The damage inflicted upon the Land of Demons by Gashadokuro and Roshi, though contained by Orochimaru's intervention, had left behind lingering issues that weighed heavily on Miroku, the young leader.
Fortunately, for reasons unknown, many enthusiastic merchants suddenly appeared in the Land of Demons.
Ever since these merchants arrived, Miroku was astonished to find that many matters had become remarkably simpler.
Defense was handled by several Snake Princesses from the Ryūchidō Cave and the guards, who had become ninjas under their tutelage.
As for the remaining affairs, Miroku didn't even need to lift a finger; representatives sent by the merchants had arranged everything perfectly.
Now with ample free time, Miroku began to ponder other matters, such as:
Mastering the power of Gashadokuro within her body, which Lord Orochimaru had taken a liking to; seeking more profound cultivation methods from the Divine Princesses of Ryūchidō Cave…
All these pursuits were simply to bring herself closer to Orochimaru.
…
Outside the altar.
After sending off the delighted Tagorihime no Mikoto to report the good news to Ryūchidō Cave, Orochimaru ascended the altar steps. The guards of the Land of Demons, stationed on either side to protect it, bowed respectfully with hopeful expressions.
Orochimaru gave a slight nod and walked directly into the altar's interior.
"Her power fluctuations are considerably stronger than before."
"It seems she has truly been improving herself these past few months!"
Sensing the familiar fluctuations of power within the altar, Orochimaru's eyes flickered for a moment, and he let out a silent sigh.
"Possessing the power of a demon like me, and having cultivated shadows of Sage Mode under the tutelage of three Divine Princesses, she must have endured considerable hardship…"
"This child, to stand by my side, her determination is beyond imagination."
…
"Lord Orochimaru…"
With a surprised cry, Miroku, who had grown taller in the past six months, rushed out from a room.
Looking at the man who had been away for half a year, Miroku yearned to throw herself into his arms and pour out her longing, but she forcefully suppressed the urge.
"You've grown up, learned to be reserved!"
Orochimaru chuckled and reached out to stroke Miroku's head.
Miroku grasped the hand resting on her head and looked up at Orochimaru.
"Lord Orochimaru, what do you need me to do?"
A glint of satisfaction flashed in Orochimaru's eyes.
To stand by his side, one absolutely needed strength and intelligence.
In this regard, Miroku was far wiser than most women in the ninja world.
Even though she had received Orochimaru's promise to marry her when she came of age, Miroku knew what to do, what to say, and what not to do or say.
"Are those puppets still at the border of the Land of Earth?"
Looking at the obedient young woman, Orochimaru's eyes held a smile, and even his voice softened considerably.
"Yes!"
"The puppet legion of eighty thousand, controllable by Gashadokuro's power, was already mobilized to the border of the Land of Earth months ago, as you instructed."
"Are you planning to attack the Land of Earth?"
Miroku's eyes were filled with confidence. She never wavered in executing the tasks assigned by Orochimaru.
To lead an army and conquer the ninja world for him was something Miroku had long awaited.
"I have no immediate plans to attack the Land of Earth."
Orochimaru looked at Miroku, who had suddenly become excited, with amusement. He ruffled her hair and then said in a slightly more serious tone:
"My next request might make things a bit harder for you…"
"It's fine!"
Miroku shook her head vigorously, her voice firm:
"I can do it!"
"To say you can do it without even asking what I need you to do, you're truly pitifully foolish…"
Orochimaru sighed with emotion.
"With the portion of Gashadokuro's power within you, can you control those puppets as two separate armies simultaneously?"
Miroku pondered for a moment and then nodded gently.
"Yes!"
"Gashadokuro's power can directly affect the core of the puppets. As long as the commands they need to execute are planted within the puppets beforehand, subsequent control requires very little effort."
"That's good."
"This way, you will remove all my worries."
Orochimaru nodded with satisfaction.
"Miroku, I need you to divide the puppet legion into three forces."
"The portion remaining in the Land of Earth does not need to be moved. The other two armies are to be dispatched separately to the Hidden Sand Village in the Land of Wind and the Hidden Cloud Village in the Land of Lightning."
Miroku's eyes widened in astonishment at Orochimaru's request.
"You intend to attack three of the Five Great Shinobi Villages simultaneously?"
"Isn't that a bit too hasty?"
Seeing that Miroku did not ask the foolish question of whether this would harm innocent civilians in the three Great Shinobi Villages, and only cared if Orochimaru's strength was sufficient to contend with them all, Orochimaru became even more pleased with his future wife.
"Don't be nervous."
For the first time, Orochimaru gently stroked Miroku's smooth cheek and softly reassured her:
"I'm asking you to do this only to reduce some unnecessary trouble."
"The battles that truly concern the future of the ninja world are about to begin…"
Miroku, who was momentarily stunned by her future husband's sudden gentleness and overwhelmed by happiness, quickly regained her senses. She looked at Orochimaru with concern. Just as she was about to speak and dissuade him, Orochimaru lightly waved his hand, stopping her.
"I have made thorough arrangements for the frontal battlefield and you need not worry about me."
"Besides, with my strength, there is no power in the current ninja world that can truly kill me."
"What I worry about is that after the war, the old men of those three villages will use the elimination of the ninja world threat as an excuse to slow down my pace in bringing peace to the ninja world."
"I need you…"
Orochimaru's tone suddenly carried a sinister killing intent.
"When necessary, to eliminate for me all forces that attempt to destroy peace, all…"
"Do you understand?"
Overbearing, ruthless…
Miroku was startled by Orochimaru's expression but then smiled with understanding and nodded heavily.
"Your will is my direction."
"The enemies that even you have to strategize and maneuver to deal with, I likely wouldn't have the ability to interfere in your battles."
"But…"
Miroku's eyes shimmered with gentle waves, and she proactively leaned into Orochimaru's embrace.
"I will give my all to guard the stability of the rear for you!"
"Those people, if they die, they die!"
"From the day I decided to follow you, I am no longer the shrine maiden who lived only for the sake of all beings in the ninja world."
"I am Miroku, Lord Orochimaru's future wife."
"I want to live for myself, and live for you…"
For the first time, Orochimaru felt that perhaps this was the most beautiful love confession in the world.
"Heh heh…"
"Then… you must grow up quickly…"