Chapter 210: The Invincible Moryo

Land of Demons, Sealing Shrine.

Though called a shrine, it resembled a modest temple nestled inconspicuously in a valley.

Within its depths, the shrine contained the seal imprisoning Moryo's spirit, while its body lay in a shrine located in the Land of Swamps.

The stillness of the night was shattered by the sudden screams.

In the next moment, flames roared to life, illuminating the surroundings and consuming the shrine's guards entirely.

Wind howled as the fire surged, growing fiercer with every gust, leaving devastation in its wake.

On a distant hill, Uzuki Yugao watched Yomi and his four men silently, her expression calm but her heart brimming with astonishment.

Things were going exactly as Shinho had predicted, they were like actors performing a meticulously scripted play.

Her respect for the Hokage deepened.

…

Within ten minutes, the Sealing Shrine had fallen.

"You all wait outside," said Yomi, barely containing his excitement. His face broke into an exhilarated grin as he pushed open the grand doors and entered.

The shrine's interior was barren save for a long stone pathway leading to a central dais.

Surrounding the dais were piles of stones.

Yomi approached the dais, where a stone monolith stood, covered with intricate sealing inscriptions.

"Moryo-sama, the time has come for your return to the mortal world," Yomi murmured, placing his hand reverently on the monolith.

As black chakra surged forth, the inscriptions glowed brilliantly.

Crack.

The monolith split apart, revealing a swirling void like a black hole.

"Moryo-sama!" Yomi dropped to his knees, pressing his body flat against the ground in devout submission. "Your servant welcomes your return!"

"Yomi? It has been a long time," a chilling voice resonated from the void. "What is the situation?"

"Please, Moryo-sama, take my body as your vessel. With your undead army awakened, we shall reclaim your body and conquer the ninja world once more!"

Yomi rose, shedding his clothing to reveal his chest—split open to expose muscle and flesh, though no blood spilled.

This was the result of his dark medical ninjutsu.

"Excellent," Moryo praised, "I acknowledge your loyalty."

At these words, a mass of purplish-black mist surged from the void, entering Yomi's body.

Yomi screamed in agony, barely enduring the searing pain as he used fine threads to sew his chest shut.

Once clothed again, he stood and began to laugh maniacally.

"Awaken!" Yomi cried from the dais, spreading his arms wide.

The stones scattered across the shrine trembled violently.

Under Moryo's control, they regained vitality, transforming into terracotta soldiers.

Yomi's presence grew increasingly imposing.

When the ritual ended, he regained his composure.

The next step was clear: he had to reach the Land of Swamps and reunite Moryo's spirit with its body, completing its resurrection.

The undead army, however, had a different purpose: to eliminate Shion.

Moryo and Shion were mortal enemies.

Until Moryo regained its full strength, it sought to avoid direct confrontation with the priestess.

Moreover, Yomi knew Shion had hired ninja from three major villages.

"Yomi-sama!"

His four subordinates rushed forward.

Yomi nodded slightly, forming hand seals.

Armored terracotta soldiers began to march forth, orderly and disciplined like a true army.

Even Yomi's subordinates were awestruck.

With such a force, conquering the ninja world no longer seemed impossible.

Turning his gaze toward the Priestesses Shrine, Yomi led his army forward.

Though their pace was slow, the distance between the Sealing Shrine and the Priestess Shrine wasn't far, half a day's march would suffice.

"Let's move!" Yomi leaped into the night, heading toward the Land of Swamps.

…

Priestess Shrine.

Shinho opened his eyes.

The kikaichu insects he had stationed for surveillance alerted him to approaching figures.

A knock echoed at his door.

Rising, Shinho opened it to find Yugao bowing respectfully.

"Hokage-sama," she reported, "everything unfolded as you had anticipated."

"Very well," Shinho said, dismissing her with a wave.

He then made his way to Shion's room and knocked.

The door opened quickly, revealing the priestess herself.

"The undead army is on its way," Shinho stated without preamble.

"They've come, as expected," Shion replied calmly. Her visions had already shown Moryo's escape, so she wasn't surprised.

"Yomi has gone to the Land of Swamps," Shinho added.

"Thank you for informing me, Hokage-sama."

Taking a deep breath, Shion made a decision.

"We leave for the Land of Swamps immediately."

The undead army's goal wasn't to destroy the Land of Demons but to obstruct them.

By leading the army away, they could minimize the damage inflicted upon the country.

At Shion's command, her priestess guards and ninja from the three major villages assembled.

Kumogakure's team consisted of C, Samui, and two others, forming a standard four-man squad.

Iwagakure, however, fielded two full squads, totaling eight ninja.

