Uchiha's personal opinion

Orochimaru bowed in satisfaction.

Princess Ichikishima was arguably the biggest gain of this battle. After careful consideration, Orochimaru abandoned his idea of ​​demanding some of her remains for research.

"I still have a use for Princess Ichikishima, so I can't give her all of it for now."

Uchiha Tokumitsu's next words immediately made Orochimaru uneasy.

"However, I'll give you an extra part of its tail for your collection."

"Of course, that's assuming you're not worried about Ryuchi-dong's retaliation~"

"Don't worry!"

"Absolutely not afraid at all!"

Orochimaru could no longer remain calm.

"That's good……"

Uchiha Tokumitsu stretched out his left arm and summoned the Firelight Lord hidden within.

After absorbing a portion of the impure sage essence of Ichikishima-hime, the image of Kagami-no-Mikoto became increasingly materialized, with features such as dragon horns, whiskers, and scales becoming more and more similar to the true dragon in Uchiha Tokumitsu's past life memories.

When Orochimaru saw this creation that perfectly captured both form and spirit, his eyes once again revealed endless desire.

However, it is impossible for Uchiha Tokumitsu to use the Firelight Monarch for research.

After making Hikari-no-Mikoto spit out part of Ichikishima-hime's snake tail, Uchiha Tokumitsu sent Orochimaru away, who kept looking back.

He then said to Uchiha Shisui, "You will be in charge of setting up an altar..."

"An altar? Are you going to build a shrine?"

Uchiha Shisui found it a little strange, but then he realized it was normal.

The purpose of a shrine, besides offering sacrifices, is to commemorate, so Uchiha Tokumitsu's idea is not unreasonable.

"That's it."

Uchiha Tokumitsu nodded.

"Then...who is the main deity worshipped?"

Uchiha Shisui asked cautiously.

"The deity who presides over the ceremony is the Goddess of Rabbit."

Uchiha Tokumitsu casually drew a reference image of the shrine's exterior and handed it to Uchiha Shisui.

"If we're going to have someone accompany me in the sacrifice... let's have the Sage of Six Paths."

Although Uchiha Tokumitsu's ideas were somewhat at odds with the traditional ninja world rituals, Shisui didn't say much. After receiving the reference diagram, he accepted the order and left.

Of the hundreds of ninja frogs and snakes captured, apart from a few that possessed Sage Chakra and were of some research value, Uchiha Tokumitsu did not intend to keep the rest of the miscellaneous snakes and frogs.

After all, even landlords don't have surplus grain. Keeping them would not only be a waste of food but also risk being taken advantage of during a prison break, so they simply chopped them all up.

But if it were just a simple massacre, he wouldn't have needed to bring these ninja snakes and ninja frogs back from so far away; the slaughter could have been carried out on-site after the battle with the Bird Country.

The reason he brought it back to the village was because Uchiha Tokumitsu planned to use it as a "gift" for the village's 40th anniversary and the construction of the new shrine!

"Hmm...we still need to invite professionals to preside over the celebration and sacrificial ceremony."

With that in mind, Uchiha Tokumitsu wrote out an invitation and summoned a servant ninja to give him instructions, instructing him to deliver it to the great priestess of the Land of Demons.

Uchiha Tokumitsu wasn't worried that the current priestess of the Land of Demons wouldn't agree. After all, the Uchiha clan's reputation was so great that it resounded throughout the ninja world. Even the samurai of the Land of Iron, which was also a neutral country, were forced to send "observers" to join the joint anti-terrorism force. Naturally, there was no reason for the Land of Demons to continue to remain neutral.

Moreover, besides being responsible for the various rituals of the sacrifice, Uchiha Tokumitsu was also full of curiosity about the demon spirit Mōryō, which was said to have been sealed away by the priestess of the Land of Demons.

Uchiha Tokumitsu was eager to know the difference between the legendary demons formed from the dark side of the ninja world and the Mangekyou Sharingan, which evolved through extreme emotions.

Uchiha Tokumitsu had long harbored a desire to understand the demonic creatures as deeply as he had for the Loulan Dragon Vein of the Land of Wind, but he had suppressed his curiosity until now.

As for Kaguya Otsutsuki, who was sealed on the moon, being unwilling to accept the "goodwill" of her juniors, or how the Sage of Six Paths, whose soul had returned to the world, would view it, that was none of Uchiha Tokumitsu's business.

Anyway, the shrine has been built, and the offerings and blood sacrifices have been made, what more do you want!

You're not convinced? Keep it to yourself!

Chapter 356 Ritual and Vow

"By the way, I feel there's something strange about the altar that Lord Deguang painted..."

At the construction site of the shrine in the center of Konoha's new district, Uchiha Shisui spoke to Senju Nawaki, the general contractor in charge of the project.

"Not surprising, it's innovation, after all."

Considering that this shrine construction project was a rare and urgent order, Senju Nawaki had a very bright smile on his face and patiently dealt with the talkative Uchiha Shisui.

With the continuous investment of Muye Village Investment Company in the new area, the construction of Muye New Area can be described as changing rapidly and making gratifying progress.

The first phase of the new district has now been completed and delivered. The brand-new commercial area and embassy area are already in use, and the attached high-rise apartments have entered the decoration stage. Based on the ninjas' work efficiency, it is expected that the entire project will be completed within a month.

Although the construction costs of the new district have been skyrocketing due to the extensive use of ninjas in the construction, the huge revenue generated after the new district went into operation has led the House of Representatives Jonin, led by Hatake Sakumo, to no longer care about the high debt. Instead, they have begun to urge the village investment company to issue new bonds to speed up the construction process.

