Uchiha Will Not Lose

After ignoring Shion's silent accusation, Arata brought the matter of the Land of Demons delegation's visit to a temporary close.

The attendees filed out one by one. In the empty reception room, only three people remained: Arata, Shion, and Izumi.

Arata had intended to keep everything concerning his death a secret. But when he met Izumi's unwavering gaze, he abandoned that plan indefinitely and let her stay to hear the priestess of the Land of Demons recount her prophecy.

"Tell me about your prophecy."

His voice remained calm. The prediction of his death had not thrown him into panic.

Besides, he had already died once. To live a second life and gain the experiences and companions he had now was more than he could have asked for.

"Oh? I thought Lord Shadow of Yogakure didn't care about his own fate at all."

There was a teasing note in Shion's voice. After being bested several times earlier, the ill-tempered girl was plainly eager to get her own back.

Arata showed no discomfort. Izumi, however, promptly turned to the priestess and asked in earnest:

"Miss Shion, please tell us everything you saw in your prophecy. In return, the Uchiha Clan will do everything in its power to protect you and your attendants from the demon invasion you mentioned."

The solemn request caught the girl from the Land of Demons off guard. The trace of provocation still on her face gave way to an awkward expression.

Her sharp tongue hid a soft heart.

She was kind by nature, but her position, fate, and past had led her to act unpleasantly so others would keep their distance.

Now that someone had asked for her help and needed her, she hardly knew what to do.

Shion was not the only one surprised. Arata felt a