Chapter 99: Perilous Situation
Yukie boarded the carriage prepared by the other party, while Naruko didn't ride along this time but instead followed closely beside the carriage on foot in her capacity as a bodyguard.
Throughout the journey, Naruko carefully observed this nation.
Completely different from Konoha, there were almost no patrolling shinobi like ANBU here—only institutions similar to guard stations at a few specific locations.
She couldn't help striking up conversation with that divine envoy. "Your place here... seems very peaceful?"
The man sitting in the carriage smiled slightly upon hearing this and said devoutly, "Under the Divine Lord's will, all darkness has nowhere to hide. This nation needs no excess surveillance."
Naruko followed up, "Your Divine Lord... what kind of person is he?"
This question seemed to trigger some switch. The man's expression suddenly changed dramatically, fanatical light bursting from his eyes as his voice abruptly rose:
"The Divine Lord is the light of revelation, the true god walking among mortals!"
"With one thought he can melt ice and snow, with one word he can revive all things!"
"He is the supreme, the strongest, the most benevolent existence—all who violate his will shall turn to dust under divine punishment!"
"Everything we have belongs to the Divine Lord. Our breath, our lives—all exist only through his grace!"
...
He grew more excited as he spoke, as if merely describing the deity's deeds was already the highest honor.
Naruko listened somewhat dazedly from the side.
Over these years, she'd certainly executed missions to eradicate illegal cults, yet this was her first time witnessing such fanatical faith—what shocked her even more was that she could clearly feel every word from this man came from the heart.
This was simply incredible.
Based on past experience, such organizations mostly exploited people's emptiness, using illusory deities' names to control believers, accumulate wealth, and indulge in lust.
Especially the upper echelons of such organizations—often more clear-headed than anyone, always absconding with funds before the scam was exposed.
In the end, only some awakened believers would sadly admit being deceived, while others deeply deluded would still stubbornly believe their god had only temporarily departed...
Naruko didn't continue the conversation.
She knew very well that asking further would likely trigger him to start endlessly preaching supposed miracles and urging her to join.
The convoy passed through the final snow-covered street and slowly stopped before an imposing building.
Rather than a temple, it was more like an extremely luxurious palace.
The gilded dome glowed brilliantly under snow-reflected light. Giant white jade pillars supported continuous halls, every inch of eaves adorned with elaborate inlays and patterns.
Glazed tiles for roofing, luminous pearls for lamps—even the stone steps before the entrance seemed built from whole blocks of warm black jade, silently proclaiming its owner's undisguised wealth and authority.
The carriage slowly came to a stop.
That divine envoy respectfully opened the carriage door to help Yukie dismount, then turned to the two women, tone mixing apology with devotion:
"Within the divine sanctuary, all males are forbidden entry. For the path ahead, I can only ask the two ladies to proceed on your own."
He bowed slightly, pointing toward the palace depths. "The Divine Lord... awaits you both in the main hall on the highest level."
Yukie gazed up at the resplendent palace before her, unease quietly rising in her heart.
This had far exceeded the scope of "wealthy"—even great nation monarchs or the wealthiest daimyos wouldn't dare such extravagant ostentation.
Naruko likewise felt this nation and this so-called "Divine Lord" were strange everywhere.
She wanted to see with her own eyes what kind of deception—or power—could firmly control an entire nation in one's palm.
She turned to Yukie beside her and showed a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. Let's go—I'm here."
Yukie looked at Naruko's composed profile and inexplicably developed a sense of reliance on this girl several years younger than herself.
She nodded gently and said quietly, "...Mm."
The two climbed step by step up the stairs to the palace's highest level.
Heavy doors opened without wind, revealing an extremely extravagant hall.
Seven or eight young women from the Land of Snow stood attendance on both sides, wearing thin white gauze that left their curves faintly visible.
And upon the central throne, a bare-chested man with bulging muscles looked down from on high.
He spoke with a low chuckle, voice deep yet carrying undisguised possessiveness:
"Welcome to my domain, two beautiful ladies."
Naruko unconsciously furrowed her brow tightly.
This man gave her an extremely dangerous feeling—his gaze seemed able to strip a person bare, full of primitive desire.
What shocked her even more was that Little Kurama inside her was restless under this pressure, urgently warning in her consciousness:
"Naruko... this guy is seriously wrong!"
Beside her, Yukie quickly put on a professional smile and bowed slightly. "You're too kind."
But Naruko had no reaction, only standing silently in place, gaze sharply fixed on the man on the throne, body fully alert.
The man nodded with an ambiguous smile, voice low and slow. "Having traveled from afar, I've specially prepared a feast..."
Before finishing, Naruko suddenly grabbed Yukie's wrist and tried activating Flying Thunder God—only to realize with shock she couldn't sense the mark left in her Konoha home at all!
How is this possible?!
The man on the throne released a low sigh that seemed both regretful and mocking. "I'd planned to sincerely invite you... but since that's how it is..."
He'd long noticed Naruko's wariness. From the moment they'd entered the palace, he'd quietly used his ability to interfere with all chakra flow in the surroundings.
The man's finger lifted slightly, and Yukie beside them was instantly bound by invisible force, unable to move.
Yet Naruko relied on keen danger instinct to suddenly dodge sideways, narrowly avoiding it.
The man raised an eyebrow, a trace of interest passing through his eyes. "Not bad, little girl... I'm finding you more and more to my liking." He chuckled lowly, like toying with a netted butterfly. "Keep struggling—let me see how many more surprises you can bring."
A burning desire to conquer surged in his heart. Having only obedient women around was truly boring—occasionally he should taste such spirited flavor.
He deliberately restrained his power, watching with interest as Naruko dodged again and again.
Naruko gritted her teeth attempting counterattacks, but all ninjutsu were futile before him.
The Rasengan she'd just condensed suddenly collapsed before being thrown, chakra snuffed out as if by invisible hands.
If she'd ever seen Yu fight, perhaps she'd realize now—how similar these two men's powers were.
Long-absent crisis surged in Naruko's heart.
How did I encounter such a monster... what should I do?
Flying Thunder God ineffective, ninjutsu ineffective, even her struggles controlled at his fingertips. Yukie trapped to the side, while she herself couldn't even get close.
Now, who could come...?
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