At the secondary residence where the priestess was staying...
Due to Asuma's departure, Sarutobi Hiruzen had specifically vacated his ancestral home to host the priestess. Under the joint protection of a directly affiliated Anbu squad and the Uchiha, this time... even if Mōryō himself appeared, an incident like last time could no longer happen.
In the impeccably cleaned Japanese-style hall, the priestess sat in seiza at the seat of honor. Naruto, having undergone ritual training under the waterfall, wore a dark kimono and sat upright, full of solemnity.
To pass down sealing techniques to Naruto, the priestess had donned her most ceremonial attire for this sacred occasion.
That is to say... her priestess robes.
A white robe lined with gold wrapped around her pure figure. A golden crown rested on her head, her chestnut hair flowing down to her waist. Her face, marked by solemnity, radiated an intangible nobility—like a goddess one could only admire from afar.
Naruto thought... that a woman of such elegance was truly rare in this world.
Having grown up surrounded by many kunoichi, he had never met anyone like this priestess, who seemed so far removed from worldly concerns.
She seemed like a deity descended from the heavens, a sacred existence devoted to protecting mankind.
"Shion's mother... is really beautiful..."
That thought crossed his mind, causing the beast within him to stir.
Yet he harbored no impure intentions.
It was just... the priestess was so sublime that—
Suppressing the agitation of the bijū, Naruto regained complete calm, his heart now as still as stagnant water.
Beside him, Shion—also present to learn—wore a small priestess outfit, adorably so.
Originally, the priestess hadn't planned to teach her daughter the dangerous occult arts of priestesses.
But the attack by the ninja from the Land of Demons had changed her mind.
Most of all, the power demonstrated by Konoha had convinced her that, even if Shion developed power surpassing Mōryō, the village's shinobi would protect her and prevent her from wreaking havoc worse than the demon.
"Uzumaki Naruto, Shion!"
With a solemn voice, the priestess spoke, her words echoing with majesty in the room.
This temporary hall had become a teaching dojo.
The priestess mastered unique powers reserved for those of her lineage—like Shion.
But there also existed more universal techniques, along with common arts from the Land of Demons, some of which had been passed down by guards.
Moreover, the priestess excelled in barrier techniques, especially those designed to repel evil spirits.
In other words...
She was a specialist in neutralizing creatures like bijū or giant summons.
After a series of chants and ritual prayers, the ceremony ended.
The priestess did not believe in gods.
Just like the shinobi of Konoha, who rather revered their ancestors.
In a way, it aligned with her own worship of ancestral priestesses.
Both parties reached an agreement.
As discussed with the Third Hokage, the new sanctuary under construction would honor both Konoha's ancestors and the departed priestesses.
The village's high-ranking officials had no objection, pleasing everyone involved.
"Naruto, Shion, I will now explain the deeper meaning behind the powers I am passing on..."
The priestess slightly lifted her gaze, looking beyond the room... toward the blue sky outside.
Painful memories resurfaced.
There had been the question: do humans deserve to be trusted?
The current daimyo, her husband, had no faith in mankind, preferring to rely on Mōryō's power.
What foolishness... what sorrow...
To the priestess, protecting this world, repelling Mōryō, ensuring the safety of the next priestess, and... believing in humanity...
Believing that this world could improve through human effort...
"Hmph..."
Kyūbi growled inwardly.
To him, the priestess was the real fool.
Humans... unworthy of trust!
This brat [Naruto] was proof of it.
In his mind, he must already be imagining impure things about this naïve woman.
"That's why I hope you'll use these techniques to believe in humanity, to love it... and to work for everyone's happiness..."
As she spoke these compassionate words, her face took on a divine nobility, as if enveloped by a celestial aura.
Believe in humanity...?
Upon hearing that, Naruto sat up straighter.
"Aunt Priestess... don't worry, I'll make sure people understand each other!"
Naruto affirmed that people must help one another.
What, the Raikage doesn't understand me? A Rasengan will help him see reason!
Uzumaki Naruto convinces through logic.
Be it Gaara, Neji, Nagato, Obito, or the Raikage... they'll all end up persuaded—or rather, convinced by my reasoning.
"It'd be so nice... a world where people understand each other."
Naruto wore a sincere smile.
"When I grow up and become Hokage, I'll create that world of mutual understanding..."
The Will of Fire will reign forever, and the Hokage title will be passed down endlessly!
No one will be able to defy the rules set by Uzumaki Naruto!
I want this title to live on forever.
Naruto's words deeply moved the priestess.
Beside her, Shion tried her best to imitate his speech.
But the priestess knew her daughter wasn't as mature as Naruto—not yet.
That would come with time.
Soon, the fundamentals of sealing techniques were taught by the priestess.
...
Night fell.
Naruto, returning after training, was reviewing the techniques in his mind.
On the way, he didn't notice the sneaky presence in the shadows.
As soon as he stepped through his door, a figure emerged from the darkness.
It was Uchiha Izumi, her face cold, her eyes glowing with a sinister scarlet light—the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Everything is Uzumaki Naruto's fault..."
Her voice was icy, inhuman.
"He must... be punished!!!"
Whoosh...
The wind picked up, clouds covered the moon.
A perfect night to settle scores.
Dressed in combat gear, Izumi was determined to finish things with Naruto tonight!
To return—tenfold—what he had made her endure!
"What you did to me... I'll repay you a thousand times over... Uzumaki Naruto... Uzumaki Naruto..."
Like a specter, her voice blended into the wind before she vanished once again.