The guard

Shion asked seriously, "Taruho, where's Kimura?"

Upon hearing this, Taruho's expression turned grave, and she said in a deep voice, "The intruders arrived so suddenly that I rushed over without knowing what was going on. Did you foresee it again?"

Shion nodded Taruho ordered the soldiers to guard Shion and left quickly. She returned shortly after, her face full of sorrow, and said, "Just as you foresaw, Lady Shion, Kimura, he has sacrificed himself."

Upon hearing this, Shion remained silent.

Uzumaki Hane walked up to her, placed her hand on her head, and said, "Cry it out, it'll make you feel better."

Shion slapped away Uzumaki Hane's hand, pouted, and said, "Who gave you permission to be so rude?"

Uzumaki Hane's expression remained unchanged. He placed his hand on her head again and said, "He's dead. Aren't you sad? Cry."

Shion slapped away Uzumaki Hane's hand again and said, "What are you doing, Taruho, grab him quickly." Seeing Shion's determination, Uzumaki Hane took a step back, while Taruho stepped forward and stood in front of Uzumaki Hane.

Shion said, "Who are you, you rude scoundrel? What do you want with me?"

Standing to the side, Taruho's eyes were also fixed on Uzumaki Hane, as if she would attack at the slightest provocation from Uzumaki Hane.

Uzumaki Hane, completely unfazed by Taruho's wariness, said, "I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Uzumaki Hane, and I'm from Konoha Ninja Village. I'm traveling here to find a volcano to train in."

Upon hearing about the volcano, Shion and Taruho's expressions changed. Shion said in a deep voice, "Do you intend to go to the Sealing Shrine?"

Uzumaki Hane said, "That's right."

Taruho drew her sword and pointed it at Uzumaki Hane: "So you really are one of Moryo's subordinates?"

Uzumaki Hane grabbed her sword and said, "That so-called 'Moryo' is no match for me as his subordinate. But I really want to meet him and see just how powerful he is. Maybe if I destroy Moryo, Shion can be freed from her fate as a priestess."

Shion said, "Impossible, I will not tell you the location of the ancestral hall. I don't believe you."

Uzumaki Hane said, "Then what will it take for you to believe me?"

Shion said, "If you can stay by my side and protect me, let me see your sincerity."

Upon hearing this, Taruho immediately said, "No, Lady Shion, we are not sure of his identity yet. If he is one of the Moryo, it would be too dangerous."

Shion said, "Taruho, I believe he's not one of the Moryo. Besides, do you think he can't find the ancestral hall?"

Taruho paused upon hearing this. Indeed, if Uzumaki Hane wanted to find the ancestral shrine, although it would take some effort, it was still achievable. However, Taruho was still worried and said, "But, Lady Shion..."

Shion waved her hand and said, "Alright, Taruho." Seeing that Shion had made up her mind, Taruho could only agree, but there was still a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

Shion looked at Uzumaki Hane and said, "Uzumaki Hane, what's your decision?"

Uzumaki Hane looked at Shion, pondered for a moment, and said, "No problem."

Shion said, "Alright, from today onwards you will be my bodyguard."

Uzumaki Hane and Taruho left the room. Taruho took out her bow and arrow from her back, pointed it at Uzumaki Hane, and said resolutely, "Uzumaki Hane, I don't know who you are, but if you dare to harm Lady Shion, I will not let you go even if I die."

Uzumaki Hane pushed away Taruho's bow and arrow, saying, "Taruho, don't be so hostile towards me. I won't hurt Shion."

Taruho stared intently at Uzumaki Hane and said, "I hope you keep your word." Then she ordered a soldier to take Uzumaki Hane to a guest room.

The next morning, Uzumaki Hane got up early and went to the shrine maiden's room. Shion was sitting in the main seat. Seeing Uzumaki Hane, she said, "You've arrived, Uzumaki Hane. Prepare breakfast for me."

Ignoring her words, Uzumaki Hane walked directly in front of her and reached out to pinch her cheek.

Shion, Shion slapped away Uzumaki Hane's hand and said, "You rude wretch..."

Uzumaki Hane took a step back and said, "Now can you tell me about the whereabouts of the Moryo?"

Shion snorted and said, "I'm not telling you."

Uzumaki Hane said, "Then I'll wait for you to tell me. I have something to do right now and want to leave the palace for a while." She then turned and left. Shion said, "Hey, Uzumaki Hane, wait a minute..." Uzumaki Hane ignored her.

Uzumaki Hane left the palace and moved quickly through the forest. Suddenly, several Shuriken flew out from ahead, rushing towards Uzumaki Hane. Under the control of the attacker, the Shuriken slashed rapidly towards Uzumaki Hane.

Uzumaki Hane frowned. The newcomer was none other than the intruder from last night, Setsuna, Yomi's subordinate. Setsuna was indeed very strong in his mastery of wind-attribute transformations, but he was no match for Uzumaki Hane in his current state. He had only chosen not to bother with him last night.

A murderous Uzumaki Hane flashed in Yu's eyes as she said, "I didn't expect that even though I wasn't going to cause him any trouble, you would come knocking on my door. Now that you're here, you're not leaving."

Uzumaki Hane rushed forward, nimbly dodging the incoming Shuriken, and in the blink of an eye, he was in front of Setsuna. Setsuna was startled and retreated repeatedly, but Uzumaki Hane was faster, and Setsuna had no way to get rid of him. Uzumaki Hane's right hand turned into lava and directly pierced through his chest.

Uzumaki returned to the inn from the previous day. The caravan was packing their luggage. Upon seeing Uzumaki Hane, Sayuri ran up to Uzumaki Hane and said, "Big brother, we're leaving."

Jidairō walked up behind Sayuri and said, "We've been away from home for over a month now, and it's almost time for us to leave."

Uzumaki Hane said, "I'll stay here for now. If you need any help, just come and find me."

After seeing off Jidairō's caravan, Uzumaki Hane returned to the palace.

Night had fallen, and all was quiet. In a secluded underground base in the Land of Demons, Yomi sat in the main seat, seemingly lost in thought. At that moment, three ninjas entered and knelt before Yomi. The leader, Kusuna, said, "Lord Yomi, Setsuna is dead. Please allow us to avenge him."

Yomi looked up at the three people below, and they felt an immense pressure wash over them. The three kowtowed to the ground and said in unison, "Please, Lord Yomi, allow us to take our revenge."

After a long silence, Yomi finally spoke, "My plan isn't finished yet, and we can't expose ourselves. However, the grudge of that Setsuna must be avenged; let's leave that to our allies."

Then Yomi looked to the side and said, "Now let me see your sincerity." A ninja stepped forward. If Uzumaki Hane were here, he would recognize him as Fudō, a rogue missing-nin from Iwagakure, who was Kazuma's subordinate in the attack on Konoha three years later.

"No problem," said Fudō. "To show our sincerity, I'll take care of that ninja." He then turned and left. The three of them were somewhat unwilling to take revenge themselves, but killing the murderer was enough.