[Significant alteration to another well-known supporting character's fate.]
[Slight interference with the timeline detected.]
- 1 trait upgrading (Blue)
- 1 trait upgrading (Green)
- 1 gifting opportunity]
Kanae returned to the Demon Slayer world to discuss with the Demon Slayer Corps how to deal with Muzan.
As expected, the system's reward notification sounded.
Kei glanced at the rewards and then recalled her original storyline, nodding slightly. For a character who only ever appeared in Shinobu and Kanao's memories, receiving such rewards was already quite generous.
After confirming that Kei would really take her to Las Vegas, Tsunade carefully inquired about the world's clothing styles, language, cultural customs, and other details. Then, dragging Kushina and Hikari along, she went to change clothes.
Just like when ninjas go on missions, in a completely unfamiliar world, avoiding unnecessary trouble requires blending in. If her outfit didn't match the world's style and she couldn't enjoy herself to the fullest in the casino, she might just lose her mind!
Miroku wasn't particularly interested in the so-called gambling city. She discreetly observed Clare and Teresa for a moment, sensing the potential to recruit them into her faction. She then resumed her persuasion.
Before Tsunade and the others could finish changing, Teresa had already made up her mind under Miroku's persuasion. Holding Clare's hand, she forced her unsteady legs to walk toward Kei.
There were many things she could ignore, but Clare's well-being wasn't one of them. As a young child, the girl needed two or three meals a day and had no ability to protect herself, so securing a reliable source of resources became essential for their stable life.
And what better choice than to rely on a kind and benevolent god?
Besides, if possible, she didn't want to return to their world anytime soon.
The Organization was still hunting her, and ordinary people still feared and rejected Claymores who had fused with Yoma flesh. She no longer wished to entrust Clare to anyone else.
Placing a fist over her heart, she slightly bowed her head and softly asked, "Lord, may I serve you?"
"No need to force yourself. If you don't want to go back, that's fine. Since you've found a reason to live, take Clare with you and live a good life. You don't need to worry about food or water, you are free."
Kei chuckled, gently ruffling Clare's small head before pointing to several portals on the side.
He wasn't surprised by their decision.
Expecting two people abandoned by their world to turn around and save it while being hunted by that very world, wasn't that just absurd? Besides, there were still over ten years before the original storyline began. There was no rush to earn system rewards from the Claymore world.
His current strength didn't lack such rewards anyway. Living freely was the way to go!
For a brief moment, Teresa's ever-calm face showed a hint of daze. Pure kindness and unconditional giving, this was something she had never experienced before in her life.
Seeing Clare, who was also momentarily stunned, she gently stroked the child's small head.
Clare had taught her how to cry and helped her find the meaning of her existence. Now, a passing god had saved her, allowing her to continue experiencing the beauty of life with Clare.
"No matter when or what enemy I face, I am willing to draw my sword and fight for you." Despite her body still not fully healed, she stood as straight as she could. She lightly tapped her chest with her fist, her tone soft but resolute.
"You really… Ah, whatever. Just focus on recovering first. Pick a room in the wooden house and settle in."
Kei glanced at Miroku in the distance, who had an expression of 'I'm taking notes,' and sighed, pressing a hand to his forehead.
Come on, he wasn't even trying to play hard to get just now! Who would've thought that such a simple sentence would make Teresa so devoted?
…Did this mean he was actually talented at being a divine figure?
"Yes." A faint smile appeared on Teresa's lips again. Looking down at Clare, who was also smiling, they held hands and limped toward the intricately designed, almost overly extravagant, wooden house.
"Is there nothing looser to wear? This is suffocating!" Tsunade tugged at the collar of her hoodie with one hand while carrying a small suitcase full of gold in the other. Wearing slippers, she walked out of the room.
She was dressed in a simple white hooded sweatshirt, form-fitting black yoga pants, and black women's slippers.
Her figure was truly top-tier, and the red nail polish on her toes was beautiful, but dressing was practically a crime waiting to happen!
"Aiya~ Tsunade-nee, how about we go shopping first? This is another world, after all! There should be lots of unique and beautiful outfits!" Kushina walked out of the room wearing a green T-shirt and ultra-short blue denim shorts.
And behind her… Hikari looked like a child who had stolen an adult's clothes. The black hoodie she wore was so oversized it completely covered her backside.
Compared to Tsunade standing beside her…
"I'm still going to grow taller!"
Noticing Kei's gaze, Hikari puffed up her cheeks and secretly stood on her tiptoes. So what if she wasn't even 150 cm tall yet?!
She was definitely going to grow!
"Yes, yes, I believe you." Kei reached out and ruffled Hikari's small head. The little girl huffed lightly and turned her head away.
"Las Vegas! Here I come! Hahaha~ Watch me sweep the entire casino and pay off all my debts in one go!" Tsunade raised a hand high and strode forward with confidence.
But after walking about ten meters, she suddenly paused, turned back, and looked at Kei. "By the way… how do we get there?"
"Come here, you." With a Banshō Ten'in, Kei pulled Tsunade to his side. After exchanging a quick farewell with Miroku, who was preparing to return to the Naruto world, he took Tsunade, Kushina, and Hikari out of the space inside Eden.
Atop a Snowy Mountain, the howling cold wind hit Tsunade, who was completely unprepared, making her shiver violently.
Just as she was about to say something, she saw Kei close his eyes and, with a wave of his hand, open a space portal using Yomotsu Hirasaka.
On the other side of the portal, a dimly lit alley was visible, with flashing neon lights in the distance, the sound of gambling chips clinking, and the lively shouts of gamblers.
"Let's go, let's go!"
Tsunade grabbed Kushina's hand and dashed into the portal first.
Kei and Hikari followed closely behind. Soon after, they emerged from the deserted, shadowy alley. Tsunade looked at the brightly lit city in front of her under the night sky, her mouth slightly agape.
She closed her eyes for a moment to sense the environment around her. Then, she grabbed the still-stunned Kushina and sprinted toward the biggest casino nearby!
"Hey, hey! At least find a translator first! You don't even speak the language! Wait! You don't have a bank card or an ID either, you…!" With an exasperated look, Kei hurried after her with Hikari in tow.
Even though this was still technically a foreign country for him, returning to modern civilization gave him an indescribable sense of familiarity.
At Kamar-Taj, Wong, Mordo, Kaecilius, and dozens of Kamar-Taj sorcerers stood together in the courtyard where they usually practiced magic, waiting.
Just moments ago, the Ancient One had informed them via astral projection.
With the help of the new Sorcerer Supreme, Kei, she had finally broken free from her vurse and was going to Eternal to complete her contract.
The new Sorcerer Supreme was about to arrive. She hoped that the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj would show their sincerity to him, whose strength rivaled that of dimensional gods.
"Wong, the sun's about to set. Should we keep waiting?" Mordo shifted slightly, stretching his legs that had gone numb from standing for hours.
"Maybe he got lost? Should we go out and look for him?"
Kaecilius chimed in. "…Does anyone here even know what the new Sorcerer Supreme looks like?"
Wong sighed deeply. They had been standing in this courtyard for five whole hours!
Could it be that this new Sorcerer Supreme had really gotten lost, just as Kaecilius suggested…?