Naruto, my father's name is Uchiha Madara.

Page 222

Just when she felt she was about to give up and her arms felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

The decisive blow erupted from deep within the ancestral hall.

The undead army instantly disintegrated, turning into ordinary rubble.

It's good that we were able to hold on until they won.

Several figures appeared in the area surrounding the ancestral hall, which had been completely destroyed.

Leading the group was Kakashi Hatake, who wore a mask and whose silver hair fluttered in the wind, followed by several Konoha Anbu members.

Looking at the battlefield before him, which resembled one struck by a meteorite—

A massive crater, collapsed mountains, shattered platforms, and the lifeless remains of rock soldiers scattered everywhere.

And Sakura, sitting on the ground, clearly exhausted—

Kakashi's exposed dead fish eye widened slightly, then curved back into its familiar crescent shape.

"Oops..."

Kakashi scratched the back of his head, his tone as lazy as ever with a hint of just the right amount of helplessness: "I rushed here as fast as I could, but I'm still a step too late? Looks like I've missed out on the excitement again this time."

He walked over to Sakura, squatted down, and said in a much gentler tone, "You've had a tough time, Sakura. Are you badly hurt?"

Sakura shook her head, revealing a tired but bright smile: "It's alright, just a superficial injury. I'll be fine after a rest."

"Kakashi-sensei, it's over inside too."

She pointed to the depths of the ancestral hall.

Just then, three figures emerged from the collapsed entrance of the ancestral hall, supporting each other.

Naruto wore a triumphant grin, but his steps were noticeably unsteady.

Sasuke's face was still somewhat pale, and his brows were slightly furrowed, as if he was enduring physical discomfort.

Shion was carefully supported by Naruto.

Although her face was still pale, the despair and numbness in her eyes were gone, replaced by a calmness that came from surviving a disaster.

Naruto spotted Kakashi immediately, his spirits lifted, and he broke free from Sasuke (earning him a disdainful look from Sasuke).

With her hands on her hips, she shouted with her last breath, "Yo! Kakashi-sensei! You always show up just when things are over! It's always the same! You're late again this time, aren't you?!"

Kakashi stood up, his dead fish eyes curving even wider: "Well, Naruto, you can't say that."

"I sensed a major battle breaking out here, and worried that you wouldn't be able to handle it, so I specially brought reinforcements and rushed over without stopping."

"Who knew you guys would move so quickly..."

He shrugged, looking like he was saying, "I'm helpless too."

"Tch! Don't give me that!"

Naruto bluntly called him out: "You're always late! You have to treat us! You absolutely have to treat us!"

"We've taken down an incredibly powerful monster this time! We need to celebrate!"

"Grilled meat Q! I want ten plates... no! Twenty plates of premium beef tongue!"

Kakashi looked at Naruto with that "I won't rest until I've made you pay" expression.

He glanced at Sasuke beside him, who, though silent, clearly showed agreement in his eyes.

And Sakura, despite being covered in wounds, still wore an expectant smile.

He sighed helplessly, but his tone carried a hint of barely perceptible relief: "Alright, alright... this time it really was a great achievement."

"After we get back to the village, it'll be barbecue Q, my treat. Consider it... a combination of your 'welcome party' and 'victory celebration'."

He emphasized his words at the "welcome party," his gaze sweeping over the three men who had clearly grown a lot.

"Yay! Long live Kakashi-sensei!"

Naruto jumped up excitedly, wincing as he aggravated his injuries, but his smile was radiant.

Although Sasuke still had no expression, his taut jawline seemed to have relaxed a bit.

Sakura smiled happily.

Shion gently broke free from Naruto's support, indicating that she was alright.

She straightened her somewhat disheveled and damaged shrine maiden robes.

With a solemn expression, he walked to the edge of the platform, which had once been a battlefield but was now nothing but rubble and the remains of undead soldiers.

Foot Feather followed silently a step behind her, like the most loyal shadow.

Ziyuan stopped, closed her eyes, clasped her hands together in front of her chest, and began to softly chant an ancient and melodious prayer for the soul.

Her voice was clear and devout, echoing on the silent platform, as if carrying the power to cleanse the soul.

She was praying for the guards who had sacrificed themselves on the path of protecting her and the land of demons.

Pray for all the heroic spirits who perished in the long history of fighting against the demons.

We also pray for her mother, who finally found peace.

Sunlight pierced through the thin clouds, falling on her long golden hair and pure white shrine maiden robes, giving her a soft golden edge.

