Start with a Zanpakuto and build the strongest Mist Village.

Having once been a ninja of the Hidden Mist while living in the Blood Mist, he was forced to constantly kill his fellow Hidden Mist ninjas, and at those times he would always ask himself these questions.

What is his existence, what is his stance, and what is his purpose?

Where does he need to go to find a true haven? What does he need to do to find his true self?

he does not know.

Kisame originally thought that the appearance of the Fourth Hokage and the change in the Blood Mist Village would allow him to find the answers to all of this, but the words spoken by the Second Hokage at this moment completely revealed everything that Kisame knew!

Kisame Hoshigaki trembled slightly. Hozuki Gengetsu's words filled his mind with a series of chaotic booming sounds, like some kind of massive explosion, exploding one after another in his thoughts, completely shattering his original understanding.

In his original understanding, although the world was full of countless lies and darkness, the appearance of an outstanding leader still gave him a glimmer of hope and a safe haven.

He is someone who is constantly searching for his own path and for that glimmer of light in his life.

Unexpectedly...

"So it turns out that not only my life is fake... but the whole world is too..."

“No one’s life is fake. All we want is for future generations to have a more real and better future.” Hozuki Gengetsu shook his head and said, “I didn’t want to tell you all this just like that. After all, you are still young and have a long road ahead of you, a wonderful life, and happy love to experience.”

"After you pass away, the Fourth Generation will call your soul back and tell you these things. That will be the best choice."

"But unfortunately, you're a bit too curious. If I don't tell you all this today... you might do something terrible, you brat from the Hoshigaki family."

"...It seems that curiosity really can kill you."

Kisame gave a bitter smile. If things really went as Hozuki Gengetsu had said, it would indeed be the most wonderful outcome.

And now?

"So, now that I know of Death's existence, do I need to become one of you?"

"of course not."

Hozuki Gengetsu shook his head: "We never force or demand anything. Everything we've said today is simply to clear up your doubts. Because you are a citizen of Kirigakure, you have the right to know all this, to know what has happened in this village, and what will happen in the future."

"As for whether or not to become a Grim Reaper... the Fourth Grim Reaper once told me that you should follow your heart."

"My heart?"

Kisame Hoshigaki murmured, and just then, they noticed that many of the stone terracotta warriors around them began to crumble, returning to dust and ashes, disappearing with the wind.

Seeing this, Hozuki Gengetsu whistled softly: "It seems the Fourth Hokage has already dealt with the demons."

"Is the Fourth Hokage here too?"

"Of course, otherwise, who else in the ninja world do you think could deal with something like the demon worō?"

Hozuki Gengetsu said calmly, "Alright, that's enough of this talk to enlighten the younger generation. Just treat everything that happened today as a story. No need to think about it too much."

“Take these two rogue ninjas back to the village; that would be quite an achievement. Besides, you still owe that girl a meal, don’t you?”

"...Second Generation Master."

Kisame Hoshigaki wanted to say something, but Hozuki Gengetsu was nowhere to be seen.

He left silently, just as he came silently, waving his captain's haori and leaving without taking away a single cloud.

But it brought a profound spiritual shock to a lost young boy...

……

News of the demon rebellion that broke out in the Land of Demons spread like wildfire throughout the ninja world, shaking all the major ninja villages.

This calamity occurred not long after the Third Shinobi World War ended.

But just as they were preparing to send troops to provide support, even more astonishing news arrived.

The priestess of the Land of Demons sealed away the demon at the cost of her own life!

"So, if you fail to seal it, you'll have to leave Shion with me?"

Night watched as Ashiho and Yuki were escorted away by the Hidden Mist ninja, and then looked at Miroku, whose face was slightly flushed, with a strange expression.

No wonder Yoru didn't sense the presence of Shion, the future priestess, within the Land of Demons. It turns out that Miroku had made arrangements long ago, having this guard named Ashiho take Shion and hide in Kirigakure.

It makes sense. If Miroku fails, the demons that have reclaimed his soul and devoured him will inevitably start a war, spreading the flames of war throughout the ninja world for their own ambitions. The Hidden Mist Village, located far overseas, will obviously become the safest place.

As soon as the two stepped into the Land of Water, they learned that Miroku had paid the ultimate price to successfully seal away the demon.

A country cannot be without a ruler for a day, and with the threat of demons gone, Ashiho immediately sought help from Kirigakure, hoping to protect them as they returned to the Land of Demons.

Ye had originally intended to keep Shion.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not doing this for any evil rice bowl play. I just want to study the differences between the two generations of shrine maidens.

However, unable to resist the tempting offer from Miroku, Ye agreed to release Shion.

"Alright, as the price of this deal, you're mine now."

"I, I know."

Maitreya's ears turned slightly red, and his expression still held a hint of hesitation.

She never expected that the person wearing the white mask and haori was actually the famous Minazuki Yoru, even though her voice and tone didn't match the person in front of her at all.

But that's the truth.

Because Maitreya sensed the same aura emanating from him.

soul!

Her gaze was fixed on Minazuki Yoru in front of her, and then through the glass window of the Mizukage Building, she glanced at Shion and Ashiho's backs before her hesitant look became resolute.

With a gentle wave of her jade-like hand, her gauze skirt fell to the ground.

The priestess closed her eyes, letting the night's hand rest on her lower abdomen.

"Relax, it won't take long."

"The Four Symbols Unlocked!"

The reversed incantation landed on Maitreya's lower abdomen, and Maitreya subconsciously arched her body, her entire delicate body trembling suddenly.

The next moment, her body underwent a noticeable change.

Her curvaceous body emitted a faint glow at this moment, and a silvery-gray mist, like water vapor, emanated from her body, completely enveloping her.

