Super God Academy: Kabuto

In the gaps of chaos, a torrent of turbulent, disordered, and ever-changing chaotic energy flows. The concepts of time and space are distorted and shattered here, and fragments of laws scatter like shards of glass in a storm. In the heart of this desolate place where even gods can be torn apart and assimilated, a black figure floats silently like a pillar of stability.

Lin Yu, dressed in black, let the raging chaotic torrent wash over his body. His long trench coat fluttered in the turbulent energy, yet remained undamaged. He lowered his eyes, his gaze completely focused on his palms.

There, suspended, was the strange "End of the Bud." Of its three petals, the golden-red one was now nearly half-stained by the writhing, all-consuming darkness. The darkness, like living ink, slowly and steadily eroded upwards along the petal's veins. With each step it spread, the golden-red light dimmed, as if some kind of blazing flame was being gradually extinguished by the cold nothingness.

Lin Yu, clad in black, reflected the entire process in his pitch-black pupils, devoid of any emotional fluctuation, only a bottomless silence. He seemed to be observing, memorizing, and enduring. The surrounding chaotic storm grew increasingly violent, as if sensing the "alien" power contained within the flower, reaching its very essence, and frantically trying to tear it apart or assimilate it. But all the energy that touched the flower was silently annihilated or slipped away before that pure "black" and tenacious "color."

His journey is far from over; the process of this flower "blooming" is both a signpost and a price to pay.

In the Winter Cherry Blossom Garden, almost at the same time that Lin Yu, dressed in black, was gazing at the "End of the Bloom" amidst the chaos, the tranquility of the Winter Cherry Blossom Garden was shattered by an exaggerated clamor.

Tsukasa Kadoya was the first to step out of the magenta dimensional wall, his face bearing a subtle expression that said, "I've brought a surprise (or rather, trouble)." Following closely behind were four figures with distinct styles, but all exuding an aura of "unease"—the otherworldly visitors whom Tsukasa Kadoya and Momotaros called "troublemakers," and whom Lin Yu privately referred to as the "Four Idiots."

Lin Yu was strolling in the courtyard with He Xi, while Qi Lin chatted beside them. The moment he sensed the disturbance, Lin Yu's heart skipped a beat. When he saw who it was, he instinctively raised a hand to his forehead, letting out a barely audible sigh: "As expected… things are really going to get lively from now on."

He Xi observed the newcomers with great interest. She could sense that although these four "people" had different auras—some as fiery as fire, some as solid as earth, some as swift as the wind, and some as agile as water—they all contained considerable energy levels, and... their thoughts seemed relatively "straightforward."

"Yo! Lin Yu! And the beautiful Miss He Xi! Little Sister Qi Lin!" Momotaros's voice rang out from inside Kadoya Tsukasa, sounding exceptionally excited. "Look who I brought! They're my comrades!"

Kadoya Tsukasa (who seemed to be in control at this moment) cleared his throat and began to introduce: "Ahem, these are... Ryutaros (a blond boy wearing headphones, dressed extravagantly, and looking very 'high'), Kintaros (a strong man with a serious expression and arms crossed), and Urataros (a blue-haired youth dressed in gorgeous clothes, with an elegant smile, but with a cunning look in his eyes)."

The three people who were called out reacted differently: Lontaros immediately started swaying to the music and waved to Lin Yu and the others, "Hey! A new stage? Looks cool!"; Kintaros nodded calmly, his voice deep and resonant, "I am Kintaros, nice to meet you. Sorry to bother you."; and Pularos gave an elegant gentlemanly bow and smiled, "What an elegant courtyard! Beautiful ladies, and a powerful master. It's an honor to be invited here."

Finally, Tsukasa Kadoya pointed to a boy next to him who was hugging a panda plushie and looked somewhat timidly hiding behind Urataros: "And, this is... uh, he is..."

"I am Momotaros!" the boy suddenly shouted, holding up the doll, but his eyes and tone were completely different from when he possessed Tsukasa Kadoya earlier.

"No, you are..." Tsukasa Kadoya sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"I am Lontaros!" the boy said, changing his tone.

"I am Kintaros!" The voice became rough.

"...I am Purtaros." He then switched back to a soft, gentle voice.

Lin Yu, He Xi, and Qi Lin: "..."

Tsukasa Kadoya sighed and concluded, "Anyway, he's 'Sieg,' a bit... special. They both come from 'Den-Liner,' and are... reliable partners."

After a brief introduction, to Lin Yu's surprise, the "Four Fools," after their initial exuberance, seemed to quickly become interested in the beautiful and tranquil environment of the Winter Cherry Blossom World (or perhaps they toned down a bit under He Xi's calm yet slightly scrutinizing gaze). Longtaros was captivated by the fluttering cherry blossoms and spirit birds, dancing along to the rhythm; Jintaros quietly moved to the side, assumed a horse stance, and seemed to begin sensing the "qi" of this world; Putaros politely inquired about the intricacies of the courtyard layout from He Xi and Qi Lin; and Sieg, holding a doll, curiously observed everything around him, occasionally muttering to himself.

Seeing that they were relatively "well-behaved" for the time being—at least they didn't immediately start destroying the house—Lin Yu's tense nerves relaxed slightly. He walked over to Kadoya Tsukasa and whispered, "They're doing alright. But are you sure they... can handle the fighting here? Also, don't scare Tsuruhime."

Tsukasa patted him on the shoulder and chuckled, "Don't worry, they may be a bit of a troublemaker, but when it really matters, they're all incredibly capable. Haven't you seen Momotaros's example? As for Tsuruhime..." He glanced at the silver-haired angel who was gently conversing with Urataros, "Do you think she's someone who can be easily intimidated?"

Lin Yu thought about how He Xi remained unfazed even when facing massive armies and ultimate terror, and chuckled, shaking his head. Indeed, compared to the great storms of the known universe, these "troublesome guys" were at best... a bit more lively.

"I hope they are really as you say." Lin Yu looked at the few new residents in the courtyard, some moving and some still, and then looked at the cherry blossoms falling eternally in the distance.