The cooperation agreement between the Empire of Aetherlight and Tsarist Russia encompassed far more than just sharing resource libraries, it included annual exchanges, such as sending students abroad to study different Lore Cardian techniques.
However, this didn't matter much to Azrael, who was already at the pinnacle of the Empire's power structure.
If he were still a student, he might have been sent to Tsarist Russia to exchange Lore Cardian experience with their prodigies.
'I'd love to have Amina visit if there's a chance,' the thought flashed through Azrael's mind as he began examining Tsarist Russia's resource library.
It must be said that as a behemoth comparable in size to the Empire of Aetherlight, Tsarist Russia had accumulated a considerable amount of resources over the years.
"All excellent materials," Azrael exclaimed as he surveyed the library's contents.
His current Master-level projects included [Lion King], [Holy Spear], [Tornado], and [Uchiha Sasuke].
Before successfully creating [Uzumaki Naruto], Azrael had planned to gather resources for [Lion King] and [Holy Spear] while also crafting other Master-level cards to supplement his combat power. However, after witnessing the special bond between Naruto and Sasuke, particularly the devastating [Six Paths: Chibaku Tensei] capable of sealing even Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, he'd decided to prioritize crafting Sasuke's card.
The technique's sealing power was too tempting to ignore, even if unleashing it required the combined Six Paths power of both Naruto and Sasuke.
As he pondered this, Azrael flipped through Tsarist Russia's Master-level materials and quickly selected the ones he needed.
[Supreme Eye] (Red), [False Immortal] (Red), and [Avenger of Destiny] (Red) were perfect for Uchiha Sasuke's advancement.
He also selected two Master-level materials suitable for the Lion King and Tornado: [Goddess of Four Seasons] (Red) and [Perfect, Cold, and Merciful Hero] (Red).
As for materials for the Holy Spear, Azrael didn't see any suitable ones in the library. This wasn't surprising, spears held significant importance in most European mythologies. With [Lance of Longinus] and [Gungnir] occupying the highest tier, and even [Piercing Deaththorn Spear] below them, the competition for spear-related materials was fierce.
Fortunately, Azrael wasn't without alternatives. If all else failed, he could use diamond-level materials for the conversion process.
Thinking of this, he sighed, then stood and made his way to the Empire of Aetherlight's material library to withdraw five materials that wouldn't interfere with the plans of the other three Master-level Lore Cardians.
Because Master-level materials were extremely valuable, Azrael had to travel to Tsarist Russia himself to make the exchange. After all, he couldn't expect the other side to send Master-level or higher Lore Cardians to escort the materials to the Empire.
However, for someone of Azrael's current power, the distance between the Empire of Aetherlight and Tsarist Russia was no more than a pleasant stroll.
Of course, he had to notify Tsarist Russia before going. As one of the Empire's top fighters, Azrael certainly wouldn't enter another country's territory without prior notice.
While materials above Master level were difficult to obtain, materials below Master level were traded regularly. The Empire and Tsarist Russia had even established a dedicated platform for this purpose.
However, Tsarist Russia likely didn't expect Azrael to come knocking less than two days after the two sides agreed to the deal.
Petrovna was in charge of this matter in Tsarist Russia.
Inside a palace whose architectural style was distinctly different from that of the Empire of Aetherlight, a young blonde girl blushed as she gazed at Azrael.
It wasn't out of shyness, but rather because she recalled her own pretentious behavior when she'd left the Empire a few days prior. She felt incredibly embarrassed, her delicate white toes practically scratching a double bedroom into the tile floor.
"Ha-ha. Hello, Lord Azrael." She feigned composure as she greeted him, her eyes shifting nervously. "Long time no see."
Seeing her expression, Azrael didn't further prod her. He simply echoed the girl's words with a slight smile, "Indeed, it's been a long time, Your Highness."
While the young man felt his words were perfectly reasonable, to Petrovna they sounded like mockery. The girl hummed twice in dissatisfaction, then produced the materials Azrael needed.
Despite her usual quirkiness, Petrovna was serious when it came to important matters. She knew the purpose of Azrael's visit and got straight to business. "Lord Azrael, all the materials you need are here."
Upon seeing this, Azrael also produced the Master-level materials he'd just withdrawn from the Empire of Aetherlight's material library.
After a brief exchange and confirmation, the transaction was completed.
Having achieved his goal, Azrael couldn't help but smile. "That's a good start," he said softly.
Hearing this, Petrovna nodded in agreement.
With the Empire of Aetherlight and Tsarist Russia sharing resources, Lore Cardians in both countries undoubtedly had a much wider range of options when creating cards.