Its appearance is similar to that of a Jinchūriki in his Tailed Beast form, but this power is more refined and more stable.

Night gradually controlled the degree to which the seal was broken.

The changes in the shrine maiden also continued as that power emerged.

Silver-gray energy surged forth, growing increasingly dense until it completely enveloped Maitreya's entire body. The density of the energy was so great that Maitreya's figure could no longer be clearly seen.

But as the seals continued to break, the energy seemed to recede and merge into Maitreya's body. When all the seals were completely broken, a different figure appeared before Ye.

At this moment, Maitreya's white hair floated, and his entire body was enveloped in a layer of silver-gray flames.

The thick energy mist transformed into a magnificent silver-gray priestess's robe, with serpentine patterns embroidered on it. Occasionally, tangible energy flames would appear, transforming into serpentine forms and hissing, appearing and disappearing intermittently.

"interesting."

Ye looked at Maitreya in the night and marveled at him.

He could clearly sense the special nature of Miroku at this moment. Miroku at this moment could be considered to have perfectly integrated the four energies of 'chakra, spiritual energy, natural energy, and soul energy'. In fact, because this energy was too powerful, it had even condensed an energy cloak similar to that of the Prince Nine Ramas!

"Your balance of energy is truly remarkable. Among all the people I've ever met, you are the first to achieve such a level of balance among the four forces!"

Night exclaimed in admiration.

If we replace the chakra among these four powers with the power of the Grim Reaper, then Miroku at this moment would be a true Grim Reaper!

And now...

Perhaps describing her as a 'celestial being' would be more fitting.

It is not the six-path existence like the Sage of Six Paths, but the kind of immortal from the three holy lands.

It's not because she can perfectly control natural energy, perfectly utilize chakra and spiritual energy, or even possess special abilities (summoning immortal stone soldiers).

It's because of her very nature!

At this moment, Maitreya can be said to have transcended the concept of 'human'. Under the influence of that energy, he transformed into a special 'energy creature', but he was not as low-level as a demon.

"..."

Sensing the night's gaze, Miroku slowly opened his eyes.

In her immortal form, she appeared so pure and unblemished, even her eyes were covered with a layer of silvery-gray light, making her look like a fairy untouched by worldly dust and transcending the mortal realm.

However, the emotions in his eyes were far less pure than those of the original Maitreya.

If the original Maitreya was pure white, then the original demons were black without any light source.

At this moment, Maitreya in his immortal form is a delicate shade of gray!

Clearly, after merging with the power of the demons, Maitreya's mind was greatly altered. The intense negative emotions—utterly evil, depraved, twisted, violent, and like a box of bliss—had returned to Maitreya's body, transforming his original saintly heart into a rainbow.

"Water without a moonlit night..."

Maitreya raised his fair neck, like a proud swan, and slowly floated up, looking down at the night. His pair of starry eyes were like those of a celestial being looking down at a mortal child.

"You shouldn't have allowed this power to reappear in the world!"

"No, I'm glad I brought this power back to life."

Night's eyes were filled with intense excitement.

He used his own power as a foundation, merging with the souls of the deceased, to create the Grim Reaper.

By allowing the soul to be immersed in negative emotions of depravity, and then infusing it with 'spiritual power', the void was created.

But whether it's Shinigami or Hollow, their foundation is the dead, the soul.

And this moment.

Miroku's state of perfectly balancing energy as a 'living being' showed Yoru a path completely different from that of the Grim Reaper and Hollow.

If this path can be successfully paved, then the entire population of Kirigakure will be able to evolve, and even ordinary people will undergo a transformation.

"You are a treasure!"

Ye's undisguised, fiery gaze was extremely aggressive, as if he wanted to devour Maitreya alive.

That look was utterly offensive to Maitreya, who was now in a state of 'immortality'!

"To covet the power of immortals is a crime deserving of punishment and cannot be forgiven!"

Maitreya shouted, and as she spoke, her slender, white fingers clenched in mid-air, and a silver-gray serpent spear staff appeared out of thin air in her palm.

The staff landed heavily in the void, and countless silver-gray serpentine energies surged forth from beneath Maitreya's spacious and luxurious priestess robes, rushing towards Ye.

"Hey, hey, hey, we can't fight like this in the first place."

As Ye watched the silver snake's attack, his gaze suddenly fell on the thick stack of documents on the Water Shadow's desk, and his expression changed instantly.

This was the result of several days' work by his shadow clones. If it were destroyed, not to mention the impact on the village, Ye himself would go crazy.

Even shadow clones have a life, and besides, that feeling will eventually all come back to the original body!

"The Sixty-Three Ways of Binding: Binding with Chain Bars!"

Ye suddenly raised his hand, and a thick, snake-like chain immediately appeared in his palm.

The chains shot out, shattering the silver snake's attack, and also landed on Maitreya, binding him tightly.

Because the power of the Sage form is not to be underestimated, Yoru showed no mercy when binding and restricting him. This caused the chains and restraints to become even more prominent as they fell on Miroku's body.

"Yes, we need to go to a quiet and safe place."

Night's hand landed on Miroku's shoulder, and the two figures instantly disappeared from the spot.

Maitreya felt a blur before his eyes, and when he reappeared, the sound of wind and waves was clear in his ears, and the salty smell of the ocean filled his nostrils.

Looking at the deserted island with no one around, Ye smiled, and his gaze toward Miroku became even more fervent.

"Now we can finally do some serious research."

"This concerns the future of all of Mist Village, and even all of humanity. My dear shrine maiden, please cooperate with me."

"Ya, yamete!"

Chapter 137 Witch: "Lord Arigadoye"