Ancient One: When You've Lived Long Enough, You Pick Up Every Hobby

Sherlock did not pay much attention to Tony's mood in the garage. Instead, he went straight upstairs to find Pepper.

Or, more accurately, Sherlock had come for Doro. Obviously, because of Obadiah, Sherlock had already determined that danger would soon surround Tony. He would not feel at ease letting Doro continue fooling around at Tony's place.

More importantly, Sherlock felt that Pepper was spoiling Doro a little too much. The moment he saw Doro, he became certain of it.

Good grief, the once adorable Doro had visibly grown a whole size fatter!

After Doro's cutesy cries, Sherlock lovingly rubbed the Doro who had rushed into his arms. Holding that jelly-soft body again, his face was full of satisfaction.

After getting his fill of Doro, Sherlock finally took out the Anywhere Door again under Pepper's reluctant gaze, preparing to leave.

After all, the next battle should be between him and Obadiah. Before the fight began, Sherlock had decided that he had to leave Doro somewhere absolutely safe.

And in this world, at least for now, was there anywhere safer than Ancient One's side?

Besides, Sherlock had plenty of questions for that hard-boiled egg who was definitely rotten to the core!

As Sherlock gripped the Anywhere Door's handle again, a pink door abruptly appeared in Ancient One's private room within a temple in faraway Kamar-Taj.

Yet faced with this suddenly appearing door, Ancient One, the owner of the room, showed no surprise. She continued making tea by the coffee table, merely placing another teacup in the direction of the door.

It was as if she had expected this door to appear all along.

The next second, as the door opened, a soft, adorable voice was the first to reach Ancient One's ears.

"Human~~~~~!"

With that long, coquettish cry, a pink ball of fluff shot over the coffee table before Ancient One and slammed straight into her arms.

As if she had anticipated it, Ancient One was not surprised by the pink fluff ball pouncing on her. She easily caught Doro, and the calm expression on her face instantly turned kindly.

"Ho! Doro, have you gotten fatter? Looks like you've been eating well lately."

"Mhm, mhm, mhm! Human, Doro ate lots and lots of Orangina lately! Big Sister also took Doro to eat bananas, and lots and lots of other yummy things!"

Doro and Ancient One chatted like an ordinary grandmother and granddaughter, completely ignoring Sherlock, who had also stepped out of the door. Sherlock's brow twitched furiously as he watched.

He was already beginning to vaguely regret handing Doro over to this hard-boiled egg before him.

Looking at this harmonious scene, Sherlock became even more convinced that this festeringly rotten hard-boiled egg was definitely trying to fight him for custody of Doro!

Rolling his eyes irritably, Sherlock closed the door and sat down opposite Ancient One. Without the slightest courtesy, he picked up the legendary "Gu Yi's Wonderful Little Tea" and drank.

And he had to admit, this endlessly refilling "Gu Yi's Wonderful Little Tea" really did taste exceptionally good. Unfortunately, no matter how Sherlock asked, Ancient One refused to give him even a little of her exclusive tea leaves.

After playing with Doro for a while, Ancient One abruptly produced an orange as large as a volleyball from her arms. Under Doro's starry-eyed gaze, she stuffed it into Doro's hands and let her play with the giant orange by herself.

After soothing Doro, Ancient One finally turned her attention back to Sherlock—or rather, to the Anywhere Door behind him. With an amused expression, she said to him, "I never imagined Kamar-Taj's portal magic could exist in such a form. I have to say, Sherlock, you truly are a genius!"

She paused, took a sip of tea, then continued, "Speaking of which, I never expected Fujiko F. Fujio to become a world-famous manga artist after leaving Kamar-Taj!"

Pfft! Cough, cough, cough!

Upon hearing Ancient One's words, Sherlock immediately sprayed out a mouthful of tea. His gaze toward her was filled with strangeness, as though he had only met her for the first time today.

Ancient One did not care in the slightest after being stared at by Sherlock's bizarre gaze for so long. She simply maintained her mild smile, shrugged helplessly, and said, "You know how long I've lived. One must always find something to entertain oneself with during one's free time, no?"

Ancient One should not have said anything. After she did, Sherlock's gaze became even stranger. It was hard to imagine that the current strongest Sorcerer Supreme on Earth was actually a hidden otaku.

Moreover, Sherlock now highly suspected that Ancient One sometimes secretly changed identities—or simply attended famous conventions around the world just like this.

Just imagining Ancient One surrounded by a huge crowd of cosplayers, chasing after her while shouting that they wanted photos and to add her as a friend, all while stuffing armfuls of merchandise into her hands, gave Sherlock an inexplicable feeling that her entire character setting had collapsed.

Ancient One, however, remained exceptionally calm. After taking another sip of tea, she seemed to know exactly what Sherlock was thinking and said, "Don't be so surprised. Strip away the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme, and I am merely a human who has lived a little longer! Besides, Kamar-Taj has never rejected change!"

Having his thoughts exposed, Sherlock's body stiffened instinctively. Just as he wondered whether Ancient One had used mind-reading magic on him, he looked up and saw the Eye of Agamotto on her chest glowing green.

"Fxxk! I hate people who play with time!"

Ancient One's expression did not change at Sherlock's words. The smile already on her lips merely grew brighter.

Seeing this, Sherlock helplessly curled his lips and rolled his eyes at Ancient One. With a casual gesture, he made the restored Holy Lance of Longinus appear behind him.

Pointing irritably at the floating Spear of Longinus behind him, he asked Ancient One, "Seriously, did you foresee something and give this to me because of it? I always feel like you set me up!"