An:
To answer some PM, there will be clues in this chapter that will show the reasons why I write this story like that, excepting for traveling to other worlds, he will be in future chapters, I promise.*wink*
Let's not wait anymore, enjoy the chapter.
Chapter 8
A group of lizards was walking in the forest with a goal in mind: recruiting allies. But the leader of this group thought differently from his father. This lizard was Gabiru, like all lizards he was coated in green scales. He has middle-back long black hair and wore a brown chest plate, a blue shirt, a beige undershirt with only the sleeves visible, and white pants.
For Gabiru, it was prosperous for the lizards to call for help concerning the invasion of orcs. They were a race of proud warriors that were superior to orcs. They didn't need allies. The defeat of the ogres meant the ogres were complacent and pathetic in his mind. The only other races available were the dryads, the truants, and the goblins. And the dryads and the truants couldn't move, leaving only the goblins. But the goblins were one of the weakest races.
'But having meat shields will help me in my ambition,' thought Gabiru. In his head, his kind was the strongest one, ready to dominate others. But his father was soft. Maybe he should inherit soon. For now, he has goblins to recruit.
"How far is the nearest goblins' camp," Gabiru asked his childhood friends.
"It is two hours of walking from here now," one of them said. Gabiru pondered for a moment.
"I see. Then let's go, but I don't attempt to have them as allies. We are the proud race of lizards, we don't fear orcs. Goblins are only useful as meat shields. We will get under our protection and use them as shields when the moment will come," Gabiru said with arrogance, but his friend didn't think this way.
"You're so cool, Gabiru-sama," one of them said.
"Yeah, let's show them how strong we are," another exclaimed! Gabiru nodded, happy his servant thought the same way.
"Then let's continue our errand," Gabiru exclaimed, resuming their walk!
Meanwhile…
Rimuru was resting at the shrine, on the engawa with Naruto next to him. Shuna was sweeping it with a broom while the slime listened to one goblina. Naruto listened, seeping his tea as always. This one was made by Shuna and it was quite a delicacy. Not on the level of his own tea, but in the future, she will be. Her dango was tasty too.
"Good work. I will go to help with the farm. And continue like that for the clothes," Rimuru said to the goblina.
"Of course, Rimuru-sama. I will let them hear your words. If you excuse me," she said, bowing to the two males before leaving. Rimuru watched her disappearing under the Tori gates before he sighed.
"I didn't know teaching was this hard," he said. Naruto chuckled softly.
"Teaching required patience and an understanding of your students. There is no easy method to do it," he said, remembering his former surrogate grandfather. But he didn't dwell long on it as he heard his champion sigh again.
"Yes, but we don't have time for the farm. Food is necessary for us. While you blessed the earth to be cultivable, it still needs time to grow," Rimuru said before standing. "No time to sulk, let's go see this farm." He was ready to leave but Souei appeared before him, kneeling.
"Rimuru-sama, Naruto-sama, I have news concerning a group of lizards in the forest," he said professionally. Rimuru was confused while Naruto already had an idea.
"Lizards? Aren't they live normally in the Marchlands? Why are they here," Rimuru asked with narrowed eyes?
"They try to rally goblins from the other villages. The leader of this group is the chief's son," Souei said. Rimuru raised an eyebrow. Rally other monsters? Are the orcs nearing their home?
"Their chief is humble and wise. Again an unknown force, increasing their force is a must. But is this son of him follow the flow? Or does he have ulterior motives," asked Naruto, his eyes narrowed a little? He will not hide his face, knowing as a son of this chief would make the son prideful. And in those cases, they have a tendency to go against order to prove their superiority.
"I will find those answers," Souei said, before flickering out of existence. Rimuru blanked at the cool style of Souei while Naruto continue to sip his tea. He snorted at that. Souei reminded him a little of Sasuke, acting professionally and staying stoic in any situation without failing. He could be Hyuuga but the dark style was more Uchiha. He would guide him to the right path, not letting Souei's pride get in the way.
Time skip: one week later.
Rimuru was inspecting the farms with Shion in his human form when Souei appeared before him.
"Rimuru-sama, an envoy of lizards came to the village," said Souei, kneeling to the slime. Rimuru narrowed his eyes. Could this be the same group of lizards?
