Inside Chisunaji Temple.
Seeing Shamon perform a full kowtow, Pakura was shocked and wondered whether she should kneel as well.
"Since you're here, come in."
The sound of the wooden fish stopped, and a slow voice drifted out.
After respectfully bowing outside the door, Shamon entered with Pakura.
"Ancestor Master... I never thought you were still here. This is... this is wonderful!"
Shamon's voice was filled with indescribable excitement. After all, he had been dead for so many years.
Yet his Ancestor Master was still alive.
"You have returned to secular life. This old monk is no longer your Ancestor Master."
Shamon immediately dropped to his knees. "Ancestor Master Jiyuan, even if I have returned to secular life, you are still my Ancestor Master."
Master Jiyuan fell silent for a moment and did not pursue the matter.
He merely said, "You are already dead. You should not be here."
"I'm sorry, Ancestor Master. Sunagakure is on the verge of destruction, and Shukaku has been lost from the village. I had no choice but to come here."
Jiyuan shook his head. "All reincarnation has its destined course. Coming here will serve no purpose."
Shamon said dully, "I want to try..."
After a long silence, Jiyuan closed his eyes. "Shukaku is already dead."
"Take seventeen Arhat statues to the altar."
Pakura stood to the side, both astonished and confused. Why did Master Jiyuan know that Shukaku was dead?
What was this altar? Why did they need to bring the Arhat statues there?
But she had no right to speak now and could only wait quietly at the side.
Shamon, still kneeling, did not move. Instead, he asked:
"Ancestor Master, why are none of the others in the temple attending you?"
Jiyuan's voice was calm. "Your master and Senior Brothers have all died.