Chapter Twenty – Uchiha Sasuke Meets Thomas Andre
The gargantuan venue, when (Sasuke) arrived at it, was a spectacle of alien grandeur. He couldn't help but look at the architectural style, which differed so much from that of his own world.
The realization had settled upon him long ago: the shinobi world was significantly behind compared to this world technologically. There were many strange devices he couldn't identify, in addition to engineering works and projects he had been able to read about via a handheld device—a 'phone'—which allowed him access to something called the 'internet.' On it was a vast amount of verifiable information.
This information made what he had acquired at the Ninja Academy, and even during his time working with (Orochimaru), seem pale in comparison. Whether in medicine, industry, or any other field, this planet was certainly vastly superior to the shinobi world.
And so, (Uchiha Sasuke) filed this information away, adding it to his mental archives. He studied it in his spare times, his Sharingan allowing him to absorb text and diagrams at an inhuman rate.
His gaze swept over the venue for the gathering, which was a massive palace so enormous it could contain many other buildings. This assembly, as he understood it, concerned the appearance of those S-rank gates. He had ultimately learned these gates were entrances to other worlds.
Of course, he had known that from the beginning, the moment he saw them using the Rinnegan. But through the information obtained from the Japanese Hunter's Bureau, he gained additional details about how the power system worked.
It seemed the people in this world weren't like ninja who needed extensive training or very long practice. It was enough for them to 'awaken,' and afterward, they would become immensely strong. But there were also flaws in this system: the awakening was random, and one person might possess greater power than another. Moreover, from their perspective, it appeared training couldn't significantly strengthen a person. Luck and randomness were a huge part of their power system.
This was unlike the shinobi world, where a ninja needed immense training to reach the levels they attained. This was another piece of information (Uchiha Sasuke) stored away as he crossed the giant doorway.
The door was colossal enough that when it opened, it issued a deep, resonant SCREEEECH of metal and hydraulics, a sound utterly foreign to the wooden gates of the Hidden Villages.
Inside the hall, (Uchiha Sasuke) found himself surrounded by many different people. They looked very strange. Most of them looked as if they were from the Village of the Mist, and some resembled those from the Village of the Cloud. Perhaps there were many differences, especially since the nationalities in this world were different from those in the shinobi world.
The Japanese people resembled him greatly in physical form, while these people from Korea appeared more... vibrant, with more lively and slightly yellower skin tones. The Americans he had seen in pictures looked sharper and possessed different hair colors. To him, most people seemed close to individuals from other villages, while the Japanese were the closest in appearance to people from Konoha.
Apart from his observations, (Sasuke) was walking, his steps silent on the polished marble. Directly behind him followed (Goto Ryuji), who was rapidly sending several messages, especially to his men positioned everywhere within the international conference hall, which was to host most nations and their S-rank and higher hunters. Gaining entry to this place, of course, was information all obtained from his spies through various sources and intelligence.
At the same time, (Ryuji) couldn't change his focus at this moment. It was concentrated entirely on the hunter (Uchiha Sasuke). After learning his name, he could only think that he was finally beginning to accomplish something in his relationship with this young man.
At first, this young man had requested a lot of information, whether about the gate system or the hunter system. All this information he obtained seemed like strange requests to (Goto Ryuji). Usually, young people who gained such power didn't start by researching these things; they sought more entertaining pursuits—going into gates more often, hunting monsters, obtaining money, or even using it for drinking or gambling. But this young man had done none of the things the strongest hunter in Japan—or, after this young man's arrival, the second strongest hunter in Japan—had imagined.
He had kept several reasons for these expectations, especially since he knew the nature of younger people. But it seemed he was mistaken in everything he had anticipated because the young man showed no interest in beautiful women either. He had even assigned a beautiful secretary to stay by his side, but he hadn't paid her any mind. He read and perused files. Moreover, he seemed to be assessing technology, which made (Goto Ryuji) more confused several times.
Of course, he didn't know that (Uchiha Sasuke) was a person from another world. Furthermore, he didn't know the nature of his power either; he hadn't seen it directly. He knew of the destructive capabilities the young man possessed, but he didn't know the essence of this power yet because, frankly, he didn't have the courage to request a duel against the last living user of the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Moreover, he still remembered the scene of total destruction analyzed by cameras and by his own eyes. He had also been close to the explosion caused by (Uchiha Sasuke) in the sky when he summoned that immense, complete torrent of electric lightning to destroy the Ant King, an S-rank monster capable of simply destroying Korea, from the Japanese hunter's point of view.
His conclusion was based on several reasons. One, and the most important of these reasons, was the amount of pressure. The amount of pressure the Ant King possessed was enough to submerge all of Jeju Island. All the hunters present, whether those close to it or those far away, could sense its cold killing intent.
