The Land of Demons is located to the northeast, bordering the Land of Frost and the Land of Hot Water, which is near the Land of Lightning. Fumori Masaki couldn't help but recall his participation in the war in the Land of Lightning, a memory he could never forget, his first time stepping onto a battlefield.
The others didn't share Fumori Masaki's emotions; none of them had personally experienced the Shinobi World Wars. They were currently admiring the surrounding scenery within the Land of Hot Water, a country renowned for its beautiful natural landscapes, making it a place one would never want to leave.
After the First Shinobi World War, the Land of Hot Water realized that its military strength couldn't establish it as a dominant power in the ninja world. Thus, it resolutely abandoned its ninja village, ceasing to provide substantial financial support. Instead, it focused on utilizing its natural environment, seeking development under the protection of larger nations.
Because of the Land of Fire's performance in the Shinobi World War, the Land of Hot Water chose the Land of Fire as its protector, sending envoys to pledge allegiance and receive its patronage. Consequently, the Hot Water Ninja Village's status within the country diminished, and it no longer trained combat personnel.
Fumori Masaki remembered that the Hot Water Ninja Village would later be called "the ninja village that forgot war." The Land of Hot Water had a clear understanding of the ninja world's situation, acknowledging its own national status and no longer attempting to dominate with military force. This path might have been born out of helplessness, but it was the correct choice.
If the Land of Rain had understood this, perhaps it wouldn't have become "the crying country." But then a Hanzō appeared, giving the Land of Rain an undue fighting capability, and it even tried to change the ninja world's structure, resulting in the Land of Rain being attacked by all sides.
However, the current Land of Rain should no longer become "the crying country." Fumori Masaki already had some contact with Hanzō, but due to the peace treaty, the Konoha Ninja Village couldn't make any moves yet. Once ten years passed, it would be another game of chess among the Five Great Nations.
Speaking of which, I wonder how the Kaguya clan is doing now. In the current Land of Hot Water, have they started doing business openly?
"Kazemori, won't there be any problems if we just waltz into another country like this?" Tsunade asked, snapping out of her appreciation of the scenery and suddenly remembering the terms of the peace treaty.
"No, the agreement mainly targets the territories of the Five Great Nations. We cannot enter any of the great nations without permission, even if it's just one person. But for smaller countries, the restrictions are looser. As long as it's not a large force entering, they'll turn a blind eye," Fumori Masaki replied.
Such a lenient agreement was also made with missions in mind. Ninjas couldn't possibly only carry out missions within their own country. If even small countries required permission, the secrecy of ninjas would disappear, adversely affecting missions. Therefore, as long as it didn't involve their own country, the agreement of the Five Great Nations would be relaxed here, allowing ninjas from the Five Great Nations to pass freely through smaller countries without needing border permission.
For the Five Great Nations, their own territory was their base, an unshakeable foundation, while smaller countries were targets to be won over and infiltrated. The main battlefields of the Shinobi World Wars would also be located here, to avoid affecting their own countries. This kind of struggle would be the norm in the future ninja world.
Just like during the Chunin Exams, while showcasing the strength of their own ninja villages, it also made clients from smaller countries consider which ninja village was more suitable for commissions, thereby attracting large-scale mission requests, enhancing the ninja village's economic strength, and to some extent, influencing the comparison of ninja village strengths.
This was a change brought about after the mission request system was formally established. The Five Great Nations were bound to monopolize all mission lists within their own countries, followed by the mission lists of other smaller countries. The goal was to secure these mission lists without initiating war.
Thinking that there were less than ten years left until the next gambling period, Fumori Masaki let out a soft sigh. For now, he should seize this period of peace to do his best to give the ninja village an opportunity for development.
After leaving the Land of Hot Water, the Land of Demons wasn't far. The others were fine, but Fumori Masaki looked at Kana with some surprise. Although she was a noble, Kana hadn't brought any means of transportation and had walked with them the entire way, yet she showed no signs of fatigue.
"What's wrong, Mr. Kazemori?" Kana noticed his gaze and asked.
"Nothing, I just think you have good stamina. Did you often take walks when you were in the capital?" Fumori Masaki said. He remembered that Kana had not received ninja training.
"How could that be? I just have a naturally good physique," Kana replied with a smile.
