Chapter 351: Miroku, the Shrine Maiden of the Land of Demons; Dangerous? Chiya Is the Greatest Danger of All! [HN]

Half a year passed in the blink of an eye.

Konoha Village, Hokage’s office.

The sky outside was already nearing dusk, casting a warm golden glow across the room.

Chiya sat behind the large desk, listening as Nara Shikaku reported on the village’s routine affairs.

Everything was proceeding in an orderly manner. Construction of the Federation demonstration zone was steadily progressing, and after suffering the consequences of their previous actions, Kumogakure and Iwagakure had, just as he expected, gone quiet. The shinobi world had entered a rare period of peace.

However, Chiya knew very well that more unknown undercurrents were lurking beneath this calm.

“That is everything regarding the recent routine affairs, Hokage-sama.”

Shikaku closed the scroll in his hands and spoke calmly.

Chiya nodded slightly and was just about to speak when the office door was gently knocked.

“Come in.”

A Root shinobi wearing an animal mask silently slipped into the room, knelt on one knee, and presented a scroll sealed with red wax with both hands.

The wax was dark purple, representing intelligence of the highest secrecy level.

Unlike ordinary military or diplomatic intelligence, this kind of information usually involved matters Chiya had specifically ordered them to investigate or handle.

“Hokage-sama, the Root’s Hidden Shadow Squad has sent back the highest-level classified intelligence from the Land of Demons.”

The Root shinobi’s voice sounded somewhat muffled through the mask.

“The Land of Demons?”

Chiya raised an eyebrow and accepted the scroll.

He remembered this country, a small neutral nation that maintained many ancient traditions.

It was led by hereditary shrine maidens, and it was said that the shrine maidens possessed mysterious powers capable of sealing demons.

He gently broke the wax seal and unfolded the scroll.

The contents caused his previously calm gaze to suddenly sharpen.

The scroll contained detailed information about the abnormalities that had occurred in the Land of Demons over the past few months.

An unidentified black mist had appeared in the border region. Wherever the mist passed, living things withered and the land became corrupted.

Some witnesses claimed to have seen distorted, incorporeal shadow creatures within the mist.

Miroku, the current shrine maiden of the Land of Demons, had attempted purification rituals several times.

However, the results had been minimal. The energy filled with death and resentment seemed to be endless.

Analysis of the energy samples collected by the Root shinobi through special means showed that their nature was completely different from chakra and was closer to a kind of…

pure aggregation of negative spiritual energy.

Most importantly, the scroll mentioned that after performing a powerful purification ritual, Miroku had vomited blood and collapsed from excessive exhaustion.

Miroku, the Land of Demons, the shrine maiden…

Those words struck Chiya’s mind like lightning, instantly awakening a sealed memory.

The Naruto movie The Death of Naruto!

The demon Mōryō that attempted to open the gates of the underworld and destroy the world, and the shrine maiden who opposed it!

That’s right. It all matched!

The current shrine maiden was not Shion yet. She was her mother, Miroku!

According to the original story, Miroku would ultimately sacrifice her life to pave the way for her daughter.

Mōryō’s power, its almost immortal nature, and its ability to connect with the other world could become a huge variable and threat to Konoha, which was currently promoting the Federation plan and integrating the shinobi world, if someone with ulterior motives took advantage of it or if Mōryō itself went out of control.

More importantly, the power of the shrine maiden lineage and the unique existence of Mōryō might…

provide him with some inspiration in his search for Kaguya’s consciousness and his understanding of different energy systems.

“Miroku…”

Chiya quietly repeated the name.

Now that he knew about it, there was no way he could simply sit by and let the tragedy happen again.

[Intercept Miroku Mission.]

[Mission Reward: One Kekkei Genkai or one clan secret technique.]

A mission had been triggered?

Chiya remained silent for a moment before taking a deep breath.

He looked at Shikaku and the Root shinobi, his tone decisive.

“This intelligence is to be classified as the highest level of secrecy and sealed in the archives. As for the matter in the Land of Demons, I will handle it personally.”

