I planted a sacred tree in Tokyo.

Chapter 317 Hot Potato
"I am from the Sea Kingdom!"

Faced with this mysterious figure who had nearly wiped out his entire team, Teach immediately knelt down and begged for mercy.

Sea Kingdom?

They were preparing to blow up the enemy's Qiong Mei.
"Trying to scare us with Ōtakemaru?"

"No, no, no, you misunderstand."

Kneeling on the ground, Titchell, his body charred black, revealed two rows of black and yellow teeth and made a 'smiling' expression.

"Although I am indeed a member of the 'Sea Kingdom', I would never dare to intimidate you. What I mean is—"

Having repeatedly emphasized his identity as a member of the "Sea Kingdom," and seeing that the other party did not suddenly attack, Marshall Teach felt reassured and offered his suggestion:

Why don't we all sit down and talk?

Yes, he has already lost.

Moreover, it was a crushing defeat. The people they brought were lying on the ground, and it was unknown how many were still alive. This was only because of the mysterious person's 'clone' who used the forest to block most of the damage from the explosion. Otherwise, even Teach would have been blown to bits by now.

but--

The reason he refused all rewards and chose to pledge allegiance to the Sea Kingdom in exchange for the identity of a 'Sea Kingdom Clan' was for this very reason.

In this sea area, no matter what power or strongman it is, they all have to give the Sea Kingdom some face.

In this world, connections matter.

“My ‘Teach Pirate Crew’ has some connections in this area.”

"Whatever you wish to do, my men are ready to assist you!"

As for that so-called 'supernatural bone,' it obviously belonged to the other party, and Titchetti didn't even mention it; even his dead and wounded subordinates seemed to have never existed.

"Um"

After some thought, the mysterious man codenamed 'Qing' ultimately decided not to make a move.

"I'll spare your life for Ootakemaru's sake."

Ootakemaru, the young master of the Sea Kingdom, is, after all, a Dragon-level powerhouse—although his brother is not afraid, it is ultimately unnecessary to provoke a powerful enemy for this reason.

Moreover, the Sea Kingdom's suppression of the Nine-Tailed Fox's forces clearly indicates that it is on the side of 'humanity'.

There's no need to complicate things.

"Thank you, thank you~~"

Tichy, covered in dust and dirt and with his men suffering heavy casualties, got up, looking completely unconcerned.

For someone like him, admitting defeat temporarily is nothing to regret: as long as he can survive, he doesn't care if he has to lick the other person's shoes.

Only by living can we have a future and realize our dreams!
The battle on this side ended, while on the other side:
Rumble~~~
Another forest rose from the ground, but as soon as the giant roots broke through the soil, they were entangled by even more giant pythons!

Upon closer inspection, these giant pythons are actually composed of countless young snakes; each 'scale' is a snake head. They are not only enormous in size, but can even absorb the spiritual energy of those they entangle.

The giant python and its roots were entangled and locked in a fierce battle, while the two casters of the spells:
"You lost,"

A venomous snake, as thick as a wrist, darted out from the sleeve and coiled around the mysterious man dressed in a black robe with red clouds and a wind chime hat.

Hidden Shadow Serpent Limbs
This technique is only C-rank, but that doesn't mean it's weak. Orochimaru once used it to capture Itachi Uchiha. The summoned snakes possessed independent consciousness and formidable power; however, they were then reversed by the Sharingan's genjutsu, becoming Orochimaru's lifelong nightmare.

"Thanks to your companion's explosion just now, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to succeed so easily."

The opponent didn't have eyes specifically designed for snakes; Jiu Kong Yao Ai, who had been restraining the opponent, glanced to the other side:
In the center of the ruins, the superhuman with the ability to 'explode' had finished the battle and was walking towards them with the charred pirate captain.

captive?

or both sides
"Please stop, you two."

Teach, his body charred black, stepped forward and spoke to Jiu Kong Yao Ai and the trapped mysterious man 'Xuan'.

"If there's anything, we can sit down and talk it over."

Why should I listen to you?

Having already captured her opponent, Jiu Kong Yao Ai was naturally unwilling to accept this, but the snake she controlled gave her a strange 'feel,' causing the girl to immediately turn her head.

Unbeknownst to them, the 'mysterious person' she had bound had transformed into a wooden sculpture.

In the ruins not far away, tender shoots are breaking through the soil.

