"You need to think this through carefully. Every clan and every ninja village in the world will do everything in their power to stop us. In their eyes, we are destroyers of the established order."
"Even the commoner ninja will see us as devils stirring up war. This path… is destined to be a lonely one," Naruto said, looking deeply at Rock Lee.
When a person makes a firm decision, they undergo a complete and total transformation.
This time, Rock Lee did not run. He faced his own heart.
"Actually, I've always seen it—the unfair treatment that commoner ninja suffer. Before, many of my classmates who came from commoner families gave up on being ninja."
"From birth, the resources they received were inferior to those of the clan ninja. After entering the academy, they had to compete with them. When they failed to compete, they naturally received even fewer resources, which meant their potential was difficult to develop, and their death rate in the field was higher."
Lee remembered a night when his father, drunk, had found him and said in a grave tone:
"Lee, you have to work hard. You must show them that even a commoner ninja can rise up against all odds!!!"
Only then did he understand.
His seemingly ordinary father had always held a burning passion within him.
"Naruto, I want to follow you. I want to change all of this, too. I want to prove to everyone that commoner ninja can possess the power to surpass everything, the power to change the ninja world!"
"But Konoha is my home, after all. I'm afraid I'll be weak… that I won't be able to go through with it."
"So, I want to find the truth. At the very least, I need proof that Konoha's Root was the true culprit behind my parents' murder," Lee said, clenching his fists in resentment.
"Only then can I truly let go of my feelings for Konoha."
Hearing Lee's words, Naruto smiled faintly and extended his right hand. "That day is not far off. Welcome aboard."
Afterward, he led Lee on a walk through the Pure Land, occasionally striking down the black phantoms that coalesced around them.
He explained the difference between Hollows and Shinigami.
He also explained why he was experimenting with Hollows.
"Hollows and Shinigami are beings that originate from the Pure Land. When a human awakens the power of a Shinigami, it means they have transcended both the Pure Land and the ninja world."
"But obtaining these two powers is extremely difficult, and the mortality rate is very high. As you are now, your chances of success are not great."
Naruto's words left Lee feeling a little dejected.
He watched curiously as the orbs of light were continuously infused with Reiatsu and began to transform, muttering to himself, "No wonder the Konoha ninja are so terrified of Hollows. It's hard to imagine what kind of terrifying existence they'll become after they evolve again."
"But Hollows are mindless creatures, after all. They are far too easy to control," Naruto said, his words tinged with a hint of contempt for them.
His tone shifted.
"However, if they can evolve into Adjuchas, they will develop intelligence."
"Adjuchas." Lee repeated the name, his expression grave.
He was keenly aware of his own limited talent. If he continued down the path of a traditional ninja, his potential would have a low ceiling.
And in the future, Naruto would have many more powerful subordinates by his side.
In terms of strength, he might not be their equal.
In terms of strategy, there was no comparison.
The only thing he could boast of was that he had known Naruto for a long time.
Perhaps sensing Lee's dejection, Naruto clapped him on the shoulder, his voice gentle. "You are the person I trust most, Lee. Work hard to become stronger. In the future, you too can become a Shinigami."
His face was full of confidence.
"Once Orochimaru's research matures, you will be able to possess the power of a Shinigami."
"Orochimaru!! He…" Hearing the familiar name, Lee looked at Naruto in utter astonishment.
For any Konoha ninja, Orochimaru's name was legendary.
One of the former Sannin of Konoha, a Kage-level powerhouse, and even a strong contender for the title of Fourth Hokage.
But in the end, he had defected from Konoha and orchestrated the Konoha Crush Plan.
The ninja of Konoha now felt a mixture of fear and hatred for Orochimaru.
"The very same, one of the former Sannin," Naruto nodded.
"Orochimaru's scientific research capabilities are, without a doubt, the best in the ninja world. You probably don't know this, but Root has always maintained close ties with Orochimaru. Root was even involved in the Konoha Crush Plan. If the Hollows hadn't intervened, I believe the Third Hokage would have died during the attack, and Danzo would have stepped up to compete for the position of Hokage."
A sarcastic curve touched Naruto's lips, his eyes cold.
"Konoha is far darker than you imagine."
Lee fell silent.
He followed behind Naruto, seemingly lost in thought.
After a long while, he looked up, a light shining in his eyes.
"But Naruto, aren't you going to change all of that? I believe you can do it. The future of the ninja world will surely be a wonderful one."
Hearing Lee's words, Naruto felt a deep sense of gratification.
In the early stages of his plan, he already had several trustworthy comrades.
Naruto suddenly thought of Aizen.
That mysterious man who had taught him.
Since their last communication, Aizen had not appeared in the sealed space.
He wondered what plan he was currently carrying out.
