Metropolis of the Land of Demons.
Miko Shion gazed worriedly into the distance.
Ever since Natsume left, this had become her usual state.
When it came to matters of life and death—she couldn't afford to stay at ease.
"Your Highness, the Miko!"
Captain Tashihō's frantic voice rang out.
Shion tensed slightly before slowly turning to face the guard captain who had rushed in.
"Did something happen?"
"Just now, we received a message from Kumogakure via ninja hawk. Yomi has broken the seal on Moryo's soul and already headed toward the Land of Swamps."
Though Tashihō desperately tried to suppress his fear, his shaky voice still betrayed his feelings.
"What?"
Shion's lips parted slightly in disbelief. "So soon?"
She remembered that Ni Yugito and the others had left just a day ago.
"Your Highness, what should we do now?" Tashihō, his face pale, asked. "Should we continue requesting aid from the Five Great Villages?"
"It's too late for that. By the time they arrive, Moryo will have already broken through the seal, obtained physical form, and fully resurrected."
Standing up, Shion instinctively clenched her fists. "We've come this far—we'll just have to trust the ninja from Konoha Village."
"Your Highness, we..."
Tashihō started to speak, then suddenly stopped halfway.
He had originally intended to ask, "Shouldn't we go to the Land of Swamps as a final precaution?"
But saying that would clearly mean sending her to her death.
Having watched Shion grow up, he didn't want things to escalate that far.
"Let's go to the Land of Swamps."
Shion glanced at him and immediately guessed his intentions.
"Your Highness..."
Tashihō hesitated, at a loss for words.
"As a miko, this is indeed my responsibility." Shion exhaled, saying, "Besides, I believe in Natsume. Things won't get as bad as that."
Tashihō froze.
Believe in Natsume?
He didn't quite understand.
In his eyes, both Kumo and Konoha were pretty much the same.
The former had already failed—could the latter really stand up to an even stronger Yomi?
"There's no time to lose. You must immediately send word to Natsume letting him know we're on our way. He must hold on until we arrive."
Shion displayed the demeanor of the daimyo of the Land of Demons.
"Yes!"
Tashihō straightened his posture and regained his composure.
If Your Highness, the Miko, wasn't afraid, why should he fear?
Land of Swamps.
After giving Ni Yugito a little punishment, Natsume returned contentedly to the Sealing Temple.
Within the courtyard,
Kaguya Otsutsuki was instructing Hinata Hyuga.
Natsume made no attempt to interrupt but leaned casually against the doorway, watching.
Two beauties—one older, one younger. It was quite the sight.
Moments later, Kaguya Otsutsuki turned around and walked toward him.
Her snow-white eyes studied him from head to toe, to confirm his well-being before speaking, "How are you?"
Natsume was about to answer when a sudden weightlessness overtook him—he found himself swept into Kaguya Otsutsuki's arms.
By instinct, he hooked his legs around her waist to steady himself.
"…"
Natsume tugged at the corner of his lips. Usually, *he* was the one holding Kaguya like this.
Never did he expect their roles to reverse so completely today.
It felt strange.
But not entirely unpleasant.
Face to face, inhaling the soft scent rising from her snow-white neck, he said, "I'm fine. The revenge is done."
"In that case, does that mean you're okay now?"
A flicker stirred in Kaguya's beautiful eyes.
"Hold on."
Natsume immediately recognized her expression—he knew exactly what she was thinking.
The issue was that ten days was far too long.
By the time they came out, Moryo may have already overrun the ninja world.
"The matter in the Land of Demons isn't settled yet."
He instinctively tried to pull away, only to be held even tighter.
He muttered under his breath—talk about karma coming full circle.
Just punished Yugito Nii, and now it's his turn.
What kind of twisted script is this?!
Natsume never imagined he'd ever fall victim to something like this.
"What else is there?"
Furrowing her brow slightly, Kaguya said, "Let me do it."
"…?"
Natsume blinked in confusion.
What was going on with her?
Are you trying because you're bad at it?
Oh right—you're not bad at all.
He realized Kaguya was treating him like Chakra now.
While it corrected an unusual habit, it was swinging too far in the opposite direction now.
"No, I don't need you to do it,"
Natsume hurriedly shook his head.
His real goal this time was to train Hinata Hyuga.
If Kaguya Otsutsuki got directly involved, there'd be no challenge left whatsoever.
"…"
With slightly bitten crimson lips, Kaguya gazed at him, her eyes glimmering faintly with something close to longing.
