsutsuki's, yet they were second to none across the entire ninja world.
He could even see more clearly than Hinata with her Byakugan activated.
The leader was a young woman.
She had long, chestnut-brown hair, plaited into a single ponytail that reached down to her waist.
Her figure was tall, slender, and upright—considerably taller than average women, comparable to Mei Terumī.
Yugito Nii.
Also known as the Two-Tails Jinchuriki from Kumogakure.
The Two-Tails, known as Matatabi, was a massive blue feline.
Yugito Nii was a perfect Jinchuriki, yet her personality was quite proud.
In the original story, it was this very arrogance that led to her downfall.
When faced with Kakuzu and Hidan who came to capture her, instead of fleeing, she actually lured them deeper, attempting to kill both of them.
Though she initially gained the upper hand, acting recklessly without sufficient intelligence inevitably led to disaster.
She died after having her tailed beast extracted.
And even her body was later used by Obito Uchiha to create one of the new Six Paths of Pain.
Used to the absolute extreme.
"This is the scent of the God Tree."
Kaguya's eyes flickered slightly as she questioned, "But it's very weak. A tailed beast? This weak?"
"Yes."
Natsume had previously told her about Hagoromo Otsutsuki splitting the God Tree into ten parts.
Hinata instinctively looked at Kaguya Otsutsuki.
She understood how Natsume—having subdued Shukaku, the One-Tail—could say something like that.
But just how powerful was this sudden appearance of another member from the Hyuga clan?
Furthermore, among the tailed beasts, the One-Tail was considered the weakest.
Of course, most ninja believed the power of tailed beasts correlated directly with their number of tails.
But to most people, they were still invincible monsters.
Based purely on performance in the original story, the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails were definitely the strongest.
Beyond that, there wasn't much distinction between the others.
This chapter isn't over yet!
The One-Tail, Shukaku, isn't actually the weakest.
Especially in desert environments, its power rivaled that of the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails.
But factoring in the Jinchuriki complicates things.
After all, Shukaku had a terrible relationship with Gaara.
It probably couldn't defeat a perfect Jinchuriki.
As the three people stopped walking, Yugito Nii also detected their presence.
"They're ninjas from Konoha Village."
A middle-aged man deactivated his sensing ninjutsu and reported, "There are three of them. If our intelligence is accurate, one of them should be Hokage Natsume."
"Natsume has just defeated Shukaku and the Kazekage and is currently gaining momentum. We shouldn't engage them."
A young Jonin spoke up, "Our sole focus is completing the mission in the Land of Demons."
"Hmph!"
Yugito Nii sneered in disdain and wrinkled her nose in disgust. "You only defeated the One-Tails! What are you afraid of? And have you forgotten the humiliation Konoha put us through years ago?"
"Of course not."
The other seven replied in unison.
"If we've already noticed them, not even greeting them on our way out would make Kumogakure look arrogant."
Yugito Nii narrowed her eyes, though deep down she was eager to fight.
Gaara and Shukaku weren't perfect jinchūriki.
Her bond with Matatabi was even stronger than Killer B's with the Eight-Tails.
That's something stated in the original story.
In other words, she thought Natsume wasn't half as legendary as people claimed.
Calling him the "God of the Ninja World"? Obviously an exaggeration.
Of course, he definitely had some skill.
Yugito Nii quickened her pace. In no time, she cut off Natsume and his companions.
The remaining eight Kumogakure ninja quietly formed an encircling formation around them.
Eyeing the three individuals before her, Yugito Nii couldn't help smirking coldly.
"So the Hokage is just a brat!"
She'd heard beforehand that Natsume was young.
But seeing him in person, he looked even younger than expected—nothing more than a rookie Genin.
This only reinforced her belief in her judgment.
Natsume raised one eyebrow.
Hearing about someone never quite matches meeting them face-to-face.
Just as expected—he really was insufferably arrogant.
No wonder he gets along so well with Matatabi.
After all, they're both felines.
Because Kaguya Otsutsuki had promised Natsume beforehand, she technically ignored Yugito Nii entirely.
Hinata Hyuga wanted to defend Natsume, but with her personality, she hesitated, opening her mouth a few times before finally backing down.
"A brat?"
Natsume said calmly, "Kumogakure still hasn't changed—it's just as rude as ever."
"We respect only strength in Kumogakure."
Yugito Nii slightly lifted her brow, smirking as she spoke, "From what I see, you aren't qualified."
"Yugito-sama," a young Jonin behind her hurriedly whispered, "Don't forget Lord Raikage's instructions."
Yugito Nii rolled her eyes.
Seeing that Natsume still hadn't flinched, she internally mocked him—he turned out to be a coward after all.
Even with the chance—he didn't act.
Before departing, Fourth Raikage A specifically warned her not to provoke conflict with Konoha Village.
What Yugito understood was—if they retaliated defensively, there wouldn't be any problem.
Unfortunately, Natsume remained too composed.
"Coward!"
With a cold snort, Yugito Nii turned and left.
Natsume watched her retreating figure, slightly narrowing his eyes.
He needed to think of a way to repay this.
Still, he had no interest in provoking a conflict with Kumogakure right now.
Otherwise, A would definitely declare war.
But Natsume worried that wrapping things up too quickly wouldn't earn him much destiny value.
Therefore, he decided to toy with Yugito Nii a little.
Especially considering her prideful nature—she should prove quite entertaining.
