I planted a sacred tree in Tokyo.

Chapter 16 Secret Base
Bunkyo District,
University of Tokyo.

This is the famous 'University of Tokyo', the undisputed number one comprehensive university in the island nation.

Students who consider themselves top-performing academically all aspire to study here. And graduates of the University of Tokyo are practically the cream of the crop.

A black sedan drove silently out of the school gate, drawing the attention of passing students.

It's not that they've never seen luxury cars before: many Dongyuan University students come from wealthy families. A mere luxury car wouldn't surprise them; what truly astonished them were the people inside.

"Professor Ohsumi?"

As a student of Tokyo University, how could I not recognize the old man with a full head of white hair and a white beard on the bus?

This professor is a leading figure in molecular and cell biology. If his research is too advanced and incomprehensible to the average person, then to put it simply, he is a Nobel Prize laureate in Physiology or Medicine.

"I remember there was Professor Osumi's class today?"

A biology major scratched his head in confusion.

"Perhaps something urgent has happened?"

Another student answered, while simultaneously pulling out his phone.

"Look, Professor Ohsumi's class has been canceled."

"Huh?!"

"I've been looking forward to this class for a long time."

Upon hearing the news, the students all sighed in disappointment.

"This is the first time in my more than 30 years of teaching that I have canceled a course without a valid reason."

Inside the bulletproof car, an elderly man with a thick white beard slowly spoke.

"Now, can you tell me what's so urgent?"

Even a Nobel laureate would be completely bewildered to receive an emergency order directly from a central agency like the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

"Mr. Ohsumi, please be patient."

The man in the passenger seat had a stern face and sat upright, as if he were ready to deal with any unexpected situation at any moment.

"You will know when you reach your destination."

?

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"This"

Upon arriving at their destination and getting out of the car, Professor Ohsumi was even more confused.

This is a warehouse located in Setagaya Ward, a traditionally affluent area.

Almost all the people living here are from families with a long history, and their ancestors can be traced back to the shogunate.

Other black cars were already parked in the warehouse, and almost all the people who got out were familiar faces, including many old acquaintances who had worked with Professor Ohsumi in the past and had some unpleasant dealings with him.

Professor Ohsumi had assumed that the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's emergency transfer order was only for him; but judging from the current situation, it seemed that all the prominent biology professors in Tokyo had been summoned.

What could it be that warrants such a large-scale mobilization?

The scene before him had piqued Professor Ohsumi's curiosity: without curiosity, one cannot become an outstanding researcher.

"Osumi?"

A familiar voice sounded from the side.

"Are you here too?"

The other person was also an elderly scholar with white hair, but unlike Professor Osumi, who had a full beard, the old man walking towards him had his silver hair neatly combed back and a gentle smile on his face. He looked like a famous teacher with students all over the world.

Indeed, this is true; he has been a professor for fifty years and has taught countless outstanding students.

"Benshu?"

Professor Ohsumi glanced at the other person with surprise. The other person was also a Nobel Prize laureate in Physiology or Medicine, specializing in cancer immunology.

The two are of similar age and have both reached the pinnacle of their respective fields, making them true old acquaintances.

"You were also urgently summoned?"

"Hmm, it seems you are too,"

"I also want to ask you, do you know what the above means?"

Two elderly scholars with white hair started chatting, and the others greeted each other: everyone present was a top professor in the field of biology, and it would have been very difficult to gather them together if it weren't for orders from above.

After all, where there are friends, there are bound to be rivals!

"Everyone, I've been waiting for a long time."

A few minutes later, a government worker in formal attire emerged from deep within the warehouse.

He politely raised his hand to acknowledge the elderly scholars.

"What does it mean?"

Professor Ohsumi frowned and pointed behind the other person.

Besides the government employee, he was followed by several heavily armed soldiers.

"Please rest assured,"

“You are all national treasures, and no one dares to harm you.”

Government staff patiently explained.
"These soldiers are on duty to protect this base. Please follow me."