The bud grew rapidly, reaching over a person's height in the blink of an eye. Then it swelled up with arms, a trench coat and hat, and a fox mask, transforming into the mysterious person who was supposed to be trapped.

Tsk, it actually escaped underground.
Ever since being "educated" by "teacher" Abe no Seimei, Kuku Yua has gone from one extreme to the other; she uses all of Orochi's "power" to survive, resorting to sneak attacks and ambushes rather than engaging in direct combat, and sending out clones rather than her main body. Therefore, she could tell at a glance that her opponent's "main body" had already escaped from underground.

thud,

With a flick of her arm, Jiu Kongyao threw the 'wooden clone' entwined with venomous snakes aside and looked at the mysterious person who had reappeared.

"Give me that bone!"

"What do you need that bone for? Hmm."

Before 'Xuan,' who was wearing a fox mask, could speak, 'Qing,' who had walked over from the other side, was the first to question him.

"I"

Jiu Kong Yao Ai was stunned when she was surprised that the other party would ask such a question.

"I will use it to take revenge on that man!"

"Abe Seimei——"

?

Upon hearing Jiu Kongyao's answer, the two 'mysterious people'—Qiong Mei and Xiao Ying—exchanged a glance.

If it's about dealing with Abe no Seimei, then they're not enemies; in a sense, they could be considered allies, since their Yu is also Abe no Seimei's 'sworn enemy'.

"Tell me about it,"

The mysterious person with the hoarse voice, who was actually the clay clone controlled by Sora, became interested.

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.

On the sacred tree,
"so,"

Rubbing his temples, Yu sat under the eaves of the shrine with a pained expression.

"You encountered Kuku Yoa, knew she was planning to deal with Abe no Seimei, and were therefore willing to cooperate with her?"

"Yes, Yu~~"

"Is there a problem, brother?"

Inside the shrine, Tenjou Eiryu and Sora nodded in unison.

In front of outsiders, Qiong Mei will still obediently call You-gege.

They just didn't understand why You suddenly looked like this.

Does it look troublesome?

"The problem is huge."

Hey, hey, hey, don't accuse me of changing the script!

You naturally knew all too well where Jiu Kongyaoai was.

All the superhuman powers in this world come from him, the 'Otsutsuki'; no matter who it is, they all dance in his palm, and Jiukong Yaoai is no exception.

If she were content to be an ordinary person, Yu Cai wouldn't bother with her; even if she had chosen the Five Elements Ninjutsu, drawing talismans and chanting incantations, and become an ordinary 'Onmyoji', she could still live a peaceful and stable life.

But she insisted on investigating the 'mastermind,' so there was only one outcome. This was merely 'making use of trash,' letting her practice her 'Orochimaru-style ninjutsu,' but unexpectedly—

Surprisingly, he started interacting with Qiongmei and Xiaoying.

"Her power comes from the Yamata no Orochi."

???

Amidst the shock of Sora and Akane, Yu explained to them.

"Based on your description, that bone should be the 'Yamata no Ore'."

"As everyone knows, Yamata no Orochi was killed by Susanoo, and his soul fell into the underworld, lingering on Hirasaka."

Both Sora and Akane knew this information: one was a high-ranking member of the Kengan Association, and the other was the "Miko" of Inari. Despite their gentle and naive appearances, they each had their own intelligence networks and subordinate organizations.

Therefore, they also gathered a lot of information about the 'Yellow Springs'.

With Yu's 'spoiler', it's naturally clear how 'Yomi - Yamata no Orochi - Abe no Seimei' are connected.

Even the mysterious underworld knows more about the island nation than the government: Orochi and Seimei are considered two of the two world-ending crises facing the island nation. If they are not handled properly, the country will perish and the island will be destroyed.

"Those bones are what the Yamata no Orochi left behind."

"Absorbing the bones will grant you the power of Orochi—even a small fraction is enough to transform a superhuman."

In Yu's 'script', as long as she absorbs the fourth 'Orochi's Remains', Jiu Kong Yao Ai can step into the Demon level and become the youngest Demon level powerhouse—even younger and stronger than Takahashi Ai Ling.

"If she devours two more pieces, she'll be able to reach the Dragon level!"

Simple, easy, and convenient. Unlike other extraordinary individuals who go through countless hardships and face life-or-death situations.

