After defeating several waves of rogue ninjas, Shishou quickly brought Izumi to the Land of Demons.
However, as soon as they arrived, they encountered trouble.
At this moment, countless clay puppet soldiers were wreaking havoc throughout the Land of Demons.
These puppet soldiers quickly regenerated after their clay bodies were destroyed, making them impossible to kill or defeat permanently.
Under the destruction of these puppets, many villages in the Land of Demons were ruined, and countless civilians were killed or injured. The devastation shocked Shishou deeply.
Only some walled cities could barely resist the puppet soldiers, maintaining a basic line of defense.
This caused Shishou and Uchiha Izumi great distress.
For Shishou, the puppet soldiers themselves weren't the problem.
Even though they couldn't be killed, they posed no threat once he summoned his giant centipede.
Instead, it was the survivors he and Uchiha Izumi saved that made it difficult for him to move freely.
In just half a day, they had saved over a hundred people, filling his centipede to capacity.
"Phew~"
"Finally, a city."
Seeing the city walls in the distance, both Shishou and Izumi sighed in relief.
If this continued, the centipede wouldn't have enough space.
After dropping the people off in the city, Shishou and Izumi resumed their journey amid the grateful voices of the rescued.
After a day's trek, they finally reached the priestess's palace in the Land of Demons.
...
A few kilometers away from the palace, on a high ground.
Kakashi, Might Guy, and Anko Mitarashi were silently observing the palace, which was surrounded by puppet soldiers.
At this moment, the palace was protected by the priestess's barrier, preventing the puppet soldiers from entering, making it relatively safe for the time being.
However, entering the palace to see the priestess was still difficult.
While they were observing, they suddenly saw a few figures approaching them. Turning around, they saw ninjas from Sunagakure.
The leading ninja from Sunagakure was the famous scorch release user Pakura, known for her formidable strength.
She approached Kakashi and the others and tilted her head.
"Shall we cooperate?"
Kakashi looked at the two ninjas behind Pakura, recognized them as skilled Sunagakure ninjas, and nodded, accepting the cooperation.
"Count me in."
From the other side, Kitsuchi from Iwagakure arrived with two others, speaking in a low voice.
He was also accompanied by two Iwagakure ninjas.
"Kitsuchi!"
Seeing Kitsuchi, both Kakashi and Pakura were surprised.
They hadn't expected Iwagakure to send Kitsuchi. He was the son of the Third Tsuchikage and far stronger than Kakashi and Pakura.
Under his leadership, Iwagakure had surrounded and killed the immensely powerful Third Raikage during the Third Shinobi World War.
"Now is not the time for war."
"Our mission is to help the priestess re-seal Moryo."
"So, there's no need for hostility."
Kitsuchi approached Kakashi and Pakura and spoke.
After exchanging a few words, Kakashi, Kitsuchi, and Pakura quickly confirmed an assault plan.
Kitsuchi, being the strongest, would lead the charge with his clay golem. Kakashi would lead Guy and Anko in the middle, while Pakura would handle the rear.
With the plan set, they prepared to move.
"What's that?"
Suddenly, Anko pointed towards the puppet soldiers below.
The group looked up and saw a massive centipede advancing towards the priestess's palace, crushing all the puppet soldiers in its path.
On the centipede's head stood a man and a woman, the man with his arms crossed, looking at the distant palace.
The woman stood behind him, holding a banner that read "Mercenaries."
On the centipede's back were dozens of civilians, obviously rescued by the pair.
"Follow them!"
Though they didn't know who the pair were, seeing the rescued civilians made Kitsuchi decide to follow them into the palace.
Kakashi and Pakura nodded, agreeing with Kitsuchi's decision.
...
"Will this really work?"
Uchiha Izumi asked, holding up the banner that read "Mercenaries."
"Of course it will."
"We're not wearing any village symbols, so how could they let us in easily?"
"Only by showing the banner can we gain the priestess's trust and avoid misunderstandings with other villages."
Shishou stood on the centipede's head, feeling a unique satisfaction as he watched the puppet soldiers being crushed.
"Looks like you were right. Someone is following us."
Uchiha Izumi tugged on Shishou's sleeve, pointing behind them.
