#k stories

GROUND ZERO: FRAGMENTS

Chapter 2, coming soon!!

RED CASE FILES: HOMRA IN LAS VEGAS

CHAPTER 2: NIGHTLESS CASTLE IN THE DESERT

*List of Chapters

Translation: Naru-kun
Raws: Ridia

Two men were looking at each other in the dry desert.

One was stripped to the waist, and though his woolen hat had fallen off, his eyes still held uncontrollable anger.

One person was leaning against the seat of the white truck, wearing an annoyed smile that seemed to enjoy his anger rather than anything else.

Misaki Yata and Saruhiko Fushimi. The two men looked at each other in the brilliant heat.

“Yata-san! I’m glad I finally found you!”

Suddenly, a voice echoed from behind the vehicle.

Yata opened his eyes and looked over there. There was a familiar face in the back seat of the boxcar. Akagi, Dewa, Fujishima, the people who were supposed to be in Japan leaned forward with joy.

Bando muttered in astonishment.

“Shohei? Why are you here…?”

“Ah, San-chan! No, actually there are several things.”

“Hey.”

Fushimi coldly interrupted the conversation. With a knife look at the backseat, as if he was throwing it.

“This story comes first. Don’t get in the way, San-chan.”

Akagi was full of words, and Yata felt anger rise from his temples.

“There’s no reason for me to tell the traitor. Bastard. What did you come for, Saru?”

A teasing smile appeared on Fushimi’s mouth.

“It’s a job. Unlike you, who have free time, I’m a civil servant here. I have to go on a business trip abroad.”

“Because you are a dog in blue, will you come to America if a bone is thrown at you? It is not like a monkey. There is no such possibility that you pass through here, what is the purpose?”

Fushimi’s smile deepened. With his elbows on the window, he brought his face closer to Yata’s.

“Is it a situation where you can say that? Think about your position with me now and say it properly.”

“……”

Yata clenched his fist tightly.

The California sun was burning his neck. The dry wind evaporated the sweat in the blink of an eye and mercilessly deprived the body of water. In fact, Eric was dehydrated and fell. If he was left as he was, there was no doubt that he would fall into a serious situation.

“I’ll say it again, Misaki. If you ask someone for something, there’s a way to say it, right?”

Yata is the captain of “Homura”. It was definitely himself who intervened in this situation. So he had to be the one to take responsibility.

Yata bowed his head as he bit his lip.

“…Saru. Ask. I’m begging you. At this rate, Eric will die if you don’t help him.”

“……”

Fushimi’s facial expression had changed to something that looked bored.

5 seconds or 10 seconds. Fushimi lightly squeezed his chin after a choked silence.

“Get him in the back. There’s water in the car.”

Yata looked back and nodded. Bando and Chitose carried Eric, and Kamamoto, who had come to his senses, hurriedly opened the back seat door. Fujishima, who was inside, laid Eric down in the car and doused his lips with water from a plastic bottle.

After seeing Kamamoto board, Yata returned to Fushimi. Fushimi looked at him suspiciously.

“What are you doing? Get in quick.”

“I won’t go up.”

A voice hard as steel bounced off the words.

“The reason I bowed down was for you to help them. I won’t go up. I’ll stay here.”

Surprised, Kamamoto and the others stuck their faces out the window and shouted.

“What are you talking about, Yata-san?!”

“You’re going to stay here; do you really want to die?!”

Yata didn’t reply to that, but looked at Fushimi. He held the “Homura” mark that was on his left collarbone as if he was scratching it.

“I still can’t forgive you for desecrating this pride, Saruhiko. It’s better to hang out here than lay my head on a traitor and survive.”

Fushimi narrowed his eyes and muttered coldly.

“…So is.”

He turns forward and lift the window. The engine roared and the vehicle began to move slowly. A member in the car yelled to stop Fushimi, but he silently continued to press the accelerator. In the blink of an eye, the vehicle sped up and sped off, finally disappearing beyond the horizon.

Yata wiped away the sweat and started walking again.

++++++++++

How much time had passed since then?

The bright sunlight did not weaken, and the heat and dryness gradually drained Yata of his physical strength. As Yata walked down the road, he turned his grudge against the sky. The sky in California was as blue as black, and no clouds could be found anywhere.

At that time, he was about to lose the strength of his body and wanted to lie down on the road. Each time, Yata shook his head and berated himself. He couldn’t die in a place like that. Anyway, he had to join the “Homura” members and play hard in Las Vegas. Good rice. Overflowing money. By the way, he would punch Fushimi in the face…

Yata stabbed his knee on the spot.

“Damn.”

Consciousness was stunned. The field of vision was blurred. Desperately shaking off the thoughts that seemed to arise so far, Yata looked past the road that swayed in the heat.

Something was shining on the road.

At first, Yata paid no attention to him. He thought the bumpers and empty cans that had slipped were just reflecting light. Instead, he had to move to survive.

As he got closer, it became clear what was glowing.

It was a PET bottle.

Yata opened his eyes and approached with an unbelievable expression. When he picked up the PET bottle, he could feel the heavy weight in his hand.

As he held his breath, he opened the lid, placed it to his lips, and tilted.

Viscous water flowed into the dry mouth.

Even if he became slimy, it seemed to Yata like the finest sweet dew. He stopped thinking and swallowed hard, snorting. As the water level dropped by half, Yata suddenly returned to sanity. He couldn’t drink it all. He didn’t know when he could rehydrate next time. He had to save it in order to survive.

Yata hit his cheek with both hands.

“Ok!”

The relief of surviving restored vitality to the withered legs. Yata started walking down the road again as he carefully grabbed the plastic bottle with both hands.

Suddenly, he turned his gaze forward.

The road was flooded with strong sunlight. The water in the plastic bottle he bathed in was lukewarm but not rotten. That means it hadn’t been long since it hit the ground.

Until now, there hadn’t been any cars that had passed on that road other than that white van.

That’s what he believed.

So who dropped that plastic bottle?

As the color of the sky changed from purple to ultramarine and the stars began to flutter in the sky, Yata heard the sound.

Sound of an engine. A car was running.

With the expression that he was finally saved, Yata raised his hands and tried to stop the car with his whole body. It was not necessary. The truck slowed down and stopped well in front of Yata. The driver jumped.

Not that he didn’t expect this situation. Still, his English did not come out. Yata desperately spoke, moving his tangled tongue and his head forcefully.

“Ah, uh…hell! Help, too! Aim…um…um, come on, Las Vegas!”

“Las Vegas?”

“Oh, yeah! Las Vegas! Las Vegas!”

The driver blinked. He had a deeply carved face and dark skin. He shook his head and asked questions.

“Chinese? Japanese?”

The word Japanese was barely audible. Yata nodded many times,

“Ah, yes! So, Japanese!”

“Oh!”

The driver smiled and gave a thumbs up with his right hand out.

“Japanese! Nostalgic! Well, get on!”

Yata stared in astonishment at his right hand wrapped in black gloves. However, he immediately grasped the situation and quickly made his way to the passenger seat. As he sat down on the seat, he was thankful for his unexpected luck.

“Ah, thanks! Thanks, man! You really saved me!”

“Hahaha! No problem! It’s a bit tight in here though!”

With a cheerful smile, the driver hit the steering wheel and immediately started the car. Yata hurriedly closed the door and fastened his seat belt. The driver looked at Yata out of the corner of his eye and smiled.

“Boy, what’s your name?”

The usual Yata would have been angry at being treated like a child, but of course that kind of anger had not increased now. He answers honestly.

“It’s Yata. Misaki Yata. What about you?”

“Edward! Call me Ed!”

“Well, Ed. No, thank you very much. If I had stayed like this, I would have been really dry or frozen.”

Shaking himself off, Yata turned his gaze out the window. That heat was like a lie, and it was cold at night. Even if he managed to escape dry death, he might have frozen to death if Ed hadn’t passed by.

“You walked through Death Valley, the Japanese have guts.”

Yata smiled bitterly at the familiar word “guts” coming from foreigners.

“Ed is incredibly good at Japanese. Have you been there?”

“Yes! I lived there! It’s nostalgic, my young days, it was more than 10 years ago.”

“Hey… is it work?”

“Hmm, well, that kind of kanji? What about Misaki? Why are you going to Las Vegas?”

“That’s a long story! Listen!”

Yata began to speak as if he had cut a dam. He desperately works part-time to save money and try to travel abroad for the first time with all his friends, but the destination was Los Cabos, and the van they got in to cross the border cheaply was actually from an illegal immigrant. That’s it, and Yata suddenly stopped talking.

“Really?”

Ed’s eyes widened as if he was surprised. Yata believed that he was in trouble. He talks too much, maybe they’ll take him to the police, he wondered if he should cheat, but when he thought so much, Ed burst out laughing.

“Hahahahaha! Misaki, you! The Japanese have guts, I love them!”

“Well… really?”

“Yes! And I’m a friend too! Because I’m a foreigner too, it’s okay!”

He said something out of the ordinary. Ed shrugged happily at Yata, who was scared.

“I was not born in the United States in the first place. Mexico! From Mexico to Nihon to Fuhonukoku, then from Nihon to the United States to Fuhonukoku. Ok! You rarely see a Japanese! Ordinary Japanese is not that crazy!”

Apparently, this guy named Ed seemed to be pretty tough. Perhaps he noticed Yata’s confusion when he replied, “Uh, oh…”. Ed casually got back on topic.

“And then, did you go to Las Vegas? You’re not having such a bad time; can you go home on your way?”

“Well, that is…”

Then Yata suddenly stopped talking.

“Why did you want to go to Las Vegas?”

Anna won the ticket for the tour and everyone decided to go. Aside from Anna and Suoh, Kusanagi and Totsuka weren’t dissatisfied with the fact that they were going. Since there were only four tickets, it was only natural that there were only four people in the end.

What he was really unsatisfied with was that they couldn’t go together.

Therefore, Yata was burned. He tried to go to Las Vegas with all the instructions so that everyone could go. Those who didn’t want to go couldn’t be helped, but at least Kamamoto, Bando and Chitose agreed with Yata’s philosophy. Doing a black part-time job, suffering all kinds of problems, the passion to go beyond the desert was born there.

Where he got stuck.

“I think because I have friends.”

That was it.

Ed looked at Yata. Embarrassed, Yata scratched his cheek. But Ed didn’t make fun of him or make a fool of him. With a bitter smile on his mouth, he nodded deeply.

“I see. Friends are important. I get it.”

Yata was a bit surprised and looked at Ed. Ed smiled, but his gaze seemed to be somewhere far away. Yata stopped talking, thinking that he might be remembering his “friends”. Everyone has memories they want to treasure.

Looking out the window again, Yata noted the change.

Before he knew it, the desolate desert was over. The two-lane highway had changed to four lanes, and beyond that, it was even wider. The volume of traffic was also different from before, and SUVs and sports cars were beginning to be seen here and there, mixed with large trucks and wagons.

In the distance, the night sky lit up brilliantly.

Ed walked over laughing to Yata, who opened his mouth halfway and looked at him.

“About time to arrive. The proud jewels of America’s Nevada. Welcome to Las Vegas!”

++++++++++

This city is full of colors and light.

No matter where you look, neon lights and lightning will be reflected in your field of vision. Bright reds, poisonous purples, luxurious whites, and golds shimmer throughout, and it’s a bit of a flicker for the eyes after a long plane ride.

If you look into the distance, the sky lights up brightly. Perhaps looking down from space, the city must appear to be a dome of light that drives out the darkness. Simply “City without night”. Kusanagi and his friends have landed in Las Vegas, a city without night.

“Anna. Isn’t it cold?”

Kusanagi called out to Anna’s back as she walked out of the airport and stopped. Anna didn’t react. She opened her mouth and looked at the city that was still shining.

For a moment, Kusanagi felt sorry for Anna.

What they see is different from what Anna sees. Due to a congenital disease, her eyes can only see red. The avalanche of colors that was spreading at that moment seemed vague to him.

Still, Anna seemed amused.

The life she has led until now is very different from that of a normal child. As a Strain, under the patronage of the Red Clan, she doesn’t even go to school. To her, who has lived in the warm, cramped world of Bar HOMRA, the colors of Las Vegas may seem magnificent, if at all.

“Yes, Anna. Take this.”

Totsuka handed Anna a steaming paper cup. It was hot chocolate. Anna grabbed it and took a sip as she looked at the sight in front of her. Her face was smiling.

“Delicious.”

“Yes? Good! It’s a souvenir of my first victory, so feel free to drink!”

Kusanagi was surprised at the word “first victory”.

“Well, Totsuka. Have you already done that?”

“Because there are already slots at the airport? If so, I have no choice but to do it!”

Totsuka made a peace sign and Kusanagi showed a bitter smile on his face.

Surely, as Totsuka says, there are a lot of slot machines installed in the airport baggage claim. Tourists are sucked in like bugs jumping into a moth lantern by a cluster of machines that emit fluffy blue and purple light. It was a suitable setting for the entrance of the casino city.

Totsuka said with a smile as he waved the withdrawal coupon.

“I bet $100 and win $110. Well, the first game goes like this.”

“Was it moderate? No, how did you feel?”

“Looks like I was finally able to quit smoking on the plane, so I said I’d smoke somewhere. Uh…”

Totsuka looked around and solidified. His smile was just as stiff. Seeing that, Kusanagi was caught in an unpleasant premonition.

It quickly came true.

“Kusanagi-san, maybe it’s bad.”

Kusanagi followed Totsuka’s line of sight and also stiffened in the same way.

Suoh was surrounded by security guards.

Even in such a situation, he was truly a personality to calmly smoke cigarettes. However, in a foreign country where words cannot be understood, Suoh’s personality only had the opposite effect. He could see from a distance that the guards were frustrated by that attitude. If Suoh was touched, Suoh would not hesitate: Kusanagi knew too much about the character of the Red King.

“Wait, wait, wait! Mikoto, hold still!”

As he yelled, Kusanagi ran towards them. Anna mysteriously watched his back as she tilted the cup of chocolate.

++++++++++

The truck stopped and Yata landed on the ground from the passenger seat.

“Uh, oh…this is Las Vegas!”

What he saw was a scene that he had only seen in movies and photographs. Heavy stones that make you feel history pile up endlessly towards the sky. Yes, this was the world-famous quadrangular pyramid, the Great Pyramid of Giza, which contained the sublime pharaoh’s coffin.

Why is it in Las Vegas, it shouldn’t be in Egypt of course? Why is the Sphinx sitting instead of the front door? He had many doubts and Yata was amazed. It was decided that this pyramid-shaped hotel would be the inn for Yata and his group during their stay in Las Vegas.

“Over there. It’s famous, the pyramid! I know it too!”

As Ed said, the “pyramid” only seems to reach the locals. If so, this way can be quite useful on its own.

Yata looked back at the truck and gave a thumbs up with a big grin.

“Seriously, thanks, Ed! Thanks to you, I think I can finally join my friends!”

“Hahaha! No problem, Misaki! Say hello to your friends!”

Ed laughed happily too and gave a thumbs up and started the truck. Yata took off his beanie to a friend he met during the trip, he was shaking it until he couldn’t see the truck.

A sudden call came from behind him.

“Yata-san! You’re safe!”

Looking back, Akagi and Bando were about to jump out of the hotel like they were rolling. Yata smiled and opened his arms.

“Oh! Have you guys arrived yet?”

“I arrived at night and then I ran to help Yata-san! Kamamoto-san, Chitose and Dewa are now looking for a rental car or a taxi.”

“Then, it’s alright for you to come back, please contact them! My PDA can’t be used here yet.”

“I understand!”

Bando took out his PDA and began to make a phone call. As he glanced sideways, Yata asked Akagi.

“How’s Eric?”

“He’s sleeping in the room right now. I’ve seen a doctor, but it seems his life isn’t in danger since it’s mild heat stroke, and if he gets a night’s rest, he’ll recover soon. Fujishima is taking care of him, so I think he’ll be fine.”

“Oh! I’m glad…”

Yata exhaled deeply. If you get injured or sick due to your own poor driving, you can’t really enjoy traveling. After deciding to check on the situation later, Yata looked up at the top of the pyramid.

For a while, after looking at this, Yata opened his mouth.

“What happened to that guy?”

It seems that he just came up with it. Akagi shook his head, looking up.

“When he brought us here, he left early. He had a job to do.”

“I work…? Well, why did you come to this place in the first place? Also, with you?”

At that question, Akagi scratched his head as if he was weakened.

“I don’t really get that either. When he was out, he suddenly came over and asked me where King was.”

“Mikoto-san…?”

Yata’s facial expression turned steep. “Scepter 4”, where Fushimi belongs, is an organization that has a skirmish with “Homura”. If such a person was looking for a “King” at work, he could not have been calm.

Akagi continued to explain in a traceable manner.

“When I said he was going to Las Vegas, he started contacting somewhere. So, we were on the sidelines too, so he told me to follow him and they put me in the car, and by the time I knew it, I was on a plane.”

“Huh?! Guys, the Blues are our enemies! They told those guys where Mikoto-san is, and that’s why you guys got trapped?!”

When Yata got angry, Akagi shrugged and Bando, who had ended the call, said something.

“It’s different, Yata-san. Fushimi said that Mikoto-san is in danger. If he tells them that, Shohei and his friends can’t just hold his fingers and look at him, right?”

Agitation spread in his chest.

Mikoto Suoh is in danger. If he had heard it, he would have laughed with his nose. He does not believe that there are so many things in the world that can harm the Red King.

However, on the other hand, Yata trusted Fushimi in a way. He is a traitor, dark, cunning, sarcastic, disgusting, and extremely capable. If such a man says “dangerous”, it is definitely “yes”.

“What is that danger?”

“Yata-san, do you remember Mizuchi?”

Mizuchi’s name didn’t immediately stick in his head. He tilted his head, he thought for a moment and said, “Oh.”.

“Mizuchi, I’m sure he was the bad guy who kidnapped Anna and locked her up in a place called "downtown”, and Mikoto-san finally beat him up. What happened to that guy?“

Bando’s cheeks tightened with tension and he answered the question.

"He looks like he broke out of prison a while ago. He flew overseas, so he’s here in Las Vegas now.”

K ~ HOMRA IN LAS VEGAS: Chapter 2, coming soon!

K - ONE YEAR LATER

CHAPTER 1: BUSY AND QUIET (BY TATSUO MIYAZAWA)

*List of Chapters

Translation: Naru-kun
Raws: Ridia

A year has passed since then.

Kuro Yatogami got up before dawn. It’s a long-standing habit and he doesn’t need an alarm clock, his consciousness wakes up very naturally.

And when he got out of the futon, he washed his face without turning on the lights in the common space so as not to wake up his roommates, Shiro and Neko, he put on training clothes and left the room with his favorite wooden sword in one hand.

Looking back at the student dormitory where the three of them lived, it was dark and sunk in the morning mist.

If that were during the testing period, the lights in the rooms of the students who would be desperately studying all night might be on.

At that time, Kuro was in his heart,

(Do your best.)

He heaved a quiet sigh and headed off to morning practice.

Since he started living in Gakuenjima, it was a perfect place for sword training.

There were small forests, quiet sanctuaries, and rocky areas along the sea. It was perfect for training, meditating and running fast.

That morning, Kuro chose a small vacant lot a bit away from the dorm.

He shook the wooden sword he brought there, stood still and swung the sword again. In that way, he checked and corrected the subtle feelings in himself over and over again.

What is the optimal foot position?

What is the best grip?

He continued to search for the best physical treatment without getting tired.

Kuro gently closed his eyes as his body sweated a little and the dawn light shone on the wasteland.

(Yes.)

During training, the sharp sensation mixed with the darkness of the trees and he perceived the sign that someone was approaching there.

From then on it was the paid part.

(Two people… No, three people.)

He could see they were killing the footsteps. Holding their breath and gently reducing the distance.

Then…

(No murder instinct.)

The next moment,

“Oh!”

“He received it!”

“Sensei, be prepared!”

Three signals came at the same time as they shouted.

Kuro constantly moved.

As he swept his body left and right with a water-like motion that he could barely feel the force, he backed away from the gap, dipped his hips, and drew the wooden sword from the bottom up.

He heard pops in quick succession, and three bamboo swords flew high into the dawn sky.

“Well, I’m numb.”

“Great!”

“Kuro-chan Sensei, as expected!”

Kuro sighed as he opened his eyes and reconfirmed the attackers.

“You guys are…?”

They were the members of the kendo club. One with black hair, one blonde, only one had a shaved head. They got up from where they fell and were picking up their bamboo swords which flew away while waving their numb hands.

“What are you doing?”

When Kuro asked with a scared face,

“We were on our way to volunteer training.”

“So, we saw Kuro-chan Sensei training.”

“I wanted a move.”

They responded with a smile without being afraid.

The advisor of the Kendo club fell ill, and Kuro, recommended by the advisor, was supervising the activities of the club.

Furthermore, these three boys who were really bad boys were also dorm students at Gakuenjima, so they inevitably ran into each other almost every day.

Therefore, he was treated with an attitude that he did not know if they respected him or not.

One of them raised his hand.

“Hey, Kuro-chan Sensei. It’s a good idea, so train me from now on.”

Another person tugged on Kuro’s sleeve.

“That’s right. The tournament is close.”

The last person clasped his hands together with a serious expression.

“We really want to win this time.”

Kuro thought for a moment,

“So is.”

There was no reason not to support the young enthusiasts.

“Ok. I’m going to go to the dojo.”

The three people cheered.

Along the way, the students praised Kuro again.

“But Kuro-chan is amazing, right?”

“I am really a teacher.”

The others clapped silently.

Kuro just smiled.

He knew better than anyone that he was still far from such a situation.

The previous move was also a bit stiff and a bit awkward.

Because they were at the student level, he was able to deal with it with a margin, but he didn’t know what would have happened if they were skilled bullies to some extent.

(If was Ichigen-sama…)

Kuro suddenly thought.

(He would have immediately found out who they were when they got closer.)

No matter who the other party was, it was almost impossible for them to enter without Kuro noticing. It was possible to distinguish between the homicidal instinct of a killer and the childishness of those who were trying to make mischief.

However, he still hadn’t reached the divine area where he could immediately see the identity of the other party just by signaling to approach like Miwa Ichigen did in his memory.

(I still need more.)

Kuro thought with a smile.

It was a quiet moment before dawn, but it soon changed to something dense and hectic as usual.

After finishing the instruction to the Kendo club members, he return to his room, take a quick shower, get ready and start preparing breakfast.

Steam came out of the rice cooker that had been set on a timer beforehand, and Neko started to wake up as the miso soup properly extracted from the soup stock started to smell really good.

“Kurosuke, good morning~”

Neko grew up and wore sleepwear.

“Oh, good morning.”

“Wagahai, I’m going to take a shower~”

Neko went straight to the bathroom. She was still sleepy, but she showed her intention to get up and go to school.

“Compared to that.”

Kuro sighed and headed to Shiro’s room when the cooking process was complete.

“I’ll go in.”

Gently knocking, the silver-haired youth was still in a daze holding a pillow. Buried in a large number of books, it was a room that seemed to be that of a scholar.

“……”

Kuro put his hand on his waist and narrowed his eyes. When he was wondering how to wake him up, Shiro suddenly started to wake up. He yawned softly, looking at him,

“Hello, Kuro. I dreamed that you woke me up in a dream. Then I woke up twice in my dream. Is it really real now? Good morning.”

Kuro had no choice but to smile at the soft words.

“No. You are the same as always, Shiro.”

Even if they are sent to school, Kuro will continue to work shortly after taking a breather. Washing, light cleaning, washing. Kuro learned from Miwa Ichigen that the essence of training lies in the casual life of everyday life.

And there is no word “cut” in the Kuro dictionary.

Looking at the clock and judging that it was time, Kuro also went to school. Currently, Kuro was the deputy director of the school coffee shop attached to Ashinaka High School.

Twenty-five years of service. Stubborn. Excellent flavor. Jiro Tanaka, also known as “Tetsujin of Gakuenjima”, who was fluent in everything from French to Japanese to Chinese, recognized his culinary skills.

At the time, Kuro was waving his arms in the kitchen as he made various recipes developed by director Tanaka Shokudo. He was working to inherit the “Tanaka Don”, which is made by mixing fish caught in the sea near Gakuenjima with sesame sauce, and the “Mixed Food”, which is very popular among the students in the sports club, and is a mixture of pork, garlic and fried food.

The public agreed that Tanaka, who will reach retirement age in about three years, was looking at Kuro as his successor and training him.

