"This is the Miko of the Land of Demons, Naruto. Show some respect."
Takumi snapped out of it, then introduced Shion's identity. "She is equivalent to the Daimyo of the Land of Demons, understand?"
"Huh?"
Lee and Naruto immediately exclaimed in surprise.
Neji and Sakura helplessly covered their faces.
Anyone who took a little time to understand the situation of each country would know this clearly.
Especially a country as special as the Land of Demons.
"Alright, enough with the small talk."
Shion got down from Taruho's back and said with a slight frown, "Taruho, first settle everyone down. After I prepare, I will arrange an audience."
"Yes, Shion-sama."
Taruho bowed in acknowledgment.
He first escorted Shion to her room, then brought everyone to a lounge.
"Please wait a moment. Shion-sama needs to freshen up."
Taruho's face was full of apology. "I will then invite everyone."
"Oh, by the way, are these people friends of yours?"
Taruho stepped aside, revealing the cameraman and some others behind him.
"They kept saying they knew a Konoha's Shinobi named Takumi..."
"I am Takumi."
Takumi stood up and said, "I'm sorry, I haven't introduced myself yet. I originally planned to do so when formally meeting the Miko."
"It's fine."
Taruho quickly said, "Do you know these people, Takumi-dono?"
"I do know them."
Takumi nodded, then suddenly looked a bit embarrassed. "I wonder if I could trouble you with something?"
"What is it?"
Taruho asked curiously. "As long as it's not something harmful to Shion-sama, please feel free to ask."
"It's like this..."
Takumi explained the matter of wanting to film a movie.
After all, it would be impolite to point a camera at someone without their consent.
If he could obtain the person's consent, that would naturally be the best.
"I see!"
Taruho nodded in understanding. "No wonder I felt Takumi-dono looked very familiar when I saw you. So that's it."
"I once watched a movie starring Takumi-kun with Shion-sama. The scenes were very grandiose."
"Wait!"
Taruho sighed with emotion, then suddenly realized. "Could it be... those scenes in the previous two movies weren't special effects?"
"That's right."
Takumi hadn't expected the Director's movies to have been promoted all the way to the Land of Demons, and that even the Miko had watched his movies. This was unexpected.
"So the Land of Snow really did have a rebellion."
Taruho sighed, then said, "I think it should be fine."
"Actually, every time we watch a movie with Shion-sama, I can feel that she is very happy."
"Perhaps because, around Shion-sama, there is always death..."
His mood suddenly became a bit low.
Taruho was a guard who truly loved and respected Shion.
The education he received since childhood made him understand the importance of the Miko and gave him a lofty ideal for his mission.
Therefore, even when facing the threat of death, Taruho never retreated.
"In that case, I'll leave it to you, Taruho-dono."
Takumi also breathed a sigh of relief, but he still cautiously said, "Please inform the Miko of this matter. If she does not agree, I will have them keep their distance."
"Takumi-kun!"
The cameraman immediately became anxious.
This movie was related to everyone's livelihood.
Although they had made a lot of money before, that didn't mean they would refuse to make more.
And being able to film such a grand scene that required no special effects at all – how could they possibly refuse?
"It's useless to insist."
Takumi spread his hands. "To film a movie, as one of the main actors, the Miko would definitely have to appear, since she is the key figure in this incident."
"But if she is unwilling to act, we naturally cannot force her."
"As for the Director's commission, it will have to be considered a failure."
Takumi's words left the cameraman with no choice.
"Alright, didn't you film some footage of Naruto and the others fighting earlier?"
Seeing the atmosphere a bit low, Takumi smiled and said, "Let me see it. Maybe I can get some clues about the enemy."
"In that case, please wait a moment."
Taruho stood up. "I will go consult Shion-sama now. After preparations are complete, I will return and inform you of the result."
"Please do."
Takumi nodded, then watched Taruho bow and leave.
"Hey, don't watch it."
After Taruho left, Naruto immediately spoke up. "If you want to watch it, can't you just wait until the movie is released?"
Takumi turned and saw Naruto tilting his head, looking off in some direction, with a very unnatural expression on his face.
It was obvious that the footage the cameraman had captured definitely included embarrassing moments of him.
"Takumi-kun, you definitely should watch it."
Compared to Naruto, Lee seemed much more confident. He gave Takumi a thumbs up, revealing a mouthful of white teeth. "It definitely captured my heroic fighting posture!"
"Takumi-kun..."
Sakura, on the other hand, was very shy, seemingly not wanting Takumi to see it either.
Neji didn't say anything.
"Let's take a look then."
Takumi smiled, temporarily suppressing his inner worry.
He was still very concerned about the prophecy Shion had given.
As long as he remained on this mission, according to Shion's prophecy, he would definitely die.
Pushing aside his inner unease, he turned on the camera and started reviewing the footage.
The cameraman, worthy of being the Director's personal cameraman, had captured the entire scene from a wide angle.
From a high vantage point, most of the situation was visible.
In the footage, Takumi rushed inside first, and shortly after, two figures flew rapidly backwards.
Then the other two figures also flew out.
As for Takumi, he had entered the secret passage just at that moment.
Under the camera, the four white-clad members of the four-person team gathered, and then Naruto, thinking himself extraordinary, charged over and used the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
With the Nine-Tails' Chakra and his own immense Chakra Reserve, hundreds of clones instantly surrounded them.
But immediately after, the enemy used a countermeasure.
First, they used Earth Release to create a semi-enclosed space, trapping all the clones inside. Then the other two took the opportunity to use Fire Release and Wind Release, amplifying the power of the fire. A fierce explosion consumed all of Naruto's clones within the enclosed space.
Although the camera couldn't capture the situation inside the space, judging by the scale and sound, it was clear that none of Naruto's clones survived.
Even Naruto himself probably suffered some damage, otherwise he wouldn't have looked so disheveled when they met earlier.
"So this is why you didn't want me to watch?"
Takumi chuckled, paused the footage, then said seriously, "Naruto, you were indeed a bit reckless. I rushed ahead first to protect the VIP because I have enough confidence in my own strength."
"And I temporarily handed command to Neji, but judging by the situation, it seems you didn't follow his orders, did you?"
Takumi's words immediately made Naruto's expression change. He awkwardly turned his head away, not daring to meet Takumi's eyes.