Konoha Hypocrite (Part-1)

Chapter 134: Worshipping Buddha, Uekawa Ozora

The next morning, birds chirped non-stop as they looked for food. Uchiha Tonan got up from the hotel bed and left the Revere Fire Street, making his way to the Fire Temple.

The clear sky in late autumn looked like a boundless calm sea. The white light on the horizon was like ripples on the sea. Drifting leaves decorated it with the hue of human fireworks. The steps up the mountain were covered with many leaves, and an old monk was working hard to sweep them with a big broom.

Dong, dong, dong...

As the sun made its presence felt, the clouds above the temple seemed to be swept away by a huge hand, pouring out golden light, shining a red glow for a long time. From the changeable clouds, the blood-red sun lent its sheen to mountains and valleys, filled with the autumn breeze.

As the morning bell sounded, two novice monks opened the gate, and a group of pilgrims who had been waiting for a long time flocked inside the temple. These people had come here to compete for the day's first incense.

The monastery amid green woods had apricot-colored courtyard walls. The grayish hall ridges and towering green ancient trees were bathed in autumn freshness. It all looked solemn and mysterious.

A thousand-year-old camphor tree shaded the open space in front of the temple. White fences surrounded a big lotus pond with many pink lotuses. And a finely chiseled stone arch bridge was over the pond.

Tonan walked leisurely on the strong stone bridge. He could hear the prayers and chants in the temple...

"Buddha, bless my ill father, make him get better quickly."

"Benevolent Buddha, please bless my granddaughter with a safe life. It looks like she likes someone. If that person is good, bless them to be together."

"Buddha, the last time when I worshipped you, I won at first, but later, I lost the money. This time, I sold my house, please, you have to bless me to win back all the lost money. If I lose again, our family will not survive. You cannot let us die. Please, please."

......

Tonan stepped into the hall and stood behind the believers, looking up at the huge Buddha statue inside. This statue was somewhat similar to the one he had seen in the temple in his previous life.

This Buddha was incomparably tall, sitting upright in the hall. The entire statue was golden, but there were some bronze textures. A portion of the roof above the statue seemed to be covered with glass like a skylight for the hall.

When the light trickled in, it would shine on the Buddha, making people feel that the statue was dazzling with some kind of majesty. But the Buddha here didn't make any hand gesture. Instead, it sat cross-legged with both hands on the knees and its eyes seemed to be looking down on the believers.

Tonan's gaze slowly moved to the statue's eyes and slowly the prayers and chanting around him gradually faded away. The entire world became quiet for him. He seemed to be looking at the existence in the unseen, mystical world across time and space.

"Benefactor, please don't block passers-by." After an unknown period, a monk's voice sounded beside Tonan. He continued to look straight at the Buddha's eyes, and a smile appeared on his face. He walked to the donation box and took out a thick stack of banknotes, stuffing them all into the box.

The monk's eyes lit up. He immediately put his palms together and bowed to Tonan, "Benefactor, boundless beneficence, Buddha will bless you."

Tonan looked at the Buddha statue's eyes again and lightly said, "I hope so." He put his palms together as well and bowed to the statue and then said to the monk, "My name is Uchiha Tonan. I'm a Leaf ninja. I want to meet Master Chigo."