The student coffee shop is fast, cheap, delicious, and plentiful, which is quite different from the orthodox Japanese food that Kuro likes to cook, but he is diligent and enthusiastic. By the way, he was definitely building his position as a coffee shop cooking student.

Coffee shop work is not just about cooking in the kitchen. Before that, there are inspections of ingredients brought by the buyer, controls of the preparations made the day before, meetings with each staff about the menu of the day, preparation of kitchen utensils, etc.

And after that, we finally have a busy lunch like a battlefield.

The hurried student’s stomach was filled with a kitchen knife, a wok, seasonings, and fragrant smoke.

Even after the lunch break was over and the satisfied students had disappeared, Kuro’s work was still stacked. He washes the dishes, polish the pan, and get everything ready for the next morning again.

When the time limit came, he greeted the chef and colleagues, left the workplace and went to the Kendo room.

There, as a kendo trainer, he supervised a total of 40 members, including men and women, and also practiced himself if necessary.

After Kuro became acting director, he injected more energy into himself and it was hoped that he would be able to aim for a higher prize in team competitions and individual competitions in the next tournament.

After a tense lesson with the students, Kuro finished showering and changing his clothes, and this time he left the school island in a hurry.

Meeting with a supplier who will deliver new ingredients, preliminary inspection of the wholesale district to buy tableware, etc. in bulk, shopping as a housewife, etc.

For Kuro, who has always been actively refining himself since he was a child, such a tense daily life felt familiar.

And at dusk when he was about to finish such a busy but dense day, Kuro suddenly stopped in front of a small park and went inside. Rusty swings and slides. It was an ordinary park with only a few benches.

As he held a shopping bag containing daily necessities, he sat down on a bench placed under a zelkova tree.

He wasn’t tired or trying to catch a break. Recently, he had been intentionally trying to loosen the tension on him.

In his busy daily life, he dared to find time to relax like that.

At the time of the decisive battle with the green clan a year ago, Kuro managed to win the battle against his brother, Yukari Mishakuji, with a sword. However, Kuro did not believe that his ability was superior.

That was only a good estimate of ten and he only managed to pick up a couple of wins.

It was more difficult.

Kuro, who was so distraught, had the idea to plunge into a calmer moment.

Miwa Ichigen’s image was in his head.

(He was always a natural person. He was at the weak end of playing without strength.)

Inevitably drawing closer to the teacher, Kuro tried to practice quiet “inaction” as a likely way to improve himself.

Of course, at first he had a lot of time and felt awkward and guilty as if he was jumping, but recently that had gradually subsided. And…

(Ah.)

The wind blew.

(Somehow today, I get it.)

Kuro closed his eyes.

He could see that space was expanding.

He could see that the tops of the trees were shaking. He could see the clouds flowing.

Sound of insect feathers.

The smell of wild flowers.

The applause of children in the distance.

His body became transparent and on the contrary, he could feel the surroundings clearly and vividly.

The sensation did not sharpen sharply, but the consciousness engulfed the surroundings forever.

There was no boundary between him and his surroundings.

At that moment, the sound of approaching footsteps reached his ears.

There would be no harm.

He understood it very naturally.

It was a woman.

The voice came out naturally.

“Seri Awashima?”

When he opened his eyes, Seri Awashima from “Scepter 4” stood there with a surprised face.

“Long time not see you.”

When Kuro said that,

“Fufu.”

Awashima laughed.

“I came here because I saw you unusually vaguely from a distance… but it’s different. Did you raise your arm again?”

“I don’t know. But that’s how it is. I think I kind of understand why my master kept writing haiku.”

Kuro simply shook his head at the smile on Awashima’s mouth, who looked suspicious.

“Do not worry.”

Kuro and Awashima have only met a few times since the incident a year ago. It’s nothing familiar, but it’s not as confrontational as it used to be.

There was an atmosphere of recognizing each other as a comrade.

Awashima said,

“Give my best regards to the ‘Silver King’.”

Saying that, she tried to leave easily, but Kuro asked behind her.

“Reisi Munakata hasn’t returned yet?”

Awashima looked back once.

“Unfortunately not.”

He smiled bitterly.

Then she turned forward and headed out of the park. Now she was under unimaginable pressure and there was a lot of work to do.

Kuro saw her back and then said,

“Well, I’ll be back too.”

He stood up slowly. The time to loosen up was over. Shiro and Neko were waiting for him.

He once again launched into the comfortable race of day to day.

It will continue in the second chapter, “The absence of the King”.

K - ONE YEAR LATER (Novel / In progress)

*01: Busy and quiet
*02: The absence of the King
* Chapter 03
* Chapter 04
* Chapter 05
* Chapter 06
* Chapter 07
* Chapter 08
* Chapter 09
* Chapter 10
* Chapter 11
* Chapter 12

Note: This story will be released on the 20th of every month in Japan.

GROUND ZERO: FRAGMENTS

CHAPTER 1: THAT DAY, THAT TIME, THAT OUTSIDE

*List of Chapters

Translation: Naru-kun
Raws: Ridia

That day, at that time, Izumo Kusanagi was having tea with his sister at their home in Kyoto. Kusanagi was thirteen years old.

“Izumo, make tea.”

His sister was a third-year high school student, but she was relaxed without being desperate even in the summer called Tennozan. Like all of Kusanagi’s siblings, she was smart and credited with being able to achieve results without despair.

However, because she was an examined, she behaved as if her younger brother should take care of her, preferring to treat Kusanagi to tea and dinner.

Kusanagi was the younger boy who was loved and good at it, so even at that time, he obediently brewed black tea with the tea leaves according to his sister’s order. Due to the quality of the bean and the brewing, he learned the technique of brewing a delicious black tea that was unlikely to come from a high school boy.

“What about sugar and milk?”

“Leave it. When I use my head I don’t want sugar.”

“Don’t study for a long time.”

As he said that, he took out the box of cookies and served it with the tea. He sat at the dining room table across from his sister, drinking tea and biscuits while having a friendly conversation. He didn’t turn on the television. So at that time, Kusanagi, who was having a quiet time in the Kusanagi family’s living room, did not know what had happened to the world.

The house phone rang. His sister looked at Kusanagi. Feeling the pressure to “get out” of that line of sight, Kusanagi silently stood up.

“Yes, I am Kusanagi.”

When he answered on the other end of the receiver, the impatient voice of his older brother, who should be away from the sea, hit his ear.

“Izumo?! Is Japan alright?!”

“Eh?”

His older brother, ten years older than Kusanagi, was studying abroad in the United States. Kusanagi had rarely seen his older brother, who was smart and unfriendly, he was confused by the voice that seemed to be impatient as if it was a joke.

“What are you talking about? It’s midnight. Are you drunk?”

“Nothing happened in Kyoto? There was news that a huge explosion occurred in the Tokyo metropolitan area, but no detailed information came through.”

“Hey, sister, turn on the TV.”

Kusanagi told his sister as he held the phone to his ear. Although his sister looked suspicious, she immediately grabbed the TV remote no matter if she sensed anything unusual about Kusanagi’s appearance.

The channel that was supposed to be doing another show at the time was broadcasting urgent news. As the older brother said, there was a large still screen of “a large-scale explosion in the southern Kanto region”.

It seems that the news landscape was also confused, behind the scenes, there was a voice reporting something as if the staff were yelling at each other, and the commentators seemed to be upset and talked while rubbing the paper on their hands. They called for people not to approach the scene, they were urging the neighbors to quickly evacuate and to remain calm and save their lives, as they would be informed of the detailed situation as soon as information was available.

“What…?”

His sister muttered in a confused voice.

Kusanagi was confused, but he wondered if a large factory had blown up.

It was a video of the disaster site. As far as he could see, debris rising in the dust was spreading, and it was hard to believe that this was a modern view of the country. It seemed that a war had occurred.

It wasn’t a mistake in the sense that a war had occurred, but Kusanagi at the time naturally didn’t know that.

“The scale of the explosion appears to extend throughout Kanagawa Prefecture, and strong seawater inflow appears to be occurring in coastal areas.”

As Kusanagi was watching television in a daze, his sister approached him and leaned in. Kusanagi seemed to have dropped the receiver before he knew it, and his sister picked up the receiver that was dangling from the cord and told her older brother that he was worried.

Nothing bad had happened in Kyoto so far, it seemed that the southern region of Kanto was swallowed by the explosion centered on Kanagawa, but the Japanese news had not given details yet, and the safety of the second brother in Tokyo had to be confirmed urgently. She hit the hook switch with her finger and immediately called back.

The second brother of the Kusanagi family was attending university in Tokyo. There was no denying the possibility that he was involved in the huge explosion in South Kanto.

It seemed that his second brother’s cell phone was not connected. His sister bit her tongue and hung up the phone.

“This is not good. The phone line is out of service.”

His sister couldn’t seem to sit still, so she took the key to her bike.

“I’ll run to see how the main family is doing. I’ll get your phone, Izumo.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Kusanagi stared at the TV screen, holding his heart that was making a pounding noise.

He had no idea what happened. It could be an incident, an accident or a natural disaster.

Kusanagi wondered if there was a “criminal” who caused this ridiculous situation.

If there was “someone” who caused that, what kind of person was he and what was he thinking?

As he was thinking about it, the phone rang.

Kusanagi jumped a bit and immediately picked up the phone.

“Hello?!”

“That voice is Izumo’s. I’m Mizuomi.”

The person that called was Kusanagi Mizuomi, Kusanagi’s uncle who had a bar in Tokyo. Although he was an odd uncle among his relatives, Kusanagi loved him ever since he was a child.

“Uncle, are you alright!? Just watch the news…”

“Oh, Tokyo is in a panic. But your brother is safe.”

He heard that his second brother was at the bar “HOMRA” run by Mizuomi. When he was outside, an explosion happened in the southern area of ​​Kanto and he tried to send a safe report to his family who might be worried, but he couldn’t use his cell phone, so he went to borrow a phone from the Mizuomi store that was relatively close.

The phone was taken by his second brother, and he heard that there was no direct damage in Tokyo and that he was safe, and if the Shinkansen worked, he would return to Kyoto.

The phone was returned to Mizuomi, and Kusanagi spilled his thoughts of him from his mouth, nodding vaguely asking him to say hello to everyone.

“Man, I wonder if someone caused this explosion?”

“I dont know.”

Mizuomi replied as if he couldn’t say anything else.

“Recently, I’ve heard some horrible incidents from time to time. I had a feeling that a tumultuous time had come, but… I didn’t think this would happen…”

Kusanagi looked vaguely at the calendar hanging on the wall. July 11, 1999. He thought it would be an unforgettable day for many people.

++++++++++

That day, at that time, Kuroh Yatogami was playing in his garden in Saitama. Kuro was five years old.

“Kuro, look!”

Kuro caught the ball thrown by his brother. This time he threw the ball at his sister. The ball flew straight and landed in his sister’s hand.

“Kuro, you are better than the boys in your class.”

His sister in the second grade of elementary school laughed. His third grade brother also proudly said, “Kuro has fine motor skills.”.

It seems that the reason why he is called Kuro by his family is that when he was born, his younger brother and sister couldn’t call him “Kuroh” but instead said “Kuro, Kuro”.

The mother was sitting on the porch looking at the fan while she watched the three brothers play in the garden. The suspended wind chimes made a chilling sound every time the wind blew.

Because it was a house where the air conditioner could not be turned on unless it was a very hot day, the sweeping window was open, and the sound of the television in the house could be heard as far as the garden.

“Oh, this is good. Would you like to take your children with you when you go into summer vacation?”

His father, who seemed to be watching a travel show on TV with his grandfather, said that.

His grandfather murmured.

“It’s nice to play in the mountain stream, but it seems to be a place famous for autumn leaves.”

“Hmm, it’s hard to pull off the fall leaf hunt.”

It was a quiet vacation.

The ball thrown by his brother flew towards Kuro again, and Kuro reached out to catch it.

At that moment, there was a low noise and the ground shook. Kuro lost his balance and threw the ball with his hand to get a mochi.

“An earthquake?”

His mother raised her hips and said that, but unlike a normal earthquake, the tremor was just a big tremor that seemed to push upwards at first.

Kuro stood up, picked up the ball and said, “Keep throwing the ball.”

Kuro and his brothers started playing with the ball again, but his mother was uneasy, probably because the earthquake was suspicious.

“Oh.”

His father who was watching TV made a weird voice.

“Earthquake bulletin?”

The mother on the porch leaned into the room.

“No, I switched to the news channel, but it’s a bit hectic. Why isn’t the news on right now?”

“Isn’t it strange? It’s really confusing…”

Even if the adults started running, the children continued to play without worrying about it. It was common for adults to make serious voices while watching the news, and that was usually followed by stories that children didn’t really understand.

When he got tired of throwing the ball and his sister taught him to play with the ball under her feet while she sang a song, his mother made a little screaming voice.

Amazed, the children watched television and saw their parents and grandfather with astonished expressions. In particular, his mother seemed to be in severe shock, covering her mouth with both hands and trembling a little.

“Mom?”

When Kuro got worried and came closer, his mother jumped back onto the porch and hugged Kuro tightly.

“You guys go into the house too.”

His father also came out on the porch and called Kuro’s brother and sister. The two of them were confused and entered the living room through the sweeping window, and the father hugged his shoulders with both arms. Even though he wasn’t old enough to be hugged, his mother picked him up and brought him home. Her feet were walking around with her shoes on.

“Was it an attack by a new weapon from a foreign country…?”

“Suddenly…”

“But if not, why would this happen?”

Grandfather and father were talking tensely. Kuro squirmed in his mother’s arms and looked at the television.

A super large explosion in the southern Kanto region. It seemed that there were many dead and missing. They were asked to please be calm and save their life.

The discomfort in the room that could be heard was transmitted to the young Kuro.

The mother held his head and pressed his face against her shoulder to take his gaze away from the television screen.

“Okay. I will definitely protect you. I will be with you forever.”

Kuro didn’t really understand what was going on.

However, he wanted to cheer up his mother who was still trembling a bit, so he patted her mother’s shoulder with his small hand.

++++++++++

At that time that day, Seri Awashima was eating a rice cake in the back of a Japanese sweet shop run by her parents in Tokyo. Awashima was eight years old.

The store where she was “Sweet maker Awashima”, it was a long established Japanese confectionery that existed since the Edo period. In particular, the bean paste was reputed to be exquisite, and the simple botamochi remained the most popular product.

Awashima loved red bean paste for as long as she could remember, and would go after any sweet that had it, she also liked to eat anko just with a big spoon.

For such Awashima, the botamochi of her parents’ house was the starting point and the pinnacle.

“How is it?”

The older brother presented the black letter rice cake and she put it in her mouth. After carefully chewing and swallowing, Awashima smiled.

“Delicious.”

“Yes!”

“But the bean paste is a bit tough and astringent. I think it was a bit early to throw out the broth.”

“Uh…”

The mother who was listening to the exchanges of the brothers laughed.

“Perhaps the tongue for bean paste is more than my father.”

That day, she was tasting a rice cake made by her older brother, a high school student. Her father’s policy was that “the sooner you start training, the better”, and her brother was forced to make sweets on his days off. He may have wanted to play, but it seemed that he already intended to take over the store as his eldest son, and he was seriously working on making sweets.

Although it didn’t work out, the impression that it was delicious was no lie, and Awashima loved any bean paste. She brought the rest of the rice cake to her mouth. “Damn. Even though it looks delicious.”

“There is no such thing as anko that is not delicious.”

“Damn.”

“Fufu, even if you make a mistake, it’s fine because she will eat everything.”

When her mother told that mocking her, the earth suddenly trembled.

Awashima was surprised and swallowed the last bite of Ohagi without chewing. “What? An earthquake?”

Her mother frowned and walked out of the tatami room in the back towards the store. She was talking to a customer who was choosing candy at the store and was saying, “Are you okay? It surprised me.”

“Isn’t that strange for an earthquake?”

It was a creepy and big tremor. Her brother nodded, “Oh…” to Awashima who was confused.

Awashima also went out to the store and noticed that the main street was noisy. She thought was suspicious and went outside. Looking in the direction the people on the street were looking, Awashima saw something like a red pillar of fire standing in the southern sky across the heavens and the earth.

“What’s that?”

Awashima muttered in astonishment.

Her chest made noise. She was sure something unusual was going on.

Awashima continued to stare at the southern sky with a strong expression until the ominous red light disappeared.

From there, spent some time before the situation was understood.

When it was reported on television that a huge explosion had occurred in the southern Kanto region and the city around the site turned into a heap of rubble, a woman who worked in the shop suddenly screamed.

“Are you okay?!”

The mother quickly knelt down, sat on the floor and held the shoulders of the crying employee.

“Wow, I… my parents’ house…”

She squeezed her voice out from under her painfully tear-wet breath.

It seems that her parents’ house was in the south direction of Kanto. Farther south than the debris-laden area in the news, a location that seemed closer to the center of the blast.

Cold, heavy, muddy air fell into the tent.

No one had a word for the crying employee. Her mother was still rubbing her back in silence.

Her brother bit his lip and quietly headed to the store to close up shop. Awashima also silently follows him and turned the sign around “open” with his brother who lowered the curtain.

Awashima, while listening to the clerk’s crying voice, looked at the “Sweet maker Awashima” curtain, looked at the older brother who lowered it, and looked at her parents in the store.

If that store, her home or her family were lost.

Imagination made Awashima shiver, and then anger began to rise.

It was stronger than the feeling of pity for the clerk’s crying, instead of the fear, the irrational childish anger aroused why she had to cry like that.

++++++++++

That day, at that time, Misaki Yata (who didn’t have that last name yet because his mother wasn’t married yet) was playing with his friend Rikio Kamamoto in the Shizume shopping district in Tokyo. Yata was five years old.

Since it was Sunday, the nursery was closed, but his mother was not working.

Yata was five years old, but because his mother was busy as a single mother, he went out to play alone before breakfast. That day too, he headed to the nearby Shizume shopping district with a familiar step.

There was a friend of Yata’s at “Kamamoto liquor store” in the Shizume shopping district.

He attended the same kindergarten, graduated slightly earlier than Yata and went to elementary school, but he was weaker and less trustworthy than Yata. Yata, who was small, but was stronger than anyone in a fight, took control and turned him into a boy.

“Kamamoto. Ah, come here!”

When Yata yelled at the Kamamoto liquor store window, Kamamoto’s mother laughed, “Oh!”.

“Rikio! Misaki-chan came to see you.”

“Don’t call me by my first name!”

Yata insisted that he was tired of that name. It looked like a woman’s name. After being teased, Yata hated his name. When they called him by his name, he felt like a fool. That’s why he told Kamamoto to call him by his last name.

However, Kamamoto’s mom smiled, “Because Misaki-chan is Misaki-chan.”. He wasn’t satisfied with the fact that he looked like a woman when he was called that.

Kamamoto came out of the shelter at the back of the store, shaking his round body and laughing happily when he saw Yata. He was a cute boy who would become attached to Yata without any selection, even when he became an elementary student.

“What are you going to play today?”

When asked by Kamamoto, Yata took out a white stone from his pocket. It was a stone that he had picked up on the path that he traveled before arriving there.

Yata and Kamamoto crouched down on the street surface and wrote graffiti and collected stones on the asphalt surface. People in the shopping district were quiet, and although Yata and his friends were doodling in the street, they laughed and looked at them.

He got tired of drawing from the beginning, and when he was playing with many circles on the street surface, suddenly there was a terrible noise and the ground shook.

It was more like a big monster jumping and landing, rather than an earthquake.

Kamamoto, who had been making a sickle with one foot, suddenly screamed and rolled on the ground like a ball, and Yata also jumped a bit and looked around hurriedly.

“Oh!”

In the distant sky, he saw a red light that connected the sky and the ground like a great pillar. The sky there was dyed red like burning.

“What’s that?! It’s great!”

Involuntarily, Yata said so and pointed at the red light.

He didn’t know what it was at all, but the pillar of light like a bright red fire felt flashy and powerful and looked cool.

Of course, Yata didn’t know what was going on under that, and what he imagines was an alien invasion, the gate to the demon world opening, the superhuman hero’s super special move, etc.

Let’s go under that red light! Yata tried to say that. Running home and picking up his bike… and so on, all around Yata’s head.

At that moment, Kamamoto screamed. Yata looked at Kamamoto in a hurry. Kamamoto, who was still in a fallen position, burst into tears.

“What’s wrong? Did you scrape your knees?”

“I’m scared…”

Kamamoto said in a thin voice.

Yata didn’t say he was a queer.

When he was facing Kamamoto, who was crying because he was scared, he somehow got irritated and hurriedly hardened his expression and extended his hand towards Kamamoto.

“Okay! I’m here!”

Kamamoto looked at Yata with teary eyes. He takes Yata’s hand, intimidatingly. Yata made a great effort to help Kamamoto, keeping his hands on his chest.

“Kamamoto, when you’re in trouble, I’ll always help you! So it’s alright! I’ll help if something happens!”

Kamamoto looked at Yata and obediently nodded, “Yes.”, he pressed his hand back tightly.

Yata, that time, saw a pillar of red light in the distant sky with a somewhat mysterious feeling.

Still, the red light reflected in Yata’s eyes in a cold way.

++++++++++

That day, at that time, Fushimi Saruhiko was walking alone through the gate of camellias in Tokyo. Fushimi was five years old.

As usual, his parents were not at home. He wasn’t happy with them at all, so he was quite happy that they were absent, but it was annoying having a housekeeper.

Being a housekeeper and not a babysitter, if Fushimi had an attitude that she would ignore, she wouldn’t have to take care of him more than necessary, but she said it would be bad if something happened to her employer’s son when she was there. That’s why she told Fushimi to tell her when he wanted to go out and play.

But of course he didn’t want to hang out and go out with a housekeeper.

Fortunately, the Fushimi family was uselessly large, so it wasn’t easy for the housekeeper to leave the house while she cleaned another room.

Fushimi walked out of the red brick Western-style house and headed for the camellia door. “Tsubakimon” was the name of that place, but it was also a common name for a building with a magnificent gate.

During the past few days, a large number of armored vehicles came out of “Tsubakimon” and passed in front of Fushimi’s house, and people in blue uniforms like “Tsubakimon” staff were running. Fushimi was curious about what was happening and turned his foot towards “Tsubakimon”.

“Tsubakimon” seemed calm. The door was closed and the building over there was also thin.

Fushimi grabbed the grille on the door, stretched, and looked inside.

It seems there were no cars parked at the time. Maybe they hadn’t been back since they were dispatched.

When he thought that, there was a shock and tremor that pushed up from the bottom of the earth.

Fushimi was a child with little emotional fluctuation, but he was really upset and clung to the door grate he was holding.

However, the shaking did not continue and ended with a big pitch.

Fushimi looked up and saw a red pillar of fire in the southern sky.

“That’s…”

Unintentionally, his voice leaked out.

Fushimi looked at the southern sky as if he was going to bite into it. He didn’t know if the red pillar of fire originated from the sky and burned the ground, or if it originated from the ground and went up into the sky, but the unrealistic sight caught Fushimi’s attention.

“Like the destruction of the world.”

When he tried to express his impressions of it, his heart fluttered a little.

There was a change in the building that was quiet up to that point. The door was flung open and several people in blue uniforms jumped out from inside as if rolling.

They directed their eyes straight to the southern sky, and when they looked at the pillar of fire, their expressions were tinted with despair. It seemed like they were talking about something, but he couldn’t hear the story because there was a big front yard between the gate and the building.

One of the blue uniforms suddenly knelt on the spot and groaned.

The roar, which was a mixture of pain and anger, reached the place where Fushimi was.

Fushimi was shocked at the appearance of a large man screaming and thought that the world would really be destroyed.

There was no particular fear in Fushimi. There was no one Fushimi wanted not to die, and he had no child-specific attachment to his own life.

Rather, he even felt that the event of the world’s destruction was better than his daily life.

However, he got tired of seeing adults moaning from the start, and Fushimi turned his back on “Tsubakimon” as he walked out the door.

Fushimi went home alone, imagining what it would be like to destroy the world.

++++++++++

That day, at that time, Miyabi Ameno came to a picnic with her parents in a park near her home in Kanagawa. Miyabi was two years old.

The picnic was fun both to go and to prepare.

While her mother was preparing a side dish for lunch, her father was preparing rice balls. Miyabi’s parents were a close couple who hung out in the kitchen during the holidays.

“Miyabi, it’s a fish!”

Miyabi insisted on that, standing next to her father, who was lining up rice balls on the table.

“Yes. There are salmon and tuna mayonnaise as fish ingredients.”

Her father held out a small ball of rice so that it would be easy for even Miyabi to eat.

