Tatsuya lay quietly on the comfortable bed provided for him, with Mitarashi Anko attending diligently to him at his side. By now, the Konoha team had returned from the harrowing mission site to the relative safety of the Miko's Palace in the Land of Demons.
Ten full days had passed since the intense, decisive battle at Demon Sealing Mountain. Tatsuya's direct, dangerous confrontation with the raw psychic will of the demon Mōryō had served a crucial purpose – it had significantly lessened the overwhelming pressure on the Miko during the sealing ritual, ultimately enabling her to successfully reinforce the seal and contain the ancient entity once more.
However, that victory had come at a steep personal cost. The psychic battle had inflicted heavy trauma upon Tatsuya's own mindscape, his spiritual world. Since returning to the Land of Demons from the mountain, Tatsuya had remained largely confined to bed, focusing entirely on recuperating from the mental backlash.
During this vulnerable recovery period, the situation had remained tense. Because the ninja contingents from both Kumogakure and Iwagakure had subtly, yet unmistakably, revealed killing intent towards the temporarily weakened Tatsuya, Kurenai, Hayate, and Yugao had diligently taken turns guarding his room around the clock, ensuring his safety. Mitarashi Anko, meanwhile, had devoted herself entirely to personally taking care of Tatsuya's daily needs – bringing him meals, ensuring his comfort, generally fussing over him. This tense, guarded state of affairs only finally eased once the potentially hostile Kumo and Iwa ninja squads had concluded their formal duties and departed from the palace days later.
Truth be told, having a beautiful, attentive girl waiting on him hand and foot… Tatsuya found his recovery days surprisingly comfortable and rather pleasant.
"Hey!" Beside the bed, Anko suddenly eyed Tatsuya's clearly content, almost lazy expression with growing suspicion. "Are you sure your injuries aren't completely healed already?" she asked, her tone dubious.
"Ahem! H-How could that possibly be?" Hearing her pointed question, Tatsuya quickly wiped the relaxed look from his face, deliberately adopting a weaker, slightly strained tone. "These were serious internal injuries! How could I possibly recover completely in just ten days?" he protested, trying to sound convincing.
"Really?" Anko scrutinized Tatsuya closely for a few more moments, her expression clearly showing she was only half-believing his act.
"What? Are you saying you don't want to take care of me anymore?" Tatsuya countered, shifting tactics with a playful, slightly wounded tone.
"Of course not! That's not it at all!" Anko immediately retorted, puffing out her cheeks slightly in indignation before lowering her voice to a mumble. "It's just... Kurenai and the others are planning to head back to the village tomorrow. I was just wondering, you know, if your injuries were healed by then, maybe we could return with them together..."
"Kurenai's team is leaving tomorrow?" Tatsuya asked, the playful facade dropping as a genuinely thoughtful expression crossed his face.
"Mmhmm. The mission is officially complete, and you know, according to village regulations, they can't stay deployed abroad for too long without specific orders. Kurenai already spoke with me yesterday about it. The three of them plan to return to Konoha first to deliver their mission report, while I would stay here to continue looking after you until you're fully recovered," Anko explained the arrangement they had discussed.
"In that case," Tatsuya said decisively after a moment's thought, "you should go back with Kurenai and the others tomorrow."
"Huh? What about you?" Anko looked genuinely startled, then quickly became anxious again, misinterpreting his words. "Your injuries aren't fully healed yet! I need to stay here and take care of you! Are you trying to send me away because I questioned if you were faking?"
"What are you thinking?" Seeing her genuine distress, Tatsuya quickly reached out and gently took Anko's hand, his voice softening reassuringly. "Of course not. My injuries are mostly healed now, really. I'm planning to stay here in the Land of Demons for a while longer myself, for my own reasons. Honestly, I'd feel much better knowing you were heading back safely to Konoha with Kurenai's team."
"Stay here in the Land of Demons? But... why?" Anko looked completely astonished, her earlier anxiety replaced by sheer puzzlement. She couldn't fathom what possible reason Tatsuya could have for remaining here now that the mission was over.