Shishou turned to see and his eyes lit up.
Oh, isn't that Pakura, the beautiful back? She really is stunning.
Oh, isn't that Kitsuchi, my future father-in-law?
Come on, get on board.
Shishou stomped his foot, signaling the centipede to stop, waiting for Pakura and Kitsuchi to catch up.
As for Kakashi, Guy, and Anko, he had known they would come, so he wasn't surprised.
"I'm going to tell Aunt Mikoto."
Seeing Shishou staring at Pakura, Uchiha Izumi bit her lip and thought to herself.
As for why she wanted to tell Mikoto, Uchiha Izumi herself wasn't sure.
"Kitsuchi... Mr. Kitsuchi, I've heard of your great reputation. It's an honor."
Once everyone was on board, Shishou restarted the centipede.
He then approached Kitsuchi, extending his right hand for a handshake.
Feeling a bit bewildered, Kitsuchi instinctively shook his hand, but before he could speak, Shishou moved on to Pakura, leaving Kitsuchi feeling like a mere tool.
"Miss Pakura, it's a pleasure to meet you. Your reputation precedes you."
Leaving the tool-like Kitsuchi, Shishou beamed at Pakura, extending his right hand.
Pakura frowned at Shishou's outstretched hand, wanting to refuse, but seeing that Kitsuchi had already shaken his hand, she reluctantly extended her hand.
Seeing Pakura's outstretched hand, Shishou eagerly grasped it with both hands.
"It's said that Miss Pakura is the most beautiful desert rose in Sunagakure. Today, I see it's true."
"Sunagakure must be a place of great talents to have someone as outstanding as Miss Pakura."
"I wonder, Miss Pakura..."
Pakura, caught off guard by Shishou's flattery, momentarily forgot to pull her hand away.
After holding her hand for a minute, she sensed something amiss, but before she could react, Shishou had already released her hand and moved on to Kakashi and the others.
"What was that?"
Pakura muttered, not understanding Shishou's intentions.
After shaking hands with Pakura and Anko, Shishou, disguised as Mr. Lurigan, also shook hands with Kakashi.
Kakashi, due to the strain of the Sharingan, looked exhausted. The Mangekyō Sharingan consumed a lot of energy, and Kakashi couldn't deactivate it.
Shishou then proceeded to shake hands with the other ninjas as well.
Maintaining appearances was crucial. He didn't want anyone to suspect his true intention of getting closer to Pakura and Anko.
Of course, this was only his own thought.
Uchiha Izumi, who had observed Shishou's behavior from start to finish, knew better. She had already guessed his intentions but chose not to reveal them.
Both she and Shishou had disguised their faces, so they weren't worried about Kakashi and the others discovering their identities.
"I am Mr. Lurigan, and she is Ikari."
"We are wandering mercenaries who came here after seeing the priestess's bounty."
As Shishou introduced himself, the the giant centipede arrived at its stop.
As soon as they arrived, they were warmly welcomed by the palace soldiers.
The soldiers had witnessed Shishou's giant centipede crush all the puppet soldiers along the way, so they were thrilled to see such powerful reinforcements. The looming shadow of death that had hung over them for days finally lifted.
Inside the shrine palace.
A six or seven-year-old girl was diligently studying at a table, while behind her, the priestess Miroku watched with a stern expression.
Before long, Miroku noticed Shishou and his group being led into the shrine by servants.
Nodding to the group, Miroku continued to focus on the girl.
"At a time like this, she's still teaching a student?"
Seeing that their arrival didn't interrupt the lesson, Anko grumbled discontentedly.
"Miss Anko, I'm afraid you've misunderstood."
Shishou smiled as he spoke.
Seeing the puzzled looks from those around him, Shishou explained further:
"The priestess has likely resigned herself to perishing alongside the demon Moryo. By insisting the student study, she is probably ensuring the continuation of the priestess's legacy."
"This…"
The group was stunned but quickly realized Shishou's deduction was likely correct.
Otherwise, the priestess wouldn't be prioritizing such a task at such a critical moment.
Taking a deep breath, they were all filled with admiration for the priestess's resolve and courage.
"Sorry, I misspoke."
