Ruri cursed at him softly.
"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. You just focus on getting better now. In the afternoon, go to the Shrine to rest. I feel more reassured with you there."
Hearing this from Hakushi, Ruri sighed and nodded.
She never expected that one day she would willingly be protected by someone. It was a first.
Therefore, this feeling was neither good nor bad.
◎
In the afternoon, Hakushi took Ruri to the Shrine where Mire was located.
Besides an incomparably luxurious palace, there were very few guards and maids, probably because the Mire Witch didn't like crowded places. Or perhaps it was due to the power passed down by the witches, which led to an aversion to witnessing more people meet their fate, causing an intentional self 'imprisonment' in such sparsely populated areas.
Both respected and feared by people.
Honestly, Hakushi didn't really know how the Land of Demons developed, and the origins of this country might even date back to the era of the Six Paths Sage.
But such distant matters are scarcely recorded in the official chronicles of the Land of Demons, with only fragmented pieces of information available.
Placing Ruri here, on one hand, the place was quiet enough, and on the other, it was watched over by the Witch herself. Despite being somewhat incredible, due to the rapid commercial development, quite a few commercial spies had infiltrated the Land of Demons, yet all these spies kept this Shrine isolated.
Though he didn't know the specific reason, Hakushi knew that the authentic witch of the Land of Demons possessed an incredibly mysterious power, completely different from the ninja system.
Every time he made eye contact with the Mire Witch, Hakushi felt as if he was looking at something other than a human being of flesh and blood, like some other kind of special 'creature'.
There was no human 'scent' about it.
"I'll leave for now. I'll come to see you every few days."
In the side hall, Hakushi arranged for Ruri to be placed here, with witches attending to her usually.
There were also some guards arranged by Hakushi, including two Uchiha Ninja, along with one Uzumaki and one from the Hyuga Clan.
The two Uchiha Ninja had activated the Three-Tomoe Sharingan and were simultaneously training in Natural Energy. Their strength surpassed many Jonin of the same level, not to mention possessing the Kekkeigenkai Sharingan.
Similar was the case for the Uzumaki and Hyuga Clan Ninja, who had developed their clan's unique abilities, Sealing Techniques, Perception Ninjutsu, and Byakugan, while also training in Natural Energy.
These four undoubtedly had the strength of Jonin.
Because their identities needed to be kept secret, they couldn't meet people openly at this time. Hence, they didn't receive noticeable tasks from Hakushi, and their usual work was just training.
So arranging them by Ruri's side as guards also put them to good use.
With these four Jonin protecting Ruri, Hakushi felt quite assured. It was after long contemplation that he came up with this arrangement.
Dodging the Uzumaki's Perception Ninjutsu might not evade the Hyuga's Byakugan. Dodging the Hyuga's Byakugan might not evade the Uzumaki's Perception Ninjutsu. Thus, there was one from each of the Uzumaki and Hyuga Clans.
The two Uchiha Jonin served as combat units, fighting with the Three-Tomoe Sharingan. Even when encountering special enemies, the Uzumaki Jonin could use Sealing Techniques to counter them.
In a worst-case scenario, there was the Water Dragon God on standby. Even if a ninja of the 'Five Kage' level came to attack, with special Secret Techniques, they could be delayed, preventing immediate defeat.
Illusion Techniques, Ninja Techniques, Taijutsu, no matter what type of enemy they encounter, there's a way to counter them.
Only by elevating the guards to this level could Hakushi feel at ease.
◎
The Will of Fire of Konoha—Where leaves dance, there is fire that burns eternal.
This implies that the flames will always illuminate the village, allowing new leaves to sprout.
It contains the earnest hope of the older generations for the healthy growth of the young ones.
It also inspires generations of Konoha Ninja to perpetuate this will forever.
Though not agreeing with the empty parts, Hakushi had to admit that the meaning of the words was quite profound.
No matter what, those at the forefront of the era will eventually grow old and pass away; the hope for the future lies with those children who have not yet grown up.
Hakushi, who had once lived many years in Konoha, was well aware of the village's strengths and vulnerabilities, which could even be described as weaknesses.
To Hakushi, the growth of children was equally urgent.
There were too many children who suffered in this world, so many that it couldn't be counted accurately.
Any attempt to do so would surely produce a shocking number.
Thus, in a previous high-level meeting, Hakushi proposed the construction plan for a 'Children's Healing Hospital.'
This hospital structure was specifically set up for children.
Now being wartime, the sins committed by adults left the weaker ones to bear all this pain.
And these weaker ones were those children who hadn't yet gained independent thought. They carried the heavy burdens of their predecessors, which were then passed on to the next generation as they grew up, continuing endlessly.
Hatred, sorrow, bloodshed, violence, were imprinted directly on these children's hearts.
It's easy to imagine what these children, long exposed to such scenes, would become when they grow up.