"Ah!"
Mireku abruptly opened her eyes in the darkness, her bitten cherry lips loosening as a string of panicked breaths escaped.
Even after some time catching her breath, the nightmare she had just experienced left her shaken.
"This is the 'Prophecy of Death'…"
Mireku wiped the fine sweat from her temple.
The prophecy could not be changed; the only way to avoid it was distance…
...
Late at night.
The Daimyō's residence.
"How much longer until we conquer the Five Great Nations?"
Alone in his chamber, the Daimyō of the Demon Country suddenly spoke.
"Hehehe, can't resist, can you? First, seize the Uchiha clan's kekkei genkai. With my power, they can be transformed into valuable pawns, useful for our plan."
A hoarse, ancient voice of a spirit emanated from within the Daimyō of the Demon Country.
Ordinary humans could be greatly strengthened through modifications; ninjas with kekkei genkai were the same, and even stronger.
His Ghost Army was indeed powerful, but sadly, the terracotta soldiers were lifeless—they were never as useful as living combatants.
"Leave only two Uchiha alive, kill the rest of the Konoha ninjas, and blame Sunagakure—let these ninjas fight among themselves!"
The spirit suggested, scheming to ignite conflict between Sunagakure and Konoha.
"This method is too extreme."
The Daimyō shook his head.
Although proud, he had only recently gained the spirit's power, and the prestige of being a great nation still weighed on him.
Talking recklessly was one thing, actually doing it was another.
At least he needed a massive Ghost Army first; the terracotta soldiers secretly awakened numbered only a few dozen—far too few.
"Then poison them."
The spirit spoke again.
"…Very well."
This time, the Daimyō agreed to the spirit's plan.
This would give them more time to gradually grow their power.
The spirit let out a sinister laugh.
But for now, it wasn't enough—he needed to collect the Miko's power and return to his original body!
This ordinary human body alone could not withstand much of his power without aging rapidly.
Soon, the room fell silent again. A gleam appeared in the Daimyō's eyes as he summoned a guard and gave a command.
The guard's expression stiffened, and he nodded in obedience.
...
The next day.
The Daimyō summoned Konoha and Sunagakure ninjas for a gathering, with the Miko present as well.
However, Namikaze Minato, having heard Kiyoshi's explanation the previous evening, sensed the tension of a potential trap.
The Miko would not harm them—but the Daimyō, possibly manipulated by the spirit, might.
Yet the ninjas had no right to act directly against the Daimyō or check the food—doing so could spark a diplomatic crisis.
At the center of the great hall, the Daimyō waved, and servants brought chairs and tables, filling them with exquisite dishes.
"Please, enjoy."
"Thank you, Your Excellency."
Geeku raised his cup in respect, sipped lightly, and began eating.
The Daimyō nodded in satisfaction, watching Konoha's side.
Suddenly, he noticed the Miko furrowing her brows.
"Mireku, what is wrong?"
The Daimyō asked with concern.
Even with his ambition to conquer the Five Great Nations alongside the spirit, he still harbored tenderness in his heart.
The Miko was the most sacred and revered woman of the Demon Country.
Generations of Mikos had saved the Demon Country, akin to a goddess descending from the heavens.
This aura was irresistible to most in the Demon Country—especially to someone like the Daimyō, a man of high rank and insight, who was drawn to the ethereal sanctity of the Miko.
"No… it's nothing."
Mireku shook her head, her violet eyes sweeping over the assembled ninjas.
She soon focused on someone from her nightmare last night.
Only two present bore the emblem of the Flame Fan clan: Obito and Kiyoshi.
Narrowing it further, only Kiyoshi carried a scroll at his waist.
The person from the "Prophecy of Death" last night was likely Kiyoshi.
Yet she had not seen him die—only that many had died outside, coincidentally including Kiyoshi in her dream.
"That Uchiha is…"
Mireku suddenly asked Kiyoshi's name.
"He is Uchiha Kiyoshi, my subordinate."
Mizunotsuki Yūki hurriedly explained.
Ninjas were beneficial to the Daimyō; once familiar with them, he might assign missions directly.
Yesterday's information from Kiyoshi was trustworthy, yet the Daimyō might not be swayed by the spirit.
Even if manipulated, Namikaze Minato, a sealing expert, was present.
"I see."
Mireku nodded slightly.
She sat at the table with the Daimyō.
Other ninjas were seated at separate tables, surrounded by guards.
"Wait."
Kiyoshi grabbed Yūhi's hand, stopping her from drinking her cup.
"K-Kiyoshi, what are you doing?"
Her voice was small, confused—publicly holding her hand?
Nearby, Asuma's jaw nearly clenched as he asked Kiyoshi what he was doing.
"Your Excellency, something is wrong here."
Kiyoshi's dark eyes had transformed into the Sharingan.
By channeling a large amount of ocular chakra, his insight could detect a tiny floating substance about one-eighth the thickness of a hair—transparent and nearly invisible, mistaken for impurities by ordinary eyes.
Kiyoshi, trained in poisons by Yakushi Nono, recognized it.
Immediately, the atmosphere tensed.
Geeku of Sunagakure nearly popped his eyes, unsure whether to set the cup down or induce vomiting.