—As expected of someone who inherited the bloodlines of both the Senju and Uzumaki clans. Without any training, she possesses such physical prowess. Although we weren't rushing, it's still quite impressive.
Hearing this, Fumori Masaki sighed inwardly for a moment, imagining what Kana's future achievements would be if she were a ninja. But he quickly stopped, as Kana couldn't possibly become a ninja now. At her current age, no matter how good her aptitude, it was a bit too late.
The group finally reached the Land of Demons and entered without any hindrance. Upon seeing the streets of the Land of Demons, Fumori Masaki immediately felt the difference between this country and others—the street decorations, the language used, the people's attire, and the goods being sold all carried a strong religious flavor, just like the unique Miko of this country, something not seen in other nations.
"Incredible, this country seems to have preserved a very traditional culture of the Shinobi Sect," Fumori Masaki murmured to himself.
Due to the decline of the Shinobi Sect, the current ninja world is dominated by new faiths like the Fire Temple. Even those claiming to inherit the Shinobi Sect are different. And while the Land of Demons also has elements of new faiths, those ancient traditions can still be vaguely discerned.
Fumori Masaki had some knowledge of the Shinobi Sect's scriptures, so he could discern this, and he believed Kana could too. Although he shouldn't have too high expectations for Tobirama, looking at the atmosphere within the Land of Demons, he couldn't help but genuinely start to anticipate what discoveries might be made at the old Shinobi Sect site in the Land of Demons.
After being received by local officials, the group passed directly through the official roads of the Land of Demons and arrived at its capital. In the Land of Demons, Miko held a revered position, even above the monarch, which also proved that the Land of Demons was a country that highly valued faith.
Fumori Masaki and the others listened as the official explained the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the old Shinobi Sect site, while being led to the shrine where the Miko resided. Perhaps due to the Miko's special status, the shrine was actually larger than the Fire Temple, almost comparable to a Daimyo's mansion.
Inside the shrine, apart from areas accessible to ordinary people, a large portion consisted of buildings where the shrine staff lived, hidden behind the scenes. An attendant serving the Miko guided Fumori Masaki and the others through winding corridors, where they could see various rooms and exquisitely landscaped gardens with a profound sense of artistry. Compared to the streets of the Land of Demons, the traces of faith here were even more pronounced.
"Everyone, this is the room where the Great One usually practices," the attendant stopped in front of a room and whispered to Fumori Masaki and the others. Then, he politely addressed the room, "Great One, the Konoha ninjas have arrived."
"Thank you for your trouble, please let them in," a soft female voice, pleasant to listen to like a spring breeze, came from within the room.
The attendant knelt on the ground, slid open the door, and bowed to everyone: "Please enter."
As everyone entered the room, they saw two figures, one tall and one small, kneeling and looking at them. Both were dressed in Miko attire, with very similar features, likely a mother and daughter. The elder Miko bowed and said, "Welcome to the Land of Demons, ninjas of the Konoha Ninja Village. I am the Miko of the Land of Demons."
"Hello," Kana returned a proper bow. In the capital, she frequently met with the head priest of the Fire Temple, so she had long since memorized proper etiquette.
Fumori Masaki, on the other hand, wasn't very familiar with it and cautiously adopted another form of greeting. The Miko didn't seem to mind and smiled, inviting them to sit down. The Miko's appearance wasn't stunning, but she was pleasant to look at, and for some reason, she possessed a unique charm and aura.
"You must be Sister Kana, aren't you?" the Miko said. "I have read your works. Regarding the doctrines of the Shinobi Sect, you are truly a great scholar. Even the head priest of your country's Fire Temple may not have as profound an understanding as you."
"You flatter me. Compared to the head priest, I am still too young," Kana said.
"No, your understanding is closer to the original meaning of the Shinobi Sect. The current ninja temples no longer adhere to the original teachings of the Shinobi Sect, but have adopted new beliefs, and therefore cannot truly be said to understand the Shinobi Sect. But Sister Kana, you are different; you are a true believer of the Shinobi Sect," the Miko said, shaking her head slightly.
"Why do you say that?" Tsunade interjected abruptly.
Hatake Sakumo and Hattori Hanzō quickly glanced at Tsunade; her speaking out was clearly inappropriate. Although she was the princess of the Senju clan, that was within the Konoha Ninja Village. People from other countries might not give her face, especially since the person in question was a Miko who could stand on equal footing with a Daimyo.