"Thank you, I will take care of it. Lead me to them," he ordered the ninja, taking his slime form and letting Shion carry him. The group was ready to go but they were stopped by Benimaru.
"I will accompany you then," he said walking toward them. "We don't know their motives. It is wise to be prepared for the occasion of a hostile answer." Rimuru nodded. It is indeed wise to be prepared for their arrival and their requests. But…
"Are you sure? Aren't you right now training with your father," he asked? Benimaru only smiled.
"Yes, but he took an end a while ago. My father, Shishibushi, reports his training as we talked," he said. Well, in this case…
"I see. Let's go, let's not be impolite and make them wait," Rimuru said, engendering their walk to the gate of the village.
It didn't take long to arrive at the gate and even less for the envoy to arrive. It is indeed a group of lizards, armed with spears, which were slammed repeatedly on the ground, for a show of power. After a moment, the front separated to reveal a male lizard on a shield before he jumped in the air and landed theatrically.
"My name is Gabiru. I will protect you, weaklings. Consider it a great honor," he said, finishing with his arms raised, the light projecting to him thanks to two mirrors controlled by two other lizards.
'Huh,' was the thought passing through the mind of the slime's group? Protecting them? Considering it an honor? Who did that guy think he is?! Rimuru took a breath to calm himself before answering the envoy.
"My name is Tempest Rimuru, the leader of this village. What do you need from us," the slime asked. Gabiru eyed the supposed leader before snorting.
"Really? A slime is the leader? Do the goblins and ogres this naïve to consider a slime their leader," he said before pointing at them? "I will not be deceived by you, slime. Show me the true leader."
"You're so cool, Gabiru-sama," exclaimed a lizard!
"This is our leader right there," exclaimed another. Rimuru and his gang watched with blank looks while Gabiru absorbed all the praises. Another lizard walked toward him, looking at the slime's group.
"Remember his name. He will be the next leader of the most powerful existing tribe," he said. Rimuru was not impressed.
'What a showoff, trying to be a big shot. Him, the next leader? I pity the lizards' tribe then,' he thought. He cleared his throat to change the subject.
"So, why are you here," he asked? Gabiru came back to reality, looking aghast at the slime's question.
"Surely, you jest. Didn't you hear," he asked, mocking Rimuru? "The orcs have raised an army to conquer the forest. And I am here to rally the monsters here. Yes, I, Gabiru, will take you, weaklings, under my protection." He finished in a theatrical position. "Weaklings!" He looked at the Hobgoblins. "Weaklings…" He looked then at Benimaru and Souei. "…weaklings…" He finished with Shion or more precisely… "Wow"… her chest. He regrouped with his friends.
"What is this meaning? I don't see goblins," he muttered to them.
"I don't know, Gabiru-sama," muttered one of them.
"Me too. It was supposed to be a goblins' village," another one. Rimuru's group sweatdropped at their inner discussion. But Rimuru felt Shion's grip tightening.
"Oi! Shion! Calm down," he exclaimed! Shion, hearing her master, instantly relax her grip. She then looked at the slime apologetically.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you," she said. Rimuru knew she said the truth, as her eyes were full of regret.
"I know you're angry but we must stay calm and dirige this exchange to our advantage," he said calmly to her. "He goes for you too Benimaru." He saw the ogre cracking his knuckles.
"Sorry, Rimuru-sama. I was ready to punch this guy for insulting us this much," Benimaru said, calming himself.
"I know. Let's finish this and get ourselves some rest," Rimuru said before turning back to the lizards' group. Gabiru stood up before clearing his throat.
"I heard you have tamed Direwolf. Show me those tamer. I will make them general in my army," he said. Rimuru sighed, wondering how stupid and egocentric Gabiru could be.
"Ranga," he called. The wolf in question jumped out of the slime's group shadow.
"Yes, my master," he exclaimed, ready to save the slime, his tail wagging.
"This guy wants to talk to you," Rimuru said. He didn't know if Ranga had seen his exasperation but his tail stopped and his face was serious.
