"This is the Fog of Mist produced by that beast ever since it went berserk and swallowed all the other Spirits. Peculiarly it makes the weak willed people berserk overtime and they get stronger without any special training. However they slowly lose their minds and in the end become beasts that only know to kill." Hinoki said in a sad tone. "That's how this village became like this. The survivors went insane due to prolonged exposure to this mist, and finally killed each other."

"There is no one here" Nazuna said softly peering into a dest.i.tute building which probably was some kind of residence at one time, but now was a ruin with the stench of death. "Everyone is long gone.."

"How awful" Jun exclaimed looking at some twisted trees that grew inside a blood splattered building. Foul , rotting smell wafted from the base of the partially rotted tree. Even plant life couldn't survive in this place.

"Yes this is really messed up." Said Hinoki "All the Natural energies was concentrated into the shrine which acts as a hot spot to attract it and uses its power to seal the beast. But due to that, this place became a land of the dead where even plant life wont exist."

"Lets go and check the seal grandpa." Nazuna

They all crossed the village to its northern reaches where an enormous mountain could be seen. There was a deep dark cliff between the village and the mountain with only a wooden bridge to connect them.

Jun tried to step on the bridge but no matter what he couldn't take a step forward.

"This is no ordinary bridge." Hinoki explained "It by itself is a test. Only those who provide the five keys may move forward."

Hinoki took out the first mirror which they brought. It by itself floated to the entrance of the bridge, its runes glowing white. The symbols floated off the mirror and formed five revolving circles in the air. The mirror fitted itself to one of the revolving circles and a deep boom issued inside the mountains.

Hinoki sighed in relief "The seal is working properly. That was the sound of affirmation from one of the five spirit locks on the beast. Now we just need to find the re--"

Suddenly the mist thickened and revolting purplish black colour of the mist became even richer.

"Guuuuoooaah…Aarrhhuuogh?!!?" ????

"No! .. It cant be… there was supposed to be two years … It accelerated!" Hinoki panicked

The air in front of mountain rippled before two enormous horizontal s.p.a.ce cracks formed. It widened to reveal monstrous purple eyes with golden pupils. Jun and Nazuna froze due to the enormous pressure from those eyes. A wave of purple light emerged from those eyes blasting out towards them.

"Nooo!" Hinoki shouted as his hands blurred into high speed seal forming. He clapped his hands together and four pillars got summoned around the three. The purple light wave got bisected due to the barrier formed by the four pillars.

"Its consciousness has awakened. We need the mirrors fast. We have a few weeks at most, Its fighting the seals binding it …" Hinoki

Jun received a message from the System

[World Quest Triggered.]

[Due to b.u.t.terfly effect of your reincarnation, you triggered an event of future which should have been solved by a hidden character. As a result if not solved in time, it could threaten the very future of you and your companions.]

[World Quest : Evil Spirit Beast

Gather the rest of the mirrors before the time remaining runs out and deliver it to Hinoki.

Reward : Pure Chakra Transformation Technique Manual (Non-Absorption)

Failure : Hinoki's Death, Nazuna's Death, Hidden Leaf Village Disbandment, Damage to Bloodline(Extent Unknown) ]

'd.a.m.n You System!!' Jun cursed in his mind as he faced the pressure of those eyes staring at them.

"Gaargghooouuh" ???

A scream emerged from the s.p.a.ce crack as three rays of light emerged from the eyes. The rays of light were not hindered by the barrier as they fell on all three of them.

[You have been marked by Spirit Beast ????]

[Curse of Spirit Beast Gained : Hostilities from random weak willed people. Only people with strong wills wont be affected by hostility generated towards you due to this curse.]

Hinoki stiffened as the light fell on them before sighing. The s.p.a.ce crack disappeared shortly after the ray of lights fell on them, taking the ominous eyes with them.

"Its finally disappeared" Hinoki said exhausted due to the events.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

That night they stayed in the Valley of Evil as they couldn't leave it unguarded now that the beast had started to gain consciousness. Sitting around a small bonfire for warmth Hinoki discussed future plans with Jun.

"Boy, the situation is no longer what we can say is under our control. The Spirit Beast is stronger than before, its resentment on being bound was shown in the way it cursed us. If left unchecked it could break free in few weeks, at most 2-3 months."

"What do we do then master?" Jun

"It all depends on you now" Hinoki said as he took out a scroll and wrote something in it before rolling it up and sealing it with a special seal jutsu.

"Take this to the Third Hokage, he has the seal key for this sealing method. Meet him secretly however, best to meet him in the Hokage Mansion. I didn't tell you before but I suspect the Beast's awakening wasn't a coincidence. Someone is working on this from outside. Although they couldn't break the seal, they tampered with it enough to let the beast awaken when first mirror is applied. They might hinder you from gathering rest of the mirrors so beware. Stay hidden, get to the Hokage and give the scroll to him. It contains all the info about the mirrors and the way to find them." Hinoki patted Jun's head as he took the scroll and put it secretly in his inventory while tucking it in a secret pocket.

"What about you master?"Jun asked

"Nazuna and I will stay here" Hinoki replied "I cant leave this seal alone now. And now that all this has happened, I need to pa.s.s on my arts to Nazuna in preparation for future. I will stay and manage the seal. A secret technique of my clan can extend the time it takes for the Beast to break the seal. However I will only last for two years with that, Since that method drains my vitality for everyday the seal is maintained. Don't be like that child" Hinoki said as he saw Jun's anger at the helplessness of the situation "We all can only do what we can. You have a job to do so do I. We will watch over the seal and wait for you to find and bring rest of the mirrors. However keep it a secret Jun, No one apart from Hokage and those he a.s.signs to help you find the mirror can know about this."

Jun's expression was grim, his eyes blazing with anger as he processed all that had happened with them today. Hinoki and Nazuna went to sleep while Jun stayed by the bonfire, Fires blazing in the golden eyes. Whether it was fires of the bonfire or his flames of rage no one could say