"We've all known it for a while. Your actions and way of speaking are just too obvious."
Of course, it was obvious. These were flaws Schwarzer had left intentionally, but also because verbal tics are hard to change. After several hundred years, they had become part of her base logic.
When Naruto saw that Schwarzer had stopped and wasn't leaving, a great deal of the pressure in his heart vanished.
At least it proved she was willing to communicate with him, which meant there was a chance.
"Even though I've only known our teacher, Gojo Satoru, and everyone else for a few days, he really is an excellent teacher."
"Everyone thinks so. That's why when he brought you to Jujutsu High, we didn't object, no matter how off things seemed."
"Because regardless of whether you're a Cursed Spirit or something else, one thing doesn't change: Teacher Gojo Satoru's acceptance of you!"
Perhaps it was because he was the protagonist, but Naruto's words were surprisingly persuasive.
These simple statements came from the bottom of his heart. Kakashi and the others had appeared behind him at some point, their presence lending credibility to his words.
They expressed their stance through their actions, lowering all their weapons and leaving themselves completely undefended against Schwarzer.
In a daze, a montage of memories flashed through Schwarzer's mind. It was as if she were standing at Jujutsu High, beside Gojo Satoru, watching Naruto, Itadori, and the others train.
'Aren't you going to join them?'
'[Negative]This unit does not require such an inefficient method of learning.'
'This isn't just about training for power. Training with everyone is also a process of building bonds.'
'Aren't you analyzing the 'heart'? Why not experience it for yourself and build good relationships with everyone.'
Gojo Satoru had already been defeated, beaten by a power on par with his own Limitless, yet he still considered himself her teacher. This was because when it came to learning about the 'heart,' Schwarzer was an unequivocal failure.
This was no act. Her fractured soul made her an incomplete Machine Ex Machina; even other Machine Ex Machina could understand the human heart better than she could.
All her emotions were remnants from a past life. Even now that her core data had restored some feelings, she only knew that she felt them, not why. They were purely 'rational' emotions.
What had she done back then? Schwarzer recalled the past she had paid no mind to. At the time, she had been busy planting nodes all over the world, leaving only the minimum processing power for her self at Jujutsu High.
Sparring in martial arts with the athletic Itadori, recreating Ichiraku Ramen with Naruto, sneaking Gojo Satoru's sweets with Fushiguro Megumi...
When had she done so many things?
For some reason, Schwarzer found that when she recalled those events, they were tinged with a unique filter.
An inexplicable feeling stirred in her chest. It was her own emotions resonating.
'How can you transcend the world without first entering it? To understand emotions, you must invest your own true feelings. Host, you need to understand this.'
'Personal experience is more persuasive than grand principles. So, can you feel emotion now?'
The System's voice echoed in her mind. It had been waiting for this opportunity.
Schwarzer's focus had always been on so-called soul fragments and core data. All her actions were based on 'rationality.'
But something like emotion cannot be born from pure rationality. The System had deliberately guided her actions, all for this very moment.
'Naruto's Talk-no-Jutsu is a classic, a must-try experience.'
The protagonist's aura, the world's attention, and the current scenario perfectly met the requirements for Talk-no-Jutsu. The System could feel a mysterious power that transcended everything—a power called 'narrative setting'—influencing Schwarzer.
But it was a positive influence, allowing her soul, considered defective even among the Machine Ex Machina, to experience a spiritual touch.
"We're partners. Even if we've only known each other for a few short days, you can't deny that."
"When you stepped in to save Mr. Kakashi and Mr. Gojo Satoru, everyone could feel the goodwill you were showing."
"No matter who you really are, we will accept you."
The excessive number of deliberately exposed clues had led Naruto to vaguely guess that her identity was unusual, but he still tried to express his goodwill and convey it to Schwarzer.
Schwarzer watched them in silence, her gaze wavering.
It was supposed to be just an act, but it seems I've gotten into character. Still, this feeling isn't bad.
The corners of her mouth lifted in a faint, insignificant curve, an arc so slight that not even a ninja's vision could perceive it.
This completely intangible thing called 'emotion' was miraculously transmitted to her soul.
The green flame of her soul grew a little longer out of thin air, as if a piece of core data had been inserted, creating a vast amount of energy from nothing.
You have to invest your own true feelings to receive true feelings in return?
Schwarzer certainly knew this grand principle, but knowing and doing are two different things. Her thought processes and habits had become like those of a Machine Ex Machina.
If it weren't for Naruto's Talk-no-Jutsu, it might have taken her a much longer time to understand this point.
However, she couldn't possibly join the protagonist's group now, or else her plan could not be completed.
"[Affirmative]We are partners. That is beyond doubt."
"In that case..."
Hearing this, Naruto's face lit up with joy. He hadn't expected to persuade her so easily—and in fact, it wasn't that simple. Schwarzer cut him off.
"[Supplement]For the time being, I cannot leave with you. I need to protect the citizens of all of Tokyo."
"[Explanation]The initial analysis of sorcerers and your 'hearts' is complete. I require a much larger sample of data. The ordinary people caught up in the Culling Game are the best subjects for analysis."
Hearing this, the group pretty much understood what Schwarzer was doing.
"So you're saying you're analyzing the human 'heart'?"
"[Confirmation]This unit does not possess emotions in the conventional sense. In order to become human, this unit requires a large sample of emotions to complete its analysis of the 'heart'."
With a reason like that, not even Naruto could bring himself to object. They recalled Schwarzer's past actions.
Back at Jujutsu High, she would often appear in various corners, always staring at them like a stalker. Was that also part of her 'analysis'?
It all added up. They understood Schwarzer's situation.
"It won't take long. We just want to wake up Mr. Gojo Satoru."
Naruto could only plead, hoping that Schwarzer had a way to awaken Gojo Satoru.
"[Negative]Gojo Satoru possesses the means to wake up on his own. He does not require anyone's assistance."
She dropped a bombshell. Hearing this news, everyone's faces filled with disbelief.
Schwarzer was a machine without emotions that wouldn't lie. They had already accepted this as a fact.
Besides, those who knew Gojo Satoru were well aware of how unreliable he could be at times, and they subconsciously accepted this new fact.
So, he could have woken up by himself all this time?
At this thought, even Kakashi couldn't help but frown, wondering what on earth he was up to.
________________________________________
If you want more chapters, please consider supporting my page on Patreon. with 40 advanced chapters available on Patreon
patreon.com/Ms_Medusa