Shadow Slave: Divergence of Hereos

Chapter 36: Meeting The Fool

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Five minutes before Sasuke entered the world above the grey fog, Klein sat in the chair of the Fool.

He had already conducted extensive research on Sasuke—through divination above the grey fog and through Sasuke himself. 

Klein was prepared for the encounter, and there was no trace of hesitation in his demeanor.

"Arrodes." Klein called out, his voice steady.

"Yes, great master?" The mirror materialized, red-colored words glowing on its surface as Arrodes greeted his master.

"Will bringing Mr. Sasuke into this world allow him to see through me, considering his unique eyes?"

"No, great master. While his Rinnegan is undoubtedly powerful, it is not sufficient to pierce the grey fog. Your identity remains secure." Arrodes replied, pausing for a moment before adding, "Is there anything else you wish to confirm, great master?"

"No," Klein responded, his tone flat and resolute, signalling the end of the conversation.

With that, Arrodes faded away.

​Klein's focus deepened as he gazed into the vast expanse of the grey fog.

Through his divination, Klein could feel the pull of Sasuke's essence, his mind set on the answers he sought.

The grey fog responded to Klein's will—an ethereal and subtle force, bending reality as Klein guided Sasuke's path.

 He was no stranger to manipulating the grey fog; it was his domain, a space that obeyed his command, where the boundaries between worlds could blur and reshape at his whim.

Klein stretched out his hands, allowing the fog to envelop him. It's cold embrace stirred a presence just beyond the veil, one Sasuke had unknowingly stepped toward. 

Klein's mind sharpened, directing the currents of the fog, and in that instant, Sasuke was drawn from his world, his feet no longer grounded in the Waking World.

The fog swirled around Sasuke, like a curtain of smoke, before the scene shifted entirely. 

The grey mist parted to reveal the majestic, ancient palace, its towering stone pillars stretching into the endless expanse above. 

The fog had settled, and Sasuke stood now, not in the Waking World, but in Klein's domain—the world above the grey fog.

Sasuke's surroundings felt alien, but his instincts kicked in, his body tense as he assessed the space. 

Something was wrong here—his senses, usually sharp and infallible, betrayed him in this strange place. 

His eyes could not pierce the fog, his Rinnegan unable to decipher the unknown energy that filled the air.

And then, as if summoned by the change in atmosphere, a voice echoed through the vast emptiness.

"You've arrived into my world upon my invitation..."

Klein sat before Sasuke, the figure of The Fool, poised and calm in the center of the space, the air heavy with unspoken power.

Sasuke's gaze was unwavering, his hand instinctively reaching for the sword at his side. 

But despite the tension in the air, Klein exuded no immediate threat. The game had begun.

​Klein observed Sasuke carefully, noting the subtle tension in his posture and the sharpness of his gaze. 

The ninja's ability to stay composed in the face of such an unusual situation impressed him. 

Most people would have faltered, their minds overwhelmed by the sheer strangeness of being pulled into an unfamiliar realm. But Sasuke... he was different.

Well, I guess it makes sense since he is a ninja... Klein couldn't help but lampoon his own situation. How weird has my life gotten, to the point where speaking to ninjas from another universe is considered normal?

The thought amused him, though he didn't let it show on his face. Instead, he returned his focus to Sasuke, who had just spoken again.

"It's what you seek. You're searching for answers, for power, for a way back to your world. And in this place, you may get what you are looking for," Klein replied, his voice steady and measured, allowing no hint of uncertainty.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed, clearly intrigued but cautious. "You know a way back to my world?" 

His voice was sharp, demanding, but not without restraint. His gaze lingered on Klein, assessing him.

As Sasuke spoke, Klein's senses, heightened by his mastery of the grey fog, caught the subtle shift in the atmosphere. 

Sasuke's Rinnegan, powerful and curious, was probing—searching, attempting to break through the fog. 

Klein could feel the attempt, like a faint pulse pressing against the invisible walls of his domain.

Klein's expression remained composed, but a frown tugged at his lips. 

He could sense the precision in Sasuke's efforts, the dangerous potential of his eyes. 

He might not be able to see through the grey fog, but the Rinnegan was probing deeper than Klein had anticipated.

With a slight tilt of his head, Klein rested his chin on his fingers, crossing them thoughtfully. 

His elbows rested on the armrests, and he leaned back in his chair, his calm demeanour a sharp contrast to the intensity of Sasuke's scrutiny.

"That will not work in my realm," Klein said, his voice smooth and unyielding, though a flicker of warning lingered in his words.

The grey fog reacted around them, swirling in response to Sasuke's probing—bending to Klein's will.

​Sasuke, having sensed no immediate threat, withdrew his probing and sat down in the chair that had appeared before him. 

The tension in the air slowly dissipated as he took a more measured approach, realizing that Klein was not an adversary, at least not in the conventional sense.

"I apologize," Sasuke said, his voice devoid of the usual edge, a rare display of politeness. 

His eyes remained sharp, but he seemed to accept that his earlier tactics were ineffective.

Klein waved the apology away, unfazed. "It's of no consequence," he replied, his tone casual but with an underlying layer of authority. 

"As I mentioned before, I have the answers you seek. However, it all depends on whether you can provide me with something of value in return."

He let the words hang in the air for a moment before continuing, his voice becoming more deliberate.

"I believe inequivalent exchange. I offer an answer, and in return, I gain something of value."

...

Authors note:

Unfortunately this isn't a continuation of the fanfic. I simply had a couple of spare chapters I wanted to upload.

I am currently trying a new project, which is basically my own novel but I will be uploading it as a fanfic since honestly I write mainly for interaction with people.

I write to share ideas and run through scenarios with people, so I hope you will try my new project out.

It is called "Eternal Heir."

Do not subscribe to patreon for this fanfic anymore thanks.