If the Ghost Army invaded the Five Great Nations, the disaster it caused would not fall far short of the Third Shinobi World War, even if it could not match it.
Then just how powerful was Moryo, who could control the Ghost Army?
Pakura's brows knitted tightly as she asked, "Lady Miroku, do you have a way to deal with Moryo?"
Cradling her daughter, who had fallen asleep on her lap, Miroku said, "The priestess lineage exists to seal Moryo. Take me to Demon-Sealing Mountain in the Land of Swamps, and I can seal him."
"What a hassle."
Juzo Biwa spat.
The fact that Moryo could be sealed was certainly good news.
The problem was that they had to travel to Demon-Sealing Mountain in the Land of Swamps.
Although the Land of Swamps and the Land of Demons were neighboring countries, the distance was over a hundred li.
Miroku was not a ninja and traveled slowly.
With the Ghost Army pursuing and intercepting them along the way, it was easy to imagine that reaching the Land of Swamps would take at least several days.
Kakashi rubbed his chin with his fingers and asked doubtfully, "Lady Miroku, will Moryo obediently follow us to Demon-Sealing Mountain?"
Miroku nodded. "You needn't worry about that. To gain true freedom, Moryo must kill the priestess. Wherever I go, he will follow."
Hearing this, Toroi's pupils contracted slightly. He thought the relationship between Moryo and the priestess was probably not so simple.
Kakashi took out a map and spread it flat on the table.
It was a long journey, and they had to plan their route carefully before setting out.
Yan Luoya said, "The Ghost Army moves slowly. As long as we shake them off, they're nothing to fear."
Toroi nodded. "Exactly. The real trouble is Moryo and the Yomi Cult's followers."
Douyang's gaze sharpened slightly.
The Yomi Cult's followers were merely third-rate ninja.
Their leader, Yomi, was an Elite Jonin at most.
Their strength had surged because they had received Moryo's chakra.
If they rashly left the shrine and the Yomi Cult's followers caught up with them, it would be troublesome.
After pondering for a moment, Douyang said, "Why don't we split into two groups? One will escort Miroku out of the shrine in secret and head for Demon-Sealing Mountain. The other will stay here, conserving their strength while waiting for the enemy and drawing the attention of the Yomi Cult's followers."
Yan Luoya sneered. "A good idea."
Toroi's pupils contracted slightly. Glancing at Priestess Miroku, he said, "What if the Yomi Cult's followers don't take the bait?"
Miroku took out a ritual bell and hung it around her daughter's neck. "This ritual implement holds a portion of the priestess's power, which Moryo can sense. Once we leave the Land of Demons, I will cast a spell to draw Moryo to me."
Kakashi nodded. "Then who stays, and who escorts the priestess to Demon-Sealing Mountain?"
Juzo Biwa stepped forward and said with a grin, "We've come all this way, so we'll pass on Demon-Sealing Mountain."
After considering it, Yan Luoya said, "The four of them probably can't hold this shrine. We from Iwagakure will stay too."
Pakura nodded. "Then Kumogakure, Konoha, and our Sunagakure team will escort Lady Miroku to Demon-Sealing Mountain."
Toroi glanced at the darkening sky. "It's almost night. We leave tomorrow morning."
With the five teams in agreement, everyone busied themselves with tense preparations as they passed this final night.
[Host: Uchiha Douyang] [Template: Ōtsutsuki Isshiki (6%)] [Chakra attributes: Yang, Fire] [Bloodline abilities: Kokugan, Sharingan] [Ability: Black Chakra Rods]
Douyang sat cross-legged on a cushion, studying the panel in his mind.
Sure enough, only combat could unlock the panel faster.
In just these few days, his template progress had advanced by 1%, equivalent to a month's training.
Beyond that, he had also gained a powerful trump card.
Black Chakra Rods.
Formed by combining six types of chakra, they could disrupt chakra.
In Douyang's view, the Black Chakra Rods were equivalent to a weaker version of the Truth-Seeking Orbs.
They had a certain suppressive effect against powerful enemies below Six Paths level, and even Tailed Beasts.
In the original story, even Hashirama Senju in his Impure World Reincarnation state had been pinned down by Edo Madara's Black Chakra Rods.
Douyang closed the template and shut his eyes to rest.
Unlike the apprehensive Shisui and the others, Douyang was in no hurry.
Moryo was indeed a considerable problem.
At the very least, he was more frightening than an ordinary Tailed Beast.
But saying he could wreak havoc across the Shinobi World was somewhat alarmist.
The vast Shinobi World was full of hidden masters.
Even setting aside Nagato with his Rinnegan, the Five Kage alone were an obstacle Moryo could not overcome.
According to his hazy memories from his previous life, the priestess of the Land of Demons possessed powerful Sealing Jutsu, and she had sacrificed her life to seal Moryo.
The priestess's daughter had woken up at some point and was staring straight at Douyang. "Big brother, your mask is so pretty."
Priestess Miroku said sternly, "Don't make trouble."
Little Shion immediately lowered her head, pouting unhappily.
Douyang smiled, took off his mask, and handed it to her. "Little girl, what's your name?"
The little girl grabbed the fox mask, her face lighting up with joy.
"Big brother, my name is Shion!"
"What am I to do with this child? My apologies, Mr. Ninja."
The priestess smiled helplessly, bowing apologetically to Douyang while gently stroking Shion's head.
Wearing the mask, Shion ran back and forth through the hall.
Yet as the priestess watched Shion having the time of her life, a trace of sorrow appeared on her face.
Seeing this, Douyang knew that the priestess had most likely already decided to sacrifice her own life to seal Moryo.
Glancing at Miroku's voluptuous figure, Douyang asked, "Lady Priestess, how confident are you that you can seal Moryo?"
Miroku bit her lip, determination showing in her eyes. "No matter what my chances are, I must seal Moryo..."
"Even if it costs you your life, you won't regret it?"
Miroku trembled slightly, then looked at Douyang suspiciously.
This young man seemed to have guessed what she was thinking.
Miroku took a deep breath and nodded firmly. "Yes. Even if it costs me my life, I won't hesitate."
Douyang gave Miroku a long look and said indifferently, "Lady Miroku, your daughter is so young. You wouldn't want her to grow up all alone, would you?"
Miroku froze for a moment, looking at Douyang with even greater confusion. "What... what are you trying to say?"
Douyang glanced at the ninja sitting upright on their cushions, resting, and lowered his voice. "Let's speak in private."
With that, Douyang walked toward a secluded room at the back.
Watching Douyang's retreating figure, Miroku hesitated before slowly following him.
After the two entered the room, Toroi, whose eyes had been closed, suddenly opened them, a sharp glint flashing through them.
Douyang gently closed the door and said, "Lady Miroku, Moryo may be strong, but he isn't invincible. I estimate his power is somewhere between the Four-Tails and the Five-Tails. You don't necessarily have to stake your life on this."
Hearing Douyang's words, Miroku looked thoughtful.
Miroku was not quite convinced that Douyang could deal with Moryo.
But she did not mind taking a gamble.
So Miroku asked, "Then what do you want?"
Douyang smiled.
Dealing with smart people really did save trouble.
Before you continue