By the time the campfire was lit, night had completely fallen.
Kiyohara sat beside the fire, a thin branch in his hand as he gently poked at the burning logs.
Tsunade leaned against the tree beside him, her long legs stretched out casually.
The flickering firelight illuminated her beautiful profile.
She held a sake flask in one hand, raising it to her lips every so often for another drink. A few drops escaped the corner of her mouth, slid down her chin, and dripped onto the collar of her clothes, leaving behind a small dark stain.
"Here."
Kurenai lifted a freshly grilled fish from above the fire and handed it to Kiyohara.
The fish skin had been roasted to a crisp golden brown. Steam rose from the flesh, carrying with it a pleasant smoky aroma.
Kiyohara accepted it and took a bite.
The meat was tender and surprisingly delicious.
"You should eat too."
He nodded to Kurenai.
She smiled before taking another grilled fish from the fire and offering it to Tsunade.
"Lady Tsunade."
Tsunade slowly opened her eyes and accepted it.
She took a bite and chewed thoughtfully.
"Hmm. Not bad."
She glanced at Kiyohara.
"But it's still not as good as what you make."
Kiyohara chuckled.
"As long as Sensei likes it."
Shizune sat across the fire with Tonton resting comfortably in her arms.
She ate her fish one small bite at a time, occasionally lowering her head to look at the little pig nestled against her.
"Shizune, aren't you eating?"
Kurenai asked.
"I am."
Shizune looked up.
"I'm just eating a little slower."
Not long afterward, Kiyohara finished his fish and tossed the bones into the fire.
As the evening grew later, he noticed that the wind had become much stronger.
"It doesn't seem like a good night for pitching tents."
He looked toward the campsite.
The tents were flapping violently in the wind.
The ropes holding them down had been stretched completely taut, and several of the stakes had already begun loosening from the ground.
Camping in the wilderness always meant preparing for unexpected situations.
Sometimes it was fierce winds.
Sometimes it was torrential rain.
Seeing the situation, Kiyohara formed a series of hand seals before pressing one hand against the ground.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall."
The ground trembled.
Massive earthen walls slowly rose from the surrounding earth.
They formed a square enclosure around the tents, shielding them completely from the howling winds.
The gusts slammed against the walls, producing deep muffled groans, but not a single breath of wind managed to enter anymore.
"That's actually pretty useful."
Still leaning against the tree, Tsunade watched the newly erected walls.
"I might as well make a temporary place to stay."
Kiyohara took out several pieces of white clay and began shaping them with practiced hands.
He had to admit that this clay was incredibly convenient.
Once chakra was infused into it, it would rapidly expand while remaining remarkably sturdy.
Within moments, a small house appeared in the clearing.
The entire structure was made from smooth white clay.
There was even an intricately molded doorknob attached to the front door.
Kiyohara pushed the door open.
The interior was completely empty, but it was spacious enough for all of them to rest comfortably.
"This is..."
Shizune walked over curiously, examining the little house from every angle.
"Earth Release: Four Pillar House Technique."
Kiyohara dusted off his hands.
After all, clay could still be considered part of Earth Release.
Tsunade's expression became somewhat strange.
The name reminded her of her grandfather 's Wood Release: Four Pillar House Technique.
The only real difference was that one house was made of white clay, while the other was made from wood.
"Sensei?"
Tsunade snapped back to reality.
"It's nothing."
She stepped inside.
The room was surprisingly spacious.
The floor was paved with smooth clay, and every step felt firm and solid beneath her feet.
Kiyohara then opened one of his sealing scrolls and began taking things out one after another.
Foldable beds.
Blankets.
A low table.
A complete tea set.
Item after item was neatly arranged inside the room.
In the blink of an eye, the previously empty clay house had become a fully furnished temporary residence.
Ever since becoming wealthy, Kiyohara had upgraded his sealing scrolls.
Thanks to spending a considerable amount of money, the new scrolls were not only much smaller but also possessed enormous storage capacity.