Regarding Tsunade's somewhat impolite action, the Miko merely smiled gently, clearly not taking it to heart. Instead, she explained, "Because in the current ninja world, our Land of Demons should be considered the one that preserves the traditions of the Shinobi Sect most strongly. The Land of Demons has always been unwilling to participate in wars. Even due to the chaos of war, a considerable portion of the Shinobi Sect scriptures lost by our country are still preserved. I'm not afraid to tell you that, in fact, the origin of us Miko is inextricably linked to the Shinobi Sect."
"I heard that the Miko was a profession within the Shinobi Sect at that time," Fumori Masaki said.
"Not entirely. To my knowledge, this profession was established after the first generation of Miko left the Shinobi Sect," the Miko replied. "According to ancient texts, the first generation Miko was the wife of the Shinobi Sect's leader. After the Shinobi Sect's leader passed away, to suppress the demons of a certain region, she left the homeland of the Shinobi Sect and came here to establish the Land of Demons."
"Demons, what are those?" Tsunade asked. She initially realized she had spoken out of turn, but seeing that the Miko didn't seem to mind, she boldly continued to ask.
Kana helplessly glanced at her niece. It was because her family spoiled her too much; sometimes she just didn't understand the atmosphere. If the other party hadn't been so understanding, she really would have wanted to lecture her.
However, if it really came down to lecturing, Kana wasn't sure if she could bring herself to do it.
"That is an ancient legend. The demons have long since disappeared, and I am not very clear about it," the Miko said with a slight smile to Tsunade.
"I see." Receiving this not-so-satisfying answer, Tsunade wasn't sure if she was disappointed or something else.
Fumori Masaki's expression was somewhat solemn, and he spoke, "May I be so bold as to ask if the name of that Shinobi Sect leader is recorded in the ancient texts?"
The Miko seemed somewhat surprised that Fumori Masaki would ask this. She paused for a moment, then recalled, "I remember the texts didn't elaborate much on the Shinobi Sect leader... Ah, I remember now, there was one place that mentioned the Shinobi Sect leader's name. He was called—Ashura."
Upon hearing this name, Fumori Masaki's pupils slightly contracted. When he heard that the first Miko was connected to the Shinobi Sect leader, he had a premonition, but he didn't expect it to actually be Ashura, the second son of the Sage of Six Paths.
Unlike his elder brother Indra, who was born inheriting the Sage of Six Paths' powerful chakra, the second son Ashura's talent was not initially evident. It was only with the assistance of others that he fully developed his physical potential, gaining power comparable to his brother. The two began to fight over the succession of the Shinobi Sect, a conflict that continued even after their deaths.
This was all Fumori Masaki knew about Ashura. Now, he was hearing about Ashura's deeds from another person's mouth, even if it was Ashura's wife, not Ashura himself.
If the first Miko was Ashura's wife, then it was conceivable what kind of scriptures would be preserved at the old Shinobi Sect site here.
Fumori Masaki believed that he might very well find what he had been searching for here. Ashura was the legitimate successor of the Shinobi Sect, having inherited the Sage of Six Paths' legacy. In his battle with his brother Indra, he clearly displayed Truth-Seeking Orbs, which only those who have fully mastered Six Paths Senjutsu, possess a Kekkei Mōra, or are a Ten-Tails Jinchuriki can have.
Ashura was not the Ten-Tails' Jinchuriki. He could only be a Kekkei Mōra possessor and a Six Paths Senjutsu master. The possibility of him having a Kekkei Mōra that completely fused seven types of chakra was relatively low, while the possibility of Six Paths Senjutsu was higher.
Since the first Miko was Ashura's wife, then the Shinobi Sect scriptures preserved here might very well contain records of Ashura's Six Paths Senjutsu. Regardless, this old Shinobi Sect site truly needed to be thoroughly explored this time.
However, first, those people lingering in the old Shinobi Sect site needed to be expelled before the development and exploration of the site could begin quietly.
"Miko-sama, could you please tell us the details of the old Shinobi Sect site?" While Kana was conversing with the Miko, Fumori Masaki spoke up, "It's about time for us to begin our mission."