Naruto: I, the villain template, was hailed as a savior.

Chapter 193 He who cannot obey himself will be obeyed by others.

Boom...boom...boom...

As the tolling of the bell tower echoed through the air, pigeons rose and fell in the dawn light on the horizon.

The dim street was illuminated by a yellowish light, and many people were already starting their day. A strange pair walked down the street, but did not attract any attention.

"Boss, you said you'd take me to Valhalla to see old friends, what exactly do you mean?"

Yun Chuan cradled Ji Yun, who was in the form of a black cat, in one arm, while his other hand expertly stroked the cat's fur.

The aura he had already mastered allowed him to blend perfectly into the ordinary, making him stand out from the crowd.

"You've been asking all along," Yun Chuan said calmly, glancing at Ya Yan beside him. "Didn't I already tell you? You'll find out when you get there."

Yahiko followed behind him, scratching his head in annoyance, and complained, "Going to Valhalla to see old friends, and 'some' old friends at that. It feels like you're going to kill me and send me to see them, boss."

Yun Chuan withdrew his gaze and looked at the streets on both sides. He did not find the disgusting garbage and dirty water from before. Apart from some small vendors setting up stalls along the street, the entire Dawn City could be described as exceptionally harmonious and clean.

It's hard to believe that such an environment could exist in a small, rainy country.

"Jiyun, the city's sewage treatment is quite good."

Yun Chuan first complimented the black cat, then rubbed its soft fur until it was limp before continuing, "Any news about the 'shrine maiden' I asked you to inquire about?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Yun, who had been comfortably tilting her head back and squinting her eyes, immediately drooped her head.

"Meow, it's not that simple, brother..."

Ji Yun spread his hands, saying helplessly, "The only places that have priestesses, besides the few words mentioned in ancient texts, are the Land of Demons, right?"

"Although the people I sent should have arrived in the Land of Demons by now, there's been no news yet. And given the 'shrine maiden's' exalted status in the Land of Demons, I'm afraid there's not much hope of bringing that 'shrine maiden' here, meow."

"I don't care."

Yun Chuan pinched her neck and laughed somewhat willfully, "The Hall of Heroes is already built. If you haven't found anyone by the time the first large-scale battle begins, I'll let you go up there as the head priest, shall I?"

The chief officiant usually refers to the person who plays a major role or holds a leading position in a sacrificial or memorial ceremony; they are the organizers and leaders of the ceremony.

The person in charge is responsible for preparing and organizing the entire sacrificial or memorial ceremony, including determining the time, place, and participants. During the ceremony, they act as the presiding officer, guiding the proceedings, such as reading the sacrificial text and reciting prayers.

Ji Yun certainly couldn't do this kind of work.

"Sigh, yes, yes, I'll try my best. If it really doesn't work, I'll just go to the Land of Demons myself."

Life is tough, the cat sighed. Ji Yun asked with a mixture of curiosity and distress, "But speaking of which, elder brother, why do you insist on finding a 'shrine maiden'? There must be quite a few people who understand religious rituals, right?"

"Because I don't like those bald monks and religious people who always have God or Buddha on their lips."

Yun Chuan pressed her cat head down and laughed, "In comparison, that priestess who reveres heaven and earth barely meets the criteria I want to offer as a sacrifice."

The Hall of Heroes is where the name of every fallen warrior is inscribed on a monument in front of the hall. It is the final resting place for the souls of all the "deceased." If nothing unexpected happens, a ceremony will be held on this day every year.

While Yun Chuan doesn't care much about faith, it still plays a significant role for most people.

In his view, only deep-seated hatred and unwavering faith can sustain a fearless determination to fight to the death.

Faith can provide people with spiritual support, allowing them to find solace and support when facing difficulties and challenges, seek peace and tranquility of mind, and alleviate inner anxiety and unease.

It can also serve as a "trend" to guide people to make the right choices. At the same time, it is an important educational tool that can enhance people's cohesion and sense of belonging, making them understand that they are part of a whole.

Through this shared belief and values, he can forge close bonds among most people, making fighting and dying in battle a matter of honor.

Therefore, the position of chief officiant is very important, and it is better to have none than to have one of poor quality.