"The Miko... her proficiency in fuinjutsu, the sealing techniques she used, is incredibly high," Tatsuya began to explain calmly. "I was hoping to stay here for a period and perhaps learn some of those advanced sealing techniques directly from her."
"Learn... sealing techniques?" Anko repeated, her expression shifting into something slightly more complicated as she processed his words. He's already so unbelievably strong, she thought, a familiar mix of awe and frustration welling up inside her. He defeated so many puppets, faced down that demon's mind attack, and possesses powers I can barely comprehend... yet he's still pushing himself this hard, always seeking to learn more, to get stronger... As one of the people arguably closest to Tatsuya in the world, Anko naturally understood, perhaps better than anyone, that his frequently projected outward appearance of laziness and indifference was largely just a facade, masking a deeper, relentless drive she didn't fully understand.
"Mmhmm," Tatsuya nodded seriously. "You personally witnessed how powerful and fundamentally versatile fuinjutsu can be during the battle. I want to master it, use it to climb towards... a higher realm."
"A 'higher realm'?" Anko looked genuinely puzzled now. In her perception, the Tatsuya she knew – the one who could summon giant snakes, utilize Sage Mode, and casually employ devastating techniques – already stood firmly at the very pinnacle of the shinobi world as she understood it. What higher realm could there possibly be?
"Mm," Tatsuya just smiled cryptically back at Anko, offering no further immediate clarification. "Let's just say, in the vast ninja world, there are still quite a few individuals significantly stronger than I am currently."
Anko opened her mouth, clearly wanting to ask more – perhaps about who could possibly be stronger than him, or what this 'higher realm' entailed – but seeing the look in his eyes, a sense of finality in his tone, she ultimately didn't voice the questions bubbling up inside her. Instead, a subtle but distinct glint of renewed determination flashed deep within her own eyes.
The next day, as planned, Mitarashi Anko departed from the Miko's Palace, heading back towards Konoha along with Kurenai, Hayate, and Yugao. Before she left, Tatsuya held the surprisingly teary-eyed Anko close for a long time, offering quiet words of comfort and reassurance until her sniffles subsided. He noted with some internal amusement and affection that once the usually carefree, loud, and boisterous Anko truly allowed herself to become emotional, her tears flowed just as freely and intensely as her laughter usually did.
After Anko and the rest of his team had finally departed, Tatsuya promptly stopped pretending to be bedridden. He got dressed and began moving about freely within the peaceful confines of the Miko's Palace, stretching his limbs and reacquainting himself with the feeling of unrestricted movement after ten days of relative inactivity.
Shortly after emerging from his recovery room, Tatsuya saw little Shion skipping happily down a nearby corridor towards him, her bright eyes lighting up upon spotting him. Seeing Tatsuya finally up and about, the little girl immediately abandoned her skipping and rushed over excitedly to greet him. Following carefully a respectful distance behind Shion were two of the Miko's Palace handmaidens, assigned to watch over the young priestess-in-training. Seeing Tatsuya interacting with Shion, they tactfully kept their distance, allowing the two their space.
"Shion," Tatsuya asked playfully, smiling warmly as he easily scooped up the giggling little girl into a welcoming hug, "how come I haven't seen you come visit Big Brother these past few days? Did you forget about me?" he teased gently.
"No! Mama didn't let Shion come," little Shion explained immediately, pouting slightly as she mumbled her justification into his shoulder. "Mama said Big Brother was really hurt and needed lots and lots of quiet rest to get better."
"Well then, Shion did the absolute right thing by listening to her Mama! What an obedient, thoughtful good girl you are," Tatsuya praised her warmly, gently pinching her chubby cheek with affection.
Hearing Tatsuya's sincere praise, little Shion giggled happily, puffing out her small chest slightly, looking very pleased and proud of herself for her discipline.
After playing cheerfully with the little girl for a while, Tatsuya excused himself and made his way towards the Miko's private chambers within the palace, formally requesting an audience. Soon, he was granted entry and received by the Miko herself.
