Chapter 79: Setting the Hook for Anko

“Knock, knock, knock!”

Shishou lightly tapped on the door to Miko Miroku's study.

"Mr. Shishou," Miroku's personal maid, Ziling, opened the door and respectfully invited him inside.

"Mr. Shishou," Miroku greeted him, "what brings you here?"

"Can't I visit you without a reason?" Shishou used a Body Flicker Technique to appear behind Miroku, embracing her and inhaling her fragrance deeply.

"Mr. Shishou..." Miroku's face turned crimson instantly.

"Let's go shopping," Shishou said, releasing her and using the Flying Thunder God Technique to transport them to the capital city of the Land of Fire.

"I didn't even get a chance to change clothes," Miroku pouted, glancing at her shrine maiden attire.

"We'll just buy something new," Shishou replied, taking her hand and heading toward the commercial street.

He enjoyed watching Miroku change clothes, admiring her graceful form in different outfits. After half an hour of shopping, they both donned traditional attire: Miroku in a beautiful pink and white kimono, and Shishou in a black traditional outfit. They spent the afternoon leisurely strolling and sampling street food.

In the evening, they returned to Miko's palace in the Land of Demons, each holding a cup of cola.

"Miroku," Shishou said as they entered her room, "any progress on the Soul Stone?"

"Not yet," Miroku replied, frowning as she sipped her cola, "Do you need it urgently?"

"No rush," Shishou replied, setting her on his lap. "If I can find some Uzumaki clan sealing technique scrolls, would you like to learn them?"

"Sure," Miroku said, shifting uncomfortably on his lap, her face turning redder.

"Then it's settled. You'll teach me sealing techniques, okay?" Shishou said, nuzzling her neck.

"Mm," Miroku nodded, her embarrassment deepening.

"Let's get down to business," Shishou said, lifting her up.

Miroku, too shy to look at him, merely nodded.

...

A Few Days Later

In Fire Source City, on the top floor of the Gambling Abyss building:

"Mr. Shishou, did you call me here to finalize the mission from the Third Hokage?" Anko Mitarashi asked, glancing around the office curiously. She often traveled between Fire Source City and Konoha as the liaison between Shishou and the Third Hokage. Thanks to Shishou's generosity, she had won quite a bit in the casino recently and held him in high regard.

"Yes," Shishou said, tearing his gaze from the curse mark on her neck. "I've completed the investigation. Please inform the Third Hokage to prepare my reward."

"So the Third Hokage asked you to find someone?" Anko mused aloud before nodding. "I understand. I'll report back to the Hokage immediately."

As Anko turned to leave, Shishou walked to the large window, watching the cityscape. "I didn't expect to encounter Orochimaru..." he muttered.

Hearing his words as she closed the door, Anko froze.

Orochimaru! The name struck her like a lightning bolt. After he abandoned her, she had been secretly searching for his whereabouts, to no avail. Torn between her duty to report to the Hokage and her personal vendetta, she hesitated at the door before finally leaving.

"I must stay calm," she reminded herself. "I’ll complete my mission first and then investigate."

Determined, Anko sped towards Konoha.

"Didn't take the bait, did she?" Shishou murmured, watching her leave from the window. He was well aware of Anko's obsession with Orochimaru and had deliberately mentioned his name. He hadn’t had contact with Orochimaru since they parted ways and even wondered if the Sannin had been eliminated by the Akatsuki.

Shishou's interest lay in the curse mark on Anko's neck. Having acquired Mokuton and the Mangekyo Sharingan, his next goal was Senjutsu. The three great Sage Regions—Shikkotsu Forest, Mount Myoboku, and Ryuchi Cave—were currently out of reach. And with Orochimaru in hiding from the Akatsuki, his whereabouts were unknown. Thus, Shishou's attention turned to Anko's curse mark, hoping his parasitic insects could absorb its power and grant him Senjutsu energy. If not, at least it would give him insight into what Senjutsu energy was.

Killing Anko was not an option, so he set a trap, waiting for her to come to him, ensuring he retained control.

The Next Day

Anko returned with a response from the Third Hokage sooner than expected.

"Lord Hokage wishes for you to come to Konoha for a direct discussion," Anko relayed, suppressing her urge to inquire about Orochimaru, "He will introduce you to the people you need."

Shishou’s eyes narrowed. "That old fox," he thought.

In Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in his office, contemplating the upcoming meeting with Shishou. The wheels of fate were in motion, and he was determined to stay ahead of the game, no matter what it took.