Leading them was Kitsuchi, son of the Third Tsuchikage Onoki and father of the Fourth Tsuchikage Kurotsuchi.

Kitsuchi, towering and stern, didn't greet the Konoha or Kumogakure ninja.

His subordinates, however, cast glances at Shinho, their expressions tinged with hostility.

This tension stemmed from the Third Great Ninja War, where Iwagakure's assault on Konoha was thwarted by Minato Namikaze.

The legendary Battle of Kannabi Bridge, in particular, was a sore point.

Similar animosity existed between Konoha and Kumogakure, but during this mission, all grievances were set aside.

"Hokage-sama."

Shion called Shinho over.

"What can I do for you, Priestess?" Shinho asked, stepping forward.

"My guards are mostly civilians, and I am frail. Could you carry me?"

Shion's tone was hesitant, clearly embarrassed.

This scene mirrored a moment from the original story, where Naruto carried her. Now, the role fell to Shinho, likely influenced by her visions.

Among all present, he was undoubtedly the most trustworthy.

"Of course."

Kneeling, Shinho offered his back.

Shion hesitated briefly before climbing on.

Her delicate frame settled against him.

"Damn it!" Karin fumed, jealousy flaring. Though she understood the necessity, she couldn't help feeling envious.

As Shion explained the plan, the group set off.

Shinho could feel the slight touch on his back.

It felt oddly…normal. 

…

"They're just ahead!"

Two hours later, an iwagakure ninja reported.

Everyone stopped.

Soon, the dense army of countless terracotta soldiers came into view.

"Proceed as planned," Shion said hurriedly.

Their strategy was to draw the army away, as destroying the soldiers would achieve nothing unless Moryo was defeated.

"Prepare yourselves!" Kitsuchi roared.

The Iwagakure ninja formed hand seals.

Earth Style: Earth Style Rampart!

An enormous wall rose, spanning over a hundred meters in length.

Samui leaped over the wall, landing among the terracotta soldiers.

Her blade flashed, releasing arcs of lightning that struck the soldiers, paralyzing them in place.

At that moment, a sharp chirping sound pierced the air.

Samui turned her head subconsciously.

She saw Sasuke with his three-tomoe Sharingan activated. Surrounded by crackling electricity, as he charged into the undead army, dual blades slicing through soldiers effortlessly.

Samui was taken aback.

So young, yet so powerful?

"Ah, an Uchiha," she murmured.

Kitsuchi glanced at the scene and immediately joined the battle.

Earth Style: Fist Rock Technique!

His right hand turned into a massive, hardened rock, and with one punch, he smashed a terracotta soldier's head.

Crack!

The soldier instantly shattered into pieces.

Every ninja, except Shinho Aburame and Karin, had joined the fray.

Within moments, they achieved considerable results, shattering the undead soldiers into rubble.

But it didn't even take a minute before the fragmented terracotta soldiers regenerated and returned to their original form.

"Let's move!"

Shion pointed northward, toward the Land of Swamps.

Shinho nodded slightly but kept a slower pace. He wanted to ensure everyone battling the undead army could regroup.

"Fight and retreat!"

Kitsuchi noticed Shion's movement and quickly issued the command.

The mindless undead soldiers, following Moryo's orders, began lumbering after them in a relentless pursuit.

Sasuke took the rear, his expression emotionless as he swung his blades.

Among the ninjas, his performance stood out the most.

It was hard to ignore the prowess of such a young Uchiha with such formidable strength.

"So that's Konoha's trump card?"

C, from Kumogakure, observed Sasuke and remarked.

"Hard to say."

Samui skewered a terracotta soldier through the chest with her blade, her tone calm. "We haven't seen the others make a move yet, it's still too early to judge."

"Then let's wait until Moryo appears."

C nodded slightly.

"Moryo is quite powerful. We'll have to be cautious."

Samui lashed out with a powerful kick, sending a terracotta soldier flying.

"No need to worry too much."

C gestured toward Shion. "The priestess will seal it anyway."

"How pitiful."

Samui's cold voice carried no sympathy.

She knew all too well the cost of the priestess's sealing techniques—self-sacrifice.

At that moment, the ground began to quake violently.

A volcano emerged from the earth, erupting with molten fury, sending countless terracotta soldiers soaring skyward.

This was the result of Kitsuchi's Earth Style: Opening Earth Rising Excavation, executed in unison with the Iwagakure team.

"As expected from one of Kumogakure's greatest enemies," C murmured, impressed.

In his mind, the two greatest threats to Kumogakure had always been Konohagakure and Iwagakure, given their comparable strength.

Samui said nothing, continuing her systematic dismantling of the terracotta soldiers.

…

Land of Swamps.

At the base of a shrine, Yomi stood before the entrance, his eyes filled with fervor.