"I see," he simply said before turning and taking his original form, impressing the present ogres and scaring Gabiru's friends. "My master said you want to talk to me. Make it quick." He growled, adding [Coercion] to it.
"Was he always this big," asked Benimaru? Rimuru nodded.
"Yes, it's his original size. It's perfect for [Coercion]," he said. But…
"What a magnificent creature you are. Your fur looks so silky and your muscles are powerful. Don't worry, I will make sure this wrench slime will deceive you anymore," Gabiru said. Apparently, he was too stupid to take a guest. Ranga's growling increased as he didn't like mush this insult.
"What is the meaning of this gathering," a deep voice could be heard? Looking back, he saw Shiroheki and Shuiro walking toward his group. Rimuru nodded to him and Ranga bowed a little to him before the Tempest wolf sidestep to let the bijuu the stage.
"Shiroheki-dono, good afternoon. We were talking to an envoy of the lizards' tribe," he said before sighing. "But, as you can see, our guest is not the sharpest tool in the band." Shiroheki nodded, eying from the corner of his eyes and he could see what the slime meant. The envoy seemed childish, impulsive, and selfish. As the envoy's party was in awe and scared at his presence, the envoy himself ignore him and focused on Shuiro with hearts in his eyes. The wolf didn't like where it was going. He was ready to speak but was stopped by the envoy's action.
The moment Gabiru saw her, there was a shock in his heart. She was beautiful, she was royal, she was perfect. The kind aura combined with the power he felt from her made her the perfect mate in his mind. And what power, he never felt this much. It's like she was in a realm of her own. If he can win her heart, he would be assured to have powerful children for his bloodline. He needed to take action.
Gabiru smiled, closed his eyes, and kneeled before Shuiro with one hand toward her and the other on his chest.
"I have fallen in love with you. Will you be my wife," he asked her with a soft voice? But in one second, he felt intense killing intent fall on him, death lurking around him before the feeling disappeared the next second. He then looked around frantically.
Shuiro knew whose killing intent it is and she was touched and amused by how protective this monster is. She hid a chuckle with her hand. Now she needed a fitting reply to this love request.
"Sorry, I'm not interested in you at all," she replied still smiling.
"GAAAAAAHHHH," yelled Gabiru, recoiling with a hand in his chest, face in pain. He then fell on his hand, a black cloud above his hand.
"Gabiru-sama," exclaimed the lizards, converging on him!
"How could you reject him like that," one yelled at Shuiro?!
"Yeah, he is the coolest guy in the world," another yelled?!
"What could you not like in him," and another?!
"How could you be this cruel," and another?! But Shuiro was not affected by their remarks. Shiroheki snorted at that.
"Silence. She made her choice. If he is not the male for her, then it is that. And do you believe she is shallow enough to accept honeyed words like that? One of her statuses," asked the wolf in the end? He then sighed. "I was about to announce I was here to prevent any agitation before my divine master comes." He took everyone by surprise except the lizards who were confused.
"Naruto-sama will come to this gathering," asked Benimaru, too shocked to believe his words. The Nibi turned to his party.
"Yes, it is not because of lack of faith in you Rimuru-dono," he said to the slime. "But of concern to how a diplomatic gathering could provoke so much agitation in you." Rimuru nodded, touched by his god that Naruto-sama cared for his emotions.
"I see, then we will wait for Naruto-sama's coming," the slime said softly. His party nodded while the lizards still looked confused.
"Why are we waiting? Aren't she the true leader of this village," asked Gabiru, pointing at Shuiro. Shiroheki couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"You will have your answer if you're patient, boy," he said. Gabiru's eye twitched. He was weaker than the wolf but he didn't like to be looked down on. He will show this wolf somehow.
After ten minutes, two figures arrived. The first was a kijin, Gabiru thought. Wait, it is not a kijin. It is an Oni! So, here is the true leader of the village. What about the…
When Gabiru looked at the second being, he became stiff, his instincts screaming at him to not cross this one. While the aura of the first one was of a mighty fearless warrior, the second one couldn't be felt. He wanted to instantly call him weak but he always listened to his instincts (-_-). He looked like an Oni, but he knew deep down it wasn't true. The four horns, the clothes, the plates behind him, the height, and the posture. And the glow was not for show. He could see the grass bowing to him, even if it was not stepped on. He needed to be careful and wise around this one.
