"..."
Aoba quietly watched as the last remaining trace of Moryo's power was completely erased. As for the final words he left behind, he neither agreed nor disagreed.
Just as he had said, as the dark side of the miko, as long as the miko lineage continued, there might indeed be a chance for him to be reborn.
But that would probably be something that wouldn't happen for several hundred years.
After all, under normal circumstances, where would a miko get that much darkness to let him be reborn?
After dealing with Moryo, Aoba returned to the wooden dragon that was carrying Ino and Shion.
"Aoba, you were so handsome just now!"
Ino immediately rushed over with a bright smile.
Just thinking about how he had stood high above, looking down at that monster with a calm face, her heart was still pounding nonstop.
Her eyes were sparkling.
Seeing her like this, Aoba did not know what to say. He could only smile and pat her head.
Although as she had grown older, Ino's personality had matured a lot compared to before, she still had a bit of that lovestruck side.
Of course, it was only directed at him.
"Hokage-sama!"
Shion also hurried over in small, quick steps.
She looked at Aoba, took a deep breath, and then bowed ninety degrees to thank him.
"Thank you very much. If it weren't for you, I probably would have had to seal it with my own life."
"No need to be so polite."
Aoba waved his hand at the white-haired girl who was fully showing her serious bowing manner, and said with a gentle smile, "Since we accepted the commission, this is simply our duty."
"But no matter what, Hokage-sama, you saved my life."
The gratitude on Shion's face was impossible to hide.
But soon, she remembered the final words Moryo had left behind.
"However, Hokage-sama, has that monster Moryo really disappeared completely?"
Aoba thought for a moment before answering, "What I can confirm is that this Moryo has indeed been completely erased. But Moryo's essence is a collection of negative emotions. As long as darkness exists, there may still come a day when he is reborn."
"However, that would be at least several hundred years from now. And the next Moryo will definitely be far weaker. Miko-dono, there is no need to worry."
"Th… this…"
Shion felt her mind get a little tangled. She did not quite understand things like dark sides.
But looking at it this way, although she had been freed, her future descendants might still be threatened by Moryo.
In that case, she had to give birth to strong enough descendants.
Thinking of this, she could not help raising her eyes to look at Aoba in front of her. A faint blush appeared on her fair face.
'Although he is a little too popular with girls, when he dealt with Moryo just now, he really was strong… and handsome…'
'And… if next miko is born from the two of us, then dealing with Moryo in the future would be easy, won't it?'
'So that's how it is!'
Shion suddenly felt like she understood something.
'So this is the reason why, in the prophecy, I was willing to be with him?'
Sure enough, she knew she was definitely not that kind of frivolous person in the prophecy.
She was doing it all for the future of the miko lineage, which was why she had seemed so desperate.
No wonder in the scene she foresaw, she kept competing with the other girls, it was all for the future of the miko lineage.
Shion completed a round of self-brainwashing in her heart.
It could only be said that after resolving the life-threatening danger of Moryo, her personality had become much more lively.
"Miko-dono?"
Seeing that after glancing at him she immediately lowered her head again, Aoba had no idea what she was thinking.
Could it be that, just like in the original storyline, she was thinking about having children with him?
"Ah? Sorry, I spaced out for a moment."
Shion came back to her senses and quickly apologized.
"It's fine. Since Moryo's matter has been resolved, we should head back," Aoba smiled.
"O… okay."
Shion nodded, then waited for Aoba to crouch down and carry her on his back again.
But instead, he simply extended his hand toward her.
"Hm? Hokage-sama, are we walking back this time?"
Shion asked in confusion.
"No need to go through that trouble."
Aoba directly placed his hand on Shion's shoulder.
In the next instant, the scene shifted, and the three of them had already appeared in the room Shion had arranged for Aoba in the Land of Demons.
"Th… this is…"
Shion looked around blankly. Seeing the familiar layout, she could not help opening her mouth slightly.
"We… we're already back in the Land of Demons?"
"Mm. This is a long-distance teleportation jutsu from Konoha. As long as a mark is set, you can travel back and forth in an instant."
Aoba explained briefly.
"That's amazing!"
Shion could not hide the shock on her face. Although the Land of Demons and the Land of Swamps were neighboring countries, the distance between them was still considerable.
And yet such a distance had been crossed in an instant, 'Is this the strength of Konoha's Hokage?'
Aoba did not explain further, "Since the commission has been completed, then…"
"Hokage-sama!"
Before he could finish, Shion interrupted him with a serious expression.
"Hm? What is it?"
Both Aoba and Ino were startled by her sudden loud voice.
"…"
Shion seemed a little embarrassed by her raised voice just now, but she quickly adjusted herself.
"Because the matter was urgent, I had no choice but to disturb your rest in the middle of the night. Now that everything has been resolved, why not stay and rest a little longer? I'll have people prepare a sumptuous lunch."
"Just in time… just in time to discuss the terms of the commission as well."
At the end, an obvious look of expectation appeared on Shion's face.
"That works."
Aoba had not actually planned to leave right away anyway. He then said to Ino, "We didn't rest well yesterday. Let's catch up on some sleep."
"Mm."
Ino nodded obediently.
She also wanted to take advantage of this commission to have a few good days out with Aoba.
If they ended the commission and left now, he would definitely use Flying Thunder God to take her straight back.
Wouldn't that waste such a good opportunity?
And more importantly. If she went back now, she would definitely be beaten up together by Sakura and Tenten.
She had to eat well during this time. Then at least when that beating came, it would not feel like a total loss.
"In that case, we'll rest in the room. Miko-dono, you probably didn't rest well last night either. Go back and rest early too. When lunch is ready, just have someone come call us."
"Mm, but…"
Shion nodded, yet soon her expression turned hesitant, with a hint of anticipation.
"If possible, Hokage-sama, could you call me by my name?"
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