I planted a sacred tree in Tokyo.

Chapter 80 Oni Warrior

boom! ! !
Dozens of grenades exploded at the same time, creating a spectacular scene.

Onoda's self-destruction was swift and ruthless; neither the American officers nor even the 'paper dance' in the air could stop it.

No,

Why are you so skilled at this?

Yu, far away in Adachi Ward, couldn't help but rub his temples. Even if he was poisoned, he could save him, but such a decisive self-destruction—

Ok?
Amidst the billowing smoke, Paper Dance's delicate features caught a glimpse of the center of the explosion.

The elderly Onoda, with his gray hair, and two other unfortunate American officers were naturally reduced to dust in the explosion. There was no possibility of piecing their bodies back together; they could only be collected with shovels. But this was only what others saw:
In 'Paper Dance's' gaze, one large and two small 'spheres of light' floated out.

The largest were no bigger than a fingernail, and the smallest were like fireflies. If it weren't for the recent increase in strength, even Yu, the source of all extraordinary beings, would have had difficulty detecting them.

soul?

That's interesting.
In the world of fire, souls certainly exist, and there are even many techniques that exploit or harm souls.

For example, Kato Dan's "Spirit Transformation Technique", the famous "Reaper Death Seal", and even the "Impure World Reincarnation" immediately became a dream come true!

However, these are mostly S-rank forbidden techniques. Lower-level techniques do not affect the soul: the Yamanaka family's secret techniques mainly affect the mind and brain.
"Well, it's an unexpected bonus."

As the gale subsided and the remaining two nations remained on high alert, Paper Dance, wielding a fan, did not continue her attack but instead extended her other hand.

Point your index finger at the location of the explosion and gently hook it.

"Come,"

? !
Although they couldn't see it, the people present didn't think the other party was bluffing.

Could it be...?
With a playful 'pinching' between her index finger and thumb, Paper Dance revealed an amused expression on her face. Then, she slipped her empty fingers into her sleeve.

That's enough for today.

Paper Dance's gaze swept over the faces of the people who looked like they were facing a formidable enemy, and she shook the round fan in her hand.

"I hope you can bring me new surprises next time we meet—if there's a future for you both."

After speaking, Paper Dance's body began to disintegrate into white paper and fall, just as it had when she appeared. Iori Ichika, disregarding the danger, rushed forward and looked up to ask:
"and many more!"

What do you mean by that?

What do you mean by 'there is still a future'? Does it mean there is an even more dangerous crisis?
"Hehe~~ The wind is picking up."

However, Paper Dance simply left behind a cryptic remark before disappearing into the scattering of paper.

Riddlers, get out of Tokyo!!

Iori Kazuka wanted to roar to the sky, but it was just a thought.

If she really angered this 'Paper Dancer' and she ended up coming to her privately, she couldn't think of any other way to deal with it except to kneel down and beg for forgiveness.

If you can't afford to offend them, then you can only 'forgive' them.

"Colonel Gurez,"

"Mission complete, let's make our retreat."

The target, Onoda, had already been reduced to minced meat and was now 'mingling' with the two extraordinary officers from America.

This final self-destruction caused an extremely tragic scene, but fortunately the island nation was unharmed: So what are they still doing here, enjoying America's bitter face?

Although many people in the island nation are happy to do this, they still have to keep a serious face in front of Americans: they are all professionally trained, and facial expression management is part of the culture in the island nation's workplace.

“You did a great job, Guile.”

The voice of Brigadier General Thomas, the operation commander, came through the headset.

"This situation was within our expectations. Come back, your work is finished."

Da da da da,

One helicopter after another rushed over.
Personnel dressed in white hazmat suits, wearing gas masks, and carrying special storage boxes rappelled down, quickly surrounded each other, and then began:
Use the tools in your hand to collect the bloody remains and charred bones on the ground!
Whether it was Onoda's or the two officers'.

These are all valuable experimental materials!
Pity,
If they can capture him alive
This scene left the high-ranking officials and researchers in the command center feeling regretful.

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.

"soul,"

So easily captured?

Playing with the ball of light in his hand, 'Paper Dance' slapped his forehead.

"Yes,"

There is no 'pure land' in this world.

In the world of fire, there is a place called 'Pure Land'.

The soul of the dead goes to the 'pure land', and unless there are special circumstances, they are not even aware that they have died.

For example, the two shadows, Earth and Water, who perished together in the previous generation, are reborn through the Impure World and stare at each other blankly; or, for instance, a certain person in a vegetative state: "Spot? Where the hell are you? I've arrived in the Pure Land—"

Of course, the fact that a certain old man of the Six Paths could come and go freely, and even chat with people at will, makes one wonder if the so-called 'Pure Land' was created by him to preserve the souls of ninjas.

