Chapter 613

《Galaxy Ninja Scroll》·Previous Events Summary

Under the night mist, the suburbs' streets were colorless; colored things were the neon signs scattered throughout the streets, the brilliant hue of the entwining·ninja sigils, and the figures of the entwining·ninjas.

Scattered across the ground like trash bags were not plastic refuse, but the claws and fangs of the Ape‑Monkey House. The shadows cast before the entwining·ninja‑errant were not those of desperate vengeful spirits, but a stranger emanating the power of the Valiant·ninja——

"First meeting… Who might you be, sir?"

"First meeting, we are ninja‑errants who have received the true transmission of the 【Patrol Hunt】, coming to subdue the Ape‑Monkey·evil ninja."

"Ninja‑errant? It seems my trial has already ended……"

"Trial?"

"The ultimate trial of the degenerate age… break the formation of the Ape‑Monkey House, dispel the calamity shrouding this place." Luanpo, still somewhat fatigued from the battle just ended, slowly raised his head: "May I ask… have I earned the title of ninja‑errant?"

"Great Storm God above! What steadfast ninja‑spirit. Indeed, such a pure ninja ought to be called a ninja‑errant." The other solemnly extended a hand to her: "First meeting, entwining·ninja‑errant!"

"……" Luanpo's teeth chattered; excitedly he lifted his gaze to the Ape‑Monkey House behind her, murmuring: "Ten years of austerity, one morning of fame… I have not disappointed the entwining·ninja law, Master Bitter Tea, I truly hope you can witness this scene……"

"Then I will go subdue the evil ninja; farewell."

Luanpo called out to her: "Wait, since I am now a ninja‑errant capable of opposing the evil ninja… may I lend you a hand?"

But she shook her head and refused: "No, your hunt is already complete; this is our hunt——"

——

Naruto.

"Ten years of austerity, one morning of fame……"

Naruto softly repeated these words, a faint regret flickering across his face.

Master Bitter Tea to Luanpo is probably akin to the Lascivious Immortal to him? Only that Master Bitter Tea…… is he still in the mortal world?

From Luanpo's words it is not hard to hear that she also came to destroy the Primordial Doctor's conspiracy; after destroying this Ape‑Monkey House she joined with other ninjas from the Ninja Nation, and together they embarked on the Patrol Hunt path, those ninja‑errants all joined the Patrol Sea Wanderers, and Luanpo himself became a member of the Wanderers.

It seems this is Luanpo's life story.

"Ape‑Monkey House…… is probably similar to Origami University, right?" Shikamaru lounged lazily in a tree, a stem between his lips, "As a 'failed product of the Doctor,' I'm actually curious where Luanpo failed—was it uncontrollable? Or a deficiency in physical aptitude?"

Shikamaru's first thought was Liuying; if Luanpo is some kind of enhanced cybernetic person, then like Liuying her original role was likely a 'weapon.' The difference is that the person who wielded the weapon is gone for the former, whereas the weapon itself gained self‑awareness and turned its blade against its master.

But if it is a matter of physical aptitude falling short of the Primordial Doctor's experimental requirements, then the consequences are hard to predict…… Has the Doctor already produced a qualified test subject, and what kind of monster would that be?

——

"Hunt hunt hunt hunt hunt——"

"Like a system error tone, accompanied by Reck's utterance of 'CUT,' everything returned to reality."

"I see, this actor's repertoire is 【Special Effects Film】." Reck slowly turned his body, looking at the people behind him, "Today's actors are quite interesting. One lives in a green screen, one has swapped identities, and……"

Reck directed his gaze at Star; as the assistant director beside his foot uttered a 'gua,' the corner of his mouth rose a few more degrees, "Of course there's also you, the most promising one, the superstar of the gathering in the Land of Dreams."

"Give you the camera, raise it wow!" Star totally not used to him, instantly put on a battle face.

"Please allow me to apologize again; I indeed have a cooperative relationship with Banana Helper. But this is not unavoidable; as a 【Meme Lifeform】, I inadvertently fell into enemy hands and contracted a lethal meme virus."

"Are you a memory‑domain meme?"

"No no no, I am far more formal than those background actors."

Luanpo: "I see, the spatial ninja technique just now was indeed exquisite; if you are a memory‑ninja from 【Liuguang Yi Town】, then it's no surprise."

"So, regarding your actions in the principal's office, may I understand betrayal as merely a performance, with the true purpose being to bring us here?" Danheng raised the key question.

Reck nodded: "Or I would rather call it a…… self‑rescue."

——

Genshin Impact.

"Meme lifeform……"

In the deep night of Nordkale, inside the 'Flagship' tavern, two silhouettes sat facing each other in the hazy light.

Yelan leaned against the cushion, fingertips rubbing the rim of her glass; the 'meme lifeform' mentioned by Reck sparked a bit of interest, prompting her to turn her gaze back to the opposite‑seated Navia.

"That elusive Black Swan lady I recall is also a meme lifeform, right? I'm truly glad she isn't in Pinokangni now."

"Meme…… what an interesting word."

Navia gave a light smile, her green eyes glancing lightly over the glass before her: "Moreover, he mentioned 'self‑rescue'…… According to my speculation, the contamination of the meme virus exists in a gradient. Initially it may merely alter speech habits, but over time it deepens, eventually erasing personality and turning the mind into a thorough 'monkey.' As for the so‑called 'Banana Helper'——" she paused meaningfully, "it likely greatly accelerates the virus's influence."

"It seems we are still in the early stage of the virus?" Yelan took a light sip of Nordkale's 'fine wine,' unlike the richness of Liyue; this spicy, wild note made her brow faintly crease: "Could it be that, given time, all of Teyvat—people and gods alike—will turn into monkeys?"

"Miss Yelan, who can say for sure?" Navia lifted her cup before her, smiling as she sipped.

After a brief silence, Yelan spoke again: "Can Nordkale's local lunar‑matrix power resist the invasion of the meme virus?"

"Heh…… you wouldn't be thinking of getting free intel from me, would you?"

"You'll get what you want." Yelan raised her glass, "Fair trade, equivalent exchange."

"No problem." Navia raised her cup and lightly tapped it against Yelan's, "What you want to know…… the 'Frost Moon Child' side is currently scrambling over this, and the Fools' faction's lunar‑matrix power test design bureau is no better—— merely there's word that the Seventh Seat of the Fools, the 【Puppet】, has personally taken charge of researching the meme virus, but judging from the response over there…… it's not very successful, really."