"According to the village's orders and the planned marching route."
While rushing forward, Shinku Yuhi's steady voice clearly reached Shinichi's ears as they ran side by side.
As the overall commander, he needed to explain the overall plan to this young battalion captain.
"After traveling at full speed for one day, we will arrive at the Fire Temple around noon tomorrow. There, we will rendezvous with the Ninja Monk force personally led by the Fire Temple's abbot, Abbot Gyatso. Afterward, the two forces will merge and head together to the northeastern border to support the main frontline force where Orochimaru-sama is stationed."
"Understood, senior."
Shinichi nodded.
In the Shinobi World, especially during full-scale wars between major nations, it was never only the ninja villages led by the Kage that participated in the war. Instead, the entire war machine of the nation would be mobilized.
In the Land of Fire, Konoha, as the nation's highest military force and the core of its ninja force, placed the Hokage as the nominal supreme military commander of the country.
In a state of war, the Hokage had the authority to mobilize all local noble clans, ninja forces, and even special religious armed groups such as the Fire Temple within the Land of Fire, which were under the Daimyo's jurisdiction, to cooperate in combat.
Previously, on the southwest front against the Village Hidden in the Sand, Konoha had not mobilized these local forces on a large scale.
But this time, against the Village Hidden in the Cloud, they directly mobilized them.
And the first to be mobilized, and personally led by its abbot, was the Fire Temple!
The Fire Temple had a long history in the Land of Fire and held an extraordinary status. It was not only a flourishing religious holy site but also a militarized organization with a large number of Ninja Monks.
Its overall strength and influence within the Land of Fire were second only to Konoha, making it unquestionably the second-largest local military force.
This showed that Konoha's higher-ups placed far greater importance on the Village Hidden in the Cloud than on the Village Hidden in the Sand.
The Fire Temple!
His next occupation might have come from this.
Information about the Fire Temple quickly flashed through Shinichi's mind. It was difficult to determine how many years this ancient temple had been in existence.
It was only known that it seemed to have already existed when ninjas first appeared. Its existence was as ancient as the Senju, Uchiha, and Hyuga Clans, those old noble families that had been passed down for hundreds or even thousands of years and had witnessed the changes of the Shinobi World, perhaps even more ancient and mysterious times.
If the Monk profession was truly, as he had previously speculated, another independent path outside the ninja system with a complete transcendent inheritance, then the Fire Temple was the most likely authoritative place in the current Shinobi World where the Monk occupation could be generated.
'No rush, take it slowly.'
Shinichi withdrew his thoughts and continued rushing forward. The cold wind struck his face, yet he seemed completely unaware.
The next day, around noon.
Fire Temple, the winter sunlight shone down, casting a faint golden layer over this ancient temple.
The bronze-colored temple gate stood tall, reflecting mottled light under the sun. On both sides of the gate stood two enormous bronze statues facing each other.
Behind the gate was a wide plaza where three hundred Ninja Monks had already assembled. They wore white monk robes underneath and purple-black outer garments, with a striking Fire character embroidered along the lower edge. Each held a black long staff roughly as tall as themselves.
Inside the hall, incense smoke lingered in the air.
The abbot of the Fire Temple, Abbot Gyatso, was a middle-aged man in his early forties with an average build.
At this moment, he was sitting in front of Shinku Yuhi. Several documents were spread out in front of them as they quietly discussed the handover matters and verified the details such as marching formations, supply transfers, and communication methods.
Shinichi stood to the side, not participating in the conversation. His gaze fell upon the golden Buddha statue in the center of the hall.
The statue was tall, entirely gilded, and emitted a gentle glow under the interplay of light and shadow.
The Buddha sat in the lotus position, his left hand resting horizontally on his foot, his right hand hanging downward with the palm facing inward; that was the gesture of subduing demons.
His expression was compassionate yet solemn, his eyes slightly lowered, as if overlooking all living beings, or as if contemplating some eternal truth.
Shinichi watched quietly when a gentle voice sounded.
"Jonin Shinichi Higashino, it seems you have some thoughts about the Buddha?"
Shinichi withdrew his gaze and turned to look.
At some point, Abbot Gyatso and Shinku Yuhi had already finished their discussion. The abbot of the Fire Temple was now standing not far away, looking at him with a smile.
"Abbot Gyatso."
Shinichi slightly bowed, then nodded. "Rather than having thoughts, it is more accurate to say I am curious."
"Oh? What is Jonin Shinichi Higashino curious about? Perhaps this old monk can offer some explanation." Abbot Gyatso said, his smile unchanged.
Shinichi glanced at the massive Buddha statue, then looked back at Abbot Gyatso and continued: "I have heard that the origin of us ninjas, the one revered as the ancestor of ninjas, the Sage of Six Paths, before founding the ninja creed and spreading the method of chakra cultivation, seemed to have once been a monk who traveled the world, understood the suffering of all beings, and sought a path to save the world."
"There is indeed such an ancient legend circulating in the Shinobi World."
Abbot Gyatso nodded. "Therefore, even today, in some temples and among believers in the Shinobi World, there are those who revere the Sage of Six Paths as a Bodhisattva, grateful for his role in spreading chakra and bringing peace to a chaotic world. They enshrine his image and regard him as a guardian deity of our faith."
"Exactly."
Shinichi continued, "Speaking of which, it seems that from the very origin, there has been an inseparable connection between ninjas and monks. So, during my free time, I have also read some Buddhist scriptures. Although I cannot claim deep understanding, I could not help but develop a question that has long puzzled me."
At this point, he looked at the still-smiling Abbot Gyatso and asked the question that had lingered in his mind for a long time: "Abbot Gyatso, I would like to ask, who exactly is the Buddha? What is the true origin of Buddha? In various texts and legends, I have seen many accounts of the Buddha's deeds, manifestations, and teachings. He possesses boundless wisdom and infinite compassion, guiding people toward the path of liberation."
"However, after reading many texts, I noticed an interesting phenomenon. Almost all records describe what the Buddha did, what he said, what his teachings are, and what he symbolizes, yet they rarely mention, or deliberately avoid, his original name, origin, background, or even who he was before attaining enlightenment and what experiences he had."
Hearing this, Abbot Gyatso fell into silence. After a long time, he slowly spoke: "Jonin Shinichi Higashino… your mind is indeed sharp, directly pointing to the core."
Abbot Gyatso paused, his gaze also shifting to the massive golden Buddha statue before continuing: "As for who the Buddha truly is, what his name is, and where he came from, this old monk does not know either."