The palace doors and walls were etched with eerie, monstrous designs that could send a shiver down one's spine. Though grand, the palace exuded a chilling aura. Rock Lee, unaccustomed to such sights, immediately quieted, the muscles beneath his black robe tensing, ready to strike at any moment.
Naruto studied the palace, far more magnificent and imposing than the Hokage's tower, and couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder. Even a small nation like this possessed a wealth-gathering capability that surpassed Konoha's. No, to be precise, it was religiously-oriented nations that possessed such terrifying financial power.
Naruto had learned about materialism and idealism from his knowledge of the modern world. The technologically advanced world he knew was a prime example of materialism. The fundamental viewpoint of materialism was the acknowledgment that the essence of the world is matter; that matter precedes consciousness, matter determines consciousness, and consciousness is a reflection of matter. In that world, humanity revered science and disbelieved in the existence of ghosts and spirits, attributing all unknown, bizarre phenomena to theology.
Idealism, on the other hand, was represented by religion. Consciousness determined all things, thereby giving rise to gods, demons, and other entities that people in a technological world would deem ethereal. And religion, undoubtedly, was exceptionally potent at accumulating wealth. Devout followers regarded their faith as everything and were willing to sacrifice anything for it—including their bodies and their money. It wasn't like ninja villages, which implemented strict taxation systems to achieve a balance.
Naruto had little interest in such matters; he was more concerned with the priestess's abilities. It was said that priestesses possessed the power to foresee the future. He wondered if she could see through to his own.
Passing through corridor after corridor, they soon arrived at the main hall. The three of them were still clad in their large, black robes, exuding an air of mystery.
At the far end of the hall, upon a throne, a white-haired priestess slowly rose. Her voice was noble and inviolable. "Welcome to the Land of Demons."
"I am the current priestess, Shion."
Observing Shion's rather haughty demeanor, she seemed less like a figure of authority and more like a fledgling swan, still wet behind the ears, yet putting on airs of nobility.
"We are ninja from Konoha's Root. My name is Shinigami. These are our companions, Sage and Insect Queen," Naruto introduced them in turn.
"Konoha is vast and abundant, a renowned and powerful ninja village in the world. Surely you wouldn't go so far as to conceal even your true names?" Shion's lovely eyebrows furrowed, her expression tinged with displeasure.
"Root is Konoha's most formidable division. We traditionally do not reveal our true identities. Please forgive us," Naruto's voice was magnetic, his tone gentle. Though his face was covered, one could guess that a handsome man lay beneath the mask.
Shion didn't dwell on it, nodding coolly.
After simple introductions, Shion began to relay the more detailed contents of the mission to Naruto's team.
"The reason we've requested aid from Konoha this time is because a traitor from our Land of Demons has undone Moryo's seal, allowing it to possess their body and thereby gain immense power. With Moryo's resurrection, the spectral legion it created has also revived."
"Before long, they will launch a fierce offensive against the Land of Demons. I need your help to defend against the demonic beasts' attack. I will then seal Moryo," Shion stated, her face devoid of expression.
Generations of priestesses had needed to use their lives to seal Moryo. This meant Shion was already prepared to meet her death, even at her prime, before even experiencing the passions between men and women. Her eyes calmly conveyed this resolve.
"This differs from the initial mission details we received. The report only mentioned sensing Moryo's unusual activity, not that the seal had already been broken," Naruto inquired, puzzled.
"Information becomes outdated. Besides, it was your Root ninja who first contacted us. Not many days after your ninja departed, Moryo revived. Surely you're not thinking of canceling the mission now? Konoha has a very high reputation; you wouldn't do such a thing, would you?" Faced with the question, Shion frowned slightly, suppressing her anger as she spoke.
The previous priestess, Miroku, had sealed Moryo in two locations: the underground palace of the Land of Demons and a shrine in the neighboring Land of Swamps. But now, Moryo had revived, along with its army, and was poised to attack the Land of Demons.
For ordinary ninja, this crisis would undoubtedly be fatal. Shion had already ordered her subordinates to issue mission requests to other ninja villages as well. They needed help from various nations. If Moryo breached the Land of Demons, the continent would suffer devastation, just as it had in the past. A measure of unease settled in her heart, afraid that Naruto might simply turn around and leave. After all, Konoha was the most powerful ninja village in the world.
However, to her surprise, Naruto's team seemed focused on the ghosts.
"Awesome! I've never fought ghosts before! I wonder if they can withstand my Konoha Root Great Whirlwind!" Rock Lee exclaimed, full of enthusiasm.
"Ghosts? Do they have bodies? Can their tissue be collected? Or perhaps capturing one for research wouldn't be bad either," Aburame Neri's eyes lit up, the insects within her body dancing with excitement.
"A spectral legion? Another manifestation of souls, perhaps. It seems the Land of Demons has some connection to the Pure Land," Naruto chuckled softly, his eyes filled with anticipation and excitement. "Rest assured, Priestess Shion, we will protect you."
He looked at Shion with calm composure, elegantly extending his hand. "A pleasure to work with you."
Hearing this, Shion let out a sigh of relief. She lifted her proud, porcelain neck and extended a delicate hand, her fingers brushing Naruto's warm palm like a dragonfly skimming water.