Tsunade sat down on one of the folding beds to test it.
"Hmm. It's actually pretty comfortable."
She looked at Kiyohara.
"You really came prepared."
Kiyohara smiled.
"It's always better to prepare more than you think you'll need when traveling."
Kurenai and Shizune entered as well, each finding a comfortable place to sit.
"We'll rest here tonight."
Kiyohara closed the door.
Afterward, he molded more white clay into several partitions, creating interior walls.
Almost instantly, the single large room became several small bedrooms.
Late at night.
Everything was silent.
Only the occasional wind brushing against the earthen walls produced a faint mournful sound.
Kiyohara lay quietly on his folding bed with his eyes closed.
Suddenly, the door slowly opened by a narrow crack.
A figure quietly slipped inside.
Moonlight streamed through the gap, illuminating her face.
It was Kurenai.
She quietly walked to Kiyohara's bedside and gazed down at him.
She couldn't help noticing how handsome his face looked beneath the silver moonlight.
Biting her lower lip, she bent over and gently poked his cheek with one finger.
"Pretending to be asleep?"
She had the feeling he had already been awake for quite some time.
Kiyohara slowly opened his eyes.
Under the moonlight, his crimson eyes were filled with playful amusement.
"How did you know I wasn't asleep?"
"I guessed."
Kurenai blinked mischievously.
"And even if you had been asleep, I would have woken you up anyway."
Kiyohara quietly looked at her.
Her thin nightgown clung softly to her figure as the moonlight shone from behind, outlining every graceful curve.
Her slender waist.
The smooth flare of her hips.
The fair calves that appeared and disappeared beneath the hem of her dress.
"You're quite bold."
He smiled.
Kurenai carefully climbed onto the bed and slipped beneath his blanket.
Her body was warm and soft, carrying the faint fragrance left behind after bathing.
"If I didn't come..."
she whispered as she buried her face against his shoulder,
"...you would have secretly come looking for me anyway."
She spoke softly.
"The last time we camped together, you came to find me in the middle of the night."
Kiyohara laughed.
"That was for something important."
"Something important?"
Kurenai lifted her head and glared at him.
Her crimson eyes carried a trace of playful reproach.
"What kind of important business has to be handled in the middle of the night?"
Kiyohara looked at her with a faint smile.
"For example..."
"...this."
He reached out and wrapped an arm around her waist.
Kurenai's body stiffened for only a brief moment. Feeling completely content within his embrace, she soon relaxed and allowed herself to melt against him.
"You're awful..."
she muttered quietly.
Then she leaned forward on her own and gently kissed his lips.
Moonlight streamed through the narrow gap in the window, falling softly across the two of them.
The blankets rustled quietly in the stillness of the night.
Outside.
Hidden within the shadows beside the earthen wall stood a silent figure dressed in black.
It was Konan.
Her arms were folded across her chest, and beneath the mask her cool, beautiful face remained expressionless.
Suddenly, she felt a faint vibration beneath her feet.
The trembling gradually became more frequent.
An earthquake?
Or an enemy attack?
Konan's brows drew together slightly as she straightened up and carefully surveyed her surroundings.
As a shinobi, she possessed an instinctive sensitivity toward danger.
She slowly closed her eyes and focused her senses.
The source of the vibrations...
...was inside the house.
More specifically...
Kiyohara's room.
The confusion on Konan's face slowly transformed into realization.
A faint blush gradually spread across her usually composed face.
She quickly turned her head away, took a deep breath, and leaned back against the wall once more.
Although the Land of Rain was filled with endless conflict, with Nagato and Yahiko always by her side, Konan had rarely encountered many of the darker aspects of life.
At the very least...
She had never found herself accidentally eavesdropping on something like this before.
At times like these, having hearing that was too sharp almost felt like a curse.
Had the others really not noticed?
Konan couldn't understand it.
Then she remembered.
Shizune's combat strength was relatively weak. Her true talent lay in medical ninjutsu.
