Uzumaki Minako, who had already prepared for this moment, quickly began directing the rescue efforts for the wounded ninja and surviving ninja beasts.
Those with lighter injuries—both toads and giant serpents—returned directly to their respective realms.
"Leader, we will take our leave first."
Fukasaku and Shima had already sent the bodies of Gamahiro and Gamaken back to Mount Myoboku. After instructing Gamabunta to handle the aftermath, the two sages walked toward Uchiha Soren.
"Preserve the remains of those who fell in battle. They may still be useful later."
Soren's brief remark made the two toad sages exchange a glance.
Though they sensed deeper meaning behind his words, Soren clearly had no intention of explaining further.
The two sages respectfully bowed before leaving.
On the other side of the camp, the ordinary serpents of Ryuchi Cave were also dismissed and sent back.
Only the two Snake Princesses remained, standing beside the White Snake Sage.
"Hikaru, Mito, Minako—leave the rest to you."
After giving his instructions, Uchiha Soren returned to his tent and opened his system panel.
—
Uchiha Soren
Class Levels:
Elemental Mage – Fire / Lightning / Wind / Water / Earth (LV50)
Yin–Yang Mage – Yin (LV10)
Yin–Yang Mage – Yang (LV1)
Race Levels:
Dragonkin (Frost Dragon Bloodline LV10, True Dragon Bloodline LV10)
Abilities:
Super-Tier Magic
Dragon Traits
Low and Mid-Level Origin Magic
Overall Combat Level: LV81 (Blazing Sun Rank)
—
Having reached Blazing Sun Rank, Soren closed his eyes and focused his consciousness.
His mind rose into the depths of the Sea of Magic.
Through layer upon layer of magical currents, he finally saw the massive presence resting deep within the ocean of power.
A black-and-gold dragon.
Its scales were dark like polished obsidian, yet they shone with metallic brilliance like distant stars.
Its enormous body stretched across the Sea of Magic, powerful limbs resting calmly.
Each breath caused waves of magical energy to rise and fall.
Its sheer size surpassed even the Nine-Tails, rivaling the scale of Soren's own Susanoo.
"Ninja…"
The dragon opened its eyes.
Its gaze resembled the eyes of the heavens themselves.
At that moment, Soren felt the entire Sea of Magic rejecting his presence.
"You seek to merge with the Sea of Magic," the dragon said slowly, "to reach the Six Paths… and perhaps go beyond it."
Soren observed the dragon carefully.
This was the Dragon Emperor.
Long ago, the Otsutsuki brothers had damaged his soul in battle.
But the Dragon Emperor had also suffered greatly.
Already wounded, he had summoned people from another world, hoping to find a way to heal himself—or perhaps even transcend his limits.
However, his physical body had been destroyed by the players who arrived before Ainz.
With no other choice, his soul had entered the Sea of Magic.
Over the past five hundred years, he had slowly merged with it, gradually gaining control over its core.
Because of that connection, the deeper Soren imprinted his will into the Sea of Magic, the easier it became for the Dragon Emperor to sense him.
Likewise, when the Dragon Emperor observed the battlefield earlier, Soren had also sensed his presence.
That was why this meeting had occurred.
"Dragon Emperor."
Behind Soren, the shadow of his true body appeared.
The Sea of Magic immediately began to surge violently.
Power gathered around him, forming a protective barrier as Soren dismissed his clone from the scene.
The endless ocean of magic roared like a storm.
Through its reflection, the Dragon Emperor's enormous wings spread across the sky.
"Leave this place, Uchiha Soren!"
The Dragon Emperor roared.
An overwhelming wave of magical pressure surged forward like an endless tide.
Cracks quickly spread across Soren's protective barrier until it shattered.
In the next moment—
A five-hundred-meter Susanoo rose from the sea of magic like a towering cliff against the tide.
"Now you want to fight me?"
Soren chuckled lightly.
"Aren't you afraid that the one who caused your current situation will simply watch us fight and take advantage of the outcome?"
"Hmph."
The Dragon Emperor remained unmoved.
"The Otsutsuki brothers have no interest in this place. Only you seek the path of transcendence that belongs to me."
At this level of power, both sides understood each other clearly.
Even enemies could temporarily set aside hatred when pursuing transcendence.
Each believed they could evolve faster than the other.
But if one side gained the advantage—
The other would immediately strike to stop that transformation.
No one wanted to face an opponent who had already surpassed them completely.
"Desire alone doesn't guarantee success," Soren replied calmly.
"You have spent centuries within the Sea of Magic. Surely you still have confidence in your position."
With that, Susanoo swung its sword.
The Sea of Magic split apart beneath the strike.
The shockwave spread outward into the real world.
A crack opened across the sky itself.
Energy scattered across the surrounding lands, triggering earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and massive landslides.
Cities of foreign races far away were caught in the disturbance, their inhabitants crying out in alarm.
At the same time, the Dragon Emperor's massive form was revealed at the very core of the Sea of Magic.
Soren smiled faintly.
"Even Otsutsuki Hamura never feared the challenge of those who came later."
"You ruled the Magic Continent for thousands of years. Surely you are not afraid now?"
"Afraid?"
The Dragon Emperor gave a low laugh.
"No. I simply eliminate danger before it grows."
Then he continued coldly.
"And you should know something else."
"Not only do I despise your existence… even Otsutsuki Hagoromo and Hamura would prefer to see you gone."
Soren's eyes remained calm.
"Whether they hate me or not does not matter."
"The law of the world has always been simple."
"Power decides everything."
The Sea of Magic roared as Susanoo's blade surged forward again.
Energy waves burst outward like raging beasts, tearing through the sky and shaking the land.
The sword of Susanoo cut through layers of magical currents, aiming straight toward the Dragon Emperor's heart.
The Dragon Emperor's golden-black eyes shone calmly beneath his scales.
"Power decides everything?"
"Then show me your strength."
With a powerful roar, the Dragon Emperor spread his wings.
A massive storm of magic erupted across the Sea of Magic.
The violent currents surged forward, attempting to swallow Soren entirely.
Yet the towering Susanoo stood firm within the storm.
Its sword flashed like lightning as it met the overwhelming power head-on.
The clash shook the entire Sea of Magic.
Susanoo's blade sliced through the raging storm, scattering the currents apart.
The Dragon Emperor moved through the turbulence like a shadow.
In the next instant, his massive claws shot forward toward Soren.
Susanoo raised its shield, blocking the strike.
"Is that all?" Soren said coldly.
Susanoo's blade rose once more.
The Dragon Emperor narrowed his eyes.
His massive tail swept across the sea of magic like a steel whip, colliding with the descending sword.
The Dragon Emperor twisted through the air as his wings moved like blades.
Sharp currents of magic tore across the battlefield, striking Susanoo's armor and leaving visible damage across its surface.
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