Reiji propped himself up halfway, cursing softly, but his eyes suddenly froze.
For a split second, Reiji's gaze met that of Yamata-no-Orochi.
And whether it was due to some strange effect of this subconscious realm, or the oddity of fate and everything that accompanied it... Reiji couldn't look away.
That face... even though it was partially covered in scales, and despite the strong aura of an ancient dragon radiating from the woman... that face was extraordinarily beautiful.
It was a visage that seemed to be an elegant blend of a goddess and a demon, soft yet deadly.
The woman's eyes were pitch black, her long, bluish-black hair shimmering like a starry night, and the faint smile that inexplicably made Reiji's heart race.
Unconsciously, Reiji's lips moved slowly, almost like a whisper carried by the wind, "Orihime..."
The figure that had once been Yamata-no-Orochi—or at least, something that had called itself that—turned slowly.
The sharp gaze, once full of dominance, now wavered.
The woman's eyes widened slightly, as if the voice had touched something long buried in the depths of her memory.
"Orihime...?" she said softly, no longer as the threatening Yamata-no-Orochi, but as a woman recalling her new name.
Something within Orihime cracked.
The room seemed to fall silent, as if the world was holding its breath.
"Orihime..." Reiji repeated, his voice softer, gentler.
"That sounds nice. It suits you... for some reason."
And for the first time since their chaotic conversation began.
The legendary creature known as Yamata-no-Orochi—the harbinger of destruction, the eight-headed dragon, the monster from ancient tales—smiled sincerely.
Not a cynical smile.
Not a laugh that sounded evil or teasing.
But just a gentle smile, one that felt genuine and pure.
"Orihime... yes, that's not bad," Orihime said softly, almost like a whisper.
Reiji stared at Orihime, then quickly turned his face away, his cheeks flushing slightly. "Don't get the wrong idea, it was just a spontaneous thought! It doesn't mean I—"
"Shh," Orihime placed a soft, clawed finger on Reiji's lips. "I know."
"Know what? Let me go, damn it! Stop acting like a naughty girl! It's disgusting!" Reiji shouted in frustration.
"Aren't you a dragon? Hundreds, thousands, maybe tens of thousands or even millions of years old... and you're still like this?"
Orihime frowned, her expression scornful.
"Damn humans," Orihime muttered with an annoyed face, her eyes glaring at Reiji.
Reiji sighed deeply, breaking the empty air.
"Enough... I have to go." Reiji's voice was heavy, his mind already preparing to return from this subconscious realm.
"…While I was unconscious, what happened?" Orihime's voice sounded calmer now, but still laced with caution.
The intensity in Orihime's gaze softened slightly as she looked at Reiji.
Reiji paused for a moment, then replied seriously, "Quite a lot. But the most recent... Uzushiogakure is under attack."
"Under attack?" Orihime straightened up.
"By whom? Are they insane? Didn't you say the Uzumaki Clan had reestablished ties with the outside world? They're actively trading Fuinjutsu, right?"
"Correct," Reiji nodded.
"And that's precisely why. Their success has made some parties feel threatened. They fear the Uzumaki's power will grow too large."
"So before that happens, three of the Five Great Villages decided to attack. They want to destroy Uzushiogakure before it's too late."
Orihime crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing sharply. "I see... The world never changes. It's frightening if someone is too strong, so it's better to destroy them first."
Orihime fell silent for a moment.
Then unexpectedly asked, "So… do you need my help?"
The question left Reiji speechless.
Reiji's eyes widened as he stared at Orihime, his expression as if he had just been slapped with reality.
------------------------------
[Announcement: A New Novel Has Been Added!
The Puppet Maker in the World of Naruto
A man who is a scientist, researcher, and expert mechanic in robotics dies in a massive explosion that occurs in his laboratory while developing an advanced robot project. However, instead of experiencing death as he thought, the man awakens in another world—a strange place with vast stretches of desert.
There, the man is surrounded by people who can jump high, calling themselves ninjas. The confusion he initially felt grows as he realizes that this world is not unfamiliar to him. This is the world of Naruto! However, there is one thing that surprises him.
"Isn't this Sunagakure? Why am I not in Konoha? This poorest village... Oh my God, this is serious!"
Now, in the midst of a new life filled with danger and uncertainty, the scientist must find a way to survive in Sunagakure, a harsh place full of limitations. With his robotic knowledge, can the man change his fate in this ninja world, or will he fall along with the village?]
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