Chapter 74: Chapter 74
Naruto turned his head slightly to the side, his sharp eyes landing on the observer. Even with just a glance, he could sense the immense power radiating from her. He had heard of her before, from his research on the world's various inhabitants. However, this was the first time he was assessing her in person. His instincts told him she was skilled, a warrior who could easily outclass most others.
What caught his attention even more was her appearance. Though she was far older than him in terms of age, she didn't look a day over twenty-five, with her youthful features and energy that suggested she had somehow frozen her appearance. He recognized it immediately—it was the result of her Digimon heritage, which, combined with her Ultra Digimon Tamers lineage, granted her an almost immortal quality. The mysterious aura that surrounded her was one of immense power, and yet she carried herself with an air of youth, not wanting to be perceived as an older woman.
Kara's resemblance to her mother, with whom she shared much of her Digimon bloodline, was striking. It wasn't just her looks—her personality and demeanor were also stuck in a youthful state, an outward refusal to be seen as anything but strong and capable.
She stood before him, tall and poised, her blonde hair cascading down her back, paired with piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through him. She wore a blue armor adorned with a flowing red cape, which seemed to shift and reshape in subtle ways, almost as if it had a life of its own. She was a vision of elegance and danger, a master of power who seemed as though she could dismantle anything that stood in her way.
Naruto, despite his best efforts to remain calm and collected, couldn't help but feel a small sense of awe. Her presence was overwhelming in a way that was both impressive and humbling. But, being Naruto, he quickly composed himself.
"It is my pleasure to accept such a request," he replied with a smile, his voice steady despite the underlying fatigue from the battle. He was healing quickly, thanks to the energy-rich bread Sanzo had given him. His regenerative abilities, honed to perfection over time, allowed him to heal at unnatural speeds. He felt the chakra surge within him, knitting his wounds back together.
Kara's smile widened slightly as she observed him, clearly entertained by his quick recovery.
"No, this is just a normal encounter. I didn't plan to meet you so soon, but your performance beckoned me. I might have missed it if you fought tomorrow." Kara's voice was friendly, but there was something calm and calculating about the way she spoke. She extended her hand toward him, and Naruto, now slightly cautious, took it in a handshake.
As soon as their hands touched, he felt something strange—a subtle, almost imperceptible fragility in her grasp. It was a jarring sensation for someone of her obvious strength, but Naruto didn't let it affect his demeanor. He kept his composure, his ego thankfully not bruised by the touch.
Fortunately for him, his confidence didn't rely on being treated like a powerhouse at all times. But the fragility he felt wasn't lost on him. It was a reminder that even beings with great power had their own vulnerabilities.
He quickly moved past that thought, realizing the underlying reason for the battle occurring the way it did. Kara had a limited presence in other areas of the world, and this particular encounter had occurred because she wasn't able to dedicate time to regions outside the main cities, except for special reasons.
"It was a happy coincidence," Naruto said, a sly grin crossing his face. "You got a fight, and I got to meet a charming woman of great power. I am truly humbled." He didn't even try to hide the sincere admiration he felt for her. Kara's power was undeniable, and even though she had caught him off guard with the nature of her presence, he respected her strength.
Kara's smile grew, but it took on a more teasing quality as she looked at him. "Are you coming on to me? How cute!" she said with playful mockery, clearly amused by his direct approach.
Naruto's face twitched at the word. He had been called many things, but "cute" was one of the few labels that irritated him to no end. He was handsome, dashing, and a warrior—just don't call him cute.
"I'm serious," he continued, trying his best to keep his composure despite the simmering frustration. "When can I meet your parents? I will personally ask them for your hand." He said it with a flair, mostly playing along with the banter, but part of him wanted to know what plans Kara's family had in store for him. If Kara was watching him, there had to be some reason for her interest. And he didn't intend to hide his own power any longer. This wasn't just some casual meeting—it was a chance to be part of the central group, to learn what he could about the people pulling the strings in this world.
