Land of Demons! The Moryo Army Awakens

Seeing that the Nine-Tails Fox had cowered in a ball, Shinki stopped.

After giving Nine-Tails a thorough scolding and a lecture, the Shinki withdrew from the sealed space.

Outside, in the open space, Naruto's Breath was even, indicating he was asleep.

"His injuries healed so quickly; the Nine-Tails 'Chakra is quite useful."

Shinki said after examining Naruto's injuries.

Then, Shinki woke Naruto from his sleep and asked, "What are your plans next?"

Naruto remained silent.

He doesn't want to go back to the village for the time being.

After this incident, his belief in becoming Hokage wavered slightly.

After thinking for a moment, Naruto said, "Shinki, let's continue our journey. There are still many countries we haven't visited, like the Land of Demons and the Land of Swamps..."

Shinki nodded.

Only by walking on the road can one escape confusion and obsession, and make all speculations and imaginations come alive.

And so, the two best buddies embarked on their journey once again.

Two weeks later.

The Hokage's Office.

A group of high-ranking officials sat around a table.

"The Third Hokage hasn't returned yet, and there's no news of him anywhere. Has something happened to him?" a high-ranking official said worriedly.

"Hiruzen chased after him then, as atonement for the mistakes he made when he was young... He's so old, yet still so willful... I hope he's alright..."

Another senior executive shook his head.

"The Third Hokage has extensive combat experience, so there shouldn't be any major problems. Now let's discuss those two kids, Shinki and Naruto."

Utatane Koharu.

"After doing that, they haven't sent any message back to the village. They can both be removed from the Konoha's Ninja register."

Mitokado Homura nodded. "In the end, they are just two unreasonable children who actually ran away because of something like this, wasting Konoha's efforts to raise them."

"I disagree!" Tsunade stood up.

"Tsunade, this is a decision made by the higher-ups..." Mitokado Homura said after hesitating for a moment.

"Haven't you made enough stupid decisions already?" Tsunade retorted without backing down.

"Those two children have made more contributions than all of you have combined over decades! What right do you old fogies have to remove them from the list?"

"Tsunade, don't go too far with your words! Are you going to stand up for those two traitorous brats and the higher-ups of Konoha?!" Mitokado Homura was also furious, standing up straight as he spoke.

"The higher-ups?! It's time to replace Konoha's leadership! Look at all the foolish decisions you've made in the past!"

After Tsunade finished speaking, she waved her hand.

"Where are Konoha's Anbu?!"

Yamato, who was responsible for ensuring the safety of the attendees, stepped forward and said, "Here!!"

He is the leader of the Anbu squad, and also Shinki's teacher!

Regardless, the Shinki is his pride!!

He wouldn't allow such an excellent Ninja to be removed from Konoha!

Tsunade ordered, "Take these senile old fools away and let them reflect on their actions!"

Yamato nodded. "Yes!"

Soon, the entire Office was emptied, leaving only Tsunade and Shizune.

Standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows in the Hokage's Office, Tsunade's expression was complex.

"Ah, Konoha has never been perfect, but generation after generation of us are striving to make it perfect..."

"Shinki, what are you thinking...?"

Meanwhile, in the mountains and forests of the Land of Demons.

Shinki and Naruto were grilling fish in the mountains, showing no sign of the tension of almost being identified as missing-nin.

Naruto devoured a large piece of fish, chewing as he said, "Shinki, your cooking is amazing! Not only is your cooking delicious, but you even grill fish so well..."

Shinki was speechless. "When are you going to learn to cook? I'd like to eat something ready-made..."

At the entrance to an underground Palace in the Land of Demons.

After knocking down the guards, a few people were plotting something here.

A middle-aged man with long hair and a gloomy face stepped forward. "Those of you who are leading this way, don't follow me in. That's the chasm between this world and another, and only I, who possess the name of the Underworld, can reach it."

Upon hearing their Leader's words, the guards nodded.

Then, the long-haired man named Underworld walked into the dark, narrow passageway.

After passing through a fairly long passageway, the man was suddenly greeted by a bright and open space.

A clearing underground appeared before him!

On both sides of the open space were densely packed clay figurines in armor!

In the middle is a stone bridge!

At the very front of the stone bridge lies a mysterious Formation!

The magic circle emitted a pure white light at the top, beneath which stood six stone pillars, which enveloped a uniquely shaped portal!

The door was covered with countless Talisman!

The man walked slowly to the door, staring at the tightly closed door with a fanatical expression.

Then, he stretched out his hand and began chanting an obscure and difficult-to-understand incantation...

A few minutes later, the Stone Gate exploded open, revealing darkness behind it!

"Lord Moryo..."

Underworld was so excited that he immediately knelt down.

From the darkness came an ancient and chilling voice. "Have you returned to this world again?"

"It's truly something to miss."

"Long time no see, Lord Moryo," the man said respectfully.

The voice from behind the door asked, "Who are you?"

"I am Underworld, a surviving Ninja once used your power, Moryo, to create the Ghost Army," the man replied.

"Why did you summon me?" the Moryo asked.

"The stars have already cycled, and now is the time for us to join forces and create a thousand-year kingdom!" said the ambitious Underworld.

After a brief moment of thought, the Moryo said, "But now I have no physical body, only a soul. I cannot exist in this world for long."

"If you don't mind, Moryo, please use my body."

Underworld stood up, took off the coat he was wearing, and revealed various medical instruments in his pockets.

The next moment, he pulled out a scalpel...

"Laugh--"

Underworld plunged a scalpel into his own chest.

Then, covered in cold sweat, he pulled the scalpel down from his chest to his navel...

At this moment, Underworld was covered in cold sweat, and the ground was dripping with blood.

He used surgical hooks to pry open the flesh on either side of the wound, completely exposing his chest cavity...

Truly broad-minded!

"Moryo, please enter my body."

Underworld revealed an expression of resignation to his fate.

"Whoosh--"

The darkness behind the door surged out and rushed into the chest of the Underworld!

Underworld is also a ruthless person.

After this, he was even able to calmly pull out a needle and thread and suture the wound on his chest...

After the stitching was completed, he let out a long sigh of relief, "The ceremony is complete!"

After saying that, he laughed, "Then, the time has come for me to realize my great ambition!"

"Awaken, my Legion!!"

A purplish-black light burst forth from Underworld, covering all the armored figures in the underground Ruins!

"Whoosh--"

The eyes of the numerous armored terracotta warriors lit up, and their movements became perfectly synchronized!

At the same time, Naruto and Shinki, who were eating fish, felt the ground tremor!

Naruto asked, "Huh, was there an earthquake? (꒪⌓꒪)"

Shinki shook his head. "I don't know, let's go check."