Escape From Konoha

Returning to the shrine again, the air here is clean and clear, giving people a wonderful feeling that can wash away the filth in the soul.

However, in this clean and clear air, there is still a bit of biting coldness.

It was not a chill caused by seasonal weather changes, but a more thorough and profound cold.

There was no one in the empty hall. Shiraishi was the first visitor to come here, and the usual maids and guards had not come yet.

Behind the curtain, Maitreya Miko can be seen clearly sitting there, holding a baby girl who is crying softly in her arms.

As soon as Shiraishi came over, the Maitreya witch over there had already spoken: "Mr. Shiraishi is here very early."

"Because I felt that the atmosphere here has changed a bit, and the nineteen months you mentioned, the production will end this month, so I came over to take a look. It seems to be going very well."

Shiraishi looked at the baby in Maitreya Miko's arms.

That should be Shion, the daughter of Maitreya Miko.

"Mr. Shiraishi should be able to sense it using senjutsu."

Maitreya Miko must have asked such a question.

Shiraishi nodded, looking serious.

He could feel how weak Maitreya Miko was at this time. On the contrary, the crying baby girl in her arms gave Shiraishi the same feeling as when he faced the Maitreya Miko before, lacking in human aura.

Maitreya Miko's power is being transferred to the baby girl in her arms.

"But is it really okay to transfer power to the next generation in this way, Lord Maitreya?"

Shiraishi asked.

"It doesn't matter. As long as I am still alive, the power of the demons cannot touch the world. If I am no longer here, Ziyuan will continue my work and suppress the demons again."

It sounds really tragically fatalistic.

However, there was no so-called sadness in Maitreya Miko's tone, she just said these words while eating and drinking water.

For a miko, this is probably the so-called fate, a responsibility that the miko must bear.

The evil fate that has been entangled with monsters since ancient times.

After a brief exchange, Shiraishi followed Miroku to the side hall of the shrine.

The side hall is not very far from the main hall. It takes about a minute to walk there. The internal space of the side hall is very wide. There is a circular altar engraved with mysterious runes in the center. In the center of the altar, there is a tightly closed altar. Ancient stone gate.

Purple-black mist penetrated to the outside world like threads through the cracks of the closed ancient stone door.

Even if the seal is flawless, it still cannot stop the erosion of the monsters on the other side of the stone door.

The closer he got to the stone door, the heavier the mental pressure Shiraishi endured. The purple-black mist was like some kind of poison targeting humans. If he hadn't used the magical chakra in his body to fight against it, ordinary ninjas would have been able to fight it at close range. Contact, probably has been deprived of reason by this part of darkness.

"this is……"

Even without Maitreya Miko's explanation, Shiraishi still had some guesses in his mind.

"The altar that seals the sprites. But here is only the soul part of the sprites. The physical body was sealed by me in the ancestral hall of the Swamp Country."

The Country of Swamp is also a neighbor of the Country of Ghosts, but due to its small territory and sparse population, Shiraishi has not included the Country of Swamp in his plans for the time being, because after taking care of the Country of Netherworld and the Country of Bears, the Country of Swamp is just as simple as picking up items. , at your fingertips.

Putting the baby in her arms into the cradle, Maitreya Maiden showed a rare look of kindness on her face.

Shiraishi looked at the position of the stone gate, then looked at Maitreya and the baby girl who slowly stopped crying in the cradle, and narrowed his eyes slightly.

This was not the first time he had come into contact with the power of monsters.

Nineteen months ago, he already felt that something was fishy.

Now that I'm using magic to sense things at close range, I feel that things are not as simple as I thought.

The powers of the demon and the witch Maitreya are too similar.

It's just that the properties displayed are completely opposite.

The power of the witch gives people a feeling of being supreme and inviolable.

The power of monsters is more like a collection of all the dark and dirty parts of human hearts.

This kind of power is not just for ninjas, but for the human race.

