Chapter 130: The Shrine Maiden's Foreboding
The Land of Demons was in an uproar.
News of the attack on the sacred temple in the hinterlands spread like wildfire, causing a nationwide shock.
The Daimyo was furious, dispatching a large contingent of his personal samurai to the temple. Even the handful of shinobi the small nation could boast were mobilized. However, upon reaching the secluded basin, they were met with a scene that left them stunned and horrified.
The magnificent temple complex had been reduced to smoldering ashes. The ornately decorated walls were blackened and crumbling. Debris was scattered everywhere, with dust and sawdust still drifting in the air. In a single night, this revered temple, a symbol of stability for generations, had been utterly obliterated.
Before the ruins, a crowd of samurai stood guard. The steel swords in their hands gleamed coldly. Every face was etched with solemn tension, their breathing heavy.
Everyone in the Land of Demons knew the legend of the Sprite. It was precisely because of the life-sacrifice of a previous Shrine Maiden that the monstrous entity had been sealed. The destruction of the temple could mean only one thing: the Sprite's soul had escaped its prison.
The nightmare was poised to begin anew!
A sudden commotion stirred the crowd as people hastily cleared a path. Even the high-ranking nobles and Daimyo, who held themselves above all, instinctively stepped back with respect.
Down the cleared path marched twenty warriors in full battle regalia, forming an airtight protective wall. In the center of this human barrier, a beautiful figure advanced as if the stars themselves were making way for the moon. She moved with a light, graceful step, a noble temperament evident in her every motion.
Her skin was as fair and smooth as fine jade, her face delicately beautiful, her features exquisite, her curves subtly alluring. With every movement, a certain fullness in her chest trembled slightly, revealing the unique charm of a mature woman.
Yet, despite such a peerless beauty appearing before them, the expressions of both the Daimyo and the common warriors were filled with nothing but deep reverence, as if they were gazing upon a saint.
This was the current Shrine Maiden of the Land of Demons, Shion.
Though Shion was only sixteen, she was already a stunning beauty, possessing a combination of loveliness and dignified grace. She had been doted on by many since childhood. This reverence had only intensified after her mother, the previous Shrine Maiden, had sacrificed her own life to maintain the seal and protect the land.
"Shrine Maiden-sama, how should we handle this matter?" a Daimyo well over fifty years old asked, his tone patient and deeply respectful.
"Investigate thoroughly," Shion replied, her hands clasped demurely in front of her. "We must apprehend the culprit as soon as possible. Through my dreams, I have seen fragments of the future. If this is not resolved properly, the Land of Demons will be drowned in rivers of blood."
She frowned, a deep unease stirring in her heart. Despite being surrounded by so many samurai and shinobi guards, Shion felt a profound sense of powerlessness.
In her dream, she had seen two mysterious figures clad in white robes, with long swords at their waists, mercilessly slaughtering the samurai of her land. Whenever someone fell to the white-robed man with emerald-green eyes, a clean, terrible hole would appear in their upper body—a horrific way to die.
The dream had ended there, leaving Shion in a state of fright. Even so, she knew with certainty that a great catastrophe was approaching.
"Shrine Maiden-sama," an elder with graying hair stepped forward, bowing respectfully. He was the current chief advisor to the Daimyo, effectively governing the Land of Demons in Shion's name. Though his body was aged, his eyes were sharp and penetrating, full of vigor. "Since the stone stele sealing the Sprite is broken, it proves the destroyers are formidable and their goal is clear. Their target must be the Sprite's original body, sealed in the Land of Swamps."
"What you say is reasonable," Shion conceded with a pessimistic sigh, feeling utterly at a loss. "But even knowing the culprit's likely destination is of little help. With the power of our Land of Demons, we have no means to prevent this tragedy from unfolding."
"We can issue a ninja alert and request assistance from the Five Great Shinobi Countries," the white-haired advisor suggested, trying to calm her. "When the previous Maiden was alive, she established friendly relations with Konohagakure's leadership. I believe Konoha will certainly help. Not to mention, this is a major incident concerning the safety of the entire shinobi world. It is everyone's responsibility."
He immediately ordered his samurai to spread the news to the Five Great Nations. Then, he slowly raised his head, his deep eyes staring at the sky as he muttered under his breath, "After so many years... will the disaster of the shinobi world finally reappear?"
What shocked the people of the Land of Demons even more was the complete disappearance of the hundreds of stone pillars that had housed the Sprite's Undead Legion. It was as if a colossal force had annihilated them overnight, leaving no trace behind.
This bizarre situation deepened the mystery.
If the culprit sought to resurrect the Sprite, why destroy its army? The catastrophe of the past had been so dire precisely because of the legion's immortality. Without the Undead Army, the Sprite's threat would be significantly reduced.
"What are the intentions of these two mysterious men in white robes...?" Shion wondered, her beautiful eyes, clear as autumn water, clouded with worry for the future of her country.
In less than half a day, thanks to the meticulous arrangements of the white-haired advisor, news of the broken seal and the Sprite's disappearance had spread to the Five Great Nations. As an ally of the Land of Demons, Konoha was the first to receive the information.
Konoha, having just endured a devastating invasion, had paid a tragic price. Not only had the Third Hokage perished, but the prosperous village had also been severely damaged, its former glory seeming like a flower that had bloomed yesterday.
During this period, Konoha had been methodically rebuilding, finally catching its breath after the disaster.
Now, inside the Hokage's office in the central tower of Konoha, a meeting was underway.
Shimura Danzō, along with the two veteran advisors, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, sat at the head of the room. Below them stood Jiraiya and the assembled elite Jōnin of Konoha.
"The Land of Demons faces a grave crisis. We must offer our assistance," Mitokado Homura stated with authority.
"Of course," Jiraiya agreed, his tone calm but firm. "Despite our heavy losses in the recent war, Konoha's foundation remains unshaken. We must re-establish our prestige to deter the ambitions of the other four great nations." As he mentioned the other powers, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
"Kakashi, Guy, Kurenai, Asuma," Danzō's voice cut through the room, making the final decision. "This rescue mission will be carried out by the four of you."
💫 Liked the chapter?You can read 100+ extra chapters on Patreon, including the current
Patreon Chapter 230: A Mandatory Performance
👉 Patreon.com/KudosNey
Your support helps me write more and update faster 💖And don't forget to drop a Power Stone ⭐ — it really motivates me!
Special thanks to All our patreon members : DCor,Joe Mamma,C99mnt,RobbieRay,BuddySchlym,aroachinmyroomsslut 😎
Thank you for reading and supporting! 🙌✨