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Chapter 836: The Shrine Maiden Festival!
Chapter 836: The Shrine Maiden Festival!
The Celestial Bridge!
In the Grass Country, located northwest of Konoha, amidst a forest and cliff walls, a wide rope bridge spanning hundreds of meters swayed gently in the breeze, causing concern about its stability. Despite its appearance, the bridge had been in use for many years and remained as sturdy as ever. It was a testament to the ingenuity of ordinary people, who could create remarkable things.
On the spacious and empty bridge, a hunched figure, cloaked in a black robe with red clouds and wearing a conical straw hat, silently observed the mysterious figure hidden beneath the long robe of Do. Yes, the person here was none other than Naruto and Do from Konoha.
Disguising himself as Scorpion was not difficult! Scorpion usually appeared as Hiryuko, so creating an identical exterior was all that was needed. The perfect candidate for this disguise was the intelligence specialist of Team 7—Sakura.
Sakura would impersonate Scorpion and negotiate with the other party. She was the most intelligent among them, and having the most interaction with Scorpion, it was only natural to choose her for the disguise. As for the others, they would remain hidden in the shadows.
Konoha had spared no expense for this operation. Not only had they dispatched Team 7 to capture a spy, but they had also taken out insurance. However, there were more 'hawks' present than just those mentioned. For instance, Orochimaru was also set to make an appearance today.
The two parties with the deepest cover were Tang Ping and the Sage of Six Paths. The Sage had been keeping a close eye on Naruto, and while he might not usually pay attention, he could descend at any moment to 'cheat' and assist Naruto if he faced a life-threatening situation, enabling him to perform incredible feats.
As for Tang Ping, it goes without saying that without his micro-manipulation, today's events would not have unfolded according to the plot. His role today was simply that of a 'villain.' However, he was not alone; Hyuga Tsukuyuki had accompanied him.
The others each had their own tasks to attend to. They had prepared for this operation for a long time, and it was not going to be as simple as it seemed. If it weren't for the possibility of unexpected events, Tang Ping would have preferred to keep Hyuga Tsukuyuki away from him, ensuring more backup in other areas.
However, this proposal was unanimously rejected. Even if something did happen elsewhere, they had the confidence to start over from scratch, but if something happened to Tang Ping, the trouble would be immense. Therefore, despite his numerous self-preservation measures, Hyuga Tsukuyuki remained by Tang Ping's side as a safety net.
"Has Orochimaru arrived?" Tang Ping asked, turning his head.
When it came to reconnaissance abilities, no one could compare to the Reincarnation Eye. Even Kagura Shin'en's super-long-range reconnaissance ability, the Divine Eye, only had an advantage in terms of distance; in all other aspects, it was utterly crushed.
"He's arrived, and Konoha's backup plan is in place!" Hyuga Tsukuyuki's starry eyes dimmed as he reported his findings.
Today's battle on the Celestial Bridge would be vastly different from the original plot. The most significant difference was the disparity in the strength of the participants.
There was no need to elaborate on the other areas; just the Impure World Reincarnation of Hashirama Senju in Orochimaru's possession was a BUG-level existence. Although not in his prime and unable to use Sage Mode, he was still at the peak of a powerful Kage, with combat prowess comparable to a Hyper Sage.
This strength was more than enough to sweep away countless opponents. Unless Konoha had prepared appropriate countermeasures, it would not be easy to resolve this situation.
Meanwhile, Team 7's reinforcements and arrangements on Konoha's side were also completely absent from the original plot. However, Tang Ping naturally sided with Orochimaru. Today, he needed Naruto to 'encounter danger' to draw the Sage of Six Paths' attention.
If Naruto didn't face danger, the Sage's focus would not be on him. Of course, measures to disrupt the other party had also been prepared. Today was the grandest festival for shrine maidens—the Shrine Maiden Festival!
Whether or not this festival existed before, from now on, today would be the 'once-in-a-century' Shrine Maiden Festival. Shrine maidens across the land would hold sacrificial ceremonies and bestow blessings upon the participating citizens, indicating the grandness of the occasion.
Indeed, while Spirit Energy might be slightly inferior to Chakra in terms of raw combat power, it excelled in support and healing, truly surpassing Chakra in those aspects.
