Chapter 33: As Long as One's Conscience is Clear

"What does Mr. Lurigan want to gain?"

Hearing the priestess Miroku's question, Shishou, disguised as Mr. Lurigan, calmly stated his request.

"Of course, the sealing techniques of the priestess lineage."

The sealing techniques of the priestess lineage?

Hearing Shishou's request, Miroku frowned slightly, pondering before speaking.

"Mr. Lurigan, it's not that I don't want to agree with you."

"But, the sealing techniques of the priestess lineage can only be used by descendants of the priestess bloodline."

"Even if I teach you everything, you won't be able to use them."

Shishou was slightly stunned and then asked, "Is this a kind of bloodline limit?"

Miroku did not speak but nodded, confirming Shishou's guess.

"I see."

Hearing that he couldn't use the priestess's sealing techniques, Shishou felt disappointed.

Seeing Shishou's deeply furrowed brow and his disappointment, Miroku feared he might leave, so she quickly asked,

"Is there anything else Mr. Lurigan wants?"

Hearing Miroku's question, Shishou felt a bit troubled.

Unable to learn the priestess's sealing techniques, and lacking nothing in terms of wealth, he couldn't think of anything he needed at the moment.

Never mind, let's just do a good deed.

After all, he was raised under the red flag; it didn't suit his image to be so calculative in the face of someone in need.

After a lot of contemplation, Shishou turned to look at Miroku, and then his eyes lit up.

If he couldn't learn the sealing techniques, maybe obtaining the priestess herself would be just as good?

If Miroku joined his ranks, he wouldn't need to painstakingly learn the sealing techniques.

This way, he would not only gain a powerful ally but could also indirectly control the Land of Demons.

Moreover, Miroku was quite beautiful, and her priestess attire added to her appeal.

Thinking this, Shishou's gaze towards Miroku became even brighter.

Feeling Shishou's intense gaze, Miroku felt a sudden panic and quickly asked,

"Mr. Lurigan, what do you mean by this?"

Having made up his mind, Shishou withdrew his gaze to avoid scaring her, and spoke calmly,

"Since I can't learn the priestess's sealing techniques, I have another request."

"In the future, I need the priestess to do three things for me. How about that?"

Fishing with a long line to catch a big fish—building a connection first makes it easier to cultivate a relationship later.

This was something Shishou had read in dating guides online in his previous life.

"Alright, I agree."

"But the things you ask for cannot harm innocent people."

Miroku thought for a moment and added a condition.

"You can rest assured, Priestess. Although I can't claim to be a good person,"

"When I have the ability to save someone, I won't hesitate. Naturally, I wouldn't do anything to harm the innocent."

Shishou finished speaking and walked towards the shrine.

Miroku, hearing this, was stunned. Recalling how he had saved those villagers earlier, she quickly followed and asked in confusion,

"If I hadn't agreed to your request just now, would you still have helped?"

Shishou turned his head to look at Miroku and answered frankly,

"Of course."

"Then why did you tell me all this? Aren't you afraid I'll go back on my word?"

Miroku was even more puzzled.

Shishou chuckled lightly, glanced at Miroku, and continued walking as he spoke,

"So what if you go back on your word?"

"Although I don't deny wanting some benefits,"

"These are things I want to do. Why would I be so calculative over some minor gains or losses?"

"All I seek in this life is a clear conscience."

All I seek in this life is a clear conscience...

Miroku slowly stopped, staring in shock at Shishou's back.

At the side door, Uchiha Izumi, who had heard the entire conversation, quickly followed Shishou.

Only occasionally did her gaze towards him reveal a different kind of light.

No wonder he saved our Uchiha people.

No wonder he went to the Land of Grass to save Karin and her mother despite the difficulties.

Uchiha Izumi thought, her heart pounding wildly.

...

Arriving at the shrine, Miroku and Shishou quickly discussed their next plan of action.

Shishou would summon his creature to carry Miroku, Kitsuchi, and several other ninjas to the Land of Demons.

Upon reaching their destination, Kitsuchi and the others would ambush any potential cultists from the Yomi Cult, while Shishou, with his giant summon, would enter the cave to help the priestess seal the 'Moryo.'

"With this settled, the rest is up to you, Mr. Lurigan."

After discussing, Miroku looked at Shishou respectfully.

The priestess's respectful attitude caught the attention of Kitsuchi, Pakura, and Kakashi.

They were curious about what was discussed in the side room that made the priestess so respectful to Shishou.

Thinking about the plan they just devised, they all sighed.

Going in relied on Shishou, coming out also relied on Shishou, and assisting with the sealing was also Shishou.

Other than ambushing any potential cultists, they really had nothing to do.

It was understandable why the priestess respected him so much.

On the other hand, Uchiha Izumi frowned slightly as she looked at Miroku.

Could this woman have taken a liking to Brother Shishou?

"Rest assured, Priestess, I will protect you."

Shishou finished speaking and walked outside first.

The priestess quickly followed.

Hmph!

Uchiha Izumi snorted and quickly followed Shishou, giving the priestess a glance.

"Let's go."

Watching the three walk away, Kakashi shrugged, glanced at the others, and led the way.

"Why do I feel like I'm just here for show?"

"This isn't youthful at all!"

"I wouldn't have come if I'd known."

Might Guy muttered.

"I feel the same way, like I have nothing to do."

"I was so excited coming here, thinking I'd finally complete an S-rank mission."

Anko added, following Guy's pace.

Kitsuchi and Pakura also shared this feeling.

However, they were powerless to change it.

Summoning Jutsu!

Boom!

Outside the shrine, Shishou summoned the red-armored centipede.

After casting a sealing technique over the shrine to ensure Yomi and others couldn't break in, Miroku was carried by Shishou onto the centipede's head.

With a wave of his hand, the giant centipede crushed the puppet soldiers beneath it and sped towards the Land of Demons.

Along the way, Miroku guided Shishou while using her unique techniques to locate the 'Moryo.'

The monster 'Moryo' was deeply obsessed with the priestess. As long as she appeared outside the barrier, it would come immediately to merge with her.

The centipede was much faster than the 'Moryo.'

Shishou and his group had to move for a while, then stop to wait for the 'Moryo' to catch up.

They would move for a while, then stop again.

"This isn't youthful at all!"

The restless Might Guy muttered, looking at Kakashi.

"Kakashi, let's have a race."

"Let's see who reaches the Land of Demons first."

"What do you say?"

In response, Kakashi rolled his eyes weakly to show respect to Guy, then continued reading his "Icha Icha Paradise."