As for Tsunade...
She had drunk herself thoroughly intoxicated and was sleeping deeply.
Left with no other choice, Konan simply closed her eyes and forced herself to empty her thoughts.
Who knew how much time had passed.
Kurenai lay curled up in Kiyohara's embrace, breathing heavily.
Her forehead was covered in sweat.
Several strands of her long hair clung to her damp cheeks.
Her nightgown had disappeared somewhere long ago.
Only a thin blanket remained draped over her body.
She slowly raised her eyes to look at him.
"Kiyohara..."
she whispered softly.
"Hm?"
There was a brief silence.
"I made rice balls."
Kiyohara blinked.
"Rice balls?"
"Mm."
Kurenai sat up from his embrace and walked toward the corner of the room.
She opened her shinobi pouch and carefully took out a small wrapped package.
Carrying it back to the bed, she unfolded the cloth.
Inside were several neatly shaped rice balls wrapped in sheets of seaweed.
"I made them for you."
She handed one to him.
Kiyohara accepted it and took a bite.
The rice was soft and perfectly cooked.
Inside was a pickled plum filling with a pleasantly sweet and sour flavor.
"Not bad."
He nodded in approval.
Kurenai pressed her lips together as her eyes curved into crescent moons with delight.
"Of course."
"I specifically learned how to make them."
She picked one up herself and ate it in small, delicate bites.
Kiyohara quietly watched her.
Under the moonlight, her profile looked especially gentle.
Her long eyelashes cast faint shadows beneath her eyes.
Even the way she ate was graceful, taking tiny bites while her lips puffed out ever so slightly.
"Kurenai."
"Hm?"
"You're going to make an excellent wife someday."
Kurenai froze.
Then, in an instant, her entire face turned bright red.
"W... what are you saying..."
She lowered her head in embarrassment.
Yet no matter how hard she tried, the smile tugging at the corners of her lips simply refused to disappear.
Kiyohara reached out and gently ran his fingers through her soft, wavy hair.
"I'm telling the truth."
Kurenai raised her eyes and looked at him.
Those crimson eyes were filled with warmth and tenderness.
"Then... then you'd better treat me well."
She spoke so softly that it was almost a whisper.
"Of course."
Kiyohara smiled.
Kurenai pursed her lips and quietly snuggled a little closer to him.
....
At the same time.
The Land of Demons.
Deep within the shrine, inside a dimly lit room.
Miroku sat before a low table.
Her chestnut-brown hair cascaded like a waterfall across the wooden floor, the long ends spreading outward in every direction.
She wore the priestess's white robe trimmed with golden embroidery.
Although the robe was loose and flowing, it could not conceal the graceful curves of her figure.
Its fabric was gently pushed outward by her ample chest, outlining a full and elegant silhouette.
Curled peacefully within her embrace was a tiny little girl.
Shion was only around two or three years old.
She wore a miniature version of the same white priestess robe.
Her tiny face was buried against Miroku's chest as she slept soundly.
Both of her little hands clutched tightly onto her mother's sleeve as though she feared Miroku might disappear if she let go.
Miroku lowered her head and looked at her daughter.
Although the child's face was still immature and innocent, traces of the woman she would someday become were already beginning to emerge.
She would become a priestess.
She would inherit Miroku's sacred power.
And...
She would also inherit her destiny.
A quiet sigh escaped Miroku's lips.
She gently brushed aside the strands of hair covering her daughter's forehead, her slender fingers softly tracing the little girl's cheek.
Shion's eyelashes fluttered slightly before she sank into an even deeper sleep.
The candlelight flickered gently.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed from outside the room.
Miroku slowly raised her head.
The door slid open.
A guard immediately knelt on one knee at the entrance.
"High Priestess!"
His voice carried unmistakable urgency.
"We still haven't found His Highness the Daimyo!"
"What happened?"
Miroku frowned and motioned for him to lower his voice.
"I do not know."
