Deep within the Uchiha Clan Grounds, in the basement beneath Naka Shrine—
Ryota stood before the stone tablet that the Uchiha had long revered as their spiritual symbol, the one said to bear the Sage of Six Paths' message.
His face was expressionless.
In his eyes, it was nothing more than a worthless rock.
A tool of deification, used and twisted by false gods and hidden manipulators, had no right to exist.
"Pathetic."
The next moment, he lifted his right hand slightly and closed his fingers.
Crack—boom!
With a crisp shatter, the "Uchiha Stone Tablet"—altered countless times in secret by Black Zetsu and long since strayed from the Sage's original intent—crumbled instantly to dust.
Powder scattered, and the basement filled with the dry scent of stone dust.
Standing behind Ryota, Uchiha Fugaku's expression was complicated, his brows knotted with hesitation.
He opened his mouth, but in the end couldn't bring himself to stop it. He could only watch as Ryota destroyed the symbol their clan had guarded for generations.
"…Uh, Clan Head."
Fugaku felt he had to say something.
"This stone tablet… yes, it's been manipulated, but… doing this, isn't it…"
Ryota couldn't be bothered to explain. Without even looking back, he cut him off:
"Where's Sasuke?"
Fugaku blinked, then lowered his head.
"The Falna engraving is complete."
"He received the Grace without issue."
"It's just…" Fugaku hesitated for a moment.
"I haven't told him about Itachi's death."
Only then did Ryota turn his head, a mocking smile tugging at his lips.
"Oh?"
"And how exactly do you plan to tell him?"
The question was like a knife, driving straight into Fugaku's heart.
He lowered his gaze in silence.
Before this "new clan head," whose power was such that even he could not meet his eyes, Fugaku found himself without an answer.
Ryota glanced at his hesitating look and gave a low chuckle.
"Killing you—or killing every last Uchiha—is just a passing thought for me."
"You should know exactly what to say. I don't like knives in my back."
Fugaku's expression changed instantly, and he quickly bowed his head.
"…I wouldn't dare!"
"Clan Head, I'll tell Sasuke myself—Itachi was a traitor to the Uchiha!"
"I'll also tell him the truth about Konoha as it is now, so he understands the situation and stops clinging to fantasies."
Ryota nodded.
"Good."
"As for that so-called 'Will of Fire'…"
"It's nothing but a domestication technique dressed up in the robes of righteousness."
"A joke born to protect those in power."
With that, Ryota turned and strode out of the basement.
Only Fugaku remained, staring at the shattered dust of the tablet, his face a storm of emotions, wordless for a long time.
Stepping out from underground, Ryota had barely taken a few steps when Uchiha Inabi approached at a brisk pace.
"Clan Head!"
Inabi lowered his voice, speaking rapidly.
"Just got intel—the heads of the Hyūga Clan, the Shimura Clan, the Nara Clan, and several other major families are all gathered at the Hokage Building."
"From the looks of it, they're holding a high-level meeting, likely targeting our Uchiha Clan."
Ryota nodded, his expression unmoved.
"Tell our people to stay inside for now."
"Follow the previous plan and tighten security."
"No Uchiha leaves without permission."
"And no one from outside sets foot inside the clan grounds."
"Yes!"
A cold gleam flashed in Inabi's eyes. His figure flickered—and he was gone.
In truth, Ryota didn't care in the slightest what Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others were plotting.
To him, Konoha's so-called "high-level meetings" weren't even worth a sidelong glance.
"Ryota, what are we doing now?"
Ais stepped up to him and asked quietly.
"Are we going to that Hokage Building?"
Ryota's familiar smile returned, and he shook his head.
"Let's head back first. This time, I can bring one more person over."
"Bring… another person?"
Ais tilted her head. She still didn't fully understand what "two worlds" meant, but hearing that another companion could join them in the Shinobi World, a spark of excitement lit her golden eyes.
After all, everything here was so cold and unfeeling.
Having another familiar face nearby would be a good thing.
"Yeah. Who do you think we should bring?"
"After all, you're the one in charge here."
A faint blush colored Ais's cheeks, but she still took his question seriously.
After a brief moment of thought, the blonde girl answered softly:
"…Lefiya would be best."
"Oh?"
Ryota arched a brow.
"Why? Because you both like it when I pat your heads?"
At that, Ais's face flushed again, a faint red blooming across her cheeks. She pressed her lips together and said nothing, turning her gaze aside a little awkwardly.
Still, she maintained her thoughtful air and added:
"People here seem to value… large-scale attacks."
"Lefiya's magic would work well in this kind of environment."
Ryota smiled and nodded. He thought the same.
Though he often teased Lefiya as a clumsy elf, she'd been learning under Riveria's level of tutelage for a long time.
And with her ability to use Elf Ring, that summoning-type magic, once she entered combat she'd be a formidable force.
"Then it's decided. Let's bring Lefiya over to have some fun in the Shinobi World!"
With that, Ryota swept his hand through the air.
Vmm—!
A familiar golden light spread from his palm, slowly tracing the outline of an ancient, solemn archway before them.
"Come on, let's go pick up the clumsy elf."
The next moment, the two stepped through the golden gate side by side.
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Twilight Manor.
Lefiya's mouth formed a perfect "O," her eyes wide with shock and disbelief.
