Chapter 237

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The Tenbin Clan is a unique clan in the shinobi world, born with the innate 'Sage Body.'

However, this 'Sage Body' differs from that of Asura's. The latter is known for its abundant life force, massive chakra reserves, and extreme affinity for natural energy.

In contrast, the Tenbin Clan's 'Sage Body' has no relation to life force or chakra reserves. They are simply innately attuned to natural energy.

Due to the influence of natural energy, the Tenbin Clan members are like elves, capable of hearing the thoughts of surrounding animals, knowing the precise state of nearby plants, and sensing everything in nature.

The Priestess of the Land of Demons, or rather the woman who initially sealed Moryo, was a member of the Tenbin Clan. Due to her special constitution, she absorbed and imprisoned half of Moryo's power.

Using the power that originated from the same source as Moryo, she gained the ability to seal Moryo. Moreover, since half of Moryo's power resided within her, the seal on Moryo was never complete.

The priestess was both the cage that sealed Moryo and the key to unlocking it. Therefore, ever since the first priestess sealed Moryo, her descendants' duties and fates were also set in stone.

After understanding this, Kyomu's thoughts expanded. He turned to ask Ichikishimahime another question, "Hime, do you think the Tenbin Clan is the earliest ancient humans? I mean, before chakra descended upon the shinobi world, were the Tenbin Clan the only humans capable of practicing orthodox sage arts?"

"Well... I'm not sure," Ichikishimahime said somewhat embarrassed, "Back then, I was still... an egg, not yet hatched."

Kyomu looked at Ichikishimahime oddly, "Didn't you tell me at that time..."

"No, you remember wrong," Ichikishimahime interrupted, "I didn't make things up or brag to you. When I was little, I really ate toads from Mount Myōboku."

Kyomu smiled, knowing the truth but not exposing it.

Who hasn't boasted a bit? It's a very normal thing.

Skipping this matter, Kyomu instructed Ichikishimahime, "After the war ends, can you help me inquire?"

"That's easy. The White Snake Sage is older than Gamamaru; she knows many past events."

Kyomu nodded, just about to speak when Ichikishimahime interrupted, "Kyomu, Moryo is not easy to deal with. Ninjutsu and the like are ineffective against him. Only sage arts can handle him."

"I understand this," Kyomu said, touching the hilt of Yoei with one hand, "But Moryo still has a soul, right? And my old buddy here fears no enemy with a soul."

"Kyomu, you mean..." Ichikishimahime's eyes fell on Kyomu's waist, "Yoei can now attack souls? Since when?"

"Well, that's a secret," Kyomu didn't intend to explain, "Just rest assured, I am not afraid of Moryo, in fact, I am quite eager."

Kyomu wasn't exactly a battle maniac, but in the current shinobi world, he was already at the peak of power. While he might be slightly inferior to Hashirama overall, in terms of sheer combat power, he was on par or even superior.

Having experienced the loneliness at the top, Kyomu had an inexplicable desire for stronger opponents.

And Moryo, this demon derived from natural energy, was the best target for Kyomu to test himself. Not only could he verify his current strengths and weaknesses, but he could also experience the true power of primitive sage arts.

If he figured it out, Kyomu could infer how powerful Otsutsuki Isshiki and Kaguya were at their peak.

After all, a thousand years ago, creatures like the White Snake Sage, the Slug Sage, and the Toad Sage were definitely not few in number. It was impossible that they allowed Isshiki and Kaguya to plant the God Tree in the shinobi world.

And whether it was really a defeat or there were other schemes involved, was unknown. Kyomu was genuinely curious.

After a simple chat with Ichikishimahime and probing into the nature of primitive sage arts, Kyomu finally retreated into his tent.

Ichikishimahime looked at Kyomu's tent, took a few steps forward but then stopped, not entering.

It's not the right time yet; everything must prioritize becoming a dragon.

Suppressing her inner impulse, Ichikishimahime turned into a cloud of smoke and dissipated, reverse summoning back to Ryūchi Cave.

While Kyomu rested, she took the opportunity to find the White Snake Sage to ask about the events in the shinobi world over a thousand years ago and see if the Tenbin Clan's heritage was as ancient as Kyomu speculated.

After Ichikishimahime left, Kyomu, inside his tent, let out a long breath.

At least she didn't mess around.

No one is without feelings. It's not about love, but a beautiful opposite sex can always ignite a fire in a man's heart.

He has always valued appearances, starting with looks, developing into deep connections, lasting through goodness, and remaining loyal to character.

And in less than a month, Kyomu would turn fourteen. The physical impulses that began at the start of this year were growing stronger and more intense.

Reason can suppress it, but being aroused and then suppressed is really uncomfortable.

After all, who hasn't gone through puberty? "I've experienced it twice in my life, it's quite interesting," Kyomu shook his head with a smile, lying on the camp bed, and soon fell asleep.

Tomorrow, there's another big battle.

The next morning, before Kyomu could summon her, Ichikishimahime came over on her own.

However, last night, she hadn't learned anything from the White Snake Sage. The sage either didn't want to say or was waiting for Kyomu to ask in person.

Feeling the need to apologize, Ichikishimahime approached Kyomu, but he stopped her before she could speak.

"You've done your best. I won't accept any apologies," he said.

Kyomu didn't discuss the matter further. Instead, he called the Ryunin to prepare for battle.

After eating and drinking their fill, they checked their ninja tools and dismantled the temporary camp. Only then did Kyomu gather everyone.

Ichikishimahime transformed into a massive dragon, about three hundred meters long, and soared into the sky with Kyomu on her back, leading the way impressively.

With Kyomu and Ichikishimahime present, the Ryunin squad was in high spirits. They had destroyed two nations in one day, an accomplishment and reputation that would last a long time.

