I planted a sacred tree in Tokyo.

Chapter 254 is ultimately a source of deep regret.
Buzzing! ...

On the light destroyer, close-in weapon systems fired fiercely, the sound of the six barrels rotating so loudly that it even drowned out the sound of bullets leaving the barrel; armor-piercing shells whistled out like steel whips, tearing apart the illusions of the demons.

"Idiot, don't turn on the fire control radar!"

On the deck, he swung the cannon in his hand and sent a demon flying.

Marshall, his chin tentacles flying, turned and angrily rebuked:

"Use infrared tracking mode!"

Each of the demons is a 'weak dog' level, theoretically weaker than a fully armed American soldier.

However, all the demons possess the ability of 'illusion'.

This ability is not lethal, but it can create multiple lifelike illusions of demons.

These illusions, when attacked, will split into even more illusions: once they caught the island nation off guard, and most of Wakayama Prefecture fell.

But researchers quickly discovered its weakness: an illusion is just an illusion, and an infrared telescope can easily see through it.

As the sailors in the cockpit changed their target acquisition mode, bullets swept across the real monsters, scattering limbs and broken wings.

Da da da da,

Apart from a few close-in weapon systems
There were also quite a few sailors on deck carrying FAMAS automatic rifles;
They protected their captain, constantly pulling the trigger, their guns spitting fire, forming firing points that swept across any demons that tried to approach.

But for the demons who have no concept of 'fear', no matter how fierce the opponent's firepower is, all they need to do is charge forward headfirst.

"Ah~~!"

The moment of reloading,
Gaps have appeared in the fire control network.

A sailor was tackled to the deck by a serpent.
He raised his rifle, blocking the opponent's gaping jaws.

However, when the opponent's sharp wings grazed his body, palm-length wounds were immediately torn open, blood splattered, and death was only a matter of time.

Snapped,

A large, fan-like hand descended and seized the demon's enormous eyeballs and body.

He then pulled his arm back and grabbed the struggling demon.

Twist your waist and spin around, making a throwing motion:

call out--

next moment,
This demon was thrown out by Marshall like a shot put.

Bang! !

It crashed hard into another flying demon, and the two spun around and fell into the sea.

"Thank you, Captain Xie."

"Go get treatment!"

"Yes!"

Upon hearing the captain's words,

The blood-covered sailor got up and stumbled back to his cabin.

As expected of the Nine-Tailed Fox's forces, even a small group of demons has put me in a tough fight.

Marshall, whose skin was covered in scales, glanced around. Hundreds of demons swirled around him. If it were an ordinary warship, it would probably be helpless because it had been swept onto the deck.

Even though he and his sailors fought fiercely on the deck, they still found it very difficult to hold out.

We must hurry and search for the 'Extraordinary Pearl' to enhance our own and our subordinates' strength!

Demons, regular troops, and untrained soldiers.
In this chaotic sea, every creature you encounter is an enemy.

"Men, perk up!"

"There are only a dozen or so demons left; the rest are illusions!"

With him, the captain, personally leading the charge, the other sailors—whether the desperate men he brought or the 'former soldiers' who were forced to join—could only grit their teeth and persevere until they killed all the demons or fell themselves.

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.

Limasava Island
"Retreat! Retreat now—"

That boy is a monster.

Several mercenaries ran down the stairs, frantically preparing to evacuate the battlefield along the alley.

Buzzing

But when I looked up...

The drones flying overhead chilled them to the bone.

drones,
This former 'toy' has, with the advancement of technology and warfare, become a 'frequent visitor' on the battlefield.

Its small size means that most radars will have difficulty detecting its arrival; the vast sky makes it extremely difficult to intercept drones—forget about electromagnetic interference, the biggest advantage of drones is that they are very difficult to detect.

We can't keep the jammer running indefinitely until we discover the drone, can we?

Power consumption is a big problem.

Unless they unlock the cutting-edge technology of a 'small nuclear reactor'.

By the time the arrival of the drone is detected, it is often too late to intervene.

This is the most annoying thing about drones: when they're far away, you can't spot them; when they're close, you can't react in time.

"There are drones."

"Never mind it, let's go!"

Upon seeing the drone overhead, the mercenaries did not stop to try and shoot it down; instead, they ran headlong into the distance.

Compared to the drone, the monstrous boy in the background was far more deadly—

Bang!
The window above the alley was suddenly smashed open.

Splash,

Glass shards flew everywhere.

A young boy rushed out, and amidst the splinters and debris, he raised his gun in mid-air and aimed it at the fleeing mercenary.

boom!boom!boom!boom!boom!
The bullets whistled through the air and struck the mercenaries at the back of the group.

The sprinting figure stumbled and fell; the bulletproof vest and helmet could not stop the close-range rifle bullets. The main purpose of these equipment was to prevent injury from shrapnel and stray bullets.

"run!"

The remaining mercenaries were terrified and had no intention of turning back to engage the enemy.

thud,

The boy who smashed through the window and leaped out landed in the alley, performing a standard tactical roll to dissipate the force; then he flipped himself up and, like a cheetah, chased after the fleeing mercenaries with his gun in hand!
As his heart beat, it continuously pumped blood throughout his body.