"Father/Chief," exclaimed Benimaru and Souei! Shishibuki nodded, smiling at them.
"Good day to you too. I'm here to escort Naruto-sama to this gathering," he said. He then eyed the envoy before narrowing. "A foolish it is. I can't blame Rimuru-dono. He is young after all." He shook his head before sidestepping, letting his god take the stage. Naruto took two steps forward.
"So…" he began to say, eying their flinches. The lizards couldn't believe the amount of power this being have just by talking. Gabiru sweated… a lot, as he was the one to face this… god. Yes, god. There are no other words that came for this being. "You are the one being uncivilized with my followers, and more with my champion." Naruto then flared a little his presence.
The result was instant. The lizards' followers fell on their hands, pushed by a force they couldn't see.
Gabiru looked above his shoulder when he heard a grunt, only for his eyes to bulge. His followers were on four like they were pushed to the ground.
'It's like they are crushed by this male's presence,' Gabiru thought. And the revelation only sent more goosebumps in his flesh as it confirmed this being was realms above him. When he turned back, he flinched and paled, as the male was already in front of him. And then…
"Itatatatai," yelled Gabiru in pain, as his cheek was pinched by Naruto's hand.
"I will be brutally honest with you," said Naruto, ignoring the pain screams. "I only see arrogance and overconfidence in possessing a name. Foolishness to bark a non-existent superiority of yours. And finally, selfishness and delinquencies, as I believe your desires were not part of your order," he finished, releasing Gabiru who stepbacked from quickly from his tormentor and let the other lizards free from his presence. But they didn't dare to stand up, too scared to anger more this being. "In two days, a messenger will be sent to your tribe to organize a proper alliance. The message will contain the requests of my champion and what this village could give you back. And remembered…" Naruto let his presence flare again but didn't direct to someone. "I, Oame-no-genten-kami will not stand for this foolishness again. Gabiru's disobedience will be in the message." He turned around and left before saying to Rimuru to come to the shrine after he finished there.
The lizards, not wanting to anger more the god, turned their tail and run for their lives.
"Wait for me," yelled Gabiru, abandoned by his followers and ran after them! The village's group, except the bijuu, blank twice before a laugh made them come back to reality.
"Well, this is our god right there. Firm but not tyrannically" said a smiling Shishibushi. Souei and Benimaru chuckled nervously while the bijuu only smiled.
"I wouldn't call this a leader calling on an envoy but more like a child scolded by his grandfather," said Benimaru with Souei nodding.
"We are all children compared to Naruto-sama. And the youngest is his champion," said Shiroheki. They all nodded except Rimuru who had a tickmark but let it go.
"But did I do something wrong? Naruto-sama looked disappointed in this gathering," said a worried Rimuru. Shishibuki sighed when hearing that.
"Because as his champion, you will need to be firmed to not redo this gathering. I'm sure he will explain more in detail about diplomatics," he said. Rimuru winced, knowing the ogre was right as he was a newbie in politics.
"Well, we should go back to the village. We still have our duties to do," said Shuiro kindly. Rimuru nodded but he needed to talk to Rigurd and the others. And while he was at it…
"Alright, I need someone to send a message to Gazel concerning the orcs. We will have a meeting when he arrived. Souei continued to investigate the orcs. It will be all for now," he said. They all nodded before leaving, with Rimuru in his human form and Shion going to the shrine.
Timeskip: Tomorrow
Rimuru in his human form was waiting for the Gazel to arrive with his troupe at the gate. Shion and Rigur were with him. And he was thinking about the lesson he get from Naruto-sama to not fail this meeting. It took him all night to understand the basics of politics. Who would think that politics are this hard? But he couldn't falter.
He looked forward, seeing the pegasus of Dwargon kingdom arriving. He waited for them to land before walking to Gazel.
"Thanks for coming here this quick, Gazel. Sorry if I disturbed you in your duties," said an apologetically Rimuru. Gazel nodded, descending his mounting.
"You disturbed nothing, Rimuru. From your message, it seems quite important. But how important remained unknown to me," said Gazel, shaking Rimuru's hands firmly. Rimuru nodded seriously.