Still quite haughty, like a willful child, Naruto mused with a light laugh, unconcerned.
"Priestess Shion, I have a few questions, if I may," Naruto asked politely.
After receiving Shion's nod, he continued, "What are your views on souls and the Pure Land?"
"Why do you ask that?" Hearing this, Shion's expression instantly turned cold.
"Just curious."
"I advise you not to delve too deeply into such matters. It won't be good for you," Shion's tone hardened considerably, but she still shared what she knew with Naruto. "After death, souls journey to the Pure Land. It is a barren land suffused with the aura of death. Any human who enters the Pure Land by any means cannot leave. Moryo… can be considered a soul tainted by the Pure Land's aura."
"It possesses immense power and terrifying negative emotions. Ordinary people who see it will have their deepest fears awakened."
"Then, may I ask, how does one enter the Pure Land?" Naruto inquired.
"Ordinary humans who enter the Pure Land will be instantly corrupted and lose their lives," Shion's eyes narrowed. She clearly hadn't expected anyone to actually attempt to enter the Pure Land. It was undoubtedly suicide. "For humans, the Pure Land is not a place to be coveted. It is fraught with danger."
"Consider it from another angle: what happens when humans enter a place inhabited by souls? I believe the consequences are self-evident. I urge you to abandon any thoughts of entering the Pure Land." She gave Naruto a deep look, her voice cold.
Seeing this, Naruto didn't press further. There was plenty of time, anyway. From Shion's reaction, she likely knew a way to enter the Pure Land. For ordinary humans, it was a forbidden zone. But for Naruto, who possessed Reiatsu, the Pure Land was a place where his power could advance by leaps and bounds.
"The spectral army will likely attack in three days. During this time, please rest here. You only need to protect me until we reach the sealing grounds. I will use my power to eliminate Moryo; you do not need to fight Moryo face-to-face," Shion stated, her expression unreadable.
"Huh?! We can't fight Moryo? What a shame!" Rock Lee lamented, holding his forehead in disappointment.
"Then I'll observe from the sidelines. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to collect some tissue samples… Hmm, Moryo should be considered an undead spirit, right? It probably doesn't have body tissue. What then? I don't think I have a container for souls either… Maybe I should… find a way to collect the priestess's tissue," Aburame Neri mused, her face blank and eyes calm, though her mind was racing.
"We're all quite interested in Moryo. Don't worry, we won't interfere with your sealing of it," Naruto chuckled, his voice brimming with confidence.
"I advise against it. Moryo is not something you ninja can handle. It is not human," Shion shook her head, a hint of disdain in her voice. During Moryo's last rampage, some ninja had foolishly attempted to challenge it, with tragic consequences.
"Suit yourselves. If you're not afraid to die, then do as you please," Shion nodded coolly and turned, walking towards the back of the main hall. "I'm tired. You should rest up. A fierce battle awaits."
Watching Shion's graceful figure disappear from sight, Naruto, his face still hidden by the mask, maintained his gentle smile as he looked at Rock Lee and Aburame Neri. "Let's go."
Under a guard's escort, they were shown to their temporary quarters. Naruto and Rock Lee shared a room.
Rock Lee, bare-chested with his hands wrapped in bandages, was diligently doing push-ups. Naruto leaned against the wall, gazing out the window at the ancient, quaint architecture, his eyes profound, as if deep in thought.
"One thousand two hundred thirty-one, one thousand two hundred thirty-two…" Rock Lee paused his exercise, looked curiously at Naruto, and asked straightforwardly, "Naruto, what are you thinking about?"
"I'm thinking about how to enter the Pure Land," Naruto replied nonchalantly.
"Enter the Pure Land?? Naruto, why would you want to enter the Pure Land? Didn't you hear what Priestess Shion said? Humans die if they enter the Pure Land!" Rock Lee exclaimed, perplexed.
"Because the Pure Land holds great significance for me," Naruto said, his gaze fixed on the buildings outside the window as his mind worked on how to make Shion lower her guard around him.
Late that night.
Shion lay on her bed, covered by a thin blanket. Her brow was furrowed, her well-defined figure rising and falling with her breaths, and fine beads of sweat dotted her forehead.
In a cavern suffused with red light, a group of cultists knelt in worship. An aura of death constantly wafted out, bypassing the crowd and coiling above the lava within the cave.
A black shadow ripped open a cultist's chest. An ominous presence surged forth.
At this, Shion writhed in pain, her body drenched in a fragrant sweat.
Patap. Suddenly, the crisp sound of footsteps echoed. A tall figure stood before the black shadow.
"Kneel, vile creature," an ethereal voice commanded.
The figure slowly turned.
Through a mask, Shion saw a pair of deep, cold blue eyes, circulating with a white light. These were eyes that did not belong to the ninja world. These were eyes that made her tremble.
Bang!! The entire world suddenly collapsed, her consciousness plummeting into what felt like an endless abyss. Fear and panic enveloped Shion.
"Those eyes… that aura!"
"Who is he? And what is his connection to the Pure Land?"
Shion awoke with a start, sitting bolt upright, only to find her back drenched in sweat. She screamed, "Prophecy!!!"