Led by Shion, the Konoha team arrived at the waterfall behind the temple. Naruto, walking ahead, couldn't hide his surprise. "Isn't this a dead end?!"
"This is where the shrine maidens bathe," Shion explained as she moved toward the cascading water. "There's a secret escape route inside."
"How about leaving Ashio and the others behind?" Neji asked as he followed her. Shion shook her head stubbornly. "I am the shrine maiden of this village. If I want to, I can leave the followers behind!"
The group began their trek toward the Swamp Country. Shion, perched on Sakura's back, immediately complained. "This is uncomfortable. Your body… doesn't look like a woman's at all."
"Damn it!!!" Sakura's forehead bulged with veins. If it weren't for the mission, she might have just punched her.
"This miko is vicious!"
"Flat-chested girls aren't a problem! Think of how much fabric you save!"
"It's not about fabric. Girls are cuter if they're plump!"
"I think cute boys are fine too…"
"What are you idiots talking about? No one cares about your fetishes!" Naruto seized his chance. Confidently, he gave Sakura a thumbs up. "Don't listen to them, Sakura! Even flat girls are cute. For example… um… that… saves fabric?"
Sakura immediately punched him. "Why would I discuss this with you?! Shut up, idiot!"
Suddenly, an arrow shot from the front, halting the group. Everyone looked up—Ashiho had arrived.
"What do you want?!" Shion demanded impatiently.
Ashiho approached calmly. "My duty is to never leave Shion-sama."
"You're just in the way. Go back to the village!"
A heated argument broke out, but ultimately Ashiho's determination won out, and he was allowed to follow the Konoha team to the shrine.
Because Ashiho could not match the ninja's speed, the team had to pause occasionally to let him catch up.
"Good start, but this will slow the mission down too much," someone muttered.
"Irrelevant people, especially ordinary civilians, should not interfere during missions. Protecting them wastes energy, and mistakes can cost the mission," another agreed.
"A painful lesson. Experienced ninjas have faced this too," a third said.
At the miko's temple, Shion glanced at Ashiho with worry. He shook his head. "Don't worry, Lady Shion. I'm fine."
Ashio ignored the barrage of comments calling him a drag—he knew why he had to stay with the team. Every step, every technique he practiced was to ensure Shion's safety.
Night fell, and the group stopped at the edge of a cliff. Neji scanned the area with his Byakugan. "Let's camp here," he ordered, confirming no enemies were nearby.
"Isn't this an emergency?" Naruto asked, confused. Xiao Li explained, "If it were just us, we could run for days straight, but…"
"The others have reached their limit," Sakura continued.
Shion immediately protested, stubborn as ever. "I'm fine!"
But Ashiho, ever practical, reminded her, "Lady Shion, the sealing technique relies on your strength. Rest well tonight."
"I'm hungry, let's eat quickly!" Shion huffed, unable to argue further. Naruto frowned. "You're being willful again."
She even complained about the food prepared for the night. Neji interjected. "Lighting a fire would give our position away to the enemy…"
Shion ignored him entirely. "I'm going to sleep."
"The more I look at her, the angrier I get! She's like some client from hell!" Naruto muttered.
"Exactly! She clearly doesn't understand, yet she uses her status to boss us around!"
"And all this just for a few ninjas—so noble!"
"What a disgusting miko!" Naruto grumbled. Several peers felt similarly, though Kakashi and Kai thought differently.
Even Kakashi understood why the miko had such a strong, intimidating character: 'It's a power that makes people fear her.'
The familiar bell rang again. Shion, who had been asleep, suddenly opened her eyes. Purple kaleidoscope patterns blossomed in her pupils, and in her mind appeared a terrifying vision: herself, bleeding from the corner of her mouth, falling, and dying.
The prediction ended, but Shion's face remained calm. She glanced at the three guards around her and then stared at the sky, lost in thought.
On the cliff edge, Naruto approached Ashiho hesitantly. "What… what was that prediction about?"
Understanding his concern, Ashiho replied directly. "Lady Shion only predicts the life and death of those around her."
"Even if you know you'll die in advance, you can't avoid it?" Naruto asked, panicked.
"Yes. No matter how you struggle, death cannot be changed. But most people are willing to risk their lives for Lady Shion. If anyone survives contrary to the prediction, it's because Shion would have died otherwise."
Hearing this, Naruto's panic faded. He listened calmly as Ashiho continued. "Even villagers fear Lady Shion's predictions. Some have even retreated. Whether the prediction continues to work may depend on the mindset of those involved."
"I see," Naruto sighed. Memories flashed across the sky—himself alone on a swing, other children playing, and children avoiding Shion, afraid to touch her.
"Huh? I understand Shion was rejected by everyone, but Naruto? Why does he feel the same?"
"Because that boy… is special."
"Which one? Speak clearly!"
"Heh, trying to extract information from the sky again, are you?"
"We can still analyze the images. Since Naruto's reaction mirrors Shion's experience, it means he also possesses a terrifying power. What that is… the sky will show us next."
"Brother, your intelligence analysis is impressive. Interested in coming to our village? We'll give you special treatment!"