After ten long years, his wish was about to come true.

He pushed the door open and entered.

Despite its shrine-like exterior, the interior was a winding tunnel deep within the mountains.

"I can sense the priestess," Moryo suddenly said, its voice cold and commanding. "She's not far from here. We must hurry."

"Yes, Moryo-sama!"

Yomi quickly suppressed his emotions and hastened his pace.

Following the tunnel's path, Yomi reached the heart of the mountain.

This was a volcanic chamber, its molten heat radiating fiercely through the air.

Streams of lava flowed along the cavern's walls, while in the center lay a massive, grotesque creature.

It was Moryo's body.

"Hahaha!"

Moryo burst forth from Yomi's chest, streaking toward its body.

Blood gushed from the gaping wound.

Yomi collapsed to the ground, gazing at Moryo with a satisfied smile before closing his eyes forever.

The entire mountain began to quake.

"I am free!"

Moryo roared, its massive form rising from the molten depths.

The mountain shattered as its enormous body broke free, sending debris flying in all directions.

Under the light of the sky, Moryo's true form was revealed.

A colossal beast enveloped in black chakra, which exuded an ominous mist.

Its writhing tentacles and menacing visage made it appear like a demon risen straight from the depths of hell.

"What... is that?"

C sensed an indescribable presence, his voice trembling slightly.

"Moryo."

Shion took a deep breath. "It has reclaimed its body and is coming for us."

Although Shion said "us," Moryo's true target was clear—her.

Only Shinho knew the truth: Moryo's power and Shion's priestess abilities originated from the same source.

Together, they formed a singular ultimate force.

The bell Shion wore—her mother Miroku's keepsake—wasn't merely ornamental. Its true function was to suppress her latent power, something even Shion herself was unaware of.

A fierce wind tore through the air.

The group looked up and gasped in unison.

A monstrous creature, rivaling the size of a Tailed Beast, descended upon them.

Tentacles flailed wildly as Moryo bellowed, "I'm here, Shion!"

"Engage!"

Kitsuchi's expression hardened as he shouted the order.

The Iwagakure team was the first to act.

Earth Style: Earth Style Rampart!

A massive earthen barrier rose to shield them.

"Insignificant ants!"

Moryo roared, "You will all perish!"

Its enormous tentacles struck like swords, effortlessly piercing the wall.

"Brace yourselves!"

Kitsuchi quickly formed another set of seals.

Earth Style: Sandwich Technique!

Massive quantities of chakra surged forth, creating two enormous hemispheres that clamped down on Moryo's attacking tentacles, halting their advance.

"Hurry!"

Kitsuchi gritted his teeth. "I can't hold it for long!"

Chidori Sharp Spear!

Uchiha Sasuke extended his arm, conjuring a lightning spear in his hand.

With a swift throw, the spear streaked toward the nearest tentacle, piercing through it with a flash of lightning.

Black blood splattered everywhere, but the wound healed almost instantly.

Meanwhile, Samui darted forward with blinding speed.

Cloud Style

She leaped into the air, slashing at another tentacle with her short blade.

Boom!

The appendage was severed neatly, however, it regrew within seconds.

The Iwagakure team launched a barrage of attacks.

The ground quaked as earth spikes and rock clubs flew toward Moryo.

"Fools!"

Moryo's body quivered, releasing an invisible shockwave that spread outward.

The nearest Iwagakure ninja suddenly froze, their minds clouded, and were impaled by Moryo's tentacles in an instant.

The others winced in pain, clutching their heads from the psychic assault.

Seizing the moment, Moryo broke free from Kitsuchi's technique.

Its tentacles, surging with dark chakra, expanded outward like a tidal wave, blotting out the sun.

Earth Style: Great Moving Earth Core!

Kitsuchi shouted as the remaining Iwagakure ninja formed seals in unison.

The ground surged upward like a colossal axe, crashing into Moryo.

Boom!

The impact resounded like thunder, but Moryo's tentacles moved like serpents, tearing through the earth barrier with ease.

Rubble and debris rained down with tremendous force, scattering the group.

"Scatter!"

Kitsuchi roared, but the combined assault of debris and tentacles was too overwhelming.

Three ninja fell, their screams echoing briefly before silence overtook them.

Shinho grabbed Karin and retreated a safe distance of a hundred meters.

As for Sasuke, such attacks were trivial to him.

"Hokage-sama!"

Shion gripped Shinho's wrist tightly.

"Please, you must act!"

If he didn't, her only remaining option would be to sacrifice herself to seal Moryo.

"Karin, stay here."

Shinho nodded and replied calmly, "I'll handle it."

"Yes!"

Karin responded immediately.