When a major battle occurs, a group of Edo Tensei ninjas can be summoned, which is much more useful than 'White Zetsu'!
Since there is no 'pure land' in this world, the constraints on the soul are very weak. It is only natural that the soul after the death of the extraordinary can be easily captured by the 'paper dance'.

"So, what should we do with this soul?"

Although Onoda lost, his ability to cause trouble and his decisive personality make him a decent pawn. It would be a shame to just throw him away like this. Perhaps:

Use him as an experiment; if it works, he'll continue to work for us.

It failed. So be it.

Thinking this, Paper Dance stretched out her finger and touched the small ball of light.

黑、

cold

Nothing.

That's Onoda's feeling.
No, even the existence of 'feeling' is unknown.

I don't know how much time passed—maybe a second, maybe a minute, maybe an hour, maybe a day, or even a year:
Until a beam of light descended from the sky!

In an instant, Onoda's memories and thoughts came alive again. In the light, his body condensed once more, transforming into a human form and floating in the cold darkness.

"This is what I am"

"Are you awake now?"

A hoarse voice came from above, causing Onoda to subconsciously look up.

"grown ups,"

Next second,
He then knelt down respectfully, prostrating himself on the ground as the scholar descended from his seat.

Floating above his head was a mysterious and extraordinary being, clad in wide robes and sleeves, wearing a tall white hat with the character 'Three' written on it.

"I heard from Paper Dance that you fought to the death, which is not bad."

"It is only my duty, Your Excellency, that has troubled you."

As his mind went blank, his thoughts started working again, and Onoda came to his senses.

I am already dead!

So, this is most likely Yomotsu Hirasaka.

With the mysterious and unpredictable methods of this lord in front of me, it wouldn't be impossible for him to pull me out of the Yellow Springs!
Thinking of this,

The old man's soul became even more reverent.

He was not afraid of death, of course; but if he could live, all the better.

Besides, he wasn't willing to die like this before he had driven away the American beasts.

"Hmm, he can be considered a talent."

The enigmatic and mysterious figure spoke calmly.
"I will give you a chance, a chance to return to the world of men."

"However, such an act will surely anger the underworld; the dangers involved are unpredictable. Do you dare to try?" "I will obey your orders, Your Excellency, even at the cost of my life!"

After the chaotic battle,

"Mr. Yagyu, thank you for your trouble."

"No, no, I wouldn't dare. That extraordinary potion..."

The middle-aged man, who had been all smiles, had barely finished speaking when the island nation official's face darkened.

"This extraordinary potion is extremely precious."

"Even in the American military, only officers of the rank of colonel or above are eligible to apply."

"I wonder if the Yagyu family has anyone holding a high-ranking position in the military or police?"

Don't you know my family's situation?!

"In that case, it was Yagyu who was being presumptuous."

The middle-aged man, his face twitching, lowered his head, unable to even maintain a fake smile.

The island nation official didn't even glance at him again, waved his hand, and immediately someone handed him a credit card.

"Here is 5 million, which is compensation for the losses caused by this operation."

"Mr. Yagyu, take care of yourself."

After saying that, the official turned and left: "A mere swordsmanship family that has been in decline for who knows how many years, if they have extraordinary power, fine; but if they don't, they can't even beat a policeman with a gun, so what's the difference between them and ordinary people?"

He's a traitor to the island, backed by America, and he's openly and legitimately a traitor. How could he be afraid of an ordinary soldier!
Besides, countless officers in the American army are scrambling for the extraordinary drug; how could it possibly be his turn?
"Ahhhh!"

"Beast! Beast! How dare you!"

After all the American and island nation personnel left, Yagyu Hara Shige, standing in his ruined 'home' with his face alternating between pale and red, roared wildly to the sky.

A mere roar wasn't enough to vent his anger; he strode towards the still relatively intact practice room, and abruptly ripped an antique samurai sword from the wall—the very same sword passed down from Yagyu Jubei.

Eyes of mind!

"Damn America, damn District Attorney's Office, damn it!"

Drawing his treasured sword, Yagyu Harashige danced wildly in fury.

"Hi, hi, hi!"

His long sword slashed horizontally and vertically, exuding a fierce and chilling aura; the well-maintained blade reflected the sunlight, like a dazzling blaze. Whether it was killing intent, power, or technique, he fully demonstrated the essence of Yagyu Shinkageyū's swordsmanship, truly worthy of being the head of the Yagyu family.

but--

That's all.