As for the Senate, they are basically stakeholders, so naturally they wouldn't object to the village investment company continuously issuing more bonds.

The shrine that Uchiha Tokumitsu plans to build is located between the first and second phases of the new district, which is also the future central plot of the new district. In the previous life, it was a prime location that could be speculated to be worth a sky-high price in no time.

Of course, although some people in both houses of parliament felt it was a waste to build a useless shrine on such a perfect location, no one dared to say a word, considering that it was Uchiha Tokumitsu's request after all.

As for the Senju clan, they have even less objection.

Among the three emerging earth-style construction companies in Konoha, the Senju clan's "Senju Houses" are known for their quality and speed, and their share of new district construction is slightly higher than that of the Hyuga Construction, which boasts "Byakugan craftsmanship and high-end standards." As for "Uchiha Real Estate," which is top-notch in brick making due to its expertise in fire-style techniques, if it weren't for the support of the Nakagawa Stock Exchange and the United Company, as well as the aura of the Uchiha clan, it would probably have been squeezed out of the construction market long ago and could only supply building materials.

However, since the shrine construction project was requested by Uchiha Tokumitsu, and the person in charge of Uchiha Real Estate clearly stated that the construction task could not be completed within the required time, Uchiha Shisui had no choice but to find Senju House and entrust them with the contracted construction.

"I remember the Senju clan's Inari shrine was a wooden structure, right?"

The time spent guarding the construction site was extremely difficult, and Uchiha Shisui started making small talk again.

"Yes, this has always been a tradition of the Senju clan..."

Senju Nawaki maintained a smile, but it seemed somewhat forced.

In less than half a day, the talkative Zhishui had already had countless awkward conversations with him.

"Since it's primarily a wooden structure... then why are you so skilled at using brick and stone structures as well?"

Uchiha Shisui continued, "By the way, is the Senju clan really that indifferent to tradition?"

"What is tradition..."

Senju Nawaki felt utterly exhausted, and the smile on his face grew increasingly faint: "The combination of Water Release and Earth Release ninjutsu isn't some high-level secret technique. Besides, weren't the building standards and styles what Lord Tokugaku requested?"

"Besides, traditions can't put food on the table. If we insist on adhering to traditions... then the Senju clan would probably still be picking pine nuts and mushrooms in the great forest, and the Uchiha clan would be hiding in the mountains of the north hunting."

All I can say is that he's unlucky to have such a talkative client.

Moreover, as everyone knows, Uchiha Shisui was Uchiha Tokumitsu's first disciple, so it's best not to offend him easily.

"Hmm~ Nawaki-kun is right. This is the same principle as what the teacher always says about keeping up with the times."

Uchiha Shisui nodded repeatedly, and at the same time took out his notebook and started taking notes on the spot.

"Ugh……"

Senju Nawaki sighed inwardly.

I don't know if it's because he's been hanging out with that "Konoha Rare Beast" too much that he's developed some kind of mental problem.

Of course, although Senju Nawaki was inwardly complaining, he still wore a business-like smile and continued to deal with her perfunctorily.

……

"This is Konoha..."

Accompanied by her attendant ninjas, the weary priestess from the Land of Demons stood at the entrance of Konoha Village, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

Although she was second only to the Great Priestess Miroku in the Land of Demons and was quite knowledgeable, everything she had seen and heard paled in comparison to the present state of Konoha.

Especially the towering buildings in the distance, whose design is truly unique in the ninja world.

The attendant ninjas were already used to the surprise of outsiders when they first saw the "landmark high-rise apartment" in Konoha's new district, so they didn't find it strange or urge them on. They simply let the shrine maiden stand at the village entrance and sigh with admiration.

"That building is..."

The shrine maiden pointed to the tallest building in the direction of the new district and asked.

"That's a Jonin apartment. All the Jonin in the village will be allocated one."

The attendant ninja replied listlessly.

"Konoha is really rich and powerful..."

The priestess couldn't help but sigh.

“Jonin are the pillars of the village and members of the House of Representatives. No amount of preferential treatment is too much.”

The attendant ninja shrugged and replied in an extremely casual tone.

"No wonder Konoha is so prosperous and developed under Lord Tokumitsu's rule. There is indeed a reason for this."

The priestess offered a slight compliment, "Let's go see Lord Deguang, thank you for your trouble."

You're too kind~

The attendant ninja bowed slightly, his goodwill towards this polite and virtuous shrine maiden growing stronger.

……

"I am Risa, the High Priestess of Hanato Shrine in the Land of Demons. I have come here on the orders of the Great Priestess Miroku of my country to pay my respects to the peerless and divine Tokuko."

In the rarely used reception room of the Konoha Governor's Mansion, Uchiha Tokumitsu received the priestess from the Land of Demons who had traveled from afar.

"High Priestess Risa, you are too polite."

Uchiha Tokumitsu nodded slightly in response, "But I don't know about Lord Miroku..."

"The Maitreya Hall bears the heavy responsibility of sealing away the demons and monsters, and is truly unable to come here. We hope that Your Excellency Deguang will be magnanimous."

The shrine maiden Risa immediately replied, "I am already aware of the envoy's invitation. Moreover, I have been in charge of Hanato Shrine for many years and am quite proficient in the rituals. I will not delay Lord Tokumitsu's important business."

"Then there's no problem..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu was already quite familiar with the unique rituals of the ninja world, so since the priestess Risa expressed confidence, he didn't care.