"So impressive, Lady Izumi Uchiha! Can you really breathe fire too?"
In the chat group, Yilin couldn't help but ask after watching Naruto.
Though the world she lived in had martial arts and inner energy feats already considered extraordinary by normal standards compared to the kind of ninjutsu that involved breathing fire or vanishing into thin air, it still felt like a far cry. If Izumi Uchiha hadn't already clarified that she wasn't a bodhisattva, Yilin might have mistaken her world for one of divine beings. Albeit slightly more ruthless and far more combative.
"Breathe fire? You mean Fire Release? Of course," Izumi replied.
"That's amazing! Lady Izumi, your powers seem almost divine, like those of the immortals and Buddhas!" Yilin exclaimed.
"Divine? No, I'm just a ninja. Even genin the lowest rank can use Fire Release."
"Genin? It still doesn't sound like something normal people could do… But if it's that powerful, why is there always so much fighting?"
"Why the endless battles? Wars never really stop. As long as there are people, countries, and villages, conflict will exist," Izumi answered calmly.
Their conversation struck an interesting contrast: Yilin's naïveté against Izumi's grounded realism.
Watching their back-and-forth, Kevin Cross chuckled and interjected. "Yilin, the ninjutsu in Izumi's world is indeed impressive. But if you become my woman, you could grow strong too. Who knows, maybe even learn ninjutsu yourself."
"Amitabha! Group Leader, I'm a nun. A monastic takes no spouse," Yilin protested.
"No marriage? That's fine. You can still be mine, and we won't get married. Problem solved." Kevin offered with a grin.
"Huh? Huhhh?" Yilin was stunned. She hadn't expected such a response from Kevin.
And oddly enough… his logic kind of made sense. She knew it was wrong, definitely inappropriate but for the life of her, she couldn't quite articulate why.
"N-no, it's not right. That would violate the precepts on lust."
"Lust precepts? Then what about the Joyful Buddha? Isn't he one of your Western Buddhas too? Are you saying the Joyful Buddha violated the precepts?"
"Amitabha… Th-that's not the same… In any case, no! Absolutely not!"
Kevin couldn't help but laugh. Teasing this innocent little nun was unexpectedly entertaining.
"Oh, right Yilin, has Victor Gale retired with the golden basin yet?"
"Victor Gale? You mean Elder Liu of the Mount Heng Sect? He's retiring?"
"Oh? You didn't know? Looks like your story arc hasn't started yet."
"Story arc? Group Leader, what do you mean by 'story arc'?"
"Same as what you saw in Naruto. I know what's going to happen in your world. Want to hear it?"
"But… but how could you know something that hasn't happened yet?"
"Because I've seen The Smiling, Proud Wanderer before. It's a novel. There are TV shows based on it too, even several versions. Sure, they differ a bit, but the general plot remains the same. So, Yilin do you want to know?"
From the start, Kevin never planned to call himself some divine being or prophet. He was just an ordinary guy average in strength and intellect. Even if he could fool one or two people with his future knowledge, sooner or later someone smart would show up in the group and see right through him.
It'd be far more awkward to get exposed later than to just be honest from the beginning.
Besides, the group itself was his cheat code. He was the group leader, with mute and kick privileges. No need for tricks or fakery.
"I don't really understand what you mean," Yilin replied, confused.
"You don't? Well, I'm not great at explaining. Just know that I know your world's future. That's enough. So, want to know what happens?"
"Is… is that allowed? Won't it be like defying the will of heaven?" Yilin asked innocently.
"Defying heaven? Nah, this doesn't count. So, do you want to know or not? I can tell you right now that based on the original plot, your master and your martial aunts will all die soon. Within a year or two. Maybe three at most."
"My master and martial aunts will die? W-what should I do?" Yilin's voice was trembling. She believed every word Kevin said.
"Obviously, you need to know the plot ahead of time so you can change their fate."
"I understand now. Thank you, thank you for the warning, Group Leader."
"So, do you want to hear the story?"
"Yes! I do I mean, can I?" Yilin asked, nervous but hopeful.
"…" Kevin was silent for a moment.
"Well, since the Group Leader already offered, of course you can," Izumi added.
She hadn't been in the group long, and she'd never met Yilin in person, but their chats had given her a clear sense: Yilin was sweet, kind, and utterly naïve. Assuming she wasn't lying, of course.
"Thank you! Thank you, Lady Izumi, and thank you, Group Leader!"
"But you know, I can't just give out story secrets for free. I mean, we barely know each other," Kevin said with a sly smile.
"Huh? Then… I'll pray for you! I'll chant sutras every day and ask the Bodhisattva to bless you, Group Leader!"
"No need. I'm in the US now. The Bodhisattva probably doesn't have jurisdiction here. Try asking God to bless me instead that might work better."
"God? You mean the Jade Emperor?"
"No, no. God is the deity Westerners believe in. Ugh, why am I even explaining this? Anyway, Yilin, think about it. If you become my woman, I'll tell you how to save your master and the others."
"But… but I'm a nun!"
"You can return to lay life."
"Return? But that's such a grave decision how can I possibly"
"So you'd rather watch your master and martial sisters die? Because it won't just be the three of them, you know. That incident will claim others too."
"Wha-this… this…"
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