A week has passed since the entire team 8 were captured
During those times, I focused on training
Hard work and perseverance are essential qualities that drive success and personal growth
While talent and intelligence can provide an initial advantage, consistent effort and unwavering determination often determine the outcome
Now, I'm currently surrounded by Hanzos while dodging some monster eyeballs the same size as a fist they are throwing at me
I am trying to imitate the scenario of being surrounded and attacked from different directions
At the same time trying to hit those balls using my black hole while imagining them as my foe
It was hard at first as the balls the Hanzos were throwing moved at a great speed
It also doesn't help that there are 8 of those balls that I need to attack or evade constantly
But after some time, I got used to it
For seven days, I diligently honed my skills and diligently trained my body and mind to be ready for the challenges that awaited me beyond the portal
Every move I made, every skill I cast, was part of a larger plan to prepare myself for the unpredictable and dangerous world outside
I understood that survival depended on strength, resilience, and adaptability, and so I was committed to becoming the best I could be in this short 7 days
This preparation was my way of ensuring that when I finally set out, I would be equipped to face whatever dangers lay ahead or at the very least, to not be killed easily like some random nameless character
Upon hitting the last eyeball with my Black hole, I realised that with it my arduous training would temporarily end
"I thank you Hanzos, you can now return to resume your previous task"
As I walked towards the exit of the training room, and made my way towards the cafeteria also located here on the 9th floor
-
As I took a bite from the burger I was holding. I am looking at something I would consider very peculiar and even an unbelievable sight a few days ago
Albedo meticulously planned and prepared what she called "Operation Stockholm Syndrome" after our talk
Its goal is to create a sense of connection and affection between the denizens of Nazarick and Kurenia's team
Believing that the interactions will help win their trust, respect or even love
The strategy relies on understanding and respecting different cultures, hoping that this will foster deeper emotional bonds and ultimately influence the target's feelings in a meaningful way
Now, Kurenai is sitting along with the Vampire brides happily chatting
Kiba and Akamaru are arguing with a penguin who speaks like a rude human while dressing as a butler. The two are debating who will be able to become their respective faction's leader first
Little old Shino hovering around Entoma. One of the Battle maids who also happens to be a spider disguised as a human
And lastly the corrupted Hinata. At first, I thought that Hinata who was simply eating cinnamon rolls beside Albedo was the only one who managed to keep her guard up
But when I heard her talking to Albedo, I realised that she too was also lost
Receiving love advice from a succubus? Damn
Having said that, I agree with their actions wholeheartedly. This place, teeming with countless different races, was indeed incredibly fascinating
At the same time, I was reminded how brilliant Albedo's mind is
She has meticulously arranged the races that are pleasing to the eyes like that of the demi-human and beast kin races instead of those from the demon and monster races that look peculiar and terrifying
I looked at Albedo and saw her also looking at me. Then I nodded signalling something to her that she understood
She put her hand on her ear and used the skill called message as she asked the denizens of Nazarick to ask the scattered team 8 to go to our table
-
"Do you believe me now?" I asked Kurenai in a teasing tone as I ate a French fries
She nodded "I feel like I'm dreaming right now. You know although I believed some parts of your story, a part of me wished it was a lie
Because the thought of different races once lived alongside us is terrifying, but now, seeing them with my own eyes and even interacting with them is undeniable proof of it"
"*Sigh*" I shook my head and pretended to look sorrowful. "As their leader, it's all my fault that we were sealed here for thousands of years. To the point that you humans didn't even know that we existed"
Kurenai smiled at me sincerely for the first time "At least you all managed to survive"
I smiled back at Kurenai. "You are indeed right; since the human who has sealed us has already passed away, I guess I could consider this a victory against that person. Haha!"
Kurenai smiled wryly at me "I'm really curious as to how powerful that person is" then proceeded to eat her meal
I decided to check Kurenai's status which I hadn't checked since our first meeting
Wondering if something had changed after telling her our supposed to be past and after being kindly treated by the maids this past few days
[Kurenai Yuhi]
[Level – 50/55]
[HP-100%]
[MP/Chakra-(Sealed)]
[Loyalty - 40%]
[She is extremely fascinated about the races living inside the Great Tomb of Nazarick]
I feel relieved seeing the sentence below her loyalty percentage, it seems like we managed to gain at least a bit of her trust these past few days since she is now fascinated about us and not worried about their safety
I wonder what she will do for me with a loyalty of 40%. As for the others, they have 45%, 44%, and 46%, with Hinata having the Highest at 55%
Surely this is not enough for them to do whatever I told them. Because unlike Albedo and the others from Nazarick who have a solid 100%
It seems like the Loyalty % is a matter of the degree and commitment that person is willing to do for me
40% Loyalty indicates a somewhat strong bond, but still relatively fragile, offering support, but still with significant limitations
Like for example, with a 40% Loyalty, she might not betray me without any valid reason or, at the very least, stab me in the back.
But when a conflict arises she will prioritise her own interests or that of the Konoha
In short, a person with 40% loyalty is dependable and will be supportive but will not demonstrate a strong, unwavering allegiance to me
I'm gonna need to think of another way to increase her Loyalty % to at least make it above 80% before I can let my guard down with her around
Still, with this, Albedo's Operation Stockholm Syndrome could be considered a huge success considering we literally beat them up only a week ago
And these four are not some ran-in-the-mill humans that could be easily manipulated: they are all tough ninjas. If we used forces they would surely choose death
It would have been better if we still had much more time but alas, we could no longer keep them confined here for much longer
I don't want them to be reported as missing ninjas which will cause a huge commotion because of the clans the three genins are from not to mention Kurenai's importance
Since Albedo has finished making arrangements to bolster our defences, it's now time for me to set foot on the world outside
"Albedo, it's about time to let them return to their homes. Don't you think so?"
After hearing what I said, the ninjas seemed to freeze. They all looked at me in surprise
"Renz-sama, I understand your intentions, but I must voice my concern. Releasing prisoners could be risky. There's a significant chance that some of them might leak information about Nazarick to the outside world"
I look at Kurenai and the others "I'm sure they are smart enough not to do that Albedo"
Kurenai nodded resolutely, "Do not worry about it. I have already instructed them not to tell anyone about this, not even their own families" making the other three nod in unison
I perfectly understand what Kurenai is thinking
The mere thought that there is a place on top of their village filled with powerful beings from different races will be terrifying
It will surely cause panic and unease if the news about our existence spread
It seems like since I plan to expose everything about us to Tsunade, Kurenai plans to let her be the one to decide about it
"Albedo, I'm sure by now they all understand that we are not their enemies. Right?" As I said that, I looked at all of their faces with a smile on my face
They all smile back at me while nodding
Albedo sighed and with a defeated expression said "As you say Renz-sama"
Kurenia stood up and bowed "Thank you for your mercy Lord Renz"
Seeing this Hinata, Kiba, and Shino also stood up and bowed "Thank you for your mercy, Lord Renz"
Albedo smiled knowingly at me, I must say, her acting went up a notch this past week
I stood up and waved my hand "It's nothing, I hope with this, we can leave our past grievances behind"
Kurenai sincerely smiled "Of course!"
"Then you all can prepare for your departure", I looked at Albedo "I'll leave everything to you Albedo" As I made my way towards the exit