-------------------------------- P.O.V Jiraya (continued) --------------------------------
I still didn't know how to bring it up.
There were a thousand questions swirling inside me—about her powers, her return, the dark energy surrounding her. But I knew that with someone like her, being blunt wouldn't be enough.
So I chose the path I was least skilled at—patience… and tact.
She was still staring at the horizon in silence. A light breeze stirred her pale hair.
And yet, somehow, I knew I had her full attention.
I decided to go for it.
"Narume, earlier you said you knew who I was… so I'd like to ask… under which identity do you know me?"
"Jiraya, one of the three students of the Third Hokage, one of the three Legendary Sannin, the teacher of the Fourth Hokage, one of the best I guess… and the worst godfather I've ever heard of."
The start of her answer had almost made me proud… but the ending immediately deflated me. Still, I kept going.
"Alright, Narume… I admit I wasn't the best godfather. Let's start over on better terms, shall we?"
"I doubt that's even possible… I already had a better guardian."
That line froze me for a moment.
"That's… Jack? Or Timo?" I guessed.
But she cut me off right away.
"No. Not them."
"I met him about six years ago."
After a short moment of thought, I muttered,
"Just before your death…"
She looked at me like I was an idiot. And frankly, I deserved it. Definitely not the best subject to bring up right now.
Then she asked me something:
"You met Naruto after my death?"
"Yes… how did you know?"
"He told me. Though it was before he recognized me… Did you learn how we lived at that time?"
I chose honesty. Even if I had started this meeting seeking information, I genuinely wanted to understand her. She seemed more cooperative than expected.
"No."
"So you already knew before that?"
I remembered the professor's warnings. I tensed slightly, but still answered:
"Yes."
I expected an outburst, but she just let out a deep sigh and murmured,
"As a fan… a former fan, I would've preferred the opposite."
Before I could make sense of that, she looked at me and added:
"Relax. If I wanted to attack you, I wouldn't have just dropped you into the bath."
That was… fair. Especially considering I had dodged. Since she didn't even mention the chance of her attack having landed, I chose to stay quiet.
A calm silence fell between us.
Then I spoke again:
"Narume?"
"Hmm?"
"How did you end up like this? I mean…"
"I died."
I tensed. Maybe she noticed, because she continued right away:
"You want to understand the basis of my abilities?"
I nodded.
"You want to know how I became like this?"
Another nod.
"You want to know who that guardian I mentioned was?"
Third nod.
"So… the professor sent you to figure out the best way to kill me?"
I was nodding before I fully processed her words. When I did, I stiffly turned toward her.
"No! That's not it at all."
She gave me a teasing smirk. I felt my temple twitch. She was toying with me. Clearly.
I took a deep breath.
"I'd like to understand who this guardian you spoke of was."
Maybe he had something to do with her death… since their meeting apparently aligned with that time.
"Good question. Knowing more about him would partially answer your other questions. And no, before you say it—I know what you're thinking: he had nothing to do with my death."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because I only met him after I died."
I stared at her, disbelieving. But she wasn't joking.
And suddenly, her tone changed. No more sarcasm. No more playfulness. Just… reverence.
"My guardian is a woman. Her name is Shalltear. She's one of the elite warriors under the command of the Lord of Death."
The title alone was enough to raise eyebrows.
"Is that where you got your powers?"
"No. She taught me martial arts and weapon combat, but I wasn't compatible with her abilities. I received my powers from Lord Ainz himself."
"Ainz? He's… the Lord of Death?"
"Speak of him with respect. And yes. Ainz-sama is the Lord of Death. He belongs to the highest class of undead: the Overlord."
"So… you're undead?"
"Yes."
"And what class do you belong to?"
"I'm a Night Lich. And according to him, I'm walking the same path as he did."
She said it with a proud smile. The kind of smile Naruto used to wear when he talked about his dreams. It was clear—this was someone she deeply admired.
And I just sat there, speechless.
Not because I believed her story… but because she believed it. She spoke as if she had lived it. And in that moment, I had no choice but to believe her.
After a while, I asked,
"Tell me about this place… about over there."
"Why should I?" she said playfully. Then added:
"You know what? I'm in a good mood, so I'll explain a little, commoner."
Now she really did sound like a child bragging in front of an adult. But I paid close attention to her next words. I suspected they would be important.
"To start, Lord Ainz, while he is the Lord of Death, is not its master—just one of its conscious manifestations. He can inflict true death, and grant true resurrection."
That intrigued me.
"Then why didn't he resurrect you properly?" I asked.
She shot me a dark look.
"Why should he?" she snapped.
Before I could respond, she continued:
"A true resurrection would sever my connection with Nazarick."
"Nazarick?"
"Yes. The domain of Lord Ainz. A sacred land, inaccessible to the living. And yet… I was welcomed there."
"A sacred land?" I repeated, confused.
She nodded slowly, as if it were obvious.
"A place comparable to Myōboku or the Shikkotsu Forest. But different. Older. Outside the cycle."
Her words made me frown. According to the toads who trained me, only three sacred lands still existed… all monitored, all well-known.
"You seem skeptical," she said, almost amused.
She raised her hand, and a pulse of dark energy escaped from her palm. The grass around her withered instantly.
"And yet… Nazarick exists."
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Okay, guys.
I have an exam that will get me an internship and two weeks to complete it.
Create a website. So I'm going to concentrate on that.
When I get back, I hope to have a number of ideas in comments because I only have two chapters in reserve (which I'll publish in the next week) and your ideas will help me to continue.
Thank you for your understanding and until then, have a nice day(weeks?).
Take care of yourself.