The Temple of the Land of Demons
In the stillness of the temple where the shrine maiden resided, her attendant Zuho patrolled the grounds. He found a guard dozing off and gently urged him to return to the dormitory to rest.
As dawn broke, four shadowy figures appeared on a cliff not far from the temple, silhouetted against the rising sun.
"Brother, hurry up!" urged Yitai, his face hidden beneath a scarf.
"Don't rush," replied the leader, moving with deliberate calm. His body bristled with serpent-like tentacles, a gift from Huangquan. Three of them pierced into his companions' flesh, surging chakra into their bodies.
Unlike their previous assault on the underground palace, this time the three warriors underwent a dramatic transformation. Their chakra swelled to terrifying levels, their appearances warped, and intricate markings spread across their skin.
"Their chakra signatures match what we planned," the leader murmured, stepping forward.
"Let's finish this quickly!" Yitai snarled, bloodlust blazing in his eyes.
But the leader retained his composure, reminding them not to underestimate the enemy. With that, the four rushed openly toward the temple, their killing intent unrestrained.
From the shadows, unseen watchers whispered.
"So those tentacle-like things grant new chakra traits?"
"And the strengthening this time is different… it even changes their bodies. It must depend on how the injection is given."
"What a frightening ninjutsu. With this, even Genin and Chunin could fight with styles far beyond their limits."
"Don't be naïve. Power gained without training is fragile—it will fail you at the worst moment."
"That's why it's called Dark Medical Ninjutsu. There's always a price."
"I—I could never! I'm not from the Aburame clan. Letting tentacles crawl inside me… ugh!"
"Tch! Always slandering Konoha when you get the chance. I'll remember this!"
Inside the shrine, the maiden's eyes snapped open as the sound of bells rang. Her once-ordinary pupils now glimmered with a dreamlike violet pattern.
She lay trembling beneath her quilt, sweat beading on her forehead. Images not her own flooded her mind—visions of Naruto locked in battle with a monstrous foe, the same scene that had appeared on the mysterious sky screen.
What… is happening?
No one could answer. Outside, the clash of steel and shouts of guards filled the night.
Ashiho rallied the defenders, hurrying toward the maiden's chambers. On the way, he spotted a familiar face.
"Suzuki! Stop! Don't go!"
Suzuki didn't slow. "Lady Shion foresaw this. If I can give my life for her, it is an honor."
Gasps rippled through the watchers.
"Does that mean… the shrine maiden Shion can predict the future?"
"Then the first vision on the sky screen must have been her prophecy. Is it accurate? Can Naruto still be saved?"
"From what I know… her predictions always come true."
"!!!"
"So the sky screen showing the future… it's the work of the Demon Country's shrine maiden?!"
"Impossible. Her visions might be similar, but not this detailed. Don't forget—when the screen appeared, every great village tried to investigate it. None could even get close. The Demon Country couldn't possess such power."
"Enough! Let's watch until the end before making claims."
The word prediction carried weight, especially for Naruto, whose death had been foreshadowed.
Sakura's face paled. She turned to Kakashi. "Sensei… do you think it will come true?"
Kakashi frowned, thinking deeply before replying. "I can't say. But I'll ask the Hokage to confirm details from our last battle with the monsters. For now, don't lose heart."
The others fell silent.
Naruto clenched his fists. His voice was steady, resolute. "Future images? The maiden's predictions? I don't care. I carve my own path. I will not die—not until I become Hokage!"
Kakashi smiled faintly, ruffling Naruto's hair. "That's right. Your future belongs to you."
Jiraiya, however, fell into thought. Predictions reminded him of the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku. Yet even that ancient sage had never described the future in such detail.
At Myoboku itself, Fukasaku and Shima shared the same unease. But when they went to seek the Great Toad Sage, they found him in a deep slumber, impossible to wake.
Outside the temple, the four intruders annihilated the guards with brutal efficiency. Ashiho led the survivors to Shion's chamber.
"Lady Shion! Intruders are here—we must take you to safety!"
But before they could act, the ceiling exploded. The enemy crashed down in a hail of debris. In an instant, Ashiho's squad was reduced to just two: himself and Suzuki.
Yoshita, the first to land, dispatched them with ease. He turned to the maiden kneeling calmly on her bed. "There she is!"
Kunai rained down toward Shion. Ashiho, sprawled on the floor, could only scream her name in anguish.
Suzuki, battered but unbroken, shielded her with his own body. Blood splattered as he fell. "Ashio… Lady Shion… she's in your hands now…"
Shion's violet eyes remained lifeless, her expression untouched by fear. She seemed almost detached, as though her would-be assassins did not exist at all.
"The maiden's life is ours," the attackers declared, advancing step by step.
"Not so fast!"
A voice rang out from behind them. A swift figure darted into the room, leaping over their heads. Naruto landed dramatically—only for his foot to slip on the bamboo mat, sending him crashing to the floor in an awkward heap.
"…Well, that looked cool for about three seconds."
"Jiraiya's student, huh? Figures he'd inherit the peeping and pervy books, not the grace."
Jiraiya scratched his head, wincing. "How rude. My research is important work."
Naruto scrambled back to his feet, face red with embarrassment. "Th-that's not it! The enemy must've distracted me, that's all!"