He found it amusing to make a round shape out of rice, and on the way, Miyabi insisted that she do it, and even let her squeeze the paper-wrapped rice with her small hand.

They left home with a full lunch box. With Miyabi in the middle, the three of them walked hand in hand. It was a nice sunny day.

Miyabi sang a song in a good mood. A song about a lost kitten and a guard dog.

“Miyabi is good at singing.”

Her mother praised Miyabi’s singing.

“Miyabi may become a singer in the future.”

Her father also said that with a happy voice.

Miyabi continued to sing proudly. Both of her hands were firmly connected to her parents. Unlike Koneko-chan, Miyabi wouldn’t get lost.

The destination park had a promenade where you could enjoy seasonal flowers and a large grassy square, and it was a place where many families gathered during the holidays. As soon as Miyabi arrived, she rolled around on the grass and played, and when she was a little tired, her lunch box was open.

Her father grabbed the salmon rice ball, chewed on the sweet omelette her mother made, and Miyabi said that the distorted rice ball was delicious and ate it.

The lunch box was empty, when Miyabi was filled, she lay on her back on the grass.

“There, shine!”

Miyabi pointed to the distant sky and said that.

It shone in the distance and was as small as a bean, but the shape of the sword was clearly visible in Miyabi’s eyes. However, Miyabi didn’t know the word sword, so she used the word shine.

Her parents always praised her when Miyabi pointed to the sky and she said “Ohoshi-sama” or “Otsuki-sama”, so she hoped they would praise her again this time.

However, unlike the stars and the moon, it was an object that her parents didn’t even know about.

“Hmm? What is that…?”

“No, an unidentified flying object?”

Her parents looked at each other and fell silent.

At the point where Miyabi was looking, the red glow fell.

The red glow fell to the ground.

As soon as it hit the ground, there was a roar that seemed to tear at the back of her ears, and there was a shock as Miyabi’s body who was lying down rose up a bit.

Her father raised Miyabi’s body like a reflex.

Miyabi saw a column of red light rise up into the sky from where the red glow fell on her father’s shoulder, and a tsunami of light rush from there.

Her mother got up like a fight, pushed her father’s back and they started running together.

The people around her were running to escape the tsunami of light.

Miyabi opened her eyes and looked at the light that was chasing them.

The light swallowed the city.

A person running behind her hit her father’s back hard. Her father, who had Miyabi, lost his balance and fell, but he protected her so she wouldn’t be crushed.

The mother who was running with them also stopped and knelt beside her father.

The great wave of light was right behind.

The mother, realizing that she couldn’t escape, covered Miyabi with her father, using him as shield.

For Miyabi, who was only two years old, the world was full of surprises every day, so the light that she swallowed them was taken as a surprise.

However, she thought that the light was the most dazzling and beautiful she had ever seen.

++++++++++

That day, that hour, everywhere, every person acknowledged the incident with every emotion.

The children who would eventually carry the same sword above their heads received the incident where a huge sword floating in the heavens fell and scattered the ruins, with their own emotions.

Or they just looked at the light of destruction as they were without having a specific feeling.

Or, thinking of who he must be to prevent such ruin.

Or, as he was impaled on debris, he swallowed the fact and thought about the future.

On that day, even the fate of those who were not within that time, the only sword that had fallen to the ground moved silently.

GROUND ZERO, FRAGMENTS (Novel / In progress)

*Chapter 01
*Chapter 02
* Chapter 03
* Chapter 04
* Chapter 05
* Chapter 06
* Chapter 07
* Chapter 08
* Chapter 09
* Chapter 10
* Chapter 11
* Chapter 12

Note: This story will be released on the 10th of every month in Japan.

RED CASE FILES: HOMRA IN LAS VEGAS

CHAPTER 1: “HOMURA” DIES IN A SCORCHING HEAT!

*List of Chapters

Translation: Naru-kun
Raws: Ridia

California, United States. Death Valley National Park.

This place, called “Death Valley”, however, despite its name, has many lives. Coyotes that roam the wild in search of food and water, bats that avoid sunlight deep in caves, kangaroo rats that need little water to live, of course all creatures can adapt to this harsh desert that has evolved over thousands of years. For creatures that are not prepared for anything, like Homo sapiens who came from Japan, a country full of forests and water, this is literally a “valley of death.”

And now, there are five figures walking down State Highway 190, swaying in the heat.

They are all dressed as stubborn. One took off his knit cap, a sweaty giant trembles, the sunglasses have a broken lens, the brown hair sticks to the skin, and the hoodie has several holes. They walk under the scorching sun, like a beggar or someone who came out of a crazy party.

The main members of “Homura”, Misaki Yata, Rikio Kamamoto, Saburota Bando, Yo Chitose and Eric Surt are in a sorry state.

“Yata-san… Las Vegas… Is there still a long way to go…?”

Bando asked, as if out of breath.

“You’re stupid… a little more… we should be able to get there in a while…”

Yata responded the same way.

“Water… anything… even muddy water… water…”

Chitose lost his vacant gaze in the dry desert.

“Oh!”

Kamamoto suddenly yelled.

“Yata-san, please look! There’s a watermelon!”

They all had no energy to react, and only vaguely saw Kamamoto’s back running towards the “watermelon” as if he were rolling. Kamamoto jumped on the “watermelon”, but the next moment it hit him with intense pain.

“What?! What kind of watermelon is this?! The thorns grew densely?!”

“Kamamoto… it’s not a watermelon, it’s a cactus…”

Yata pointed out with a pitiful voice. Kamamoto returned their gaze as if he had woken up from his dream, he looked back at the cactus and turned his gaze towards Yata and his friends.

There was a limit to Eric.

He collapsed to his knees and fell to the ground. As expected, everyone responded dramatically to that. Chitose picked Eric up and Bando quickly punched him in the cheek.

“Hey! Eric! Be firm!”

“Don’t sleep! You will die if you sleep!”

“No… that’s… water…”

Eric’s face, moving his dry lips and burying his face firmly in the ground, showed a clear phase of death. Chitose and Bando looked at Yata as if the same thing was happening to them.

“No, Yata-san! What are we going to do?!”

“At this rate, Eric will be…!”

“Well…!”

Yata clenched his fist and looked up at the sky.

Until now, he had passed through many dead zones. He thought that he could defeat any enemy with that power and the red bond.

But now, they weren’t fighting something they could swing their fists at and beat them to death. Dry land and bright sunlight, the environment itself, are his enemies. No matter what kind of talent they use, they won’t be able to escape from this dead land.

Yata could only crouch down next to Eric and scream desperately.

“Remember, Eric! Didn’t you show it to Kusanagi-san and Totsuka-san, who betrayed us?”

Chitose and Bando took a breath. Eric also rolled his dry eye and stared at Yata. Kamamoto kept looking at the cactus and wondering if he could separate it somehow.

“That’s right…! If those people hadn’t done that, we wouldn’t be about to…!”

Yata remembered what had happened and hit the ground with a clenched fist.

Yes. The whole betrayal started a month ago. It was an event at “Bar HOMRA”.

++++++++++

“I’m back.”

“Oh, Anna. Welcome back.”

It was a white-haired girl and a red-haired young man who rang the doorbell and entered.

Anna Kushina and Mikoto Suoh. Kusanagi sometimes asks them to buy the daily necessities of those who live in “Bar HOMRA”. It is up to Anna to choose the items exclusively, and Suoh’s role is to accompany Anna and carry the luggage. Suoh was still holding a cigarette and hanging a grocery bag with green onions in one hand.

Suoh put a grocery bag on the table and sat on the couch. Anna carried the bag to the counter. Kusanagi, who smiled “big”, suddenly noticed that Anna’s appearance was different from usual.

Totsuka, who was helping with the preparation, came out from behind the counter and pointed at that.

“That? Anna, is your face red?”

As Totsuka said, usually the white-wrinkled expressionless expression seemed to blush a bit. Anna shook her head to anticipate Kusanagi’s concerns that she had caught a cold.

“I understand.”

“Eh?”

“Ticket. Tour.”

The shredded words seemed to indicate Anna’s emotion. She looked cool and calm, but she was just a teenager. Whenever something happy happened, the tension rose, and Kusanagi and Totsuka had spent too much time with her to understand.

The two looked at each other, turning their necks at the same time.

“What kind of tour?”

“Anna, do you have a favorite place?”

“No. It’s this!”

It was frustrating to talk; Anna took her hand out of her pocket in front of them. The wrinkled envelope, which had been held for a long time, had the following letters on it.

“"Invitational ticket for a 10-day trip to Las Vegas, USA”?!“

"What?! What’s wrong with this?!”

“That’s why! I understand!”

Anna shook her hands and appealed with a look as to why he didn’t understand. When Kusanagi and Totsuka were about to be confused, Suoh, who was smoking a cigarette on the couch, spoke up.

“Fukubiki. Anna figured it out.”

Finally, understanding had caught up.

It is a regional promotion event held by a nearby business district. If you collect 10 stamps that you can get for every 100 yen you buy, you can try it once. Since it’s a shopping street, the prizes are just tissue boxes, salad oil, and daily necessities, but for some reason the special prize was the Las Vegas tour.

Anna picked it up, the moment she realized that, Totsuka smiled at her and praised her.

“That’s amazing! You’re lucky to have a special prize! Anna, you can be a great player in the future!”

“Hahaha.”

“No, it’s strange how a praise… Anna, can I open this?”

Anna nodded in response, Kusanagi opened the envelope with a letter opener and began examining the contents.

At that moment, the doorbell rang and several members entered. Yata, who was at the beginning, bowed to Suoh, who was lying on the couch.

“Oh, Mikoto-san! Good afternoon!”

“Good afternoon!” said the others.

The people behind him, Kamamoto, Bando, Chitose, and Dewa, also greeted him. Suoh abruptly waved his hand to respond, then smoked again.

“Hey, Yata, listen. Anna is amazing!”

“Well, what did you do?”

As he listened to Totsuka’s explanation that had a smiling face, Yata and his colleagues were also excited. Yata gave Anna a thumbs up.

“That’s amazing, Anna! I wonder if there’s a once-in-a-lifetime tour of Las Vegas!”

“Yes, thanks.”

Anna smiled and answered that, suddenly shaking her head.

“By the way, where is Las Vegas?”

“No, I was happy without knowing it!”

“Las Vegas is a tourist city in Nevada, USA. There are casinos everywhere in the city, and anyone can play at any time. If you look at it, it seems that you can enjoy not only gambling, but also various shows and attractions.”

Dewa got the information about Las Vegas from his PDA and showed it to Anna. Anna was engrossed in the PDA, looking at her innocent expectations.

Adults, on the other hand…

“Big money in the casino, overflowing money… It’s spreading, the American dream!”

“This is a tourist town, so there is likely to be a lot of good food. How nice!”

“America… Girls Show… One night stands with a beautiful blonde…!”

“They should calm down a bit…”

Dewa muttered to the three people, Bando, Kamamoto, and Chitose, who talked about their naked desires without shame. Yata hit his back happily.

“Well, it’s a little better! After all, it’s ‘Homura’s’ overseas debut, right? Let’s decide here!”

“Hmm, that’s impossible, Yata-chan.”

Kusanagi, who was reading the brochure on the counter, unfortunately muttered that. Yata looked at Kusanagi with a question mark.

“Why, Kusanagi-san? It’s impossible…”

“This tour seems to be for families. Only 4 people can go.”

At that moment, something similar to an electric current ran through everyone.

“Four people?”

“That means…”

A suspicious look went back and forth between Bando, Chitose, Kamamoto and Yata. It was only natural that Anna, who won the award at the Fukubiki, would fall into that frame. There were only three spots left available, and there were seven adults there. With the addition of other key members, the opportunity will be even tighter.

Now, they had to confirm it. Who would outsmart his friends and kick them out, using any dirty hand to get the remaining three tickets to Las Vegas!

“Well, thinking normally, King and Kusanagi-san will come in, right?”

Totsuka had a delicate tone, and the remaining two seats filled up quickly.

“No, please wait a moment, Totsuka-san! Why is it like this?!”

“Huh? You can’t let Anna go alone, right? Anna’s guardians are those two, so it’s a natural choice, right?”

“Uh… no, yes, that might be the case…”

Yata glanced sideways to see Kusanagi and Suoh. Kusanagi examined the brochure, and Suoh curiously lit a second cigarette.

“Hey! Kusanagi-san runs a bar, right? Can’t you rest for 10 days?!”

“Then I’ll leave the interpreter to you, Yata-chan.”

“Eh?”

Yata rolled his eyes and looked at Kusanagi, and Kusanagi smiled and shook the brochure.

“If you go there, you’ll need an interpreter. Well, Mikoto can speak a single word and Totsuka isn’t enough to communicate.”

“But there are various troublesome things, like passports and exit procedures, right? Including such things, I think it’s better to be accompanied by a bean, Kusanagi-san.”

“Well, that’s right. It would be like burnt miso, but I think it’s fine.”

“Gah…!”

Yata was startled by the too honest opinion and backed down. And from behind, a trio of desires pushed at his back.

“No, Yata-san! Don’t lose!”

“That’s right! Our frame will shrink!”

“Please do your best, Vanguard Captain!”

A bond was a bond, even if it was lugubrious interest. Yata then nodded slightly and encouraged his voice.

“So what about Mikoto-san? I don’t think he’s interested in abroad.”

“Mikoto.”

Anna tugged on Suoh’s sleeve and asked an innocent question.

“Mikoto, aren’t you interested in Las Vegas?”

“……”

The cigarette in Suoh’s mouth turned red, exhaled smoke, and he responded.

“What happened, Las Vegas?”

Anna blinked several times as if suddenly caught. It just preceded the exotic sound of “Las Vegas,” and she probably had no expectation of what would happen. Still, she looked at Bando, Kamamoto, and Chitose in turn, and then back at Suoh.

“Money, food and the blonde beauty?”

Kusanagi looked at the three with slight annoyance, and they shrugged. But surprisingly, Suoh suddenly laughed.

“Do you want to go?”

“Yes.”

After nodding her head, Anna added as she remembered.

“I want to go with Mikoto.”

“……”

Suoh inhaled purple smoke again, then muttered.

“If so, shall we go?”

That way, the remaining two boxes were completely filled.

Yata bit his back teeth. He couldn’t help but admit defeat. He was ashamed that he backed down when he lost, and he couldn’t give up. Yata also wanted to go to Las Vegas. Or rather, he wanted to go abroad. Anna wasn’t the only one with a childish longing abroad.

Of the four places, three slots were filled. There was only one place left. Everything slipped into it. Yata hardened his fist with that determination.

“So, there’s only one more! Let’s decide! Because we’re not convinced at this rate!”

“Oh, it’s true!”

“It’s just like Yata-san says!”

“You guys…”

Kusanagi said as he weakened, but Totsuka still had a smile on his face.

“That’s right. We have to decide fairly, right?”

“That’s right! We’re friends! It must be the same between friends!”

“If so, then rock-paper-scissors is fine, right?”

“Huh?! No, that’s…”

“Come on. If it doesn’t come out, you’ll lose, Rock, Paper…”

“Uoooooooooooooh!”

Scissors.

++++++++++

And Yata, Kamamoto, Bando and Chitose were walking along the path to get home.

The sunset illuminated their faces. His facial expressions, full of sadness and regret, were like those of a lost dog. Some looked up to the sky, and some looked down, and no one tried to look at each other. If they looked at each other’s faces, they couldn’t help but feel their own defeat.

Eventually, Bando muttered.

“Well, isn’t that a suitable place? Anna will go with Mikoto-san, Kusanagi-san, and Totsuka-san.”

Chitose smiled to follow him.

“That’s right. Since they’re our top three, it’s natural for them to go, right?”

Kamamoto nodded.

“Oh, yes. Rather, I think it would have been awkward if we went. You can’t go abroad with Kusanagi-san and others!”

“That’s right! Hahahaha…”

A dry voice rang out on the way home, further emphasizing his misery.

However, there was only one person who did not try to blend into the conversation.

It was Yata.

The careless footsteps gradually slowed down and finally stopped completely. Kamamoto looked back and patted his shoulder sympathetically.

“Yata-san. Let’s give up and hope that Mikoto-san brings back souvenirs of Las Vegas.”

“Shut up!”

Yata squeezed his hand. Bando and Chitose jerked their bodies startlingly at the volume of his voice.

“You guys, isn’t it pitiful?! We must have been friends! And yet, why should we be forced into such injustice?!”

“No, it’s unfair, I lost at rock-paper-scissors, so it can’t be helped.”

“Don’t say that! I’m talking about feelings! I can’t forgive my feelings of waiting for them and burning in Japan!”

Bando gritted his teeth at Yata, who raised the flames.

“Then, what are you going to do?”

“It’s decided; we’re going to Las Vegas too!”

The words took a breath.

Go to Las Vegas. They assumed that it would not be possible without Anna’s ticket. The losers had to go home and “wait” until the winners came back.

But it is different. Las Vegas is certainly real. That place was not a dream land that could not be reached without a dream ticket, but in the United States on the sea. They remembered it in Yata’s words.

Flame lit up in Yata’s eyes. The flame of “Homura” was determined to burn without leaving blood, bones or ashes. Against that amount of heat, the Pacific Ocean, which is 10,000 km away, was just a puddle. He pointed to each and every one and gave precise instructions.

“Bando! You’re good at detailed calculations! It’s usually fine, so pay the travel expenses!”

“Well, oh, you, got it!”

“Chitose! Find out what we need and get it all! Send the money to Bando! We’ll split it later!”

“Oh, I get it!”

“Kamamoto! Prepare passports for everyone! I’ll find a good part-time job!”

“I was disappointed!”

As if Yata’s enthusiasm flared, the other three began showing motivation before he knew it. They could go to Las Vegas, no. The firm will to “go” brought them back to one clan: “Homura”.

“We’re going to Las Vegas too! Travel expenses aren’t a big deal, if you win a lot of money at the casino, it’s such a big flatulence! I’ll double it, no, I’ll pay it back, 100 times! Come on guys!”

“Oh, yes!”, replied the others.

“Oh! He’s putting on a good face! So, that’s the usual, finally!”

A red aura lit up from the hardened fist and Yata thrust out his right arm. Similarly, the other members put their glowing red arms over Yata’s and yelled all at once.

“No Bone! No Blood! No Ash!”

++++++++++

After that, the difficulties they experienced became a story in itself, but they took action on it.

By having a number of jobs that bridged the gap between black and illegal, they were able to earn as much travel expenses as they needed in two weeks. Much of their motivation was to “prove it to Kusanagi and his friends”, so they kept it a secret from the other members, even Dewa, who was with them. Akagi, Dewa, and Fujishima didn’t show their intention to go to Las Vegas, so they weren’t invited.

However, there was only one member they needed.

Namely…

“What? Vegas? I’m not interested.”

It was Eric Surt.

Born abroad, he was the only bilingual in “Homura”. When traveling abroad, where you don’t know right or left, you need someone who can understand the language. Eric wasn’t much interested in gambling, food, or blonde beauty, but was caught on the condition that “half of the travel expenses would be borne by the members” and he would eventually tag along.

And they successfully completed the exit procedure, and triumphantly left Japan.

Currently, they suffer from dry death in the “Valley of Death”.

++++++++++

“Damn, what is this?!”

Yata endured the tears that swelled with regret. There was no such thing as a drop of water that they could obtain. To survive, they shouldn’t even shed tears.

And, when Eric fell down, he pointed his trembling finger at Yata,

“No, it’s all your fault…! How could you confuse "Las Vegas” and “Los Cabos”?!“

"Oh.”

The cold gazes of the other members turned to Yata.

That was the case. Yata arranged the ticket, but it was not destined for Las Vegas, California, USA. It was Los Cabos, South Lower California, Mexico.

He notices it only after leaving the airport, but it was already too late.

They stepped on Mexican soil, not the United States.

Yata quickly apologized.

“Well, can’t I help it?! I can’t read English!”

“Then don’t make arrangements from the beginning! Usually, there were two immigration procedures, didn’t you find it strange?!”

“I don’t know because it’s my first time traveling abroad! If so, Bando would be responsible too!”

This time Bando shivered. His sunglasses had broken lenses, and the eyes behind them swam. Chitose murmured, looking at him.

“So is. I have found a Mexican who can enter the United States cheaply saying: "Travel expenses are wasteful”…“

"He was a smuggler, right? Thanks to that, we were chased by the border guards!”

“Well, everyone was happy to say, "Cheaper, better!” Isn’t it strange that I’m the only one to blame?!“

"We’ve become illegal immigrants because of you! If they find us, will we be deported?!”

“Now that you mention it, Yata-san, you had to fight the driver of the car that stopped after that!”

Under the brightly shining sun, “Homura’s” friends began to fight with each other. With death imminent from dryness, the time and calories they spent surviving should be limited, but they didn’t realize they had blood on their heads. Only Kamamoto, holding a cactus, directed his vague gaze across the road.

Kamamoto muttered.

“It’s a shadow.”

No one in “Homura” noticed that comment. They decided that it was not worth listening to the gossip of those who were beaten by the heat.

But, the comment had a more important meaning than any words that had flown out there.

“The shadow of a car.”

Chitose, who heard it for the first time, stopped arguing and looked at Kamamoto. The others also lowered their fists and looked at Kamamoto, then turned in the direction Kamamoto was looking.

There was a car approaching from beyond the horizon, beyond the bright haze of heat.

“It’s a car.”

“It’s a car!”

“Help has arrived!”

Shit fights vanished in an instant and returned to a fateful community to sustain life. Everyone took off their jackets and shook them to appeal to their existence. Yata and Bando stood in the path with their arms outstretched to stop it.

“Hey! Hey! Help me!”

“Please help!”

“Water, water! Help!”

They were desperate. Literally, if they missed this opportunity, it was only death that would be waiting for them. The boxy white vehicle slowly slowed down and stopped in front of them, perhaps because of the heat, or because they had no intention of running until they met a fool.

They all took a breath. Bando and others were crying. They could finally get out of that hell, that thought relaxed their hearts.

Between them, Yata stepped forward and looked at the driver’s seat with a tired smile.

“No, I was saved. Well, I’m sorry, but we’re headed to… Las Vegas…”

The voice suddenly became smaller.

The face in the driver’s seat was a familiar face.

The blue uniform that was worn. Black framed glasses. Beyond that, the dull eyes were stagnant, but now there was a light of joy. After taking a closer look at Yata’s awkward appearance, shirtless and even without his knitted hat, he said with a teasing tone.

“Are you asking me? If so, is there a certain way to say it, Misaki?”

Saying that, Saruhiko Fushimi laughed happily.

K ~ HOMRA IN LAS VEGAS (Novel / In progress)

*Chapter 01
*Chapter 02
*Chapter 03
* Chapter 04
* Chapter 05
* Chapter 06
* Chapter 07
* Chapter 08
* Chapter 09
* Chapter 10
* Chapter 11
* Chapter 12

Note: This story will be released on the first day of every month in Japan.

Coming soon!!!^^

“Red Case, Homra in Las Vegas”: will be published on March 1 (Tuesday). This story of “Homra” members traveling to Las Vegas will be updated on the 1st of every month thereafter.

“Fragments of Ground Zero”: will be published on March 10 (Thursday). This story, made by various writers on the brink of “Kagutsu Incident”, which is the biggest incident in K history, will be updated on the 10th of every month.

“K - One Year Later”: it will be published on March 20 (Sunday). This story, which describes the future a bit after K’s main story ends, will be updated on the 20th of every month.

In addition, “SIDE: GOLD”, the story of Daikaku Kokujoji who brought the Dresden slate to Japan after the war, and several “first kings”.

Mikoto & Reisi visit the FAIRY TAIL CAFE~♡

Mikoto & Reisi visit the FAIRY TAIL CAFE~♡

“SIDE GREEN” (Novel)

* Prologue (Link)
* Chapter 01 (Link)
* Chapter 02 (Parts: 01/02/03/04)
* Chapter 03 (Parts: 01/02)
*Epilogue

“SIDE GREEN”

EPILOGUE: GREEN DREAM

TRANSLATION & RAWS: NARU-KUN

“Is it really ok?”

While carrying a backpack, Sukuna muttered with a troubled face.

There was a truck type car in front of him. It was a so-called wellness vehicle with a wide opening at the rear and a wheelchair storage facility with a dedicated lift. It was Sukuna’s impression to seeing Nagare moving silently in the elevator.

“What are you talking about?”

He asked with a mysterious face, Iwafune, who was next to him. Like Sukuna, he also carried luggage on his back, but a backpack wouldn’t look very good with his outfit.