Sacred and peaceful.

After a long while, the prayer ended.

Ziyuan slowly opened her eyes, her gaze becoming incredibly firm and peaceful.

She turned around and looked at Zu Sui, who had been silently protecting her.

Her voice was clear and powerful: "The demons have been destroyed, and the heavy mission that our priestess clan has carried for generations has finally... come to an end with me."

Ashiho bowed deeply: "Yes, Lady Shion. Congratulations to you, and congratulations to the Land of Demons as well."

Shion shook her head slightly, her gaze fixed on the distant Land of Demons, a new light gleaming in her eyes: "The mission is over, but this power..."

"This power, which originates from our bloodline, resonates with nature, and can even purify evil, has not disappeared."

"It should no longer be a shackle and a curse, nor should it be used only to fight a specific monster."

She paused, as if organizing her thoughts or confirming her inner conviction: "I can feel that this power... contains the true meaning of protection and purification."

"It should not be buried, nor should it be used merely to predict death."

"I want to... study it, understand it, and explore its possibilities beyond combat."

"Use it to heal wounds, purify filth, protect the people of this land, and make the land of demons..."

"To become a truly peaceful, tranquil, and vibrant home."

Her gaze shifted to Zu Sui, questioning, yet also tinged with barely perceptible tension: "This will be a completely new path, one that may be fraught with unknowns and difficulties."

"Ashiho... are you still willing to help me?"

Without any hesitation, Zui knelt on one knee and placed his right hand on his chest.

She performed the most solemn salute of allegiance, her voice resounding with unwavering loyalty and conviction: "Lady Shion! No matter what lies ahead, no matter what future you choose, the Shiho clan will forever follow you!"

"Your will is the direction of my sword! Please give your orders!"

Seeing the determination in Shion's eyes, Shion's eyes welled up with tears, and she took a deep breath.

He nodded vigorously: "Thank you, Azusa."

At this moment, she was no longer the young priestess who was overwhelmed by fate and could only disguise herself with indifference.

Rather, he is a leader who has truly begun to take control of his own destiny and shoulder the responsibility for the future of the nation.

She composed herself and walked towards Team 7 and Kakashi.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were all looking at her, waiting for her.

Shion stopped and bowed deeply and solemnly to Kakashi and the three members of Team 7, her long, light golden hair falling down.

"Lord Kakashi Hatake, Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno."

Her voice was clear and filled with gratitude: "I, Shion, the current priestess of the Land of Demons, am here."

"On behalf of all the citizens of the Land of Demons, I extend my highest respect and deepest gratitude to Konoha Village, to the Land of Fire, and to Team 7...!"

She straightened up, her gaze sweeping sincerely across everyone's face: "It was you who extended a helping hand in the most perilous and desperate moment of the Land of Demons."

"It was you who, undeterred by hardship, traversed the army of the undead and faced the terror of the demons."

"It's you..."

Her gaze finally settled on Naruto, filled with an indescribable mix of complexity and gratitude: "...He broke the thousand-year-old destiny, ended the nightmare that had haunted our clan, and saved countless lives that might have been caught up in the disaster."

"The Land of Demons will never forget this kindness!"

Naruto was a little embarrassed by the praise, scratching his head and chuckling sheepishly, "Hehe, Shion, you're too kind!"

"Protecting our friends and safeguarding peace is the responsibility of us Konoha ninjas!"

Sasuke crossed his arms and gave a faint "hmm" in response.

Sakura smiled and stepped forward: "Miss Shion, you're being too polite."

"We are very happy to be able to help you and the Land of Demons. And,"

She glanced at Naruto, then looked at Shion, her smile warm: "Seeing you emerge from the shadows and find a new direction is the most important thing."

Kakashi nodded, his tone serious: "Mistress Shion, you flatter me."

"Protecting the peace of the ninja world and curbing threats like the demons is the shared responsibility of the five great ninja villages."

"Konoha has only done its duty. We are also very gratified to see the Land of Demons usher in new hope."

Looking at the group of people who had changed her fate and the fate of the Demon Kingdom, Shion felt a surge of warmth in her heart.

She took a deep breath, and a genuine, bright smile, as clear and bright as the sky after a rain, appeared on her face.

That was a smile that truly belonged to her age, after she had shed all her burdens.

The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the ravaged battlefield and illuminated the relaxed smiles on everyone's faces.

As the smoke of battle gradually dissipates, what remains is the hope of new life and deep bonds.

The chapter of the Land of Demons concludes with sacrifice and protection.