chapter 40

After continuously traveling for several days and nights, the assault team finally arrived at Demon Mountain.

Looking at the sinister appearance of the mountain ahead, Pakura asked while suppressing the uneasiness in her heart, “This creepy place is the Demon Mountain!?”

Miko-sama nodded while giving a short explanation, “There is a naturally active volcano within the Demon Mountain capable of suppressing evil chakra. It is an excellent place to seal Moryo.”

Listening to Miko-sama’s explanation, Pakura asked, “So what should we do next?”

Different from their previous self, whether the Sand or the Rock shinobi; didn’t have any trace of arrogance; only anxiety after witnessing the Demon personally and the danger he could pose to their respective villages, therefore, everyone wanted to complete the task as soon as possible.

Miko-sama said while pointing towards the entrance of a cave that went straight to the inside of the mountain: “Lead the Demon inside that cave and seal its body there!”

Captain of the Rock unit asked in puzzlement, “Only seal the body?”

Miko-sama nodded gently, “Yes, only his body will be sealed there.”

Rock unit captain continued asking in puzzlement, “Why!??”

“Moryo’s power is far too strong, and his chakra is extremely corrosive in nature, if he is sealed as is; he will be able to break free within a few years.” After a short pause, she continued, “So it’s body and soul must be sealed separately to decrease his chances of breaking off from here!”

“In that case, please start the sealing process immediately!” Kakashi spoke as he started looking into the distant sky and said thoughtfully, “I have a feeling if we don’t hurry it wouldn’t be possible to finish all the necessary requirements before he gets here, so we don’t have much time.”

At this time Kuroto stood up and said to everyone, “Just guard the outside, let me be responsible for guarding Miko-sama during the final sealing process!”

Everyone was surprised by Kuroto’s sudden Voluntary action.

Protecting Miko-sama during the final sealing process can be said to be the most dangerous part of this mission. Not to mention Sand and Rock Shinobi, even Kakashi, Guy, and Shisui of the same village looked inexplicably at him. Nobody could understand why would Kuroto volunteer for the most dangerous part of the task.

Pakura asked in a deep voice, “What do you mean?”

Kuroto stated calmly, “You already understand what I mean. When the Demon comes, let him pass through, without putting any resistance, all you need to do is to block the Ghost Army, and I will be responsible for suppressing the Demon while Miko-sama is sealing it.”

Captain of the Rock unit said mockingly, “I can’t rest assured with just you responsible for suppressing the Demon!” Although he was unwilling to personally fight the Demon, he didn’t want to mess things up, so he immediately disapproved of Kuroto’s request.

Seeing the disapproval from both the villages Shisui also stood up, bowed to everyone, and said sincerely, “I too will be responsible in suppressing the Demon together with him, please rest assured we will definitely fulfill our part of the task!”

Kuroto was earnestly grateful to Shisui for his support and whispered, “Thank you!”

Shisui didn’t say anything but passed a gentle smile.

Pakura on the other hand said coldly, “If you want to really take that part then, Konoha must be held responsible in case you fail!” In her view, the confidence of these two shinobi in suppressing the Demon even after having witnessed the power of the other party simply means they have some means to complete the job.

Although Kakashi also had some doubts he still chose to trust Kuroto and Shisui seeing their confidence.

As for the captain of the Rock unit, he didn’t have any option but to nod with a gloomy expression because of the approval from both Kakashi and Pakura.

After the decision was finalized, everyone immediately began preparation.

Kuroto took Guy to the side and spoke in a whispering voice, “Don’t let anyone other than the Demon enter inside the cave, not even you and Kakashi, understand?”

Guy was a little confused, “Why?”

“I will explain all that later, for now just do what I asked!”

Obviously, Guy didn’t agree and asked anxiously, “Then what if you have an accident inside? Do you just want us to watch from the outside!?”

Kuroto said solemnly, “If both I and Shisui can’t suppress the Demon together you would just be coming to die either way!”

“Kuroto, you have to trust your companions, I might not be strong enough to help you but Kakashi is very powerful, if it’s him, he would definitely find some method to help you!”

“Idiot! It is because I trust both you and Kakashi that I am asking you to trust me too! Besides, blocking stone soldiers isn’t an easy task!” With a smile, Kuroto insisted: “Remember my words, NO-ONE-OTHER-THAN-THE-DEMON-IS-ALLOWED-TO-ENTER. Use Hachimon Tonkou if need be!”

Seeing the solemn look on Kuroto’s face, Guy decided to trust in Kuroto’s words and nodded seriously, “I promise!”

With Guy’s assurance, Kuroto, Shisui, and Miko-sama walked inside the cave of the Demon Mountain.

While walking in the gloomy cave, Kuroto asked Miko-sama, “How long will it take you to complete the preparation?”

Miko-sama seemed to have considered this long ago so immediately answered him, “Setting up the preparation won’t take much time, but it will take at least 15 minutes or probably even longer in activating it!”

Kuroto frowned hearing this, “In other words, we have to suppress Moryo for at least 15 minutes?”

Miko-sama nodded solemnly.

Miko-sama wasn’t sure whether Kuroto and Shisui could suppress Moryo that long so she was prepared to sacrifice herself while sealing the Demon. Except for her daughter Shion, nothing else is stopping her from doing so.

Hearing Miko-sama’s words, Shisui gritted his teeth and said earnestly, “Kuroto-san, let me fight against him!”

Kuroto just glanced slightly at Shisui from the side and shook his head, “You are far too young to be able to fight against someone of the tailed beast class, you may have the necessary power, but your immature physical constitution would be under severe burden if you consume too much pupil power.”

Shissui’s strength is more dependent on his pupil power at his current age. In terms of pure physical power, he is only slightly better than others because of the limitation of his immature physique, and this is also the reason why he lacks the necessary amount of chakra.

Shisui wanted to insist, “But…”

However, before he could finish speaking, Kuroto interrupted him: “Don’t worry, I already have a plan. All you have to be responsible for is suppressing the Demon in starting, I will take care of him after that.”

At this time Miko-sama walking on the side also interjected, “Maybe I can also delay him for a while!”

Kuroto asked her in puzzlement, “What can you do?”

Upon Kuroto’s question, she hesitated for a while, finally sighed and decided to confess, “The Demon Moryo has a deep connection with the Miko’s of the Land of Demons. If you insist on knowing, he is actually part of me.”

Shisui’s eyes widened at this unexpected information, “WHAT……!!!!!????”

However, Kuroto wasn’t as surprised, although he doesn’t remember the exact story behind the entanglement between the Miko’s and the Demon, he still knows that there is a secret connection between the two, otherwise, the Demon wouldn’t chase after her all the way from the Lands of the Demons to the Land of Swamps.

After finally confessing the biggest secret she has hidden in her heart, Miko-sama seemed to feel relaxed, and she kneeled down in front of Kuroto and Shisui to express her apology.