In that moment, when (Ryuji) glimpsed that intent, he knew simply that he would lose, no matter how hard he tried. Perhaps in minutes. But the result was one: he would be the one to die in that fight.
Therefore, throughout these days accompanying (Uchiha Sasuke), he had been trying directly to establish a relationship, whether close or at least somewhat close, according to his thinking. And so, he used these strategies. But all these strategies were useless. The means he believed would help bring the relationship closer were far from sufficient.
Of course, he didn't know that (Uchiha Sasuke) was known for his handsomeness to the degree that most girls at the Ninja Academy, in addition to most girls he met outside, all fell in love with him to the point where it became normal for him. He didn't even like talking to girls much anymore—not that he liked talking to anyone from the start. All he desired was to become stronger.
Of course, (Goto Ryuji) was beginning to realize this information, bit by bit.
While lost in these thoughts and speaking with his group of bodyguards—all of them S-rank, ready for the start of the meeting—he heard a voice. A voice that made him freeze in place. He didn't turn around immediately.
"So, it's you, little mouse. It's been a long time."
He didn't need to turn. The voice was mocking, not in a direct style, but in a comedic, almost playful tone, as if saying mockery was his usual habit and joke. But the heavy, resonant timbre of the speaker's voice made it clear he never looked at (Goto Ryuji) with respect. He treated him with condescension.
The Japanese second-ranked hunter turned slowly, very slowly. The motion felt stiff, the fabric of his suit rustling softly. He looked at the owner of the aura.
The man wore clothes resembling someone who had just come from a gym—a simple tank top and loose pants. He didn't seem to care about his appearance. Yet, his appearance was, in its simplicity, exceptional. He was massive in build, overflowing with muscles that seemed carved from granite. He had long blond hair and blue eyes that resembled a lion's. He looked with exceptional calm, yet, contrary to his posture and mocking smile, he seemed to possess exceptional intelligence.
"Mr. (Thomas Andre)... I apologize for not greeting you at the appropriate time."
What else could he do? He simply bowed, his gaze dropping to the floor. The force of the aura possessed by America's strongest hunter was more than enough to instill terror in any hunter of lower rank. It was a palpable, gravitational weight that pressed down on the air itself.
(Thomas Andre) hummed for a brief moment before speaking, his gaze already shifting to the direction where (Uchiha Sasuke) stood silently.
(Andre)'s interest was piqued. The young man's aura was extremely faint, almost imperceptible even to S-rank hunters. This was because (Uchiha Sasuke) didn't use the same style of energy emission that hunters used; his chakra control was absolute, internalized.
But to (Thomas Andre), who himself possessed a very distinctive and keen sense for energy, the anomaly was clear. Without hesitation, he stepped past (Goto Ryuji) as if he were merely a piece of furniture.
He spoke in a sarcastic tone, addressing (Uchiha Sasuke) directly.
"Hey there. I've heard about you. You're the weird-eyed hunter who, according to rumors, defeated two S-rank disasters. Is that right?"
(Uchiha Sasuke) had sensed the aura approaching. He glanced to his side, his eyes—one violet, one crimson—registering a man who appeared to be in his thirties, with long blond hair and sharp blue eyes. The Last Uchiha didn't retreat. He looked at the speaker, his expression one of profound, bored indifference.
"To speak without introducing your name is not a good style, you there."
The arrogance in this manner was, at this moment, exceedingly clear. In one instant, the gazes of everyone in the vicinity gathered in the same direction—towards the place where (Thomas Andre) and (Uchiha Sasuke) stood.
Most of them couldn't believe what they had just heard. They were all hunters of high levels; they knew who the American hunter was and the meaning of him being a National Rank hunter. They couldn't believe a seemingly Japanese youth could utter such words to such a terrifying entity in everyone's hearts.
Everyone expected this young man to be turned into a pulverized lump of meat.
But strangely, (Thomas Andre) began to laugh.
"Heh heh heh heh... You're very funny, kid."
The laughter was a deep, rumbling sound that vibrated in the chests of those nearby. It wasn't an entirely friendly sound; it was the laugh of a predator who has found something unexpectedly interesting, a new toy that might not break immediately.
"I apologize for not introducing myself. My name is (Thomas Andre). I am the strongest hunter in America. May I ask your name?"
(Uchiha Sasuke) looked the man up and down, a slow, assessing sweep that took in every detail of his formidable physique and the casual, overwhelming power he wore like a second skin. Then he spoke with a tone of utter dominion, as if he couldn't care less about anything.
"I am simply (Uchiha Sasuke)."
The silence that followed was absolute, broken only by the distant murmur of the crowd and the soft hum of the hall's climate control. The word 'simply' hung in the air, a challenge wrapped in nonchalance. The stage was set, and two titans from vastly different worlds had just taken each other's measure.
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End of Chapter.
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