Konoha: Naruto, trained by Aizen

A look of greed appeared in his eyes.

Do residents who have followed traditions for thousands of years have different body structures?

The guard stopped only after entering the temple.

After confirming again, Naruto and the others entered the temple.

Chapter 155 Shion's Prophecy

The palace gates and walls are covered with chilling ghostly images.

Although the palace was grand, it exuded a cold and gloomy atmosphere.

The inexperienced Rock Lee immediately fell silent, his muscles beneath his black robe tensing as if he were about to attack.

Naruto gazed at the palace, which was far more magnificent and imposing than the Hokage Building, and couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.

Even a small country has a greater capacity to amass wealth than Konoha.

No, to be precise, it should be said that religiously powerful countries possess terrifying wealth-accumulating capabilities.

Naruto had learned about materialism and idealism from worldly knowledge.

The modern technological world is a prime example of materialism.

The fundamental viewpoint of materialism is that the essence of the world is matter, that matter came first and consciousness came later, that matter determines consciousness, and that consciousness is a reflection of matter.

In that world, humans revered science and did not believe in the existence of ghosts and monsters.

Attributing all unknown mysteries to theology.

Religion represents idealism.

Consciousness determines all things, thus giving rise to gods, ghosts, and other substances that are illusory in the eyes of humans in the technological world.

Religion, of course, is extremely effective at accumulating wealth.

Loyal believers regard their faith as everything and are willing to give everything for it.

This includes physical health and financial resources.

Unlike ninja villages, they have strict tax systems to achieve balance.

Naruto wasn't very interested in these things; he was more concerned about the priestess's abilities.

It is said that shrine maidens possess the ability to foresee the future.

I wonder if I can foresee my own future.

After passing through layers of corridors, they soon arrived at the main hall.

The three were still dressed in large black robes, adding to their mystique.

At the very back of the hall, on the throne, a white-haired priestess slowly rose, her voice noble and unapproachable: "Welcome to the Land of Demons."

"I am the current priestess, Shion."

Looking at Ziyuan's rather arrogant appearance, she seemed more like a swan that was still wet behind the ears and pretending to be noble.

"We are Root ninjas of Konoha. My name is Shinigami (Death God), and these are our companions, the Sage and the Queen of Insects," Naruto introduced them one by one.

"Konoha is a vast and resource-rich village, a well-known and powerful ninja village in the ninja world. Surely they wouldn't keep their real names hidden?" Shion's beautiful eyebrows furrowed, her expression somewhat displeased.

"Our Root is the most powerful department in Konoha, and we never show our true faces to the public. Please understand." Naruto's voice was magnetic and his tone was gentle.

Although his face was covered, one could guess that behind the mask was a handsome man.

Ziyuan didn't dwell on this point and nodded indifferently.

After a brief self-introduction, Shion began to explain the more detailed details of the request to Naruto's team.

"The reason we asked the Konoha ninja for help this time is because a traitor from our Land of Demons broke the seal on Moryo, allowing it to possess his body and gain immense power. After Moryo was resurrected, the ghost army he created also resurrected."

"Soon they will launch a fierce attack on the Land of Demons. I need your help to defend against the demons. I will seal away the demons," Shion said expressionlessly.

Throughout history, priestesses have had to sacrifice their lives to seal away evil spirits.

This also means that Shion is prepared to face death.

At such a young and vibrant age, she had never even experienced romantic love.

Her eyes spoke calmly.

"This is different from the initial request we received. The report only said that it sensed the movement of the demons, but it didn't say that the seal had been broken," Naruto asked in confusion.

"News always becomes outdated, and besides, it was your Root ninjas who contacted us first. The demon revived just a few days after your ninjas left. Do you intend to cancel the mission? Your Konoha has a high reputation; you wouldn't do something like this." Faced with the questioning, Shion frowned slightly, suppressing her anger.

The priestess Miroku sealed the demons in the underground palace of the Land of Demons and the shrine of the neighboring Swamp Land.

But now, the demons have been resurrected, and with them, their army has been resurrected. They will soon launch an attack on the Land of Demons.

For an ordinary ninja, this crisis would definitely be fatal.

Shion has ordered her subordinates to go to other ninja villages to issue commissions together.

They need help from various countries.

If the demons conquer the land of demons, they will wreak havoc on the continent as they have in the past.

She felt somewhat uneasy, fearing that Naruto would just turn around and leave.

After all, Konoha is the strongest ninja village in the ninja world.

To her surprise, Naruto's team was focused on the ghosts.