The guard immediately spoke more quietly.
"There has been no trace of the Daimyo anywhere within the Land of Demons. He has already been missing for half a month."
Miroku remained silent.
The flickering candlelight made her complexion appear even paler than before.
The situation she had feared most...
Had finally become reality.
Only she and the Daimyo of the Land of Swamps knew the truth about Moryo's seal.
That seal consisted of two separate parts.
One sealed Moryo's soul.
The other sealed Moryo's physical body.
The soul was sealed within the Land of Demons.
The body was sealed within the Land of Swamps.
"I understand."
Miroku slowly waved her hand.
"You may leave. Increase the security throughout the shrine."
"Yes, High Priestess."
The guard bowed respectfully before withdrawing.
The door closed once more.
Silence returned to the room.
Miroku lowered her head again and looked at the sleeping child in her arms.
Shion remained completely unaware of everything happening around her.
She reached into her robes and took out a tiny bell.
Inside the delicate bell rested a crimson gemstone.
A portion of her chakra had been sealed inside that jewel.
Miroku carefully tied the bell around Shion's neck.
She adjusted it gently until it rested perfectly against her daughter's chest.
Perhaps sensing something in her sleep, Shion's tiny fingers moved instinctively and wrapped around the little bell.
Then she drifted back into deep sleep once more.
Miroku quietly gazed at her.
"Shion..."
Another sigh escaped her lips.
As the priestess, her destiny had always been to seal Moryo away, even if it meant sacrificing her own life.
She had known that from the moment she was born.
She had long since accepted that fate.
But Shion...
She was still so young.
If Miroku died...
What would become of her daughter?
If Moryo ever escaped again...
Shion would eventually walk the exact same path.
Generation after generation.
An endless cycle from which no priestess could ever escape.
She gently caressed her daughter's face.
"I'm sorry..."
she whispered quietly.
After a long while...
She slowly lifted her head and looked toward the doorway.
Another guard had arrived, apparently preparing to report something.
"When will those shinobi arrive?"
Miroku asked.
"Reporting to High Priestess."
The guard's voice came from outside.
"Judging by their travel speed, the shinobi from Konoha should arrive first. We've heard that Konoha dispatched two shinobi capable of Space-Time Ninjutsu, allowing them to travel far faster than anyone else."
Miroku nodded slightly.
Space-Time Ninjutsu...
She had heard stories about such techniques.
It was said they could cross vast distances almost instantaneously.
She only hoped...
They would arrive in time.
She lowered her eyes to look at Shion once more.
The little girl was still asleep, her tiny hand continuing to grip the bell tightly.
Miroku carefully laid her daughter upon the bed before pulling a light blanket over her.
Not long afterward, Miroku also returned to her own bed and gradually drifted into sleep.
Then...
She began to dream.
Images suddenly appeared before her eyes.
Miroku immediately realized that her prophetic ability had activated.
She saw...
A man.
Only his hairstyle and general build could be made out.
Everything else remained blurred.
No matter how hard she tried, she could not see him clearly.
Because thick black mist surrounded him from every direction.
The black fog slowly gathered together.
It condensed into the monstrous form of Moryo.
Then...
Without warning...
An enormous golden giant appeared.
The giant slowly raised one hand.
Its massive palm effortlessly seized Moryo within its grasp.
Miroku abruptly opened her eyes.
The dream vanished instantly.
Only the dark night beyond the window remained.
She stood before the window, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
The dream had felt unbelievably real.
That golden giant...
It had subdued Moryo with such overwhelming ease.
"Who..."
Miroku murmured to herself.
She had never seen that man before.
Several days later.
The Land of Demons.
When Kiyohara and his group finally arrived, dawn had only just begun to break.
Morning mist blanketed the ancient kingdom, while distant mountain ranges appeared and disappeared through the drifting fog.
Judging purely from its appearance, the Land of Demons was not a particularly poor nation.
The people living here simply seemed much more traditional than those in other countries.
