Kurotsuchi, her steps more measured and her tone far less haughty than when they first began their journey, suggested, "Let us meet King Artoria. She seems to be the most amiable of them all." Her confidence had been tempered by the experiences she'd gathered along the way. When the mission began, she had carried herself with an air of pride, fueled by the newfound power she gained as the Jinchūriki of Son Gokū. With her abilities having surged to the level of a small country, and her molecular dismantling technique refined to devastating precision, she had felt invincible. However, witnessing the sheer might, intellect, and mystical artifacts possessed by the rulers of other kingdoms had humbled her. The journey had taught her that her strength, while formidable, was far from absolute.
Sai observed Kurotsuchi's suggestion and then shifted his gaze to the rest of the group. Without speaking, he calmly flipped through his meticulous notes, reviewing all the intelligence they had gathered. Each page told the story of kingdoms and empires far different from their own, lands steeped in ancient magic, divine artifacts, and rulers whose influence spanned dimensions. Their mission to gather information about these kingdoms had been successful, and all the crucial details had already been relayed back to Konoha. Now, the next step was diplomacy. It was time to negotiate on behalf of their respective nations.
As Sai surveyed the group, a quiet resolve burned within him. The journey had given him a new perspective, not just on the world they were exploring but also on the man he had chosen to follow. The kingdoms and empires they had visited, with their towering rulers and extraordinary power, only strengthened Sai's belief in Naruto. He was no longer just the unpredictable ninja he had once been; to Sai, Naruto had become a beacon—a leader destined to bring unity and peace to a fractured world. Sai had come to a singular realization: in his heart, he could serve no one but Naruto.
"I will be the shadow to his light, no matter what," Sai thought to himself, his expression unreadable but his resolve unshakable. Naruto's brilliance was growing stronger by the day, and Sai felt the weight of his own inadequacies. While he admired the attention Naruto was receiving from these powerful outsiders, it also filled him with a quiet determination. He had resolved to grow stronger, not to surpass Naruto but to stand beside him as a loyal shadow. These rulers, no matter how awe-inspiring, would never replace Sai in his self-appointed role as Naruto's unwavering ally.
The path ahead was daunting, but for Sai, it was clear. He would remain at Naruto's side, ensuring that the world saw not just Naruto's light but also the strength of those who supported him from the shadows. As the group prepared to meet King Artoria, Sai steeled himself, ready to play his part in Naruto's rise as a leader who could rival even the most powerful rulers they had encountered.
The group returned to Camelot, their steps echoing through the grand hallways of the legendary kingdom. It was a city that seemed to stand outside of time, with its towering walls, shimmering banners, and the serene aura of the fabled knights who resided there. Despite their foreign origins, the shinobi were allowed entry without any resistance. Word had spread of their arrival, and the enigmatic Mage of Camelot had expressed a desire to meet them personally.
They were led to the palace's inner sanctum, where Merlin, the Sage of Camelot, awaited them. His youthful appearance belied the centuries of wisdom he carried. Dressed in flowing robes of deep blue embroidered with intricate golden runes, he exuded an air of mystery and charm. His violet eyes sparkled with mischief, and an easy smile graced his lips as he rose from his ornate chair, setting aside a floating tome that obediently returned itself to the shelves behind him.
"Welcome to Camelot, followers of the New Sage," Merlin greeted warmly, his voice melodic yet commanding. "I have been expecting you for quite some time."
Kurotsuchi, standing at the forefront of the group, inclined her head respectfully. She had grown more composed since her arrival on this continent, her earlier pride tempered by the humbling experiences of their journey. "It is an honor to meet you, Sir Merlin. My name is Kurotsuchi, granddaughter of the Tsuchikage." She paused, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "If I may ask, how did you know about us?"
Merlin chuckled softly, a sound as light as the wind. "It is nothing extraordinary. I am attuned to the flow of the world and can glimpse fragments of events that have yet to come. However, your presence was particularly easy to discern—I know every soul that enters Camelot."
With a casual wave of his hand, a tray of tea and delicate pastries materialized before the shinobi, the aroma warm and inviting. "Please, sit and refresh yourselves. I suspect this will be a long conversation."
Sai, ever the quiet observer, watched Merlin closely, noting the subtle confidence in the mage's gestures. The amiable tone was a facade, he realized—Merlin was a master manipulator who concealed his ambitions beneath a veneer of charm.
"You must already know why we're here," Kurotsuchi said, taking a seat but keeping her tone cautious.