“I’ve never fought a ghost before! I wonder if they can withstand my Leaf Root Whirlwind,” Rock Lee said excitedly.

"A ghost? Does it have a body? Can we collect its tissues? Or maybe we could catch one and take it back to study." The oil woman Neri's eyes shone, and the worms inside her danced excitedly.

Yawen Bar

"The Ghost Legion? It's another manifestation of souls, isn't it? It seems the Land of Demons and the Pure Land have some connection." Naruto chuckled, his eyes filled with anticipation and excitement.

"Don't worry, Shion Shrine Maiden, we will protect you."

He looked calmly at Ziyuan and elegantly extended his hand: "It's a pleasure to cooperate with you."

Upon hearing this, Shion breathed a sigh of relief, raised her proud and fair neck, and stretched out her slender little hand to lightly grasp Naruto's warm palm.

She's quite arrogant, like a willful child.

Naruto chuckled, not paying any attention.

"Mistress Shion, I have a few questions I would like to ask you," Naruto asked politely.

After receiving a nod from Shion, he continued, "What are your thoughts on the soul and the Pure Land?"

Why are you asking this?

Upon hearing this, Ziyuan's expression immediately turned cold.

"Just out of curiosity."

"I advise you not to learn too much about these things; it's not a good thing for you." Shion's tone became much harsher, but she still told Naruto what she knew.

"After a person dies, their soul will go to the Pure Land, a desolate land filled with the aura of death. No human who enters the Pure Land by any means can leave. And the ghosts can be considered souls that have been tainted by the aura of the Pure Land."

"He possesses immense power and terrifying negative emotions; the mere sight of him awakens a deep-seated fear within ordinary people."

"Then, may I ask, how do I enter the Pure Land?" Naruto asked.

“Ordinary humans would be immediately contaminated and lose their lives if they entered the Pure Land.” Ziyuan narrowed her eyes.

Clearly, they didn't expect that humans would actually try to enter the Pure Land.

This is undoubtedly suicide.

"For humankind, the Pure Land is never a place to covet; it is fraught with danger."

"Think about it from another perspective: what would happen if humans entered the place where souls reside? I think the consequences are obvious."

"I advise you to give up the idea of ​​entering the Pure Land."

She gave Naruto a deep look and said coldly.

Seeing this, Naruto didn't press the matter further.

Anyway, there's plenty of time.

Judging from Ziyuan's behavior, she should know how to enter the Pure Land.

For ordinary people, the Pure Land is indeed a forbidden place.

But for Naruto, who possesses spiritual pressure, the Pure Land is a place where his strength can advance by leaps and bounds.

"The ghost army will likely launch its attack in about three days. In the meantime, please rest here for a while. You only need to protect me to the sealed land. I will use my abilities to destroy the demons. You do not need to fight the demons face to face," Ziyuan said expressionlessly.

"Eh?! I can't fight the demon? What a pity." Rock Lee sighed and rubbed his forehead in regret.

"Well... I'll just watch from the sidelines and hopefully get a chance to collect some body tissue. Hmmm, I guess the wraiths are considered ghosts, right? They don't seem to have any body tissue. What should I do? I don't seem to have a container to store souls either. Maybe... I should try to collect the priestess's body." Aburame Nerei's face was expressionless, her eyes were calm, but her mind was racing.

"We're all very interested in the demons, so don't worry, it won't affect your sealing of them," Naruto said with a light laugh, his tone full of confidence.

"I suggest we don't. You ninjas can't handle a demon like that; it's not human." Shion shook her head, slightly disdainful.

During the last time the demon went berserk, some ninjas attempted to challenge it, but the consequences were dire.

"Do as you please. If you're not afraid of dying, then do as you please." Ziyuan nodded indifferently and turned to walk towards the back of the main hall.

"I'm tired. You guys take a break first. We're about to have a tough battle."

As Shion's graceful figure disappeared from sight, Naruto, still wearing a warm smile beneath his mask, looked at Rock Lee and Aburame.

"Let's go."

Led by the guards, they settled in temporarily, with Naruto and Rock Lee sharing a room.

Rock Lee, shirtless with his hands wrapped in bandages, was doing push-ups intently.

Naruto leaned against the wall, gazing out the window at the antique buildings, his eyes deep, as if deep in thought.

"One thousand two hundred and thirty-one, one thousand two hundred and thirty-two..." Rock Lee stopped what he was doing, looked at Naruto curiously, and asked casually:

"Naruto, what are you thinking about?"

"I'm thinking about how to enter the Pure Land," Naruto replied casually.