[Beep~ Destiny trajectory of a key supporting character altered. Minor shift in worldline progression detected. Rewards acquired: Blue Trait Upgrade ×1, Green Trait Upgrade ×1, Trait Extraction ×1, Trait Gift ×1.]
Shinobu Kocho returned to the Demon Slayer world to join the Demon Slayer Corps in strategizing against Muzan Kibutsuji.
Right on cue, the system's reward notification chimed.
Yamanaka Shinno glanced over the rewards, then thought about the role Shinobu's sister, Kanae Kocho, played in the original work. He gave a small nod.
For someone who only ever appeared in flashbacks from Shinobu and Kanao's memories, this reward was actually quite generous.
Once Tsunade was convinced that Shinno would take her to Las Vegas, she immediately began asking detailed questions about the world's clothing styles, language, culture, and customs. Then she dragged Kushina and Uchiha Hikari off to change clothes.
Same as preparing for a mission.
In a completely foreign world, if you want to avoid unnecessary trouble, you have to blend in.
If something as simple as mismatched clothes ended up ruining her plans to let loose and gamble her heart out, she might just go insane!
Miroku, however, wasn't particularly interested in this so-called "city of gambling." She cast a discreet glance at Teresa and Clare, both of whom she believed could be brought into their camp. With that thought, she resumed preaching her gospel.
Before Tsunade and the others returned in their new outfits, Teresa had already made up her mind under Miroku's persuasion. Holding Clare's hand, she pushed through the pain in her ill-fitting legs and approached Yamanaka Shinno.
There were a lot of things she could ignore.
But if she wanted to take care of Clare—still so young, needing food multiple times a day, and utterly defenseless—then she needed a stable supply of resources.
And really, was there any better choice than pledging loyalty to a kind and benevolent deity?
Besides...
If she could help it, she didn't want to return to their original world anytime soon.
The Organization was still hunting her. Normal people only feared and rejected Claymores infused with Yoma flesh. She didn't want to entrust Clare to anyone else ever again.
Placing her right hand in a fist over her heart, Teresa lowered her head slightly and asked softly:
"Shinno-sama... may I serve you?"
"You don't need to force yourself. It's fine if you don't want to go back. If you've found a reason to live, then take Clare and live well. Don't worry about food or water. You're both free now."
Shinno smiled lightly, reached out to pat Clare's small head, and gestured toward a few of the nearby world portals.
He wasn't surprised by their decision.
Expecting two people abandoned by the world to somehow save it while standing against it? That was just absurd.
Besides, there were still over ten years until the events of the original Claymore storyline began.
There was no rush to earn system rewards from that world.
Right now, he had more than enough strength and didn't need those extra rewards.
It was fine to go with the flow.
Teresa's face, which always carried a faint smile, suddenly froze for a moment.
Pure goodwill. Aid that asked for nothing in return.
These were things she had never experienced in her past life.
Looking at the equally stunned Clare beside her, she gently rubbed the girl's small head.
She really was lucky.
Clare had taught her to cry with silver eyes and helped her rediscover what it meant to live.
And now, a passing god had saved them and allowed them to continue embracing life together.
"No matter the time, no matter the enemy, I will raise my sword for you."
Teresa tried her best to stand straight despite her still-healing body, gently tapping her chest with her right hand. Her voice was soft but unwavering.
"You're really... never mind. Just focus on healing for now. Pick any room in the lodge and settle in."
Shinno glanced at Miroku nearby, who was wearing a smug "I knew it" expression. He sighed and rubbed his forehead helplessly.
Could he even say that he wasn't trying to use reverse psychology just now?
Who would've thought that a single, offhand remark would win Teresa over completely?
Was he... actually gifted at being a cult leader or something?
"Yes, my lord."
Teresa's lips curved into a faint smile again. She lowered her head to look at Clare, who was smiling too.
Hand in hand, the two limped toward the large, extravagantly designed wooden lodge.
...
"Isn't there anything looser? I'm suffocating in this!"
Tsunade walked out of the room tugging at the collar of her white hoodie with one hand, while the other clutched a small suitcase full of gold. On her feet were a pair of black sandals.
She was wearing a slim-fitting white hoodie, black yoga pants, and black women's sandals.
Shinno stared at her with a face full of silent frustration.
Her figure really was outrageous. Even her toenails painted red looked stunning. But walking around dressed like this? She was basically asking for trouble.
"Hey, Tsunade-san! How about we go shopping first? We're in another world, after all! There's gotta be loads of cool clothes!"
Kushina emerged next, wearing a green T-shirt and ultra-short blue denim shorts.
And behind her...
Uchiha Hikari looked like a kid who'd snuck into an adult's wardrobe. Her oversized black hoodie hung all the way down past her butt.
Compared to Tsunade...
"I'm still gonna grow taller!"
Hikari puffed up her cheeks when she caught Shinno's glance and tiptoed defiantly.
So what if she wasn't even 150 centimeters tall yet?!
She still had time to grow!
"Yes, yes, I believe you."
Shinno reached out and ruffled her hair. The little girl gave a small huff and turned her head away.
"Las Vegas, here I come! Hahahaha! Watch me win big and clear all my debts in one go!"
Tsunade raised her arm triumphantly and strode forward like a conquering general.
Ten meters later...
She paused and turned back toward Shinno.
"Wait... which way is it?"
"Get over here."
Shinno used Universal Pull to bring her back to his side. After a brief farewell to Miroku, who was preparing to return to the shinobi world, he took Tsunade, Kushina, and Hikari and left the space of the mini-world.
...
Atop a snowy mountain.
The frigid wind made Tsunade, completely unprepared for the cold, shiver violently.
She opened her mouth to speak—
—but just then, Shinno closed his eyes and raised his hand. A space-time portal opened before them using the Yomotsu Hirasaka technique.
Through the portal, they could see a dim alley faintly lit by flashing neon lights. The sound of dice, cards, and rowdy gamblers echoed from the other side.
"Let's go!"
Tsunade grabbed Kushina and rushed into the portal without hesitation.
Shinno and Hikari followed closely behind.
A moment later...
They emerged from the dark alley into a brightly lit cityscape under the night sky.
Tsunade's jaw dropped slightly.
She closed her eyes briefly to sense the environment, then yanked the still-stunned Kushina by the hand and bolted toward the largest casino in sight!
"Hey, wait! At least find a translator first! You don't even speak the language! And what about a bank card? An ID?! You—"
Shinno sighed and chased after her with Hikari.
Even though this world was still foreign in many ways, returning to a modern, urban society gave him an oddly comforting sense of familiarity.
...
At Kamar-Taj.
Wong, Mordo, Kaecilius, and dozens of sorcerers stood waiting in the training courtyard.
Just moments ago, the Ancient One had contacted them via astral projection. She informed them that with help from the new Supreme Sorcerer, she had broken free from the curse at the Root and was now going to fulfill her contract with the Eternal Gods.
The new Supreme Sorcerer would be arriving soon.
She wanted the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj to show this individual—whose power rivaled that of dimensional demons—their utmost sincerity.
But...
Where was he?
"Wong, the sun's going down... how much longer do we wait?" Mordo asked, shifting his feet to ease the numbness.
"Did he get lost? Maybe we should go look for him?" Kaecilius added.
"Do any of you... even know what the new Supreme Sorcerer looks like?" Wong sighed.
They didn't.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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