Ch.234 Yakumo

"It's back... it's back…"

Shion was momentarily lost in thought, repeatedly muttering under her breath.

"Ah…"

Uchiha Shinji sighed.

The shrine maiden and Moryo were two sides of the same coin. As long as the shrine maiden existed, Moryo was immortal and indestructible. This moment was inevitable and unavoidable.

Yet, even knowing this, seeing the small Shion tormented by fear still made Shinji feel a bit uncomfortable.

Patting Shion's head, Shinji said, "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

Shion, her face streaked with tears, suddenly looked up and blankly stared at Shinji. "Shinji, you'll stay by my side, right?"

"Mm."

Shinji smiled.

Shion hugged Shinji, crying and laughing like a child, drawing the attention of passersby, who pointed and whispered.

Shinji quickly said, "Alright, stop crying. If you keep this up, everyone will think I'm bullying you."

Shion wiped her tears, "I won't cry anymore!"

After some thought, Shinji slowly said, "Moryo isn't impossible to deal with. If we find the right opportunity, there are ways to seal it. It's just…"

Shion asked eagerly, "Just what?"

Shinji said calmly, "Even if it's successfully sealed, that's only a temporary fix, not a permanent solution. Seals always loosen eventually, and it will break free, just like this time."

"Isn't there a way to destroy it completely?"

Shion looked discouraged.

Shinji gazed at Shion, "No. Because it's a part of you. The only way to make it disappear is for you to accept it."

Shion's eyes widened, "Accept it?!"

"Mm." Shinji nodded and explained, "You need to merge with it and become a complete shrine maiden."

Shion shook her head vigorously, "N-no way! I don't want to merge with that kind of monster!"

Shinji didn't push further and simply sighed again.

Shion was in the same class as Naruto and Sasuke, even a year younger than them. Expecting a child like her to face a demon like Moryo was inhumane.

Moreover, merging with Moryo wasn't without risks.

If Moryo overpowered her during the fusion, the result could be a super-demon with the full power of a shrine maiden.

If that happened, the shinobi world would face catastrophe.

Even if Shion was willing to confront Moryo now, Shinji didn't want to take such a risk.

Time was on Shion's side. As time passed, her shrine maiden powers would grow stronger. Eventually, she would be able to handle Moryo however she pleased.

After all, in the long-standing battle between shrine maidens and Moryo over centuries, Moryo had never won even once.

After some thought, Shinji said, "If you're willing, I can start special training with you tomorrow."

Shion's eyes sparkled, "Special training?!"

Shinji nodded gently, "Yes, shinobi training."

Afraid Shinji would change his mind, Shion quickly agreed, "Okay!"

Watching Shion happily run off, Shinji smirked slightly.

During their journey to the Land of Demons, Shion had given him her bell artifact to save him. He hadn't forgotten that favor.

One day, he would help Shion eliminate the threat of Moryo completely. To ensure that she could overpower Moryo during their eventual fusion, it was best to start training her abilities now.

The next day.

Shinji followed his usual routine—going to school and leaving afterward.

However, after school, he didn't go to the medical class lab. Instead, he headed to a training ground where he had arranged to meet Shion.

Before long, Shion arrived.

But she wasn't alone. Following her was a teammate—Kurama Yakumo.

Waving from afar, Shion rushed over to Shinji, "Shinji, Yakumo heard about our training and wants to join in. Is that okay?"

Shinji looked at Yakumo, and his expression suddenly changed.

Noticing Shinji's reaction, Kurama Yakumo hesitated mid-step, her face tense.

Shion tugged on Shinji's arm, "Please, Shinji! Let her join us!"

Snapping out of it, Shinji quickly masked his initial reaction and smiled, "Alright. But my training is intense. It's not child's play."

Shion clenched her fist, "I'm not afraid!"

Yakumo quickly added, "M-me neither!"

"Warm up your bodies first. We'll start with basic taijutsu." Shinji instructed, then casually asked, "By the way, why didn't you ask Kimimaro to train you?"

As she warmed up, Shion pouted, "Don't mention that guy! He's too focused on his own training. He doesn't care about me or Yakumo! I'm fine, but Yakumo…"

As she spoke, Shion realized she had said too much and quickly fell silent.

Hack cough

Yakumo's face darkened, and her movements grew more intense, eventually leading to violent coughing.

Shion hurried to support her, "Yakumo, are you okay?"

Yakumo stubbornly shook her head, "I-I'm fine… I just… choked accidentally."

Shinji observed everything, shaking his head, "Yakumo, your body isn't well. Let me guess—whenever you exert yourself, your lungs burn, right?"

Yakumo froze, staring at Shinji in surprise, "H-how did you know?"

Shion grabbed Yakumo's hand with concern, "Yakumo, you told me it was just a minor problem. Why is this happening? What's wrong with you?"

Shinji said calmly, "In your condition, forget becoming a shinobi—just living like an ordinary person will be difficult. This training won't help you. It'll hurt you instead. You should rest."

Yakumo looked disheartened, "Shinji… are you abandoning me too?"

Shinji shook his head, "I'm just being honest. I'm sure your family has realized it too."

Yakumo shouted, "Why?! I only want to become a shinobi—why does everyone stop me?!"

Shion was startled by Yakumo's outburst.

Shinji said clearly, "Because they want you to live."

"Even without your help, I'll become a shinobi!"

Yakumo ignored Shinji's words and stormed out of the training ground.

Watching her retreating figure, Shion said, "Shinji, you shouldn't have said that. You don't know how much pressure she's under. She needs our help."

"Are you slacking off? The training isn't over yet."

Shinji turned away, the corner of his mouth curling into a faint smirk.

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