"You're going to die!"
"Huh?"
That was the first exchange between everyone and the shrine maiden, Shion.
Ever since the Four Ninja retreated that day, no other attackers had come. Just as Shikamaru and Neji had predicted beforehand, Shikamaru found Shion, who was being carried by a guard and prepared for evacuation from the Land of Demons, along a concealed route.
After Neji fired the signal flare, Shikamaru brought Shion back to the original palace.
Thus came the first meeting between the five from Konoha and the shrine maiden Shion. However, it was far more surprising than anyone had expected. Just as Neji was about to introduce everyone and exchange greetings—
Shion suddenly said, "Hey, you blond Konoha ninja. What's your name?"
"Huh? Me? I'm a ninja from Konoha! My name is Uzumaki Naruto!" Naruto was briefly stunned, but he quickly recovered. Although he was equally surprised that the shrine maiden was so young—almost the same age as them—he had been repeatedly reminded before coming here.
Given the special nature of the shrine maiden's status, Naruto obediently introduced himself. Sakura, Neji, and the others, who had been worried Naruto might cause trouble, breathed sighs of relief.
Honestly, Naruto really was the sort who might pull something like that.
Yet contrary to Neji and the others' expectations, Naruto did not do anything out of line first. Instead, after hearing his introduction, Shion's expression remained calm and unchanged.
But her words made everyone's jaws drop.
"Naruto, you're going to die. I saw your future." Shion looked at Naruto calmly, her tone as placid as if she were discussing something utterly trivial. She paid no heed to everyone's shocked looks or Naruto's stiff expression.
"Cough, cough... Shrine Maiden... You're joking, right...?" Sakura coughed lightly and spoke somewhat awkwardly. Cursing someone to death upon