Chương 153: The Identity of the Enemy
Fumori Masaki directly asked about the identity of the enemies in this mission. The miko nodded slightly and described the group who had been lingering near the ancient site of Ninshū. In truth, even the Miko didn't know much about the true identity of these people. After discovering the former site, they seemed to have suddenly appeared, preventing the people of the Land of Demons from entering, though it was unclear what they were looking for.
"They only appeared after the discovery of Ninshū's site, which suggests they were interested in it from the beginning," Masaki mused, furrowing his brow. This group's motives were unexpected; they weren't the mere bandits he had anticipated.
"But why would they be interested? Aside from us, there shouldn't be many people who care about the Ninshū texts," Kana pondered aloud.
"Perhaps it isn't the Ninshū texts they're after, but something else," Masaki replied. "In any case, we can't ignore these people. I'll conduct an investigation first."
"If Fumori-san needs any help, our Council will do our best to assist," the miko offered with a slight bow.
"Thank you, but I'll handle the investigation myself. As for Kana and my three students, please take care of them while I'm away," Masaki said with a smile.
The miko nodded. "Of course. Rest assured, as long as they remain in this shrine, no harm will come to them. We may not have advanced fighting techniques, but our defensive barriers are strong."
"That's reassuring," Masaki replied, turning to Kana. "Kana, you should stay here for now. I'll conduct the investigation on my own."
"Sensei, won't you let us go with you?" Hatake Sakumo asked, sounding disappointed.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Masaki replied. "The enemy might be more dangerous than we anticipate. Once I assess the situation, I'll decide if it's safe for you to join."
Tsunade and her teammates felt a pang of disappointment. They had trained under Masaki for years and were eager to test their skills. Masaki understood their desire, but they were still young, and he didn't want to expose them to unnecessary danger.
After asking about the location and basic details of the Ninshū site, Masaki set off to investigate. Meanwhile, the priestess arranged rooms for Kana and the others, and as they chatted, Kana glanced at the silent young girl beside the priestess.
"Is this your student?" she asked.
"This is my daughter, Maitreya. She will succeed me as the next priestess," the priestess explained, gently patting Maitreya's head.
Maitreya spoke for the first time, her voice soft. "Hello."
Kana smiled. "What a lovely girl. I'm sure she'll become an excellent priestess."
The priestess beamed. "Yes, Maitreya possesses powerful chakra, much stronger than mine. She'll certainly be a great priestess one day."
Sakumo, surprised, asked, "Powerful chakra? Are you trained in ninjutsu? The Land of Demons has no ninja villages."
"We haven't studied it formally. Traditional priestesses focus on spiritual practices. Only in the past century have we begun to learn yin-aligned arts, such as basic illusions," the priestess replied.
The group now understood why the Land of Demons had limited military power. Only recently had they begun to grasp basic ninjutsu, and even now, they lacked techniques that could inflict physical harm.
If Masaki were still there, he would have noted how the Land of Demons preserved many of Ninshū's traditions. Their focus on spiritual development mirrored the original Ninshū philosophy. Originally, the chakra of Ninshū represented the spirit of human connection; only after Indra developed ninjutsu did chakra blend with physical energy, increasing its power.
As night fell, Masaki had yet to return, implying his investigation was not a simple task. No one worried, as Masaki, a survivor of the Ninja World War and a student of the Second Hokage, would not fall easily.
"You should all get some rest. Dinner will be delivered to your rooms," the priestess said. "I'll be practicing with Maitreya tonight, so please excuse us."
Kana smiled. "Of course, you have your own duties. We're grateful for your hospitality."
The group, led by an attendant, went to their rooms. At Tsunade's request, she shared a room with Kana. On one hand, she wanted to stay close, but she also felt a need to protect Kana, who had no self-defense skills.
"Sensei went off to investigate by himself, and we're left here. It's so boring," Tsunade complained. She had little interest in Ninshū and found the earlier conversation with the priestess uninteresting.
"Sensei has a point," Sakumo said. "The enemy targeted Ninzong's site from the start. They might not be ordinary people."
"If they really have a purpose, they could be ninja," Hattori Heizo added. "As adult shinobi, they would have an advantage in experience, stamina, and chakra. Even with techniques we haven't mastered, they could be dangerous. Caution is sensible."
"Besides, even a skilled ninja like Masaki-sensei hasn't returned yet, which means they could be strong," Sakumo agreed.
"I understand, but it's still boring," Tsunade sighed. Though as a Senju princess, she was far from a traditional lady.
"We'll have our chance if the enemy turns out less capable. Until then, we wait," Sakumo said with a smile.
"Fine, I suppose," Tsunade muttered reluctantly.
While the others stayed at the shrine, Masaki prowled around the Ninshū site. The ruins were only partially excavated, and he couldn't see the full extent of the area. Using his unique perception abilities, he sensed several sneaky figures in the vicinity. Judging by their movements, they were undoubtedly ninja.
"Ninja… but who are they? Wandering ninja wouldn't be so organized," Masaki thought, his mind racing with questions.
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