Thinking deeper, maybe it is the sins of human beings that create monsters like monsters.

"Lord Maitreya, I would like to confirm how long the seal here can continue to suppress the monsters?"

Shiraishi looked at the ancient stone door in the altar. The power of Maitreya Witch remained on it, but the aura was very weak. If this continued, it would only be a matter of time before the seal was opened.

Therefore, Shiraishi must be prepared before the demons break through the seal, lest something unexpected happens and it is too late to stop the demons and cause chaos in the land of ghosts.

According to the intelligence collected by Shiraishi, the last time the demons caused chaos, it not only caused unrest in the Kingdom of Ghosts, but also affected many surrounding countries.

Shiraishi did not want the Kingdom of Demons, which was finally built, to be ravaged by monsters.

Moreover, the place where the demon's soul is sealed is in the hinterland of the Kingdom of Ghosts. When the demon escapes, the disaster it will cause is immeasurable.

Maitreya hesitated and replied: "With my current strength, I can probably suppress the monsters for another five to ten years."

Five to ten years? That said, this is an uncertain time.

This is not a good thing for Shiraishi.

"Then I'll let people from the Uzumaki Clan come over to strengthen the seal of the monster and extend his escape date."

The next five to ten years will be an important development period for the kingdom of ghosts. Even if the monster wants to get out of trouble, he must fight if he is fully prepared.

"No, the sealing technique of human beings is invalid for sprites."

Maitreya Miko shook her head, and said calmly to Shiraishi.

Bai Shi raised his eyebrows, and stepped forward to approach the ancient stone door with some disbelief. He pressed his palm lightly on the stone door, and the magic chakra began to circulate in his body, covering the ancient stone door in the form of magic.

However, what makes Baishi strange is that the ancient stone door is indeed covered with Maitreya's sealing spell and another layer of sealing spell, but the purple-black mist has not been reduced by the double sealing technique.

This also means that the sealing technique Shiraishi used just now is completely ineffective against monsters.

"It's really strange that the four-image sealing technique used to suppress demons is completely useless."

Obviously this sealing technique has a powerful binding effect on monsters like Zero Tails, but why doesn't it have any effect on monsters that are also monsters?

Shiraishi frowned, thinking about the answer to this question.

"The sprite is not an ordinary monster. It is a special monster naturally formed by mixing all the darkness in human hearts with chakra. The only way to deal with it is to turn yourself into the opposite 'matter' of the sprite. To restrain the demon’s actions.”

Maitreya Miko explained.

"Can't it be solved from the root cause?"

"Theoretically, it can be solved from the root cause, which is to eliminate all human desires, and the monster will naturally disappear. Otherwise, if you kill it once, future human desires will be intertwined again due to various causes and conditions. Fusion with chakra creates a new 'monster'."

The darkness that resides deep in the human heart is the source of the existence of monsters.

Hearing Maitreya Miko's answer, Shiraishi sighed and confirmed some of his guesses.

"The reason why we shrine maidens do not kill the sprites, but use the method of sealing them, is because after the sprites die once, they will be reborn randomly in a corner of the ninja world. It is more troublesome to find them, and the sprites' wisdom requires a lot of effort. It is far beyond ordinary people, and it will be very troublesome if it is allowed to lie dormant and grow."

Maitreya Miko continued to talk about the miko's past.

Therefore, instead of killing the monster, choosing to seal it and suppress it is the best way for witches in the past to deal with it.

Otherwise, if the monster is randomly resurrected somewhere in the ninja world and lies dormant for hundreds of years, I am afraid that the power of the miko will not be able to pose a threat to it.

"The fate of a witch is really heavy."

"It becomes like this if you get used to it. In fact, Mr. Shiraishi also has the potential to become a 'miko'."

"?"

Bai Shi's mouth twitched, not knowing how to answer.

"As long as Mr. Shiraishi is willing to abandon human selfishness, he will have the power to restrain monsters. However, this kind of thing is probably not what Mr. Shiraishi wants to see. Mr. Shiraishi has more desires in his heart than many people."

