The oppressive silence of the Great Tomb of Nazarick only began to fade several days later.
Tenth Floor — Throne Room
Momonga once again summoned the Floor Guardians. Looking at the reduced number of his subordinates, complicated emotions surged in his heart.
"So in the end… I'm still just a typical corporate slave."
"I can't be like those ruthless bosses who watch their subordinates disappear without a second thought."
Momonga sighed inwardly.
The loss of Demiurge, Cocytus, and Pandora—three high-level NPCs who could not be revived—pressed heavily on his mind.
Over the past few days, he had ordered Shalltear, who specialized in spatial teleportation magic, to take great risks outside Nazarick and capture several natives.
He then forced the natives to kill several NPCs within the Tomb using different methods.
The results shocked him.
NPCs killed by natives could be revived using gold coins.
"But why…"
"Why can NPCs killed by shinobi not be revived?"
The mystery made Momonga even more wary of the Shinobi World.
At one point he even suspected the shinobi world might be like the game's administrators—existing solely to suppress players like them who had crossed over from the game.
Meanwhile, Shalltear had encountered a troublesome figure during her trip outside.
Momonga cast a deep glance at the miniature black-and-gold dragon perched on Shalltear's shoulder.
Countless thoughts swirled in his mind.
In the end—
He still couldn't make a clear decision.
"So this is what it means to be a corporate slave…"
After sighing again, Momonga addressed the guardians.
"Today I have summoned everyone to discuss two matters."
Even after suffering defeat, Momonga's supreme image in the hearts of the NPCs remained unshaken.
Led by Albedo, they blamed only their own incompetence and cursed the Shinobi World's treachery.
Albedo, who loved Momonga deeply, felt her heart ache as she watched him no longer display the same overwhelming confidence as before.
"The first matter is to introduce someone."
"The strongest True Dragon Lord of the Magic Continent—an enemy of the Shinobi World's Supreme Leader."
"The Dragon Emperor."
As Momonga finished speaking, the Dragon Emperor flapped his wings and flew off Shalltear's shoulder.
Landing on the floor, he transformed into a tall, thin man.
His black hair flowed like a waterfall, his sharp features radiated arrogance, and an overwhelming aura surrounded him.
The moment he appeared, he became the center of attention.
His domineering presence displeased everyone present except Momonga.
However, since they still didn't understand the situation, no one spoke. Instead, their gazes shifted toward Shalltear.
Under the pressure of those stares, Shalltear took a deep breath.
Her chest rose slightly as she prepared to explain.
But Momonga spoke first.
"Facing the aggressive advance of the Shinobi World, the Dragon Emperor's people have also suffered greatly."
"Even the Frost Dragons we fought earlier were victims—brainwashed by the shinobi forces."
As he spoke, Momonga recalled the terrifying moment two nights ago when Shalltear returned with prisoners.
Along with them came the tiny black-and-gold Dragon Emperor.
The feeling had been like someone suddenly tapping your shoulder on a quiet summer night.
Momonga's first instinct had been to counterattack.
But the moment he attempted to cast magic—
The surrounding mana instantly became chaotic.
Prepared spells collapsed.
Magic circles shattered.
Momonga was shocked.
The glow of Forced Calm appeared on his body as he rapidly gathered mana, summoning the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown.
"Do not be nervous."
"We share the same enemy."
"Who are you?!"
Only then did Shalltear react.
Her aura exploded outward.
In an instant she fully equipped her crimson divine armor, leaving only her beautiful face exposed. Spear in hand, she stood protectively before Momonga.
Her expression was tense and anxious.
Her warrior instincts screamed the truth.
This intruder had slipped through the portal with her.
"A common enemy? I don't believe your nonsense!"
When the Vampire True Ancestor locked eyes with the Dragon Emperor, an indescribable terror surged in her heart.
Regret flooded her mind like a tidal wave.
"Lord Momonga, please step back!"
"This mistake… Shalltear will correct it!"
She had already decided—
Even if it meant self-destruction, she would eliminate the intruder.
But Momonga suddenly placed a hand on her shoulder.
Shalltear looked back in confusion.
"Do not rush."
"This is Nazarick."
"No one enters or leaves freely."
Momonga had already used his Guildmaster authority to block all spatial movement within the Tomb.
At the same time, he forcibly stabilized his mana.
The despair aura emanating from his body created a deep oppressive pressure on the Dragon Emperor.
The Dragon Emperor stared at the skeletal mage holding the powerful staff.
Even as the ruler of the entire Magic Continent, he couldn't help but feel greed upon seeing Momonga's luxurious equipment.
"With these magical artifacts…"
"In certain circumstances, this skeleton mage could rival a Six Paths-level being."
The Dragon Emperor realized this instantly.
Especially when he noticed the crimson gem embedded in Momonga's abdomen.
Even he could not determine the power contained within it.
But one thing was certain.
It was a World-Class Item.
"The blade attack before… this crimson jewel now… powerful subordinates and armies…"
"These players who crossed over cannot be underestimated."
The Dragon Emperor decided to lower his posture slightly and speak with Momonga as an equal.
"My mortal enemy is Uchiha Soren."
"I believe we have many topics in common."
Momonga did not fully trust him.
Maintaining his calm exterior—helped greatly by his skeletal face—he began speaking slowly with the Dragon Emperor.
Shalltear listened silently, her attention locked entirely on the Dragon Emperor.
She still had no idea how he had slipped through the portal with her.
Even though the Dragon Emperor appeared peaceful, she dared not relax.
She feared that even a moment's distraction might allow him to attack Momonga.
Eventually, despite his doubts, Momonga reached a preliminary alliance agreement with the Dragon Emperor.
