"Watatsumi Island… how did it end up like this…?"
When Elliot arrived on Watatsumi Island, he felt a bit puzzled. He had expected its development to be similar to Yashiori Island, mainly focused on tourism. But reality turned out to be completely different.
Watatsumi Island now resembled a military base, populated almost entirely by members of the Tenryou Commission. They wore matching uniforms, moving in formation under their leaders as they carried out high-intensity physical training.
"Joining the Tenryou Commission takes more than resolve. You need strength and stamina. We must be powerful enough to strike down evil!"
"Our duty is to protect Inazuma! Every one of us must be prepared to give our lives! Don't let the fallen look down on us!"
"We have to show them through action that even in today's prosperous Inazuma, we of the Tenryou Commission have not forgotten our duty!"
"All personnel, prepare for frog jumps with twenty jin of weight!"
At the order, the trainees began, each burdened with heavy sandbags. Sweat dripped from them like rain. Veins stood out, jaws tightened, and their eyes burned with fierce determination. No one complained. No one said they were tired.
The port on Watatsumi Island had also been massively expanded. Several huge warships were docked there, along with many armed vessels. The whole region had been turned into a heavily militarized zone used to patrol the seas, fight pirates, and defend the nation.
After wandering for a while, Elliot returned to Narukami Island. Seeing that everyone was living happily, he sped up time again, wanting to see if anything would change. But no shift appeared. Instead, he discovered a unique festival.
That day, before sunrise, the natives of Watatsumi Island and Yashiori Island had already set sail toward Narukami Island. The strange sight made Elliot stop accelerating time. He wanted to see what they were up to.
Once ashore, the crowd headed forward with clear purpose, each person carrying plenty of items. They arrived at the cherry blossom grove where Elliot had once enjoyed flower-viewing and games with Zebul and the others. They had come early to secure the best spots.
After entering the grove and choosing their places, they spread picnic blankets over the grass and arranged their food. Even before dawn, the area was already lively. As the sun slowly rose, visitors from outside joined the celebration as well. But the spaces reserved for them were all at the outer edges, far from the inner grove. Even so, those outer spots were difficult to obtain—only a small number of travelers were fortunate enough to take part in this unique festival.
Soon Zebul, Kitsune Saiguu, and the others appeared. They greeted everyone with bright smiles as they walked deeper into the grove. Eventually, they reached a statue and laid out their picnic blanket beneath it.
Baal took out everyone's favorite treats from the basket, including the candied hawthorn skewers Elliot had once mentioned.
"Wahahaha! I've gathered almost all my material. Starting today, I'm finally going to begin writing my light novel!"
The most energetic among them was still the pink-haired Miko in her youthful form. She hadn't yet grown into the mischievous fox who enjoyed teasing others for fun. For now, she was still the little prankster fox.
"Last time you said that, but you came up with a new prank and delayed it again," Kitsune Saiguu commented.
"How could that be a new prank? It was a new way of gathering material. It helps me learn more so I can write a better novel. Isn't that right, Chiyo?"
"Well, tell me what kind of material you gathered first. Then I can judge," Chiyo replied, genuinely curious about what interesting stories Miko might share.
"How could I tell you? That would be a spoiler! I'm going to put all of it into my light novel someday. No way, absolutely not." Miko refused with complete seriousness.
At that moment, Zebul quietly crept up behind Miko and grabbed her by the neck in an instant.
"Chiyo, let's go fishing after the festival!"
Just a second earlier, Miko had been standing proudly with hands on her hips. Now her legs gave out, and she collapsed limply, becoming Zebul's plaything.
"Help… help…"
Pinned by the grip on her neck, resistance was nearly impossible.
"What did you just say, brat?"
The harmonious atmosphere was shattered by a furious shout. Everyone instinctively turned to look.
Several figures stood there, radiating hostility.
"I only stated the truth, didn't I?" The burly man showed no fear, looking down at the person in front of him.
"Say that again!" the shorter man snapped, enraged.
"I said, the Sasayuri you all worship brought it on himself and just pretends to be a hero. If he can deal with that many monsters, then the Electro Archon of Inazuma should be able to handle them even more easily."