Sukuna spoke about the fluttering worries.

“Are you traveling at high speed? There are several dangerous places like toll booths and intersections. Even if they are free, they might catch us.”

“We have already worked on the surveillance cameras deployed on the planned route. There is no chance that our appearance will be recorded as a video log.”

As he was lifted up, Nagare responded calmly.

“But…”

A hand touched Sukuna’s head as he was still trying to make a statement.

“Children shouldn’t be so worried.”

Yukari dropped his handbag on the floor. It was tempting to say that there were so many things to prepare for a day trip, but he said, “There are many things to prepare to maintain beauty.” He didn’t give a damn.

“That’s right, Sukuna. Let go. Don’t hesitate and enjoy the ride.”

“You will like it.”

(Damn, that doesn’t look funny.)

He tried to say that, but he stopped, he felt that he shouldn’t.

Iwafune’s smiling face contains shadows that are not always shown. It is usual to think about something, but today it was even deeper. Kotosaka, perched on his shoulder, was quiet as if he was asleep, but occasionally rubbed his head against his cheek.

When he could see it, Sukuna could “see” them.

“Well then let’s go.”

He got into the driver’s seat of the truck and Yukari started the engine. An unknown exhaust sound resounded in the darkness of the “Secret Base”. Iwafune is in the passenger seat and Sukuna is in the back seat.

When he sat down on the seat, he saw Nagare sitting in the car.

“Yes, let’s go.”

A light tone that was the same as always.

Still, he felt that something was definitely different.

“It’s an out-of-season visit to the grave.”

The city once existed there. A million inhabitants lived there. Numerous dwellings, many workplaces, in this country called Japan, lived a daily life that was taken for granted wherever they went.

Now, the place has become a “crater” as its name implies.

The place where the city was located was submerged in the sea, and the marginal area that escaped the submersion was abandoned by the impact, and was no longer a place where people could live. Those who barely survived left this place to be haunted by the memory of a nightmare.

The biggest and worst disaster in human history, with 700,000 deaths and several times more casualties, is generally referred to as the “South Kanto Crater Incident”.

According to the official announcement, it was caused by an out-of-control accident involving a new energy experiment being developed at the center. However, many do not believe it and there are several theories about the cause. There are many rumors such as the stone fall theory, the nuclear attack theory, and the alien and ancient civilization attack theory.

Sukuna already knew the truth.

The predecessor “Red King”. The “Damocles Down” by Genji Kagutsu.

Torn apart by the drain of power from a “King”, it was a raw scar.

There was no figure in that place now. At the rim of the crater, where the shock waves caused death and destruction, both the roof tiles and the abandoned castle have already been removed by the government. It seems that the story of redevelopment was raised once, but the uncertain official announcement of “Escape of a new experimental energy” caused a feeling of revulsion in the listener. It is not known what the negative effects would be in a place where a strange energy went out of control.

Now, what stretches out in front of Sukuna is a vast wasteland that will go on forever. A memorial is built in the center like a tombstone.

Those views are cut in the middle by a vast bay.

Sukuna stood at the edge of the bay and looked down.

The winter sea under the cliff quietly calmed down and made waves.

As if to cover up the 700,000 deaths that sink below.

Sukuna murmured as he hugged his body.

“Achoo!”

“I didn’t tell you, but you’ll catch a cold if you wear such light clothing.”

As he whispered, Yukari opened his carry bag and placed the coat he took from inside over Sukuna’s head. Sukuna snooped on Nagare next to him, while he used it.

With the usual transparent aspect, Nagare dominated the distant bay.

“Nagare.”

A voice escaped from Sukuna’s mouth.

“Did you become "King” here?“

"Affirmative.”

Nagare responds by looking into the distance.

“I was chosen as the "Green King” in this place. It was the moment when the rocks pierced my heart, swept away by the impact of the “Damocles Down”.“

Nagare Hisui died once and "altered” his own death by the power of the “King”.

Nagare, Iwafune and Kotosaka were victims of the Kagutsu incident. The incident robbed them of everything, but perhaps they gave them something. That is the existence of the “Green King”.

Whether they wanted it or not is another story.

“But I wasn’t the only one who died. My friends who were close by and my family who were far away died. They never came back to life like me.”

The same flat tone as always seemed to contain an unbearable sorrow for some reason at that moment.

“Aren’t you sad? Everyone you know is dead.”

He knew he asked cruel questions. Still, he couldn’t help but ask. He wanted to know if Nagare Hisui’s existence had feelings as a human being, not as “King”.

Nagare twisted his neck and saw Sukuna for the first time.

“I was sad.”

Sukuna felt as if he was being sucked into his pure, childish eyes.

“But I think the question was stronger than that.”

“What was your question?”

“Why did I survive alone? Why did everyone else have to die? Why was I, the survivor of that incident, chosen as the "Green King”? I wondered that.“

The boy who lost everything wondered, "Why did I lose it?”. With great power, he thought about “why he got it”. The answer is known only to the dead and the relics.

They won’t reply, so he won’t get a reply.

But still, Nagare kept thinking.

Why was everything stolen from me? Why did they give me this?

“Did you get the answer?”

The interaction between Sukuna and Nagare was like that of two children.

“Yes. I listened to Iwa-san, saw everything with my own eyes, and finally came to a conclusion.”

His line of sight turns to the sea again.

“My death was to create myself, destroy the current world and "modify” it to a new world.“

Nagare spoke, looking at the world beyond the horizon.

"Today’s world was created by the "Golden King”, Daikaku Kokujoji. He controls the Slate and suppresses its power, so it is in its current form. It is not the true form. When that Slate awakens, one should be able to give the next step.“

The voice seems to have a mysterious warmth, although it is clear.

"I thought this kind of tragedy happened because he sealed it, otherwise it wouldn’t be possible.”

Iwafune, Yukari and Kotosaka surrounded Nagare and listened to him. His voice carried heat.

“Because the "King” is also a man, because the lives of men are equivalent. There should not be a world in which only the “King” lives and only the man dies. Such a world should be reduced. Then it should be a new world change, as they did.“

Nagare did not address Sukuna, or Iwafune, or Yukari, or Kotosaka. His gaze was at the bottom of the deep sea. Nagare was talking about the 700,000 lives scattered by the "King’s” display of power.

“I died with them and came back to speak for them. To correct the wrongs of this world. To leave the possibilities that should be, as they should be.”

That’s why Nagare said…

“I visit this place, because this is where I died and at the same time I was born.”

Sukuna couldn’t say anything.

He did not participate in “Jungle” for any purpose. Sukuna’s driving force was just the desire to get out of that house. He didn’t want to go anywhere; he didn’t want to do anything.

Sukuna could not say anything in front of the “King” that wanted to “modify” the world through life and death.

Nagare asked Sukuna, who noticed his toes and fell silent, as he looked out to sea.

“Sukuna. I have something to ask.”

Sukuna slowly raises his face.

“What is?”

“Why didn’t you get rid of "Nine” right then?“

The scene relives as a flashback in Sukuna’s mind.

Moving at night. A manhole with the seal of the tree of life. A small figure that goes to the side of him.

He will never forget the voice that spoke to him, the faint smile and the look that he gave up.

Sukuna’s "Thunder Blade” burned “Nine” Kue Hikotaro’s bangs and pierced through the PDA in front of him.

When only one police officer turned to the dainty Hikotaro, Sukuna immediately turned around. Ignoring Kuroko, who was ready for battle, he looked at Kotosaka perched on a tree in the park directly above him.

“In the future, if Hikotaro leaks information about the "entry”, delete my account.“

Sukuna said only that.

Nagare didn’t answer anything.

Sukuna didn’t ask for an answer either. He left Kuroko and Hikotaro standing as if they had abandoned him, and went home as he was. After returning to the "Secret Base”, he didn’t say anything, and neither Nagare nor Iwafune nor Yukari brought it up.

This is the first time Nagare mentioned about Hikotaro.

He has wondered why Sukuna did that.

However, there was no response. He could only say that he thought it was the right thing to do. Sukuna would have answered that if he had been questioned by Nagare and Iwafune immediately after returning to the “Secret Base”. Sukuna himself did not know the reason.

Now he understands.

Sukuna started talking about why he did that.

“Hikotaro…”

He was his first best friend. A respectable friend who invited Sukuna to “Jungle”, showed him a new world, and then betrayed Sukuna.

“…He was like me, who had the ability to be a J-Rank. If he wanted to, he could have run through "Jungle” and come here.“

But that didn’t happen.

Hikotaro sold information, betrayed "Jungle”, and decided to be eliminated for a small amount of money to support his family.

He himself abandoned the possibility.

“He had the power of the dragon, but he couldn’t do it. I’ve always wondered why.”

Nagare, who has all the information, would the “Green King” know why?

Any answer was fine. It doesn’t matter if he knew it or not. Sukuna’s response would not change when he heard it.

His response was…

“Because Nagare was not the king of Hikotaro.”

Nagare blinked just once.

The words overflow from Sukuna’s lips.

“I don’t know if he was my father, his family or what was around him, but at least he wasn’t himself. It was another "something” that controlled him.“

As it happened with Sukuna.

It was his mother who dominated Sukuna. While everything was managed and controlled, he resisted, but in some cases he gave up. He was no use, because he was a child. He couldn’t help but live without being controlled by them. He thought he couldn’t help it.

Such a world was shit.

"It’s no joke to have a life where you have to give up your potential under someone else’s control. It doesn’t matter who the other person is. Parents, the world, the "Blue King”, the “Gold King”, you can’t be forgiven if you rob people of their potential.“

Perhaps that is Sukuna’s "answer”.

Sukuna, who had no place to live and no purpose, just kept running away and finally discovered him in his own body.

“Each one is the only king of himself.”

A world where everyone can be their own king.

A world where everyone can compete on equal terms as kings, not as a person and a king.

There, Sukuna, Nagare, and Hikotaro would all be equal players. They could expand their potential as much as their abilities allowed. They could be used or betrayed, but they would all have will as individual players. They would never follow an order from someone.

“Global Jungle”. It would be a tremendous jungle where the flowers of possibilities would be in full bloom.

“If you’re creating that kind of world, I’ll bet you everything, Nagare. All I have in this life.”

Sukuna looked at Nagare. Nagare was also looking at Sukuna. Once upon a time, the two found a dream in each other’s eyes that they wanted to see together.

“Until then, I have always been a solo player. Until all other humans can be equal to us. That is what you mean.”

“Affirmative.”

The straitjacket trembled. Nagare had relaxed. Realizing that, Nagare looked down at his body.

“If my body is free, I’m getting closer.”

“Ok.”

Saying that, Sukuna approached Nagare and put his fist on Nagare’s chest.

“Because your members are us.”

Yukari and Iwafune laugh face to face. Kotosaka is making a satisfied cry.

“As long as your heart glows green, I live for your dreams, because they are my dreams too. So show me, the most interesting world you will ever create, Nagare.”

Nagare was deeply overpowered and responded.

“Yes, it is a promise.”

Sukuna smiled and felt a bit sad. Suddenly he was worried.

“But my king is Nagare.”

“Yes, it is.”

“What kind of relationship would you have with me if I became king?”

Nagare bows his head. Speaking of which, his expression changed.

After some thought, Nagare replied:

“I’m sure it would be a friendly relationship.”

In this way, Gojo Sukuna made a second friend.

“SIDE GREEN”

CHAPTER 3: THE KING WHO LIVES UNDERGROUND (Part 2) / Parts: 01/02

TRANSLATION & RAWS: NARU-KUN

The J-ranks who should be assistants share many of Nagare’s secrets. From the idea of ​​"making all mankind kings" to the location of the “secret base” or even the existence of his trump card.

Knowing that, however, it’s quite possible that a J-Rank might not be sympathetic to the idea of ​​style. Nagare couldn’t force sleep on him at that J-rank. If he did that, the meaning of the existence of “Jungle”, which speaks of freedom for everyone, would disappear.

The idea can be passed on, but it is up to the J-Rank to appropriate it.

It was, in a sense, the most dangerous bet.

“That’s why Nagare-chan was planning to close the deadline to some extent when he added Sukuna-chan.”

Mishakuji Yukari looked directly at Sukuna’s face from above and said…

“Jungle” is a clan of freedom, but freedom comes with danger. Nagare-chan himself always takes the risk.“

His clean face wasn’t sweating. He could only think that he is not good at conversing smoothly when he moves and after that, but if told that there is such a difference in ability, he has no words to reply.

It’s been a while since they started fighting training together.

That’s what Sukuna started to say. One is that he has saved time, and the other is that he was not convinced of the agreement with Yukari. And the last one is…

"I think I want to be stronger than I am now.”

Yukari accepted it more easily than he expected.

When he was training for the first time, he muttered…

“You’re weird, I like that.”

He wasn’t sure what was strange.

Regardless, Yukari was strong. He knew that if he fought in his original state, it would be difficult to beat him, but he was disappointed. Using that as fuel, Sukuna got back on his feet, challenged and was bounced back each time.

Lying on the vast floor of the “Secret Base”, Sukuna managed to breathe heavily. The stone pillars lined up like a temple were sucked into the darkness and he couldn’t be seen. The surface is beyond that, and the earth is ruled by other kings.

The appearance of the kings of each clan, projected by the wide “root of the grass” area, came his mind.

Will Sukuna’s power work against those kings?

He wasn’t sure. He at least he thought it wouldn’t be possible until he could beat Yukari. He seems to have the strongest class as a member of the clan, but even Yukari isn’t as good as a king.

He took a breath.

He doesn’t like having someone stronger than Yukari.

“You are a dead child.”

Yukari said, as if he was completely disappointed.

“If you want that much power, why don’t you use "items” like that time? Because now you can use as many points as you want.“

It is probably the decisive battle with the most use of the brain. Certainly, Sukuna at that time was not pretending to be. He used all the points he had to buy "items” and used them against Yukari. Only then could Sukuna go deeper against Yukari.

Yukari says that he should do it this time too.

“I don’t want to do it because I can use it unlimitedly.”

Sukuna got up.

“At that time, it was still good because there was a limit to the points. There is no such thing now. And yet, because you can use it as much as you want, you can use "items” infinitely, isn’t that cheating?“

"What do you mean?”

Sukuna was angry. Explain that this is why people who don’t play are dissatisfied.

“It’s an insult. As a player, it’s something you absolutely shouldn’t do. That’s why it’s wrong to play like that.”

“Hmm.”, Yukari put his hand on his chin and took it as if he was sure.

“The bowmaster does not have a second arrow. If you do not control yourself, you will be alert and you will be defeated. You know it.”

“Hmm. Of course. I’m a game master.”

To Sukuna who says that with complete confidence, Yukari gives a quick smile and…

“Even though you haven’t won a single victory over Nagare-chan?”

“How annoying.”

Sukuna’s face flushed red after being hit in a sore spot.

Yukari was right. Sukuna has never won a game against Nagare.

This was a humiliating feat for Sukuna, who cleared every game and rarely lost in online matches.

Sukuna thought he was good at games.

“I don’t know how to do it. He says that he has been working on "Rocking Climber” for many years, and I can’t switch to another game before I win.“

Yukari looks happily at Sukuna, who makes excuses. As he was exposed to that line of sight, he spoke, feeling that he was doing something terrible.

He can’t beat Nagare in game, he can’t beat Yukari in battle.

It is the first time that he realizes his immaturity.

However, it is not something Sukuna cares about. If "what he can’t do” is a big deal, then he’ll somehow change it to “what he can do”, it’s the real thrill of the game.

Despite that, in reality, there is not always time to change it.

“For example,”

Sukuna says that as soon as she takes a deep breath and exhales.

“And if the Blues could get into this place, what would it be like?”

The Blue clan, “Scepter 4”, was the opponent that triggered the most skirmishes when Sukuna was U-Rank.

For “Scepter 4”, who is in a position to crack down on crimes with special powers, “Jungle”, who is in a leading position, is just an enemy.

“An escape move, right?”

Yukari shrugs and answers.

“We can’t compete with other clans right now. We won’t do anything like "Homura” unless we play around a bit, but “Scepter 4” and “Tokijikuin” would team up to crush us. If that happens, there’s no way to counter it.“

"I don’t like running away.”

“Yes. I don’t think it’s beautiful either, but I understand that you will do it to win in the end, right?”

He says that, but once he escaped from the houseboat. Sukuna frowns.

“Ah. It’s different from that.”

“It’s the same. Is it okay, Sukuna-chan? I’ll tell you what’s important to win.”

He raised his index finger and closed one eye. Even though he is a man, these gestures look strangely good.

“If you can’t win, don’t lose. Even if you run away a hundred times, you’ll win if you win the last one. So there’s no shame in running away.”

“But you don’t do that.”

Yukari was naturally proud and said…

“Well, it must be a decree from the King. It’s not shameful, but it’s not beautiful.”

He sharpened his lips as he scratched his crossed legs.

“I really don’t understand what you mean by "beautiful”.“

"You don’t have to know. The beauty I see is only understood by me. Isn’t that right?”

When he asks him, Sukuna gets stuck for words.

“Every person fights for what they think is beautiful. Isn’t it because of your own beauty that you are practicing on me now?”

“……”

He had nothing beautiful.

Sukuna always thought that in the corner of his heart. It wasn’t until Yukari pointed it out to him that he realized it. The moment he noticed that he was turned upside down, he was able to calmly admit that he had nothing.

No. There was nothing.

When asked if he had a dream, Sukuna replied “no”, and there was no such thing. It would be synonymous with Yukari’s “beautiful thing”.

However, when he heard Nagare’s dream, when he found out about his dream of the “world of kings”, he wanted to see it.

He would like to relive the same exciting feeling that he had when he first encountered a different ability. Surprising to himself, that thought began to fill Sukuna’s body.

Beauty for him, is that kind of thing?

“Hey, Yukari.”

“Yes?”

“What did Nagare see in me to want to find me?”

Seeing himself as nothing, Nagare tried to promote him to J-rank. It also means that Nagare found “something” in himself.

Sukuna wanted to know what he was seeing.

Maybe he had “something”. The “King’s” eyes might have found something he couldn’t see.

“Yes.”

Yukari thought quietly and answered Sukuna’s question.

“Remember how I said you were a beast?”

Suddenly Sukuna blinked then took over.

“Oh, I’m broke. I remember it well.”

“Isn’t it because he was a star?”

Sukuna believed that was what he was referring to.

If it was a misguided taunt, he should have brushed it off with a sneer. He couldn’t do that because Yukari’s spot touched a sore spot somewhere on him.

Certainly Sukuna had been a beast. He was just a living animal with no hope or purpose. Or maybe it’s still the case.

But Yukari smiled softly.

“That didn’t make a fool of Sukuna-chan. I just felt that way.”

“Don’t you make fun of yourself by calling people beasts?”

Yukari winked and responded to the dismayed Sukuna.

“Nagare-chan told me the same thing. You are a beast.”

“……”

“By the way, when my teacher saw Nagare-chan as a child, he had the same impression. He was a small but fang-like king.”

Yukari laughed.

“In other words, I wonder if that’s the case. We are the three beasts that are lost in the jungle. That’s why we snuggled up and sharpened our claws together. In the future, this jungle will be on the ground, spreading to every corner and becoming our paradise.”

Sukuna looked up, thought about it, and then answered bluntly.

“I do not know.”

“Oh, I wonder if it’s hard for the kids.”

Sukuna hooked his toes around his long staff and lifted it.

“Shut up. Don’t treat me like a moth.”

Saying that, Sukuna felt a mysterious sensation in his chest.

After all, he wondered if Nagare liked Sukuna because he felt that Sukuna had something similar to him. Every time he wondered if that mighty king had found something in common between him and Sukuna, his emotions deepened.

Could it be that he was proud?

It was embarrassing to make it clear. Sukuna tightened his facial expression and activated his sword that killed his emotions.

“But somehow I realized that I was sharpening my nails. It is important to increase my experience points for the great battle that will come someday.”

Sukuna laughs invincibly and turns to Yukari.

“Let’s do it again, Yukari. This time, I’ll take one from you.”

“Fufufu. Well, that’s the fighting spirit. I’m excited.”

With a bright smile, Yukari was also holding a sword.

Sukuna prepared his breath. He tried to kick the ground with his whole body tight.

At that moment, he heard a voice from behind.

“Sukuna.”

Sukuna lurched forward as if he was about to launch himself and was on the brink. He turned and was held back by Yukari’s feet.

“What are you doing?”

In the upside down view, Yukari’s face was reflected. He gritted his teeth and stood up, and Sukuna glared resentfully at the owner of the voice.

“Why? It’s a good place right now.”

“It’s a mission.”

The “Green King” said to Sukuna without losing his expression.

“Eliminate the traitors.”

++++++++++

Shizume City.

It is one of the most popular areas in central Tokyo, with its huge jumbled intersection and street views as landmarks. Close to the Tokyo Bridge and with easy access to the world’s largest artificial island, Gakuenjima, this city is known as a youth city.

Perhaps because the age group is young, the atmosphere of the city is refined, but somehow mixed with diverse smells.

There they were. As if attracted by the smell, the humans who belong to the “back” of society also had this city as their root castle. Gangsters and foreign mafia were nesting in the multi-tenant buildings and warehouses in the back towns of Shizume, and they are planning crimes with strangers.

A small warehouse works quietly in a corner of such a remote city.

The warehouse, which is only about 40 square meters, is empty and almost like an abandoned castle. If you look to your right hand side from the entrance, you will see several containers along the concrete wall. The third from the left, “he” is inside the white bowl with reddish-brown rust.

The code name in “Jungle” is Shizume D2 “Entrance”.

It is one of the countless entrances to the “secret base” of Tokyo.

Of course, the entrance is completely sealed and electronically disguised. At first glance, the average person would see it as a rusty metal wall.

However, if it was seen by someone other than an ordinary person, such as the “blue clothes”, the story would be different.

Headed by the “Blue King”, they are professional investigators and repressors. There is a complicated route and tight security from the “entrance” to the “secret base”, but if you have enough time and the skill of “Scepter 4”, the location of the “secret base” will eventually be identified. If that happens, they will be forced to withdraw from the “secret base” that is the hub of “Jungle”.

The most important secret to avoid is the “entrance”.

It was exposed.

If it was from the “Scepter 4” investigation, that was even better. They just had to block the passage and get rid of it, so that they do not know the access to the “secret base”.

But if you have inside information, that’s a different story.

The connoisseurs continue to spill information about “Jungle”. No matter how hard you try to hide it, you’ll never be able to get rid of “Scepter 4” while it’s there. It’s like desperately pouring water to fill a bucket with holes. First you have to close the hole in the package.

We must eliminate those who bring holes.

“So it’s a subjugation mission?”

Sukuna muttered as he sat on the railing at Shizume’s jumbled intersection.

The white things begin to mix in the exhaled breath. It seems that winter had begun before he knew it. Sukuna became a J-ranker in mid-autumn, which means several months had passed before he realized it.

The fact that he was off the mission for so long he couldn’t swallow. He was like Urashima Taro.

Sukuna asked on the other side of the PDA as he looked at the unknown talent reflected in the vision on the street.

“Is he a strong enemy to have to go on a business trip?”

“The traitor’s rank is G-Rank. If I just wanted to get rid of him, I could easily do so by applying a suitable U-Rank.”

Sukuna was out of tune and complained.

“What is that? Then you should do that. My first job as a memorable J-Rank, will it be to catch a simple snitch?”

“He’s not just a snitch. This is a very important mission that only J-ranks can do.”

Nagare’s tone is simple.

“Because the traitor found the entrance to the "secret base”, even though he’s a G-Rank. I need to know how he found the cleverly hidden passage by chance, or if there’s a depression I don’t know about.“

Sukuna had a fierce smile.

"Can you interrogate him and ask?”

“It’s ridiculous! Kids don’t use loud words at all!”

The voice that echoed was Iwafune’s, apart from Nagare. He was listening next to him.

“And why should I ask U-Rank how he found the entrance? The location of the "secret base” should only be known to J-Rank. You have to go with Mishakuji-chan to maintain confidentiality.“

"Well, that’s right. That’s fine. Oh, I get it.”

He touches his neck. It’s been a while since his opponent wasn’t a G-rank, but he understood the importance of the mission.

“So where is it? Didn’t you say finding out is part of the mission?”

“The agent should be there in five minutes. Get in touch and get some information.”

“Agent?”

He bends his neck. He doesn’t know why he does something so confusing. It would be nice if he could give him that information here and now.

“It’s me.”

A familiar voice echoed off to the side and Sukuna shrugged.

