The Demon Ninja Village's Miko

"This is definitely not a job we can do right now!"

Uchiha Takeyasu lay on the ground for most of the day before he recovered. His throbbing brain made him determined that he would not attempt to explore different planes until he reached the Six Paths.

"It seems that there are only three places left on the entire Ninja World Continent that are worth exploring."

The first place is the Land of Demons, now known as the Demon Ninja Village. There, there is Miko with prophetic abilities, and the demons called "Gashadokuro" can also be used as excellent generators.

The second place is Rōran, which has been taken over by Konoha, and it has a dragon vein that can travel through time.

The third place is the New World, where Minamoto Kaori's ancestors, who sailed across the sea a thousand years ago, lived.

"We can go to the Demon Ninja Village anytime. As for the Dragon Vein, we can't figure out which timeline we'll be traveling to. Traveling is also dangerous. If we fly to a thousand years in the past and get face-to-face with Kaguya Otsutsuki, or if we encounter the Infinite Tsukuyomi during the Fourth Shinobi World War, it would be troublesome and dangerous."

"Perhaps we could test the prophetic abilities of the Demon Ninja Village Miko, or even just take the Great Toad Sage across the Dragon Vein. I refuse to believe that the old Toad, who knows when to advance and retreat, will let himself kick the bucket."

"Once we return, we'll have Kirigakure take people out to sea, with the Isobu, who has the ability to move in the sea, serving as their protector on their long sea voyage."

After careful consideration, Uchiha Takeyasu slowly got up from the ground, shook his head, and directly sent a note containing his plan to the Hokage Building, handing it to his Shadow Clone.

Then he teleported to the hot spring town of the Land of Hot Water, enjoyed a good soak in the hot springs, and then summoned Tachibana to the location of the Demon Ninja Village.

"Lord Takeyasu, is there Ninjutsu here that allows a cat to transform into a human?"

Nestled in Uchiha Takeyasu's Tachibana, dressed in a black tank top, gazed at the capital of the Demon Ninja Village built in the mountains, his expression devoid of much anticipation.

"Why did you have to turn into a human when you were perfectly fine as a cat?"

"That's up to you."

Stroking Tachibana, who was no longer a fat cat but had a streamlined figure after rigorous training, Uchiha Takeyasu casually remarked, "I've only ever heard of Toad, snakes, Katsuyu, and humans being able to train in Sage Mode, but I've never heard of a cat sage."

"Furthermore, the possibility of a cat being a Jinchūriki is also unlikely, as a cat's body can hardly contain the power of Tailed Beast."

Now that was the case, Tachibana was getting desperate. The quickest way to defeat that damned ferret Nilgiri was to become a cat jinchūriki. So she couldn't help but Meow in Uchiha Takeyasu's arms.

"Lord Takeyasu, I want to become a human!"

"Then let's go visit the Miko, the leader of the Demon Ninja Village."

With a flash, he entered the capital of the Demon Ninja Village. Under the rule of the Miko, the customs of this country were more similar to those of the Warring States Period, which was decades ago when even electric lights had not yet been developed.

However, during the changes three years ago, the Demon Ninja Village, unwilling to be eliminated, opened its doors to the world and began to import new items. The telephone poles that are everywhere in the streets and alleys give it a feel of Konoha three years ago before it had any plans.

Amidst the chaos, there was an upward-moving vitality.

The local Miko managed things very well.

After having a meal of Demon Ninja Village's specialty food with Tachibana, Uchiha Takeyasu carried Tachibana towards the innermost part of the capital, a vast complex of shrines and palaces built not far from a large waterfall.

[Amenotokotachi] scanned the area, and the entire shrine was reflected in his mind. Uchiha Takeyasu happened to discover an interesting scene inside.

Inside a hall of the shrine, an official dressed in hunting robes rose from his kneeling seat, waving his hand excitedly as he spoke.

"Kurenai Dark Chakra I just discovered emanating from Gashadokuro. If we make good use of Gashadokuro's power, Konoha will become the future Demon Ninja Village."

"This is power capable of dominating the entire Ninja World!"

Seated at the head of the table was a dignified woman who wore a white inner robe, an outer Miko embroidered with flying cranes in gold and silver thread, a purple hakama, Miko maiden crown, and long, flowing hair.

Upon hearing that the priest intended to use the power of the Gashadokuro, the Miko Kurenai Momiji's expression changed slightly, and she sternly rebuked him.

"Sanzu, the power of the Gashadokuro is a taboo within a taboo in the Demon Ninja Village. Your heart has been controlled by this power, and you are no longer suitable to serve as a priest!"

"Take him out!"

The orders of the Miko controlled the entire Demon Ninja Village were absolute. The guards serving in the palace immediately took Sanzu away. Along the way, Sanzu kept shouting, "I did this for the Demon Ninja Village, and my will will be inherited by my son Yomi."

