The reason the Land of Grass had gone to such lengths to embed Karin in Hidden Leaf to steal the Nine-Tails was to activate the war weapon known as the "Box of Ultimate Bliss."
Previously, when Shinji's access level at the archives was upgraded, he had taken the precaution of researching the "Box of Ultimate Bliss."
Numerous historical texts and legends contained records of the "Box of Ultimate Bliss."
Hundreds of years ago, during the Warring States period of the shinobi world, the Land of Grass had used the "Box of Ultimate Bliss" to sweep through several neighboring nations, establishing a vast empire.
During that era, the Land of Grass was indeed unrivaled in the shinobi world.
However, the "Box of Ultimate Bliss" was not something human hands could tame.
Over time, the Land of Grass gradually lost control over the "Box of Ultimate Bliss," and the empire it had built crumbled rapidly.
This chapter of history faded into the past.
After the First Hokage pacified the chaos, the shinobi world transitioned from the turbulent Warring States period into the relatively stable era of ninja villages.
The Land of Grass followed suit, establishing Grass Village. However, in the ninja village era, Grass Village's strength couldn't compare to the five great shinobi villages. It quickly became a second-rate village, losing all influence in the shinobi world.
The harsh reality, contrasted with past glories, left Grass Village's shinobi tormented by a sense of disparity. Thus, they pinned their hopes on the "Box of Ultimate Bliss," attempting to use this war weapon to rise again.
"That's likely why the demons could so easily infiltrate Grass Village," Shinji sighed softly.
He hadn't been idle these past few days. As he gathered intelligence, he had pieced together the causes and consequences of the massive conflict in Grass Village.
Initially, the ambitious "Fruit of Grass" faction must have made contact with the demons. Seduced by their promises, they became the first native shinobi to turn into demons.
Once aboard this doomed ship, the "Fruit of Grass" faction was controlled by the demons, turning Grass Village into a demon playground. Subsequently, the entire Land of Grass became their hunting ground.
The demons Shinji encountered—those not marked as Upper or Lower Moons yet possessing strength comparable to Upper Moons—were likely mass-produced during this period, fed on the chakra-rich flesh of shinobi.
"But where are the true Upper Moons? What game are they playing?" Shinji mused, sinking into thought.
Though he had eliminated a few Upper Moons, Upper Moon One (demonized Tanjiro), Upper Moon Two (Kokushibo), and Narume, who controlled the Infinity Castle, remained at large. These were the real threats!
At that moment, Ido, having adjusted to the Jikibi Space, eagerly reported, "Boss, we spotted people from Dark Akatsuki!"
Shinji's expression darkened. "Akatsuki members?"
Before he could ask for details, Sasuke shot up, urgently asking, "Did you see Uchiha Itachi?"
All eyes turned to him.
Sasuke's reaction was too intense, completely unguarded. Despite his appearance and voice being masked in Jikibi Space, his behavior sparked speculation among the members unaware of his identity.
Ido shrugged. "How would I know what Uchiha Itachi looks like?"
Sasuke snapped, "You—!"
Shinji raised a hand, cutting off their argument, and instructed Ido, "Describe who you saw."
Ido quickly detailed the physical characteristics of the Akatsuki members she had spotted from a distance.
After listening, Shinji said, "The two you saw were likely Kakuzu and Hidan."
"Kakuzu and Hidan, huh?" Ido muttered, recalling intelligence about the pair.
Realizing it wasn't Itachi, Sasuke quieted down.
Karin asked, "Boss, why are they in the Land of Grass?"
Shinji shook his head.
Truth be told, he was puzzled as well.
Haku spoke up, "Boss, the shinobi armies of the five great villages are converging on the Land of Grass. Dark Akatsuki members are active here too, and with the demons rampaging, the Land of Grass will likely descend into chaos within the next week."
The group's hearts sank.
Haku's concern hit the nail on the head.
The Land of Grass had become a massive powder keg, with demons, the five great villages, Dark Akatsuki, and their own Dawnbreak faction all entangled. Without a clear plan, the future would surely devolve into a massive free-for-all.
Feeling the gazes of those around the table, Shinji, seated at the head, fell into deep thought.
The demons' infiltration of Grass Village, while unexpected, wasn't entirely surprising.
What truly unsettled him was the collective absence of the Upper Moons and the whereabouts of the mysterious "Lampbearer" from the Demon Slayer world.
"They're acting so brazenly to pollute the shinobi world. When my 'Lamp' was suppressed, I lost the chance to perfectly resolve this invasion…"
Tap, tap.
Tap, tap.
Shinji's fingers lightly struck the table as he continued sorting his thoughts.
"If I cling to the idea of perfectly resolving this situation, I'll only be spread too thin and fall completely into their rhythm."
Shinji now realized he needed to shift his approach.
With his "Lamp" suppressed, passive defense was too reactive. Even if it meant the shinobi world being polluted or fields strewn with corpses, he had to turn the tables and take the initiative. The source of his passivity wasn't the demons but the mysterious "Lampbearer" orchestrating the invasion from behind the scenes!
"They're my true target!"
Shinji's gaze grew resolute.
Without eliminating that mysterious "Lampbearer," the enemy could endlessly produce new demons, no matter how many he destroyed.
Even formidable Upper Moons were merely smokescreens thrown out by the enemy.
The true key to the fate of both worlds lay solely between the two "Lampbearers"!
"So, their goal isn't just to pollute the shinobi world—it's to lure me out and eliminate me…"
Realizing the crux of this confrontation rested on the two "Lampbearers," the fog that had clouded his mind rapidly cleared. He suddenly grasped the enemy's true intent behind this elaborate setup.
Their target was him!
Tap, tap.
Tap, tap.
Shinji continued tapping the table, but now he had a plan.
If the Land of Grass were a chessboard, the players now in the game were the demons, the Akatsuki, the five great villages, and himself—four forces in total.
With this perspective, the chaotic situation became much clearer.
Thinking of his opponents, Shinji mused, "How should I play my next move on this chessboard?"