"Those Konoha ninjas don't look any different from us. Can they really protect the High Priestess?"
"Who knows."
A few guards hurried toward the shrine, where the High Priestess usually rested.
"These are ninjas brought from the Land of Fire at the High Priestess's expense. She has her own plans."
Their words showed deep respect for the priestess.
Soon, they reached the shrine's entrance and knelt on one knee to report to the priestess inside.
"High Priestess, the ninjas from Konoha have arrived."
Inside, a woman of elegant bearing and noble expression was awakened by their voices.
"I see. Let them go to the main hall first."
Miro rubbed her brows, a trace of fatigue on her delicate face.
Has the "Prophecy of Death" activated again?
Her attention subtly shifted.
"Yes, High Priestess."
The two guards quickly left to lead Kiyoshi and the others.
"I should go talk to the Daimyo."
Miro uncovered herself, revealing a full, alluring figure.
The thin, white silk undergarment clung to her curves like a feathered robe, trembling slightly with every step.
She donned the Chihaya robe and the crown, ceremonial attire reserved for only the most revered priestess in the Land of Demons.
...
In a vast palace, Kiyoshi and his group followed the guards inside.
Before the priestess arrived, a man in expensive attire came first, wearing the Eboshi hat exclusive to Daimyo, decorated with the Land of Demons' emblem.
Kiyoshi squinted, noticing ninjas from the Hidden Sand Village.
Sand Village had also sent its forces—interesting.
A woman with short black hair, purple facial markings, and Sand-style ninja attire stood there.
She bore a striking resemblance to Rin Nohara.
Rin's eyes widened, astonished at seeing someone who looked so similar.
Obito's jaw dropped. Though the resemblance was only partial, the purple markings made her instantly familiar.
Maki frowned slightly, sensing the gaze of the Konoha ninjas.
She also noticed Rin.
She saw some similarity but focused more on Uchiha Kiyoshi.
Yokura had honed her skills for years before participating in the Chunin Exams, older than most peers.
Yet she had been defeated by the Sharingan user.
Returning, she kept silent about Uchiha Kiyoshi—he was only mentioned through Maki.
She observed Kiyoshi by Rin's side, noting the distinctive small sealing scroll at his waist.
This matched Maki's intel.
"That's the one who defeated Yokura?"
She stared directly at Kiyoshi.
"If you mean Sand's Yokura, then yes." Kiyoshi smiled faintly.
This girl must be Maki's disciple, a freshly graduated Genin.
In the ninja world, not only lead Jonin can teach; as long as a student acknowledges, a teacher-student bond forms.
"Give my regards to Yokura. A momentary defeat is nothing."
Kiyoshi's words almost made Maki fume—he implied Yokura was inferior.
How dare he speak of the strongest Yokura in such a tone! Uchiha arrogance indeed.
"Impressive, seems the allied nations all know each other."
The Land of Demons' Daimyo waved, letting Sand and Konoha ninjas sit. Guards brought chairs.
The Land of Wind and Fire were allies, widely known in the ninja world.
"Yes, we are allied with the Land of Wind," Minato respectfully replied, glancing at Maki and her team.
Why would Sand appear here?
Yukitsuki focused on the mission. "Your Excellency, where is the High Priestess?"
"She will arrive shortly."
The Daimyo's tone carried a subtle distance, indifferent toward the group.
Minato and Yukitsuki were accustomed to such behavior. Protective missions often involved high-status clients—merchants, officials, or monks.
The clients' attitude toward the ninjas might be indifferent; the ninjas' duty was to serve and protect.
The Chunin Exam also served to showcase the village's strength and attract wealthy mission sponsors.
"The Daimyo of the Land of Demons, huh."
Kiyoshi observed the hall: luxurious, built of unknown wood, befitting the ruling class.
All nations were officially governed by Daimyo. In the ninja world, Daimyo were seen as naturally elite.
In the Land of Demons, the priestess held power equal to the Daimyo, due to the presence of the Mōryō.
Kiyoshi's suspicion arose: the Daimyo might have collaborated with the Mōryō.
He noticed another long-haired man among the Daimyo's entourage, along with distinct local ninjas—likely the Land of Demons' native ninja force.
The long-haired man was Yomi.
Not all countries had ninja villages, yet retained ninja power.
Besides the priestess, the guards' strength was weak, using only secret techniques, like the Shadow Mirror Transformation, allowing perfect impersonation.
Yomi's ninjas were enhanced using "Dark Medical Ninjutsu," drawing power from the Mōryō.
Kiyoshi covered his eyes briefly—his Sharingan activated, scanning the Daimyo.
Unlike normal weak chakra, the Daimyo's heart contained a black chakra core.
He confirmed the Daimyo had unsealed the Mōryō.
Lowering his hand, Kiyoshi's eyes returned to normal black. The Sharingan could activate and deactivate instantly, unnoticed by others.
"Oh? The Uchiha too?"
The Daimyo noticed Obito's Uchiha crest, then Kiyoshi's.
A trace of purple-black flashed in his eyes. With pride, he said:
"The Uchiha are elite. Any nation with them gains strength."
"Indeed. We Uchiha are the first clan."
Obito, carrying his black pot, smiled proudly, glancing at Kakashi.
"Will your clan serve me, working for the Land of Demons?"
The Daimyo's arrogance shocked everyone. Trying to sway Konoha's ninjas?
"No need, Your Excellency. The Uchiha are part of Konoha."
Kiyoshi said calmly, having almost confirmed the Daimyo had contacted the Mōryō. He was ambitious, seeking world domination, aiming to unleash the Mōryō's ghost army across the Five Great Nations.
Otherwise, his arrogance would be inexplicable.
"Thank you for waiting, ninjas."
The Daimyo's lips twitched, about to speak, when the priestess' voice echoed—high and majestic, like a goddess herself.
The Daimyo swallowed his words, fully focused on her.
Kiyoshi observed her delicate face, the flowing curves under the Chihaya robe, sensing the radiant aura.
Even the noble Tsunade, princess of the Senju clan, could not match this divine, awe-inspiring presence—one that made a man want to kneel and revere.
Each generation of priestesses possessed extraordinary charm, their Prophecy of Death predicting the fate of those nearby. Only by staying away could one survive.
Yet generations of the Land of Demons' citizens still willingly sacrificed themselves.
Kiyoshi felt an unprecedented respect. Perhaps only Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, revered as the Rabbit Goddess, could rival this divine aura.
"This should push my ocular power to its limit," he sensed.
"Ninjas of Konoha, you may rest for now."
"Our mission is to protect—"
Minato stood.
The priestess shook her head.
"Not today. I must speak with the Daimyo."
(End of Chapter)