Naruto decided to converse with Na So Ri, after asking Rory to wait inside his room. It was a decision that surprised the woman as she didn't believe Naruto was enchanted by her looks or personality.
"Do you know why I led you on?" Naruto asked as he stood with his back to his companion, watching the moon and thinking about the various changes that were taking place across the world. He could feel a storm coming.
Hearing his question, Na So Ri would have usually answered with confidence and said it was because of her looks. However, Naruto had many beautiful girls around him.
"I don't know. Maybe, because you wanted me." Na So Ri didn't know why Naruto did it, but she felt confident in the belief that he wanted to own her.
Naruto let out a chuckle at those words as he had expected such an answer. It really was amusing to hear what you expected from others.
"That is an impossible situation since I have already given my heart and soul to someone else. In front of her everything is dull and pale in comparison….I wished for you to experience what you did to others. I wanted to see you struggle for an impossible goal, knowing that you were being led by the nose. Unfortunately, I don't think I have time to play along anymore. It is better for you to go back to your normal life, because you will only endanger yourself beside me." Naruto's words were extremely cold, though his tone was normal.
Looking into his eyes for any clues, Na So Ri felt the world beneath her collapse. Never in her life had she been played by a man in such a manner. She didn't even think it was possible for her to feel betrayed.
She felt tears appear because of his words and words didn't seem to form on her lips. Na So Ri had gone to shock at the unexpected event.
"I apologize for this cruel prank. However, it was something that you needed to experience to become a better person. Regardless, it is better this way. At least, you didn't fall in love." Naruto walked closer and placed his hand on her shoulder.
Na So Ri snapped back into reality at his words, "Love, you doubt my affections? Are these tears fake? Is this pain another act?"
She held his collar and demanded an answer.
"Why do you love me, Na So Ri?"
Na So Ri looked into her heart and questioned whether she wanted him in the real sense.
Did she like him because of his money?
Did she like him because of his looks?
Did she like him because of his power?
What if he had none of those and was just a normal person, would she love him for his personality?
Being questioned and stared at so closely, she was unable to answer. She couldn't lie to him and words that were suitable seemed impossible to form.
"You are still blinded by the material world, Na So Ri. Just like the men around you, you felt lust towards me. It was nothing more than a passing fancy. I pray that one day you can fall in love and be happy. Don't make that face, I don't hate you. You have changed and I think of you as a friend. Take care and good night."
With those words, he disappeared and Na So Ri couldn't help but cry silently because of the heartache. Even now she was unsure if it was real or just like what Naruto said.
'What if it was real?'
"You are really cruel, Naruto. I thought you had changed and opened your heart to others. Those words, did they also apply to everyone else?" Rory greeted him with those words as she heard everything through her super hearing.
Looking at the dark berserker with an ethereal beauty against the moonlight was a treat that Naruto appreciated, but it didn't enchant him. Just like he told Na So Ri, beauty and other material things never mattered to Naruto.
Love just happened and it didn't rely on those factors.
Naruto didn't love Hinata because she was the most beautiful or the wealthiest woman in the world. There were women around him that held a higher position, wealth and even look, but he still fell for Hinata.
"I believe all of you already know that I am not normal. I am someone that has already lived another life before this world. In the other world, I was married and had three kids. I didn't die of old age, I died in my thirties during a battle like I had expected.
Now, do you understand why I said those words?" Naruto thought there was no point in hiding such details from people he truly trusted and cared for.
Rory didn't really care about what Naruto said to the other women. She had already accepted her desire and need. She also understood that words were just words when it came to emotions, so there was no way Naruto could assure anyone that he wouldn't fall in love with them. Meaning, Rory only had to work hard to get his heart. It was made easier by the fact that he was so unapproachable to most women.
However, she was definitely not expecting the bombshell of a statement. It all made sense when she heard it, but it really made everything extremely difficult.
"Do you intend to go back to your previous world?" Rory stopped her lips from uttering negative words mentioning the death of his previous family and just asked a basic question.
"Yes, I want to see what happened after my death. I want to repent for my mistakes and give my family a better life. Don't look at me like that, as I was a terrible husband and father in my past life. I was never there for them and never gave them what I had promised."
"What if there is no way to your past world, will you continue searching for eternity?"
"Of course not, I don't intend to destroy this life for my past regrets. However, fortunately I have already confirmed that there is a way back home."
"Does this mean, we have no chance or are you still willing to take others?" Rory was happy that Naruto didn't intend to destroy his current life with an obsession. However, she was definitely worried about the wife overwhelming all her attacks on Naruto's heart.
"You already know the answer to that question."
"No, I want to hear it clearly now after hearing the real situation."
"I don't mind having other wives beside my current wife."
With those words, Rory was happy and she hugged him tightly while nuzzling his chest. Naruto brushed her hair and wondered how such a life would be. Would he really have a happy end this time?
Regardless, that was a question with no answer and he knew not to focus on the unknown.
"So, why did you come now? I believe you were busy with your digimon after the experience overload."
Naruto was curious as to why Rory appeared so soon when she was preparing for her Mega Evolution. Though, he already had an idea in mind.
"I was thinking that we could go an adventure together. It would be very beneficial to you since I am going to fight against one of the Royal Knights." Looking at her eyes shining like beautiful red jewels, he was amused. She truly was a battle maniac, and someone he could really associate with.
"Are you aiming for Examon so early? I thought you would evolve him to Breakdramon first."
"Breakdramon doesn't suit me and it would only worsen the quality of my digimon, making it even harder to evolve to a Royal Knight."
"Ah, I understand. Let me think for a minute." Naruto remembered that Breakdramon was mostly machine type, meaning it would lose its dragon DNA which was a requirement for Examon. Going the normal way, she would end up needing to compensate for the lack of draconic Data. The requirements would be extreme for Mega level digimon. It did create a problem, but not using a Mega against a Royal Knight was also a terrible idea. Naruto would have advised against it but Rory wasn't a normal human tamer, so she could make up for the difference.
Moving from the fight, Naruto thought about her proposal. He was already planning to travel and fight powerful digimon with his partners, so it didn't go against that plan. Royal Knights were not on the menu but it didn't hurt to finally see one in person and adapt to it before getting into a real battle.
"What about the enemies? Won't they target us if I am not in a safe zone?" Naruto didn't forget about the threats and wasn't willing to pointlessly die. He needed to be sure about their destination.
"Examon is visiting the Dragon Empire so we have nothing to worry about. This way you can also meet Azulongmon and get the Matrix Digivolution…I believe you can pass the test very easily, don't you think so." Rory smiled as she looked up at him, enjoying being close to him. She was fulfilled just by staying like that, though a sweaty spar would be the best.
"Okay, I will accompany you. However, I will look at things before I decide to go through with it. I haven't planned to test myself until the next year."
"Things don't always go as planned and those plans exist because of the little children by your side, am I wrong?"
"Plans might change, but promises don't."
"You should have just said so. I would never ask you to break a promise. Talking about promises, will your wife be okay with other women?"
"She is a selfless saint that would give up everything for my sake. Hinata has never harbored the desire to monopolize my love. She just wanted me to be happy and I couldn't even do that properly."
Looking at his expression, Rory felt jealous and happy at the same time. She finally saw Naruto's expression of love, though it was directed at someone else.
'One day he will see me in the same manner.'