A woman in a draft suit was right next to him. She had on high heels and stockings, was holding a black bag under her arm, and wore plain glasses. It was lunch break, but only her smokey golden hair floated.

She smiled a satisfied smile, her eyes sleepy at him.

“It’s been a long time, Five.”

“Kuroko, why…?”

He realized as he said that.

This is what Nagare called an “agent”. Certainly the most active “Jungle” player comes to mind first.

“Wow, the appearance changes every time I see you…”

“No wonder. Where are the idiots who show up in combat uniforms and street clothes in places like this?”

The person who pushes up her glasses and says that coldly is surprisingly apt as a “competent secretary to the president”.

“I don’t know how far I’ve heard from the "Green King”, but I’ll give you a general description of the target.“

Kuroko took out the PDA from the bag.

"The "traitor” sends information about “Jungle” to “Scepter 4”. I knew because he contacted me.“

Kuroko’s day.

She has a wide range of connections in her work. The people who are primarily involved are the "back” people, but not without a connection to the “front”. The front and back are exactly one. There is a profession like Kuroko’s to solve problems that cannot be shown.

“Not the most direct connection. People in the front tend to avoid connecting directly to the back. I am aware of the information store that provides information to "Scepter 4”. I was contacted by the “traitor” asking me to mediate with the store of information.“

"Is that why it’s you again?”

“So it seems, I accept a wide range of jobs. I also have business cards.“

Kuroko said that seriously, and Sukuna couldn’t say anything.

"I introduced the information shop to the "traitor”. The “traitor” taught the information shop the location of the “entrance”, and thus “Scepter 4” knew the location of the “entrance”.“

Sukuna looks at Kuroko and collapses.

"Are you not his accomplice?”

“I was just a go-between. I don’t even know the location of the "entrance”.“

"So, this time, you sell the information about the "traitor” to the “Green King”?“

"What’s wrong with selling something?”

Kuroko said that without being afraid.

Sukuna’s eyes on Kuroko would have been towards the “traitor”. He knows that there is no ethics or loyalty in this woman.

However, welcome to that place, that’s how “Jungle” is.

“We’re monitoring the trends of "traitors”. But disturbing signs have appeared recently. He started wandering around the back town of Shizume, far from where he lived. I guess she was looking for a new “entrance”.“

Sukuna narrowed his eyes.

If that’s true, then the "traitor” knows how to find Nagare’s cleverly hidden “tickets.”

“The sooner you catch him, the better. The mission includes helping you catch him. Therefore, I will guide you to his place.”

“Hmm. Well, whatever. Let’s go!”

Sukuna backed away from the railing.

As he does so, he tells Kuroko.

“But at least show me his face and tell me his name. If you don’t, I’ll lose him even if I find him.”

“That’s right. I’ll send you a picture now.”

There was an incoming call on the PDA. Kuroko’s email. He opened it and looked at the photo.

Sukuna’s heart stopped.

“The identifier name is "Nine”. The real name is Hikotaro Kue. That is the name of the “traitor”.“

++++++++++

"In other words…”

Iwafune’s expression is bitter, like the feeling in that heart.

“Was he a close friend of old Sukuna?”

“Affirmative. Hikotaro Kue was a friend of Sukuna Gojo. I have been informed that he was the one who taught Jungle to Sukuna.”

Nagare’s expression did not waver. He couldn’t tell what he was doing from the expression that calmed down like the surface of a lake.

“King” is another name for a monster.

A huge force that can even destroy an entire city. It is a surplus of power in the human body. If he is drunk, he will bring ruin.

In order not to get drunk on power, he have to drink power. There is no choice but to prepare a huge vessel that can control the enormous power equal to God without being confused and overwhelmed.

The bowl will swallow it all. The power of the “King” and human feelings are only “one to control” in him. Iwafune thinks that the “Dresden Slate” has a criterion for choosing a “King”, because he has the will to do what he needs when he needs it, without being carried away by anything.

Nagare definitely has that container.

“There has been no interaction between the two since Sukuna left home. Perhaps they broke up at that time. It was unclear from my investigation what happened. Meanwhile, Kue Hikotaro’s family will be moving out of a luxury condo in Jimmachi to a cheap apartment in Shizume.”

“Nagare. You…”

Iwafune’s voice sank heavily.

“Did you know and dared to send Sukuna?”

“Affirmative.”

“King” is another name for a monster.

Therefore, Nagare Hisui existed in front of Iwafune as an unmistakable monster.

He doesn’t think he made a mistake in bringing it up.

Nagare was like that as much as possible. Iwafune did not teach him the ambition to change the order of this world as the “Green King”. He overflowed from Nagare himself.

Iwafune said in a soft voice.

“Are you trying to get that kid to kill his friend?”

Iwafune is also a “King”. He is aware that he is a monster. That’s why he couldn’t finish it. The fact that the man he raised is trying to make a ruthless decision, is because he is a “King”.

Nagare replied.

“Sukuna is a J-Rank. He will Dream of me. So I have to see Sukuna’s performance. I have to find out what kind of judgment and what kind of action he will take. Isn’t that right, Iwa-san?”

Nagare looked at Iwafune and said that clearly.

“Iwa-san, you are like my father, an executive of Jungle, and my trump card. But you don’t have to be caught up in that.”

“……”

“You can always leave me when the time comes when you can’t forgive me. Iwa-san has Iwa-san’s freedom.”

Iwafune shook his head with a withered smile.

“I can’t. I’m just a guy who should have died.”

Iwafune was infinitely transparent and pure, and thus he looked into the eyes of the “King” with merciless eyes.

“I said what Seigo Otori would probably say, but that person is dead. Right now I am Iwafune Tenkei. My job is to watch over your future.”

“Yes. Please take a look with me.”

One of the screens shows Sukuna walking with Kuroko. Nagare says as he calmly looks at his faces.

“What do you think Sukuna thinks and does?”

Iwafune thought.

He hoped that the “King’s” action would not harm the child.

++++++++++

It was a moonless night.

Shizume is a city that never sleeps. As it is one of the most popular central areas of the city, it is more lively at night than during the day. The varied noises and bright lights of the city never go out, from the front of the station to the back of the city.

However, there are places where the light does not reach.

“There” was no back city. A small park halfway between the office and the residential areas. There were no children’s games. It was a blank space with benches and drinking fountains in a space the size of a cat’s forehead, that not even the neighbors would look at.

There was a small sewer near the restroom in the park.

The sewers in Tokyo are always engraved with the seal of the Yoshino cherry tree, but it wasn’t the flowers that were engraved in the sewer. Naturally, it is not Tokyo who managed the sewer.

He had engraved a wooden seal. The seal of the world tree that takes root in the ground and spreads branches and leaves in space.

The stamp of “Jungle”.

Shizume B1 “Entrance”, was the name of the sewer.

Only the executives, or perhaps only Nagare Hisui, can know. Yukari, Sukuna, Iwafune, Kotosaka, they wouldn’t use the entrance to such a strange place. This is because they use the “input” which is a bit more accessible. This was just an urgent entry, a loophole created with “just in case”.

A figure was passing through the lagoon.

In a small park, in a lonely bathroom, he squatted on the side of a sewer next to it, reached out, touched the cold iron and stroked it. When he took the PDA out of his pocket and held it over the seal on the manhole, the incoming call lamp on the PDA lit up green.

White breath leaked out for a long time.

“Bingo.”

The voice shook the figure.

The voice came from a boy standing behind him at the entrance to the park’s office district.

“Isn’t that one? You find them often.”

The voice was neither cold nor warm. Just dry.

“I’ve always been good at that kind of thing. I notice something that others don’t and I take advantage of it. It’s about hitting people’s blind spots.”

Move forward as he speaks. When he entered the circle of light from the streetlight, the appearance became clear.

The figure in the sewer looked at his face and murmured in a trembling voice.

“Sukuna.”

“Hikotaro.”

Called out by a dry voice, Hikotaro Kue shrugged his shoulders as if he had been whipped.

Sukuna looks at the figure as if it is frozen.

When he found out that Hikotaro was a “traitor”, Sukuna felt resentment for the first time.

Most of that went to Nagare Hisui. There is no reason why the “Green King”, who has a wealth of information, would not know about the relationship between Sukuna and Hikotaro. He found out and then went to Sukuna, to eliminate his old friend.

However, Sukuna was aware of the emotions behind that resentment.

It was “fear”.

He had to hunt down Hikotaro with his bare hands. Like many rankers who were once eliminated in many subjugation missions, or used and ultimately killed. He has to put a “Thunder Blade” in his chest, steal the account from him and throw it in the city on a winter night.

He had a feeling that if he did that, he would definitely change.

And that was not the only “fear”.

“Long time not see you.”

Hikotaro smiled weakly.

Sukuna bit his lip and stiffened.

So…

Hikotaro Kue, if he begs for his life, what should he do?

What if he begs for mercy out of the goodness of being old friends? What if he told him to get lost, like the many players he once hunted down? What kind of face should he have at that moment? What would he have to do? Could he really bear the pain at that moment?

That was the only thing that scared him, more than when he left his house, than when he faced Kuroko and Yukari, than when he met the “Green King”.

Above all, Sukuna feared that memories of him would be decisively woven.

Hikotaro stood up. Sukuna was ready.

And he said…

“Rank…”

In a small conversational tone that doesn’t seem out of place.

“How far have you come? I’m moving up to G-Rank.”

“……”

Sukuna blinked several times and then in a soft voice, said…

“…J.”

Hikotaro widened his eyes. He took a step forward. The dim streetlights that illuminated the park caught his eyes for a moment and made them sparkle.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, that’s really amazing! Now that you’re a J-Rank, did you get to meet the "King”? Did you meet him? The “Green King”!“

Sukuna jerked as if the tip of her nose had been turned around.

He didn’t know what to answer. Various emotions swirled in his chest. There would have been anger there. There should have been some irritation. The joy and the fear of shrugging invaded him at the same time.

But there was no "sadness” anywhere.

Hikotaro gave a small salute and laughed embarrassedly.

“No, I said something strange. I’m sure you met him. So that’s why you came here?”

“……”

“I’m a "traitor”. My account was just frozen. In the end, I thought I should just find this place, but it was tempting. I don’t want to come so early. Besides, you're…"

“Why?”

Sukuna asks seriously.

“Why did you do this?”

Hikotaro’s expression was strong.

“Oh, you’re smart. You know that, right? If you do this, they will definitely find out. You will be found and eliminated as a traitor. You must have known.”

Yes.

He couldn’t have expected it. A man who is smart enough to find the “entrance” cleverly hidden by the “Green King” by himself cannot have thought of this ending.

“Why?”

“I need money.”

Hikotaro answered clearly.

There was no longer a smile on his face. Only the dry, worn and aged atmosphere that does not look like that of a child, was miserable.

“Kue’s house used to be a well-known family, but it seems that the owner of the family was a ridiculous person a long time ago. He was small.”

Sukuna looked at the appearance of Hikotaro Kue, who spoke clearly.

“Grandpa seems to have given up, but my father hasn’t. He started thinking about how he wanted to revive the Kue family. But my dad didn’t have that talent. The more I scratched my feet, the more I got stuck in the swamp.”

He spoke only of the facts before him.

The “Green King”. For some reason, he resembled Nagare Hisui.

“My dad thought he had that talent.”

Who was it that distorted Hikotaro’s lips? Was it him, his father or his destiny?

“I’m stupid, really. I’m still a kid. What do you expect from an elementary school student who is ten years old or so? He leaves it to others, so even though he has fallen to the bottom, he still doesn’t seem to know. Why not make money? How can I do that?”

“But you did. You knew how to do it.”

In “Jungle” you can do that.

Because it is the power of the weak. Age and status do not matter. As long as you have the eyes to see things and the head to understand things, you can get to that point, if you have that intention.

Hikotaro pointed at Sukuna.

“Disgusting.”

He laughed weakly and shook his head.

“I couldn’t do it. I didn’t have the talent.”

Hikotaro wipes the bruise from his mouth with his thumb.

“I couldn’t be like you. Not with my family or with a talent. I couldn’t leave my house. My parents thought that way anyway.”

Sukuna thought.

What if Hikotaro had left his house as Sukuna and spent all of his talent on “Jungle”? He had no status, money or credit. If he had immersed himself in this world with that talent, would he have been able to stand by his side?

It might have been possible; it might not have been possible.

He doesn’t know what the answer would be, but there must have been a possibility. As a J-Rank, the future who was by the “Green King’s” side, would be aligned with Sukuna.

Hikotaro didn’t abandon his family, his connections.

Instead, he abandoned his potential in “Jungle”.

“Forever…”

Hikotaro hesitated.

“…I wanted to apologize to you, for everything that happened.”

He approached Sukuna as Sukuna’s parents ordered. Perhaps it was the “scratch” from Hikotaro’s father. It must have been so that the fallen members of the Kue family could take advantage of the Gojo family and rise up.

“I didn’t like it because it was an order at first. I thought it was annoying to pretend to be friends with a guy who didn’t know hardship.”

“……”

“But no. You were a fun guy. You were funny, smart, bad personality, but it was exciting to be with you.”

(I also.)

“It was the first time I really wanted to be friends with someone, from the bottom of my heart.”

(I also.)

“Then it got spicy. You believed in me, but I hid the truth from you. I said I’d take care of the cat. I couldn’t give you anything back. All I could do was play with "Jungle”, but only then did I feel like I was truly alive. Do you remember the “Emergency Mission” at that time?“

(How could I forget it!)

He can’t forget it. Even for a moment, the brilliance of that era has never faded. Therefore, Sukuna has suffered. Because he saw the glitter once, everything else seemed faded.

"It was fun. We took pictures of various places.”

(I ate sweets.)

“Oh, yeah! I’ve never eaten sweets before!”

“Did he taste terrible? I don’t know if it was a gummy bear.”

“Bah, that’s right! That’s why it wasn’t that good!”

Hikotaro laughed out loud. Sukuna also relaxed. Like that summer day, in the park on a winter night, the two boys were immersed in memories of the past.

Eventually, after laughing, Hikotaro tossed the PDA in front of him.

“Ah! It was fun. But that’s it.”

In a tone that seemed to end, Sukuna gripped his cane tightly and looked towards the residential area side exit.

Kuroko stood as if she was leaning against a wall.

When Sukuna finds Hikotaro, Kuroko is supposed to get rid of him.

Sukuna activated “Thunder Blade” on him.

“I also.”

Sukuna says in a weak voice, waving the death god’s sickle.

“I thought I had to apologize to you.”

“What?”

“Nine, the stray cat. My mother got rid of him without permission, even though he was so cute, he’s dead.”

“Oh.”

Hikotaro waved his hand as if nothing had happened.

“It’s fine. By the way, he’s not dead.”

“Eh?”

“I ordered it and picked it up at home. Not just the stray cat, Nine. I also included the white cat your mother bought and immediately threw away.”

“I called him "Five”. He has a pedigree, so he’s perfect, right?“

In response to Hikotaro’s words, Sukuna clenched his fist tightly.

He thought that stray cat had died because of him. He thought that the white cat was punished because he said that he didn’t need it. When he found out about that, somewhere in his heart, the two animals that he had as "remorse”, were saved by Hikotaro.

“Why is it like this?”

“Because…”

Hikotaro laughs lonely.

“It would be too much of a salvation to decide everything and throw it away just for the convenience of adults.”

At those words, Sukuna’s heart had settled.

Sukuna tightly gripped his long staff. Hikotaro closed his eyes as if he had lost his fear. Sukuna held his breath, silenced his heart, and lowered his sickle.

“SIDE GREEN”

CHAPTER 3: THE KING WHO LIVES UNDERGROUND (Part 1) / Parts: 01/02

TRANSLATION & RAWS: NARU-KUN

“It’s the first time we’ve met face to face, so I’ll say this again.”

The man said unimpressively.

“Nice to meet you. Welcome to the Green clan’s "Secret Base” of “Jungle”.“

He was dressed in a straitjacket and sitting in a wheelchair. Pale skin, coarse black hair, and listless eyes. His face was well organized, but somehow it lacked animation. He looked like a sick person or a sinner.

(He is a creepy guy.)

That was Gojo Sukuna’s first impression of the "Green King” Nagare Hisui.

“You are now a J-Rank, the highest rank. You are a member of the "Jungle” executives. Congratulations.“

"Other than that, I’m happy.”

Sukuna answers directly. He came here to see the face of Nagare Hisui, the “King of the Greens”, to see with his own eyes the man who has used him and other players in different ways.

He even thought that it would be fine to challenge him to a fight and face him face to face.

He hates all those who dominate, use and try to do what they want.

That’s exactly what Sukuna’s parents were.

When he said that, Nagare seemed strange deep down.

“I never wanted to control others. It’s a misunderstanding.”

Sukuna was disappointed. What he was saying and what he was doing seemed too different.

“I believe that all human beings should be "free”. Transform this world and create a world where they can be.“

"What?”

“Do you have a dream, Gojo Sukuna?”

A casual word caught Sukuna’s chest roughly.

Dreams, purpose, future.

There was no such thing and no reason, because there was nothing in Sukuna. The dream he once had with his best friend disappeared with him. Sukuna kept running away from everything and then he came to this place.

“I have none.”

To say the least, Sukuna looked down.

Nagare, however, spoke clearly without showing mercy or hesitation.

“If you don’t have a dream, have a dream with me.”

Nagare looked directly at Sukuna. Something seemed to light up a mysterious flame behind his shocked eyes.

“If this world is boring, I will make an interesting game in this world. So let’s play together.”

Sukuna held his breath.

The words that his best friend once said to him were restrained in his mind.

(So, Sukuna. Let’s play together!)

He never forgets the emotion of that moment. He thought that he could run forever, and that he could breathe the endless world in front of him as he wished.

After all, it was just a lie.

Nagare said that he is trying to create a world where he really is.

He had never thought of creating a world. The world was there, it’s not something he could do on his own. At Sukuna, it was undeniable common sense.

However, the brooding young man in front of him is trying to be “serious”.

He still doesn’t know if he is “sanity”.

“Ok, I agree.”

Sukuna laughed a lot and said that.

“However, I’m going to quit right away if the game sucks.”

Anyway, he didn’t have anything he wanted to do. In that case, it may be good to hang out with this guy with a feeling of braving the back dungeon after the end.

He still doesn’t know what awaits him in the end.

But to be able to see the infinite world of that moment again, Sukuna was sure that is what he wanted.

“Welcome, Sukuna.”

The eyes of Nagare who spoke so excitedly seemed to harbor a mysterious light.

++++++++++

“So…”

“That” began with such a word.

“I’ll throw a welcome party.”

“What?”

Pulling away from Sukuna, the other members began to get up and work, and before long they finished preparing for the “welcome party”.

When he realized, Sukuna was in front of the four and a half tatami chabudai, and a banner reading “Welcome, J-rank, Gojo Sukuna-kun!”, was hanging. They also wore mysterious pointed hats.

“What is this?”

Since it’s Sukuna, he had no choice but to say so.

“Hey, didn’t you hear? It’s your welcome party.”

The answer came from Iwafune Tenkei, a “Jungle” executive. A middle-aged man with a close-fitting coat and stubble, he appears to have been a member of “Jungle” from the earliest days.

“After all, Sukuna-chan is the first to join as a J-Rank through the official route.”

“Congratulations! Congratulations!”

“Yes. It’s proof that my "Jungle” idea has finally started to work.“

He was impressed, despite the dialogue, the style did not break the deadpan. Sukuna was looking at the orange juice poured into the cup, feeling uneasy.

"Now, let’s toast to celebrate the joining of "Five”, Gojo Sukuna.“

"Cheers!”

Iwafune, Mishakuji and Kotosaka toasted. Iwafune with a canned beer, Yukari with wine, and Kotosaka with water on a tray, and though it was said to be a toast, he didn’t even have a cup. Or rather, how does this guy eat? Will people feed it? Or does he eat with some kind of skill?

“What’s wrong? Do you have a weird face?”

He quickly returns to Iwafune’s words.

“No, not really. I was wondering where my room is.”

“Oh, no, you’re moving here.”

Sukuna distorted his face.

In this place “Secret Base”, Sukuna was supposed to live for a while. The condo he used to live in is already known to his parents. The connection until the new house was prepared was absolutely necessary.

“If you don’t intend to settle down, why not live in this room? I have extra futons.”

“Here?”

Sukuna frowned. Just thinking about living with others seemed troublesome.

But…

“Ok, I have to say it, but it’s hard to bring furniture until now. Isn’t it Yukari?”

“Just to get it from the entrance to here, it was hard to get it in without breaking it.”

Yukari snorted.

The “Secret Base” is a vast basement space in the center of the city, but as its name suggests, its existence is completely hidden. Only “Jungle” executives are allowed in and out, so they should always use their bare hands when carrying their luggage.

The ingredients for the tori-nabe, which is simmering in front of him, and the karaage, which is piled on a tray, were purchased directly by Iwafune from the “Kami” supermarket.

It was increasingly difficult to understand that space, associated with the habit of secrecy.

“It’s about time, right? Come on, eat the vegetables.”

By the time he said that, Iwafune had already picked up Sukuna’s bowl without permission. He put tofu, chicken shamrocks, bok choy, and enokitake mushrooms. Sukuna sharpens his lips dissatisfiedly at the rapidly growing bowl.

“I don’t know what to do.”

“Well, kids just eat and grow. Wow, haha!”

Sukuna couldn’t get mad at Iwafune, who laughed at a moment he didn’t understand, and simply shut up.

Iwafune was a kind of “adult” that Sukuna had never met.

For Sukuna, an “adult” was a rigid, covered and always repairing creature. He believes that his parents, domestic servants and school teachers were of that race.

But Iwafune was totally different.

From the first meeting, he felt free to pat Sukuna’s head, and it seemed to be an everyday thing to empty a can of beer and get drunk during the day. There is no doubt that he was a “bad adult”, as he called it.

If Sukuna’s mother saw it, she would have shown clear displeasure.

But Sukuna couldn’t hate him.

This is because the mask-like smile, which Sukuna always saw hovering over “adults”, was nowhere to be found on him.

Sukuna stared at the bowl in front of him for a few seconds, popping chicken and bok choy into his mouth at the same time.

“……”

It was fine.

When he chewed it, the sweetness of the sauce and Chinese cabbage gradually spread in his mouth. If he chews to satisfaction and swallows it, the taste seems to light up his stomach with an eerie warmth.

It has been a while since he had such a warm and nutritious meal. From the time he left home to the present, Sukuna’s meals have been store-bought lunch boxes or fast food.

“Are you ok?”

Iwafune glanced at Sukuna, who silently sipped the juice and squeezed out the rice. Sukuna was engrossed in it.

“If you stay here, I’ll cook you three meals.”

At those words, Sukuna decided to live in that room.

By the time the bottom of the pot was seen, the other three joined hands (although the style was closed) and expressed together.

“Thanks for the food!”

“Good food! Good food!”

Even Kotosaka reached out to raise his voice and finally Sukuna came over.

“Thanks for the food.”

“Yeah, well, let’s clean this up.”

Iwafune quickly stacks the dishes, and Yukari puts away the crock pot and stove as well. Sukuna asks, scratching himself cross-legged and looking vaguely at the family work.

“Is this always like this?”

“Yeah, most of the time. Yukari usually eats out.”

“I was the only one who could openly handle missions until now. I wonder if it will change a bit with the addition of Sukuna-chan.”

“Why isn’t that old man on a mission?”

When he asked that question, Iwafune looked back with a sullen face.

“Don’t call people old. Call me Iwa-san.”

“Ok. Are you a J-Rank? You’re an executive, so you don’t have to work for "Jumle”.“

Iwafune looked into the distance and muttered.

”‘Work’? That’s a nasty word.“

"Iwa-san. That comment is bullshit.”

“Well, I don’t mean that! There are many kinds of jobs!”

“Iwa-san is my trump card. I can’t get him to work on the board until the time comes.”

Sukuna shook his head at the word “trump card”. He was just a boring old man no matter how he looks at him, but will he have some kind of special ability?

“Iwa-san has had an important mission during this time.”

“Uh, what kind of mission?”

“Urgent mission: Support to Five.”

Sukuna and Yukari opened their eyes at the same time.

Iwafune looks back and says to Nagare,

“Hey, what do you say?”

“Yes. It’s the first time I’ve heard of it. So, it was Iwa-san who gave the order to that ninja.”

Yukari doesn’t seem offensive.

Sukuna couldn’t do that. That battle was all about his own spirit. He was left with nothing and finally confronted him, but in the end he didn’t come, and someone was forced to “help” him.

Someone who is in front of him.

The frozen anger began to shine again.

“Why did you help me?”

