There are too many terracotta soldiers on the field now; the Rasengan only has single-target damage and is useless.
Only the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu is considered a large-scale technique that can restrain these terracotta soldiers.
However, it also consumes a lot of chakra.
"That volcanic entrance encircled by the Shimenawa is the Sealing Shrine."
Miroku was also visiting for the first time.
She only knew about these matters from her mother's words.
The so-called Shimenawa is a straw rope, decorated with oranges, and a string of white paper streamers hanging from it. Intricate sealing formations are carved onto these streamers to strengthen the seal on Mōryō's physical body and stabilize the volcanic lava here.
"You need to get me over there."
The Priestess said.
Minato nodded. This was simple. He just needed to throw a specialized kunai there, and then use the Flying Thunder God Technique to instantly transport the Priestess across.
*Rumble!*
The Land of Demons ninjas saw the Priestess and her group arrive.
Suddenly, a large mass of dark clouds began to gather, with thunder continually roaring inside. It guarded the entrance, and anyone who passed would inevitably be struck by lightning.
"Is that a combined Ninjutsu from the Land of Demons ninjas?"
Kiyoshi thought to himself.
These moves had appeared in the movie, and the final response there was for Neji, Sakura, and Lee to continuously dodge until they ran out of chakra and had to consume those parasitic worms to recover, at which point the Leaf ninjas would jump out and counterattack.
"Minato-sama, let me handle it."
Kiyoshi volunteered.
"In this situation, the Flying Thunder God Technique should be unusable."
"Kiyoshi, how do you plan to do this?"
Minato nodded.
He dismissed the idea of instantly transporting himself with a seal.
He could dodge the lightning through reaction, but he couldn't guarantee that the Priestess on his back wouldn't be injured.
While the speed of a Space-Time Ninjutsu like the Flying Thunder God Technique is enough to be the fastest in the ninja world, its biggest drawback is the need for a marker.
He can only instantly transport himself to a marked location.
This is why he makes many specialized three-pronged kunai—to quickly mark other places for the Flying Thunder God.
However, this is limited by the kunai's speed; he can only instantly transport himself to wherever the kunai is, based on the marker on it.
These dense lightning strikes could very likely shatter the kunai instantly.
His kunai are not made of special chakra metal.
"My ninja sword can conduct lightning. I can rush into that lightning-filled area, but I need your support."
Kiyoshi said flatly.
His sword is very sturdy; he can give it a try.
Kiyoshi then summoned his ninja sword and tied the specialized rubber cord from his ninja pouch to the hilt.
This rubber is not ordinary rubber; it is a raw material used to make ninja tools. After processing, its heat and wear resistance will be excellent, and it is also a good insulator.
He knows the Uchiha Shuriken Manipulation Technique, allowing him to remotely control the ninja sword to catch the electric current and guide it into the ground.
Minato understood his plan based on Kiyoshi's movements, so he nodded solemnly and said:
"I understand, Kiyoshi. We will create an opportunity for you."
Minato called Asuma, Kakashi, and the others for a tactical discussion.
Asuma and Kakashi would clear the way, while Obito would be responsible for luring the clustered terracotta soldiers towards the cliff near the entrance.
Kurenai would use genjutsu to distract the Land of Demons ninjas performing the combined Ninjutsu from the rear.
Rin would treat the wounded.
The other soldiers and guards from the Land of Swamps also followed Asuma and Kakashi to counter the overwhelming numbers of terracotta soldiers.
As for himself, he would take on most of the Land of Demons ninjas.
He would try to reduce the number of ninjas participating in the combined Ninjutsu.
"Then please hop on, Priestess-sama."
Kiyoshi crouched slightly, signaling the Priestess to climb onto his back.
Miroku nodded, hooking her arms around Kiyoshi's neck and wrapping her full, rounded legs around Kiyoshi's waist.
Kiyoshi jumped twice to see if the Priestess would fall off.
"Priestess-sama, please be careful. I will do my utmost to assist you."
Ashisō, the guard beside Miroku, spoke up.
After the journey, he had realized that no matter what the Priestess-sama did, she was the most perfect being in his heart!
"Thank you all."
Miroku nodded.
She had made a mistake, yet these guards were still so loyal.
This made her feel even more ashamed of herself.
"Begin."
With Minato's command, he took the lead to clear the path for Kiyoshi.
He threw out a massive shuriken.
The huge shuriken quickly flew towards the Land of Demons ninjas, transforming mid-air into many tiny, azure shuriken, like dense needles.
Obito also spat out a fireball, causing an explosion. The resulting gust of wind pushed the terracotta soldiers behind onto the cliff, dropping them into the river below.
The Hidden Sand village was the most efficient. They had overheard Minato's plans in the back.