Anko apologized repeatedly.
Kitsuchi, Pakura, and Kakashi looked at Shishou with newfound respect, impressed by his quick and accurate deduction.
Noticing Uchiha Izumi's admiring gaze, Shishou smiled slightly, thinking:
I've read the script.
Making such a deduction is a piece of cake.
Priestess Miroku glanced at Shishou in surprise, not expecting him to understand her intentions so well. She continued to instruct the girl seriously.
Shishou and the others waited patiently, feeling no sense of neglect.
An hour later.
"Mother."
The young girl, having finished her studies, hugged Miroku, tears streaming from her eyes.
"Shion, remember your duty."
Miroku gently stroked Shion's hair, smiling tenderly.
Then she turned to the servants.
"Take Shion underground. Do not come out until Moryo is sealed."
"Yes."
Two servants stepped forward and led Shion away.
"Mother…"
Shion allowed herself to be led away, keeping her eyes fixed on Miroku.
Once Shion was gone, Miroku turned to Shishou and the others.
"Apologies for the wait."
"Now, let's discuss the main issue."
...
Before long, Miroku explained the situation they faced in detail.
Moryo, a demon summoned by the cultists of the Yomi cult from another world, quickly took control of the cult.
After seizing control, Moryo demanded that Miroku join him to dominate the world together.
With the power granted by Moryo, the cult leader, Yomi, created the undead puppet army outside.
When Miroku refused Moryo's offer, Moryo, unable to breach the priestess's barrier, sent the puppet soldiers to wreak havoc across the Land of Demons, hoping to force Miroku into submission.
Shishou and his group were tasked with protecting Miroku as she traveled to a cave in the Land of Marsh, the Sealed Demon Cave, where she could use the cave's power to seal Moryo.
After hearing Miroku's plan, Kitsuchi, Pakura, and Kakashi all looked at Shishou.
The journey from the Land of Demons to the Land of Marsh was long and dangerous. Among the ninjas present, only Shishou, with his giant summoning beast, could safely and smoothly escort the priestess.
It wasn't that Kitsuchi, Pakura, or Kakashi couldn't protect the priestess, but it would be much riskier.
Shishou wasn't surprised by the plan to go to the Land of Marsh.
Traveling there wasn't difficult for him either.
What troubled Shishou was how to ask Miroku for the sealing technique.
After all, she was risking her life to seal the demon for world peace.
It seemed a bit heartless to demand compensation now.
Seeing everyone looking at Shishou for his decision, Miroku asked in confusion:
"Mr. Lurigan, do you have any concerns?"
"Ahem~"
Shishou cleared his throat and looked at Miroku.
"Priestess, I need to discuss the compensation for this mission with you in private."
"Is that so? Mr. Lurigan, please follow me."
Miroku, understanding his point, led Shishou to a side room.
Uchiha Izumi, glancing at Kakashi and the others, decided to follow them quietly.
However, she didn't interrupt but stood guard outside the side room.
Kitsuchi and the others weren't surprised by Shishou's request. After all, he was a mercenary, not a savior, and had no obligation to help without compensation.
They had come partly because the Five Great Shinobi Villages wanted to show respect to the priestess, but also because they had received some payment.
"Mr. Lurigan, what do you want?"
In the side room, Miroku spoke first.
She had learned about Shishou's summoning beast from her subordinates and knew he was crucial to their mission, so she treated him with utmost respect.
"Priestess, you wouldn't want to leave Shion behind and live alone, would you?"
Shishou didn't state his request directly but asked a rhetorical question.
"What do you mean, Mr. Lurigan?"
Miroku asked, puzzled.
Looking at Miroku in her priestess attire, Shishou spoke frankly:
"The demon isn't invincible. There are many similar beings in the ninja world."
"After luring the demon to the Land of Marsh, I can help you suppress it temporarily for a few minutes."
"This will allow you to set up the sealing array without sacrificing your life."
Hearing that Shishou could help suppress the demon and recalling his summoning beast, Miroku's eyes lit up.
If possible, she didn't want to die.
After all, her daughter was still young, and she couldn't bear to leave her behind.
Miroku immediately asked:
"What does Mr. Lurigan want in return?"
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