NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 81 - Episode 81: Will the Sai Ninja Become Allies?
Episode 81: Will the Sai Ninja Become Allies?
— Zaus’ Perspective —
I was following the Sai ninja, Saizou, who had released the Sai Daitougekijin.
This is a giant shuriken with a diameter exceeding 15 meters.
Such a large shuriken was flying at an incredible speed.
The Acceleration Boost magic is at the speed of sound.
With this magic to accelerate the speed, I could easily catch up.
“Now then. How do I stop it?”
My body is tough.
Even if I were to touch it, I could manage somehow.
And at that moment I tried to touch it…
*Slice!*
Oops… Did the side of my hand get cut?
If I had accidentally touched it, my arm might have been severed.
It seems touching it at my current level is difficult.
My, my… It’s quite a powerful technique.
In that case…
“Seven-Ring Strengthening Chakra Evoque. Tenfold Strengthening First Burst!”
Gyuunnn!!
Increasing the level tenfold to boost defense.
Let’s try touching it a bit.
*Screech…!*
“Hmm. It seems the body won’t be cut just by producing sparks.”
In that case, I’ll dive in with all my might!
*Ki…!*
The shuriken has four blades in a cross shape, so if I can grab just one of them, it should be enough.
*Clang!*
Yes.
“I grabbed it.”
However, the shuriken continued without stopping, following the law of inertia, and dragged my body with it. Even if I braced myself on the ground, it still dragged me along.
Oh, oh, oh… It’s taking me with it.
“My, my. Quite powerful indeed.”
I wonder if I was dragged for about 100 meters.
I might have dug a small trench.
Finally, my body was able to stop.
At the same time, the giant earthen shuriken, with a diameter of about 15 meters, scattered and turned into sand.
It had quite the power, but it was originally a weapon made of compacted earth dust.
If I had faced it head-on, it might not have been such a big deal.
Perhaps intervening from the side was inefficient.
The entrance to the village is in front of me.
“Hmm. That must be Kikori Village, where the Dwarves live.”
I haven’t occupied it yet.
Hehehe. I made it just in time.
Alright. Let’s go back.
“Acceleration Boost.”
I returned to Saizou, the ninja of the Sai tribe.
He had released the technique of Gigantification and returned to normal size.
He stared at me with wide eyes.
“D-D-Did you save Kikori Village?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I-It was about to kill my comrades because of my mistake, Sai. Innocent Dwarves would have died because of my mistake…”
“Don’t misunderstand.”
“Huh?”
“I’m the Demon Duke of the Demon Realm. I couldn’t care less about others.”
“Huh…?”
“Think about it. I’m a demon lord. I don’t care if Kikori Village is wiped out, or if you traumatize yourself by killing your comrades because of your mistake.”
“T-Then why did you help?”
That’s obvious.
“It’s because there’s a possibility it could become my territory. If that happens, the destruction of Kikori Village would be a loss for me! So, I helped.”
The Dwarves of Kikori Village are known for their forestry.
To be honest, I absolutely want it. Hehehe. I won’t let it be wiped out.
“What modesty!! I’m impressed!!”
Huh?
“Withholding one’s own achievements and diverting the discussion from the significance of one’s existence as a demon duke. This is solely out of consideration for the Dwarves, and a concern to ensure that I don’t suffer from trauma!!”
“Huh? N-No…”
“I’m impressed!!”
And he knelt on one knee, bowing his head respectfully to the ground.
“H-Hey hey. Were you even listening to me?”
“In the Demon Realm, there’s a rumor going around.”
“A rumor? What are you talking about?”
“That the Demon Duke Zaus doesn’t attack the Demon Army… He peacefully conquers territories…”.
“That’s natural. As I said before. If there’s damage to my troops when they become mine, it becomes my loss.”
“That’s sophistry, Sai. Rulers don’t think about such things. Subordinates and resources are pawns, and they think they can hurt them freely.”
It’s more like sophistry or efficiency, isn’t it? Foolish rulers just waste their resources and make things inefficient. Damage within the territory directly affects the development speed. How much time, effort, and resources do you think it takes to rebuild a village that’s been wiped out? Clearly, it’s a big loss.
Saizou looked at me.
His eyes were sparkling, without a trace of cloudiness.
“I want you to tell me. In the future, will the Zaus army not harm the monsters?”
“That’s obvious. I won’t harm anything belonging to my territory. Because that would lead to my loss.”
“Oh… You are an ideal ruler.”
“So, don’t misunderstand—”
“Lord Zaus!”
Huh?
Why the sudden honorific?
“You, Lord, saved the Dwarves of Kikori Village, and also saved my heart, Sai. This Sai ninja, Saizou. I will definitely repay the favor I received.”
“…………”
He seems to still be misunderstanding.
But, well, whatever. If this guy becomes my subordinate, it will expand the range of my activities.
“That was an amazing feat with such power! To grab my Sai Daitougekijin with your bare hands.”
Hmm.
Let me explain a bit.
“Seven-Ring Strengthening Chakra Evoque.”
“Oh! It’s a row of shining orbs! I remember Gobutaro had that too.”
“Yeah, I’ll teach you next time.”
“That’s appreciated, Sai!”
“There are seven stages of power-ups. Right now, only two stages have been released.”
“What! Will you get even stronger!?”
“Leveling up increases the level by ten times.”
“So, the second orb is twenty times…! Incredible, Sai… Are levels three and above locked?”
“Yeah. It’s a bit tricky. Up to level two, it increases with proficiency based on usage. But for levels three and above, the unlocking conditions are proficiency plus designated items.”
“Hmm. Designated items, huh?”
“They’re all super rare items. I’m having trouble collecting them. I’ve already reached the unlocking conditions in terms of proficiency, but I can’t unlock them because I don’t have enough items.”
“I see. Metal Pineapple, Bat Tie, Boar King’s Fang… They’re all super rare items.”
“Yeah. It’s tough. They’re all drop items from rare monsters. And even finding the rare monsters is uncertain.”
“Hehehe. Leave it to me, Lord Zaus.”
“Huh?”
“Those rare items. I’ll find them for you!”
“…I see. I’ll leave it to you then.”
Well, let’s not get too excited.
They’re super rare items, after all. Even Saizou might not find them.
It’s said that it takes ten years just to find one.
—
A week later.
Saizou presented me with an item.
“Lord Zaus. This is it.”
Th-this is the Bat Tie!
“You found it in just one week?”
“I thought I could find it sooner, but it took a bit longer than expected, Sai. I apologize for the wait.”
“No, um…”
“Well then, I’ll find the remaining items too. Sorry!”
*Shuu!*
And he instantly disappeared.
This… It’s an ultra-rare item that it’s said would take ten years to acquire…
“Ninja, amazing.”