At the same time, a faint but real 'energy' was circulating within his body, serving as the source of his second power.

Don't even think about escaping!
They were suddenly ambushed, and their companions died.

Young Luffy gritted his teeth, his well-defined muscles stretching and contracting beneath his clothes, allowing him to quickly catch up with the mercenaries ahead. Gunfire erupted, and another battle ensued.

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.

Adachi Ward, Tokyo

"Ok?"

It's customary to visit one's sacred tree.

Youwei, who was chatting with Xiaoying and Bai Zangzhu, was slightly taken aback.

He sensed a self-generated 'chakra source'.

It's not about drinking extraordinary potions or eating extraordinary pearls—the essence of these methods to become extraordinary is obtaining the chakra that Yuu shared.

This one absorbs free chakra and lets it circulate in the meridians.

To voluntarily embark on the path of a ninja, or rather, a path of transcendence.

"What's wrong, Onmyoji?"

The enormous white fox raised its head slightly, its open eyes turning slightly, reflecting You's figure.

This young Onmyoji possesses the legacy of the Ashiya family from a thousand years ago; his strength has increased by leaps and bounds. Others may not know, but how could it be hidden from him, Hakuzosu?
He had already stepped into the level of a great demon—that is, the 'demon level'; if he did not rely on the power of the divine tree, Bai Zangzhu's own 'body' would only be at the demon level: such a top human powerhouse deserves to be treated with respect by him, 'Bai Zangzhu'.

"It was just a sudden whim."

"It's not a big deal."

Upon hearing Yu's answer, the white fox's expression turned serious.

"When a powerful human like you suddenly has a whim, something big must be about to happen!"

"This world is wonderful, but it's too chaotic."

Although he stayed on the 'divine tree' every day, Hakuzosu was also aware of all the big and small things happening in the world: In this era, humans invented a creation called the 'network', which allows them to know everything happening in the world without leaving home.

That's right, as a 'divine messenger,' Hakuzosu also reads the news and plays games.

"Whether it's chaotic or not, it won't get to this place."

You looked up at the tree canopy overhead, which blocked out the sun, and said calmly.

Who would have thought that the real source of chaos in this chaotic era of 'Rebirth of the Supernatural' would be this very tree that protects the region?

"Right,"

Bai Zangzhu nodded.
Whether it's the southern seas or demons and monsters, it doesn't matter.
What kind of storm can be stirred up by Lady Miketsu's divine might?
"It's probably the birth of some great demon."

Hakuzosu offered this explanation for Yu's 'spur-of-the-moment' behavior.

Well, finally someone has taken the first step towards becoming a transcendent on their own. Although I knew this day would come eventually, it still piqued Yu's interest when someone actually absorbed free 'chakra' and became a transcendent.

Send a clone over to take a look.

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.

"Cough cough, we surrender, we surrender!"

The battle was over, and the mercenary captain, shot in the leg, lay in the middle of the street, forced to raise his hands.

Even now that he's injured and his weapon is lying to the side, even when he wasn't injured and had his subordinates with him, he still couldn't beat this monstrous boy in front of him.

"Hoo~ho~ho~~"

The intense battle caused the boy named Luffy's chest to heave violently, his skin to turn an eerie pink, and plumes of hot steam to escape from the corners of his mouth.

It looks like some kind of supernatural ability: in fact, it is indeed some kind of 'berserk' state.

A boy who absorbed free chakra and broke through the limits of human potential in battle.
He walked step by step toward the mercenary captain.

"why?"

Why did you ambush us?

Luffy didn't recognize the other person and assumed they had no grudge against him. "Ahem, you're here to search for the 'Extraordinary Pearl,' right?"

Upon hearing the boy's question, the mercenary captain lying on the ground did not answer, but instead asked in return:

"If so, you should know the reason."

Eliminate the competitors!
The extraordinary pearl is an absolute treasure: anyone who consumes it will immediately gain power at the level of a 'strong hound'.

If you eat the second one, after reaching the wolf level, you will immediately become a superior being.

In this situation, most competitors implicitly consider each other to be mortal enemies!

tap tap tap,

“Ruf,”

"it's over?"

The sound of hurried footsteps grew louder as armed villagers, following Luffy, rushed over.

"What about the rest?"

Looking back, Luffy noticed that three people were missing from the group.

"died."

The drone pilot's calm reply made the boy's face twitch.

brush,

The mercenary captain lying in front of him glared fiercely and suddenly got up, trying to snatch the gun.

砰、

Gunshots rang out,

The mercenary captain, blood gushing from a hole in his forehead, fell backward, his eyes rapidly dimming and becoming chaotic.

"Clean up the battlefield and collect any usable supplies."

"Then--"

Begin searching the island for extraordinary pearls: thanks to a certain extraordinary blogger, everyone knows that these pearls emit a shimmering glow and are not hard to find.

This is understandable. Since the 'Sea Kingdom' is planning to lure humans into the game to deal with the Nine-Tailed Fox's subordinates, they won't make the 'bait' too well hidden.

People die for wealth, birds die for food, and the same applies to those who aspire to become extraordinary.