Without interfering with the Hidden Leaf ninjas, they used Wind Release Ninjutsu.
The Wind Release Ninjutsu blew the terracotta soldiers together into groups and then swept those groups off the cliff.
"Be careful, Kiyoshi."
Kurenai worriedly said.
"I know."
Kiyoshi rushed forward with the Priestess on his back, continually using the heads of the terracotta soldiers as leverage to jump.
"Hold on tight yourself."
Kiyoshi pulled out one hand to hold his ninja sword, preparing to conduct the lightning.
Hearing this, the Priestess quickly tightened her grip, clinging to Kiyoshi's back just like Naruto did with Shion.
"Stop them quickly!"
Yomi was furious, ordering the Land of Demons ninjas to hurry and stop Kiyoshi from getting closer.
Mōryō-sama is still inside the cave breaking the seal on his physical body; they must buy time.
"That Hidden Leaf ninja is too fast."
The Land of Demons ninja who had mutated four arms said.
Furthermore, there was another golden-haired ninja continually reducing their numbers, leaving them little energy to stop him.
Seeing this, Yomi prepared to enter the fray himself.
Minato instantly transported himself next to him and said: "Your opponent is me."
With the opportunities created by all sides, Kiyoshi quickly reached the entrance covered by dark clouds and dense lightning.
Every time lightning struck, Kiyoshi would throw out his ninja sword to catch the lightning and guide it into the ground.
After conducting the lightning, he would quickly pull the sword out to block the next strike.
Each time, he slammed the ninja sword deep into the ground, requiring great force to pull it out quickly.
These lightning strikes are, after all, Lightning Release Ninjutsu, not natural lightning, so Kiyoshi could continue moving forward.
The Ninjutsu inheritance of the Land of Demons is far inferior to that of the Great Nations. The Ninjutsu in the hands of these ninjas are not very impressive; they only gained a massive boost in chakra after being affected by Mōryō.
Before long, Kiyoshi finally reached the entrance.
The Priestess hurriedly got down and leaned against the cold wall to catch her breath.
The whole series of actions just now seemed incredibly risky to her.
The speed of the electric current, which was difficult to see with the naked eye, could actually be captured by Kiyoshi, who would then throw out his ninja sword to ground the lightning.
Kiyoshi wiped the scorched black ash off his ninja sword. The sword was somewhat warped and needed to be taken to the Ninja Cat Clan for maintenance.
This expense, of course, would have to be borne by… the Priestess.
Kiyoshi looked at the Priestess.
The Priestess felt awkward being stared at by Kiyoshi.
She spoke:
"Let's hurry inside."
With that, Miroku glanced at the guards, and even some Land of Demons commoners, who were continuously fighting the Land of Demons ninjas and terracotta soldiers outside the cave.
This sight brought her a mix of emotions.
After all, she bore an undeniable responsibility.
The only way to make amends now was to use her own life to seal Mōryō.
Miroku turned back and walked a dozen steps into the dim cave. She found it was still very deep; it would take dozens of meters of winding paths to reach the end.
Furthermore, Mōryō must have definitely deployed a large number of terracotta soldiers nearby for protection.
Miroku realized Kiyoshi hadn't followed her, as there was no sound of footsteps.
Just as she was about to turn around and ask, Kiyoshi spoke first.
"Priestess-sama, you will also die after sealing Mōryō, won't you?"
Kiyoshi said, looking outside.
Hearing Kiyoshi's voice, Miroku's steps paused.
"That is the fate of us Priestesses."
The tone of her voice was mournful.
She herself didn't know if the ancestral teaching was meant to prevent the emergence of a second Mōryō or to maintain the transcendent status of the Priestess.
After all, Mōryō's release over the past thousand years had not been frequent.
This meant that most Priestesses had met a good end.
However, once Mōryō was released, the current Priestess had to… die.
This was the custom of all Priestesses; this was the only way to seal Mōryō.
"Since things have reached this point, I must atone."
The Priestess sighed deeply, taking out a bell-like ritual tool.
This tool could suppress the Priestess's power and also store her chakra.
Since she was certain to die after sealing Mōryō today, she could only leave behind some of the Priestess's chakra.
By using this chakra and the complete Priestess Sealing Jutsu inheritance in the Land of Demons shrine, she could only pray that the next generation would be able to nurture a new Priestess.
This time, she would choose to destroy Mōryō's soul. If she succeeded, the Land of Demons would have several hundred years to select a new Priestess.
She turned around. Her mature and voluptuous figure, in the shadowy passage, took on a new demeanor.
The woman who was originally dignified and sacred now carried a sense of compassionate martyrdom.
Miroku raised her eyes, intending to ask Kiyoshi to take this bell ritual tool back to the Land of Demons afterward.
"Please take this back for me. I trouble you, Uchiha… Kiyoshi."
