Killingham was utterly baffled. In theory, the MMA created by the nightmare cave within the dream realm should absolutely be the target's deepest fear.
'But how could anyone in this world have a nightmare about themselves wearing a pink princess dress?!'
'And was this truly the fear in her heart? She was even comfortable enough to close her eyes and sleep!'
'Hey, show me some respect!'
"Go on, torment her!"
Scratching his head and ears in frustration, Killingham angrily urged, but the MMA before him remained motionless as if disconnected.
No matter how many commands and killing intent he poured into this nightmare monster, it just sat there watching, doing nothing.
"Fine, useless trash!"
Killingham raised his hand, aimed at the pink-princess-dress Sakura before him, and attempted to withdraw his ability.
Withdraw... withdraw... withdraw!
It failed. No matter how he manipulated his ability, the nightmare monster before him was like a bug, hogging the control slot while ignoring his commands.
"Notice: Analysis of special soul space complete. Initiate awakening of Demon's Blood."
Boom!
The dream realm was torn apart by an unreasonable force. A sky filled with crimson and terrifying heat capable of melting steel transformed into a scarlet pillar of light descending from the sky.
It flowed over Sakura, who had fallen into a deep sleep. The MMA originally created by Killingham actually dissolved and merged into Sakura's body.
The girl opened her scarlet eyes. Storms, thunder, and earthquakes inexplicably erupted within the dream realm. Cold rain fell, mist spread, causing the petite figure to vanish within the endless natural disasters.
Infinite dream calamities boiled. Within the mist, a vague silhouette gradually emerged.
A mountain-like body straightened. Unprecedented immense power roared into existence the moment the silver-white horn formed.
"Why? Why do you still possess such power within the dream realm? This isn't logical!"
Every cell in Killingham's body screamed warning. His Observation Haki had long been blinded by the black lightning writhing in the void.
After witnessing the monster before him, more terrifying than even them, he finally understood why his boss was so fond of Elbaf.
Killingham's face turned ashen. In a panic, he gathered dozens of nightmare caves, releasing a horde of monsters to block his front.
Before him, a majestic greatsword constructed from storms was raised by the demon. Jet-black Haki coated the blade, emitting a deafening roar.
Within the flowing Haki, the legendary spear erupted with fierce light.
"Notice: Spear of Elbaf: Ikoku Sovereignty!"
A spiral impact carrying endless light and heat, interwoven with shockwaves and flames, left behind traces of destruction.
The giant spear connecting sky and earth transformed into a curtain of death, descending upon Killingham and his monster army.
In the final moment before being swallowed, a desperate Killingham began to ponder.
'Could we surrender and only lose half?'
Boom!
Under the residual impact, the already crumbling triple dream realm finally collapsed completely.
Arising from countless shattered bubbles were liberated souls, free wills now deciding their own paths forward.
…
On the beach at the edge of the Sunlight Island, Kingdom of Elshakh.
Sakura shivered and opened her eyes. The colorful world entered her vision, appearing incredibly beautiful.
"Am I back?"
Sitting up and looking around, she found little Leviathan nestled in her arms.
Meanwhile, Terry Gilteo and Bunny Joe were hugging each other, sleeping soundly.
"Hey, you two, wake up!"
Sakura stood up and checked them both. After finding them physically weak but otherwise fine, she proceeded to wake them.
"Ugh..."
Joe, with his better physique, let out a groan.
"Feels like I had a very long dream?"
Gilteo, waking up groggily, scratched his head.
Sakura shook Leviathan awake, had her stand on her shoulder, and briefly explained what happened to the two men.
"Huh? All that really happened? But I didn't know any of it!"
Joe, who had slept through the entire thing and entered the dream realm without retaining his intellect, clutched his head.
Kilday smacked Joe's head, "Now's not the time for that. Don't forget we came here to rescue people!"
"Did you manage to locate your comrades back then?" Sakura asked.
Joe let go of his head and climbed to his feet, "Yes, when we received the signal, it showed their location at the kingdom's palace!"
"Then let's move out!"
Sakura took the lead, heading towards the last remnants of Elshakh on the island.
The streets had turned to ruins. Dark red bloodstains embedded in the bricks bore witness to the brutality that had occurred on this island.