To Natsume's surprise, though, she actually restrained herself.
How to describe it?
Cute, somehow.
Natsume gave a light kiss at the corner of Kaguya's lips before saying, "I'll settle accounts for today first."
The next second, he appeared in Amenominaka.
He felt like an onion being peeled layer by layer.
Eventually, it made his eyes tear up so much he couldn't stop them.
Hinata blinked in confusion.
She had clearly seen Natsume, so why did he vanish the very next moment?
This chapter hasn't finished yet!
Plus, her new teacher disappeared as well.
After failing to figure it out, Hinata continued training her Void Fist.
As night fell,
after wiping the sweat from her brow, she turned and spotted both Kaguya Otsutsuki and Natsume.
The former wore a rosy hue across her cheeks, wearing a smile Hinata had never seen before.
Since meeting Kaguya, Hinata had never seen her express any emotion—until now.
The latter leaned heavily against the wall, his legs numb and aching, his face pale—an obvious contrast to Kaguya.
Hinata had never seen Natsume look so out of sorts.
"Natsume-niisan."
She rushed forward, asking, "What happened to you?"
"Nothing at all."
Natsume waved a hand. "I just got into a fight with someone. You'd better prepare yourself too."
Hinata Hyuga's face immediately turned serious at his words.
In her eyes, Natsume was unbeatable.
An enemy he took so seriously must be extremely powerful.
Thinking that, she felt nervous.
Just as Natsume was about to speak, loud noises came from outside the door.
He strained to listen and made out the words, "Your Highness, the Miko."
Was it Shion?
Natsume mused that this girl had more courage than in the original story.
He quickly walked to the temple entrance.
Shion, wearing her shrine maiden costume, greeted the guards, spotted him, and hurried over.
She caught her breath before asking, "Did you receive my message?"
Natsume shook his head.
He'd been at Amenominaka all day with no free time at all.
"The Yomi and his undead army are coming soon!"
Shion looked at him with eager anticipation. "You said you had a way to defeat Moryo after he revived."
"I do."
Natsume calmly met her gaze and nodded.
A radiant smile broke across Shion's face.
She warned, "You'd better not be lying."
"Why would I even lie to you?"
Natsume suddenly smiled. "If I couldn't beat it, I'd have left already instead of staying here to die with you."
It was a blunt remark, but Shion's smile only widened.
She exhaled and asked, "What should I do?"
"As for defeating Moryo, there's nothing required."
Natsume paused briefly before offering, "But are you interested in joining my group?"
"Konoha Village?"
Shion blinked slightly, instinctively asking.
"No."
Natsume replied with a smile. "Providence."
"Providence?"
Shion murmured to herself.
As a miko who believed in fate, hearing those two words gave her an indescribable feeling.
So much so that she didn't even question why a Hokage would create an unknown organization elsewhere.
"Providence doesn't mean blind faith in destiny."
Natsume, who understood Shion well, spoke calmly. "I am Providence."
"…"
At his words, Shion flinched, a look of stunned disbelief flashing across her face.
This portrayal of the organization was nothing like what she had imagined.
Or rather, exactly opposite.
Oddly enough, she felt a thrill.
All her life, she had lived under prophecy—her path already set.
Now, someone was telling her she should control her own destiny.
What audacity. What exhilaration.
After all, Shion was just a teenage girl going through her rebellious phase.
"If you can defeat Moryo, I'll join."
She thought for a moment before saying.
Besides, if he failed, she'd have to sacrifice herself anyway.
Then nothing would matter.
"No problem."
Natsume smiled knowingly. "Then just wait."
The conversation ended there.
Hungry after so long without food, Natsume decided to treat himself to a hearty meal.
After all, he hadn't had a real meal in a month—just makeup and powders to survive.
Shion had stayed awake the entire night waiting for Yomi and his army of undead.
Yet she was unaware that everything was actually under Natsume's control.
They had camped not far from the Sealing Temple.
The next morning...
As they finished breakfast, the ground beneath them began to tremble.
Shion and Tashihō immediately rushed toward the entrance of the Sealing Temple, eyes widening with shock.
Before them stood countless Terracotta Warriors, completely surrounding them.
The Miko's guards were carefully selected warriors. Yet even they trembled uncontrollably at the overwhelming sight, nearly dropping their weapons.
"Shion!"
Yomi, covered in black mist, suddenly spoke out. "Let us become one!"
The Miko and Moryo actually originated from the same source.
Only when they unite as one does the true foreign demon emerge.