Inside the now peaceful palace, the Miko Kurenai slowly rose and walked into the inner room, where she saw an uninvited guest teasing her daughter, Miroku.

"Meow."

Tachibana greeted him politely, which made the Miko Kurenai tense up.

Seeing her daughter in the other party's hands, she didn't do anything irrational like screaming. Moreover, the other party's understated yet luxurious Samurai Outfit was not something that bandits or rogue ninjas could afford. In addition, given the orders issued by Konoha and the bloody examples that followed, no one dared to openly disobey them.

"Mother."

The adorable three-year-old Miroku, upon seeing his mother's arrival, immediately ran over happily with his short legs, only to be embraced by the Miko Kurenai.

Sensing the other party's kind gesture, the Miko Kurenai relaxed. The man's face also gave her a faint sense of familiarity. She asked, "My lord, what brings you here?"

"Sit down first, then we can talk."

Seeing the man who was taking over the role of host, the Miko Kurenai, unaware of the impending death, knelt down beside the tea table in front of him.

The daughter Miroku, blinked, got off her, and ran to grab the swaying tail of the Tachibana cat.

"First, let me introduce myself. I am Konoha Hokage, the Uchiha Takeyasu."

"The Hokage-sama?!"

The Sharingan that the other party revealed slightly moved the Miko Kurenai. Recalling the Hokage scrolls she had read, and comparing them with the man before her, she immediately bowed.

"Have some tea."

Uchiha Takeyasu poured a cup of tea for Kurenai in front of him, "I'd like to listen to you tell me about the Gashadokuro while I drink this tea."

Noticing the wariness and rejection on Kurenai's face, Uchiha Takeyasu chuckled.

"Miko Highness, considering you are the ruler of a nation, I don't want to break my own rules and resort to violence against you. However, if you insist on remaining silent, things may develop in a very unpleasant way."

Being stared at by the man in front of her with his dark eyes felt like being stared at by a demon Gashadokuro —a utter indifference to life.

"Hokage-sama, you are already the strongest in the world, Konoha is ruling the world. Why are you still interested in Gashadokuro?"

Kurenai had a favorable impression of Uchiha Takeyasu. Regardless of his motives, the Ninja World, except for the Black Horn Domain, was peaceful and harmonious. Many small ninja villages no longer had to worry about being oppressed by large ninja villages. The spread of Chakra refining techniques and agricultural Ninjutsu allowed more commoners to have enough to eat.

Even the Demon Ninja Village under her rule is visibly thriving.

Under the rules of Konoha, the basic survival interests of the smaller ninja villages are protected. The conflicts in the Black Horn Domain have nothing to do with the peaceful smaller ninja villages.

It's something Gashadokuro can hardly understand Kurenai a Hokage who has benefited the Ninja World would now be curious about demons.

"There are many things that interest me: the Demon Ninja Village has Gashadokuro, the Shadow Mirror Transformation Technique, and you."

The last ambiguous sentence reminded Kurenai that the other party was a lecherous man who broke with convention and married two wives in a row. Her hands involuntarily covered her full breasts, which were being stretched out, and her wariness grew stronger.

"Hokage-sama, I already have a daughter."

"I was talking about your precognitive abilities, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Glancing at the embarrassed Kurenai, Uchiha Takeyasu Takeo glanced at the big-mouthed cat, Tachibana, who was playing with Miroku, and said irritably, "Alright, we're getting off topic. Tell me about the Gashadokuro."

After this interruption, Kurenai realized that if she didn't speak up, the Hokage in front of her wouldn't let it go. She sighed inwardly, gathered her thoughts, and slowly began to speak.

"Because the power of the Miko was too great, in order not to misuse this power, people in the past split their hearts and minds in two, living with mutual resentment. At some point, this resulted in the two names: Miko and Gashadokuro."

"I am currently sealing away the existence of the Gashadokuro with my own body. When I leave this world, my daughter Miroku, will take my place."

Kurenai bowed deeply and gave a solemn salute. "Hokage-sama, the power of the Gashadokuro is not as simple as you imagine. It possesses the power to destroy the Ninja World... Eh!"

In an instant, Kurenai found herself in a cave filled with lava, where a twisted black shadow took the shape of a Yamata no Orochi, emitting a hoarse roar.

"Human, how did you get in?!"

"Hokage-sama?!"

The sudden change left Miko and the Gashadokuro stunned. Uchiha Takeyasu glanced at the so-called Gashadokuro and clicked his tongue a few times.

"Is this the demon you speak of that can destroy the Ninja World?"

"It doesn't seem like much."

With a flick of the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, immense Dojutsu Power poured forth, uprooting the Gashadokuro and imprisoning it into a black sphere. Kurenai was stunned by this sight, while Red Lips outside parted, revealing pearly white teeth.

"Alright, the Gashadokuro is now in my hands."