Kiyoshi used the Sharingan to control the servant behind Yomi, forcing him to drink the poisoned water not yet touched by Yūhi.
Then a faint green glow appeared at Kiyoshi's fingertips, pressing on the servant's abdomen.
A D-rank medical ninjutsu, it accelerated digestion, taught by Yakushi Nono to prevent delayed reactions to medicines.
Moments later, the servant foamed at the mouth, his face pale and lips darkened, collapsing instantly.
All ninjas present were shocked.
Even though Kiyoshi used medical ninjutsu, how could it appear so poisonous?
"The spirit… you've already possessed the Daimyō, haven't you?"
Kiyoshi spoke.
The spirit in the original story was defeated by Naruto's Giant Rasengan, yet its immortality made it difficult to handle.
If overwhelmed, Kiyoshi could retreat, taking Minato along.
Mireku's expression shifted. She opened her mouth to speak, but a hoarse, ancient voice echoed through the hall.
"You should have used force from the start."
A purple-black chakra enveloped the Daimyō, as if a jinchūriki had transformed into a tailed beast.
The misty chakra was chilling.
"Will you truly remain stubborn?"
After a brief trance, Mireku scolded the Daimyō.
The balance in her heart had tipped in favor of the Demon Country's people.
Sealing the spirit was a Miko's duty—if the Daimyō remained obstinate, she would have to act, putting aside personal feelings.
"Mireku, why won't you listen to me?"
The Daimyō's voice emerged from the purple-black mist.
"With the spirit's power, combined with your jutsu, ruling the world would be effortless!"
Boom!
Thick black mist surged like a flood, consuming the hall. Countless purple-black tentacles emerged, sticky and twisted, forming grotesque dragon-like shapes.
The palace trembled; walls cracked, pillars collapsed.
"The Daimyō… the Daimyō has been possessed by the spirit!"
The guards froze, fear-stricken, yet stood firm in protection of the Miko.
"Minato-sensei, let's move."
Kakashi frowned, drawing his tanto. Their mission was to protect the Miko; if the spirit existed, they had to ensure her safety.
"Be careful."
Minato's face was grave as he threw special kunai, enabling instantaneous teleportation between marked points.
Yūhi and Rin assumed combat stances.
Asuma drew his chakra blade; Obito lifted a large pot with one hand and held a kunai in the other, goggles down.
Kiyoshi summoned his ninja sword, ready to force the spirit out.
Otherwise, they could not protect Mireku until childbirth—by then, the Third Ninja World War would be nearly over.
The immense presence of the spirit pressed down on Kiyoshi instinctively.
His Sharingan spun rapidly, ocular power maximized.
Until now, Kiyoshi had never truly gone all out.
Previously defeating Yegura relied on information asymmetry, nullifying Yegura's "Scorch" ninjutsu advantage.
Now, Yegura knew his taijutsu strength, so would anticipate next time.
Only with Tomemi could he act freely.
A thrill surged in Kiyoshi.
Suddenly, his eyes rippled—a sign of ocular chakra awakening.
"I see now."
The Sharingan reflects the deepest human emotions.
Kiyoshi understood: this was not bloodlust, but an emotional release.
Long-term unease compelled him to level everything.
Born without a father, raised with sporadic neighborly care, Kiyoshi's life was frail.
Even in Konoha, nothing fundamentally changed.
Future crises—the Third Ninja World War, the Uchiha annihilation—remained urgent threats.
Negligence meant death.
Weak in the Land of Lightning, he would be nothing but livestock.
"The path to death has already begun."
Kiyoshi brushed his eyes.
The next step was clear. The second method to rapidly increase ocular power.
The method was simple…
Swoosh!
Electric arcs appeared beneath his feet as he charged forward.
To be a true strong ninja required a strong heart and rich combat experience.
Even Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, without proper combat experience, relied on ambushes to severely injure the Ōtsutsuki.
Encountering the Six Paths of Naruto would reveal weaknesses; Black Zetsu would need to act as strategist.
A mere chakra-rich novice could never unleash its true potential.
Chaos erupted.
The spirit sent black worm-like tendrils into the Demon Country ninjas.
Their eyes shifted to the spirit's color; even the sclera turned black.
Skin darkened purple, strange patterns appearing.
Witnessing normally friendly ninjas transform instantly into monsters terrified the guards.
If they were protecting officials instead of the Miko, they would have fled.
The four Sunagakure ninjas were also drawn into the chaos, forced to defend themselves.
Kakashi cut the tentacles with his tanto, but they regenerated rapidly.
He then released a C-rank Lightning Release, severing many tentacles.
Mizunotsuki Yūki became the first target of the transformed ninjas, clearly to be isolated and eliminated.
Kiyoshi, fighting the spirit, noticed this and smiled maliciously—an opportunity.
He would respond to hostility with hostility.
Crack!
Electric arcs surrounded him, enhancing mobility and reflexes.
His sword ignited as he continued battling the spirit.
Occasionally, the white snake in his robe would lick his wounds, faint green light repairing them.
Mireku watched silently, regret swelling in her heart.
She should have sealed the spirit immediately.
Now, she could only try to atone for her past mistake.
Kiyoshi looked at Mireku, knowing the moment had come.
(End of Chapter)