Shiraishi remained silent, acquiescing to Maitreya Miko's point of view.

"Of course, more desires does not mean evil. Using justice and evil to distinguish all things in the world is itself narrow-minded. Therefore, even if the monsters wipe out humans one day, the problem will definitely appear on humans themselves. Create this part The most fundamental cause of darkness is the countless wars that humans have fought over the past thousands of years. Every time a war breaks out, it is when the power of monsters is strongest."

"Does Miroku-dono hate ninjas?"

"Of course, including the Six Paths Sage who established the Ninja Sect, he is also one of the most disliked people by shrine maidens in the past. Blind trust in humans has caused chakra, a power derived from natural energy mutations, to spread among humans. This led to the birth of monsters like monsters that can destroy human civilization, and imposed many unnecessary tasks on witches. Including the people of this country, they always impose many unnecessary responsibilities on witches."

When Maitreya Witch walked to the ancient stone gate, she seemed to be narrating to Shiraishi, and she also seemed to be narrating her thoughts to the monsters on the other side of the stone gate.

"If it weren't for this mission, I could probably become an ordinary girl and have the happiness of 'freedom'."

However, there were only spine-chilling sneers and mocking sounds coming from behind the stone gate.

"Sorry, Mr. Shiraishi, I seem to be complaining a little too much."

An apologetic smile appeared on Maitreya Miko's face.

"It doesn't matter. You are right. Human beings always impose their will on others, including me. At least you are more like a human being like this, right?"

Maitreya Miko nodded.

Even a miko has seven emotions and six desires, but because she needs to practice special powers, she usually hides them cleverly.

Occasionally, I will willfully complain about life, release the pressure and burden in my heart, and keep accumulating negative emotions in my heart. When it breaks out, I might become another monster.

Thinking of this, Shiraishi thought that Miroku Maitreya would often talk to herself here to relieve stress when she was alone, right?

"Mr. Shiraishi, I think you are thinking of something rude."

Maitreya Miko looked directly at Shiraishi as if she had seen through his heart.

"No, I just admire the witches of the past generations in the Kingdom of Ghosts, who are so loyal and dedicated to protecting human beings."

"Protect? Rather than protecting, it's more of an obsession left behind by the first generation of shrine maidens."

"Obsession?"

"Yes." Maitreya Miko looked at her daughter Shion in the cradle in love, and smiled at Shiraishi: "Maybe all the miko of the Demon Kingdom are actually the same person. After all, something like chakra can give oneself The amazing power of consciousness.”

◎

After staying in the shrine for less than an hour, Shiraishi walked out.

Halfway up the mountain, Shiraishi raised his head and looked at the shrine, which was far away from the earthly fireworks.

Before leaving the shrine, Shiraishi also received an affirmative answer from Maitreya Miko.

She will arrange for You Country, there is no need to deliberately arrange there. When the time is right, You Country will become a vassal of Ghost Country.

And the second thing...

Baishi looked at the purple scroll in his hand, and sighed in his heart.

He really doesn't want to become a 'miko'.

In this scroll, it is recorded that the priestess' practice needs.

It is a cultivation system that is very different from the current chakra and fairy art systems.

It can be used to suppress all kinds of monsters, and even tailed beasts can be easily sealed after mastering the spells recorded in the scroll.

However, the cost of performing spells is also very heavy.

That is to break away from the system of "human beings" and turn into a special kind of "substance" to exist in the world.

On the surface, it is human, but its essence has become a strange creature similar to sprites.

Although it is indeed tempting to easily suppress the power of tailed beasts, the disadvantage is that the threat to humans is reduced.

That is, the special attack power against monsters, tailed beasts, and alien creatures.

At the same time, we must ensure that our soul is clean and cannot have too much filth, otherwise our strength will be weakened...

Thinking of Ruri and Ayane, Shiraishi felt that the miko's training system was too difficult for him.

