Chapter 193: Attacking the Heart

Naruto...

Upon hearing Shishou's words, Kushina paused. Then, she heard Shishou continue:

"During the Nine-Tails incident, Konoha suffered heavy casualties."

"Each ninja clan lost no fewer than a hundred people, and the villagers lost by the thousands."

Hearing Shishou's words, Kushina fell silent. As the former Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, regardless of the reasons for the Nine-Tails being released from her body, she bore significant responsibility.

Then, Shishou continued:

"And as a result of the Nine-Tails incident, Naruto, being the Jinchuriki, faced the fear and hatred of the Konoha people."

"He hasn't had an easy life."

Kushina covered her face and said softly, "It's my fault, I've hurt Naruto."

As a former Jinchuriki herself, she could imagine the treatment Naruto faced in Konoha.

Watching Kushina cry silently, Shishou continued his heart-stirring words:

"And because of the Nine-Tails incident, the conflict between the Uchiha clan and Konoha became increasingly sharp."

"The villagers of Konoha no longer trusted the Uchiha, and the ostracized Uchiha tried to resist."

"Eventually..."

At this point, Shishou paused. Thinking of her best friend Uchiha Mikoto, Kushina looked up and asked, "What happened to the Uchiha?"

Shishou continued, "The Uchiha were eventually slaughtered, leaving only the young Uchiha Sasuke in Konoha."

"The Sharingan left by the deceased Uchiha was eventually divided up and taken."

Mikoto...

Thinking of her best friend Mikoto's eyes being worn by someone or stored in a jar somewhere, Kushina felt a chill and unstoppable sadness.

Shishou said no more, watching the now quiet Kushina, silently appreciating her appearance. He had to admit, when Kushina was calm, she had a serene beauty.

Accepting the 'death' of Mikoto, Kushina looked up at Shishou and said, "Can you take me to see Naruto?"

Since her death, she had not seen Naruto and did not know what he looked like now or how old he was. After hearing that Naruto had not had a good life, her desire to see him grew stronger.

Shishou smiled and said, "That depends on you."

As long as Kushina agreed to him, he would naturally take her to see Naruto. If she didn't agree, he didn't mind; he had plenty of time to wait her out.

"You're dreaming!" Kushina glared at Shishou, then flew to the edge of the basement barrier, preparing to find a way out. The barrier in the basement was made of sealing techniques, an area she was an expert in.

"I advise you not to waste your time. This is a powerful barrier set by the Miko of the Land of Demons. Although your sealing techniques are strong, you can't break this barrier," Shishou said with a smile.

The barrier in the basement was personally set by Miko Miroku of the Land of Demons. Even if Uzumaki Mito were resurrected, she couldn't break it. Though the Uzumaki clan and the Miko lineage were both experts in sealing techniques, the Uzumaki focused on attack, while the Miko focused on sealing, each following a different path.

Moreover, Miko Miroku's proficiency in sealing techniques was exceptionally high, even the Fourth Hokage felt inferior.

Breaking the barrier set by Miko Miroku was an impossible task for Kushina in her current state.

"Hmph! You're just boasting without any evidence."

"The Miko of the Land of Demons holds a revered position. Why would she come here to set up a barrier for you?"

Kushina glared at Shishou, thinking he was spouting nonsense, and continued to study the barrier.

"Because she's my woman."

"A woman helping her man with things is normal, right?"

Shishou shrugged, looking somewhat helpless.

"Miko Miroku couldn't possibly be your woman."

"You're delusional."

Kushina pouted, not believing Shishou, and continued to study the barrier.

As she struggled to find a solution, she heard a voice from behind.

"Look, Miroku, she's Eri's clan member."

"She's also the Uzumaki clan member you've wanted to meet, Uzumaki Kushina."

"Yes, she looks strange now because I just revived her."

Having just used the Flying Thunder God to bring Miko Miroku from the Land of Demons, Shishou pointed to Kushina.

"Kushina-san," Miroku, dressed in a miko outfit, greeted as she looked at Kushina, who had turned around.

Seeing the figure standing beside Shishou, Kushina was shocked and muttered, "Miko-sama?"

Kushina had seen photos of Miko Miroku, so she recognized her immediately.

Could Miko Miroku really be this man's woman?

Seeing Shishou's hand around Miko Miroku's waist, Kushina was stunned.

Miko Miroku held a revered position in the Land of Demons and was well-respected in the ninja world, not someone to be desecrated...

"I am indeed Miko Miroku," Miroku smiled.

It really is her.

Kushina fluttered her wings, circling Miko Miroku a few times, still in shock.

Then, looking at Shishou, Kushina asked, "Who is Eri? Is she also from the Uzumaki clan?"

Because Uzumaki Eri was a marginal figure in the former Uzushiogakure, Kushina, despite being around the same age, did not know of her existence.

"Kushina-san, Eri is indeed from the Uzumaki clan."

"She currently lives with me in the Land of Demons," Miko Miroku explained.

The Land of Demons...

Thinking of something, Kushina looked at Shishou in disbelief.

"Hahaha, now you believe me," Shishou laughed, holding Miko Miroku in his arms. "You can continue studying the barrier. Bye-bye!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Shishou and Miko Miroku disappeared from Kushina's sight.

"That bastard really knows the Flying Thunder God!"

Seeing them disappear, Kushina gritted her teeth.

When she first saw Miko Miroku, she was so shocked that she overlooked the issue of how Miroku suddenly appeared behind her. It wasn't until Miroku mentioned the Land of Demons that she realized Shishou had used the Flying Thunder God to bring Miko here.

"That bastard really got Miko Miroku."

Kushina, feeling dejected, sat on the desk.

If this barrier was really set by Miko Miroku, she had no hope of breaking it in her current form.

"Do I really have to agree to this bastard?"

Kushina pondered, feeling troubled, then muttered to herself.

"Naruto, I really want to see you..."

Note: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 530+ at patreon.com/Betek.