Tatsuya observed that the Miko appeared quite busy, likely dealing with the extensive administrative aftermath of the recent crisis. Although the demon Mōryō hadn't succeeded in breaking its seal this time around, the vast army of terracotta soldiers controlled and unleashed by the Yomi Cult members had nonetheless inflicted enormous, widespread damage upon both the Land of Demons and the neighboring Land of Swamps during their rampage. Countless villages and towns across both nations had been overrun and damaged by the relentless stone army, leaving many innocent civilians tragically displaced and homeless, creating a significant refugee crisis that now required the Miko's attention and administration.
"Tatsuya-kun," the Miko greeted him warmly as he entered, her first words immediately expressing concern for his well-being. "How are your injuries faring now?"
Tatsuya understood her genuine concern stemmed not only from gratitude for the fact that he had arguably saved her life during the ritual and had been instrumental in successfully sealing Mōryō. It was also likely influenced by the Miko's powerful innate empathy or telepathic ability, which the text had hinted at before – a sensitivity allowing her to perceive the underlying kindness and fundamentally good intentions within Tatsuya's heart, despite his sometimes gruff or lazy exterior.
"I'm fully recovered now, Your Highness," Tatsuya replied with a genuinely grateful smile and a respectful nod. "Thanks in no small part to your generous hospitality and care during this past week and a half."
"It is truly good to hear you are well," the Miko smiled, observing him closely for a moment as if confirming his recovery for herself with her own senses. "Then, Tatsuya-kun, I presume you came seeking me today for a particular reason?"
"Yes, Your Highness," Tatsuya confirmed, his expression turning serious. "I wish to formally request your assistance in applying for a grant of land – essentially, a small personal fiefdom – located within the territory of the Land of Swamps."
"A fiefdom? In the Land of Swamps?" The Miko looked genuinely taken aback by his unusual request, regarding Tatsuya with open confusion. "Tatsuya-kun, if you simply desire land as a reward or a base of operations, I can certainly grant you suitable territory here within my own domain, the Land of Demons."
"I appreciate the generous offer, Your Highness," Tatsuya clarified respectfully, "but the specific domain I seek needs to be located not far from Demon Sealing Mountain itself."
"Near Demon Sealing Mountain?" The Miko's confusion only deepened. "May I ask why?"
"Your Highness," Tatsuya began, choosing his words carefully, "during the recent battle at Demon Sealing Mountain, I discovered... certain potentially beneficial applications related to the unique energies surrounding the demon Mōryō. I wish to establish a small research outpost nearby to conduct some private experiments regarding these phenomena." He kept his explanation vague, focusing on research rather than personal power absorption.
"Beneficial applications... of the demon's power?" The Miko repeated his words slowly, studying Tatsuya intently for a long, searching moment. Tatsuya met her gaze steadily, projecting sincerity. Finally, after careful consideration, she nodded slowly. "Very well. This is an unusual request, but given your contributions... I believe I can help Tatsuya-kun explore the possibilities regarding this matter with the Land of Swamps authorities."
"Thank you sincerely, Your Highness!" Tatsuya was genuinely overjoyed, bowing deeply. He had honestly expected to require much more lengthy explanation and persuasion to gain approval for such a strange request, but the Miko had agreed with surprising readiness.
"There is truly no need for thanks, Tatsuya-kun," the Miko smiled gently, her voice warm. "Having a protector as powerful and demonstrably capable as yourself choosing to establish a presence near Demon Sealing Mountain... frankly, I imagine the governing council of the Land of Swamps, once the situation stabilizes, would consider it highly desirable and reassuring."
"Your Highness, I am deeply grateful. I actually... have one more, perhaps bolder, request, if I may impose further upon your generosity," Tatsuya added, scratching the back of his head a bit sheepishly as he met the Miko's kind, patient smile.
"Please, speak freely, Tatsuya-kun," the Miko gestured graciously, inviting him to continue.
"The battle at Demon Sealing Mountain..." Tatsuya began again, choosing his words with deference. "Your Highness's personal mastery of fuinjutsu was truly profound and deeply impressive. I was wondering... with the utmost respect... would it perhaps be permissible for me, at some point, to study – perhaps merely observe – some of the unclassified sealing technique records or theoretical materials that have been passed down through the esteemed Miko lineage?" he asked hopefully, framing it as academic interest.
"Of course, you may," the Miko agreed instantly, without the slightest hesitation, her smile widening slightly.
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