And whether that plan was proceeding smoothly.
Naruto didn't dwell on it. After briefly coordinating their story with Lee, he led him to the exit.
They left the Pure Land.
Behind them, a dozen Hollows were slaughtering each other.
All the orbs of light subconsciously fled from the Hollows.
The negative emotions and terrifying presence generated by the Hollows' battles were chilling.
Interestingly, the fighting Hollows would leak a portion of their Reiatsu.
And this Reiatsu had a very small chance of infecting some of the orbs of light.
Thus, new Hollows and Shinigami would be born.
So, without Naruto's direct intervention, the entire Pure Land was already beginning to change.
Although the change was small, through accumulation over time, it would become significant.
Passing through the black gate and returning to reality, they were met by the sight of a cold-faced Shion and, in the distance, a wary Aburame Neri.
Neri clutched a kunai, insects crawling all over her body.
Her situation was rather awkward.
She didn't believe Shion's claim that "Naruto entered the Pure Land, I mean no harm, you can go in and see for yourself if you don't believe me."
Her woman's intuition told her that one did not simply walk into that gate. It would mean death.
But she couldn't just leave, either. After all, Naruto was her 'direct superior.' Even if she were to leave, she would need a reasonable excuse.
What shocked her was that this seemingly weak Shion was now exuding a terrifying presence.
Weren't Priestess Shion's abilities to seal Moryo and prophesize the future?
Could it be that she also possessed formidable combat strength?
Voom. As she stood on guard, the black gate suddenly distorted, and two figures emerged.
Seeing who it was, Aburame Neri let out a sigh of relief.
It was Naruto and Rock Lee.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Naruto said with a gentle smile, nodding at Shion.
Shion released her Shikai, the Zanpakuto returning to its sealed state in her hand. Her expression softened considerably.
"That sword?" Aburame Neri's gaze sharpened, her eyes darting between Shion's and Naruto's Zanpakuto.
Her look was filled with inquiry.
"Let's go. The mission is complete," Naruto said with a smile, exchanging a look with Shion.
The group set off in a grand procession toward the Land of Demons. Aburame Neri lagged at the rear of the group, her eyes flickering. After a long pause, she finally asked, "What's inside the Pure Land? Is there… is there any… you know, biological tissue or anything?" Her expression was a little sheepish.
Naruto paused for a second, then broke into a wide smile. "The Pure Land is just a desert. Moryo didn't leave any tissue behind."
"Oh." Aburame Neri hung her head in disappointment.
Seeing this, a playful look entered Naruto's eyes.
It seemed Aburame Neri's interest in research was even greater than he had thought.
Back in the Land of Demons.
With Moryo's death, the ghostly army naturally lost its power source and collapsed on its own.
Naruto's team received a fanatical welcome from the residents of the Land of Demons.
"That was amazing! As expected of Konoha ninja! You know, the previous priestesses could only seal Moryo!! With the help of the great Konoha ninja, the priestess was able to destroy Moryo completely!"
"No, no, it must be because the priestess herself is powerful!! When she was born, I knew she was different from all the priestesses before her. I knew I wasn't mistaken."
"The ninja are strong, but they still couldn't defeat Moryo on their own. In my opinion, it was the priestess who was the most amazing!!"
The villagers chattered excitedly, many of them giving small trinkets to Naruto's team.
The stall owners who had previously sold trinkets to Lee were now beating their chests and stomping their feet in regret.
"I actually took money from a hero! I should be damned!! I have failed my parents!!!"
Rock Lee felt their enthusiasm and smiled foolishly.
He really liked this kind of atmosphere.
After completing the mission, Naruto's team did not linger and prepared to leave immediately.
Shion escorted them to the border of the Land of Demons, her face full of reluctance. Finally, as if she had made up her mind, she took a step forward and leaned close to Naruto's ear.
"This world no longer needs a priestess, but the Land of Demons still does. Right now, I only wish to follow you, Lord Naruto. Would you be willing to help the Land of Demons have a new priestess?" Shion's words held a double meaning, and a blush crept up her cheeks as she hinted at her true request.
Aburame Neri, who had sharp ears, heard this, and her eyes lit up. She hadn't expected to find someone in this world who was a kindred spirit.
She instantly felt a sense of deep connection.
Naruto was taken aback for a moment, then revealed a warm smile. He gently stroked Shion's white hair and said, "For now, you belong to the Land of Demons."
He looked directly at Shion, his expression unreadable.
"We both need the Land of Demons."
Hearing this, Shion understood instantly. A meaningful smile appeared on her face, and she nodded slightly.
Without another word, she watched Naruto's team depart.
Only after their figures had disappeared into the forest did she slowly speak to the empty air.
"I await your return… the day you become King."
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