Book Artist: "Huh?"
Shark Face: "Misaka-san... is that the Railgun?"
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Didn't Ruiko go to find the Misaka sisters? Why was she targeted by Misaka Mikoto herself?"
[System Hint: 'Skirt-Lifting Maniac' has completed several memory fragments of 'A Certain Magical Index / A Certain Scientific Railgun'.]
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "This is the situation. To be honest, I'm just as confused as you are."
Book Artist: "So, you were teaching a delinquent a lesson, Misaka Mikoto happened to spot you, and now she's all fired up about challenging you to a duel? Why does this development feel so bizarre?"
This is an Actor: "It sounds like Ruiko has accidentally stolen Kamijou Touma's script."
Curly-Haired Boy: "Hey, hey, that seems to be the case! Did Ruiko-chan just hijack the male lead's role? Well done! Next, you should take down Misaka Mikoto in one fell swoop!"
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "'Take down'?"
Ruiko Saten was stunned, her mind reeling in confusion.
Book Artist: "What kind of 'take down' are we talking about? It better not be the kind I'm thinking of!"
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "And which one would that be?"
Shark Face: "I'd quite like to know that as well."
Curly-Haired Boy: "Hehe, I think either interpretation is perfectly feasible. Ruiko-chan, I'm rooting for you!"
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "No, stop being ridiculous! I am seriously asking for help!"
Ruiko's face flushed crimson. She had no idea what "taking down" implied, but the context felt dangerous! She was just an innocent middle school student—completely clueless!
This is an Actor: "The safest method is to feign defeat. If you lose to Misaka Mikoto, she will likely lose interest in you."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "There's still hope for me! Thank you, An Ran-san!"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Wait! That won't work. As a warrior, you can accept a genuine failure, but you absolutely cannot cheat. Ruiko-chan, doing that would make your warrior spirit weep."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Warrior or not, I'm just a junior high student!"
Book Artist: "Everyone has a warrior inside, regardless of age! You can lose a battle, but are you really willing to cast aside your pride and fake a loss? Ruiko, maintain your dignity!"
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Indeed. Do your best."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Uh, I..."
The corners of Ruiko's mouth twitched. She didn't even know how to complain anymore. She just wanted to get away from Mikoto's relentless pestering, and suddenly everyone was talking about "warrior souls." It was making things incredibly difficult for her.
This isn't an RPG!
This is an Actor: "I see. Even Ruiko possesses this level of resolve. I am truly relieved."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "?"
What the hell is 'resolve'? I haven't agreed to anything!
This is an Actor: "Defeat Misaka Mikoto and cast an unshakable shadow over her heart! Let her understand that the gap between your strength and hers is as vast as the heavens and the earth! If you do that, I guarantee she will never dare to bother you again."
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "An excellent method."
Book Artist: "I support this!"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Humph, that's how it should be."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Um... is there something wrong with my understanding? Do you all really think I can easily defeat Misaka-san? She's a Level 5 Electromaster!"
Doubt clouded Ruiko's eyes. Was her current strength truly that formidable?
Curly-Haired Boy: "Of course! You have to believe in yourself, Ruiko-chan!"
Book Artist: "Yes, you're the best!"
This is an Actor: "Don't worry. It's only Misaka Mikoto. I believe you won't let us down."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "I... I'll try my best."
Seemingly inspired by the group's collective encouragement, Ruiko took a deep breath and closed the chat.
Book Artist: "Ruiko is offline."
Curly-Haired Boy: "Yep, she's gone."
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Nothing bad will happen, right?"
This is an Actor: "It doesn't matter. Misaka Mikoto possesses a measure of restraint. She won't cause Ruiko any serious harm."
Shark Face: "Wait... what? You mean you know Ruiko can't win with her current strength, yet you still pushed her to fight?"
Kisame found himself disturbed. Are these people really banding together to trick a little girl? Does their conscience not bother them?
Book Artist: "Ahem... I was just following everyone else's lead."
Eriri decisively passed the buck. She would never admit she only agreed because she thought the outcome would be funny.
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "This will serve as good training for her."
Curly-Haired Boy: "Exactly! Strength without corresponding awareness and character only leads to self-destruction. Of course, the ultimate responsibility lies with the Group Leader. He is the leader, after all!"
Book Artist: "Bah! After all that high-and-mighty talk, you're just trying to shirk responsibility, aren't you?"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Stop talking nonsense! Everything I said was true!"
This is an Actor: "I am not lying. If Ruiko can formulate a sound strategy and properly utilize her Shunpo and Kidō, she does have the potential to defeat Misaka Mikoto."
Of course, given Ruiko's current lack of combat experience... that possibility can be safely ignored.
Shark Face: "I see. Yet everyone followed the Group Leader's lead so naturally. Is this what it means to be in sync?"
This is an Actor: "No, it's just that everyone thought it would be interesting to see how the situation develops."
Shark Face: "Pffft!"
After all those noble words, they're still just colluding to cheat her! These bastards are malicious! I, a simple man, need to be much more careful!
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "I'm back."
[Hint: 'Angel of the Hidden Rain Village' has completed several memory fragments of 'Naruto'.]
This is an Actor: "Thank you for your hard work. Welcome back."
Aizen glanced at Konan, who was sitting perfectly upright beside him, and silently praised her acting skills. She managed to keep a straight face despite the deception. This girl was maturing quickly.
Book Artist: "Oh my god, Aizen is terrifying! Danzo and Orochimaru are being treated like complete fools."
Curly-Haired Boy: "He's been planning this since he was four? Was the guy born a monster?"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "No! I suspect Aizen must have retained all the memories and abilities he possessed in Soul Society. Otherwise, his actions would be inexplicable."
Book Artist: "Konan-san, are you saying Aizen might be a reincarnated being who kept his memories? If so, that makes a lot more sense."
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Yes. And what's even scarier is that he also has the Hogyoku! I saw him reveal it today with my own eyes. It was because of the Hogyoku that Danzo and Orochimaru's Hollowification became so severe."
Even as she sent the message, Konan maintained her mask of indifference, staring straight ahead.
Curly-Haired Boy: "The Hogyoku?! He even reincarnated with that thing? Oh, lord!"
Book Artist: "Horrible! How are we supposed to compete? If he has the Hogyoku... even if we could travel through time for a sneak attack, we wouldn't be able to kill him!"
Cough, cough.
Hoshigaki Kisame, staring at the screen, nearly choked on Eriri's message and quickly tried to steer the conversation elsewhere. "I'm curious—are Orochimaru and Danzo dead?"