Starting with the usurpation of Akatsuki, the ninja world was overthrown.

Chapter 223 Humans are scarier than ghosts

After learning the truth, Shiba Kiyokawa suddenly understood many things about himself.

No wonder his own system hasn't been giving him rewards lately.

After the battle at Kannabi Bridge, his death ending was clearly updated, but the system did not give him any new rewards.

Looking back now, the world's will behind the system probably didn't want me to continue expending too much energy on the path of a ninja.

Shiba Kiyokawa then asked, "So, do you know how people in this world obtained power before the Sage of Six Paths founded Ninjutsu?"

The answer is, "It's magic; people in the past relied on magic to gain power."

Shiba Kiyokawa thought to himself, "Just as I guessed."

Sage Mode doesn't use chakra, but rather natural energy; that's one reason.

Another reason is that the basics of immortal arts are very difficult to learn and come with huge risks.

In the original work, whether it is the Sage Techniques of Mount Myōboku or the Sage Techniques of Ryūchi Cave, there is a risk of death if one does not master them properly. This is probably the original intention of the Sage of Six Paths in establishing the Ninja Sect.

It was indeed a well-intentioned attempt—a sharing by the Sage of Six Paths a thousand years ago, giving many people who originally had no chance of learning immortal arts a completely new way to acquire power.

But everything comes at a price.

The decline in global power is visible to the naked eye, and too many ancient problems remain unresolved to this day.

For example, the legendary Box of Elysium, the Tenseigan on the moon, and even Black Zetsu.

Back when the Sage of Six Paths was still alive, he was so frightening that Black Zetsu dared not show his face for decades.

However, since his death, no one in the ninja world has been able to counter the Oyster Technique.

Even if it were Shiba Kiyokawa, although he was capable of making Black Zetsu cry for his parents, he couldn't kill Black Zetsu.

From this perspective, their starting point is actually not wrong.

It's a pity he lacked common sense; for thousands of years, besides sneezing at generation after generation of priestesses, he didn't accomplish anything worthwhile.

Thinking of this, Shiba Kiyokawa raised his head and stared at the excited cloud of black smoke in mid-air.

"Now that you know that the will of the world, which is also your so-called mother, has chosen me, then you should listen to me obediently from now on."

By the way, do you have any methods for cultivating immortal techniques?

He confused her for a moment, and she subconsciously retorted.

Why should I listen to you?

And I only said that you have your mother's mark on you, so why did it suddenly become that your mother chose you?

I have a vague feeling that something is wrong, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

He clearly couldn't understand what it meant to strike while the iron is hot.

However, Shiba Kiyokawa understood this principle deeply, knowing that when traveling, one's identity can be entirely self-determined: "Right now, I am the embodiment of the world's will! I am destined to be the savior of this world!"

Whether he is truly a savior or not is unimportant.

Anyway, I say I am, and no one in this consciousness space can stand up and refute me, right?

The smoke, startled, trembled.

Then Shiba Kiyokawa delivered the final blow, "Furthermore, I can help you persuade the shrine maiden outside, otherwise she will only continue to fight to the death with you, and you still won't be able to do anything."

Still trying to be defiant, "I have unlimited time, even if I'm sealed away this time—"

But Shiba Kiyokawa bluntly pointed out, "Without me, even if you tried countless times, you wouldn't be able to convince any priestess. This fact has been proven for thousands of years, hasn't it?"

The wound was so deep that the fog seemed to fade in color, yet there was no way to refute it.

Soon after, Shiba Kiyokawa, having successfully reached an agreement, slowly opened his eyes in the real world.

The shrine maiden, who had been waiting nearby, immediately prepared for battle, casting a shocked and wary glance at him. "You—who are you now? Are you still Shiba Kiyokawa?"

Shiba Kiyokawa calmly raised his hand, letting the black smoke float in his palm.

"I am Shiba Kiyokawa. Kai is here; I have already subdued him, Your Highness the Priestess."

After saying that, he immediately stopped and withdrew the seal.

What follows is not suitable for you to hear.

Meanwhile, the current priestess of the Land of Demons was so shocked that she was speechless, her pupils wide open to the limit.

"You—you actually managed to subdue it? How is that possible?"

Shiba Kiyokawa smiled nonchalantly and said, "Perhaps it's because I'm naturally extraordinary."

Just now in the consciousness space, it was mentioned that the first priestess had foreseen this scene when she sealed him away.

It is said that a thousand years from now, someone will come to the Land of Demons and finally end this destiny.

Not long ago, Shiba Kiyokawa had just fooled the shrine maiden with the conditions to persuade her. As soon as he left the consciousness space, he fabricated testimony to fool the shrine maiden again.

The main focus is on information asymmetry.

"The first priestess made such a prophecy? How come I didn't know?"

The contemporary witch looked at him with a mixture of belief and skepticism.

But Shiba Kiyokazu's eyes were confident, and his response was composed.

"Of course, it's just that a lot of information may have been lost in the process of being passed down for thousands of years, which is why you don't know."

But having lived for a genuine thousand years, it's normal that he knows more than you.

This reason leaves contemporary priestesses with no angle to refute it.

Moreover, Shiba Kiyokawa's tone and demeanor were too confident, showing no sign of apprehension.

Especially later, Shiba Kiyokawa voluntarily revealed secrets that he should never have known.

"The abilities passed down by the priestesses of the Land of Demons are essentially derived from celestial arts, aren't they?"

Now the priestess had no more doubts.

"Yes," she replied, "so our abilities are completely different from those of ninjas."

Shiba Kiyokawa nodded and then said, "Although the crisis has been temporarily resolved, there are still many areas where we can cooperate with the Land of Demons in the future. We hope that Your Highness the Priestess will be able to open up your legacy for us to borrow."

This was an unreasonable request, but Shiba Kiyokawa said it frankly at the moment.

For a moment, the priestess was at a loss as to how to refuse.

More importantly, at that moment she seemed to feel Shiba Kiyokawa's unwavering determination!

He had always harbored ambitions to change the world, and now that he has learned the truth from there, Shiba Kiyokawa's determination will only become stronger!

He won't follow that fool's example and blindly and stupidly challenge the entire ninja world.

But he will not stop.

Because this time, he is truly saving the world for a brighter, bluer tomorrow!

Similarly, he also needs a little help from the Land of Demons to achieve this goal.

The shrine maiden was still debating whether to open the inheritance to outsiders when she heard Shiba Kiyokawa lean closer and speak slowly and deliberately.

"Your Highness, although you survived this time, this calamity was ultimately quelled with the help of Akatsuki, wasn't that right?"

"Yes—so, what exactly are you trying to say, Boss Shiba?"

"I just want to ask, do the promises you made before still stand?"

"Are you referring to those entrustments I'll make after I die? But I'm not dead yet."

"It's not difficult at all. We can definitely help you if you need it."

At this moment, Shiba Kiyokawa smiled, his eyes crinkling, and spoke the coldest words in the gentlest tone.

"Living isn't easy, but dying is, isn't it?"

As they spoke, Nagato and Konan moved in perfect unison, forming a triangle with Shiba Kiyokawa, thus surrounding the shrine maiden in the center.

At this moment, the contemporary priestess finally realized, with a stiff expression: sometimes people are much scarier than ghosts!