Shiraishi looked at the sky. There was still some time before dark, and the research on tailed beasts and zero-tails would continue.

Therefore, he carefully put away the scroll given by Maitreya Miko. Although he could not practice it, there were some cultivation methods. Shiraishi felt that he could find another way to use them in senjutsu to enhance the effect of sealing and sensing ninjutsu.

On the way to the research institute, before entering the institute to work, Ayane walked towards her.

"Shiraishi-kun, there is an important piece of information coming from Konoha."

"Important information? Is there any new action from Yunyin's side?"

If there is any important information coming from Konoha, based on the existing intelligence system, the conclusion Shiraishi can draw is that it is related to Kumogakure's movements.

"It has nothing to do with Kumogakure. They probably don't want to fight Konoha for the time being. They are just harassing the border of Fire Country and fighting Konoha's border ninja troops back and forth. The important information I mentioned, It’s Kushina Uzumaki, the Nine-Tailed Jinchuuriki, who is pregnant.”

Ayane shook her head and told Shiraishi the information she had obtained.

"The Kyuubi Jinchuuriki is pregnant?"

Shiraishi narrowed his eyes. As Ayane said, this is indeed an important piece of information.

◎

Konoha.

In a certain conference room in the Hokage Building, a total of five people attended this important meeting.

The Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato.

The former Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Shimura Danzo, the semi-suspended root leader.

As well as two high-level consultants, Mito Kadeni and Kaden Koharu.

Uzumaki Kushina's pregnancy is not a trivial matter to be taken lightly, and it will not be related to the survival of Konoha, but it must not be taken lightly.

Uzumaki Kushina is not only the wife of the Fourth Hokage Minato, but also an extremely important Jinchuuriki in Konoha. The strongest tailed beast Nine Tails is sealed in her body.

This means that Uzumaki Kushina's pregnancy is not just her personal matter, but a major event in Konoha as a whole, and must be taken seriously.

At this time, both the retired Third Hokage Hiruzen and the advisors all put aside their own prejudices.

Their meeting this time had only one topic, and that was how to ensure that Uzumaki Kushina gave birth smoothly during childbirth, and then protect her personal safety.

"Kushina has encountered two major crises in the past. One was when she was almost abducted by Kumogakure's spy, but luckily she was stopped by Minato. The other time was the defection that happened five years ago. Controlled by Uchiha Ruri using the Sharingan, it caused huge damage to the northeastern region of Konoha and the Death Forest."

Turning to bed Xiaochun narrated, proving that she was also very concerned about the pregnancy of Nine-Tails Jinchuriki Uzumaki Kushina.

"The internal rebellion was not anticipated at the time, and the Ninja World War involved most of Konoha's energy, which gave those people an opportunity to take advantage of it. But it also means that even within Konoha, it is not absolutely safe. .I think that the protection of Jiu Xinnai can be raised to another level."

Mito Menyan nodded and expressed his opinion.

"About this matter, the Third Generation has communicated with me in advance and decided to send two more ANBU personnel. I also decided that Hatake Kakashi will lead a class of ANBU to protect Kushina. . In addition, Kushina originally had two squads of ANBU guards, and these added up to a total of twenty ANBU ninjas for protection. To be on the safe side, I also placed a special flying thunder god kunai next to Kushina."

Minato gave a brief overview of Kushina's security situation at the moment.

There are so many ANBU ninjas, more than half of them are Jōnin. The abilities involved in these ANBU ninjas cover the fields of perception, ninjutsu, taijutsu, illusions, secret techniques, medical ninjutsu, sealing techniques, barrier techniques, etc.

In addition to the Flying Thunder God Kunai he left behind, as long as Chakra is input into Kunai, he can perceive it through ninjutsu, and he can go to support it anytime and anywhere.

Regarding Minato's arrangement, Midai Hirizhan and the others nodded in agreement.

