Return to Konoha

"You have to think it through. All the ninja clans and villages in the Shinobi World will organize against us. In their eyes, we are disruptors of the rules."

"Even civilian shinobi will see us as demons who incite war. This path is destined to be a lonely one," Naruto looked deeply at Rock Lee and said.

When a person makes a firm decision, they undergo a complete transformation.

This time, Rock Lee did not evade it. He confronted his own inner self.

"In fact, I have always noticed the unfair treatment suffered by civilian shinobi. Many of my classmates who were born as civilians gave up on becoming shinobi."

"From birth, they have fewer resources compared to those from clan backgrounds. And even when they enter the ninja academy, they have to compete with them. If they fail, they naturally receive fewer resources, which hinders their potential and increases their mortality rate."

Rock Lee recalled a drunken night when his father, with a serious tone, found him and said:

"Rock Lee, you must strive. You have to tell them that even as a civilian shinobi, you can stage a comeback!!!"

At that moment, he understood.

His ordinary father had always harbored a burning passion.

"Naruto, I want to follow you. I want to change everything too. I want to prove to everyone that even civilian shinobi can possess power that surpasses everything and can change the Shinobi World!"

"But Konoha is still my home. I'm afraid I'll be too weak to leave."

"So, I want to find the truth. At least, I want to prove that the root of Konoha is the mastermind behind the killing of my parents," Rock Lee clenched his fist, filled with resentment.

"That way, I can truly abandon my emotions toward Konoha."

Listening to Rock Lee's words, Naruto smiled slightly and extended his right hand. "That day is not far away. Welcome aboard."

Afterward, he walked with Rock Lee through the Pure Land, occasionally dispatching the gathering black shadow with his actions.

He explained the difference between hollows and shinigami.

He also explained why he conducted experiments with hollows.

"Hollows and shinigami are beings originating from the Pure Land. When a human awakens shinigami powers, it means they have transcended the boundaries of the Pure Land and the Shinobi World."

"However, obtaining these two powers is extremely difficult, and the mortality rate is high. If it were you right now, the chances of success are not high," Naruto's words left Rock Lee feeling discouraged.

He curiously observed the sphere of light that continuously absorbed spiritual pressure and underwent changes, murmuring to himself:

"No wonder the Konoha shinobi fear hollows so much. It's hard to imagine what kind of terrifying existence they would become after further evolution."

"But hollows are creatures without intellect, making them easy to manipulate," Naruto spoke with disdain towards hollows.

The conversation took a turn.

"If they can evolve into Adjuchas, they would develop intellect."

"Adjuchas," Rock Lee repeated the name repeatedly, his expression serious.

He knew well that his talent had limitations. If he continued on the path of a shinobi, his potential would not reach great heights.

And in the future, Naruto would have even more powerful subordinates by his side.

In terms of strength, he might not surpass them.

In terms of strategy, let alone mention it.

The only thing he could pride himself on was his long-standing acquaintance with Naruto.

Perhaps sensing Rock Lee's despondency, Naruto patted his shoulder and spoke gently, "You are the person I trust the most, Lee. Strive to become stronger. In the future, you can also become a shinigami."

He exuded confidence.

"When Orochimaru's research is mature, you can possess the power of a shinigami."

"Orochimaru!!" Upon hearing this familiar name, Rock Lee looked at Naruto with astonishment on his face.

For the ninjas of Konoha, the name Orochimaru was well-known.

Once one of the three legendary ninjas of Konoha, a powerful figure at the level of Kage, and even a formidable competitor to the position of the Yondaime.

But he eventually betrayed Konoha and planned the destruction of the village.

Konoha ninjas both feared and hated Orochimaru now.

"He was one of the former Sannin of Konoha," Naruto nodded.

"Orochimaru's research abilities are undoubtedly the best in the ninja world. You may not know, but Root has always had a close connection with Orochimaru, and even Root was involved in the plan to destroy Konoha. If it weren't for hollow joining us, I believe the Sandaime would have died in the plan to destroy Konoha, and Danzo would have come forward to compete for the position of Hokage."

Naruto's mouth curled with a mocking arc, his eyes cold.

"Konoha is much darker than you think."

Rock Lee fell silent.

He followed behind Naruto, seemingly lost in thought.

After a while, he looked up, his eyes shining.

"But Naruto, you want to change all of this, don't you? I believe you can do it. The future of the ninja world will surely be better."

Listening to Rock Lee's words, Naruto felt a sense of comfort in his heart.

In the early stages of the plan, he already had a few trusted allies.

Naruto suddenly remembered Aizen.

The man who had taught him, a mysterious figure.

Since their last communication, Aizen hadn't appeared in the seal space.

