"Takumi-kun, you were so cool."
Koyuki walked over, her face full of admiration.
She wore a snow-white dress, complemented by her elegant makeup, looking like a spirit in the snow.
Although there was no snow around, it still couldn't hide her unique aura.
Ever since she appeared, Sakura had been watching her with hostility.
Sakura felt a very strong threat from Koyuki.
On the other side, Shion was venting her anger at Taruho. "What are you doing here?!"
"Shion-sama, I am your guard. Naturally, I must come to protect your safety."
Taruho faced the angry Shion with a very calm expression, completely unmoved.
"Since I left without telling you, it means I don't need you!"
Shion didn't care if these words hurt Taruho deeply. In her heart, as long as she could prevent Taruho from dying because of her prophecy, even breaking his heart, she didn't care.
Taruho had watched her grow up since she was little; he was someone she cared about very much.
She absolutely did not want Taruho to die because of her prophecy.
"Hey, hey, isn't your attitude a bit too harsh?"
Naruto couldn't stand by and watch. "Taruho-san came because he cares about you! Talking like that is so hurtful!"
"Naruto!"
Neji shouted sternly and pulled him aside. "This is none of your business."
"Why?"
Naruto didn't understand. "Her attitude is just too harsh!"
"Have you forgotten what Takumi and I said before?"
Neji's expression grew even more serious, his eyes fixed on Naruto's face.
"..."
Naruto thought carefully and then recalled Neji's explanation to them before they left.
Now, he suddenly understood why Shion was treating Taruho this way.
"But..."
Even understanding, Naruto still couldn't stand Shion's attitude towards Taruho.
Both were orphans.
But the things Shion had since childhood, he had none.
People who cared about him, who loved him – he had none of those.
He grew up lonely, humbly hoping to become friends with others his age.
And Shion grew up surrounded by care, with everyone willing to give their lives to protect her.
This was something Naruto envied immensely.
So he understood even less why Shion would treat those who cared about her with such a harsh attitude.
Different life experiences naturally create differences between people.
"This is none of our business."
Neji said coldly. "This is their matter. Our mission is to deliver her safely to her destination."
"Hmph!
Naruto snorted coldly but said no more.
On the other side,
Facing the cold Shion, Taruho only showed a calm expression and said softly, "Please tell me the truth, Shion-sama."
"Have you already seen my prophecy?"
Taruho's words made Shion's body stiffen.
She was silent, but that silence told Taruho the answer.
"I see."
There was no change in Taruho's expression; it was still calm, and he even brought a smile. "Don't worry. If this is my fate, I am ready."
"I've been mentally prepared since childhood. It's just a pity I won't be able to watch you grow up and have cute children."
Taruho's words carried a trace of relief.
He knew this was his inevitable fate.
To protect the safety of the Miko lineage, this was the necessary course for his family.
His parents were like this; now, it was his turn.
The education he received since childhood left him with no resistance.
As he said, he had long been sufficiently prepared.
"I don't need you to care!
Seeing Taruho's calmness, Shion suddenly exploded and shouted, "Go back!"
Instantly, everyone's attention was drawn.
The scene fell silent for a moment.
"What happened, Shion-sama?"
Takumi stepped forward, pretending not to know.
In fact, he had heard every word of what happened over here.
"Hmph!
Seeing everyone staring at her, Shion crossed her arms, snorted coldly, said nothing, and turned to leave.
"My apologies."
Taruho bowed apologetically to everyone. "Shion-sama is in a bad mood. Please don't mind."
Seeing Taruho about to follow, Takumi stopped him and said, "Don't worry. With us here, Shion-sama won't get hurt."
"I trust you all, but as Shion-sama's guard, it is my duty to stay by her side."
Taruho said and started to walk over.
As he passed Takumi, Takumi's whisper fell into his ear, "Fate can be changed."
Taruho paused, then said nothing and quickly chased after her.
"Is it okay not to follow?"
Neji came up, looking at the departing Shion. "We don't know if the enemy will attack again."
"You keep an eye on her."
Takumi patted his shoulder. "The enemy probably won't come again for a while."
"If the enemy had a lot of people, when they attacked the Land of Demons before, there would have been more than just those four."
If he had more manpower, Yomi certainly wouldn't be stingy.
As long as he could kill the Miko, he would definitely not hold back.
Neji thought about it, and felt Takumi's words made a lot of sense.
But being cautious by nature, he still secretly followed, guarding Shion's safety from the shadows.
"Quite a hot-tempered girl."
The Director came over to Takumi, then looked at him. "What's the next route? Will there be more enemies?"
"Next, we just need to head to the sealed volcano in the Land of Swamps."
Takumi thought for a moment and said, "There shouldn't be too many more obstacles on the way."
After all, the people Yomi could use had all been eliminated here.
Moryo certainly wouldn't rashly appear before the Miko.
At least, with its power incomplete, it wouldn't take such a risk.
So, Moryo's only choice was to advance to the sealed place in the Land of Swamps and then, with the Miko's help, completely break free from the seal.
But Takumi wasn't worried. In fact, he planned to turn the tables on them.
After all, only when Moryo was in its complete form could he in one fell swoop eliminate it.
This would temporarily be a permanent solution.
"In that case, aren't there enough grand scenes? And..."
The Director felt a bit troubled.
Due to the sudden situation, he hadn't been able to follow and film everything along the way.
He had just looked at the footage the cameraman had shot. There were some grand scenes, but some transitional shots were missing.
He wondered if Takumi could reshoot some of the transitional scenes later.
Otherwise, the story wouldn't be coherent, and the audience might not accept it.
Even a documentary needs a complete story arc.