"Natsume-niisan."
Hinata Hyuga shot him a concerned glance.
As for why Natsume didn't fight back, she figured it was because he didn't want to start a war with Kumogakure.
In a way, it wasn't wrong to think so.
"I'm fine."
Natsume reached out and patted her head. "We'll talk after finishing this mission in the Land of Demons."
Kaguya Otsutsuki glanced at him but said nothing.
She knew Natsume always had his own plans.
Not taking action clearly meant he already had something in mind.
After all, with her around, the Two-Tailed Beast was nothing more than a little kitten.
If she had revealed even the faintest trace of her presence earlier, Matatabi would've fled immediately without daring to linger for even a moment.
The three continued onward.
After walking slowly for an hour, they arrived at the Metropolis of the Land of Demons and find the Miko's palace nestled within a valley.
Why place it in a valley?
Naturally, it was for protecting Shion.
Although the Miko was technically the Daimyo of the Land of Demons, in reality, she didn't involve herself in any political matters.
Well… essentially, she just avoided responsibilities.
"You must be Hokage-sama?"
A young man dressed in a guard's uniform approached them. "I am Tashihō, responsible for guarding this palace."
He glanced at the three standing before him, feeling a slight disappointment inside.
Because there were just too few of them.
Though Natsume himself was quite powerful, he was still only one person.
However, he didn't let any of these thoughts show on his face.
"Hmm."
Natsume nodded casually and asked, "By the way, what exactly is our assigned mission?"
Tashihō breathed a silent sigh of relief.
This guy was much easier to deal with compared to that previous Ryo Yugito.
He didn't carry the usual demeanor of a Hokage.
"Long ago, Moryo was sealed within temples in both the Land of Demons and the Land of Swamps. If Yomagakure's followers intend to resurrect it, they must visit both locations."
Oh...!
"By order of Her Highness the Miko," Tashihō continued solemnly, "Konoha Village and Kumogakure have been assigned to guard each temple accordingly. How does that sound, Hokage-sama?"
"No problem."
Natsume had expected this and smiled. "Since we accepted the mission, we naturally abide by Her Highness the Miko's arrangements."
"Thank you for your understanding, Hokage-sama."
Tashihō promptly pulled out a map and pointed at a black dot. "This marks the location of the sealing temple in the Land of Swamps."
Unquestionably, this meant assigning Konoha to protect the temple in the Land of Swamps.
Natsume briefly considered it before agreeing.
In the original story, Yomi first visited the sealing temple in the Land of Demons.
Using Dark Medical Ninjutsu, he sewed Moryo's soul into his own body, thereby obtaining nearly infinite power.
Letting Kumogakure run into some bad luck wouldn't be so bad either.
After finalizing the mission details, Tashihō politely bowed again. "Hokage-sama, Her Highness the Miko wishes to meet you alone."
"You two wait here for me."
Natsume gave them a final reminder before following Tashihō into the palace.
The Kumogakure group had already vanished; undoubtedly they had already rushed to the sealing temple.
"Her Highness resides inside."
Tashihō stopped his steps by the entrance and made no move to enter.
Natsume nodded and entered the palace.
"You're Natsume?"
Shion curiously asked.
Her eyes studied him carefully.
Yet aside from his unusually handsome appearance, there didn't seem to be anything particularly special about him.
"Of course."
Natsume smiled as he asked, "I wonder what business Her Highness, the Miko, has with me?"
Shion fell quiet at his words.
In truth, she had only come to see for herself who this 'Natsume' was—the one Miko Kikuri spoke of.
After a moment's thought, she asked, "If Moryo were to revive, could you defeat it?"
"Yes."
Natsume replied calmly.
"..."
Shion parted her lips, as though she wanted to speak but held back.
His answer came too quickly, making it seem like Moryo was no more than a stray cat or dog—hardly worth mentioning at all.
Was this really the same person Miko Kikuri described? Could such an unexpectedly young man truly be the Hokage?
Without warning, Shion leapt from her seat and walked directly in front of Natsume.
Suddenly, intricate patterns flickered across her eyes.
This was the sign that her prophecy ability had activated.
Moments later, Shion exhaled sharply, her expression stunned as she looked at Natsume.
Because—she could not foresee his future.
For her, this was the first time something like this had ever happened.
"What is it?" Natsume, knowing of her abilities, couldn't help but ask when he saw her expression. "Did you… see my death?"
"No," Shion shook her head honestly. "I cannot foresee your death."
"'Cannot'?"
Natsume rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Could this be related to Kaguya Ōtsutsuki?
"Although I don't know why, this is definitely a good thing."
A smile appeared on Shion's face.
The more unusual it was, the more it suggested Natsume was extraordinary—and therefore all the more capable of defeating Moryo.
Then perhaps she wouldn't end up sacrificing her life like her mother, Miroku, did.
Natsume glanced at the bell-shaped necklace she wore.
He recalled that it was used to seal Shion's power—left behind by her mother, Miroku.
In other words, this girl before him was quite formidable.
Hm, she'd make a valuable recruit for his Providence Organization.
After their conversation ended, Natsume turned and left.
After politely declining Tashihō's offer to rest, they set out once more toward the Land of Swamps.
4,000 words. P.S. Yesterday's Chapter 216 ('Ryo's Lap Pillow') was delayed over ten hours due to editorial reviews. If you haven't read it yet, feel free to go back and check it out.
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