Confidence is cultivated this way.

Soon, Kyomu led the team across the Bird Country border and into the Land of Demons.

As expected, the Daimyo of the Land of Demons and the current priestess were waiting not far ahead.

Seeing the army behind the Daimyo, Kyomu felt a sense of returning to the Warring States era.

The reason for this feeling was the Land of Demons' army, primarily composed of samurai. They wore golden armor, carried long swords and strong bows, and had quivers on their backs, dressed purely as soldiers.

In the front, Kyomu even saw some spearmen, such an outdated military configuration seemed almost farcical.

At a glance, aside from the dozen or so ninja guarding the Daimyo and the priestess, the rest of the combat units were similarly equipped.

Despite this, the Land of Demons had not been affected by the First, Second, or Third Shinobi World Wars.

The reason was not that other nations didn't want to annex the Land of Demons, but because of Moryo sealed within it.

If they forcefully took the Land of Demons, what would they do if Moryo was released?

This was the reason the Daimyo was so confident. Even facing Kyomu, he remained so.

"Kyomu!" the Daimyo called out from his palanquin, "Your strength is unparalleled, and the Land of Dragons easily surpasses the other four great nations. This is an undeniable fact.

But my country is different from theirs. While we lack military expansion, we have sufficient power to protect our land.

So, you should retreat. As long as you don't cause trouble in the Land of Demons, we will not be overly harsh with you."

After the Daimyo spoke, Kyomu sneered as if he didn't understand.

"Hmph, you think that with the forces behind you, you can severely harm me and my ninja army?"

Hearing this, the Ryunin couldn't help but laugh, but good military discipline kept them from making a sound, maintaining a silent and tense atmosphere.

"Kyomu, aren't you afraid we will release Moryo, who could destroy the entire shinobi world?" the Daimyo said furiously, "Kyomu, don't say I didn't warn you!"

"Do you think you're worthy of saying that?" Kyomu's eyes turned cold as he flicked his hand, "You can die now. I've been wanting to see Moryo's true power."

Before he finished speaking, a dazzling bolt of lightning pierced through the Daimyo and several ninjas guarding him, like skewers.

Thud.

Several bodies fell to the ground, each with a small hole in their foreheads, with red and white fluid trickling out.

"Kyomu, how dare you..."

"Priestess, I heard you have the ability to foresee the life and death of others. Did you foresee this?" Kyomu looked down at the priestess of the Land of Demons.

"I did," the priestess said seriously, "And I told the Daimyo, but for the sake of the country's survival, he wanted to try.

But clearly, everything has come true, and you, Kyomu...

The shinobi world will once again fall into chaos because of you. You are the greatest sinner against the current world order and will suffer retribution!"

Such righteous words, but Kyomu remained disdainful.

"You think you're a hero and deserve respect. This is true, even I think so. But you should understand, in the face of might, heroes are merely tools."

Kyomu slowly drew Yoei from his waist, the blade gleaming as he pointed it at the priestess.

"Hero of the Land of Demons, you now have two choices: one is to release Moryo, and the other is to surrender unconditionally and integrate into my country's territory.

Choose the former and die, becoming a hero in name. Choose the latter and bring unnecessary war and death to the Land of Demons.

So tell me, what is your choice?"

"Can't we coexist peacefully?" the priestess asked with a sorrowful expression, "Our country desires peace and doesn't want war. Your actions are wrong and unjust."

"Those who follow me prosper; those who oppose me perish. Where my sword points, there is justice. Where the flag of the Land of Dragons flies, there is a paradise of peace. This is the justice of might. Do you have anything more to say?"

The priestess closed her eyes, clearly having made a decision.

Kyomu responded immediately, the blade he had been pointing dropped sharply.

"Kill!"

The Ryunin launched an attack on the army of the Land of Demons, while the samurai drew their bows or charged forward to retaliate.

At the same time.

Boom.

The priestess disintegrated, her body turning into fine particles of energy, merging into a purple-red energy mass.

"Haha, haha!" Laughter echoed far and wide, "Boy, thank you for freeing me. Once I find the rest of my power, I will kill you, then revive you as my general, and together we will rule this world eternally!"

Kyomu did not respond or stop Moryo, who left after throwing out those words.

Taking only half of Moryo's power was a losing deal for Kyomu. To take, he wanted it all, achieving success in one fell swoop.

Looking down, he observed the battle below.

It was a massacre. The army of the Land of Demons was like paper against the Ryunin' attacks, falling apart at a touch.

Ten minutes? They lasted longer than ten minutes, but under the barrage of complex battlefield jutsu, their formations broke, and their morale shattered.

Escape became inevitable, and the Dragon Ninjas broke into small squads, chasing down the fleeing samurai across the mountains and fields.

This wasn't just a defeat; it was utter annihilation.

Yet Kyomu remained in place, waiting for Moryo.

Moryo didn't make him wait long. After finding and merging with the rest of his power, he came for Kyomu.

Crack, crack.

When the fully formed, purple-red Moryo appeared before Kyomu, the fallen samurai reanimated under his influence, crawling out one by one.

Additionally, an army of skeletons, controlled by Moryo a century ago, emerged from the ground, gathering behind him to form an undead army.

"This is your power, or should I say, the power of primitive sage arts?"

After Kyomu spoke, Moryo's eyes gleamed, his voice sinister, "What is your relationship with the Three Great Sage Lands?"

"I am a contractor of Ryūchi Cave."

"No wonder I smelled the stench of those snakes on you."

"Moryo, you're courting death!" Ichikishimahime said coldly, "Do you truly believe that as a natural energy aggregate, you are invincible?"

"We'll see about that in battle."

As soon as Moryo finished speaking, Kyomu flashed to his side.

With a gleam of his blade, Kyomu swung it horizontally!

(End of Chapter)