Miroku turned her head toward Kiyoshi and slightly tightened her hand.
What had just happened between them was forced by circumstances.
Now that Mōryō was dead, the relationship between the two had become somewhat awkward.
Kiyoshi's gaze shifted toward the noble shrine maiden.
It had to be said—contrast was a very attractive thing.
Who would have thought that under her ceremonial chihaya, Miroku was also wearing white stockings, seemingly to prevent any accidental exposure?
The stockings instead wrapped around her thighs, making them appear fuller, even leaving faint indentations where the fabric pressed in.
Unfortunately, her outfit remained fully covered and somewhat plain—no decorative patterns at all.
Or rather, it was extremely conservative, no different from a ninja's tight combat pants, clearly designed to avoid any exposure.
"You can use medical ninjutsu?"
Miroku asked.
She was very familiar with that gaze.
It was the same look Kiyoshi had at the tunnel entrance.
But this was a public place!
"Mm…"
At that moment, the Daimyō of the Land of Demons showed a painful expression, drawing everyone's attention.
His death was no small matter. It was said the Land of Demons did not even have a proper successor.
If he died here, the country would fall into chaos until a new Daimyō rose.
Miroku also turned to look.
Kiyoshi, however, walked behind her and observed the suffering Daimyō.
At the same time, his hand casually brushed past.
A sensation like silk.
Miroku's eyes widened. She didn't dare turn around.
Her expression was filled with disbelief.
Kiyoshi… was acting this boldly?!
"Great! The Daimyō has awakened!"
Futoshi exclaimed excitedly.
He interpreted Miroku's reaction as surprise at the Daimyō's recovery, feeling both relief and bitterness.
Like in stories, knights always protected the princess, and the princess would ultimately be paired with a prince.
Everyone had their role.
Futoshi quickly composed himself.
"Let's try a more complex method next time."
Kiyoshi walked forward.
Miroku's slightly furrowed brows tightened further. She almost instinctively wanted to scold him.
Does this guy just like pushing his luck?
"Kiyoshi, I haven't learned more advanced medical ninjutsu yet."
Rin shook her head.
She assumed Kiyoshi was criticizing her medical skill level.
"It's fine. I'll handle it."
Kiyoshi signaled Rin to step back, and green chakra gathered in his hands as he began stabilizing the Daimyō's life.
Seeing him take over, Miroku suppressed her emotions.
After emergency treatment, and once Minato and the others went outside, Kiyoshi collected several corpses of Demon Country ninjas.
Those bodies were already barely recognizable as human—not because of injury, but because of their mutation.
They were increasingly difficult to call "humans."
…
Some time later, Kiyoshi and the others returned to the Land of Demons.
Yuki Yuki immediately approached Kiyoshi, asking him to treat his arm.
Emergency treatment could only prevent deterioration; full recovery required proper medical ninjutsu.
Kiyoshi refused, citing priority treatment for the Daimyō.
When he tried to call Rin, he repeated the same excuse—Rin also had to rotate shifts, and the Daimyō's life was still in critical condition.
Yuki's expression changed repeatedly before reluctantly agreeing.
A mere jōnin's arm could not compare to the life of a Daimyō.
Even the Daimyō of a small country was still a Daimyō.
Even the Third Hokage would treat such matters cautiously to avoid diplomatic incidents.
Afterward, the Sand ninjas, once they confirmed that Miroku would provide trade resources, quickly returned to their village.
Their mission was complete.
"I will come check periodically due to the Daimyō's condition."
Kiyoshi said after stopping his medical jutsu.
The Daimyō on the bed was pale, breathing heavily just to speak.
"Can I still recover… in that regard?"
He meant his reproductive ability.
Without an heir, succession would be problematic.
Kiyoshi pretended to be troubled.
"I'm afraid it's difficult. It requires precisely restoring the small remaining life force downward."
"…What about Lady Tsunade? Isn't she a legendary medical ninja?"
The Daimyō almost collapsed again.
Kiyoshi shook his head.
"Lady Tsunade has not performed surgery for many years. She likely cannot handle this condition."
Medical ninjutsu was not omnipotent.
Even Tsunade only had a 50% success rate treating Lee's injuries from Gaara, and that was when her hemophobia was cured.
Now… well.
Unless the Daimyō had some persuasive "talk no jutsu," it was impossible.
Tsunade's status was too high for him to pressure her.
"I… really have no hope left?"
"There is one method."
Kiyoshi said calmly.
"I need the shrine maiden's assistance. Her chakra has a suppressing effect on Mōryō. I still have his physical body. It might be possible to restore the Daimyō's lost life force."
The room went quiet.
Miroku, standing behind, suddenly asked with hopeful eyes:
"…Is it true?"
"Not guaranteed. But there is a possibility."
Kiyoshi looked at her.
Of course, this was also to justify continued contact with her—and as a fallback in future war scenarios.
If the shinobi world truly descended into chaos, he could use this excuse to come here.
"Alright."
Miroku agreed.
No matter what, the Daimyō had been someone she knew for a long time.
Seeing him reduced like this… was still somewhat sad.
The Daimyō also looked relieved.
So Kiyoshi arranged a private meeting with Miroku.
In an empty room filled with expensive furnishings:
"By the way, where is the bell artifact I gave you?"
Miroku immediately asked, extending her fair hand.
"I'll keep it as payment. Losing it won't affect the shrine maiden lineage anyway, right?"
Kiyoshi smiled faintly.
Miroku's expression stiffened.
This guy… the Uchiha were supposed to care about pride and honor.
Yet he treated all of it as nothing?
She took several deep breaths to calm herself.
"What do you need from me?"
"I need to learn the shrine maiden's sealing techniques."
"…This will really help the Daimyō?"
"Do you not trust me?"
Kiyoshi lightly touched her hand again.
Miroku instantly withdrew as if shocked.
"Do you realize how much older I am than you?"
"Older has its own charm."
"…."
Miroku realized she could not maintain her dignity as a shrine maiden in front of him.
She felt like grabbing him by the neck and asking how someone could be this shameless.
"And I need some money."
"Money?"
Miroku almost laughed in disbelief.
That red stone in the bell was a generational treasure of shrine maidens.
And now he still wanted money?
"In return, I'll need repair costs for my sword."
Kiyoshi summoned his blade, visibly damaged.
After a moment of silence, Miroku finally agreed and gave him 500,000 ryō.
Kiyoshi felt a rare sense of relief at "skipping several years of work."
After that, he gathered sealing techniques from Miroku under the pretense of treatment.
Three days later:
The Daimyō's condition was stabilized—just enough to keep him alive.
Kiyoshi and the others returned to Konoha.
During this time, Kiyoshi also obtained sealing scrolls targeting Mōryō.
These could potentially be used against Tailed Beasts as well.
Because beings like Mōryō and Tailed Beasts were not normal lifeforms.
They were largely chakra constructs, tied to mysteries of Yin-Yang Release.
Even Tailed Beasts had physical flesh despite being chakra entities.
This raised deeper questions Kiyoshi could not yet answer.
Why did beings made of chakra have flesh at all?
And why could consuming Tailed Beast flesh grant power, as seen with the Gold and Silver Brothers of the Land of Lightning?
(End of Chapter 126)