Kurenai, whose consciousness returned to her external body, stared with a complicated expression at the small black ball being tossed around by Uchiha Takeyasu Gashadokuro. She couldn't believe that the Miko that had troubled generations of priestesses and caused Miko to die young had been so easily subdued.

Overwhelmed with turmoil, she couldn't help but bow deeply. "Hokage-sama, thank you for your help in rescuing the Miko from the nightmare that has been passed down through generations, but..."

Uchiha Takeyasu gazed at the mature shrine maiden performing a dogeza (a deep, prostrate posture), Miko voluptuous buttocks accentuated by the taut crimson hakama (traditional red robes). Now, hesitant to speak, the man who had once harbored fantasies about Miko profession couldn't help but reach out and lift Kurenai's rounded chin, whispering, "Just what?"

In the past, even if the other party was the Hokage, Kurenai would have slapped away such frivolous behavior and reprimanded them loudly. But at this moment, her chaotic mind made her lose her composure. When she looked into the stern eyes of her subordinate, she felt as shy and confused as she had returned to her teenage years.

"Mother, what's wrong?"

The childish voice startled Kurenai awake. She quickly sat up, hugged the approaching Miroku in her arms, and glared at the man who seemed completely unaffected with a hint of anger in her eyes.

"Mother, your eyes are red. Is it because you got sand in them, just like with Miroku before?"

"Let Miroku blow it for you."

Uchiha Takeyasu didn't disturb the interaction between the mother and daughter. He sensed the power of the Gashadokuro in his hand, which was similar to that of the Zero-Tails. Both could generate Dark Chakra and absorb the dark side to grow. Unfortunately, its popularity was not as strong as that of artificial Tailed Beast.

Konoha is currently working overtime to create the second, third, and fourth Zero-Tails, otherwise they won't have enough Chakra energy reserves for the later stages.

Uchiha Takeyasu basically viewed Zero-Tails as an oil field that could produce oil indefinitely, and it was completely natural and pollution-free, so that it would never run dry as long as humans existed.

Electricity, wind power, and thermal energy are truly insignificant compared to Chakra.

"Hokage-sama"

A little while later, Momiji Kurenai, who had been letting Miroku continue playing with Tachibana, called out to Uchiha Takeyasu was admiring the waterfall outside the window, and pulled him back to reality. The Miko, having regained her composure, adopted a solemn posture.

"Please, Hokage-sama, entrust the Gashadokuro to me for sealing. I will handle it properly."

The existence of the Gashadokuro is the biggest destabilizing factor for the Miko clan. They worry about angering Uchiha Takeyasu, but Kurenai is even more worried that Miroku is not safe and will have to face the Gashadokuro that breaks free of its seal in the future, which will be even more difficult to deal with.

Do you know about the Tailed Beast?

The sudden question startled Kurenai, who nodded slightly.

"Konoha is currently mass-producing the Zero-Tails. The Zero-Tails represents the dark side of humanity, which is then transformed into Chakra to power Konoha's development."

"The teleportation arrays that are now found in various countries are one of them."

"The Gashadokuro you fear was also born from the dark side of the Miko's heart, not much different from the Zero-Tails. Its fate will ultimately be the same as the Zero-Tails', placed in Konoha's Science Academy, contributing to the benefit of the Ninja World."

Seeing the dumbfounded Kurenai, after giving her some time to think, Uchiha Takeyasu teleported the Gashadokuro back to the Hokage Building and moved on to the next topic.

"The Shadow Mirror Transformation Technique —consider this my reward for dealing with the Gashadokuro for you. Give it to me."

Please wait a moment.

Coming to her Kurenai walked briskly to the side room inside the house, took out a scroll, knelt down next to Uchiha Takeyasu, and respectfully presented it to the man with both hands.

Upon opening the scroll, one finds that its contents are derivatives of Transformation Technique, some of which also involve Body Activation Technique. In terms of the difficulty of mastering them, they can all be considered forbidden techniques.

(I wonder if this big-mouthed Tachibana cat can learn that.)

Summoning Tachibana, Uchiha Takeyasu reached out and touched her brow, instantly transmitting the training materials for the Shadow Mirror Transformation Technique into her mind.

Thanks to the Dimensional Teleportation Array, Uchiha Takeyasu's use of Spiritual Power became increasingly skillful and refined.

"Go back and master the technique first. Come back to me when you're familiar with it. You absolutely cannot try to do it on your own, understand?"

"Meow understands."

"Meow, I'm going back now."

Excitedly, Tachibana circled Uchiha Takeyasu once, then vanished with a bang, returning to the empty area of the ruins. Amidst the Meow of the Ninja Cat, his whiskers trembled, and his cat face beamed with pride.

"Miko Highness, I'm currently in Demon Ninja Village, and you're the last person I'm interested in."

Under the man's dark eyes, Kurenai tensed up.