Kara burst out laughing, her musical laughter ringing through the air. Even Son, who was watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but chuckle at Naruto's boldness.
Kara's response was as expected—no one had ever dared to approach her parents for such a personal request, and few had the guts to even think of courting her. But here was Naruto, completely unapologetic, and it amused her to no end.
No one had ever dared to be so blunt with her before. Most of the men around her were either intimidated by her power or simply lacked the courage to approach her in such a way.
"You've got guts, I'll give you that." Kara smiled, clearly enjoying the exchange.
Naruto grinned back, satisfied with how things were going. He may have been exhausted, battered, and still healing, but he was still here, standing tall and leaving a lasting impression.
Kara, her arms crossed confidently, tilted her head slightly and fixed her gaze on Naruto. Her expression was thoughtful yet playful, clearly enjoying the interaction.
"We have our eyes on you," she said, her voice calm yet carrying an unmistakable weight of authority. "Father will meet you when you reach Ultimate rank. With your current progress, that rank is enough. Usually, we would wait until Mega, but I think you have potential." Her eyes sparkled with curiosity, and there was a hint of pride in her voice, as though she were already anticipating Naruto's growth.
She flicked his forehead lightly, her playful side shining through in the moment. "After that meeting, maybe you'll become part of our group," she added, her tone light, but there was something deeper beneath her words, an implication that becoming part of her group was a significant step—one that would require him to prove himself further.
Naruto smirked, brushing his hair back and shaking his head, trying to hide the slight discomfort that Kara's casual touch caused. He wasn't used to being treated like this by someone so powerful, but at the same time, there was a strange comfort in her familiarity.
As he processed her words, another thought crossed his mind, and with a hint of challenge, he grinned widely. "Hey, Kara, wanna fight?"
Kara's expression shifted almost immediately—her lips twitched as she gave him a look that could've frozen anyone else in their tracks. She wasn't one to back down, but she had just witnessed his battle the day before, and to her, it was clear that improvement couldn't be forced in such a short time.
"We fought yesterday, you crackhead," she retorted sharply, her voice filled with mock exasperation. "People don't improve in a day. I'll look for you after a month and break that filthy mouth." Her eyes blazed with a fire that only someone as competitive as she was could muster. It was the prideful streak inherited from both of her parents—their competitive nature burning in her veins.
She didn't like losing, but what bothered her even more was how Son had beaten her in battle. Of course, there were conditions—she'd been without her Digimon, and Son knew better than to challenge her in a fair match, but the defeat still stung.
Before the moment could stretch further, Son—who had been standing off to the side and listening to their exchange—couldn't hold back a remark. "I don't deny the crack, but improvement comes from constant fights. Look at this kid. He did better than your old ass." His voice was a grumble of irritation, as if he was trying to rile Kara up intentionally.
Kara's eyes narrowed instantly, and her response was quick—too quick for anyone to react. With a fluid motion, she unleashed a powerful kick straight to Son's chin. The impact was so forceful that it sent the Monkey Digimon flying high into the air, his body spiraling upward toward the heavens. For a brief moment, it looked like he might escape the atmosphere entirely. But before he could vanish into the sky, Sanzo, ever the watchful one, caught Son mid-air, preventing him from going any further.
Son, however, didn't even attempt to react to the blow. The seal that was placed on him had rendered him completely immobile, and he was knocked unconscious by the force of Kara's kick.
Sanzo, understanding Son's prideful nature and tendency to stir trouble, didn't even try to wake him up. He knew Son wouldn't just lie there quietly; the moment he regained consciousness, he'd probably start another fight—one that wasn't needed.
As the group stood there, still absorbing the chaos, Kara's voice broke the silence, tinged with both amusement and guilt.
"Sorry about that, Kiara," she said, turning toward the older Digimon who had been standing calmly nearby. "Your monkey got on my nerves."