"And the second matter…"
"Our alliance with the Dragon Emperor."
Under Momonga's gaze, the Dragon Emperor scanned the guardians present.
To avoid provoking Momonga earlier, he had stayed inside the room assigned to him.
This was his first time seeing the Floor Guardians.
Each powerful aura surprised him.
Even the dragons at the height of their power had been no stronger.
Along with the numerous Golem constructs scattered throughout the Tomb, Nazarick was truly a fortress of unimaginable danger.
"So my humility was not wasted."
Thinking this, the Dragon Emperor cast a spell.
A map of the Magic Continent appeared.
He marked Nazarick's location and began explaining.
As his explanation continued, Albedo—the most intelligent mind remaining in Nazarick—grew increasingly serious.
Several thoughts formed in her mind as she listened.
"In summary…"
"I will mobilize every force outside the northwest of the continent."
"They will unite to exterminate the Shinobi World."
"The shinobi will drown in an endless ocean of enemies."
The Dragon Emperor finished with a sweeping gesture.
"As for Uchiha Soren…"
"He will be eliminated by myself, Lord Momonga, and several others who oppose his tyranny."
While the Dragon Emperor and Momonga discussed their alliance—
Deep within a hidden dimensional space on the moon, two figures approached a sealed chamber.
Inside, a woman was suspended like an insect trapped in amber.
Their mother.
Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
After consuming the Divine Tree's fruit, Kaguya possessed eternal youth.
Her appearance lay somewhere between maiden and mature woman.
Her pale skin could not hide her beauty.
Blue-white hair framed her delicate face.
Two horns grew from her head.
She wore a white robe marked with black magatama patterns.
Her eyes were Byakugan, and on her forehead rested the Rinne Sharingan.
Even sealed, the oppressive aura radiating from her made both brothers uneasy.
Inside the empty sealing space, Kaguya had barely retained her sanity by sensing the outside world through Black Zetsu.
When she saw the two brothers arrive—
Her eyes instantly turned crimson with fury.
Yet the Rabbit Goddess, sealed and unable to speak or move, was met only with their cold gazes.
If killing Kaguya would not cause the shinobi world's chakra to lose its origin—
They would not hesitate to bury their fallen mother in eternal darkness.
Instead, history would remember her as the flawless Princess born beneath the moonlight—
A radiant sun illuminating all life.
"Mother," Hagoromo said calmly.
"You needn't glare at us like that."
"We only wish to guide the shinobi world onto the correct path."
"After all…"
"We are still your children."
Hearing the shameless words of the two brothers, Kaguya gradually calmed.
Unable to move or speak, she stared at them coldly—
As though watching two clowns performing on stage.
Her mind turned to one thought.
Had they captured Black Zetsu?
For many years she had been unable to sense him.
As a creation of Six Paths power, Black Zetsu could not be captured by ordinary shinobi.
Now his presence had completely vanished.
Trapped in this empty prison, Kaguya felt herself approaching madness.
Hagoromo paid no attention to her hatred.
The attitude of a prisoner meant nothing to him.
What mattered was whether the prisoner possessed something he needed.
"The shinobi world has produced an extraordinary successor," he said.
"At a young age, he has already reached the Six Paths level."
"And he intends to kill both of us… and rule the world."
Kaguya was startled.
For Hagoromo to call someone extraordinary—
They must truly be a Six Paths-level being.
Could it be that Black Zetsu had fallen into this person's hands?
If so—
Could Black Zetsu convince him to rescue her?
And from Hagoromo's tone, this new figure clearly opposed the two brothers.
Perhaps her freedom was closer than she imagined.
"Mother… what are you thinking about?"
Hamura asked slowly.
"Are you hoping that this successor will rescue you?"
"That is possible."
"But not in the way you imagine."
Having decided to seize the Byakugan bloodline, Hamura had abandoned all human morality.
He looked at Kaguya's pure white eyes with undisguised desire.
If he could obtain them—
They would surpass thousands of Hyūga Byakugan combined.
There was no comparison.
"Mother, you now face a choice."
For a thousand years, Hamura had believed he could face any challenge with calm acceptance.
But as the moment of transcendence approached—
He hesitated.
No matter the cost, he wanted to see the result of his thousand years of effort.
"Your descendants—the possessors of the Byakugan—number 2,672."
"I need them to perform a blood sacrifice to advance further."
"But if you willingly surrender your eyes…"
"They will not have to die."
At the Six Paths level, will and bloodline were intertwined.
Even if someone forcibly took Kaguya's eyes—
A single thought from her could render them useless.
However, those who reached the Six Paths level through borrowed power could still have their bloodline abilities stripped.
Hamura had obtained several artificially cultivated Tenseigan over the centuries.
But none naturally born.
The same principle applied to the Rinnegan.
Feeling Hamura's gaze linger on her, Kaguya felt only disgust.
If she ever escaped—
She would cleanse the world of this corrupted bloodline.
Seeing she remained unmoved, Hamura sighed.
"As expected."
"You are still the fallen goddess who sought to destroy the shinobi world."
"In that case… there is nothing left to discuss."
"You shameless beasts."
Kaguya glared at him with icy hatred.
"Very well," Hagoromo said calmly.
"Now it is time for Mother to make her choice."
He had listened quietly to the exchange between his brother and their mother.
What truly intrigued him was how Kaguya had maintained her sanity for a thousand years in this empty prison.
But that no longer mattered.
"There is a contract here."
"If Mother agrees…"
"We will release the seal and allow you to walk under the sun again."
"To feel the beauty of the world once more."
He paused.
"There is only one condition."
"You must kill Uchiha Soren."
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