Nova's voice chimed in. "Don't relax just yet, Hiroshi. We still have work to do."
"Of course we do. It's never-ending." he dropped to the floor, completely exhausted. His body felt like a wet noodle, and his mind was foggy, and then started again.
The ground beneath him suddenly began to rumble. The walls cracked as an oppressive, fiery aura filled the room. Hiroshi groaned, sitting up, as a towering figure stood in the sky.
The figure was a human-dragon hybrid with crimson scales glinting like molten lava, massive wings, and golden eyes that burned with rage.
"WHO DARES DEFILE MY HOLY SANCTUARY?" she roared, her gaze landing on the group.
Shion, who was standing nearby, froze. Her lavender eyes widened as she realized the source of the voice. "this holy aura is that you L-Lord!" she whispered, "It... it can't be. You are the God?!"
"A God? I am no God. But one thing is clear: I'm sensing the aura of my avatar inside you! You are the one who ate that!"
Shion's face lost all color as she pieced it together. The divine burger she had practically moaned over moments ago had been made from... that cow. The sacred cow she had been worshiping her entire life.
Shion gasped, holding her head. "No... NO! This can't be true! It tasted so... divine!"
Hiroshi, leaning against a wall, smirked weakly as he watched Shion spiral into existential despair. "well, I have to say it really tasted good." he muttered, trying to hold back his laugh.
The Lord turned toward Hiroshi. "YOU. YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS INSULT TO MY EXISTENCE!" Flames erupted around her, and her wings spread wide, making her appear even more terrifying.
Nova's voice suddenly buzzed in Hiroshi's ear. "Hiroshi, I have good news for you."
"Good news?" Hiroshi asked with sarcasm. "Please, tell me how any of this is 'good news.'"
"That thing," Nova explained calmly, "is entirely composed of dimensional energy. If you use your dagger and activate the system core, you can absorb her completely and convert her into EP."
Hiroshi blinked. "Huh!?" Then blinked again.
"You're telling me... I can just turn her into EP, just like that?"
"Essentially, yes," Nova confirmed. "She's ten times stronger than the White Snake Sage, but with the dagger, you are her natural predator."
Hiroshi's exhaustion seemed to vanish as he burst into a maniacal laughter. "Oh, this is too good! A giant, overpowered dragon, and she's just... free EXP!"
The Lord paused mid-threat, her eyes narrowing. "Why are you laughing, mortal? Have you lost your mind?"
Hiroshi ignored her and summoned his dagger. He gave it a playful toss in the air before gripping it tightly. "once I get read of you, we are having another round of holy cheeseburgers!"
The Lord smirked at the sight of Hiroshi's dagger. "You think that puny little blade can harm me?" She spread her arms wide, not even bothering to dodge as Hiroshi threw the dagger at her.
The dagger hit her square in the chest. For a moment, nothing happened.
Then, all hell broke loose.
The system core activated, and the dagger began absorbing her energy at a frightening rate.
The Lord's eyes widened in horror. "WHAT... WHAT IS THIS?! S-STOP IT!" she screamed,
Her body began to glow as her form started to break apart. In a desperate attempt to resist, she transformed into her full dragon form—a massive, towering beast with fiery red scales and glowing golden horns.
"RRRROOOOOOAAAREE!"
She roared, shaking the ground beneath her as her wings spread wide.
But it was no use.
Hiroshi watched with a grin as the system core continued its work, the dragon's massive body slowly shrinking with each passing second. The roars of the once-mighty demon turned into pitiful cries as her form grew smaller and smaller.
After a few moments, all that remained of the terrifying Lord was..... a five-year-old girl with red hair and tiny dragon-like horns!?
She sat on the ground, looking up at Hiroshi with wide, tear-filled eyes.
Hiroshi sighed, canceling the system core's absorption process before the girl could completely vanish. "Well, that's enough of that," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "No point in killing a Lord—Lolli. Even if she was just a giant dragon a second ago."
The girl glared at him, her voice shaky but defiant. "You... you insolent mortal! How dare you—"
"Yeah, yeah," Hiroshi interrupted, waving her off. "Save the monologue, kid."
Nova chimed in. "Hiroshi, this is the perfect opportunity to make a master-servant contract with a dimensional creature. She's weak and defenseless now. If you intimidate her, she'll have no choice but to accept."
"A contract, huh?"
He crouched down to the girl's level, his tone cold. "Listen, little dragon. You've got two choices. One, I finish the job and absorb the rest of your energy. Or two, you make a master-servant contract with me and stay alive. Your call."
The girls kicked and even punched Hiroshi's lag, but at this point, it was just an adult bullying child.
"You meanie!" Dragon lolli cried, her tiny frame trembling. Finally, she lowered her head in defeat. "Fine. I'll do it."
Hiroshi grinned. "Good choice." Hiroshi took out a scroll containing a specially made seal; he dropped a few drops of his blood, sheal disappeared, and reappeared on the dragon's little hand.
As the contract was formed, the girl bowed her head to Hiroshi. "You may have bested me this time, mortal, but don't think I'll ever respect you!"
Hiroshi chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Sure, sure. Now go sit in the corner or something. I've got work to do."
Konan, Kisame, and Sasori, who had been watching from a distance, finally stepped forward. Kisame leaned on Samehada, shaking his head. "Only you, Hiroshi. Only you could turn a giant, raging dragon into a pouty little kid."
Konan signed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "What just happened—" however before she laugh on absurdity of their situation, she received signal from her papper butterfly, "it's her, one of my scouts found Mei!"
…
A small, almost unnoticeable paper butterfly flew through the narrow gaps between the metal bars, inside a dark, suffocating prison cell.
Inside cell Mei was bound to the cold stone wall, thick iron chains wrapped around her wrists and ankles, digging into her skin.
The air smelled of mold, dampness, and something metallic—blood.
Her body ached, and her throat was dry; for the last two days, she was there without any food or water.
Suddnly, footsteps echoed down the hallway. Mei's eyes snapped open.
Then, a voice—one that sent chills down her spine.
"Ah, Mei… still holding."
The Mizukage stepped into the cell,
Behind him, another man entered—one Mei never wanted to see again.
Her father.
Mei's expression darkened, but she refused to look away. "You really sold me out, didn't you?"
Her father sighed, but there was no remorse in his eyes. "You don't understand, Mei. You never did. The village must come first. You were always too weak to lead."
"You think kneeling to this monster is strength?"
The Mizukage chuckled, setting down the bag. He crouched in front of her, his fingers tracing over one of the many torture tools inside.
"You will learn, Mei," he said, "You will learn what true pain is, what true loyalty means. And when you do… maybe, just maybe, I'll let you live long enough to be useful."
Mei's breath was steady, but her heart pounded in her chest. She wasn't afraid of pain. But she despised the idea of letting them see her break.
So she smiled.
"You talk too much," she spit on Mizukage's face! "Are you going to start, or do you need time to pick which tool makes you feel less pathetic?"
The Mizukage's smirk faded.
Mei's father looked away; even if he didn't like her, she was still his daughter.