Starting with the usurpation of Akatsuki, the ninja world was overthrown.

Chapter 225 A New Year

As time goes on, Shiba Kiyokawa gradually learns about many customs and habits of this world, such as names and titles.

Asking someone to call you by your first name often signifies a closer relationship.

For example, Nagato and Konan would call him "Kiyokawa-kun," but most members of the Akatsuki organization only dared to call him "Chief Shiba."

The fact that the shrine maiden has revealed her name is actually proof that their relationship has progressed further.

Of course, this may not only imply intimacy, but also likely includes a sense of submission.

From this moment on, the Land of Demons officially joined the Akatsuki organization.

Shiba Kiyokawa smiled slightly, and then seriously discussed many details of the cooperation between the two countries with the Miroku priestess.

This includes the Akatsuki organization funding the establishment of a ninja academy in the Land of Demons in the future.

The Akatsuki organization took full control of the border defenses of the Land of Demons.

In the future, there will be long-term trade cooperation, opening up trade, importing food from the Land of Demons, and exporting Loulan's industrial products to the Land of Demons, etc.

At the very beginning of the exchange, the Maiden of Miroku was very enthusiastic.

Although she was very grateful to Shiba Kiyokawa for solving and saving her and the Demon Kingdom, she really thought she was about to be completely devoured the moment the servant was dragged away.

The moment he uttered his name, Miroku was almost ready to sacrifice himself.

But to her surprise, after actually communicating with him, she realized that Shiba Kiyokawa was actually talking about cooperation!

Upon realizing this, Maitreya actually felt a sense of relief.

Although the conditions proposed by Shiba Kiyokawa during the exchange were very harsh, almost entirely placing the Oni Kingdom in the position of a vassal state in setting the rules.

But perhaps because the previous humiliation was still fresh in her mind, the Miroku priestess found it less unbearable at this moment.

This probably highlights the importance of expectation management.

If Shiba Kiyokawa had always adhered to the duties of a ninja and placed himself in the role of someone who had taken the money and completed the task, then his behavior at this moment would certainly be considered excessive.

They might even be reprimanded by Maitreya from his high and mighty position.

But it was precisely because Shiba Kiyokawa revealed his dental work so early on that he exposed himself as not a good person.

This actually helped Maitreya manage his expectations.

The fact that Shiba Kiyokawa did not abolish the shrine maiden religion or completely exploit Miroku is enough to earn the other party's gratitude.

After finalizing the details of the alliance between the two countries, Shiba Kiyokawa immediately began to inquire about matters related to the cultivation of immortal techniques.

By this point, Maitreya had completely relaxed and his answers became much more fluent.

Shiba Kiyokawa was then surprised to discover that Miroku had a rather profound understanding of immortal arts.

Maitreya has dabbled in almost all kinds of skills that have been passed down for thousands of years, and has his own understanding of them.

This contrasts sharply with her daughter in the original theatrical version, who was completely clueless and knew nothing.

After exchanging words for a while, Shiba Kiyokawa realized that he had underestimated his opponent.

"Miss Miroku's insights are truly astonishing. It seems I'll have to bother you for a few more days."

Shiba Kiyokawa sincerely praised,

These words, however, caused Miroku to tremble inexplicably. Her body, wrapped in a kimono, suddenly tensed up, and she even pressed her legs together.

I wonder what she was thinking...

However, for Shiba Kiyokawa, his only intention in staying was to learn about immortal techniques.

And right after he briefly bid farewell to the Miroku priestess, a familiar notification sound rang in his mind, a sound he hadn't heard in a long time.

[Fate takes a turn—[Gained: The first priestess's magical training experience (to be distributed later in the form of dreams)]]

Shiba Kiyokawa thought to himself, "Just as I thought."

He is now 90% certain that the system within him is driven by the world's will.

Since the battle at Kannabi Bridge, his fate had been drastically altered multiple times, and the system's predicted death outcome had been constantly updated.