Beautiful, neat buildings were cracked and overrun with green plants due to long-term abandonment, and many tall structures had completely collapsed.
The palace at the center was reduced to charcoal… the entire structure showed signs of being scorched by a great fire, and any valuable treasures inside had been scavenged down to the last inch by hyenas.
Yet, right in the center of this empty ruin, stood a cultivation vat two people high.
On the ground, where cables snaked, two figures wearing glass helmets lay collapsed.
"Ce... Celestial Dragons!"
Joe swallowed hard, cold sweat dripping from his forehead.
Although he had long prepared to oppose them, facing them directly still inevitably stirred fear in his heart.
However, upon seeing Sakura charge forward without hesitation, this Revolutionary Army's soldier tightened his grip on his rifle and followed.
As Sakura rushed forward, Dorian on the ground was gradually regaining consciousness.
As one of the foundational pillars of the dream realm, he had taken the direct impact of its collapse and was now extremely weak.
His bleary eyes focused on Sakura's face, veins bulging on his forehead: "You bi-"
Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by the sound of a sharp blade piercing his body.
Before Dorian, a slender ice sword had stabbed through his chest. The so-called 'god's' blood dripped from the sword's tip.
"Your blood is red too. Doesn't look very noble!" Sakura held the sword coldly, "And this time, you can't come back to life, can you?"
Blood overflowed from his mouth and nose. Dorian's face twisted into one last ferocious smile: "...I'll... wait for you... in hell!"
Sakura pulled the sword out, and he collapsed to the ground. The expanding pool of blood stained the scorched earth with a macabre beauty.
"Sakura-san, this... this might not be appropriate?"
The two Revolutionary Army's soldiers stepped forward slightly, intending to stop what they saw as needless killing.
"It doesn't matter. I'll handle the World Government!"
Rage flickered in Sakura's emerald-green eyes. The Conqueror's Haki erupted, pushing the two men back.
Then, she placed a hand on her abdomen, Chakra seeping into her soul.
[Ninjutsu: Four Symbols Seal. Release]
A consciousness sealed within Sakura's soul flew out, rushing back into its own body.
Miria, escaping the darkness, took in the chaotic scene and instantly understood what had happened, "So, you came to kill me, sweetheart~"
"At least you have some self-awareness!"
Sakura raised the blood-stained blade, walking towards her.
"No, you won't do it."
Mira wore a smile of certain victory. She tore open her clothes, revealing her smooth chest.
A transparent light sphere was embedded there, but Sakura's Observation Haki sensed the aura of the entire Elshakh citizenry's souls within it.
"You..."
"How about it? Isn't it wonderful?"
Seeing Sakura's lowered sword tip, Miria spun around happily, emitting a laugh.
Behind her, countless pillars of solid ice rose, each one imprisoning a citizen of Elshakh.
"They were all killed in the hunting games three years ago! I'm the one who let them survive as souls! Can you feel their spiritual presence?"
Stepping with a cheerful dance, Miria approached Sakura, took her hand, and placed it on her own chest.
The blue-haired girl's eyes were filled with curiosity. She wanted to know how this girl, whose soul and intellect had always keep her humanity, would choose between killing and saving.
Even if it cost her own life.
"Now, my sweetheart, what will you choose?"
However, behind Miria, without her noticing…
The many souls standing on this land were now looking at her with hatred.
"So... I've been dead all along?"
Hermod, with his short orange hair, lowered his head and looked at his own illusory and transparent body.
He took a deep breath, turned his head slightly, and his resolute gaze swept over the souls of the numerous citizens behind him. Not a single one looked away.
Getting his answer, he smiled. His final ability opened a hole in the ice trapping him.
Crack!
The sound of shattering ice drew the attention of the two ahead.
Hermod waved to the hesitant Sakura, spoke his final words, and then his body dissolved and vanished like a bubble or fleeting flower.
"I, in the name of the Prince of Elshakh, representing its citizens, beseech you! Make your move, Sakura-sama!"
"What!"
Miria's face contorted in dismay.
When she turned around, she saw Sakura's clear emerald-green eyes and the raised slender ice sword.
"Understood!"
Squelch!