"Problems have risen with the orcs. Everything will be explained in our meeting. The others are already waiting. Let's not make them wait," he said. Gazel nodded as he followed Rimuru and his party to the meeting house. With him were two guards while the rest stayed behind to take care of the pegasus. They walked in silence until Gazel broke it.
"So, how is the development of your village, Rimuru," asked Gazel? After all, while they are allied, he needs an idea of the strength of this village. Even if ²he will never go to war with it, as the god of it will be not happy with the results.
"It goes well. Thanks to Naruto-sama's blessing, the earth is rich and very farmable. The woods are strong and the air is clean, guaranteeing healthy villagers. We had other monsters joining us. So it was important to develop quickly before we crumbled," Rimuru said with Gazel listening attentively. "As for the development of Etherores, we have a constant rate of creating them, the next batch will come soon." It was good news for Gazel. The Etherores was a resource only available thanks to this slime. The material was harder to manipulate but the benefices it gave were worth it. His best blacksmiths would be able to create easily Legendary-rank weapons if they used one hundred percent in their creation. But the consequences of abusing it were dire. Nobody would like a god hunting them.
They arrived at the meeting room, seeing the others already there. Gazel could see Kaijin and the Dawrfs brother, the Goblins' King, and Shiroheki lying down on the front of the divinity who sat on a couch. But he was not acquainted with the Ogres or the red-haired woman sitting next to the divinity. From the feathers on her tailbone acting as tails, he could conclude that she was another bijuu, one of two now unique monsters of this forest's God. But he seemed to know her from somewhere for some reason. He went to greet the god.
"I salute you, my divinity. I hope fate was good on your health," he said, a hand on his chest before bowing. The two knights following Gazel gaped in surprise, they couldn't believe their hearing. Is this the god that punished the minister Vesta? They quickly composed themselves before bowing deeply. Naruto smiled softly.
"And I send it back to you. I see your spirit still holds your burden and your body wasn't laid to rust," he said. Gazel straightened himself, smiling at the god.
"Yes, it feels good to train again. I managed to remove all rust and progress beyond my best before," he said. Naruto nodded.
"I see. Your former teacher would be delighted to hear it. I'm sure he would like to see your progress. Speaking of people…" he said before pointing with his hand on his right. "This is Shuna, daughter of the Ogres' leader and my miko," he then points to his left, "and this is Shuiro, my newest bijuu." The two women stood up.
"It is nice to meet you, King Gazel," they bowed a little to Gazel which he returned with a nod.
"It is nice to meet you too, you young ladies. But I'm curious," he said. The ladies wondered what attract his attention. Gazel fixed Shuiro. "Are you a former hero? I feel like I know you somewhere…" he pondered. Shuiro hid a chuckle with her sleeve.
"You're quite sharp, King Gazel. I was indeed a former hero, known my [Flame manipulation] skill," she said with mirth. [Flame manipulation]? A hero… otherworlder features… wai- could she be? Gazel's eyes widen a little in shock before he composed himself.
"I see. Who would think that one of your calibers would die before being rebirth as a monster? A bijuu in itself," he said. Yes, it was an unbelievable fact that the Conqueror of Flames was a monster with tremendous powers. Shuiro smiled with sadness.
"Time is merciless even on us. I was just lucky to have found Naruto-sama," she said. Gazel nodded as he understood her statement. One day, he would die too. But for now, he has a meeting to hear. He was about sit, but an ogre approached him.
"You're king Gazel Dwargo, aren't you? I'm Shishibushi, Bushoku Shishibushi, leader of the ogre. My elder talks to me a lot about you," said the ogre, presenting his hand. Gazel accepted the hand and shake it.
"King Gazel Dwargo as you know. And your elder? Is the savant here," asked a surprised Gazel. Shishibushi nodded, still holding the king's hand.
"Yes, Hakurou told me about his prodigious student. But is it true? I shall see with a duel," he said, glaring with competition and a little mischief. Gazel seeing this, glared back but smiled.
"I will show that the sword mastery of Gazel Dwargo is not just talking. I accept your duel," he said. They stayed there for twenty seconds before releasing the other hand and going to their place.
