26 Getting Along (Literally)
«Report: Area scan has been completed»
In an audacious move, I compelled the Great Sage to stretch the limits of its magical prowess, commanding it to unleash its Magic Sense in a sweeping scan that enveloped the entire expanse before us.
Usually, using Acceleration or magic sense too much can have bad effects. My mom and siblings were also worried that maybe I ate too many sweets to make up for my brain working too hard because of the overuse.
Imagine having an assistant without needing a physical brain – that's when the possibilities really open up. Since the Great Sage is the one using my Thought Acceleration and Sense, getting information becomes a breeze.
And there it was, a triumphant discovery escaping my lips, shared with Kakashi who stood at my side. His response came with a hint of nonchalance, "Well, isn't that conveniently timed."
As our journey pressed on, we encountered adversaries strewn across our path. Amongst the rabble posing as mere bandits, a curious sight emerged – figures adorned with attire reminiscent of both samurais and ronins, warriors without allegiance who had succumbed to the life of banditry.
"D-damnit!!" Expletives filled the air as we engaged in skirmishes, toppling some of these foes while subduing one. Bound and immobilized, he spat curses at us, a captive audience. His wrists were firmly secured to a gnarled stump, a silent testament to our triumph over his ill-intentioned pursuits.
"Now we just need to interrogate them," Kakashi's words were cut short by my interruption.
"No need for that. How about we use that instead?" I posed the question to him.
"Use what?" he inquired.
"That very thing – Kotoamatsukami. In theory, after you handed over your eye, you lost Obito's eye, but the abilities persisted due to Universal Affinity. You couldn't use it then, lacking a sharingan. However, with Shisui's eye implanted, Kamui and Kotoamatsukami intertwined. It's all thanks to Universal Affinity. Wasn't that your thought when you exchanged eyes with Shisui?"
He affirmed my deduction, "... Yes, that was my intention initially. But Kotoamatsukami is..."
"An ability to reshape memories, indeed. Yet, wouldn't that allow you to peer into the target's memories?" I stated thus.
My words made Kakashi flinch momentarily.
The truth was, Kotoamatsukami could probe another's soul and manipulate their memories. If this skill were to be integrated into my system, its subskill name might well be "Soul Manipulation," more than a mere "Mind Control."
"Indeed," he acknowledged with a nod.
With his Sharingan now manageable thanks to Universal Affinity, concealing them behind a headband was unnecessary.
In an instant, his eye whirled, creating an intricate chain-like design.
He grasped the hostage before him, compelling their gaze to meet. Their eyes locked in a tense exchange. While trepidation dominated the hostage's expression, Kakashi's feelings remained veiled behind his mask.
And so, he initiated the visual Jutsu.
After mere seconds, the man crumpled to the ground.
"Urk--!" Kakashi nearly stumbled as the technique concluded.
"Excellent work. Please, indulge in something sweet. It aids in relieving stress. Utilizing this method appears to be rather taxing," I proffered a hand and a bar of chocolate.
«Report: The aftermath mirrors that of Thought Acceleration and Magic Sense. Overloading the brain with excessive information might divert blood circulation from vital functions, leading to forgotten reflexes.» Great Sage reported her analysis.
Occasionally, even my breathing escapes me when I use my skills, accompanied by bouts of strokes and migraines. This precisely clarifies the extent I traversed to attain the Great Sage.
"So what did you find?"
"Uhm... I find... Quite a lot of things..."
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I sat there, captivated by Kakashi's tale of his journey inside the man's mind. First off, he revealed that the world they were in was called "Teyvat," something we already knew.
Then he dropped a bombshell: This world is made up of seven different nations, and each of them is led by an Elemental Archon. These Archons are like big shots representing elements such as Anemo, Geo, Electro, Dendro, Hydro, Pyro, and Cryo.
I scratched my head in amazement. Seven nations? Last time I checked, there were only five great ninja villages Oh well, too many world buildings have pulled this avatar lore even if they're accidental or not. Things seem to have gotten way more complicated in this world.
However, amidst the circumstances, there's a silver lining to be found. Fortunately, we've managed to glean some valuable information.
Presently, our journey finds us traversing the exotic lands of Inazuma, a secluded realm ruled by the formidable Raiden Shogun.
Intermittent thunderstorms would often sweep across this vast continent, casting an air of unpredictability upon the landscape. Within these charged skies, the figure of the Archon herself, known as the Raiden Shogun, reigns supreme as the sovereign of Electro, also known as the God of Eternity.
This... Is quite bad.
In a country that's very cut off from the outside, just going in would make others suspicious. So, we'll need to leave and then sneak back in while pretending to be someone else. Because, you see, the quest led us here for a reason, and the "variable" it mentioned probably means that they're in Inazuma.
Right now, our best course of action would be to regroup and reenter the nation through legal means, unless we decide to fully go undercover...
I'll have to inform the rest of the group about this.
[Attachment: Shared Location]
[Ex-Veteran (Admin): Come to this exact location and don't take any shortcuts, we don't want to have any trouble with the locals.]
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With Riko and Rimuru...
"Rimuru-san," Riko's voice trembled, seeking reassurance in the midst of adversity, "You will protect me... Right?" Riko Amanai is not having a grand time in her life.
Not long after meeting the slime that somehow transformed into a pretty girl with blue hair and gold eyes, the Nice Slime and Star Plasma Vessel ran into a few enemies while heading to their meetup spot.
There were some bandits, and then there were bandits dressed as samurai. There were some... Weird goblin thing that spoke "Mimi Mumu" whatever you're gonna call it. And they also had to deal with a puppet that looked like a samurai. It was super fast and tricky, using aura-like clones and all...
Well, Rimuru had to use his Gluttony to eat a few of them (not the human ones, obviously). That way, they could figure out more about these enemies.
Despite everything, Riko clung tightly to her fragile existence.
"Okay, okay, don't worry so much," the humanoid slime reassured her, a wry chuckle escaping its lips.
Riko's frustration spilled out, "Ugh... Why did Ame-chan insist we meet there? She knows I'm not cut out for fighting..."
Rimuru's response was laced with amusement, "Well, you know... Speaking of which, why do you call the admin that way?"
Confusion crossed Riko's face, "Huh? What do you mean?"
"I mean, you use '-chan' when you address them. Seems like you were pretty close, huh?"
Riko's brow furrowed as she replied, "No, Rimuru-san... The admin is the quietest one in our group, except when explaining features or negotiating with Kakashi-san. We don't even have a picture of her! Kakashi-san is secretive too, but at least he responds with emojis or pictures of his meals..."
"So they're a quiet person huh..."
"That's right, that's right... Well, I finally heard Ame-chan's voice when she called me via voice call for the first time and..."
"And...??"
All of a sudden, a spark of excitement illuminated her expression. The stars above seemed to twinkle with renewed vigor as she turned her gaze toward the exquisite androgynous slime walking alongside her.
Amidst their journey, a surge of wonder overcame her, and with a voice that reached surprisingly high pitches, she couldn't contain her delight, exclaiming, "✨HER VOICE WAS SOOOO CUUUTE! SHE'S ALSO MY AGE YOU KNOW THAT!??✨"
"Eh?"
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"Admin-san is a girl!???"
While that said Admin may or may not have sneezed and blamed the cold weather for it.
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To be continued.