Kiara, understanding the long-standing history between Kara and Son, smiled kindly, though there was a hint of exasperation in her eyes. "It's not your fault. I still have work to do with him. Son's nature is quite wild, so it's hard for him to act civil."
The two exchanged glances, the history between Son and Kara clear to anyone who could understand the situation. Son was a troublemaker with an untamed spirit, and he had a long list of offenses he'd committed against Kara. She had once been his target for pranks, and his bullying had even extended to her Digimon. But what Kara found most unforgivable was how Son had made her life difficult with his constant teasing and tricks.
In their past interactions, he had stolen her underwear and sold it, made fun of her food, bullied her Digimon, and even gone so far as to throw monkeys in her bath. One particularly cruel prank had seen him tricking her into falling into a pit of insects. The list of offenses was endless.
Still, despite all of that, she hadn't killed him, though many times she had been tempted. Why? Because Son was one of the heroes, and there was some level of respect for the position he held. But that didn't mean she would just forgive him for everything.
"Just put a seal on his dick and he wouldn't dare."
Kiara shot her a look, though it was more amused than anything else. "Now, that would be unnecessarily cruel," she said with a shake of her head. "I know you have problems with him, but please let them go. He's changed a lot on his journey on my side."
The words stung, but Kara was reluctant to admit that there might be truth in them. Son's journey had forced him to grow in ways he hadn't before, and Kiara was right in saying that Son wasn't the same as he used to be.
Still, Kara wasn't one to forgive so easily. She had her own set of rules, her own pride to uphold. She crossed her arms, staring down at Son, who was still unconscious on the ground, his prideful, childish face now completely unguarded.
"Sorry, but I can't do that," Kara muttered, her voice colder now. "Teach him to apologize first, and then I'll give it a thought." Her eyes darkened as she looked at Kiara, though her expression softened somewhat in the end. "I'm not dumb. I see right through his monkey head. He doesn't apologize, and he keeps getting on my nerves so that I'll fight him like he's the enemy."
The final words were filled with frustration, but also a sense of defiance. Kara knew that Son was right in some ways—fighting was a path to improvement—but that didn't mean she was going to forgive someone who hadn't shown any remorse for their past actions.
Kiara's name, like many other intelligent Digimon, was a result of her species' tradition. As a member of the Sanzomon tribe, she wasn't the only one of her kind. The practice of choosing a name was common among Digimon that gained intelligence, a way for them to set themselves apart from others of their species. It was essential for identity and significance. After all, the majority of Digimon had others like them, and with multiple individuals of the same species, it became necessary for them to establish their own identity through a unique name.
Kiara had chosen the name herself after gaining consciousness and realizing the role she would play among her kind. It was a reflection of her individuality and her place within the world of Digimon—a symbol of her own journey. Her name marked her development beyond the basic instincts of a mere creature, representing the beginning of her self-awareness and distinction from the others of her species.
However, not all Digimon followed this convention. A rare group of beings, those who stood far beyond the ordinary, were unique in a way that transcended the need for names. These Digimon were singular, with no counterparts in existence. Their power was so immense that their very existence set them apart. In their case, no name was needed because they were irreplaceable—like the legendary Omnimon or Alphamon. Such Digimon were unique in a way that meant no other of their kind could ever appear in the world again.
Omnimon, a fusion of two mighty Digimon, represented a combination of power that had no equal. Similarly, Alphamon was a being of such extraordinary strength and importance that his existence was a symbol of leadership and a reflection of a power that had no peers. These Digimon were the very pinnacle of what it meant to be one-of-a-kind. Their name was unnecessary because their presence alone spoke volumes about their immense abilities and legendary status.
While most Digimon like Kiara would need to take a name to differentiate themselves, this rare group stood as a reminder that some beings were simply so powerful that they couldn't be replicated. They were the epitome of power and uniqueness, the very foundation of legends that no other Digimon could hope to match.