At Sukuna’s low voice, Iwafune scratched his chin.

“Well, for a variety of reasons. I’ve said you’re a necessary person, and that’s all.”

A withered smile came to the mouth of his stubble.

“I didn’t want to see a child get hurt.”

A tone that seems to cry something.

Sukuna spoke. The anger he tried to punch circulated around the back of his chest and he calmed down again.

He hates adults who pretend to talk smart. However, it seems that Iwafune isn’t saying that just to show off his superior side. He really believes it.

He didn’t want Sukuna to get hurt.

It would be a word that should be expressed as compassion. However, Sukuna rarely showed compassion for anyone. So he didn’t know how to deal with it, he just kept quiet.

Iwafune laughed a little and bowed when he saw Sukuna like that.

“I know it was an extra move, but I couldn’t help it. It was bad, Sukuna.”

“……”

Sukuna stared at the top of Iwafune for a while, then turned to the side.

“Whatever. I don’t care now.”

Iwafune smiles when he hears it.

“Oh, yeah? No, that’s fine. Kids seem scary these days, so what if Sukuna got sharp and cut them, wouldn’t that be exciting?”

“Oh, he’s surprisingly shy, Iwa-san.”

“Yes, he is a chicken. Wow, hahaha!”

Iwafune laughed heartily, making a flapping gesture with both hands.

Sukuna was watching the exchange with a frown.

He did not feel well. When he was with them, it seemed that whatever was the driving force behind his anger and irritation was fading away.

Although it was not an unpleasant feeling.

++++++++++

The wind was blowing overhead.

It was like a world-shaking gift or the breath of a world-devouring monster. Sukuna shrugs and shuffles forward, keeping his head out of the wind.

In the pitch black area, he can’t see anything. The arm he trailed felt like wet mud. Sukuna stepped forward as he endured the awkwardness.

Go ahead, go ahead, go ahead.

Sukuna did not know where to go.

He just didn’t want to be there. The sound of the wind blowing overhead was loud. The wet mud was unpleasant. The fight that he was able to paint was terrifying.

Sukuna was running away.

No destination, no purpose, no hope.

He was crawling alone because he didn’t want to be there.

Before he knew it, Sukuna found out that it was a mistake. A pitiful insect that moves through the mud. A creature that fights, suffers and ends its life in the dark.

He didn’t like it.

He should have seen something else. He was supposed to live in a new, vibrant, refreshing world, but why was he there?

The roar grew louder. The mud was further applied to the entire body. Was it the tip of a world-eating monster’s nose that pushed him? That irritated Sukuna more and more.

“What?!”

Screaming, Sukuna jumped.

Immediately, there was a rattling noise and severe pain ran through his head.

“Oh!”

He flapped his wings, but his body didn’t move well. Sukuna looked at his body with teary eyes.

He was wrapped in a blanket. It seems that what he felt like mud in his dream was a blanket moistened with his sweat. The roar was the sound of a vacuum cleaner, and the one that was hitting his back…

“Oh, this guy finally got up. It’s a good state.”

They were Iwafune’s toes.

Sukuna stood up as he rubbed his head. With an angry look, he looked at Iwafune.

“What are you doing?!”

“What is this line? What are you doing in the morning? Get up early and wash your face!”

“Hm.”

“Hey, quick. There’s a bathroom there. You can use any towel you want, so go ahead.”

With his back pushed, Sukuna leaves the Japanese-style room and walks down the hall.

He washes his face in the bathroom, and looks at himself in the mirror. His facial expression is like biting into a bitter worm.

Iwafune appeared in the mirror.

“Oh, no, I bought your toothbrush. That green guy. Don’t you confuse it with style?”

Saying that, Iwafune withdrew his face.

“……”

Sukuna wandered around for a while and then started brushing his teeth.

He thought, what was that, while moving the toothbrush and reflected in the mirror.

Ever since he visit this “secret base”, he feels that he has been doing all this. In the morning, he was woken up by Iwafune’s vacuum cleaner, had breakfast and lunch doing nothing, had a lazy time, had dinner and slept while he watched TV.

Also, the too normal life continued.

It was something Sukuna was not used to. Sukuna, who has grown up to this point in a “stifling house”, has always been attentive to his surroundings. He was wondering if someone from “Scepter 4” or a goon from “Jungle” would come to get him.

However, this is a “secret base”. The lair of the “King”. There is no need to be alert.

That fact, on the contrary, annoyed Sukuna.

After rinsing his mouth, spitting out water and putting the toothbrush back in his place, Sukuna refused his request.

He doesn’t want to stay that way.

Thinking so, Sukuna ran out of the bathroom.

He wasn’t sure, but he felt that he wouldn’t function as he is. The air in this “secret base” isn’t too bad, but it looks like he was dying.

He had to do something big before he died completely.

Thinking so, Sukuna returned to the Japanese-style room and closed his mouth in an attempt to say something.

“Yeah, so does someone have to do that?”

“Affirmative. This is necessary.”

Nagare and Yukari face each other and talk with a serious expression. Kotosaka stops at Nagare’s shoulders and doesn’t even relax. Iwafune also who rarely tensed his face, crossed his arms and thought of something.

“The question is who will go? I can go.”

“No, Iwa-san has already done the job. It’s not a good idea to go ahead.”

“Kuwa, Kuwa! Balance! Kuwa!”

“When it comes to me? I don’t care.”

Sukuna instinctively says that it is a mission.

That would be a very important mission. It must be related to the fate of the clan, since the “King” and the J-Ranks speak face to face.

Sukuna felt inspired. He thought that was it.

He entered the room and made a loud voice.

“I am going.”

The three of them turned at the sudden comment. Sukuna smiled as he felt his gaze focus.

“I don’t know if it’s a mission, but let me do it soon. My body will go numb at this rate.”

“Are you alright, Sukuna?”

It was Iwafune who asked him to think about it. He remembers him making a compassionate comment earlier. He thought that he might be looking down on him because he was a child, and he felt his fighting spirit rise.

“No wonder. I’m a J-Rank. It’s my turn to have an important mission.”

“Sukuna! Cheer up!”

Kotosaka flaps his wings. Praised by the bird, Sukuna didn’t know how to react. Apparently, this bird is not just a puppet of the clan, but has human-like intelligence.

“Ok, then Sukuna. It’s a mission.”

Sukuna’s PDA made a sound announcing the reception of the mission. Sukuna takes out the PDA and looks at it with a serious expression.

“Please complete that mission and come back safe and sound.”

And his face that he drew, before what was written there…

“List of things to buy”

• Laundry detergent (ball type)

• Air freshener (recharges the aroma of roses, it is NG)

• Garbage bags (40 liters and 10 liters)

• 1 kg of chicken thigh

• 1 bok choy

• 2 Komatsunas

• Enoki, only 4 packs

• 4 packages of 1 liter of milk

• As much as you like it, a pudding

• Ice (it melts, so come back faster!)

Sukuna’s hands began to shake.

“What is this?”

Yukari narrowed his eyes.

“What are these purchases? I was wondering who would go, but you better go.”

“Oh, I don’t think Sukuna will tell me. I’m grateful.”

Sukuna stomps on the tatami mats and loudly protests to the two who lay down.

“Why do I have to do this?!”

“Why did you say it yourself?”

“Sukuna! Cheer up!”

“Stop it, shut up, you stupid bird!”

Kotosaka shrugs and hides behind Nagare in the face of Sukuna’s fierce anger. Nagare looks at Sukuna with calm eyes.

“Sukuna, don’t yell. Kotosaka is scared.”

“You shouldn’t do a mission like this!”

“Why? Shopping is an essential part of life. Especially since the location of the "secret base” must not be known to others. J-Ranks have no choice but to go shopping.“

Speaking of the correct theory, Sukuna was completely full of words of the correct theory. Certainly someone bought what Sukuna ate and used, and the toothbrush he used before. If Nagare can’t get out, the J-Ranks have no choice but to do so.

But nevertheless…

"Don’t say that! Haven’t I done a decent mission since I came here? Right now, this game is super boring!”

He has never heard of a game where a relaxed daily life is spent, no, it may be, but it’s kind of idiocy. Sukuna didn’t want to jump into such a thing.

“I see. Sukuna is not happy with the current situation.”

Nagare said it calmly.

The wheelchair moved and arrived in front of Sukuna. Sukuna had a rebellious look and looked at Nagare.

Depending on the answer from now on, he was planning to leave the “secret base” immediately. When he entered here, the dream Nagare said and the current situation were too far apart.

Nagare says as he calmly looks at Sukuna.

“I want to go out, do my mission and fulfill our dreams. That enthusiasm is important, but…”

Suddenly, the area around Sukuna became brighter.

The light source is a holographic screen that emerges around Nagare. Countless data, countless maps, countless routes are displayed on your screens.

Seeing that, Sukuna thought it was something similar.

“Now, with the appearance of a new "King” in the Blue Clan, the situation is at a disadvantage for us. The “Golden King” alone surpasses us, but with the addition of the “Blue King”, we cannot take any positive action.“

The map seems to show the city. The countless streak-like lines were color-coded gold and blue, respectively. On the other hand, the green lines are just a few, as thin as a thread.

"What we can do now is collect information and at the same time prevent our information from being leaked. Even if it seems like a strong rule, there will always be a chance to attach it. There is no point passing this information around.”

Several holograms projected what appeared to be hidden images. A young man with glasses, a gray-haired old man with a huge body. The “Kings” of each clan, also one with red hair. Each power map is displayed on the screens.

Sukuna finally remembered what the line was like.

“Grass root.”

The genius of the app that Sukuna first mentioned was not involved, but the broadcast that had the power to highlight the LAN environment in the venue is still exerting it throughout Tokyo.

At that, Sukuna’s back trembled.

How much information and how much processing power does it have? He can’t imagine what a single person would do. Is Nagare Hisui achieving the result that can finally be achieved by connecting many excellent computers by himself?

“Even if they are not in the practical stage, as long as they have a "system of consciousness” in their hands, they should refrain from active action. At this stage, our information should be hidden as much as possible. We move positively when the “System of Awareness” is limited or when the balance of power is greatly lost.“

And the hologram disappeared, as when it appeared.

However, what remained in Sukuna’s mind did not disappear. The "Power of the King” that he first saw did not restore his posture.

Licking dry lips, Sukuna spoke of understanding him.

“In short, it’s still a defensive turn right now.”

Nagare turns as he stares at Sukuna.

“You are quick to understand. That’s right, Sukuna.”

“Hm.”

Sukuna grabbed the PDA and came back.

“I’m going shopping. It’s definitely necessary.”

The dislike for Nagare disappeared cleanly. After many reflections, he thought that the current situation was there and that he could bear the current inaction.

For the first time, amazement at the “King” began to well up in Sukuna’s chest.

++++++++++

The days passed.

It was a surprisingly quiet day compared to before he became a J-Rank. Safe and boring days when he didn’t have to subdue anyone and therefore no one attacked him.

Sukuna was slowly playing games to dispel that boredom.

A TV hooked up to some old-looking gaming hardware was projecting an awfully primitive gaming screen. It’s a stoic system where you just go up while avoiding obstacles, and it wasn’t particularly interesting, although he didn’t want this to be the right thing to kill time, it still does.

“Burnout syndrome.”

And when they see that figure, Yukari and the others laugh.

“There aren’t many quests that are more rewarding than defeating me.”

Sukuna was shocked at what he said, but, on one hand, it was true. The more difficult the mission, the greater the sense of accomplishment when completed. And in the future, there seemed to be no more difficult mission than “defeat Mishakuji Yukari”.

Disgusting.

There was a person.

That day when he became a J-ranker, when he met Nagare Hisui, the dream he told him about, the mission of “creating the world”, is probably the most difficult to achieve.

It was a tremendous dream story. However, Nagare is serious. He is trying to create a secret society-like clan called “Jungle”, set up such a big “secret base” and spend all of his skills and all of his time just for that.

Nevertheless…

Sukuna stopped the game and looked back.

Nagare is in a wheelchair there.

Multiple hologram displays float in the surrounding air. Maybe they’re activating a mission. The myriad of quests in “Jungle”, the roots come from the King’s brain.“

Every time he sees Nagare, he feels strange.

That day, when he showed him countless information and powerful processing power, it was a mark on Sukuna’s chest. Maybe it’s something called "respect” or “wonder.”

However, since then, Nagare has never shown the power of him as “King”. At that time, he used his power because it was necessary to make Sukuna understand. Sukuna began to understand that Nagare Hisui does not do things that are not necessary.

When he looks at him vaguely like this…

“Rocker, climber.”

Suddenly, Nagare muttered, and two new aerial screens appeared. He continues, watching the protocol texts flow by at high speed.

“It’s a first generation game created 27 years ago. I used to play it when I was a kid.”

Sukuna returned to the game screen for a moment.

“Is this your hobby? I like games that are very old.”

“It’s not only mine, but Iwa-san’s hobby. He also prepared this room. It means he likes "old-fashioned” things.“

"Yes. As a child, he was still decent.”

Nagare bends his neck.

“I really don’t understand the meaning of the words.”

“Why can’t you play a game with that style? Because both hands are tightly tied, so I think it was a normal style when I was a kid.”

“You can use your skills to operate electronic devices without having to hold the controller, like you do now.”

To demonstrate this, some screens flicker and then reappear to display new mission content. Nagare’s appearance surrounded by screens that repeatedly appear and disappear like bubbles in the depths of the sea seemed like part of some machine.

Looking at him, Sukuna asks the question he had earlier.

“Why do you look like that in the first place?”

Nagare looks back at Sukuna and has a clear tone.

“There is a hole in my chest.”

He answered that.

“A long time ago, an incident did that. My heart no longer exists, and instead it barely replaces it by beating a mass of extraordinary energy.”

“……”

“I am using a straitjacket to control that energy. I keep using powerful straitjackets to "modify” the fact of “death”. Without it, no matter how 'King’ I am, I would soon be powerless.“

Sukuna had no words to respond.

In fact, Nagare Hisui doesn’t seem to be a joke-loving personality.

Broken words spilled from his lips.

"Can you tell you’re alive?”

Gojo Sukuna will be eleven years old this year. He has not lived long enough to have a vision of life and death. However, even with such a man, it was hard to judge whether the young man in front of him, who had a different ability like his heart and rewrote “death” to “life”, was alive.

Maybe that’s what scared him.

Nagare, however, still answered clearly.

“I am alive.”

His eyes moved and fell on the chest of his straitjacket.

“I’m hungry, I can think about things and I’m growing normally. It’s impossible for a dead person to do so, so I define myself as "alive”.“

"When did that happen to you?”

“Since I was ten years old, the same age as you, Sukuna.”

If things are like this, how can he live positively as he does now?

He doesn’t think so. The betrayal of friends and family changed Sukuna’s world. He has survived a world of dark loneliness and human ugliness. It’s no exaggeration to say that Sukuna has come this far just because he doesn’t want to go home.

Still, compared to the wonder of the world Nagare saw, he looked like a child.

“Nagare…”

Sukuna says, caught up in a mysterious, embarrassing and frustrating mood.

“Don’t you hate the ones who did that?”

Nagare bends his neck.

“I really don’t understand what hate is. It was the predecessor, the "Red King”, who killed me and the people around me, and indirectly, the “Gold King” and the “Silver King”, but it was me who He died. It seems that I am a harbinger of change.“

"Change?”

“To "modify” this world with my power.“

Nagare’s eyes took on an eerie heat.

"I died once and was revived as a "King”, and I have that duty. The reason I was chosen by the Dresden Slate, which created the kings, was to make that change. All those who lead humanity to the next stage become “Kings” and wield their power freely, to create such a world.“

Sukuna couldn’t take his eyes off the heat. He stared at Nagare and was drawn to him.

"Who follow the "King” are members of the clan?“

"Yes. At this point, the only followers are the rankers.”

It would be like this. You can also see it in Sukuna. If all of humanity had the power of the “King” to match it, there would definitely be tremendous confusion. There is no doubt that order and law would make no sense.

“Why did you think that?”

Sukuna’s question was pure. He asks, looking at the hole in Nagare’s chest, which is beyond the clothes.

“Because it was a "King” who did that to you? And yet, if you make a lot of kings, a lot of similar things will happen, right? Then everyone would die…?“

"Survive.”

Nagare’s response was as pure as Sukuna’s.

“If the second and third Damocles incident occurs, the "King” may survive. The hypothetical story is meaningless, but at that time, all the people around me would be kings. If so, the number of victims of that “Damocles Down” would be drastically reduced.“

Words like "Kagutsu Incident” and “Damocles Down” are unfamiliar to Sukuna, but he somehow understood what they meant. The violence of the “King” is probably a symbol of it.

Sukuna, who has a different ability, understood it well.

There is an irreplaceable gap between a mere human and a talented person. In less than five minutes, Sukuna was able to defeat the humans that had chased him. Even objects that an average person should fear had no effect on Sukuna.

If you become “King”, the difference in power would be as big as that of an elephant and an ant. If the “King” decides to kill ordinary people of his own free will, there is no way to resist.

“Nagare…”

Sukuna muttered as he weaved thoughts.

“You want to prevent that from happening again? So if the "King” does something irrational, everyone can survive on their account, right?“

Nagare’s eyes were slightly wide.

The heat in his eyes seemed to grow stronger.

The straitjacket tightened and Nagare leaned forward.

"That’s right. Sukuna, you understand easily. You are praiseworthy.”

Praised for the tongue twister, one-sided dependence on Sukuna pulled. He thought that he would say that he didn’t have a deep idea just by saying it with a guess, but he gave up. He thought he was shy and unsightly, and felt as if he was dying from the prickling sensation that welled up in his chest.

“Sukuna. I’ve always wanted to ask you. Can I ask?”

Nagare is interested in something. That is awesome. Sukuna clamped his mouth shut, facing him, and with a voice that resonated as directly as possible.

“What is?”

“What did you think when you first came into contact with a different ability?”

“……”

His first ability was intimately tied to the memories of his first friend.

If he had been any other time, he would have been angry the instant he asked. As if touching the wound of a ferocious beast, he would evoke pain.

However, at that moment, Sukuna answered honestly.

“I was excited.”

Every time he puts that word on his tongue, the euphoria of that time seems to come back. A new world and feet that can walk anywhere. An infinite horizon with no strings attached to shit or common sense.

“I thought it was amazing. I think there are still a lot of things I don’t know. I can’t say it well, but with this power, I’m sure there will be a lot of fun. I once thought so.”

For some reason, the back of his eyes grew hot.

Sukuna killed the heat by biting his lips. The lip pain dispersed the pain that occurred elsewhere.

“Is the same.”

Whether he noticed it or not, at least there was no change in Nagare’s tone.

“You don’t have to think about it much. If you touch new possibilities, people will naturally flourish. A new world opens up. I want all of humanity to do that. A new horizon brought about by the power of the "King”. I want you to see the world of tomorrow.“

The world of the "King”.

There would be no old humanity anywhere. The order they created will also be a thing of the past. There would be no power struggles and no fucking control. Such a world in which the ruler himself is only oneself.

“I want to see it.”

At Sukuna’s words that leaked out, Nagare replied…

“I’m sure you can see it.”

He replied like this and smiled.

Sukuna’s eyes fluttered at the smile that the “King”, who is expressionless like a machine, showed for the first time.

“What’s up, Sukuna?”

“No, sometimes you laugh too.”

Nagare mysteriously bows his head.

“I’m human too. I have emotions.”

“It doesn’t look like that at all. You didn’t have any friends, did you?”

When he said that to his face, Nagare was slightly upset. Sukuna thought that he was angry.

“No. I had friends. I’ve played games with them.”

Sukuna felt his mouth itch. He found the act of provoking Nagare’s emotions unexpectedly amusing.

“Then why don’t you play one?”

With his thumb, he indicates the CRT television. On the “Rocking Climber” menu screen, there is indeed a “Competition Mode” screen.

After looking at him, he moved the chair in front of the controller.

“I will take the challenge.”

“I’ll let you bark.”

With a smile, Sukuna started “Competition Mode”.

++++++++++

“That’s right! Yeah! Hey! Ah, ah, damn, I lost!”

“This is my 382-0. Sukuna, do you want another fight?”

“It’s natural. I’ll win this time!”

Iwafune opened the door as he heard Sukuna’s tearful voice echoing from inside the room.

“Looks like they’ve become friends.”

Looking back at the voice, there was Yukari with a shopping bag.

Iwafune laughs like a sigh.

“It’s a bit ridiculous, but it’s enough for an adult.”

“Oh, "I’m an adult”, didn’t you get mad, Sukuna?“

Yukari said that laughing.

Iwafune thought it might be.

That kid, Gojo Sukuna, seems to hate adults. Probably because he was oppressed for a long time and survived on his own even after leaving home. He thought that Sukuna had lost childhood and childlike innocence.

However, while he lives with Nagare in this secret base, it seems that his "childishness” has resurfaced.

“Well, the style is like a child. I think we’ll get along.”

Iwafune looked inside through the bedroom window. The appearance of the two of them playing a battle game together, was like an older and younger brother playing.

Seeing that, Iwafune narrowed his eyes.

“He has rarely said "I want something”.“

Iwafune Tenkei went as a surrogate father and raised Nagare.

He can’t say that he was able to raise him correctly. Nagare was the "Green King”, and he wanted to hide his existence. He couldn’t go to regular school and was forced to spend most of his time at home because he was in a wheelchair in a straitjacket.

Still, from an objective point of view, it can be said that Nagare was a “good boy”.

“When the pursuit of the "Golden King” approached and he had to flee in a hurry, he would often follow me without complaint. It may have been natural because it was what he wanted in the first place, but childish selfishness and whims rarely filtered it.“

"But you didn’t raise him during this time?”

When asked a teasing question, Iwafune remarks “That’s it.”.

“He rarely says "I want something”, but he definitely gets what he wants. That’s why he has this kind of place.“

"Oh, I wonder if I’m one of them.”

Iwafune nods, laughing.

“That’s right. If you think about it, he may have always wanted a partner. You are the same, Kotosaka is the same, Sukuna is the same.”

Nagare may have been searching for a mate who could dream of him.

When he mumbled that, Yukari asked.

“Isn’t Nagare-chan’s dream something you taught him?”

Iwafune is surprised, his expression turned grim.

“Ah, it’s all a conclusion that he came to himself. With the release of the "Dresden Slate”, if I were before everyone’s awakening, I would have changed my mind and stopped him.“

If Nagare’s dream came true, it would cause enormous confusion. The time away from peace would last a long time.

Yukari looked at Iwafune carefully and asked.

"As the "Grey King”, who controls the guardian, you couldn’t have missed it.“

When Iwafune was called Otori Seigo, he led a clan as the "Grey King”. Under the control of the solid “Golden King”, the “Cathedral” clan, which gave “protection” to the weak and those who sought salvation, was also his kingdom.

It was not prosperity, order, or change that the clansmen wanted from him. They were only looking for comfort. Living in peace, in a sense, it can be said that they were looking for something that was more humane.

Nagare’s dream is the act of overturning that well-being.

“Why didn’t you stop him?”

Iwafune laughed and winced at Yukari’s questioning.

“Not what I can say. All I can do is do my best to do what he wants.”

Just as Nagare once died due to the Kagutsu incident, at that time, Iwafune also gave up his life for him.

Seigo Otori became Iwafune Tenkei. The phoenix that was flying in the sky was reborn as a flightless chicken. He no longer spoke of the world. He thought that fulfilling the dream of Nagare Hisui, the only boy he rescued from that disaster, was his own compensation that he could make as a human.

“Now I’m just a chicken. All I can do is take care of the chicks.”

“Anyway, Sukuna-chan, it’s surprising that he calls us guys.”

Yukari quickly blended in. However, Iwafune laughed a lot.

“From my point of view, you and Nagare look like a chick with color attached to it. Sukuna is still inside the egg. Only Kotosaka can fly properly.”

“Huh, I see. You are strange, "Grey King”.“

Iwafune showed a very delicate expression at Yukari’s teasing.

He said that he would get rid of the "King” once, but he didn’t lose the power of him as “Grey King”. First of all, the power of the “King” is given unilaterally from the Blackboard and cannot be done by his own will.

All he can do is avoid using the power of the “King” himself.

However, he will exercise it if requested in the future. Because Iwafune Tenkei is Nagare Hisui’s “trump card”.

Yukari turned to the bedroom door.

“By the way, Sukuna-chan still doesn’t know that Iwa-san is the "Grey King”, does he? When are you going to tell him?“

"Oh, that’s all.”

Iwafune crossed his arms with a difficult expression and squeezed his eyes shut.