She stood there frozen, as if she hadn't quite heard what Ryota had just said.
"Eh—eh—eh—eh?! Wh-what did you just say?!"
"Really? Really?! I can go with you… and Lady Ais… to that… nin-something place?! For real?!"
Lefiya practically lunged forward, her face coming dangerously close to Ryota's.
Her blue eyes sparkled with excitement, her expression screaming please tell me I'm not dreaming.
Ryota chuckled and reached out to tap her forehead.
"Of course it's real. It was Ais's idea."
Lefiya's cheeks flushed instantly, but instead of backing away, she looked even more delighted.
As an elf, she wasn't particularly prejudiced toward other races.
But when it came to physical contact, she was still rather sensitive.
However, after those "battles" during their days in Babel Tower, she'd long grown accustomed to Ryota's various ways of handling her.
"T-that's wonderful…! I'll do my best not to hold anyone back!"
Where there was joy, there was also… displeasure.
In this case, two people were wearing identical Not Happy expressions.
Across from them, the petite goddess had her arms crossed, her cheeks puffed out like a bun.
"Ryota, seriously! Not picking me again?!"
Beside her, Loki already had an exasperated look etched all over her face.
"This brat—first he runs off with my Ais, now he's trying to take my Lefiya too?"
Hestia turned her head at that, looking at Loki.
To her surprise, the usually irritating rival actually seemed… a little agreeable today.
"Hmph. Looks like you're not feeling so great yourself."
Loki snorted.
"Right back at you."
Two goddesses who were usually like oil and water suddenly found themselves, for this moment, standing on the same side—united by a common grievance.
Ryota pretended not to hear the muttered complaints from behind him, acting like he was already used to their unspoken arrangement of you gripe, I take your people anyway.
Instead, his gaze shifted to Ryuu Lion, seated on the sofa to his right.
Though she still wore that same "keep your distance" expression, the subtle softness and trust hidden in her eyes did not escape Ryota's notice.
"Anything unusual lately?"
Ryuu paused for a moment, thinking seriously before shaking her head slowly.
"Nothing out of the ordinary."
"Though the Black Dragon has been dealt with… the unrest in the Dungeon's deeper floors has only grown stronger."
"Finn and the others have been busy dealing with it."
Ryota gave a quiet hum.
"…Next time, I'll take you with me."
Ryuu's eyes flickered at his words, but she only nodded. Still, her body seemed to relax a little.
Even if she once carried obsessions, even if she bore wounds… once she had entrusted her heart and soul completely, obedience had seeped into her very bones.
Ryota rose from the sofa and stretched lazily, sweeping his gaze over the others in the hall before giving a small nod to the two goddesses.
"Lady Loki, Lady Hestia, I'll be heading out."
Loki let out a huff and turned away, clearly still sulking.
"Knew you were here just to snatch people. What do you think our Familia is, a talent shop?"
Ryota scratched his head awkwardly.
If she knew her precious Ais had already been completely molded into his shape, she'd probably blow a gasket on the spot.
Before Ryota had even finished speaking, little goddess lunged forward and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Ryota, can't you stay a few more days? You come and go so quickly—it's too cruel!"
She looked up at him, her eyes full of pitiful pleading.
Ryota could only shake his head with a helpless smile.
"There are still matters I haven't settled over there. I really can't stay away."
He gave her head a gentle pat.
"Don't worry, it won't be long before I have everything handled."
It was true that the golden gate allowed him to travel freely between worlds.
But the two worlds' time flowed in sync.
A day spent there meant a day passed here.
While the situation in the world of DanMachi had stabilized, the Naruto world was still rife with undercurrents.
Hestia's lips pursed into a small pout, her quiet "oh…" tinged with disappointment.
Still, she wasn't an unreasonable goddess.
She knew full well that this young man's existence had long surpassed the bounds of a single city, a single land—perhaps even this world itself.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, she muttered softly:
"Then next time you come back, you have to take me to the top of Babel Tower."
Ryota smiled and nodded.
"Of course. Next time we'll stay a few days longer."
That brightened the little goddess considerably.
"What's this about the top of Babel Tower?"
Loki suddenly interjected, narrowing her eyes at Hestia with suspicion.
Hestia stiffened instantly, as though a secret had been exposed.
"None of your business! You flat-chested hag!"
"Oh? I wasn't even interested before, but now I have to know."
"What's up there? Don't tell me you've hidden some secret Ryota hideout?"
"Not telling you! Doesn't concern you one bit!"
"Don't think I'll back down just because this is your turf!"
"Back down? You can't even reach my chin—what am I supposed to be afraid of?"
"Who says I can't? You just stand there and I'll—"
As the two goddesses veered straight into "war mode" again, Ryota didn't even bother trying to mediate.
With a casual wave of his hand, a golden gate unfolded before the three of them.
"Let's go."
"Time to see what tricks that old coot Sarutobi Hiruzen is planning."
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Guys, I just uploaded another Danmachi fic! Make sure to check it out, I'm sure you won't be disappointed!
So this one's about Keyaru from Redo of Healer getting transmigrated into the world of Danmachi! With his old healing powers, do you guys think he'll finally make healers great again in Orario? And like… would he actually ask Ais, 'Would you like this rod… or my rod?' LMAO
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