Miroku had learned Kiyoshi's name from Yūki back in the great hall.
She had only heard it once, but it strangely left a deep impression on her.
"Hmm?"
Miroku extended her hand, which was as smooth and white as mutton fat jade, holding the bell ritual tool in the center.
She held it for a moment, realizing Kiyoshi had no reaction.
"You…"
Miroku felt a surge of anger in her heart. At such a critical moment, he was still distracted! The citizens of the Land of Demons outside were fighting a bloody battle!
Every moment of delay could mean more people were injured.
She instinctively wanted to scold Kiyoshi.
But the words caught in her throat.
The weak light in the cave prevented Miroku from clearly seeing Kiyoshi's figure.
Kiyoshi seemed to be checking if anyone was outside, then slowly turned around.
A strange sense of familiarity arose in Miroku's heart.
The Flame Fan crest just now was… scarlet.
The small scroll hanging from his waist gently swayed with his movement.
Miroku instantly realized this was the moment of the "death prophecy."
But who was the one who died?
Was it the citizens of the Land of Demons outside, or Uchiha Kiyoshi in front of her?
Or was it herself?
"Esteemed Priestess-sama, you also wouldn't want the citizens of the Land of Demons to be completely destroyed, would you?"
The exact same question from the dream appeared.
The scarlet eyes that made her feel eerie.
And… the ominous chakra.
A sudden feeling of unease rose in Miroku's heart.
But she couldn't find the source.
The "Death Prophecy" only showed random fragments, and as the Priestess, she couldn't control it, only passively receive it.
"Of course not. I am the Priestess of the Land of Demons, and I have an obligation to protect it."
Miroku's tone still carried authority and nobility.
"I have a method to increase the probability of sealing Mōryō. I wonder if Priestess-sama would be willing to lend me a hand?"
"Did Hidden Leaf develop a Sealing Jutsu for this, or… was it the Uchiha clan?"
Miroku couldn't help but blurt out.
The Land of Fire is the current Great Nation, and the Uchiha is one of the few great clans within that nation.
It is perfectly normal for them to have a countermeasure.
After the Priestess seals Mōryō, she pays the price of her life.
Therefore, the inheritance and experience in this area were extremely scarce, and Miroku herself was unsure if she could complete the Priestess's mission.
It would be best if they could increase the sealing probability.
"No, it's my personal method. Hmm… you can think of it as a folk remedy."
Kiyoshi said.
Such a method was indeed only something he could do in the entire ninja world.
It could be called one of a kind.
Isn't this the very definition of a folk remedy?
"What… what method is it?"
Miroku instinctively felt that something was wrong.
She suppressed this feeling and asked Kiyoshi.
But Kiyoshi didn't speak again.
Miroku raised her eyes, suddenly feeling a burning gaze.
No… that couldn't be it.
An absurd guess surfaced in Miroku's heart.
How could Kiyoshi possibly…
Then she saw Kiyoshi's smile.
The smile carried an eerie quality, and the ominous chakra was almost overflowing.
Miroku even had the illusion that the Hidden Leaf ninja standing here was more qualified to bear the name Mōryō than Mōryō itself!
"I… I don't understand what you mean."
Miroku's speech faltered.
"I originally trusted Priestess-sama very much. Even when you were in danger, I was the first to run out and help you, wasn't I?"
"Yes."
Miroku nodded. That was true; Kiyoshi's courage and his ninja way were worthy of praise.
"Priestess-sama was suspicious of the Daimyō, but you never took action. Did I not also say that correctly."
"Yes."
Miroku nodded again.
"Then I want you to prove yourself, to show you won't betray us. What if you still cling to your old feelings for the Daimyō?"
"Impossible, I am not the kind of person who would abandon the Land of Demons."
Miroku quickly retorted.
But the man opposite her looked completely unconvinced.
Her lips parted, wanting to say something, but nothing came out.
How was she supposed to defend herself?
She had indeed done exactly that.
And he indeed had the right to be suspicious.
*Thud… thud… thud…*
From the end of the corridor, the uniform footsteps of the terracotta soldiers echoed.
Even the sound of lava flowing beneath the earth was clearly audible.
But what was even clearer were the sounds of external fighting, screams, and pleas for help.
Along with the merciless explosions, thunder, and buzzing…
Miroku could imagine the scene of the difficult battle outside.
Guilt, self-reproach, and regret once again surged in her heart.
To put it plainly, if she had only confirmed the threat immediately and proceeded with the sealing after leaving the inheritance, none of this tragedy would have happened.
"Priestess-sama will save our Land of Demons! She is a goddess sent from heaven! Everyone, you must fight hard!"
Ultimately, it was the sound of Ashisō and others fighting the terracotta soldiers outside that broke the final straw in Miroku's heart.
***
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