"Now that everyone is here. We can begin the meeting," said Rimuru. Everyone sat down, ready to begin the meeting. "The theme of this meeting is the violent campaign of the orcs. Souei, did you find more information on them," Rimuru asked? Souei nodded, his face always stoic.
"Yes, Rimuru-sama. They will advance on the Marchlands in three days. Their strength came to two hundred thousand orcs," he said. Everyone was surprised.
"Two hundred thousand? It means the army send to our village was only a small number of them," Benimaru said, clenching his hands. Shishibushi frowned at that. He knew how a blow to the ogres' pride it was. But it was the past. He can't change it. All he can do was prepare for war.
"But how can they manage this number? It will require an astronomical amount of resources," said Kaijin logically.
"There is a possibility," said Gazel, getting the attention of everyone. "It is a legend, but this monster existed. One that devours the fear of his army and everything else." Shishibushi had an idea of which monster he was talking about.
"Orc lord," he said, frowning heavily as this monster was a natural catastrophe.
"But couldn't this be because of Gelmud? After all, he is from a Demon Lord's army. And we know he was the one to direct them to ogre's village" said Rigur. Now everyone was pondering heavily. Who was the true chief of this army? Orc Lord or Gelmud?
"Gelmud," asked Gazel, not hearing this name? Shishibushi nodded to him.
"He is a Majin who named monsters with no goal known. All we know is if you accept, you become a servant without benefices and if you refuse, the same of our village awaits you," he said. Gazel didn't like what he heard. This Gelmud seems like a schemer hiding in the shadow and using others for his own agenda.
"It doesn't matter who is the true leader of the orcs' army," said Rimuru, directing everyone on track. "We need to strategize on how to care of them. We will stop them at the Marchlands in two days. And before that, we will attempt an alliance with the lizards tomorrow. Naruto-sama's message needs to go after all too."
"May I be the one to negotiate with them," asked Souei, a hand on his chest? Rimuru turned to him.
"Are you sure you will be able to talk for our side? This is quite important," he said.
"Hai," was the instantaneous answer from Souei. Rimuru's widened a little.
'How confidant and cool this guy is,' thought Rimuru! But he quickly came to reality before nodding.
"Then you will be the one to deliver Naruto-sama and talk about the alliance," he said and turned to the other. "Now, it's time to plan for the war against the war." But a hobgoblin ran toward him before bowing.
"Rimuru-sama, we have a guest that wants to meet with you," he said. Rimuru was surprised but if a guest willfully came for him in those times, it could only be for the orcs. He nodded at the hobgoblin.
"Let them enter. Let's see what they want to talk about," he said. Just after he said that, plants began to sprout from the floor before a woman appeared from those plants.
"Leader of this village and his guests, sorry for the interruption in those needed moments. I'm Treyni, a dryad, and I came to talk about the Orc Lord," she said. She was a woman with hips-long green hair, azure blue eyes, long eyelashes, and a beautiful visage. She wore a green shirt with white sleeves, a blue dress hiding her legs and feet, and a rope on her neck and hips containing different red berry-like marbles. Vines surrounded her and a glow deepened her beauty.
"A dryad," exclaimed Kaijin?! The others were in shock too.
"Incredible! I never thought I will be able to see one," said Shishibushi. His son next to him nodded.
"But here she is, confirming the existence of the Orc Lord," said Gazel. Rigurd nodded.
"If it came from a Dryad, then it is true," he said. Rimuru was staring at her.
'Dryad, a woman with supernatural beauty protecting forest and nature in general. To think one will come for me. This is a dream only found in video games,' he thought. But he shook his head to remove those thoughts. He needs to focus on the meeting. Treyni nodded to the public, closing her eyes.
"Orc Lord. A monster only appearing every century in the orcs' tribes. A monster that devoured everything on his path. A disaster for the ecosystem and the world. I negotiated with my sisters to meet and implore the leader of this village to defeat the Orc Lord," she said. There was a deep silence before it was broken by Benimaru, standing up and walking to her.
