All my life I have been told what is right and what is wrong, what I must do and what I must not, whether by education, law, or other reasons. I was also always reminded: you must study this, you need a future, the more you know the better, and so on. But the reality is different — without luck, connections, and money, you are nothing and worth nothing. Yet what is surprising is that people who have nothing, and don't worry about such things, often manage to live far happier lives.
It was precisely because of this that, on the very day of my death, I wished for a life filled with freedom and without limits — and by chance, a ROB heard my desire. He explained to me that what I asked for would be granted, provided I ensured that the universes entrusted to me remained stable for 50 million years. Of course, I accepted, since that span of time is but a drop in the ocean for a ROB. During my wait for freedom, I devoted myself to doing whatever I pleased in the void: testing techniques that had once been impossible, creating all sorts of objects, from mythological relics such as the Holy Grail, Thor's Hammer, and Zeus's Lightning Bolt, to items from anime and manga like the Devil Fruits and Nen. I even experimented with creating beings, though never granting them consciousness — they were nothing more than puppets without a puppeteer. And finally, the price for my freedom came due. At last, I could be free of everything, able to travel and see what awaited me beyond this post that would eventually be taken up by another ROB. To make it more interesting, I decided not to choose which universe I would appear in — I left it completely to chance.
Opening a portal, I emerged in a forest. To keep things exciting, I chose not to use my authority to know everything about the world — I allowed myself knowledge only of the map and of the surrounding 50 kilometers.
After locating a human settlement, I transformed into an owl, much like the Animagi of Harry Potter, and flew through the skies, admiring landscapes I had not seen in over 50 million years. It was worth it, seeing them again: so pure, untouched. Or so it seemed — until about 15 kilometers into my flight, a strong smell of blood and the sound of battle reached my ears. Deviating slightly from my path, I discovered what appeared to be a battlefield between two groups bearing different emblems. The defenders carried a snowflake-like crest, about fifteen of them led by a white-haired man, while their attackers bore the emblem of a giant shuriken. Naturally, I hid myself using one of the techniques I had developed over the years — one that allowed me to completely conceal myself: scent, presence, movement, everything.
Just seeing the emblems and how they fought was enough to realize where I had arrived — the world of the ninja, specifically in the Sengoku era. Normally, had I still been at my post, I would never have intervened in others' affairs, letting things take their natural course. But now I had the freedom to do whatever I wanted. At last, I was master of my choices. So I acted — consequences? Pff, who cares.
From the sky, I returned to my human form, landing in the middle of the battlefield in true Superman style, releasing just 5% of my killing intent. That alone was enough to bring everything to a halt — the weaker ones even fainted outright.
"Well then, who can represent each side?" I said in a normal tone. But to the ninjas, it felt as though the worst calamity itself was demanding accountability, and none dared step forward.
"I asked who." I repeated, raising my bloodlust to 8%, causing even more to collapse.
"I—I am the patriarch of the Yuki Clan, honorable sir. My name is Naoki Yuki," said the white-haired man, bowing before me.
Seeing that a representative had finally stepped forward, I turned my gaze to the other side, lessening my presence to show approval for the quicker pace, while allowing both sides to move freely again. From among them, an old man with greenish-white hair and two scars across his face stepped forward.
"At this time, the clan patriarch is not here, so I will decide. I am Seiji Fuma, one of the elders of the clan, honorable sir."
Both sides began to gather their wounded and dead, forming a clear division. With a touch of my foot, I raised two chairs and a table from hardened earth, gesturing for them to sit. They obeyed.
"Well then, setting aside what just happened — what is the cause of this conflict? Of course, if your answer is not completely truthful, do not expect me to go easy on you."
The two representatives exchanged glances before turning back to me.
"Sir, the cause of this dispute is an item from the dowry of the Princess of the Northern Sea. It is said that many years ago, a princess met the Sea God on the same night a storm sank the ship carrying her parents. As compensation, he gifted her a pearl necklace with the protection of the ocean: whenever she sailed, the sea would never hinder her, and storms would always favor her." Said the white-haired man.
"Unfortunately, when this became known, the emperor declared that the jewel belonged to him as God's representative on earth. The princess refused, and the emperor sent his forces against her land, sparking war. In desperation, the princess begged the Sea God for her people's salvation. He agreed — but demanded the necklace, along with her, as an offering. That same night, she vanished into the sea, never to be seen again. Three days later, when the emperor's army tried to cross the narrow land bridge that linked the kingdom to the empire, the sea rose up, swallowing them and the emperor himself, leaving the kingdom as an island." Continued the elder.
"So the dispute is because one of you possesses this relic, isn't that right?"
"Indeed. Our mission was to transport the relic to the Lord of the Land of Water, but on our way to the port, we were ambushed by the Fuma Clan." Naoki explained.
I turned to the elder. Despite the accusation, he remained calm.
"It is true we are here for the necklace. But we were contracted by the Lord of the Land of Earth, and the reward was necessary for our clan's survival. Otherwise, we would never have accepted."
"I see. Then the relic is still in your possession, isn't it? Place it on the table, please." That please sounded more like an ultimatum than a request.
Reluctantly, Naoki set a scroll on the table, from which emerged the necklace. At first glance, it seemed ordinary, but to my eyes it was different: two energies converged upon it — one green, the natural energy of this dimension, and another violet, laced with malice.
"I see. This necklace does indeed enhance the wearer's ability to breathe underwater." At my words, both men widened their eyes — proof it was indeed an artifact. "However, its blessing is overshadowed by a curse. The moment it touches water from the neck of its wearer, it will tighten and strangle them."
Their expressions turned to terror — they knew well what this meant. If either daimyo were to wear it, it would mean the ruin of their clans, perhaps even total annihilation.
"Since you've identified both, honorable sir… could you remove the curse?" the Yuki patriarch asked, hope burning in his eyes. The elder's gaze reflected the same.
"Yes, I can. But why should I? What could you offer me that I would want?"
"If you do it for us, 60% of the reward is yours." The elder offered first.
"If you do it for us, we will give you 80%." Naoki countered.
"And if it's not money I desire? Would you be willing to give anything?" I asked calmly.
Both lowered their eyes, clearly debating what they could possibly offer. Finally, the elder raised his head.
"If you permit, sir." I nodded.
"Taro," he called, and a young man with green hair approached. They spoke briefly; the young man's face showed pain and desperation, but the elder was unshakable. At last, he turned back to me, lowering himself into dogeza, forehead pressed to the ground.
"I beg you, honorable sir. If you break the curse, you may do whatever you wish with my life — even take it."
Even the Yuki patriarch was stunned, quickly replacing his surprise with respect. In these times, few warriors like this elder remained, especially with such experience. His clan must indeed have been in dire straits.
I turned to the Yuki patriarch, but he avoided my gaze, silently declaring he would not make such a sacrifice.
"In that case, I accept your proposal."
With a gesture of my left hand while holding the necklace in my right, a brief glow enveloped the relic before vanishing — the curse undone. Then, fixing my gaze on the elder, I made another gesture, severing his right arm. His scream of agony filled the air, while his clansmen turned away, unable to watch their honorable elder mutilated to death… or so they thought, until I vanished in the blink of an eye. The necklace remained on the table, with the condition that only a member of the Fuma Clan could take it to the Land of Earth.
As for me, I had already departed, heading toward the nearest city, eager to find new adventures after 50 million years of boredom.