Shion Captured

Uzumaki Hane returned to the ancestral hall and entered the crater. Instead of immediately entering the magma, Uzumaki Hane transformed his right hand into lava and slowly extended it into the magma.

The scalding magma failed to harm Uzumaki Hane's arm. Uzumaki Hane could clearly feel his arm absorbing the flames within the magma. Uzumaki Hane was delighted; it was indeed working. So he accelerated the absorption speed. The surrounding magma flowed slowly, continuously being absorbed by his arm, unlike usual when it would disappear all at once. Since it worked, Uzumaki Hane planned to absorb it with all his might.

His entire body began to molten, and he walked directly into the lava. The scalding lava engulfed Uzumaki Hane, and he immediately felt the lava on his body rapidly absorbing the surrounding lava.

Time flew by, and half a day passed in the blink of an eye. Uzumaki Hane felt hungry, so he stepped out of the lava, grabbed some food, and went back into the lava to continue his cultivation.

Feeling hungry, Uzumaki Hane emerged from the lava. It was already dark outside, and she couldn't help but marvel at how quickly time had passed. She prepared some more food, and then, instead of returning to the Uzumaki Hane, she sat on the stone path and began using the lava to strengthen her body.

After three more enhancements, Uzumaki Hane was exhausted and lay down on the stone path to rest. The environment here was scorching hot for others, but Uzumaki Hane felt nothing at all and fell asleep in no time.

Upon waking the next day, Uzumaki Hane walked into the lava to continue her monotonous training.

Time flies, Uzumaki Hane has been in the lava for a whole month. During this month, Uzumaki Hane has been soaking in the lava every day to strengthen the Magma-Magma Fruit. At night, he uses magma to strengthen his body. Uzumaki Hane feels that if he continues like this, he will be able to open the Third Gate in just one more month.

Shion has visited three times in the past month to see Uzumaki Hane, but the environment in the crater was too harsh, so Shion did not stay for long before returning.

In a secluded room at the Yomi Base.

Kusuna and Shizuku sat facing each other. Kusuna said, "Shizuku, what do you want with me?"

Shizuku's expression was solemn as he said, "Brother, I'm going to avenge Setsuna."

Kusuna immediately said, "No, Lord Yomi Quan's plan is at a crucial point right now, we can't expose ourselves."

Shizuku said, "But brother, he died with his eyes wide open, Setsuna the murderer got away scot-free. I'm not reconciled."

Kusuna hesitated, a look of hatred flashing in his eyes, and said, "No, you're too weak. Going there will only be a pointless death."

Shizuku said, "Brother, I need your help to go and beg Lord Yomi Quan?"

Kusuna hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "Alright." The two arrived at the Yomi and explained their purpose.

Yomi pondered for a moment, then said, "Since you want to go, I'll grant your wish. Dark Medical Jutsu." A strange tentacle shot out from his hand and burrowed into Shizuku's body.

Shizuku felt his Chakra surge, and excitedly shouted, "Thank you, Lord Yomi! I'll kill that ninja right away!" Then he left immediately.

After Shizuku left, Kusuna said, "Lord Yomi Quan, won't this ruin your plans?"

Yomi said coldly, "That ninja is very strong. I have a feeling that he will be the biggest obstacle when Moryo is resurrected. If Shizuku can kill him, that's good. Even if he can't, it won't be a loss for me."

In the shrine maiden's palace complex, in the palace where the shrine maiden resided, Shion sat in the main seat, resting after completing her sealing spell. Suddenly, the wind chime pinned to her chest emitted a melodious sound, a sound that filled her with terror, for each time she heard it meant the death of someone close to her. Immediately afterward, a mysterious pattern appeared in Shion 'Shion eyes, and images of the future flashed before her.

Taruho noticed Shion's unusual behavior and said with a serious expression, "Lady Shion, have you made another prophecy?"

A look of pain flashed in Shion's eyes, but her expression remained unchanged as she said, "Taruho, tell Tamura to go back. Give him a day off today."

Taruho understood and exclaimed, "Is it Tamura this time?" However, he did not go to inform Tamura, for everyone here was willing to die to protect Shion.

Shion said angrily, "Taruho, why aren't you going yet?"

Taruho said, "But, Lady Shion..."

Just then, the sounds of fighting came from outside. Taruho cried out, "Lady Shion, be careful! I'll go check it out." With a bang, the door was flung open, and Tamura rushed in with several elite soldiers, saying, "Lady Shion, enemies have invaded!"

Before he could finish speaking, the wall was breached, and the intruder burst in. Tamura shouted, "Protect Lady Shion..." Gripping his treasured sword, his eyes filled with determination, he charged at the intruder and brought his sword down on its head.

"Tamura, be careful..." Taruho said anxiously.

Tamura slashed at the intruder, feeling that this strike was the pinnacle of his life, and thought to himself, "Yes, I can definitely protect Lady Shion..."

Unfortunately, he encountered a ninja. The intruder was faster, his right hand raised and piercing directly into Tamura's chest. At this moment, Tamura's sword was still ten centimeters from the intruder. Tamura looked at the intruder unwillingly, wanting to continue slashing, but he felt his strength gradually disappearing.

The invaders completely disregarded Tamura's resentment and casually tossed him aside. Taruho cried out anxiously, "No... Tamura!"

Sitting upright in the main seat, Shion watched as Tamura's corpse was thrown out by the enemy like a rag doll, her eyes filled with pain. Yet another person close to her had died in her place, falling before her eyes. At that moment, she felt an intense hatred for her own powerlessness, a hatred for why it wasn't her who had died, and even contemplated suicide. But remembering her duty, she had to seal away the Moryo, and could only continue to live on in this painful state.

Taruho stepped in front of the intruder and shouted, "Run! Lady Shion!" Shion glanced at Taruho, then turned and fled.

The intruder's face was full of contempt as he said, "Miyako Shion, I won't let you escape Earth Release: Petrification." His right hand quickly enveloped the rock, and he punched Taruho away. Then, in a flash, he stopped Shion before Shion rushed into the secret passage, and struck her on the back of the Shion with his right hand, causing Shion to faint.

The intruder grabbed Shion and said to Taruho, "If you want to save the priestess, send over the ninja who killed my brother." Then he quickly left.