"Hmm…"
Luo Hao stirred, her body wrapped in layers of bandages soaked with healing salves. Her long lashes fluttered before her eyes finally opened—beautiful, yet hazy with confusion.
But only for a moment.
The confusion vanished, replaced by her usual cold, regal expression.
"So I lost…"
As the memory of her humiliating defeat at Daemon's hands resurfaced, a flicker of unwillingness passed across her face. And yet—strangely—it was quickly replaced by a faint satisfaction, even a subtle joy.
Just as Esdeath had predicted in the group chat.
Had Daemon shown mercy or held back, Luo Hao would've taken it as the gravest of insults. But to be completely overpowered—to be crushed in full combat—that stirred something else within her.
Pride? No.
Elation.
"Hmph… that kid really didn't hold back," she muttered, taking in the dull, persistent ache in her bones. "Didn't even give me a chance to fight back… How unreasonable."
She sighed with a smile, wincing as pain rippled through her chest. Her entire frame screamed with the evidence of shattered bones and torn muscle. If not for the Godslayer's powerful regenerative abilities, she would have needed months to even stand again.
At least her mana had fully recovered, and the rapid aging effect caused by that so-called 'Treasure' had worn off. A few more days, and she'd be back on her feet—good as new.
"Miss Luo Hao, you're awake?"
A gentle voice came from the tent's entrance. Luo Hao turned slightly and saw a young woman with long red hair and a kind expression.
"You know me?" Luo Hao asked, narrowing her eyes in quiet interest. This girl radiated violent chakra, almost at the level of a lesser god.
"Mm-hmm," the girl nodded with a warm smile. "Miyuki told me you and your friends are guests from another world—kind of like the summons from Mount Myōboku."
"I see."
The girl stepped in, kneeling beside her.
"By the way, I'm Uzumaki Kushina, currently a jonin of Konoha."
"…Hello."
Luo Hao tried to sit up—and immediately winced. A sharp breath escaped her lips as pain lanced through her torso.
"Ah—don't move too much!" Kushina said, quickly stepping forward to steady her. "You're still recovering. Let me help you. Miyuki and the others are eating outside."
"…Thank you," Luo Hao replied, swallowing her pride for now.
As Kushina helped her out of the tent, Luo Hao couldn't help but note how soft and gentle the girl was.
And yet, this same gentle girl had witnessed her shatter Miyuki's Susanoo in a single blow. She had seen her body nearly cleaved in half by Daemon's blade.
Kushina had every reason to fear or resent her—but instead, she offered her support like an old friend.
In her heart, Kushina had already accepted Daemon's words—that Luo Hao and Miyuki were just sparring, while the true battle had been between Luo Hao and Daemon.
The aftermath had left a forest razed, the earth torn asunder.
Now seeing Luo Hao in such a broken state, even Kushina felt a strange sense of awe.
Outside the tent, the group was enjoying a humble meal—traditional dishes from the Naruto world. Even if the food wasn't exquisite, everyone ate with enthusiasm.
After all, cuisine from another world? That was a rare experience.
"Sect Master! You're awake?!"
Miyuki, who had been chatting with Kasumigaoka Utaha, immediately lit up and ran over, taking over from Kushina with a big grin. She supported Luo Hao carefully, even hugging her as if nothing had changed.
Luo Hao didn't resist this time. The pain made her docile—and perhaps, Miyuki's warmth soothed something else as well.
"It's my loss," Luo Hao said softly once seated, accepting a bowl of rice from Miyuki. Her eyes turned toward Daemon. "Now… what mark do you intend to leave on me?"
During her rest, Luo Hao had browsed the group chat logs.
They were lively, as expected. Four topics had dominated the conversation:
How Daemon's group would complete their mission.
Whether Daemon would gain a new Noble Phantasm in the Hokage world.
What kind of mark Daemon would leave on Luo Hao.
Miyuki and Yamamoto Mei's brief summary of this world's key figures and mechanics.
Naturally, Daemon was the center of most discussions.
Luo Hao had seen the mention of the Heavenly Dragon's Hoof—a slave mark from the One Piece world.
'Even that... I can accept,' she thought. A mark wouldn't shame her. She had challenged him. She had lost. Whatever price came with that, she would bear it.
But Daemon only chuckled and said, "It's not the ' Dragon's Hoof.' I've already done it, while you were unconscious."
"Huh?"
Luo Hao frowned and checked her body with her senses—but there was no obvious brand or seal. The pain everywhere made it hard to distinguish anything.
Miyuki, Kasumigaoka, and even Kushina all tried to sneak glances, clearly curious about what Daemon had done.
Daemon simply raised a hand and pointed at her chest.
"There."
Without hesitation, Luo Hao tore off the upper bandages.
Gasps followed.
Etched just above her heart—delicately, yet unmistakably—were two glowing characters: "Daemon". The inscription was formed using a sword imbued with divine energy, likely from one of his treasures.
"This is my gift to you," Daemon said calmly. "A punishment for losing to me."
"I want you to always see my name when you lower your head—until the day you defeat me. Only then will I let you erase it."
"…Eh?"
The girls blinked in sync.
"Wait, what… Is that a punishment?"
"Or a confession?!"
"…It sounds like both," Utaha whispered, blushing slightly. Even Kushina's face turned red.
The atmosphere grew awkwardly romantic—or maybe tense? No one could tell.
Even Daemon looked a little thrown off. He scratched his cheek, eyes drifting elsewhere.
'I beat her into the dirt… branded her… and now she seems even more fond of me?' he thought. 'Just what kind of person is this woman?'
But Luo Hao smiled—genuinely.
Her fingertips brushed the branded skin.
"…I like it. It's personal. Memorable."
"…Glad to hear that," Daemon replied with a somewhat awkward smile.
Maybe he hadn't completely expected her to accept it so willingly. But then again… this was the Queen of the Godslayers.
And this mark?
This was only the beginning.
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