Zenkichi narrowed his eyes. He hadn't expected the Ancient One to say such a thing.
"Yes."
The favor now belonged to the Ancient One. She could call upon it whenever she wished, and Zenkichi wouldn't refuse. In truth, he felt relieved—he disliked owing debts. If he could repay a favor quickly, then he preferred to do so without delay.
"Before, I had hoped that you would protect the Earth while I was in seclusion, suspended in meditation. It was not a command, only a request, since your freedom is your own. But now, I wish to use that favor. During my retreat, I ask that you protect the Earth as much as possible."
The Ancient One spoke with calm resolve.
"No problem."
Zenkichi agreed without hesitation. His answer came so directly that the Ancient One blinked in surprise. She had expected reluctance, perhaps resistance, but instead Zenkichi gave his word freely.
"Nothing surprising," Zenkichi said with a faint smirk, catching the sorcerer's expression. "After all, I live on Earth too."
He rolled his eyes slightly, sensing the way the Ancient One looked at him—almost as if doubting he was the kind of person who would stand as Earth's guardian. But wasn't he human as well?
"That's good."
The Ancient One gave a small nod. At their level, there was no point in lies. She had already observed Zenkichi enough to know his character, and she trusted the man's answer. With nothing more to add, the Ancient One clasped her hands together, offered a respectful gesture, and prepared to depart.
"Are you going into seclusion now?" Zenkichi asked, narrowing his gaze.
"Yes. Everything that needed to be settled has been taken care of. There's no reason for me to delay further."
The Ancient One's tone was steady. She had broken through to the Heavenly Father level, and now she needed time to stabilize her power. To linger risked regression—and that was something she would not allow.
"Very well. Don't worry. I'll protect the Earth."
Zenkichi nodded firmly.
The Ancient One acknowledged his promise with another nod. Then, without further word, she vanished into the ether.
"Looks like things are getting more interesting."
Left alone, Zenkichi mused over the situation. In the Marvel universe he once knew, events had played out differently. The Ancient One was supposed to die, but not during this period.
In the original story, her death was permanent. Yet here, she was alive, merely concealing herself. Her "death" was a disguise, a way to retreat into seclusion without disturbance.
"This makes more sense," Zenkichi thought calmly. "A being who has reached the Heavenly Father level wouldn't just die so easily. You can't take everything Marvel showed at face value."
This was no longer fiction. This was reality. And reality did not always follow the script of a movie.
"It seems I'll need to act sooner than planned."
His voice was low, but resolute. Opening his palm, power surged forth, shimmering in countless colors. The energy condensed in his hand, gradually forming an image—a picture of a place not bound to any part of this world.
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