Shikaku seemed to want to say something, but when he saw the unquestionable determination in Chiya’s eyes, he swallowed his words and simply bowed.

“Yes, Hokage-sama. I will temporarily handle the village’s affairs.”

“Mm. Thank you.”

Chiya waved his hand, and Shikaku and the Root shinobi quietly withdrew.

The office became quiet again.

Chiya stood up and walked to the window, looking at Konoha as its lights began to illuminate the village. The villagers had finished a day’s work and were enjoying a peaceful evening.

This peace needed someone to protect it, and it also required someone to actively eliminate potential threats.

However, before setting out, there was something more important.

…

Uchiha Clan compound, Chiya’s residence.

Unlike the solemn atmosphere of the Hokage’s office, this place was filled with the warmth of everyday life.

A bamboo water fountain struck the stone with a crisp “clack”, accompanied by the childish laughter coming from inside the house.

Chiya pushed open the door, and a gentle smile naturally appeared on his face.

“Dad!”

A small, energetic figure rushed over like a cannonball. It was his daughter with Tsunade, Uchiha Mirai.

Without realizing it, time had truly passed quickly.

His little Mirai could already run and jump.

She had inherited her mother’s golden hair and her father’s pitch-black eyes.

Her large eyes were filled with excitement as she opened her arms and threw herself toward Chiya.

Chiya bent down and easily picked up his daughter, lifting her high above his head and making Mirai let out a string of bell-like laughter.

“Mirai, were you a good girl today? Did you listen to Mom and Mikoto-nee?”

Chiya rubbed his cheek against his daughter’s tender little face, making her giggle.

“Mirai is the best behaved!”

Little Mirai nodded vigorously and wrapped her arms around Chiya’s neck.

“Dad, play ninja games with me!”

“How about Dad goes to see Chimi first?”

“Okay!!”

Chiya carried Mirai into the living room and saw Mikoto sitting on the soft couch with their daughter, Uchiha Chimi, in her arms.

Chimi looked somewhat similar to Mirai around the eyebrows and eyes, but their personalities were completely different.

She quietly leaned against her mother’s arms, her bright black eyes resembling Mikoto’s as she focused on a brightly colored rattle in her hands. Every so often, she gently shook it, producing a pleasant sound.

When Mikoto saw Chiya enter, she smiled gently.

“You’re back.”

“Mm.”

Chiya walked over and sat beside Mikoto. He placed Mirai on his leg and used one free hand to gently stroke Chimi’s soft black hair.

“How is Chimi today?”

“Very quiet. She has been playing with this rattle the whole time.”

There was a trace of barely noticeable concern in Mikoto’s voice.

“However… this afternoon, she seemed to want the fruit farther away. Her finger moved slightly, and a small piece of the fruit’s skin peeled off by itself. It was thinner and more complete than before.”

Chiya’s eyes shifted slightly as he looked at Chimi.

The little one seemed to notice her father’s gaze and raised her head. Her pure, innocent eyes blinked twice.

Then she extended her little hand and offered the rattle to Chiya.

“F… Father…”

The soft, childish voice instantly filled Chiya’s heart.

He accepted the rattle, gently shook it, and spoke softly.

“Chimi, you’re amazing.”

He carefully sensed the chakra inside Chimi’s body, which remained calm.

However, that astonishing control over the microscopic world seemed to have improved unconsciously once again.

This was not chakra threads. It seemed more like an understanding of and interference with the structure of matter itself, a talent that existed almost at the level of rules.

“Don’t worry!”

Chiya said to Mikoto, and perhaps also to himself, “Chimi and Mirai are both unique. What we need to do is guide them, protect them, and let them grow in their own ways.”

At this moment, Tsunade also walked out from the inner room. When she saw the warm scene of the father and daughters, a bright smile appeared on her face.

“Looks like our busy Hokage-sama finally decided to come home and spend time with his daughter instead of going over to Loran today?”

Chiya smiled and handed Mirai toward Tsunade.

“Of course. Today, I’m spending time with all of you.”

The family enjoyed a happy dinner together.

At the table, Mirai chattered about the butterflies and birds she had seen in the clan compound that day, while Chimi quietly ate the food Mikoto fed her and occasionally looked curiously at everyone who was speaking.