Even newly initiated priestesses who have just mastered Spirit Energy can learn healing spells, a basic and fundamental form of witchcraft or spiritual technique.
It is precisely through these healing abilities that they can easily win the hearts of the common folk.
As for the cost? Well, Spirit Energy is granted by the Sky Tower, unlike Chakra, which draws from one's own cellular energy. At most, it consumes some mental energy, and there's no risk of a 'Kryptonite' situation like with Chakra.
When comparing Spirit Energy to Chakra, both have their advantages and drawbacks.
However, given a choice, most people would prefer Spirit Energy, even with the restrictions imposed by the Sunland. After all, it doesn't require the use of 'Kryptonite'.
Today, not only in the Sunland's controlled areas but also in many regions of the Allied Forces, the Priestess Festival is being held.
Priestesses!
This group has an impeccable reputation, not just in the Sunland but even among the Allied Forces.
They solely focus on healing and saving lives, teaching knowledge, and nothing else.
Even wild ninjas and bandits, except for a small number with twisted minds, hold these priestesses in the utmost respect.
Therefore, the scale of this Priestess Festival is so grand that even the Five Great Ninja Villages have traces of priestesses' footprints.
This is a cold war, not a hot one.
Priestesses don't engage in destruction or espionage, so the ninja villages have no reason to act against them. Instead, they might even send people to protect them.
During the Priestess Festival, it's natural that those who are interested in the teachings will be influenced, and some may even develop faith.
Without guidance, these beliefs would have no impact on the Shinobi World, just like air.
But there's the Sky Tower!
Even without a network, the simultaneous operation of the three towers will naturally refine these beliefs, convert them into Spirit Energy, and return a portion to the priestesses.
It's just that Tang Ping's commission system motivates the priestesses to actively promote their faith.
The more successful they are, the more Spirit Energy they receive in return.
In this process, it will naturally affect the Chakra Network.
Note that this impact only affects the Six Paths Sage, who can use this network, and not the ninjas.
Under this influence, it's extremely difficult for the Six Paths Sage to perceive anything.
He's not overly concerned about this, as today is just a special case, and it won't always be like this.
Unfortunately, what the Six Paths Sage doesn't know is that he will deeply regret this in the future.
The Sky Bridge.
"It's begun!"
Tang Ping mutters as if he's sensed something.
Using this ritual and Spirit Energy to interfere with the Six Paths Sage's probing is the foundation of today's plan.
Otherwise, if the Six Paths Sage had noticed from the start, no amount of preparation might have been enough.
He announces the start not because he can see the change in faith with his naked eye, but because it's the agreed-upon time.
The ritual will last half a day, giving him ample time to carry out his plan.
Those who frequently play in groups know that sealing the eye is the first step.
Now, it's as if the Six Paths Sage's vision is being sealed, and then Naruto's predicament will divert his attention to help 'cheat'.
By doing so, he won't notice the changes elsewhere, and the network plan can succeed.
It's just that there's only one chance.
After today, the Six Paths Sage will undoubtedly pay extreme attention to Tang Ping, even treating him as an 'enemy', unlike the present situation.
He noticed, but he didn't pay much attention.
This isn't kindness; it's just arrogance.
In the Six Paths Sage's mind, if you're not from the Otsutsuki Clan, it's impossible to ascend to the Six Paths, so there's no need to pay attention.
'From now on, I'll make the Otsutsuki Clan understand that not all aliens are ancestors, and that the strongest are the transmigrators!'
Tang Ping looks up at the sky as if the Six Paths Sage is sitting high above, looking down on the Shinobi World.
If we're talking about arrogance, it's the Six Paths Sage who embodies it.
He treats the Shinobi World as a chessboard, even if his goal is to protect it. This imposed protection also reveals his arrogant character.
It's just like the behavior of a filial son, no wonder they share the same origin.
In the past, the Six Paths Sage had the upper hand, so naturally, no one dared to point it out. But Tang Ping won't indulge him.
In front of a transmigrator like Tang Ping, dragons must coil, and tigers must lie low.
From this day forward, Tang Ping will dare to roar that phrase at him.
Sir, the times have changed.
(End of Chapter)
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