Moryo's uncharacteristic behavior this time stirred suspicion in Shrine Maiden Miroku.
Still wary of Moryo, Miroku did not release the seal but instead layered several additional seals.
This action enraged Moryo so much that he flew into a rage and began cursing at Shrine Maiden Miroku.
"You foolish woman! That robber and thief is right outside. Go out yourself and see!"
"He's even more despicable than I am—actually managing to steal my power! If you don't act, The Land of Demons will certainly fall."
...
Curses and insults poured forth continuously, causing momentary bewilderment to flicker in Shrine Maiden Miroku's beautiful eyes.
It was the first time she'd ever seen the monstrous Moryo lose his composure like this.
Of course, there remained the possibility that he was merely pretending.
Just then, one of the temple guards rushed in and shouted to Miroku, "Lady Miroku! Another group has arrived outside—they've defeated the Yuyan Sect!"
"They've also drawn away all those Stone Golems. Our danger has passed."
Upon hearing this, Miroku slightly parted her red lips, her beautiful eyes widened in shock.
"What? Another group came and lured those monsters away?"
"Moryo, were you telling the truth just now? Not tricking me again?"
Moryo replied angrily, "Of course I was telling the truth! These people are far more sinister than I am, and they're currently siphoning off my power. You should really do something about it!"
"They've already absorbed most of my strength. They must have some enormous conspiracy."
It was also the first time since arriving in this world that Moryo had ever lost his composure like this.
Even when sealed before, to an immortal being like him, it had merely been a long slumber.
But having his power stolen—this was no simple matter.
All his demonic energy formed the foundation of his existence—power he had spent countless eons accumulating.
After saying this, Miroku's expression changed. She immediately led several guards out of the temple.
If what Moryo said wasn't false, then whoever these newcomers were, they surely meant trouble.
Moryo himself was a world-ending monster—if someone could steal Moryo's power, they certainly weren't anything good either.
As soon as this thought crossed her mind, she quickened her pace and strode toward the exit.
Once outside the temple, the night sky was pitch black, lit only by scattered moonlight breaking through thick clouds.
Following that dim light, Miroku immediately spotted the battlefield not far away.
Countless Stone Golems continued to converge while a massive Stone Giant sprawled across the ground like a fallen tower.
Seeing this scene, Miroku's beautiful eyes darkened instantly, and she quickly realized Moryo's plot.
He had secretly transferred part of his power outside long ago, creating and reviving numerous monsters.
Had the mysterious force not arrived, the temple would likely have already fallen, and Moryo would have been released.
In such circumstances, Miroku estimated she might need to sacrifice her life once again to reseal Moryo and the monsters.
Her gaze shifted to Satori Hyūga. Her eyes narrowed, and for a fleeting instant, her thoughts blanked.
Impossibly handsome, like a masterpiece carved by an artist's chisel; those faintly devilish brows left a striking impression on her vision.
But she allowed herself only a brief distraction from his charm before redirecting her attention to the thick, massive chains of Dark Chakra nearby.
Having dealt with Moryo for many years, she could immediately spot the traces of Moryo's demonic energy clinging to it.
Yet, this demonic energy was slowly being analyzed and consumed.
"An even greater evil?"
Miroku murmured to himself, his eyes revealing a trace of worry.
He had initially thought Moryo was just making up an excuse to escape captivity—never expecting it might actually be true.
The demonic energy was being absorbed, disappearing little by little.
This should have been good news, yet Miroku found himself unable to smile.
After all, the one absorbing the demonic energy gave off a strange and sinister dark aura.
Pain, darkness, coldness, loneliness, death, envy...
An overwhelming surge of negative emotions surged forth, unknowingly dragging one's soul deeper into endless darkness.
"No—no matter his intentions, I must stop him at all costs!"
Just as Miroku prepared to act, he was shocked by what unfolded before his eyes, involuntarily gasping aloud.
As Miroku gasped in shock, Satori Hyūga suddenly felt a sharp sense of danger from behind.
Behind him stood none other than his own bodyguard, Kondō—the user of the [Dark Eight Gates].
Dark chakra surged within Kondō's body, transforming into streams of jutsu inscriptions rushing toward his head.
Once the jutsu inscriptions reached his brain, they seized control of his mind, activating a hidden command planted inside him.
The order—kill Satori Hyūga without resistance.
And naturally, this technique was the work of Shinno, the one most deeply immersed in the study of dark chakra.
He had always appeared obedient on the surface, but secretly plotted beneath it all to overthrow Satori and escape from Konoha.
His ambition would not allow him to remain under someone else's rule.
In his view, Satori was the key individual.
Eliminating him would significantly improve his chances of escape.
After all, Satori checked his experiment progress and inspected the sealing techniques placed on his body every single day, leaving absolutely no opportunity to break free.
Only upon Satori's death could he truly escape this control.
He had secretly embedded hidden sealing formulas into Kondō's body, activatable only under specific conditions.
Now, with Satori absorbing Moryo's demonic energy and reaching a critical moment that rendered him temporarily immobile, the conditions were fulfilled.
Because of this, the formula inside Kondō activated, and he struck without hesitation.
Faced with a traitorous bodyguard, Satori found his body completely paralyzed, helpless against the incoming charge.
Thick, concentrated dark chakra combined with the [Eight Gates], Kondō unleashed his full power without holding back. The terrifying force was powerful enough to shake heaven and earth.
"Be destroyed—[Dark Blade]."
Wrapped in dark chakra, like a blade forged from pure darkness, he shot straight toward Satori.
A massive crisis approached, causing Satori's hair to stand on end, further accelerating his absorption of Moryo's demonic energy.
The [Byakugan], now saturated with demonic essence, was one step from its ultimate evolution—and shattered its limit.
Buzz...
Reality warped, space quivered, as an indescribable ripple spread from Satori's eyes.
Satori tightly shut his eyes, then opened them again.
In an instant.
Those eyes, already shrouded in darkness, became black holes devouring all.
Coldness, loneliness, darkness, death, oppressive terror—as if it sought to devour one's very soul.
"Did the transformation succeed?" Satori Hyūga murmured softly.
When he opened his eyes again, he felt as though the world had changed completely.
The jet-black night shone as brightly as daylight in his vision, every detail laid bare without exception. Even scenery many miles away was crystal clear.
Moreover, various forms of energy floating in the air appeared clearly before his eyes.
The time and space around him seemed to have slowed down infinitely, everything moving at a snail's pace.
Even Kondō, who had activated the Dark Eight Gates, appeared only slightly faster than an ordinary person to him.
He could easily dodge those attacks within seconds.
But he didn't dodge. Instead, he stood still with his hands behind his back.
Only when the attack drew near did Satori Hyūga slowly raise his hand.
"Now witness the true power of my Tenseigan."
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