Looking at this scene, Chiya’s heart was filled with peace and satisfaction.

This was what he wanted to protect. This warmth and peace were the source of motivation behind everything he did.

After dinner, Chiya accompanied his two daughters in the play area covered with soft mats.

Mirai was full of energy and kept pestering Chiya to play the ninja game of chase.

Chimi sat nearby, concentrating on building a small tower with building blocks. The structure was unusually intricate, and her focused expression and precise construction were completely unlike those of a child her age.

While dealing with Mirai’s pursuit, Chiya also kept part of his attention on Chimi.

When Chimi reached the top of the tower, she found that she was missing a building block of a particular shape. She reached toward the block in the distance with her little hand, and the block actually trembled slightly.

Then, moving extremely slowly and against common sense, it slid a short distance toward her hand.

Although the movement was very small and Chimi immediately gave up and crawled over to get it herself, Chiya still noticed the scene with his sharp senses.

Not only cutting and peeling, but even moving objects from a distance?

Chiya thought to himself.

Chimi’s ability seemed to be constantly awakening and expanding as she grew.

Whether this was a blessing or a disaster was still difficult to say.

But he firmly believed that as long as they were given proper guidance and enough love, the children would definitely be able to control their own powers.

After playing for a long time, the warm night finally came to an end when Mirai began rubbing her eyes and yawning, while Chimi leaned against Mikoto’s arms and became drowsy.

After settling both daughters down and watching them fall into a deep sleep, Chiya returned to the bedroom with Tsunade and Mikoto.

“You’re going away again?”

Tsunade leaned against Chiya’s shoulder, her tone certain rather than questioning.

She knew him too well. She could tell from the trace of solemnity deep in his eyes when he returned that evening.

“Mm.”

Chiya did not hide it.

“Something happened in the Land of Demons. I need to go there personally.”

“Is it dangerous?”

Mikoto asked softly, concern in her eyes.

“Don’t worry.”

Chiya held their hands, his tone calm and confident.

“It involves some ancient beings, so I need to handle it carefully. I’ll be back as soon as possible.”

He did not explain the matter of Mōryō in detail to avoid making them worry.

After all, a demon from the underworld did sound frightening.

Tsunade and Mikoto exchanged a glance but did not ask anything else.

They trusted Chiya’s strength and understood his responsibility as Hokage.

“Take care of yourself.”

Tsunade finally spoke, squeezing his hand tightly.

“We’ll take care of things at home.”

Mikoto also added softly.

Chiya pulled both of them into his arms.

…

The next morning, Chiya made the final arrangements in the Hokage’s office.

“Shikaku, I’ll leave the affairs of the village and the Federation to you. If there is an emergency, you can contact Minato. He’ll be able to find me.”

Chiya gave his instructions to Nara Shikaku.

“Understood, Hokage-sama. Please rest assured.”

Shikaku nodded solemnly.

Chiya then looked at Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Fugaku beside him.

“The village’s security and external vigilance will be entrusted to you.”

“Yes!”

The two answered in unison.

After everything had been arranged, Chiya did not hesitate any longer.

He changed into dark civilian clothes suited for movement and did not wear his Konoha forehead protector.

After all, this trip was to handle a supernatural incident in the Land of Demons in his personal capacity, not as an official diplomatic mission.

He walked to the window of the Hokage’s office and took one final look at Konoha, which had awakened in the morning light and was full of vitality.

Then his figure flickered slightly and silently disappeared from where he stood, like dust blending into the sunlight.

He did not use the grand Flying Thunder God Technique, nor did he alert anyone. Relying on his exquisite control over chakra and speed far beyond that of ordinary people, Chiya transformed into a streak of light that was almost impossible for the naked eye to catch and quietly left Konoha, speeding toward the Land of Demons in the northwest.

His target was very clear.

The shrine maiden of the Land of Demons, Miroku.

And the demon named Mōryō, which was attempting to return from the other world.

As for danger…

Chiya had never considered it.

In the current shinobi world, Chiya himself was the greatest danger of all!