Yun Chuan looked down on those mystical believers and bald monks.

Instead of worshipping so-called gods and Buddhas, we should worship heaven and earth and pay homage to our ancestors.

"But you don't need to worry too much about this."

Yun Chuan patted Ji Yun's nape reassuringly and said jokingly, "As far as I know, that 'shrine maiden' from the Land of Demons seems to have a mysterious prophetic ability."

"Perhaps she had already seen this 'future' before we decided to go to her. If she wants to see us or has something to ask of us, she's probably already on her way."

Upon hearing this, Ji Yun did not breathe a sigh of relief; instead, he frowned. Even Ya Yan, who had been listening nearby, felt somewhat uncomfortable.

"A prophecy..." Yahiko's expression was complex as he whispered, "Doesn't that mean our future is already predetermined? Does fate really exist?"

If it were before he met Yun Chuan, he would definitely have excitedly and curiously asked about the future, wanting to know what his future would be like.

But Yahiko has now resolved to use his own power to change this country and this ninja world.

If fate and the future are already predetermined, then no matter what, the future will lead to that predetermined ending. What's the point of striving to become stronger? The ending won't change because of him alone.

Just as Yahiko was lost in thought, he suddenly felt a hand land on his head.

I subconsciously looked up with a blank stare and saw a face with a mocking smile.

"You didn't actually believe that, did you?" Yun Chuan chuckled and patted Ya Yan's head. "That's not like you at all."

"Those who cannot obey themselves will be commanded by others. Don't you understand such a simple truth?"

Yahiko might not know, but how could Yunchuan not know?

If the so-called predetermined future and destiny is simply the story of two saviors in the "original work" saving the world from ambitious villains, then this so-called "future" and "destiny" is truly laughable.

Since his arrival in this world, his words and actions have completely altered the original future. It's uncertain whether Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki will even be born; it might depend on his whim.

If it weren't for the fact that Hagoromo and Hamura were still alive in the Pure Land and on the moon, Yunchuan could have had Yakushi, who was hiding in Konoha, castrate Fugaku at any time while he was still young.

However, even if Fugaku and Minato were castrated, it probably wouldn't make much of a difference, since the old man of the Six Paths is still alive, and Black Zetsu is hiding in the shadows and hasn't come out yet.

Although these two old schemers are enemies, they both value the reincarnation of Ashura and Indra equally. Even without Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha, there would be "Naruto Senju" and "Sasuke Kaguya".

Eliminating the parents of those two so-called "Children of Destiny" too early would not benefit Yun Chuan at all. On the contrary, it would make the identity of the Children of Destiny unknown, thus losing control over them and the advantage of foresight.

Yun Chuan was indeed confident in his abilities, but he wasn't foolish enough to dig a hole for himself.

By then, he had finally managed to defeat the Five Great Nations, but suddenly two "Senju Naruto" and "Kaguya Sasuke" appeared out of nowhere, or even "Otsutsuki Hinata," followed by two old men who were giving him cheat codes.

Shouting about friendship and bonds, he suddenly "breaks through" to the Six Paths level and defeats this "villain" who is an enemy of the Five Great Nations.

Therefore, it would be better to subtly influence the parents of those two "chosen ones," keep them under one's control, and wait for the future reincarnations of Ashura and Indra before making any further plans.

"Boss..."

Yahiko, unaware of his boss's deep thoughts, assumed he was merely reassuring him, and his expression immediately hardened: "Don't worry, I understand!"

To hell with fate!

No matter what, he will do his best to make the future the future he wants.

"Hmm?" Yun Chuan snapped out of his thoughts and looked at him with some surprise.

What have you come to understand? Your fate is in your own hands, not in the hands of heaven?

After expressing his determination, Yahiko's mood eased, and he asked with some curiosity, "Boss, I've always been curious about how you handle the compensation for those who died in battle?"

"Yes, the families of those who were victims can be exempted from all kinds of miscellaneous taxes until their children are eighteen years old and can support themselves. They can also send their children to colleges for compulsory education, and whatever they study is free."

Yun Chuan said casually, "If their child is under fifteen years old, in addition to the five-year pension that is already paid, the parents will receive a year's salary for each year the child is under the age of fifteen. If there are no children, a relative can collect the pension on their behalf, and that will be at a different price."

