"14..."
Flames surrounded Shion and the guards, forming a blazing ring of fire!
White Robe B smirked and inhaled deeply before exhaling a violent gust of wind.
"Wind Style·Hurricane!"
A powerful storm surged forth, fueling the fire. The flaming circle transformed into a massive, swirling inferno!
At the center of the fiery vortex, Shion struggled against the overwhelming heat, letting out a pained scream.
"That's the so-called priestess?" White Robe C sneered.
At that moment, a voice, neither loud nor soft, came from above.
"Water Style·Heavy Rain."
Dark clouds gathered in an instant, rolling across the sky.
"Crash...!"
Torrents of rain poured down, extinguishing the raging fire in seconds. However, the excessive rainfall triggered a sudden landslide from the back mountains.
"Boom...!"
A wave of mud and water surged toward the shrine, threatening to wipe out everything in its path.
Without hesitation, Morkel formed a seal with both hands.
"Wood Style·Vines of Life!"
"Swish, swish, swish...!"
Thick vines erupted from the ground, wrapping around the struggling guards and lifting them into the air, keeping them safe from the incoming landslide.
Then—
"Crash!"
The torrent swept through the shrine, destroying it entirely. The flood carried away the terracotta warriors, scattering them like debris.
As the rain stopped and the floodwaters receded, Morkel gently set the rescued guards down and landed beside Shion.
Dripping wet, Shion fumed with anger. As the cherished and pampered priestess of the Demon Country, she had never been so humiliated. But as she turned to scold her savior, her words caught in her throat.
The moment she saw Morkel's face, her anger melted away. Her heart pounded.
So handsome... Who could resist?!
She blushed but quickly regained her composure, pointing a trembling finger at Morkel. "What kind of reckless ninja are you?! You even destroyed the shrine!"
Morkel raised an eyebrow. "I saved you."
"..."
Shion fell silent. As much as she wanted to argue, she couldn't deny the truth. If not for Morkel, she would have perished in the flames.
After a brief pause, she noticed the Konoha forehead protector on Morkel's head and confidently said, "I am a priestess, and you are a ninja. Isn't it your duty to protect me?"
Morkel smirked. "Oh? Just because you're so pretty that even flies wouldn't be interested in you?"
Shion's face turned crimson. Her soaked clothes clung to her skin, revealing far more than she was comfortable with.
She felt exposed... yet oddly excited?
"You are Konoha Shinobi, correct?" One of the guards stepped forward. "This is the priestess of our Demon Country! Show some respect!"
Morkel's eyes narrowed. He recalled Jiraiya mentioning a legendary priestess who once sealed away a great monster.
"So she's the new priestess... No wonder the Undead Army is after her."
"Please!" The guards suddenly knelt in the muddy ground, pleading in unison. "Escort Lady Shion to the Swamp Country to complete the sealing ritual!"
Morkel and Naruto exchanged glances. They had no specific destination, so why not?
However, there were expenses to consider: travel fees, bodyguard charges, meals, and compensation for mental distress...
A guard named Zuho noticed Morkel's hesitation and promptly handed him a wallet. "We have limited funds, but once the mission is complete, we will ensure proper compensation."
Morkel weighed the wallet in his hand. Not much, but a country's reward would be substantial.
"Fine, I'll take the job."
Zuho exhaled in relief. "Thank you, Lord Morkel. With your Wood Style and reputation, Lady Shion will be safe!"
Thus, Morkel, Naruto, and Shion set out for the Swamp Country shrine.
---
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office—
A staff member reported, "Morkel has accepted the mission. They are en route to the Swamp Country."
Tsunade nodded. "Good. Still, send Kakashi and Asuma for backup."
A masked Anbu member then rushed in. "The Undead Army is approaching the Fire Country's borders!"
Tsunade's expression hardened. "Mobilize all available Chūnin and Jōnin. We must not let them set foot in the Fire Nation!"
---
In the mountains, the group encountered an issue.
Shion, spoiled and unused to walking, refused to take another step.
"No!" She sat on a rock, arms crossed. "I won't walk anymore!"
Morkel sighed. "We've barely covered ten kilometers. If Naruto and I moved at full speed, we'd be there already."
"Exactly!" Naruto agreed.
Shion huffed. "I don't care! Carry me!"
Morkel considered. "I could carry you..."
Shion's eyes sparkled. Finally, a gentleman!
"...But that wouldn't be appropriate. I'm unmarried. What if you ruin my innocence?"
Shion's jaw dropped. "I'M the one at risk here!"
Morkel chuckled. "Whatever you say."
Fuming, Shion vowed: I will NEVER marry a red-haired man!
Then, inspiration struck Morkel. He summoned a large scroll, formed a seal, and slammed it onto the ground.
"Ninja Art·Steel Fake Painting!"
A black-and-white helicopter appeared!
"What the...?!" Shion gawked. "Is this some kind of metal dragonfly?!"
Morkel grinned. "Hop in. I'll fly us there."
Moments later—
"Whirrrrr!"
The helicopter soared through the sky, slicing through the clouds.
Shion peered out, mesmerized. "Wow, Morkel, you're amazing! How did you do this?!"
She glanced at him. Wearing aviator sunglasses, his red hair striking against the cabin's monochrome tones, he exuded effortless coolness.
Her heart raced.
Leaning toward Naruto, she whispered, "Hey... does Morkel have a girlfriend?"
Naruto, sensing her interest, muttered bitterly, "Why does everyone think he's so great...?"
"Huh?"
Naruto sighed. "No, he doesn't have a girlfriend."
Shion beamed. Good!
Meanwhile, Morkel mused aloud, "Naruto, when do you think I'll get a cool title? Like 'Copy Ninja' Kakashi or 'Golden Flash' Minato?"
Naruto scratched his head. "Maybe because you're too young?"
Morkel scoffed. "Shisui was younger than me when he got 'Shisui of the Body Flicker.'"
Shion giggled. They're taking this way too seriously.
---
A few hours later, they arrived at the Swamp Country shrine.
Thousands of terracotta warriors stood guard, blocking the entrance.
Kakashi and Asuma observed from the shadows.
Kakashi sighed. "Morkel's entrance is... extravagant."
Sai's eyes widened. "Wait! He jumped out of the helicopter!"
"What?!" Ino gasped.
Morkel, mid-air, clapped his hands.
"Wood Style·Wood Dragon Technique!"
A massive wooden dragon surged from the earth, catching Morkel. Then, forming another seal, he slammed his palm onto the ground.
"Earth Style·Giant Swamp!"
Instantly, the battlefield turned into a massive bog, swallowing the terracotta warriors.
Kakashi blinked. "Did we even need to come?"
Shikamaru sighed. "We could've stayed home..."
Choji munched on chips. "So, dinner?"
Meanwhile, Ino fumed. "Did you see that girl Morkel pulled close?!"
Shikamaru groaned. "Women are such trouble..."