Chapter 146: Rage and the Fairytale Forest!
Outside the Fairytale Forest.
Massive dust clouds rose.
In the deep crater where the meteor fell, flames were burning fiercely.
Aramaki's figure had vanished.
"..."
Baby 5 stared at the scene, almost dazed. "What... what was that?"
She felt like this trip to Neverland was truly a dream.
First the forest full of monsters, then the guy with twisted values, and now this?
A swordsman pulling meteors from the sky?
She doubted her sanity.
"Miss."
Just then, she heard the swordsman speak to her from afar.
"You are an intruder. Normally, this old man should hand you over to Mr. Hitsujii."
"But now, this old man has a strong enemy to deal with. Please leave the battlefield for now."
He said.
"..."
Hitsujii?
Strong enemy?
Baby 5 didn't understand what he was saying.
After such a meteor impact, could that guy still be alive?
But she understood the gist—leaving was the best choice right now.
So...
"..."
Without hesitation, she dragged her injured body and ran.
"What an obedient child."
Seeing this, Issho nodded with a smile.
But just then...
"You..."
Behind him, a voice and aura emerged simultaneously.
"Who do you think you are!?"
In the deep crater created by the meteor, sharp, massive trees grew out.
"Blade Forest!"
Aramaki's body grew along with the trees—looking closely, he wasn't just growing on the tree, but sprouting from the seeds on the tree.
The forest cut toward Issho like blades.
"Gravity Blade · Raging Tiger."
Issho remained calm, drawing his cane sword again.
CLANG!
Sharp sword edge carrying immense gravity shattered the attacking branches and trees instantly. Aramaki's figure was blasted away, caught by growing vegetation upon landing.
"..."
He stood up, facing Issho.
"Never heard of someone like you among the contenders for the Fountain of Youth..."
He said deeply, realizing the strength of his opponent.
"How rude. This old man has no intention of fighting for the Fountain of Youth."
"Then move."
"This old man refuses."
VMMM!
Intense auras clashed. The sky seemed to tilt due to gravity changes, while the earth sprouted lush grass.
Just as the battle was about to erupt...
"..." (x2)
Both paused simultaneously.
They turned to look at the nearby Fairytale Forest.
Rustle... Rustle...
Footsteps approached.
A figure walked out of the Fairytale Forest slowly.
"Mr. Issho, long time no see."
"However, I spent a long time fixing this island. It's not good to use your ability like this as soon as you return."
The white robe and the Sheep Mask silently explained his identity.
"Oh, indeed..."
Hearing Hitsujii, Issho smiled. "However, Lord Hitsujii—because of you, this old man spent quite some time locating the island. Shall we call it even?"
"That is incorrect."
Hitsujii said righteously. "I warned you back then, Mr. Issho, that the island might not stay in the same place."
"..."
Hearing this, Issho had no rebuttal.
When he took the Plague Island survivors away, Hitsujii did say he might not find the island when he returned.
But he didn't expect "not find" meant literally moving the island.
"...Indeed."
Issho nodded helplessly. "It was this old man's rashness."
Hearing this, Hitsujii's smile deepened. "In that case, I boldly ask Mr. Issho for a small compensation request."
"Please speak."
Hitsujii approached them.
"Please leave him to me to handle."
Hitsujii looked at Aramaki.
"As for you, Mr. Issho... could you please block the fleet outside the island for a moment?"
Hearing this, Issho frowned. "Lord Hitsujii, although this Mr. Aramaki seems to have questionable character, his strength..."
Yes.
The strong sense the strong.
Even after a brief exchange, Issho was certain—the man named 'Aramaki' was strong.
"No matter."
Hitsujii's tone remained unchanged. "I am also very strong. Moreover..."
"This is 'Neverland'."
Hearing this, Issho paused.
He heard the absolute confidence in Hitsujii's words.
So, Issho hummed. " Since Lord Hitsujii says so—this old man has no objections."
He drew his sword slightly.
VMMM!
Gravity reversed. He stepped on a rock and floated up, heading toward the edge of the island.
But just then...
"Hey!"
"What are you two talking about on your own!?"
The voice came from behind them.
RUMBLE!
Accompanied by earth tremors and the sound of tearing crust.
It was the voice of anger—being ignored like this, treated as an allocated 'item'.
For Aramaki, this was enough to enrage him!
It broke the 'Order' in his heart.
"Just some non-member 'Bugs'..."
"Don't underestimate Nature!"
With Aramaki as the center, a massive forest rose from the ground.
Unlike the Fairytale Forest, this forest was filled with violence and death—countless trees and vines grew wildly, crushing everything in their path, thrusting toward Hitsujii and Issho.
[Forest of Rage]
Facing the countless giant trees filled with rage, Hitsujii didn't even bother to turn his head.
He simply raised his right hand and waved gently.
The next moment...
RUMBLE!
Aramaki saw everything on the island change.
The ground seemed to shift like a carpet. The 'Fairytale Forest', originally some distance away, approached and expanded at a speed far exceeding his forest's growth.
The magnificent forest, existing only in dreams, moved like a chess piece, enveloping him and Hitsujii instantly.
"Command · Forest Wave."
With Hitsujii's whisper.
Issho flew away high into the sky.
The forest of rage and the forest of dreams began to intersect.
RUMBLE!
Underground, roots entangled and withered each other.
High above, leaves fluttered down like rain.
Only now did Hitsujii turn around.
In the forest, only he and Aramaki remained facing each other.
"Mr. Aramaki, you should have heard what was said just now."
"The one handling you... is Me."
Hitsujii said.
"...I see."
Hearing Hitsujii, the teeth-gritting Aramaki looked at the departing Issho.
He controlled his emotions, calming down quickly.
"You are the so-called Island Spirit of this Neverland?"
He looked at Hitsujii.
"Hitsujii (The Sheep)..."
He muttered the name. "I remember hearing a similar codename."
Hitsujii reminded him gently, "I am one of the Top Executives of The Zodiac, 'Hitsujii'. Perhaps you heard my colleagues' codenames."
"...The Zodiac!?"
Hearing this term, Aramaki's voice became loud instantly.
"The Zodiac that opposes the Government, stole the Heavenly Tribute, and killed a Celestial Dragon?"
The danger in his tone intensified.
Clearly.
Even though he was released from prison recently.
He had heard of 'The Zodiac', the current top trending topic on the sea.
"Exactly."
As Hitsujii admitted his identity with a chuckle.
"Good... good... good..."
Aramaki's eyes turned crimson.
His teeth clacked. "Didn't expect that the mission I took to exchange for freedom would be such a coincidence."
"You trash who embarrassed the Government, attacked World Nobles, and destroyed the world's 'Order'... I'll destroy you!"
☆☆☆
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