If possible, Azrael even envisioned extending resource sharing to all of Earth, but that was clearly unrealistic, unless the World Consciousness intervened. Unifying the nations of this planet would be incredibly difficult without such divine intervention.
Perhaps he could try once he reached the Sovereign level, if the World Consciousness agreed.
Just as he was about to return to the Empire, Petrovna suddenly spoke up. "If you're not in a hurry, Lord Azrael, I can show you around."
Azrael paused, and after a brief moment of thought, he nodded. "Okay, Your Highness."
Seeing the young man agree, the blonde girl's face instantly lit up with a bright smile.
Then, rumors began to spread throughout Tsarist Russia that the empire's jewel, Her Highness Petrovna, had been seduced by a pig from the Empire of Aetherlight.
Gossip is human nature, whether among the people of the Empire or Tsarist Russia.
By the time Azrael returned to the Empire, it was already night. Of course, with his current physique, this amount of activity wouldn't have been tiring in the slightest.
He looked at the materials laid out before him, closed his eyes, and entered his own Lore Cardian space. He then absorbed all the materials and filled them into the corresponding blueprints.
Just as Azrael had expected, only the Supreme Eye could perfectly transform the materials for Uchiha Sasuke, while the other two materials only provided half the progress.
He couldn't help but sigh as he looked at the light screen before him.
Added Blueprints:
[Six Paths Samsara: Uchiha Sasuke]:
Eyes: 100% Sage: 71% Revenge: 92% Current Status: Uncraftable. (2/3)
[Lion King: Artoria]:
Storm: 100% King: 105.5% Goddess: 67% Current Status: Uncraftable. (2/3)
[Holy Spear: Longomyniad]:
Spear: 0% Tower: 0% Anchor: 100% (World Anchor) Current Status: Uncraftable. (1/3)
[Trembling: Tornado]:
Hero: 103% Psychic: 0% Telekinesis: 0% Current Status: Uncraftable. (1/3)
"It's not enough, after all."
Fortunately, he'd prepared for this contingency.
Azrael converted the diamond-grade materials he'd prepared in advance, and soon [Uchiha Sasuke]'s status became craftable.
As he focused his will, the information on the screen began to refresh.
[Loading Information.]
[After resolving to seek revenge against Shimura Danzo, Uchiha Sasuke reached a cooperation with the Akatsuki organization.]
[Ultimately, with the cooperation of Naruto and Sasuke, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki was once again sealed.]
Fully automatic card creation made things much easier for Azrael.
Looking at the chromatic-colored card floating before him, he let out a satisfied sigh and immediately stored it within his consciousness.
[Six Paths Samsara: Uchiha Sasuke]
Rank: Master
Quality: Chromatic
Category: Creature
Skills:
[Lightning Release] [Fire Release] [Taijutsu Mastery] [Ninja General Skills]
[Six Tomoe Rinnegan]: Uchiha Sasuke's Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan evolved into a new form after receiving the power of the Six Paths Sage. This unique Rinnegan possesses derivative skills such as [Amaterasu], [Blaze Release: Kagutsuchi], [Susanoo], [Amenotejikara], and [Chibaku Tensei].
Amenotejikara: At short and medium range, Uchiha Sasuke can swap positions with any object or person he locks onto, allowing for both offensive and defensive maneuvers.
Abilities:
[Power of Indra]: As the reincarnation of Indra Ōtsutsuki, Sasuke possesses immense chakra and the natural talent of the Uchiha clan's progenitor.
[Avenger]: Uchiha Sasuke's life is driven by hatred and the pursuit of vengeance. When a card with a bond to him is attacked, his attack power is significantly increased.
[Uchiha Descendant]: As the last remaining bloodline of the Uchiha clan, this card receives a slight boost in strength when other cards with Uchiha bloodline are present, driven by Sasuke's determination to protect his clan's legacy.
Description: This is... my path.
Advancement: Iron Rank [Team 7: Uchiha Sasuke] → Silver Rank [Mangekyō: Uchiha Sasuke] → Emerald Rank [Eternal Mangekyō: Uchiha Sasuke] → Master Rank [Six Paths Samsara: Uchiha Sasuke].
Bonds:
When paired with the [Uzumaki Naruto] series, the effect [Fated Entanglement] is activated.
When paired with the [Uzumaki Naruto] and [Haruno Sakura] series, the effect [Team 7] is activated.
When paired with the [Uchiha Itachi] series, the effect [Love and Hate] is activated.