That is also why every generation's Miko has been able to seal it away.
Instinctively, Shion hid behind Natsume, her face filled with refusal.
Who'd want to fuse with such a creepy old guy!
He's disgusting!
Natsume couldn't help but smirk slightly.
While he controlled both Yomi and Moryo, they still had a degree of autonomy.
Therefore, these words were not spoken on his instruction.
"If you refuse, don't say I didn't warn you!"
Yomi snorted heavily and raised his right hand. "Attack!"
The Terracotta Warriors advanced once more, packed as tightly as a tidal wave, surging toward the Sealing Temple.
"Hinata."
Natsume called out immediately.
Hinata Hyuga quickly took out the Banishing Bow, aiming at the frontmost terracotta warrior and releasing an arrow.
Hinata drew her bowstring back...
An arrow rapidly formed and shot forward like lightning.
BOOM!
It was as if dozens of Explosive Tags had detonated at once, sending a chilling, gloomy aura rippling through the nearby Terracotta Warriors.
In an instant, they crumbled to pieces.
Under normal circumstances, this rubble would quickly reassemble.
However, due to the special ability of the Banishing Bow, all souls and Yin Release power within were absorbed as nourishment.
Both Shion and Yomi were stunned by this scene.
The former hadn't expected Hinata Hyuga's small body to hold such terrifying energy.
The latter was astonished that the Terracotta Warriors failed to revive.
Hinata paid no attention to their reactions.
She barely had time to glance at Natsume before being swarmed again.
Because there were just too many terracotta warriors.
A moment's carelessness allowed them to close in.
On the outer perimeter were the Miko's guards.
They were mere samurai with only basic chakra—little more than Genin.
Fragile creatures who'd shatter on contact.
Hinata focused her mind, drawing back the bowstring.
Five arrows materialized in an instant.
Then they shot forth together, needing no precision to deal devastating damage.
Best of all, no matter how many she used, they replenished quickly—and multiplied.
Shion was astounded. As far as she remembered, Hinata Hyuga was Natsume's student.
If the student was this strong, just imagine how powerful the teacher must be!
But she didn't realize that Yomi was just standing there spouting threats without actually lifting a finger.
This, of course, was Natsume's command.
First, let Hinata Hyuga get some hands-on practice. At the very least, she should grow accustomed to handling the Banishing Bow.
"Careful!"
Shion suddenly shouted, "There are some that managed to escape."
Several terracotta warriors ran before them.
Natsume was about to move, but it was already too late.
Kaguya Otsutsuki simply rolled her eyes, and the terracotta warriors disintegrated into dust—so fine it was practically invisible to the naked eye.
That's right, microscopic specks.
Shion's mouth fell open.
Her mind went completely blank.
Although Hinata's use of the Banishing Bow had been impressive, it paled next to how utterly absurd Kaguya's power was.
At this moment, a question began forming in Shion's mind.
Were the ninjas from Kumogakure just too weak? Or were people like Natsume simply too strong?
After all, they were one of the Five Great Villages.
A few minutes later, Shion suddenly sensed something was off.
"Why is he staring at us like that the entire time? Could he be preparing something?"
"Perhaps."
Natsume replied casually, "But don't worry, I'll handle it."
Shion instinctively nodded.
Whatever the case, those words brought her comfort.
A few minutes later, when he noticed Hinata showing signs of exhaustion, Natsume's eyes flickered slightly.
"Shion!"
Yomi bellowed, "I've already given you a chance!"
Waves of black mist erupted into the sky.
In midair, they coalesced into a massive, dark purple octopus-like beast, its thick tentacles writhing menacingly.
Wild with rage, it charged toward the little girl standing at the entrance of the Sealing Temple.
"This is Moryo's true form."
Swallowing hard, Shion said, "Please, be careful!"
The moment she finished speaking, Natsume clasped his hands together.
[Sage Art: Wood Release: Nativity of a Sea of Trees!]
The ground trembled as towering trees rapidly sprouted up and interconnected with one another.
In an instant, the area surrounding the Sealing Temple became an expansive forest.
As the monstrous octopus lunged forward, its thick tentacles barely extended before being trapped by countless branches and vines.
And thus, those who love tentacles are ultimately caught by them.
Staring in disbelief at the scene before her, Shion couldn't believe what she was witnessing.
Could it really be that simple?
Moryo, the terror that haunted the Land of Demons for years… was defeated so easily?
4,000 words. P.S. Morning bonus chapter for Kaguya in the second group. All are welcome!
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