"You're quite impolite to come without notice and make requests of those proportions, Treyni the Dryad," he said. "And we know that there are races stronger than goblins. What make you think our leader will accept," he asked? Shishibushi leveled him a glare, warning him of his recklessness but Benimaru didn't back down. Treyni turned to him with a smile, not put down by the question.
"It is true, our first choice was the ogre, but seeing the state of your village, how even the corpse of your kind was devoured, made us think of other alternatives," she said. Her answer made the ogres clench their hands but they let her continue. "And we couldn't let escape our notice this particular monster too," she said pointing to Rimuru. He raised an eyebrow at her but didn't stop her. "And this meeting was a chance we mustn't let passed." She turned around, walking toward Naruto before kneeling in seiza position and bowing, the fingers of her hands touching the floor. "We finally able to meet you, Oame-no-genten-no-kami-sama."
Naruto at the bowing woman with his wise eyes. He knew in this forest as he scanned roughly this world to get all the information necessary. He wondered if they could sense his presence when he connected himself to Nature. He has his answer. He nodded to her.
"You're indeed a lady of the forest and a child of Nature. To be able to sense me from the thin connection between me and this part of this forest is a feat beyond the average monster," he said.
"It is an honor to receive so much praise from you," Treyni said. Naruto nodded again.
"Your desires will have to wait, my dear. The orcs' incident must be passed before," he said, gesturing for Rimuru to take control again. He nodded before walking toward the plant's woman and helping her to her feet. Benimaru walked toward Naruto, pondering something.
"Forgive me for my rudeness, Naruto-sama. But did you know about the Orc Lord's existence," he said? Everyone turned toward them, as they pondered the same thing. Why didn't they think this? Their god is the most knowledgeable being in this world. He should have known something, no? Naruto turned toward him.
"To know or not isn't the problem, as I couldn't give this information because of how it touched this much this realm affairs," he said. Everyone winced, knowing their god couldn't act directly on the mortal realm's affairs. Naruto narrowed his eyes. "What I want to know is if my nemesis is behind the corruption," he said before sighing. "As for your question, yes I knew." Everything fell in silence, as two being confirmed the existence of the Orc Lord. Rimuru cleared his throat, getting the attention of the other.
"His existence doesn't change our plan. We will defeat the orcs," he said determinedly before he fell a chest on his back, making his cheek pink.
"Of course and we all are behind you," said Shion, hugging the slime who chuckled sheepishly. Naruto looked in amusement at the scene, feeling the narrowed eyes sent to the hugging ogre. He shook his head.
"No need to feel jealous. He has feelings for you," he whispered to Shuiro. She sighed.
"I know, but seeing the only man interested in me for being me getting stole by another hurt," she whispered back, putting a hand on her chest. They looked at Rimuru agreeing with Treyni. Naruto sighed again.
"I know but as a powerful being, Rimuru will be surrounded by the opposite gender. All you need to do is guide him and show him your love. Only then Rimuru will know who to accept in his life as lovers," he whispered. Shuiro listened attentively before nodding.
"I see. I will need to ponder on it," she whispered, still eying the secretary clinging to her crush. She then turned to her master.
"Without being indiscreet, did you have lovers, Naruto-sama," she asked? Naruto shook his head, smiling sadly.
"Not one," he said, taking by surprised Shuiro and Shuna who listened but didn't comment. "In all my hundred thousand years of existence, this is the only experience I have never been able to feel." The two women gasped. Is he that old? And he never found a lover?
As for Naruto, love was always a hurtful memory of him. While he didn't regret what he did, saving lives from destruction, he still felt this part hollowed in his heart. His followed gods are his disciples and children he collected from another world. But deep down, his heart desired to create a family. He smiled internally, he didn't one bit from when he was still human.
He sensed a pull on his sleeve. Eying at his side, he saw Shuna looking with worried and sadness in her eyes. It touched him, to be cared for by his miko. He patted her head, giving her a warm smile, and transferred his thanks through his eyes. The action surprised her.
Naruto turned back to the meeting group, observing them laughing at an embarrassed Rimuru who was still hugged by Shion. This is the vision he wanted to protect. This is the reason why he became a god. To guide people to happiness and protect them from evil's suffering. He can only move forward. Time will tell. And maybe one day, his desires will be fulfilled.