Yahiko let out a sigh of relief, knowing that his boss wouldn't mistreat those people.

With all fees waived, a certain amount of salary added, several years of pension, and free compulsory education, the child can be raised to adulthood, providing a new pillar of support for the family.

It sounds like that's the gist of it, but these conditions are already better than those of the Five Great Ninja Villages. The main reason is that their corps has too many people. If they offered even more generous conditions, Kakuzu, the Minister of Finance, would probably have to sell everything he owns.

"However, this is just the normal compensation under normal circumstances." As if he had thought of something, Yun Chuan suddenly added.

"Huh?" Yahiko paused, puzzled. "What do you mean by 'normal' compensation? Is there a difference between 'normal' and 'abnormal' compensation?"

"You'll find out when we get to Valhalla."

Yun Chuan smiled and gave a perfunctory reply, then lowered his head and patted Ji Yun's head, reminding him, "I almost forgot, remember to tell Shen Nong and the others that all retired legion members, whether due to injury or age, must be taken to the Hall of Heroes for a memorial service before their retirement applications are approved."

"Those who newly join the legion must also go to Valhalla to pay their respects before being assigned to various legions. In short, they must be made aware of the existence of Valhalla and the existence of those who sacrificed themselves."

Yun Chuan's tone was unusually serious, indicating that his elder brother valued this matter very much. Ji Yun did not respond with a yawn and half-asleep manner as before, but nodded with a serious expression on his cat-like face: "Okay, I will tell them every word."

"...Seriously, why are you trying to brush me off with that again?"

Seeing how serious the two were, Yahiko, who was about to make a comment, immediately stopped talking and muttered something under his breath with a strange expression.

He shook his head, which was being held down by a large hand, feeling somewhat uncomfortable. He was a little unhappy that his boss was treating him like a child.

Although he doesn't have his own subordinates yet, he feels that his abilities are already quite impressive.

However, with the boss, gaining subordinates and departments seems to depend not only on ability, but also on other, more important things...

"What on earth is that?" Yahiko scratched his head, the image of the red-haired, blindfolded brat flashing through his mind. He thought to himself, "Is there anything I'm not as good at as Nagato?"

Just as he was fretting, Yun Chuan suddenly stopped and said, "We're here."

Upon hearing this, Yahiko suddenly realized that something seemed amiss in his surroundings.

He didn't know when it started, but it seemed like he hadn't heard any noise at all—not the hawking from the street vendors, the chirping of crickets in the grass, or even the usual hustle and bustle...

He can't hear anything now; the whole world is as silent as if it's been muted.

Realizing this, Yahiko looked up.

What you see is a quiet, deathly blackness.

Black doors, black walls, black pillars, black figures...

The entire exterior of Valhalla was black, its surface faintly reflecting the light of dawn. It didn't appear gloomy or cold; instead, it seemed solemn, dignified, and mysterious…

The two men guarding outside Valhalla were also dressed in black, their expressions silent and solemn, looking like eulogists standing in front of tombstones.

Upon seeing Yun Chuan, the two merely bowed their heads slightly in respect without uttering a word, as if worried about disturbing the spirits within the hall.

Upon seeing this scene, Yahiko and Yunchuan's playful banter vanished, replaced by a solemn, frozen atmosphere, as if someone had lifted a corner of a coffin, and any prying gaze would inevitably fall silent and filled with awe.

"Let's go."

Yun Chuan nodded slightly to the two guards outside, then led Ya Yan to the gate of the Hall of Heroes and pushed open the several-meter-high, tightly closed door.

Click! Click!

As the gate slowly opened, the shadows of Yun Chuan and Ya Yan were cast long and thin on the floor of the hall by the morning light behind them. They stood quietly together, solemn like ancient portraits in a mural.

PY: He said I was too extreme in using Danzo to create the Ten Thousand Souls Banner.

Recommendation: Another guy who's terrible at naming things. He starts by having Danzo and Sarutobi swap bodies and souls, and then goes straight for the "Danzo-Sarutobi Slam," turning the world upside down!

(End of this chapter)