Indeed, even the Hokage cannot enjoy this level of protection. No matter what enemy is encountered, it cannot be breached immediately.

Considering Kushina's importance to Konoha, it is reasonable to have this level of protective power.

As Minato and others discussed, the protection system around Kushina was gradually improved to ensure that even if any problems occurred to Kushina herself, it would be able to support the arrival of reinforcements.

Both Minato and Hiruzen understand the importance of Kushina.

The human resources of ANBU, in a silent tacit understanding, all began to tilt toward Kushina.

During the pregnancy and until the time of delivery, the Anbu's concentrated power to protect Kushina would only become stronger and stronger.

This also means that Konoha's power will further shrink in the village, and the Jonin will also try to reduce the time spent on missions to strengthen the village's defense capabilities.

"Not only that, the Jinchuuriki must cut off contact with the Uchiha clan before giving birth successfully."

Danzo, who had been silent at the side, suddenly said these words.

Seeing the four people looking over, Danzo expressed his opinion without any hesitation: "Uzumaki Kushina and Uchiha Mikoto of the Uchiha clan have a close relationship. The Uchiha people cannot believe it. If they are raped by the Uchiha people, Mastering the birth period of the Nine-Tails Jinchuuriki may lead to catastrophe."

Danzo's words were not groundless.

The defection incident that night five years ago and the huge losses it caused to Konoha are still vivid in their minds and are remembered by everyone.

Uchiha ninjas can use Sharingan to control tailed beasts. Such things must be prevented from happening and cut off from the root.

After all, the defection happened that night, and Kushina's jinchuriki identity could no longer be concealed and was exposed to many people.

Even if a gag order is issued, with the power of the Uchiha clan, it is not difficult to find out.

"What Danzo said makes sense. Uchiha Madara back then and Uchiha Ruri a few years ago, they were able to control tailed beasts with Sharingan. For Kushina's safety, let her endure it for a while. Female Jinchuuriki During childbirth, the seal is at its weakest, so all potential dangers must be eliminated.”

After moving to bed, Koharu and Mito Kaden agreed with Danzo's proposal.

After thinking for a while, Minato and Hiruzen nodded in agreement.

Extraordinary times are also treated with extreme measures. The most important task at present is to ensure the safety of Kushina. Not only the Uchiha clan, but also other unnecessary interpersonal contacts must also be subject to certain restrictions during this period.

In short, the only people who knew about Kushina's pregnancy and the approximate date of delivery, other than high-level officials like them, were the ANBU ninjas involved in the mission.

After the meeting, the five people left one after another.

Minato came to the rooftop of the building, looking at the street view of Konoha, as if he wanted to let go of all the worries in his heart.

Not long after, Kakashi appeared not far behind Minato in the form of an ANBU ninja.

"Hokage-sama."

"As promised before, Kushina's safety is entrusted to you, Kakashi."

Minato turned around with a serious face and said solemnly to Kakashi.

Kakashi was his most trusted subordinate and only let Hiruzen's direct ANBU protect Kushina. Minato was not particularly reassured.

This is not because he is afraid that Hiruzen will be detrimental to Kushina. On the matter of protecting Kushina, he and the Third Hokage have a firm stance.

Any dangerous person who harms Kushina will be eliminated without mercy.

He made Kakashi, his most trustworthy subordinate, responsible for Kushina's safety, not only for the safety of Konoha, but also because he wanted to fulfill his duties as a husband to his wife.

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

"Go ahead."

Kakashi nodded and disappeared from the place.

Although Minato trusted him, Kakashi knew that he was not the kind of person that Minato expected.

Sometimes, he was also very grateful for Minato's unquestioning trust, and would fall into confusion and distress between his identity as a spy and a Konoha ninja.

However, every time I think of that man, holding the White Fang dagger that once made great contributions to Konoha, he ended his short life in an extremely shameful way...

Kakashi knew that the path he wanted to take and the path Konoha wanted to take were two parallel lines that had nothing to do with each other.

revenge!