He wondered what he was currently planning.

Whether the plan was going smoothly or not.

Naruto didn't dwell on it too much. After briefly discussing the next course of action with Rock Lee, he led him to the exit.

They left the Pure Land.

Behind them, a dozen Hollows were engaged in fierce combat.

All the orbs of light instinctively kept their distance from the Hollows.

The negative emotions and power generated by their battles were shocking.

Interestingly, some of the Reiatsu leaked out during their fights.

And there was a very small chance that this spiritual pressure would infect some orbs of light.

Giving rise to new Hollows and Shinigami,

So, inadvertently, the entire Pure Land was undergoing change with Naruto's presence.

Although the changes were small, over time they would become evident.

Returning to reality through the black gate, Naruto saw a cold-faced Shion and a cautious Neri in the distance.

Neri held a kunai in her hand, with insects crawling around her body.

Her situation was quite awkward.

She didn't believe Shion's words, "Naruto entered the Pure Land, I have no ill intentions. If you don't believe me, you can go in and see."

Her woman's intuition told her that this gate couldn't be entered casually; it would be fatal.

But she couldn't leave directly either. After all, Naruto was her "direct superior," and even if she left, she needed a reasonable excuse.

What alarmed her was that the seemingly weak Shion now emitted a terrifying aura.

Wasn't Shion's ability to seal and foresee the future?

Could it be that she also possessed formidable combat abilities?

"Buzz." Just as Neri was on guard, suddenly the black gate became chaotic, and then two figures walked out.

Seeing the arrivals, Neri immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

It was Naruto and Rock Lee.

"Sorry for the wait," Naruto smiled gently and nodded towards Shion.

Shion retracted her Shikai, and her Zanpakuto returned to her hand. Her expression also softened considerably.

"What about that sword?" Neri's gaze focused on both Shion and Naruto's Zanpakuto.

Her gaze was full of curiosity.

"Let's go. The mission is complete," Naruto exchanged a glance with Shion and said with a smile.

The group of them walked towards the Oni no Kuni, with Neri at the back of the team. Her eyes flickered incessantly, and after a while, she spoke up:

"Is there anything inside the Pure Land? Like, are there any body tissues or something?" Her expression was somewhat hesitant.

Naruto paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Pure Land is just a desert. Sprites doesn't have any body tissues."

"Oh," Neri muttered in frustration, lowering her head.

Seeing her reaction, Naruto's eyes carried a hint of amusement.

It seemed that Neri interest in research was even higher than he had thought.

Returning to the Oni no Kuni.

After Sprites no longer existed, the Ghost Army naturally lost its power and fell apart.

Naruto's team was warmly welcomed by the residents of the Oni no Kuni.

"You guys are amazing! Truly worthy of being ninja from Konoha. You should know that the previous Priestess could only seal the Sprites, but with the help of the ninja from Konoha, the Priestess managed to directly eliminate the Sprites."

"No, no, no, it's the Priestess's own strength! I knew from the moment she was born that she was different from the previous Priestesses. I wasn't wrong."

"Although the ninja is powerful, they still couldn't defeat the Sprites. In my opinion, it's the Priestess who's amazing!"

The villagers were discussing animatedly, and many of them even gave various trinkets to Naruto's team.

The street vendors who had previously sold trinkets to Rock Lee were pounding their chests and regretting, their faces filled with remorse:

"I actually took money from a hero. I'm truly despicable! I've let my parents down!"

Rock Lee felt the warmth of their enthusiasm and smiled foolishly.

He really liked this kind of atmosphere.

After completing the mission, Naruto's team didn't linger and prepared to leave directly.

Shion escorted them to the border of the Oni no Kuni, her expression reluctant. Finally, as if making up her mind, she took a step forward and leaned in close to Naruto's ear.

"The world no longer needs a Priestess, but the Oni no Kuni still does. Right now, I only want to follow you, Lord Naruto. Are you willing to help the Oni no Kuni have a Priestess?" Shion's words held deeper meaning, her cheeks blushing, hinting at something.

Neri's sharp eyes reflected a glint of light, never expecting to find someone in this world who shared the same aspirations as herself.

Suddenly, a feeling of deep connection emerged within her.

Naruto was momentarily stunned, then revealed a warm smile. He gently stroked Shion's white hair and said:

"You belong to the Oni no Kuni now."

He looked directly at Shion, his expression filled with an inexplicable look:

"We all need the Oni no Kuni."

Upon hearing this, Shion instantly understood and revealed a meaningful smile, nodding slightly.

No more words were spoken as they watched Naruto's team fade into the distance.

It was only when their figures disappeared into the forest that she slowly spoke:

"I look forward to your return and the day you become the king."