Shizuka (home version)
On the western mountain of Taoyuan, a misty stairway stretched into the clouds.
Every ten steps stood a vermilion torii gate.
From the foot of the mountain to the summit—
a continuous stream of An'yin citizens climbed in devotion.
"Long live Lord Shadow! \O/ Long live Amaterasu! \O/"
"Lord Shadow is our pillar! \O/ Amaterasu is our faith! \O/"
"If winter comes three times \O/ seven hundred million falls from the sky! \O/"
"We can never repay Lord Shadow! \O/ We will never forget Amaterasu's blessing! \O/"
They knelt every five steps, bowed every ten—
praying devoutly to the sun above.
"Whoosh—!"
A streak of divine light crossed the sky and vanished into the mist at the mountain peak.
The crowd erupted:
"Lord Shadow has manifested!!"
"Amaterasu has manifested!!"
"Boom!"
Susanoo faded.
Akira descended gracefully before the rear hall of the Dark Temple.
The reanimated monk Chiriku rose from meditation and bowed with folded hands.
"Amitabha. Lord Shadow has arrived. Forgive this humble monk for not welcoming you sooner."
Akira replied calmly:
"No need for formality."
Chiriku continued:
"Amitabha. Earlier today, Director Kakuzu caused quite a disturbance—"
"He disrupted the sanctity of the temple…"
"…and confiscated this month's incense offerings."
"Total: 147,524,231 ryō."
"…I'm aware."
"I'll deal with him later."
"Amitabha! Lord Shadow is benevolent and majestic—surely one of great merit!"
"…Lead the way."
Inside the Five Contemplations Hall—
two shrine maidens danced.
Beautiful.
Out of place.
It was Shizuka and Sumire.
As they moved—
streams of invisible energy gathered from all directions,
flowing into a ritual vessel on the altar.
This "incense"—
was essentially a form of faith-born Yin Release chakra.
Combined with a special Yang Release body—
it created spiritual manifestations.
That was how the original five elemental shikigami were born.
Now—
Shizuka aimed higher.
Something beyond even death gods and elemental spirits.
A far greater existence.
Akira did not interrupt.
He sat outside beside a Jizo statue—
quietly watching.
Three incense sticks later—
Sumire began to falter.
Her steps wavered.
Her shrine maiden robes were soaked with sweat.
"Take a break," Shizuka said gently.
"This level of faith energy is too much for beginners."
"I… I can still go!"
"I want to help more!"
She steadied herself—
and continued.
Akira watched.
She has talent… Shizuka's judgment is sharp.
At five incense sticks—
Sumire finally reached her limit.
She bowed to the altar—
then collapsed onto a cushion to rest.
Shizuka continued alone.
Two more incense sticks.
Her clothes clung to her body with sweat—
but she completed the ritual flawlessly.
Then—
she sensed something.
She turned.
Saw Akira.
Her serious expression melted instantly into a bright smile.
She ran forward—
and leapt into his arms.
"Brother!!"
"You used my body earlier, didn't you!? I felt it!"
Chiriku immediately bowed and retreated.
The monks followed.
Doors closed.
Akira gently pushed her shoulders back.
"…Yeah. Ran into some trouble."
Shizuka smiled playfully:
"You don't need trouble to use it~"
"I like being connected to you like that~"
Akira chuckled faintly, changing the subject.
"You've been working nonstop. Tired?"
"Not at all~"
"This isn't just work—it's what I love!"
"And guess what—!"
"The people's faith is incredibly pure!"
"Even purer than when I created the five shikigami!"
"That means under your rule—"
"they've been truly happy."
"A small village producing faith equal to a nation!"
"At this rate—"
"Amaterasu will be born by the end of the month!"
"…That fast?"
Akira was genuinely surprised.
Shizuka giggled:
"Of course~"
"And thanks to Sumire!"
"I couldn't handle this scale alone."
Akira looked past her.
Sumire stood respectfully on the steps.
"Lord Shadow."
"No need to be formal."
"How have you been settling in?"
"…Very well."
"Lady Shizuka takes great care of me."
"Lady Angel and the others too."
"Even Sister Xue and Sister Hua visit me often…"
"…Honestly, I didn't know a place like this existed."
Akira asked:
"Have you met Boruto and the others?"
She shook her head.
"No… they're busy."
"And… it feels distant now."
A trace of loneliness surfaced—
then faded.
"…Maybe it's for the best."
"Konoha carries too much weight for me."
"This… is a cleaner break."
Even her past feelings—
never truly formed this time.
That thread had been cut long ago.
Evening.
Akira returned home.
The house—
simple.
Familiar.
Modeled after their old residence.
No luxury.
Just warmth.
He stepped inside.
"I'm back."
At the entrance—
Guang was waiting.
As always.
But today—
something was different.
She lay on the floor—
wearing a sleek black cat-like outfit.
Long black hair cascading down her back.
Silver cat ears nestled in it.
She slowly crawled forward—
hips swaying.
A black tail trailing behind—
drawing soft S-shaped lines on the floor.
She stopped at his feet.
Lifted her gaze.
Eyes soft. Glimmering.
Her lips parted slightly.
"Darling…"
"Dinner first?"
"Bath first?"
"…or me first?"
Akira swallowed.
His blood pressure spiked.
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