Shion had already noticed them.
"Are you calling me?" she asked, stepping closer and glancing at Karin with a hint of curiosity.
"Ah, sorry," Karin quickly apologized, scratching her head. "I mistook you for someone else. You just really resemble a friend of mine. But your hair's a different color, so I thought she might be using a disguise jutsu."
"Really?" Shion's tone carried a note of skepticism.
Kimimaro, sensing several chakra signatures from nearby guards converging, decided to de-escalate. He pulled a photo from his pouch. "She's telling the truth. Take a look—this is the friend she was talking about."
Despite the shinobi world's peculiar technological inconsistencies, photography existed—as evidenced by the group photo Hanabi had insisted on when Hinata and Neji visited the Land of Vegetables.
Shion's eyes lit up when she saw the photo. "You're right... she does look like me. Maybe it's fate that we met."
"Yeah, what a coincidence." Karin smiled, smoothly continuing the conversation. "I'm Karin, and this is Kimimaro. What's your name?"
Though Shion gave no overt signs of hostility, Karin had already noticed the uniformed guards in the vicinity. The girl's identity was clearly unusual. Still, Karin had long developed the habit of befriending high-status girls—there were always benefits to such connections.
"My name is Shion," she replied. Her expression remained neutral, polite but reserved.
Just then, a calm voice interrupted them. A refined man with spectacles approached.
"Lady Shion, it's time to return."
"Lady?" Karin arched an eyebrow.
Shion gave the man a disapproving look. "Ashisuke, I'm just out for a walk. Don't be so uptight."
Karin caught the subtle dynamics instantly. "It seems your identity is a bit special. That's fine—if now's not a good time, we can find you again when things are more relaxed."
Shion's expression softened, but only briefly before turning frosty again. "Forget it. You don't need to look for me."
"Huh? Why not?" Karin frowned.
"I bring misfortune to those around me," Shion said quietly. "You'll be in danger if you get too close."
She turned and began to walk away.
"Hey!" Karin called out. "If we're friends, and you're in danger, you can ask us for help! Kimimaro is really strong!"
Shion's steps paused—but only for a second. "I don't need friends," she said firmly and kept walking.
Just then, Ashisuke's gaze sharpened. "Kimimaro? You mean the one from the Land of Vegetables?"
Shion turned slightly, surprised. She hadn't expected Ashisuke to know the name.
Kimimaro nodded calmly. "That's right. I'm from the Land of Vegetables."
He wasn't shocked Ashisuke recognized him. The Land of Vegetables and the Land of Demons were neighboring territories. As the Priestess's chief guard, Ashisuke would naturally have intelligence on influential figures nearby.
Ashisuke's eyes narrowed slightly. He knew Kimimaro had brought order and reform to a struggling nation—an individual capable of such feats was not to be underestimated.
"Mr. Kimimaro, may I speak with you in private?" he asked.
Kimimaro exchanged a look with Karin, then nodded. "Go ahead."
They walked to a quiet corner of the plaza. Ashisuke adjusted his glasses. "I am the chief guardian of the Priestess of the Land of Demons."
"So... Miss Shion is the current Priestess?" Kimimaro asked.
"That is correct."
"You're telling me this so directly. Aren't you afraid I'll harm her?"
Ashisuke offered a calm smile. "We may not interact much with the outside world, but we observe closely. Your governance in the Land of Vegetables—the reforms, the protection of the common people—convinced me you are not someone who would abuse such knowledge."
Shion had followed them halfway, just close enough to hear part of the conversation. "Ashisuke, who is he really?"
Ashisuke turned to explain in brief. "He's the one who restructured the Land of Vegetables from the ground up—dismantled corrupt noble rule, established a civilian bureaucracy, even suppressed several underground factions. He holds real power there."
Shion's gaze toward Kimimaro changed subtly. The Priestess of the Land of Demons—tasked with sealing the demon Mōryō and protecting the world from its influence—was part of a sacred lineage that valued kindness, despite their aloof presentation. While she didn't fully grasp the details of Kimimaro's political changes, she respected actions that benefited the common folk.
Still, she drew the line firmly.
"Ashisuke, you said it's time to go, didn't you? Let's go. If there are any diplomatic matters, the Land of Vegetables can send an envoy."
Ashisuke nodded, then turned back to Kimimaro. "Mr. Kimimaro, I hope we can continue this dialogue. The Priestess exists to protect life; you work to uplift your people. I know it's sudden, but—I have a proposal."
"Speak," Kimimaro said with a slight smile, having already guessed Ashisuke's intentions.
"Lately, the demons sealed beneath the Land of Demons have grown increasingly restless. Within the next year or two, a major crisis could occur. Since our countries are neighbors, I hope that should anything happen, Mr. Kimimaro, you would be willing to lend a hand."
Kimimaro had been seeking an opportunity to involve himself with the Land of Demons, and now it had practically been delivered to him on a silver platter. While Ashisuke's approach was somewhat presumptuous, Kimimaro didn't mind. He smiled calmly. "Of course. Suppressing evil spirits is a task fitting for shinobi."
That wasn't a lie. According to the legends passed down in the Land of Demons, if the demon Mōryō were to resurrect, it would herald a calamity. In the manga, even without using his full power, Naruto had managed to help Shion seal Mōryō again—so the threat, while real, wasn't insurmountable.
Kimimaro doubted the apocalyptic exaggerations. With Mōryō's body sealed in a hidden shrine and his spirit only capable of incomplete resurrection, his powers were limited. Kimimaro was confident: his current strength far exceeded Naruto's back then, and he was still growing.
Hearing Kimimaro's agreement, Ashisuke exhaled in relief.
Just then, Shion's eyes suddenly glazed over. She clutched her head and trembled. After a few moments, she regained her composure—but her gaze toward Kimimaro had changed. Cold and guarded, almost frightened.
"I don't want your help," she said abruptly.
Karin frowned. "Shion, Kimimaro is offering assistance in good faith. Why are you—"
"You don't understand," Shion snapped. She stepped closer to Kimimaro, eyes sharp. "You'll die."
Kimimaro tilted his head, unfazed. "Everyone dies."
"No," Shion said, her voice low. "If you help me, you will die. That is what I saw in the vision."
"A prophecy, then?"
"Believe it or not, I'm only warning you once. Everyone who gets too close to me ends up dead. You… will be no different."
Kimimaro didn't flinch. Instead, he stepped in until his face was inches from hers, eyes locked with hers.
"I've already died once," he said softly. "It won't be so easy for fate—or heaven—to take my life again."
Shion's breath hitched.
"I don't believe in fate," Kimimaro continued. "Fate is meant to be changed. Not just mine—yours too. You think you're destined to die? I'm telling you now: I've decided to protect you. As long as I'm here, you won't die."
Shion stared at him, stunned.
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