“Finally, it could be that Sukuna looks down on me. I butted into Sukuna’s fight and cold-heartedly saved him. Even if I told him I’m actually the "Grey King”, that wouldn’t make him respect me.“

"Do you believe in that child, even though you can’t exert your power as "King”?“

"That’s the problem. How do you think you can get people to believe without the Sword of Damocles?”

“Yes.”

To Iwafune, who asked with a pitiful face, Mishakuji puts his hand on his hand and bows his head.

At that moment, two voices echoed from the other side of the door.

“Anyway, is Iwa-san useful? He’s only been doing housework until now.”

“Oh, I forgot to tell you that Iwa-san is the "Grey King”. If he’s serious about it, he’s the strongest of the executives.“

"Hey, what? What? "Gray King”? Is that old man a “King”?!“

"Hey, wait, Nagare!”

Iwafune changed his expression and ran into the room, and Yukari shrugged.

++++++++++

Gojo Sukuna was promoted to J-rank in October 2011. Since then, the number of missions launched under the name “H.N.” began to visibly decrease.

Originally, “Jungle” was created in search of a clan in which Nagare Hisui would literally become its “members”. The limbs don’t know what the brain thinks, they just do what they want. And in the meantime, a carefully selected clan member will appear and stand up as the mind’s helper.

That was what Nagare Hisui was thinking about, when he created “Jungle”.

“SIDE GREEN”

CHAPTER 2: THE KILLER GIANT (Part 4) / Parts: 01/02/03/04

TRANSLATION & RAWS: NARU-KUN

The man asked why he challenged him.

Sukuna replied that he did it because he didn’t like him.

In fact, Sukuna doesn’t like H.N., Kuroko and other “Jungle” users, they don’t like them at all.

He could not and did not want to forgive anyone. He was an eternal solo player, and he thought that he would rise to the top alone or lose and die along the way.

He didn’t even imagine what he wanted to do after that, even if he could climb.

So there is nothing in Sukuna.

That meant that he hadn’t moved forward in these three months, since the day he left home and ran away.

Sukuna ended up escaping to “Jungle”. It was his escape, not his destiny. Just wandering like a beast through “Jungle”. He was engrossed in the game because he was not looking directly at the past and reality.

Sukuna knew and thought…

(“So what should I do?”)

No, Sukuna shakes his head. That self-question is also wrong. The important thing for him is not “what he does”.

(“So what do I want to do?”)

“What I want to do…”

The answer came out unexpectedly easy.

For Sukuna, “Jungle” was at once a power, a refuge, and a game.

The game is to clear.

No matter how powerful the enemy is, because he is powerful he must be defeated, that was Sukuna’s only hope.

The dock was misty with morning dew. The sky that has not dawned is tinged with overseas, and the white tones that cross the horizon tell us that dawn is not far away.

Leaning on a rusty container, Sukuna was looking vaguely at the sky.

Suddenly, he heard the sound of a bird from above.

He craned his neck and looked up, and there was a parrot in the container.

Kotosaka.

The eyes of the “Green King”.

Sukuna looks directly at Kotosaka, at the “Green King” over there. Then “Green King” was also looking at Sukuna.

He eventually asked bluntly.

“Why?”

Curiously, it was the same word, the same question that Kuroko and that man said. He was surprised that this was the case, and Sukuna replied with an arrogant tone.

“What are you talking about?”

It is his action. He spends almost all of his “Jungle” points, buys “items” and will challenge the subjugation mission again. If it fails, his account will be deleted via point deduction.

“Well, that’s not the case.”

“Why did you do that, Five? The difference between you and him is clear. Despite the large number of "items”, the odds are low. This amounts to suicide. You know it too.“

Of course he knows.

Currently there are less than 1000 points left in Sukuna. If the mission fails, his points will be negative, at which point his accumulated career as a "Jungle” player will be gone.

Then Sukuna will become a defenseless child and will have to return home.

Sukuna thinks that’s good.

“Forever.”

Sukuna let out a voice.

“I’ve been playing Jungle the whole time because I thought I could live in this world. If I hadn’t escaped from there, I’d be subject to the fucking rules made by adults, and I think I would have choked to death by now.”

He remembered Hikotarou.

No, it is wrong.

He has never forgotten it.

“Jungle” was the only “genuine” thing Hikotarou gave him. It was a real world and a real power. Hikotarou’s presence was always imprinted on the corner of Sukuna who lived in that world and continued to wield his power.

“But, it’s different. I just wanted to get away from that house, I couldn’t help it and ended up escaping "here”. I wanted to do something here.“

The back road he traversed with Hikotarou that summer day was full of new surprises and bright joy.

Now that surprise and joy is not in Sukuna. "Jungle” was just a faded, devastated world.

Sukuna just lived there. He ran away.

“That’s why I decided to stop running.”

From the other side of the horizon, fragments of the sun appeared.

Dazed, he narrowed his eyes and stepped away from the container. Hearing driven by “super body strengthening”, he heard the footsteps of someone walking on the pier.

Sukuna distorts the face.

It was a grimace, a smile. Listening to the footsteps is not necessary for Sukuna to survive. Rather, he was laughing, even though he would have had to change his blood phase and escape.

Because that’s what he wanted.

“Challenge him means stop running?”

Sukuna looked at Kotosaka as if he was shocked.

“Haven’t you played a game, even though you did "Jungle”?“

The vague outline begins to lighten as you get closer. Beautiful purple hair. Long black coat. He carries an unusually long sword on his back and his neat face makes him feel sure that he can smell it.

"If you don’t defeat the boss character, you can’t move on.”

And Sukuna stood in front of him.

He looked at Sukuna and smiled.

“Thank you for your invitation, Five-chan. Isn’t it old-fashioned for your age to challenge me?”

“I did it for you. You like that, right?”

“Yes.”

That smile deepened.

“I like it.”

Goose bumps were on Sukuna’s back.

“It’s exciting to see you fight, I’m happy. Do I have Five to thank for setting up such a situation?”

“Yes.”

Sukuna spoke to suppress the cold sweat that was breaking out.

“I want you to tell me your real name. I don’t want to be calling you "Beauty☆Angel”, as much as possible.“

"So isn’t that a good name?”

“No, not at all.”

He smiled, then put his hand on his chest.

“Mishakuji Yukari.”

He said his name.

“That’s my name. Are you alright, Five-chan?”

“It’s Sukuna.”

Sukuna holds the long staff from him. He activates the ability “Thunder Blade”. An electric green leaf shines in the morning glory.

“Gojo Sukuna is my name.”

“You can call yourself properly. Great, Sukuna-chan. So…”

Then, Mishakuji Yukari drew the sword.

“Let us begin.”

He can’t move forward without defeating the boss.

No matter how powerful or difficult it is, he can’t escape. Losing means a game operation. The only difference from the game is that it cannot be remade.

Will he win or will he lose and die?

Sukuna laughed fiercely, feeling the coldness of reality chafing at him.

++++++++++

The foothold was destroyed and Kotosaka escaped through the air from that dangerous place.

“Yukari! Cheer up! Kuwa, Kuwa!”

“I’m sorry, Kotosaka-chan!”

Yukari gives a momentary apology and soon returns to the battle. He sneaks through the “Thunder Blade” that sneaks over and closes in on Sukuna.

“Fu!”

Sukuna, who was spinning the sickle with his whole body, hits Yukari’s back kick with that momentum. Yukari raised his leg to defend himself and brought his sword down directly from above. However, at that moment, Sukuna jumped back in reaction to the kicks and jumped onto the side wall of the container.

“Haha!”

He kicked it again and attacked Yukari.

A green electric blade and a long white blade swing at each other. On each occasion, containers, lampposts and fences were cut down and sprinkled with debris. It’s going to be hard to get rid of that, but it’s the job of “Scepter 4”.

His work was rather “advanced”. To prevent this “fight” from being trapped in the surroundings, he intentionally manipulates the flow of people or create missions to impose fake traffic restrictions. “Scepter 4” will immediately understand, but by that time the fight should be over.

Even with all that trickery, Nagare wanted to see the end of this battle.

“Yukari, you bastard, I’m serious.”

The soliloquy-like tweets seemed to reverberate up close and in the distance.

When he comes into contact with someone through Kotosaka, Nagare becomes Kotosaka himself. He sees and hears things with Kotosaka’s eyes and ears. However, Hisui Nagare’s body, which is located in a remote “secret base”, is also conscious.

Far, near, Iwafune’s mumbled voice can be heard blurry in Nagare’s brain.

“I don’t think I’m going to kill you.”

At a corner of the pier, Kotosaka’s neck, which stopped on the rooftop of an abandoned warehouse, bowed.

“The purpose of this mission is to find promising players. That’s a reminder for Yukari.”

“I wish I could.”

“Rather, what we should be concerned about is Yukari’s safety. Five, Gojo Sukuna came to defeat Yukari completely.”

He can feel the fear signal.

“Yukari is losing to Sukuna?”

“Any possibility is not zero.”

Nagare answered, watching the fierce battle under his eyes.

Sukuna swings his sickle vertically and horizontally as he jumps like a rubber ball. Yukari continued to defend himself, avoiding or slashing. Still, the smile on his mouth was full of freedom and showed no fluctuations.

The difference in capacity between the two is clear. Even if he was alone with Kuroko, he couldn’t compete. Sukuna can’t beat Yukari alone.

Still, Sukuna was fighting with all his might.

When Sukuna threw the “Electric Net” item to the ground, green electricity spread out like a honeycomb.

If the net catches his foot, the current will run and the movement will block it. Yukari jumps up and avoids it, attacking Sukuna as he changes stance several times in the air.

At that moment, a green wall appeared in front of Sukuna.

“It’s a waste.”

Nagare muttered and Iwafune sighed.

“Thunder Wall” has the highest level of defense among talented apps. It was used by a U-Rank who challenged Yukari the other day.

However, Yukari’s sword rips through it easily. Sukuna can’t ignore that. That video must have been seen by him.

So why do I use that “article”?

At the tip of his mind, the torn “Thunder Wall” shattered.

“I see. The wall is not a defense; it is a dazzle.”

The torrent of electricity emitted from the ripped part runs through Yukari’s entire body along the length of the sword. He used the “power grid” that had previously circulated again. Not as a visible attack, but as a lure trap.

The current that runs through the entire body burns the nerves and causes extreme pain.

Although he was in so much pain, Yukari laughed fiercely.

“It’s nice!”

Handing his sword back, Mishakuji stepped deeper into the torrent of electricity that afflicted him.

It is a strength not seen in the ordinary Yukari, which points to elegance. Sukuna, who was running the app there, tried to quickly retreat and couldn’t help it. His shoulder slit is broken by the tip flipping up, and the streaks of blood disappear as they flow into the air.

Yukari went further.

He holds the sword horizontally and tries to chase after Sukuna in a straight line. Dwelling in his eyes is a light of joy that is as sharp as a needle. Kotosaka spoke for Nagare who was watching him.

“Yukari, cheer up! Kowa!”

That’s how it is. Yukari’s looks are dangerously sharp. Such a man is unlikely to get drunk by his fighting instinct. However, Nagare knew that the essence of Mishakuji Yukari was drawn to the way humans show themselves between life and death.

And now, Sukuna’s glow is so bright that it looks dazzling even to Nagare.

“Tsk!”

Sukuna fluttered back and landed, uttering a voice that was neither laughing nor enthusiastic. By the time he swung the great staff at him, “Thunder Blade” had already changed into a form like a sword.

Yukari used his own sword to block the sword that swung at his neck.

The sword charge continues as is. 1, 2, 3. Sukuna quickly retreats as he wields a sword, and Yukari latches onto that.

4 times, 5 times, 6 times. As if he were dancing a waltz, he wouldn’t stay, he wouldn’t leave, and he wouldn’t rest from chasing after him while keeping a certain distance. 7 times, 8 times, 9 times.

A U-shaped container came up behind Sukuna. Yukari pushed him towards him with a delicate position.

Sukuna crashed into the container from behind without slowing down.

He slipped as he was and rolled to the other side.

The article, “Daiyo”.

There was a dull sound. It’s the sound of Yukari kicking the container and stopping speed. A beaming smile floated across Yukari’s face as he pretended to be upset.

“It’s wonderful, Sukuna-chan! People can grow so big in one night!”

In contrast to Yukari’s loud voice echoing throughout the pier.

“Ku…”

Put his back on the other side of the container, Sukuna mutters as he suffocates.

“I grew up somehow, huh. I just can’t pretend to be something I’m not.”

As he uses the “items” purchased in bulk as hot water, Sukuna barely bites Yukari. It seems that the current that was finally eaten didn’t cause any damage to Yukari.

Sukuna left the place as he dripped blood from his shoulder and supported his body with his long staff.

All of that was visible to Nagare, who muttered to the companion next to him.

“Iwa-san.”

“What?”

“I want it. I want Gojo Sukuna to be my clan member.”

It would have been a semi-unconscious word.

As he watched Sukuna challenge Yukari, Nagare reminisced about the past.

Seven years ago, when he challenged the strongest king, the “Golden King”.

At that time, there were several reasons why Nagare challenged Kokujoji. To defeat him and seize the Slate.

To fully test his power as “Green King”. See with his own eyes the central face that controls this country and maintains this system.

Nagare couldn’t explain well his reckless acts. However, he can only say that he was driven by something.

But strangely enough, Sukuna’s words simply explained Nagare’s motive.

You can’t move on without defeating the boss character.

That’s why Nagare challenged Kokujoji, just as Sukuna is challenging Yukari now.

The battle still continues. He didn’t want to start a tepid battle that would end with a single loss. He creates “Jungle”, scattered countless quests, and now witness the battle of the best players, all to win the battle and transform mankind in that battle.

Because of that, Nagare continues unconsciously.

“I need it. I know that clearly.”

Iwafune’s answer was simple.

“That’s right. You are the king of this clan. The king has the right to choose his vassals.”

“But I have no right to stop this fight.”

Nagare answers clearly. Still, his eyes are wrapped in something close to passion.

“Jungle” respects the freedom of players above all else. This battle is your own freedom. I can’t say anything about it.“

There was a screech.

At that moment, just below the neck, the support clothing is in motion. As if to express Nagare’s frustration.

He doesn’t notice that Iwafune is looking at him with one eye raised. He is fascinated by the beautiful and fierce battles that take place in front of him.

"Tell me, Iwa-san. What should I do?”

At those words, Iwafune shrugged his shoulders and turned his back on him writing on his tablet.

“I have to pray that Sukuna beats Yukari and they are both safe.”

Nagare knew more than anyone that such a possibility was almost non-existent.

++++++++++

“Huh, uh… uh… uh…”

Breathing is harsh. The lungs seem to burn. The pain in his right shoulder seems to get stronger with each heartbeat instead of subsiding. Sukuna looked back at the entrance as he played with game-like thoughts like recovery “items” and what was good.

The iron door of the abandoned warehouse was torn into a cross.

As the fragments of the door hit the ground with a loud crash, Yukari hurried into the warehouse. With that on his back, he lightly swings his sword and enters.

“Is this the place of the decisive battle?”

The monster smiled a bright smile.

That’s right, it’s a monster. That is the only descriptive word.

Making the most of all the “items” he bought, Sukuna challenged Mishakuji Yukari. He roughly dodge half of it, but the other half should have hit him directly.

Still, Yukari looks calm.

If you’re an average player, that’s enough damage to die ten times. Is it some strange toughness or some other mechanism to be able to stay calm after such an attack?

Either way, he can’t afford to guess or take action.

Almost all “items” have been sold out. The mechanism of this store is the latter. If he doesn’t defeat him here, all measures will be exhausted. He will be defeated and stripped of his “Jungle” account.

“Ku.”

Sukuna laughed a lot and blocked his thoughts.

You can’t help but think about what will happen after you lose. But he can do that after everything is done.

For now, just think about winning.

“Let’s put an end to this, Mishakuji Yukari!”

Hearing that voice, Yukari’s expression sharpened like the blade in his hand.

“Come on.”

With his sword, ducking, Yukari evaded the attack. At great speed he skidded across the floor. With the appearance of a monster running without hesitation, Sukuna feels an inclination to war equal to fear and an emotion similar to dizziness.

Then, Sukuna’s “Jungle” application “Glass Root” launched 21 disposable PDAs that had been installed in the abandoned warehouse at the same time.

When starting up, those PDAs could not withstand the load and exploded. Twenty-one PDAs violently sparked with self-destruct, emitting a dazzling green glow.

Its glow gathered near the ceiling at the speed of light and like electricity. The green sun that rises in the room clearly illuminates every corner of the dark abandoned warehouse while making a discordant sound.

The strongest item, “Raiko”.

Originally, it is activated by gathering power from multiple “Jungle” players. Sukuna replaced it with a simple PDA with a pseudo account. Twenty-one pseudo-accounts were “activating” by running out of points at the time, but that doesn’t matter anymore.

Yukari didn’t look up, he just raised his sword horizontally.

“Raiko” was spilled there.

An abominable lightning, like the wrath of God, is still insignificant compared to its original power. Still, it has the power to kill the top rankers.

Yukari was receiving that brutal attack.

He pushes one knee into place, holds the sword horizontally above his head, and creates some kind of force field in that sword to support it. From that expression, the smile had not disappeared, although the margin had disappeared. With a smile on his head, he was looking at Sukuna.

Sukuna ran. It was now or never.

Now that he has stopped moving, he will kill him. He can beat him!

That thought made Sukuna cry out.

“Ooooooooooooh!”

Sukuna wields his electric sickle, yelling with spirit. Aiming at Yukari’s neck that he can’t move.

The power of luck was put into Yukari’s body.

He gets up without the pressure of thunder falling. The muscles of the whole body are stiff like a net. He swung the blade up and sliced ​​through the thunder.

“……”

Sukuna’s eyes widen. In front of him, thunder melts in the air and disappears, leaving a lingering green sound.

Yukari, who even opened the trap, swung the blade back and directed it at Sukuna.

There is no time for a defense.

There is no choice but to configure it.

He gritted his teeth and stomped down hard. Sukuna swung his sickle as if it was going to hit his entire body. He ignores the blade swinging at his neck, and only looks for Yukari’s neck.

At that moment, something came flying from the back of the warehouse.

A shiny silver dagger was aimed at Yukari’s neck, who dodged it.

He unconsciously moved before he knew it.

Sukuna took another step. The tip of the sickle, which was supposed to pierce Yukari’s neck, was pushed back and stopped at Yukari’s neck.

A moment passed as if time had stopped.

Yukari stiffened. With the attack repelled, he maintained a position where he extended both arms.

Sukuna also froze. As he slammed the sickle-shaped “Thunder Blade” against Yukari’s neck, he didn’t attempt to make a slight movement at the tip.

Sukuna’s shoulder trembled.

He bit his lip, blinking a few times and looking at Yukari as if he was dazzled.

Suddenly, tears came to his eyes. Tears run down cheeks dirty with blood and mud.

Yukari’s voice was kinder.

“Why are you crying?”

“I’m sorry.”

The anger he released burned away in the blink of an eye and he turned back to the troublemaker.

“Don’t be silly, Kuroko! Who told you to help?!”

From the darkness in the corner of the warehouse, a ninja seemed to answer.

Before the eyes illuminated by electromagnetic light, he has no feeling.

“I was asked to support you until you complete the mission.”

“Oh!”

Sukuna keeps his eyes on Yukari as he bites his teeth. He can’t let it go. Even in this situation, if Sukuna is alert, even for a moment, Yukari will immediately move to counterattack.

He then will reverse.

Victory goes beyond a single sheet of paper. He can get it with just a little push from his sickle.

But was that victory what he really wanted?

Every time he thinks about it, tears well up in Sukuna’s eyes.

“Don’t be silly! Why do you always get in my way! With your own reasoning! Don’t do anything I don’t ask!”

Sukuna yells at the top of his lungs.

At the same time, his PDA brought a stupid blessing.

“Mission Accomplished! Got 100,000 Jungle Points!”

A character imitating a green parrot flies in the form of a hologram. He was always out of place in the abandoned warehouse that was wrecked on the battlefield.

The tension decreases like a deflated balloon.

The long staff slides down from Sukuna’s hand. At the same time, Sukuna sank down on the spot.

“Damn…”

There was no color of joy in Sukuna who was drowning.

He was able to win, but that was not what he wanted.

Sukuna doesn’t even know what he wanted, but he knew it was different.

Yukari looked at a Sukuna as if he was amazed.

He took off his long coat riddled with holes due to the glare of electricity and threw it towards Sukuna. Sukuna, who was covered with the coat on his head, glared at Yukari with a murderous look.

Yukari crosses his arms and says with a smile.

“If you are so dissatisfied, why don’t you fight again?”

“Huh?”

“Use the 100,000 points you received to buy flashier "items” this time. I’m looking forward to what kind of tactics you’ll come up with next.“

Yukari says that in a tone that doesn’t sound like a joke.

Sukuna wiped away her tears with his fist and looked at Yukari.

The answer he tried to say was blocked by the sound of the feathers.

"Please stop, Yukari.”

The parrot flaps its wings and stops at Yukari’s shoulder, pecking at his ear.

“Uh…”

A voice leaked out and Yukari shook his face at him.

“What are you doing, Nagare-chan?”

“The subjugation mission has been completed. I will not activate it again.”

“It’s different from the mission. Sukuna-chan wants to confront me properly. He can’t be helped, right?”

“Certainly, private battles between rankers are not specifically prohibited. But do it after the story is over.”

Then Nagare looked at Sukuna.

“Five, Gojo Sukuna. Congratulations. You got 100,000 "Jungle” points from the subjugation mission. That’s the points needed to be promoted to J-rank.“

"How do you want to use them? Would you like to use it all in a rematch against Yukari? Or do you want to stay in the U-Rank like Kuroko?”

Yukari watches, Kuroko is silent as a shadow.

He watches them in sequence, then lets Sukuna choose.

“Do not care.”

However, he flatly tells H.N. that he has nothing to do with it.

“I want you to be a J-Rank.”

H.N. continues to tell Sukuna.

“I want to see you. I want to meet you and talk. To do that, you need to be a J-Rank. So please accept.”

(“What is this guy saying?”)

Sukuna is disappointed and thinks about it.

In other words, what the “Green King” is saying is: you use the 100,000 points to come see me.

It’s refreshingly illustrious, but it’s pure childlike desire. And he could understand why Sukuna was taking it seriously right now.

It seemed to be one of the various personalities of the “Green King”. It is a black curtain behind all the plots, an oddball who gives a careless response to human words, a great man who tries to control every event and at the same time surely has an innocent curiosity. He is a child who can get rid of him.

“Fine.”

Sukuna scratched his head and sat up, muttering with a bright childish gaze.

“Every time I hide behind the scenes, try to do this and that, I think it’s okay to accept for once.”

October 17, 2011. 7:25 a.m.

After the shortest period of months, Gojo Sukuna was promoted to “J-Rank”, the highest rank of the green “Jungle” clan.

Mikoto: Nui’s adventures~♡!

Reisi: Follow our Instagram profile to see our photos~^^

https://www.instagram.com/itsuki.mynami/

Reisi: I’ll paint a rainbow of energy~♡

Mikoto: Watch out for the whale!

“SIDE GREEN”

CHAPTER 2: THE KILLER GIANT (Part 3) / Parts: 01/02/03/04

TRANSLATION & RAWS: NARU-KUN

Electromagnetic bullets were fired in quick succession. But they are all evaded by the sword with moves as if they were dance steps. Yukari doesn’t stop. The next moment, he ran straight down the back alley and hit the green wall that was blocking his eyes, the wall was easily broken.

“Now…”

From the other side of the green wall, the shocked expression of the young man and the giant appeared. Seeing that, Yukari laughs.

“The answer is simple. You just have to go through the wall and continue.”

The tip of the sword that was swung successively broke through the giant’s temporal region and knocked him down.

The rifle slipped from the young man’s hands.

Yukari is sorry. The tactics were well put together, but they gave up too soon. With this, it is impossible to share the ideal of the “Green King”.

Contrary to Yukari’s speculation, the young man muttered in a daze.

“Who are you?”

“Do you know my username?”

With a smile, Mishakuji pointed his sword at the young man’s head.

Winking at the duo falling side by side, he says…

“My name is "Beauty☆Angel”. The subjugation mission is still ongoing. Please don’t hesitate to challenge me again.“

++++++++++

After seeing the hidden images, Sukuna gave a simple impression.

"Who is this idiot?”

Kuroko clearly replied with his arms crossed.

“‘Beauty☆Angel’. Of course, it’s an identification name. It’s a J-Rank, which suddenly qualified a while ago.”