In a one-on-one sword fight, Yagyu Hara Shige was confident he could kill any enemy.

If it were a fight between a person wielding a long sword and an ordinary person wielding a long spear, Yagyuhara Shige would be able to put up a fight.

However, if he were to face three ordinary people who had received spear training, Yagyuhara Shige would have no choice but to retreat and fight a guerrilla war.

Even the founder of the Shinkage-ryu school, Kamiizumi Nobutsuna, who is recognized as the "Sword Saint" in Japan, wielded a long spear with great skill on the battlefield. Ordinary people could not get close to him. Samurai swords could only be used as secondary weapons; and in daily life, they were symbols of status and emergency items.

Humans have their limits.

Once this limit is reached, it becomes virtually impossible to go even 0.01 seconds faster.

The advantage of weapons is fully demonstrated at this moment; the spear is the king of the battlefield.

This only applies to cold weapons; if we include firearms, the decline of the samurai sword would be even more inevitable.

Even the police system, which is known for its strong martial spirit, has abandoned swordsmanship in many places in favor of more practical grappling techniques.

Clang,

The long knife pierced the floor.

After venting his frustrations, Yagyu Harashige knelt on the ground, breathing heavily.

Has swordsmanship truly declined?
"Well done,"

? !
Startled by the sound, Yagyu Hara Shige turned around and discovered a mysterious figure floating in his training ground.

The other person was dressed in a simple, wide hunting robe, wearing a tall, imposing black crown, with a magatama pendant at the waist and wooden clogs on his feet. Apart from the hat, he looked to be only about 1.4 meters tall. The white cloth hanging down in front of the hat covered his face, with only the black character '叁' on the cloth standing out conspicuously.

"Who are you?"

This outfit, this way of appearing out of nowhere, must belong to someone extraordinary!

"Who I am is not important. What is important is that one of my men was just attacked and killed here."

???

No,

If you wanted revenge, why didn't you come sooner!
Does even the extraordinary beings fear America?

“Those barbarians who call themselves ‘Americans’ will be dealt with by myself.”

As if seeing through Yagyu Harashige's thoughts, the mysterious man continued in a hoarse voice.

"It is he who seeks revenge against you."

After speaking, the mysterious man raised his hand and pointed.

Mountain Secret Technique: Mind Turning

? !
In a flash, when he came to his senses, Yagyu Harushige found himself standing in his own backyard: cherry blossoms in full bloom, willows swaying in the breeze, artificial hills and flowing water. And there was an elderly man with white hair slowly walking in.

"Mr. Onoda?"

"Yagyu, you didn't expect that, did you—"

The elderly man with gray hair, wielding a military knife, pressed closer step by step, his eyes gleaming with ferocity.

"Originally, I planned to invite you to do something great, to become an extraordinary being and fight against the American beasts, but alas, what a surprise!"

"You beast, you actually betrayed me! How dare you bear the name Yagyu?!"

Faced with the angry rebuke from this 'Onoda', Yagyuhara Shige's face turned pale and then red, and in the end he could only sigh:
"Sir, I had no choice."

"Alright, then don't blame this old man!"

Brandishing his military knife, the white-haired old man Onoda lunged menacingly at Yagyu Harashige.

Amidst the clash of their twin swords, their 'souls' were locked in a fierce battle.

"The strength of the soul is also affected by the physical body."

He was a powerful figure in life, and he remains formidable in death. Although Onoda is fighting on 'away ground,' he is, after all, extraordinary. If he can't even defeat the soul of an ordinary person, then—

The mysterious figure floating in the air, 'Mr. San', slightly raised his head and looked at 'Yagyu Hara Shige', whose eyes had cleared again.

In just a dozen seconds,
In the clash at the level of the soul,
The two sides had killed each other hundreds of times, but in the end, Yagyu Harashige's soul could not withstand the pressure and collapsed.

"Thank you for your guidance, sir. Onoda will never forget it."

The middle-aged man put down his long knife and respectfully prostrated himself before the mysterious man.

"very good,"

"Starting today, I will abandon the name 'Onoda'."

"I don't need to teach you how to do it."

"Yes, thank you for your trouble, sir."

The old man who replaced 'Yagyu Harashige' nodded emphatically, from now on:
"I am Yagyu Hara Shige!"

The experiment was successful.

However, how long this body can hold out is a question; we'll have to observe it carefully. Anyway, there's plenty of time. Next:

'Mr. San', floating in the air, looked up and gazed toward Tokyo Bay.

got windy.

(End of this chapter)