When paired with the [Hōzuki Suigetsu] series and others, the effect [Taka Squad] is activated.
When paired with the [Haruno Sakura] series, the effect [Kishimoto's Mission Accomplished] is activated.
Activated Bonds: [Fated Entanglement] (2/2), [Team 7] (2/3)
Azrael had a rough estimate of [Uchiha Sasuke]'s abilities and strength before production, having [Uzumaki Naruto] as a reference point.
"I just wonder what level of existence this [Six Paths: Chibaku Tensei] can seal," Azrael couldn't help but wonder aloud.
While Naruto and Sasuke successfully used this technique to seal Kaguya Ōtsutsuki in the original story, it was unclear if it would work against the powerful beings on Earth.
Another serious question arose: if they created a moon in the sky, would it really not affect Earth's gravity and tides?
"It should be fine, right?" Azrael muttered to himself.
Thinking of the high probability that Earth would have two satellites in the future, he felt a momentary unease. But then he reconsidered, Earth's World Consciousness would definitely be monitoring such events. Even if the sky fell, there would still be someone taller to hold it up. It wasn't his responsibility to worry about such cosmic matters.
'It's best to avoid using this skill if possible,' Azrael thought.
After all, even without mentioning the potential environmental repercussions, the cost of unleashing [Six Paths: Chibaku Tensei] was not to be underestimated. Without the power of the Six Paths, both Naruto and Sasuke's strength would decline significantly.
Of course, considering such a heavy price, the technique's sealing power was likely even more formidable than what the Soul King could achieve.
Meanwhile, in the small nation where Fox Nine had resided...
After the death of this Master-level demon, the small nation was in chaos.
Even though the Empire of Aetherlight sent Lore Cardians to conduct a brief cleanup after the incident with the Four Calamity Gods, a large number of powerful demons still roamed the territory.
After all, this was a demon nation that had been controlled by Master-level demons for hundreds of years.
However, after Lord Lioren's funeral, the Empire of Aetherlight would be able to free up its resources to eliminate the demons in the small nation.
A Lore Cardian named Passerby A reflected on the current situation as he rushed toward the direction of loud explosions.
Soon, a bloody scene came into view.
A young man clad in pitch-black tiger-head armor sat quietly atop a mountain of corpses piled high with the bodies of countless demons. Endless blood dyed the surrounding ground crimson, transforming the area into a macabre landscape.
Passerby A swallowed nervously and, somewhat fearfully, called out, "Master Victor."
Despite having known Master Tempest's disciple for some time, he was still somewhat unaccustomed to the fighting style of this young warrior.
At his voice, the young man known as Master Victor raised his head slightly, a glint of crimson flashing in his fierce, tiger-like eyes. "What's going on?"
Those three simple words nearly took Passerby A's breath away. He managed to speak, "Master Victor, a new dimensional rift has just appeared on the coast. My team can't determine the level of the secret realm that will form. I hope you could investigate."
Victor paused for a moment, then slowly stood up.
With his movement, the mountain of corpses began to crumble and collapse.
"I understand. Lead the way."
Following Passerby A, Victor inexplicably recalled the young man he'd always considered a formidable rival, the one who'd defeated him in the national competition.
After losing to Azrael, he'd lost all contact with him.
He'd originally believed that under the guidance of his teacher, [Fighting God] Tempest, he would one day be able to fight Azrael on equal terms. But reality had played a cruel trick on him.
Azrael's breakthrough had been like rocket science, reaching Master level in just a few years, while Victor had only recently reached Diamond level.
The vast gap left him feeling bewildered and inadequate.
As if sensing his confusion, his teacher had given him the task of cleansing this small demon nation, a trial to temper both his skills and his resolve.
'Do I really have a chance of catching up to him?' Victor pondered silently, with a touch of self-deprecation and doubt.
Just then, Passerby A's voice suddenly caught his attention. "Master Victor, we're here."
Following his words, Victor saw a massive rift tearing through space itself, the entrance to a still-forming secret realm.
Sensing the aura emanating from the crack, he frowned slightly. "This is..."
"A Diamond-level secret realm?" His eyes narrowed. "It feels... strange."
However, due to his confidence in his own strength, Victor didn't think a Diamond-level secret realm could pose any real threat to him.
So, he simply turned to Passerby A and said, "Record it, then report it to headquarters. I'll be responsible for suppressing it once it's fully formed."
"Yes, Master Victor."
Passerby A nodded, knowing the terrifying power that Victor wielded. If it was just a Diamond-level secret realm, it shouldn't pose any threat... right?