But the reward just wouldn't appear for a long time.

He had only resolved a historical issue in the Land of Demons, a small, remote country, which was not enough to affect the overall situation of the ninja world, yet he quickly received a system reward at this moment.

The underlying bias is quite obvious!

Once he had established himself in this chaotic ninja world, the world's will clearly did not want him to linger too long on the path of a ninja.

The system is probably already looking for an opportunity to give him a reward related to immortal arts.

For the next three days, Shiba Kiyokawa stayed in the shrine maiden's palace to practice and learn magic.

During this time, he also brought Nagato and Konan along, and taught them both his immortal techniques.

Although the basics of immortal arts are difficult to learn, all three of them picked it up smoothly due to their aptitude.

This trip to the Land of Demons was incredibly fruitful for the Akatsuki organization!

While the Akatsuki enjoyed a peaceful life, in the vast ninja world, there were inevitably those who had to shoulder heavy burdens.

The new year has arrived, but the Ninja World War continues!

While the Akatsuki organization was thriving, some villages were not having such an easy time.

Take, for example, Konoha Village, on which that loyal priestess held high hopes.

Originally, Konoha should have had a good New Year.

After all, the peace talks with Kirigakure ended a battlefield. Regardless of whether the process was weak or not, the result of peace is at least encouraging for Konoha at the moment.

However, after entering mid-January, the higher-ups in Konoha gradually stopped smiling.

That day, Nara Shikaku, who was sitting in the Hokage's office helping to process documents, once again received a headache-inducing report.

"Has that masked mystery man who attacks us everywhere reappeared? Where has he suffered this time?"

This weirdo has been targeting us ever since the end of the Hidden Mist War!

Looking at the pile of victim lists and attack reports on the table in front of him, Nara Shikaku wearily rubbed his temples.

"Where did this masked monster come from? What does he want?"

There were people in the shadows below who seemed to want to speak but hesitated.

Nara Shikaku, with his sharp eyes, noticed and urged, "Tell me what you've found!"

The ANBU then bowed and reported, "The team that was attacked last time recalled that this masked man who uses chains has been investigating the village's past experiments with Wood Release."

Nara Shikaku fell silent for a moment.

He then understood why the secret service had hesitated to speak earlier.

Many people have guessed that the village has been conducting Wood Release experiments, but there is no concrete evidence.

At Nara Shikaku's current level, he probably isn't qualified to know about this matter.

After a long pause, Nara Shikaku asked helplessly, "Can you find out the reason? Why is this person investigating the Wood Release experiments?"

The Anbu continued, "The Uchiha clan's previous report mentioned that this masked man appeared during the Three-Tails incident, and he seems to have a grudge against some spies within Kirigakure."

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"What does this have to do with Konoha?" Shikaku asked, puzzled.

The ANBU continued, "The origins of those spies embedded within Kirigakure remain unknown."

They were called "white monsters" by the Hidden Mist ninja.

These spies possess exceptional camouflage skills and have likely been infiltrating the Fog Shadow territory for a considerable period. They also share another notable characteristic.

"What are its characteristics?" Lu Jiu pressed.

"These Hidden Mist spies all know how to use Wood Release."

At that moment, Nara Shikaku's heart sank.

"You mean, that masked man is now suspecting that those Hidden Mist spies, known as the 'White Monsters,' are from our Konoha?"

The ANBU ninja who reported dared not utter a sound.

He really wanted to say: It's not just the masked monster who has this suspicion; now the entire ninja world probably has this suspicion too.

Even within Konoha Village, many people probably hold this view.

The masked figure was clearly the corrupted and crazed Obito Uchiha.

Although his experience of turning to the dark side has deviated greatly from the original timeline, he no longer cooperates with Black Zetsu and has even become his enemy.

But one thing remains unchanged: his first target after turning to the dark side is still his former employer, Miyo!

This time, however, the reason is different, and the methods are even more ruthless!