?this.
Logically speaking, several Nobel laureates present were top scientists from the island nation.

Theoretically, there should be no possibility of personal safety issues, but the current situation is far too bizarre. They have handled national-level experiments before, but never with this kind of mysterious approach and the gathering of so many people.

"Let's go, Osumi."

Professor Honjo, with his silver hair combed back, took the first step.

At their age, what storms haven't they weathered? Even death is just a matter of time.

"Let's go see what the government is up to."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Extraordinary beings?"

Are you sure there are no problems here?

Professor Ohsumi pointed to his temple and spoke frankly.

Unlike other polite scholars, he loved fitness from a young age and earned the nickname "The Mad Lion of Fukuoka" on the sports field when he was young.

Yes, gentlemen.

On the continuously descending elevator, government staff earnestly explained to these biological experts.

"We've captured an extraordinary creature,"

"We need your wisdom, please come this way."

The elevator stopped, and the group of elderly scholars followed the staff member into the underground base, arriving at a room with a glass curtain wall, and looking inside:

"Shiba Inu?"

"It is indeed a Shiba Inu."

The scholars looked at each other in disbelief. The creature in the room in front of them had yellow fur all over its body, a wide forehead, a pointed and protruding muzzle, small, slightly triangular, erect ears, small triangular eyes, and a thick tail that curled up over its back. It had a smiling appearance. What else could it be but a Shiba Inu?
That's it? !
A group of biology professors

That priceless brain almost crashed on the spot; if it weren't for his good manners, he would have started swearing!

"Please calm down, everyone—"

A government staff member pressed a button on his headset, and the thick metal walls in the room slid open silently.

"Roar!! Roar!!"

Amidst a terrifying roar, a tiger leaped out from within.

?

I only glanced at it.
Many biology professors have already realized that the tiger has been injected with drugs.

The crazed tiger appeared and pounced on the Shiba Inu!
One of them is estimated to be three meters long and weighs around 200 kilograms, and is known as the king of beasts;

The other dog is only a pitiful half meter tall and weighs no more than 10 kilograms. It's questionable whether this Shiba Inu is even big enough to take a bite out of a tiger.

Bang!
Next second,
Two figures of vastly different sizes collided.

? ? ? ?
The biology professor behind the glass curtain wall widened his eyes instantly.

"Woof!"

The Shiba Inu, with its two short legs outstretched, actually withstood the tiger's attack!
The scene before me was as absurd as someone raising their hand to stop a speeding dump truck.

"Ouch~~"

With a weak, powerless roar, the petite Shiba Inu swung its paws over the tiger's head.

Boom!
A tiger weighing 20 times its own weight was simply flipped over.

???

"Roar--"

The tiger, having sprung up, roared and opened its blood-red maw, pouncing on the Shiba Inu once more; driven by drugs and hunger, its heart was filled only with the desire to kill.

brush,

Faced with the attack of the king of beasts, the Shiba Inu pawed with its short legs.

It dodged the attack with terrifying speed, leaving a yellow trail on the retinas of numerous biology professors.

“This is it.”

Pointing to the 'battle' behind the glass curtain wall, Professor Ohsumi trembled and couldn't utter a complete sentence.

"Yes,"

"Gentlemen, this is the extraordinary creature we have captured."

The government staff nodded. Although it looked like just a Shiba Inu, after becoming 'extraordinary', it could fight a tiger to a standstill!
Of course, in the face of modern firepower, even a tiger is nothing more than a 'big orange cat'.

On the entire planet, only humans are qualified to be humanity's adversaries.

But this Shiba Inu represents:
"Everyone,"

"Without a doubt, this is a dog demon."

"And your task is to find out the source of the other party's 'demonic power'."

"This is for the nation. No, it's for the evolution of humanity. I urge everyone to give it your all—"

After speaking, the government official bowed at a 90-degree angle.

"please!"

(End of this chapter)