"I do," Merlin replied with a nod. "You seek knowledge to enhance humanity's power and wish to study our artifacts, hoping to unlock their secrets. That much aligns with our own goals, so you may proceed with your research. However," he added, his tone growing firmer, "the artifacts will not leave their owners. They are deeply tied to their wielders, and removing them would disrupt their balance."
Kurotsuchi relaxed slightly at his response. It was a reasonable condition, and one that they could work around. "Would you consider joining the research effort?" she asked. "Your extensive knowledge and experience would be invaluable."
Merlin's smile widened, but there was a glint of steel in his eyes. "I will gladly participate. However, I must ask something of you in return. Will you submit to my lord? King Artoria is the chosen one of this world, the representative of humanity, and the rightful ruler of the future. I have seen visions of your lord bowing before her—will you not consider this possibility?"
The air grew tense as Zoro, seated off to the side, opened his eyes and scoffed. His voice was sharp, cutting through Merlin's polished words like a blade. "You've seen nothing if you believe such arrogance. Your so-called king is nothing compared to our lord. Even Kurotsuchi here could defeat her."
Merlin's expression did not falter, though his eyes flickered with amusement at Zoro's bluntness. "Perhaps that is true, for now," he admitted smoothly. "But the tides of destiny are ever-changing. The world itself will empower her when the time is right."
"There's no point discussing this with us," Sai interjected calmly. "We have chosen our leader, and our loyalty is unwavering. If you want to convince anyone, you'll need to speak to him directly."
Merlin chuckled, his amiable demeanor returning. "Fair enough. You are devoted followers, and I respect that. Nonetheless, I will pass my message along when the time comes. For now, let us focus on our shared goals. I will establish contact with your leaders soon."
With a graceful motion, Merlin dismissed them, the conversation ending on a note of polite finality. Yet as they left the chamber, Sai's sharp instincts nagged at him. He could sense the mage's true nature beneath the surface. Merlin's ambitions were vast, and the offer of collaboration was as much a move to aid King Artoria as it was a gesture of goodwill.
As they walked through the palace halls, Sai silently vowed to stay vigilant. He would ensure that no hidden schemes would undermine their mission—or the future Naruto sought to build.
Sai's thoughts were heavy as he walked alongside his teammates, his usually calm demeanor masking the frustration simmering beneath. The mission they had undertaken was proving to be far more complex than anticipated. "This is not going to be easy," he thought to himself, his dark eyes narrowing. "Even with the world on the brink of destruction, people still cling to their selfish desires and rivalries."
The team pressed on, determined to approach the remaining Kingdoms for support in their efforts to unify against the looming threat. With the assistance of Merlin's symbol—a gesture of good faith and a guarantee of sincerity—they managed to secure the cooperation of the Empire of Rome, a powerful force in the region. The Roman officials, known for their pragmatism and discipline, agreed to lend their resources and expertise to the research. Their decision was a glimmer of hope amidst the growing tension, but it was only a single step in a long and treacherous path.
The reception from the other Kingdoms, however, was less promising. Each meeting was met with hostility or thinly veiled disdain. The leaders of these nations, wary and distrustful, refused to join the cause. To them, the Shinobi were not seen as saviors but as symbols of destruction and chaos, a stain on history that had endured for millennia. The Shinobi world's legacy of endless wars and bloodlines clashing for supremacy had left scars that ran deep in the collective consciousness of the world. These nations had no reason to trust that the Shinobi were capable of bringing peace when their past was steeped in violence.
As Sai observed these interactions, he took meticulous notes, his expression never betraying his inner turmoil. He understood the reality of their situation. The mistrust was not without merit; the Shinobi world had indeed been fractured by conflicts for generations. Yet, Sai also believed in the potential for change—because Naruto had shown him that change was possible. Sai clung to the hope that time and persistence would allow them to convince the hesitant nations to join their cause.
Among the Kingdoms, however, one stood as a glaring exception: the Demon King's domain. The intelligence they had gathered painted a grim picture of the Demon King, a ruler who harbored ambitions of world domination and viewed cooperation as a weakness. Unlike the other nations, whose distrust stemmed from historical grievances, the Demon King was driven by an insatiable hunger for power. Sai knew this would be their most formidable challenge yet, as the Demon King's ideology directly opposed the unity they sought to achieve.
Despite the setbacks, Sai's resolve remained unshaken. He was a man of few words, but his loyalty to Naruto was absolute. As the light to his shadow, Sai saw Naruto as the only person capable of bridging the divide between the Shinobi and the rest of the world. With this belief as his guiding force, Sai vowed to continue his efforts, no matter how many doors were slammed in their faces or how deep the mistrust ran. The stakes were too high to let the past dictate the future.