An invisible gaze fell from the sky.

Ok,
Is this the boy?
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.

Two days later,
Little Bucas Island,
"came back!"

"Luffy and the others are back!"

As the children spread the word, the townspeople flocked to the docks.

?

This scene,

This attracted the attention of a giant ribbonfish, the "King of the Nearshore," which was idly swimming around in the nearby waters and swam over to "watch."

Soon, five motorboats left long white trails on the sea and docked at the pier.

"how come?"

Three people are missing.

"Hey, Aunt Lopez has fainted!"

Before the motorboat had even come to a complete stop, a commotion arose in the crowd as someone fainted and was helped up by others.

Under the gaze of hundreds of people on the dock, Luffy, his body wrapped in bandages, licked his dry lips.

"We're back,"

The boy, who showed no fear in the face of fully armed mercenaries, couldn't help but lower his head.

"It's good that you're back."

The stern-looking middle-aged man who was leading the group stepped forward and patted the boy, who was covered in blood and smelled of gunpowder.

His gaze then swept over the other people and landed on the motorboat.

"Several men, come and take the spoils back!"

"I come,"

"I'm coming too!"

Several able-bodied young men immediately volunteered to step forward.

It's just moving some things; there are plenty of people vying to do this kind of safe job.

"Just come back."

The serious-looking middle-aged man patted young Luffy on the shoulder again and turned around.

“Take them to the hospital, and—”

"Take Lopez and the others home."

He waved his hand, and the others sprang into action, some helping Luffy and the others with their guns, others helping the dazed women, children, and elderly people away.

"My son, my son~~"

"Oooh wow!!"

"Dad~~"

Soon, sporadic cries began, eventually turning into heart-wrenching wails.

The three who will never return also have their own parents, relatives, and even children.

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.

"I'm sorry, Dad."

"We did not find the extraordinary pearl, and we also lost three companions."

In the hospital, professional doctors unwrapped the bandages on Luffy's body, cleaning the wounds and removing various foreign objects from them.

When wounded in combat, only emergency treatment with bandages is possible. Now, the wound has been reopened to clean it. This level of excruciating pain would require anesthesia for many veterans.

In the military, many "prohibited drugs" are openly distributed to soldiers; the mental pressure and physical pain are enough to crush them.

Regardless of their country of origin, soldiers are essentially ordinary people, not some kind of steel monsters.

For Luffy, the physical pain was bearable.

But there is also the psychological regret and self-blame.
They are all gnawing at his soul.

"Don't blame yourself, child."

The serious middle-aged man patted his son on the shoulder, then hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.

If he could, he would never want to see his son risk his life.

but--

He had no reason to stop his son's actions.

"Let's heal our injuries first. If we don't have one island, we can always find another."

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.

"Luffy, you can't yet."

"Don't worry, doctor, I know my body."

After the bandage was finished, the boy named Luffy immediately got up, ignored the doctor's advice, walked out of the hospital, and headed towards the home of his three companions.

"I'm sorry, Aunt Lopez, I failed to protect everyone."

"I'm sorry, I organized this operation."

"Feel sorry."

They went door-to-door to apologize.

After being greeted with either choked words of comfort, sarcastic remarks, or quiet tears, the boy walked alone out of town.

"Whoo~~~"

Reaching the deserted woods by the sea, Luffy let out a long sigh.

Everyone dies eventually.

Heading into the Nine-Tails' territory, death is ever-present.

He knew all of this, but he still couldn't let go of the grief for the families of his fallen comrades.

Bang!
He slammed his fist into the tree trunk, sending bark flying.

Bang!
Another fist landed on the tree trunk, smashing the tree fibers away.

Boom boom boom boom boom!!
A barrage of punches rained down on the tree, sending splinters flying.

The boy silently pounded the tree trunk again and again. He understood the道理 (principles/reasons), but facing the death of his companion...
Not reconciled!
click,

Under the boy's tireless fists, the tree, as thick as a thigh, finally couldn't withstand the force and was broken in two!

"Huff, huff~~~"

Snap, snap, snap,

The sudden applause behind him made the panting Luffy turn around abruptly;
He exposed his face, which was biting his lip but covered in tears and snot, to the other person.

"Young man, you're crying."

?

"I'm not crying!"

The boy, who had just wiped his face and whose sleeve was soaked, craned his neck and looked at the other person.

"What are you... an extraordinary being?"

Luffy called the other person a 'superhuman being' because the other person didn't look like a 'human' at all.

This is a tall man with short hair, wearing simple yet gorgeous dark gold armor, with a thick 'sujiro' tied around his waist, and his skirt armor is decorated with the sea, auspicious clouds, and fairy mountains.
Most importantly, he floated in the air, with two gleaming white jade-like demon horns on his head representing a 'great demon,' and his expression was a mixture of arrogance and kindness.

"me?"

"Some call me Atelier, some call me the King of Evil Road, and some fear me, believing me to be a demon or monster."

The man placed one hand on the hilt of his sword at his waist and introduced himself.

"However, I prefer the name Ōtakemaru."

Otake Maru?
Isn't that the 'young master' of the Sea Kingdom?!
(End of this chapter)