"The Miko looks radiant today."
"That's right, that's right..."
That was what the guests who had come to visit today said.
A few days ago, after the battle with the Snake Demons.
Hyuga Sho had returned to Flying Fortress Ankbandian with the three Snake Demons.
Not only had he successfully subdued the Snake Demons and branded them with the Caged Bird Seal and Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal,
he had also thrown them into Training Room No. 16.
They continued learning the Will of Fire.
Today.
The shrine welcomed a special guest.
Uchiha Saotome.
After this father who had lost his son came to pray for blessings, he silently left.
"The fate of death..."
Miko Miroku narrowed her eyes, foreseeing the aura of death entwined around Uchiha Saotome.
"No, Mother."
Shion said from the side.
She possessed an even stronger power of prophecy than her mother.
And an even stronger Miko's Power.
Without a doubt...
Shion's future accomplishments would surely surpass those of the current Miko.
"This old man is only temporarily entangled by death... His future... goes far beyond this..."
Purple patterns flashed through Shion's eyes.
That was what the seven-year-old girl said.
Afterward.
Shion, dressed in her little miko robes, went to pray for blessings for the villagers.
"..."
Miroku glanced at her daughter, then at Uchiha Saotome's departing back, and suppressed her doubts deep in her heart.
Rumble!!
That night.
Thunder and lightning flashed.
At the border between the Land of Grass and the Land of Fire, a figure was digging something up.
Soon.
The long-haired figure had opened up a cave entrance.
"Heh heh heh... Is this the place?"
Orochimaru tossed aside his shovel and stared into the cave entrance.
Behind him stood Black Zetsu and White Zetsu, who shared one body, along with Tobi.
To