"Knock, knock, knock!"
Shishou gently knocked on the door of Priestess Miroku's study.
"Shishou."
Miroku's personal maid, Reika, opened the door and respectfully invited Shishou inside.
"Shishou, is there something you need from me?"
Dismissing her maid, Miroku looked at Shishou.
"Can't I visit without a reason?"
With a swift move, Shishou appeared behind Miroku, embracing her and inhaling her scent, feeling intoxicated.
"Shishou..."
Miroku's face instantly turned red with embarrassment.
"Let's go shopping."
Shishou released Miroku, then used the Flying Thunder God Technique to bring them both to the capital city of the Land of Fire.
"I haven't even changed my clothes."
Wearing her priestess robes, Miroku gave Shishou an annoyed look for not giving her time to change.
"Haha, we'll just buy a new outfit."
Shishou took Miroku's small hand and confidently walked toward the shopping district.
After half an hour of browsing, they both changed into traditional outfits. Miroku wore a beautiful pink and white kimono, while Shishou donned a black traditional robe.
The two of them spent the afternoon enjoying the sights and sounds of the city.
In the evening, Shishou and Miroku returned to the Priestess's Palace in the Land of Demons, each holding a cup of cola.
"By the way, Miroku, any news on the Soul Stone?"
Sitting on Miroku's dressing chair, Shishou took a sip of his cola.
"Not yet, there's no news for now. Do you need it urgently?"
Miroku frowned after taking a sip of her cola, finding it an unusual drink.
"No rush. If I can find the Uzumaki clan's sealing technique scrolls, would you like to learn them?"
Shishou held Miroku on his lap and looked at her.
Miroku's sealing techniques were already very powerful, but the preparation time was too long.
Shishou intended for her to learn the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques to further enhance her abilities.
His goal was to devour the Ōtsutsuki clan and achieve immortality, so naturally, he didn't want Miroku to be weak.
"I don't have much else to do, so it would be a good way to pass the time."
Miroku shifted uncomfortably on Shishou's lap.
"Alright then. When the time comes, you can teach me sealing techniques too."
Shishou sniffed Miroku's neck.
"Mm."
Miroku's face turned even redder from Shishou's actions.
"We should get to business now."
Shishou picked up Miroku.
Miroku shyly nodded, avoiding his gaze.
"Mm..."
...
A few days later.
In the capital city of the Land of Fire.
In the top-floor office of the Gambler's Abyss building.
"Mr. Lurigan, did you call me to complete the mission assigned by the Third Hokage?"
Anko Mitarashi stood in front of Shishou, curiously looking around but not finding the girl named Ikari.
As the liaison between Shishou and the Third Hokage, Anko frequently traveled between the capital city and Konoha. Thanks to Shishou's generosity, she had made a good amount of money at the casino and respected him greatly.
"Yes. I've finished investigating the person the Third Hokage asked me to look into, so I hope the Third Hokage has my payment ready in advance."
Shishou shifted his gaze from the Heaven's Curse Seal on Anko's neck and smiled.
Shishou had already bought a large plot of land in the capital city for his production factory and research facility. Now, he just needed the Third Hokage to fulfill his promise so he could hire research personnel.
"The Third Hokage actually asked you to find someone?"
"Hmm, I understand. I'll head back to Konoha and report to the Third Hokage immediately."
Anko muttered to herself curiously, then spoke solemnly.
After speaking, Anko prepared to leave and return to Konoha.
Shishou also walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking outside, and muttered to himself.
"Heh, I didn't expect to encounter Orochimaru this time... I wonder what he's planning..."
As she left the office and closed the door, Anko heard Shishou's mutterings.
Then, the office door closed, isolating her from Shishou's subsequent words.
Orochimaru!
Hearing that name, Anko's body stiffened, and she froze in place.
After Orochimaru abandoned her, she had been secretly tracking his movements.
However, despite searching for years, she had found nothing.
Looking at the now-closed office door, Anko wanted to push it open.
However, after thinking for a moment, she turned and left.
First, she had a mission to report to the Third Hokage.
Second, she didn't know Shishou's relationship with Orochimaru, so she didn't want to alert him without understanding his intentions.
"Stay calm. I'll investigate after the mission is completed. The mission is the most important thing."
Anko kept reminding herself as she left the Gambler's Abyss building and began running toward Konoha.
"Heh, she didn't take the bait."
At the window, Shishou watched Anko leave down the street and smiled.
Shishou was well aware of Anko's obsession with Orochimaru.
That's why he intentionally mentioned him in front of her.
In fact, ever since parting ways with Orochimaru, Shishou had not seen him or received any messages from him.
Shishou even began to suspect that Orochimaru might have been killed by the Akatsuki organization.
Mentioning Orochimaru in front of Anko was mainly due to the Heaven's Curse Seal on her neck.
Having already obtained Wood Release and the Mangekyō Sharingan, Shishou's next target was Sage Mode.
The three major summoning places that teach Sage Mode—Shikkotsu Forest, Mount Myōboku, and Ryūchi Cave—were places he couldn't locate yet.
And with Orochimaru hiding from the Akatsuki, he was hard to find.
So, Shishou turned his attention to the curse mark on Anko.
He wanted to see if he could use his parasitic insects to absorb the power of the curse mark, thereby gaining access to Sage Mode energy.
Even if he couldn't fully master Sage Mode, he could at least understand what Sage Mode energy was.
As for killing Anko, Shishou had no such intention.
Thus, he set a bait to lure Anko to him.
That way, he could control the situation.
The next day, Anko returned with a response from the Third Hokage, showing her urgency.
Standing in front of Shishou, Anko suppressed her desire to ask about Orochimaru and said:
"The Third Hokage hopes you can come to Konoha for an in-person discussion."
"Afterward, he will introduce you to the people you want."
Shishou narrowed his eyes and silently cursed.
The Third Hokage, that old fox!