Kiyohara guided the enormous white dragon directly across the nation's border before locating the massive shrine within the capital.
Boom!
The dragon landed near the shrine.
Kiyohara stepped down first.
Once everyone had disembarked, he dismissed the clay dragon.
Standing before them was an imposing shrine of magnificent scale.
Two orderly rows of guards stood watch outside the entrance.
They wore ancient-looking uniforms, carried bows across their backs, and maintained stern expressions.
Upon seeing Kiyohara's group approach, the captain stepped forward and raised a hand to stop them.
"Halt. Identify yourselves."
Kiyohara stopped.
"We are shinobi from Konoha, answering High Priestess's request for assistance."
He removed a scroll and handed it over.
The guard carefully examined the document.
A moment later, he bowed respectfully.
"My apologies. Please come in."
He stepped aside.
Kiyohara and the others entered the shrine.
"Please wait here."
The guard went inside to announce their arrival.
A short while later, the door opened once again.
"Please, everyone."
Kiyohara stepped into the Japanese-style reception room.
The room was spacious, its floor covered neatly with tatami mats.
At the front of the room hung a long curtain that divided the chamber into two sections.
Beyond the curtain, the faint outline of a woman could be seen sitting gracefully.
Her figure was slender and dignified.
She radiated a natural aura of authority.
"So..."
A calm voice drifted from behind the curtain.
"The shinobi of Konoha."
"Thank you for making such a long journey."
Kiyohara bowed slightly.
"You are too courteous, High Priestess."
Tsunade stood beside him with her arms folded, allowing Kiyohara to conduct the negotiations.
"We've already heard about Moryo."
Kiyohara spoke calmly.
"If we're going to eliminate it, we'll need your assistance."
A moment later...
A fair hand gently lifted the curtain aside.
The curtain slowly opened.
Miroku sat elegantly behind it.
She wore a golden ceremonial crown adorned with delicate hanging beads.
Her white robe embroidered with gold spread gracefully across the tatami mats like the petals of a blooming flower.
Resting quietly in her arms was a tiny little girl.
Curled against her mother, Shion looked curiously at Kiyohara and the others.
Miroku's gaze slowly swept across the visitors.
She looked at Tsunade.
Then at Kurenai.
Then at Shizune.
Finally...
Her eyes stopped on Kiyohara.
She froze.
Her beautiful eyes widened ever so slightly.
This man...
Why did he resemble the man from her dream?
Kiyohara noticed her unusually intense stare and raised an eyebrow.
"High Priestess?"
Miroku snapped back to reality.
Taking a slow breath, she forced herself to suppress the shock in her heart.
"My apologies."
She spoke softly.
"It's just..."
"You seemed strangely familiar."
Kiyohara looked at her.
"Familiar?"
Miroku nodded.
She said nothing more.
Yet despite herself...
Her eyes continued lingering on him.
Tsunade immediately noticed where Miroku's attention remained fixed.
Her brows furrowed slightly.
Without making it obvious, she stepped closer to Kiyohara, subtly blocking Miroku's line of sight.
"High Priestess."
Tsunade finally spoke.
"Perhaps we should discuss the important matters first."
Miroku withdrew her gaze and nodded.
"You're right."
She agreed completely.
"Regarding Moryo, I will explain everything in detail."
"But before that..."
She looked directly at Kiyohara.
"May I know your name?"
Kiyohara met her eyes calmly.
"Kiyohara."
Upon hearing his answer, Miroku slowly nodded.
Watching the exchange, Tsunade frowned even more deeply.
She leaned toward Kiyohara and lowered her voice.
"Kid, do you know her?"
Kiyohara shook his head.
"I don't."
"Then why has she been staring at you this whole time?"
"I don't know."
Tsunade shot him a suspicious glare but chose not to ask any further.
Meanwhile...
Kiyohara had already guessed part of the truth.
Most likely...
The priestess had foreseen something about him through one of her prophecies.
(End of Chapter)