"If she absorbs all of Orochi's remains, even a god—except for the Three Noble Children—would be no match for her."

???

"so smart?"

"Then—what will the price be?"

While Xiaoying was still reeling from the shock, Qiongmei had already asked the core question.

Surely there must be a price to pay for gaining power that surpasses everything so easily?
"everything,"

You raised her hand and drew a circle.

"That is the power of the Yamata no Orochi. The more you pursue it, the closer you get to it."

"After she absorbed a large number of Orochi's remains, Orochi's will would be revived within her body—I now understand why Abe no Seimei didn't kill her: because she was a pawn in Abe no Seimei's plan to revive Orochi."

As she spoke, You added another sentence.

"Moreover, it is highly likely that it is just a dispensable pawn: given that great Yin-Yang Master's methods, there must be other arrangements."

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.

Non-professional waters,
Inside the VIP cabin of the "Queen Anne's Revenge," which was flying a few meters above the sea, two mysterious figures in black robes with red cloud patterns opened their eyes.

“It turned out to be like this”

"Hmm, this is a bit troublesome."

The two had only gone out for a stroll, but ended up getting caught up in an extraordinary battle;
Now we've learned that the 'bone' we're fighting over is actually connected to the world-ending crisis, 'Yamata no Orochi'!
For a moment, both of them hesitated.

"How to do?"

Even Xiaoying felt that the bone she was holding was inexplicably 'hot'.

"Just tell the other party directly."

Controlling her clay clone, Sora made a decision and was the first to push open the door and go out.

"Two adults, please come this way."

The two extraordinary pirates standing ramrod straight at the entrance immediately bowed and extended their hands to lead the way for them.

"The captain and another guest are waiting in the captain's cabin."

"Hahaha, welcome, welcome."

When Qiongmei and Xiaoying's clones arrived at the captain's cabin, hearty laughter greeted them.

Having changed his clothes and resumed his pirate captain persona, Teach greeted the two warmly with a hearty laugh.

"Please sit down, please take a seat of honor."

"No need,"

Qiong Mei, playing the role of 'Qing', waved her hand.

“We’ve already asked the ‘leader,’ about this thing—”

At this point, Qing's gaze fell on the little girl, Jiu Kong Yao Ai.

"These are the remains of the Yamata no Orochi, right?"

? !
There were only four people in the captain's cabin.
Although the news was explosive enough, none of the four of them reacted, not even changing their expressions.

When Jiu Kong Yao Ai heard that the two 'mysterious people' were going to report to the 'leader', she was already prepared: the 'leader' who could command the respect of two 'strong tiger' level superhumans, who spoke of him with the implication that he knew everything, must be a ghost level, or even possibly a dragon level.

Such a being is most likely a powerful demon with a history of thousands of years, so it's not impossible that it knows about the 'Orochi's Remains'.

As for Marshall Tichy, it's purely because he has a strong mentality.

Yamata no Orochi,

How could such a world-destroying demon be involved?
How can we utilize this intelligence?
"So what?"

The little girl Jiu Kongyao's long black hair moved without wind, fluttering like a venomous snake.

Now that the other party knows the value of the remains, they certainly won't give them to her easily. It seems a battle is inevitable.

"That--"

Facing Jiu Kong Yao Ai's imposing stance, the two mysterious figures showed no intention of fighting.

"Do you know the price of absorbing these 'Yamata no Origin's Remains'? Hmm."

The mysterious man's hoarse voice made Jiu Kongyao Ai pause slightly.

"What do you mean?"

If we're not going to fight, why are we saying all this?
"The more you pursue the power of the Yamata no Orochi, the closer you get to it."

"After absorbing a large number of Orochi's remains, Orochi's will will be revived within its body—this is what our leader said."

After speaking, the mysterious man with the hoarse voice tilted his head slightly; the mysterious man next to him wearing a fox mask directly handed the skeleton in his hand forward slightly.

Do you still want this power?

"want--"

Raising her hand, she snatched the skeleton away, Jiu Kong Yao Ai's face contorted with rage.

In fact, after her trip to the underworld, she didn't know what she wanted; but if she didn't find something to do, she would feel that her existence was meaningless.

"I don't care what the consequences are, as long as I can get revenge on that man!"

As she spoke, the girl shoved the skeleton directly into her mouth.

Gollum~~
(End of this chapter)