Taruho had grown up by Shion's side since childhood. To him, protecting Shion was the very purpose of his life.
He had long been prepared to give up his life for her. But now that Shion had gone to seal Mōryō, he could only remain here, powerless to help.
Back then, he should have been more forceful. At the very least, he should have insisted that Lady Shion bring more guards with her…
Thinking that Shion might already be dead, Taruho suddenly felt his whole body go weak, and his eyes instantly reddened.
Just as he was quietly drowning in sorrow, the space around him rippled.
The next moment, Uchiha Yuzuru appeared inside the palace, carrying Shion in his arms.
Seeing Taruho's expression, Shion couldn't help but ask, "Taruho, what's wrong with you?"
Hearing her voice, Taruho lifted his head in shock and exclaimed with joy, "Lady Shion, you're not dead?!"
Shion frowned. "Who told you I died?"
Taruho froze for a moment before replying quietly, "Obito and Kakashi said the stone soldiers had lost their power, so I guessed that you had already sealed Mōryō."
"But my father once told me that sealing Mōryō requires the life of a priestess as the price."
Hearing this, Shion shook her head with a smile.
"Taruho, this time it was all thanks to Lord Yuzuru. Mōryō couldn't pose any threat in front of him."
"I only needed to sacrifice a small portion of the priestess's power to completely seal Mōryō."
Taruho stared at Yuzuru in shock, disbelief filling his face. "Lady Shion, is that really true?"
"That was Mōryō!"
The world-destroying Mōryō had been easily defeated by a single ninja. If Shion herself hadn't said it, he would never have believed it.
Seeing Taruho's reaction, Shion sighed.
"Our line of priestesses has been too arrogant. We've always been immersed in our own power."
"If we had sought help from ninja earlier, the priestesses of past generations wouldn't have had to sacrifice their lives to seal Mōryō."
Taruho nodded vaguely and bowed toward Yuzuru.
"No matter what, you saved Lady Shion and the Land of Demons. Thank you."
Yuzuru waved his hand casually. "No need for that. My goal is to unify the ninja world. From now on, the Land of Demons will fall under my rule."
Hearing this, Taruho froze for a moment before anger flared across his face.
"How can that be? Since its founding, the Land of Demons has always been ruled by the priestess lineage!"
"Even if you saved us, that doesn't mean you can use it as leverage to force us to become your subjects."
After Taruho spoke, Yuzuru frowned slightly.
"So… you don't intend to submit to me?"
Before Taruho could answer, Shion sharply rebuked him.
"Taruho, this is not something you have the right to interfere in. I've already agreed to Lord Yuzuru's request."
Hearing this, Taruho looked utterly confused.
"Lady Shion, were you threatened?"
"You don't need to fear anything. If you give the order, the people of the Land of Demons will fight to the end."
Shion looked at him coldly and said in a low voice, "Taruho, you grew up with me, so I won't hold those words against you."
"But my decision is final. You will obey my orders."
"If you keep this up, I can't guarantee you'll survive."
Taruho stood there, suddenly unsure what to say.
Seeing how lost he looked, Shion softened her tone slightly.
"Taruho, I know that with the education you received growing up, it's hard for you to accept something like this."
"But please believe me… this is the trend of the times. Otherwise, the Land of Demons will only face destruction."
"And…" Shion's cheeks suddenly turned red, "I've already made my decision. So letting Lord Yuzuru rule the Land of Demons is, in some ways, perfectly reasonable."
Hearing her explanation, Taruho asked in confusion, "Lady Shion, what do you mean?"
Shion bit her lip, as if making a huge decision. Finally, she bowed deeply toward Yuzuru.
"Lord Yuzuru, the priestess lineage values bloodline inheritance above all else. Yet I still have no descendants…"
"So I wish to borrow your power to continue the priestess lineage!"
The moment Shion finished speaking, the palace fell into complete silence.
Even Yuzuru himself was stunned.
Borrow his power… this was a bit too sudden.
Seeing that Yuzuru hadn't responded for a long time, a hint of nervousness crept into Shion's voice.
She still didn't dare raise her head and quietly called out, "Lord Yuzuru?"
"Sigh…"
Yuzuru let out a sigh, sounding somewhat helpless.
"I really can't do anything about you. But then again, my greatest hobby is helping others."
"For the continuation of the priestess lineage… I accept."
"You may use this great power of mine as much as you like!"
Hearing this, Shion's face flushed all the way down to her neck.
Embarrassed and slightly annoyed, she stomped her foot.
Lord Yuzuru was perfect in every way… except sometimes he talked a little too much.
Nearby, Uchiha Obito glanced curiously at Hatake Kakashi, who was buried in his notebook.
"Kakashi, what are you doing?"
Without even lifting his head, Kakashi replied, "Lord Yuzuru's words are worth studying word for word. These are life lessons."
"Obito, you should learn too."
If he could imitate even thirty percent of Lord Yuzuru's skill, he wouldn't have to remain single forever.
Yuzuru gently took Shion's hand and looked toward Taruho.
"Taruho, do you still have anything to say?"
Taruho lowered his head, his voice heavy.
"I have nothing to say."
Yuzuru then shifted his gaze to Obito and Kakashi.
"For the time being, the Land of Demons will be entrusted to the two of you."
After saying this, Yuzuru picked Shion up and walked toward the back of the palace.
Victory felt great!
————
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One week later.
Yuzuru and Shion walked out of the palace together.
During this time, the Land of Demons had already been taken over by the people Obito sent.
Matters of census and planning had also been placed on the agenda immediately.
Now a newly married woman, Shion appeared even more radiant.
As soon as the two appeared, Kakashi stepped forward to greet them.
"Lord Yuzuru, Lady Shion, the Land of Demons has already begun administrative reforms. Bandits and thieves within the territory have all been eliminated."
"Once the planning map is finalized, reconstruction can begin immediately."
Such matters had already become routine, so Yuzuru simply nodded.
Shion, however, asked curiously, "Kakashi, why haven't I seen Taruho?"
Kakashi lowered his eyes slightly.
"There was a bandit uprising in the northern region of the Land of Demons. Taruho led a team to carry out the mission…"