Sukuna chose the rented conference room in front of the station as the meeting place with Kuroko. It is near a public place, but it is not visible. And he chose this place because there are many escape routes.

“All of a sudden? You can’t qualify without doing quests, right?”

“Don’t you know? For some time now, the "Jungle” forum has been all about that.“

The bulletin board is primarily used as a communication tool by members of the "Jungle” clan. Of course, important information cannot be exchanged in public places, so on the forums they are exchanged with rambling chatter and rumors of uncertain origin. Sukuna finds no value in such things.

However, if he wishes to understand the situation before and after, it will be worth looking into.

Sukuna opens “Jungle” and accesses the forum.

Suddenly there was an item “About 'Beauty☆Angel’” on the list.

Most of the feedback received was critical of him becoming a J-Rank without experiencing the mission and management that allowed him. To become a J-Rank, you have to complete quests day and night, but many players fail each time and suffer point deductions. To them, their existence as a J-Rank skipping that process is unforgivable.

“Hmm.”

As he scrolled through the messages on the PDA, he checked those opinions and said.

“Most complaints suck. If you don’t like it, you should try it.”

The simple opinion was strangely the same as the words he said “Beauty☆Angel” in the video.

“Jungle” does not address the efforts, research and contributions made so far. True power and result is everything. If you realize that you are better than that man, you can subdue him. As the pictures show, he is not running away or hiding, and on the contrary, he has stated that he will always accept challenges from the clan members.

In a sense, it is an attitude that seems clean.

Kuroko opens his arms and looks at Sukuna with his electromagnetic green eyes.

“I agree. Actions are more important than discussions. That’s why I’m thinking of doing it.”

“So you plan to fight him?”

“'Beauty☆Angel’ is very strong, but if you and I join forces, there is a chance to win. Of course, there is a risk, but the 100,000 point is worth it.”

Sukuna says in amazement.

“Even though you sold me out, you dare to say this kind of thing.”

“I only sell unnecessary information. If you were the master, you wouldn’t have done much to treat the person behind you who hadn’t taken any action.”

Kuroko’s head armor, the eye part of it, lit up a dark green glow.

“I’m not telling you what to throw at it, but they always use each other in "Jungle”. You know that, Five.“

Sukuna pondered.

Kuroko is right.

Both Sukuna and Kuroko are members of the "Jungle” clan, but they are not allies. They are in this place to take advantage of each other. In fact, Kuroko makes heavy use of Sukuna, selling his whereabouts and even trying to conveniently choose him as a partner.

The position is very clear. Kuroko will not betray Sukuna. Because the day will never come when Sukuna believes in Kuroko.

If you don’t trust, they won’t betray you.

It was something he had learned a lot since that day.

Sukuna responded, carrying a long staff on his shoulder.

“There are conditions.”

“I hear you.”

“This is about you. What you’re looking for is a one-shot kill in a surprise attack. So what you want is a role that catches his eye. Isn’t that right?”

“That’s how it is.”

Sukuna smiled.

“There’s no point in you going out when I’m already defeated. Even a U-Rank like me, I can hold my own against this guy.”

“That means?”

“I’ll get a lot of points. It’s 8:2.”

“6:4.”

“So it’s 7:3. If you refuse, I’ll go.”

Kuroko was silent for a while and then answered.

“Okay. Even 30,000 is enough to get the money back. However, if you fail, I’ll abandon you and retire immediately. Don’t think I’ll help you.”

“Like each other.”

Sukuna shrugged and responded, Kuroko taking control.

“Negotiations have concluded. Let’s develop a detailed strategy.”

“First, from the point of identifying where you are.”

“That is not necessary.”

Sukuna is impressed by Kuroko’s words.

“You’re already looking into it. As expected.”

“I didn’t look it up. "Beauty☆Angel” lists his actions and meals on the “Jungle” site.“

"What?”

Sukuna made a strong voice.

Kuroko took out the PDA from his pocket and tossed it to Sukuna.

“Look at it.”

Sukuna looked at the PDA screen half suspiciously.

“Jungle” has the ability to post photos in real time and add comments to them, just like normal SNS.

And it looks like it’s making full use of that feature.

The dinner of the day, the scenery of the urban landscape and the amusing images are projected next to him as a self-portrait, and comments that seem to be a mix of haiku and poem are lined up. All images are reflected at a perfect angle.

Sukuna’s impression was still frank.

“What’s he doing?”

“'Beauty☆Angel’ writes in his diary every day his actions and impressions, as well as his plans for the next day. Among the "Jungle” users, he keeps his personal information meticulously. This guy will be the first to expose.“

Before, Sukuna thought that attitude was clean.

That was not the case. Always revealing his whereabouts is more than a suicidal act. It is said that there is no moment when he feels relaxed, whether he is sleeping or eating.

Kuroko says clearly.

"Based on this information, more than a dozen U-Ranks challenged "Beauty☆Angel”, and it was all revenge. No matter what kind of purchases he made, no matter how many people he was dealing with, this guy survived without any problem.“

"……”

“I’m talking to you because he has the ability, but he has no other talent. You and I are the last of the U-Rank who haven’t challenged this guy.”

“Ku.”

Something resembling a smile reached Sukuna’s mouth.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

He believes that this guy will do whatever he wants. That’s why he posts that self-portrait image and lets everyone know of his plans, inviting other users. He is quite confident in his ability and has decided that “Jungle” users cannot nullify it.

In short, he is irritating Sukuna. He didn’t like that attitude.

“I’m motivated. I’ll show you something. Kuroko, I’ll build a strategy.”

“Umm. First, from "Beauty☆Angel”’s future plans, select a suitable location for the attack.“

"Kuroko. Wait a minute.”

“What’s going on?”

“Every time I hear that name, I lose my strength. Would you like to change it to a different name?”

Kuroko looks at Sukuna seriously and collapses.

“Don’t complain about people’s names, Five.”

Sukuna closed his mouth as if he were before a teacher.

++++++++++

The houseboat leaving the pier heads for Tokyo Bay as it glides downriver at night. Couldn’t even hear the noise of the city until the top of the river. As the scent of the tide began to mix with the autumn breeze caressing his cheeks, Mishakuji Yukari narrowed his eyes.

Sitting on the edge of the boat, he looks up at the sky.

It is an autumn night sky that is as beautiful as it is transparent.

The starlight is dotted and the full moon shines brightly and is white. It’s been a while since the mid-autumn moon, but Yukari still screamed at the beauty of it.

“Autumn night, the moon is similar to a dumpling.”

That is not his phrase. It was a haiku by his teacher, Miwa Ichigen.

The “Colorless King” Miwa Ichigen and Mishakuji Yukari, were teacher and student in the past.

When he was still young, he met Miwa and was fascinated by his beauty. Yukari was for a long time the only member of his clan. He believes it was a close relationship, more like an older brother than a teacher and a disciple, meanwhile disciples were made and the Colorless clan became more and more of a home.

It was a boring but cozy place for Yukari. He once thought that it would be okay to bury his bones in the field where he lived with Miwa.

But that didn’t happen.

Yukari pointed his sword at Miwa. Miwa responded with a smile.

The serious witness ended with a violet defeat. Yukari tried to win or lose with his own life, but Miwa just shook his head silently.

Then Yukari abandoned Miwa.

At that time, he couldn’t explain the psychology of himself well that he challenged Miwa.

He was driven by the need to pump from within. Suffering from death and disease, slowly, but surely, the “Colorless King” weakened, and he wanted to burn his fiercely burning beauty in his eyes before the flames of his life were exhausted.

(“You are a beast, Mishakuji Yukari.”)

Remembering Hisui Nagare’s words, Yukari’s gaze turned dim.

He doesn’t want to fight; he doesn’t want blood. He just wants to see beautiful things.

However, it seems that Mishakuji Yukari was born with such a nature that he finds something really beautiful in fighting blood.

That is…

The moon that he looks at was still beautiful, even if it was far from the fighting and the blood.

Now, somewhere on this earth, there is a teacher or a disciple also looking at the same moon. Facing a moon-white dumpling, like those three people used to do.

When…

That month was dark.

A slowly gliding ship was about to pass under the bridge. A little awake, Mishakuji shrugged and tried to head back to the houseboat, but stopped.

He may have been the intuition of a good swordsman, or it may have been because he heard the faint sound of an explosion of electricity.

At the same time that Yukari looked up, the moon lit up in the air.

It’s not a full moon in the sky, but a bright green crescent moon. Similar to a guillotine blade, it landed directly on Yukari’s head.

Yukari’s gaze instantly took on the color of battle.

“On top”, given by the swordsman Yukari was attacked at full speed, he received the crescent moon that had fallen on his head. The blade with a different skill, flapped violently with the green crescent, and they eventually moved away from each other.

“Tsk.”

The owner of the crescent moon made a bored voice as he stepped on the edge of the ship and ensured his footing.

“Was it a flop? I thought it would work.”

Yukari looked at him. He stopped trying to ask if he was a member of the “Jungle” clan.

It is not beautiful to hear what you do not want to ask. So Yukari said with a smile.

“What disdain you have for ruining an elegant moment.”

“As if I cared. If you don’t want to be disturbed, you should have hidden yourself.”

An electric blade emerges from the long staff. That was the true identity of the crescent moon. With a weapon similar to the death god’s sickle, the boy spoke bluntly.

Yes, he is a child.

Much younger than Yukari. He doesn’t even seem to be of the age to be a high school student yet. It is said that the “Jungle” clan is a gathering of people of all levels, but this was the first time he had seen such a child among the top ranked fighting on the front lines.

Of course, that doesn’t mean Yukari didn’t fight.

When he appears in front of Yukari with a fighting spirit, he is an enemy. It doesn’t matter if he is a child or an old man. The option of turning your back on an opponent who was willing to fight did not exist in Mishakuji Yukari.

Yukari asks, holding his gaze.

“What’s your name?”

What will you do when you hear it?“

Yukari makes a deeper smile in a childish tone.

"The last surprise attack was pretty good. I’ll give you 65 points, kid.”

The boy’s face was angry.

“Don’t treat me like a child. That’s the most annoying thing.”

“If so, tell me your name. Are you an adult who can’t even introduce himself?”

“I’m Five. Remember the name of the guy who beat you!”

Five kicks the ground. Yukari looked into his eyes.

They face each other.

They used a single attack to connect the blows that rose from the ground. A green spark burns a strand of his hair, but he can’t back down and roars through the air.

The returned attack tried to hit the opponent’s body.

At that moment, a new electric blade was born from the long staff, avoiding Yukari’s strike.

“Haha!”

Five, laughs. The two swords flutter again, and using that as a fulcrum, Five fires a kick out of the air. Yukari protects himself with his left arm and his feet dig into the opponent’s upper arm. As he swung his arm around as he stood, Five’s small body bounced out of the darkness, spun, and landed on the roof of the houseboat.

The ferryman jumped out in a hurry.

“Client? What’s up?”

The ferryman loses his word when he sees Yukari holding his sword. Yukari says, without looking at him as he opens and closes his mouth.

“It will be over soon. Back off.”

“Yes, but…”

“Do you want to be cut too?”

The boatman retracted.

“Hey, he’s a noisy jerk.”

Five pulls the long cane from him as he places his foot on the roof of the houseboat.

The edge is different from the previous one. It is not a sickle, but a three-pronged spear. Apparently, that weapon changes shape at Five’s will. Not only that, the sheet can be generated from anywhere.

Yukari, however, focused more on Five than on his weapon.

Five was working.

In the dead of night, a green smile floats in the reflection of the electric blade. It seems that this battle itself is fun and unavoidable. As if waiting for the moment to kill Yukari.

Yukari gasped as he held his sword “Ayamachi”.

“Five. What do you want to be a J-Rank for?”

It is a question he has asked many times.

Most of the answers have caused disappointment in Yukari. Far from the endless possibilities that Nagare dreams of, the members of the “Jungle” clan had only one purpose that was so familiar they could look down on it.

Is the guy in front of him really different from them?

Five clearly answered Yukari’s questions and hopes.

“I do not like it.”

Yukari blinked his eyes at him.

He doesn’t answer the question. He thought so, but Five doesn’t seem like a stupid kid who misunderstands the question. Rather, he felt that something deeper was hidden there, and Yukari was fascinated.

“What don’t you like?”

“What’s decided. That’s all.”

Five’s eyes did not resemble a child’s. Far from innocence, there is a deep darkness there.

“I don’t like him, the "Green King” who is trying to do something with you, and “Jungle” who just dances without thinking about anything. I hate him. Behind the scenes, I feel like they are trying to rule the people.“

Then, Five distorted the edge of his mouth.

"I feel sorry for you. Then I’ll get points, become a J-Rank, meet the 'Green King’ in person, and if I don’t like him, I’ll beat him up. I’ll blame you for sure.”

Yukari sighed and looked at Five seriously.

He doesn’t like the King, so he tries to become a J-Rank.

He has never heard of a clan member, who belongs to a clan but does not respect or admire the King, instead trying to challenge him with hostility.

“No.”

Yukari reconsiders and laughs inside.

Because he knows a member of the clan who defied the King without hostility.

However, there is a huge gap between Five and that man.

“You’re lost.”

At Yukari’s mumbled words, Five makes a suspicious voice.

“Huh?”

“No, I wonder if it will be exciting, because if you lose, there should be a place to go home.”

Five’s expression changed completely.

“I have nothing. I have no place to go, no place to call home, or even where I am right now. I don’t care because there is nothing.”

“……”

“So, that’s right. You’re not lost. You're…”

Yukari laughs softly.

“You are a beast.”

It is the same word that Nagare once described Yukari with.

He feels weird about it. If so, is it a battle between beasts? It seems that it has nothing to do with beauty, or that is why it is pure and beautiful.

“That’s how it is.”

Five responds with a lip smack. Dangerous colors inhabit his eyes.

“The beast will eat your throat from now on!”

Five flexed a lot and ran like a bullet.

A three-pronged electromagnetic spear attempts to directly pierce Yukari’s neck. Yukari quickly flashed his sword and tried to dodge.

For the time being, Five twisted his hand.

The three forks rotated like a mixer, mimicking the blade. The sword does not move as if it is firmly fixed.

Five, scream.

“Now!”

Almost at the same time, a black ninja appeared from behind, and under Yukari’s feet.

The ninja, who had his entire body covered in water, turned his dark green glowing gaze to Yukari’s motionless back. Two weapons move smoothly, trying to cut Yukari’s back.

Yukari drops the sword.

The sword, which was fixed by the balance of power, spun in a circular motion in the air. Taking aim the moment he turned exactly 180 degrees, Mishakuji grabbed the handle with his opposite hand and jutted out to the rear. The black ninja withdrew both weapons and prevented the dangerous stab.

“This!”

Realizing that the surprise attack had failed, Five attempted to forcibly kill Yukari. He takes another step and tries to plunge the spear into Yukari’s chest.

Yukari’s supple body turned.

The tip of the spear grabbed his side and pierced the ninja behind him.

“Huh?”

A clear impatience appears in Five’s expression. Yukari’s mouth loosens and he approaches Five.

“If you want to go through my throat, wait a little longer. You little beast.”

Young facial features distorted by anger.

Yukari hit his face with his fist.

A small body flies and crashes against the edge. Yukari spins his sword and approaches a five who is drooling slightly.

There was a voice behind his back.

“You are ruthless with children.”

Yukari looked back.

The ninja was frail on the spot and was holding his face. The mechanical mask is fluttering and sparking.

It looks like it was destroyed by the previous blow.

“I’m not in the habit of forgiving my enemies.”

“I see. That’s correct.”

Yukari shook his head and struck the point of his sword.

“I haven’t heard from you yet. Why are you trying to beat me?”

The mask shorted out and the ninja removed it after a moment’s hesitation.

Yukari was a bit surprised to see the real face.

“I am a professional. I work for money and business.”

The ninja’s body sank into the houseboat.

It was time to go. Even if he moved fast, he wouldn’t have been able to finish it.

Yukari looks over to where Five was.

As he expected, Five was not there. Maybe that ninja took it with him. The vivid withdrawal technique seems to have been expected in advance.

Peace of mind is back on board.

“For a professional, he’s sweet with kids.”

Yukari answered bluntly and shrugged.

++++++++++

He woke up in pain.

At the same time that he wakes up, he also realizes that he is suffocating. He has trouble breathing. When he opens his mouth and takes a deep breath, the oxygen finally spread to his lungs.

When he touches his nose while he is confused, he feels unprecedented pain.

“Ugh…”

A calm voice called out to Sukuna, who shook his body and endured the pain.

“I’ve already given you first aid. Don’t touch it.”

There, Sukuna finally noticed that someone was sitting next to his bed. A woman of strange age.

Her golden hair is tied up with a black ribbon and her sleepy eyes peek out from behind her glasses. She seems like she was watching Sukuna asleep. She is wearing a yukata and her knees are propped up on a cushion.

Sukuna moved away from her and is attacked by pain.

“Stay away.”

Sukuna looks around him, exhibiting his alertness.

It was an empty Japanese room of about eight tatami mats. The light bulbs placed in the four corners illuminate the interior of the room with fantastic lights. The furniture is surprisingly small and there is nothing but a white futon in the center and a Japanese bathtub near the wall.

“What is this? Where am I?”

The woman shrugs to answer Sukuna’s questions.

“It’s one of my hideouts in Tokyo. You’re the first stranger to set foot here. Be honored.”

As she spoke, he knew who was in front of him. Sukuna looks into her eyes.

“Are you Kuroko?”

Her glossy lips formed the shape of a smile.

“I’m not satisfied with having to expose my face, mainly because my mask was destroyed, but I’m not so cornered that I have to hide my face in private.”

Sukuna can’t react to her words. He is doing his best to understand the situation that he has in front of him, opening his mouth.

There are many questions that he would like to ask her, but the first thing he does is ask…

“You are a woman?”

Kuroko has a clean face.

“Yeah. What’s up with that?”

“Isn’t that right now?! I’ve always thought of you as a weird old man who’s been dressed up as a ninja all along?!”

“Old stranger…”

Kuroko snorted a little and looked at Sukuna.

“Don’t define me by your own beliefs. I hid my identity, but I didn’t want to hide my gender.”

“What do you say?”

“I would have been wearing a seami.”

Sukuna thinks about Kuroko’s fighting clothes. Certainly, he feels that the image was sharp. However, humans who see Kuroko’s appearance will not notice that place. Rather, they are more attracted to the mechanical mask on her head, the clothes like a special unit, and the sword-like weapons on her back.

Kuroko’s true face, laughing, was somehow good.

“What I want from the team is functionality, but that doesn’t mean I’m neglecting design, although no one has identified my gender in that.”

“That’s how it is…”

At the same time, Sukuna’s belly screamed.

Involuntarily holding his stomach, he looks at Kuroko with a bad feeling.

Kuroko wasn’t laughing, and stood up.

“I’ll bring food. What do you prefer, sushi or pizza?”

Sukuna barely answers.

“Pizza.”

“Ok.”

Kuroko quietly opened the fold and left the room.

After that, only Sukuna remained.

Questions fluttered through his head nonstop, thought moving freely from his body.

Anywhere, the first thing you need to do is test your strength and secure an escape route.

As he stood up, he saw his PDA and his long cane placed on top of the Japanese bowl.

He opened a window in the wall on the opposite side of the model, so that the night view of downtown could be seen.

The window is also unlocked. The PDA was able to boot without any problems. He can also use some special ability. If he wants to escape, he can escape right now.

Knowing that, Sukuna crouched down on the spot.

He took off his tie. He fingered the bandage around his nose. Tearful pain ran through him and brought back the memory.

The attack was completely unsuccessful.

Sukuna and Kuroko couldn’t compete with that man at all. A killing blow was evaded and Sukuna received a bitter blow to the face.

When he found out, he was here.

“……”

“I should have advised you not to touch it.”

Kuroko, who returned with a basin, narrowed her eyes at Sukuna’s thick, stagnant eyes.

She didn’t say anything and put a tray next to his bed. On top is a package of sushi and a small size pizza. Kuroko removed the lid from the sushi pack, picked up the roll and then mysteriously looked at Sukuna.

“You do not eat?”

“I will eat.”

Sukuna moved in front of Kuroko and took a piece.

After eating the first slice of pizza and picking up the second, Sukuna finally asked Kuroko.

“What happened after that?”

“I escaped the ship with you. That man didn’t follow me.”

“So you bothered to take me, when I was passed out, to your hideout?”

With open suspicion in his voice, Sukuna said that.

“What are you planning, aren’t you to do that?”

Kuroko shrugs.

“I helped you because I decided I wouldn’t increase my risk. With my "ability”, a boy is easy to carry.“

"Is a lie.”

“If you can’t believe it, that’s fine. You don’t have to trust me.”

In response to Kuroko’s simple words, Sukuna turned around, a lump forming in his throat.

To think that he lost, that fact alone is eroding Sukuna’s chest.

It’s not like he’s never failed a mission so far. He clashed with other players and was defeated, but those losses were not decisive. At that time, even if he couldn’t compete, he climbed up the ranks, he was filled with different abilities, he challenged them again and always won. So he will do it again.

“So…”

After finishing the meal and taking a break, Sukuna asked.

“What’s next?”

“What’s next?”

Kuroko repeated the question like a parrot. Sukuna was frustrated and picked up the PDA and showed it to her.

“It’s the next strategy. The subjugation mission is still going on. If I don’t beat that madman at some point, I’ll fail.”

“There is no such thing.”

Kuroko’s voice was as solid as her common sense.

“I’m leaving this mission. We and that guy are very different.”

Sukuna frowned severely.

“What’s wrong? Are you scared?”

“I can accept it that way. I’m not a dreamer to challenge him in a battle I can’t win. It’s painful to deduct points for mission failures, but I’m happy with other business.”

“……”

She falls silent and looks at Sukuna depressed, Kuroko continues saying,

“Somehow… are you going to challenge him again?”

Sukuna looks at Kuroko askance. He didn’t reply, but his gaze seemed to convey his intentions.

Kuroko takes a sip of tea from a bottle and exhales.

“Why?”

“Why?”

Sukuna opens his mouth and repeats the question.

When asked why, there was no response from Sukuna. However, only the determination to do so fills the place.

Sukuna challenged that man and lost.

So he has to win next. He has to keep trying until he wins. Or until he loses and dies. It wasn’t something Sukuna could forgive, like losing and doing nothing, because that means running away.

Sometimes you can’t help but lose, but you’re not allowed to just lose and run away.

Kuroko looks at Sukuna, sighs and tells him…

“I really appreciate that about you.”

“I saw that you were someone driven by calculations rather than emotions. It would be easier for me to do business in the future if there was such a person. That is also the reason why I helped you.”

But Kuroko shook her head.

“That’s exactly what that man said. There’s nothing on you.”

“Tsk!”

“I don’t know about the future, the purpose, or even where I’m headed. I was driven only by anger and irritation. I couldn’t stand the pain and was swept away, just like a beast in their hands.”

Sukuna’s heart pounded. Like a flash, the scene came to life in his mind.

The back road that the two of them passed. The cheesy taste of the sweets and cider they drank together. A childish vow to run through “Jungle” together and a cheerful smile shining at his side.

For the first time, he had met a person he could respect. He really wanted to be like that boy.

His first friend in life was a fake prepared by an adult.

So there is nothing in Sukuna. When he knew that what he had grabbed was fake, Sukuna threw it away. He abandoned everything around him and ran away to live alone.

Sukuna only has irreparable injuries.

He is still bleeding. He is suffering. So, being touched by that was just a pain for Sukuna.

When he noticed, Sukuna leaned forward, reached out and grabbed Kuroko’s chest.

“You…”

Sukuna tells her grabbing her.

“What do you know? What is my purpose?”

Kuroko’s reaction was always cold.

“I don’t want to understand. If you want understanding and sympathy, you should run to "Homura”.“

She lightly dispelled Sukuna’s hand and stood up with the yukata collar straight. The eyes behind her glasses are cold and clear.

"If you’ve finished your meal, you must leave quickly. You are free to continue the mission. It’s useless to help, but it’s probably your choice.”

Kuroko suddenly stopped trying to get out of the Japanese room.

“What are you fighting for?”

It was like loneliness. He slumped over, looking up at the ceiling slightly.

“That man asked a very central question despite his playful tone and appearance. In a clan like "Jungle”, it may be more important than you think to determine your own purpose.“

After that, Kuroko left.

Sukuna was sitting there and looking at his PDA.

++++++++++

Shiro: Kuro, I’ll treat you to lunch~♡!

Kuro: Where do you plan to take me?

Shiro: To the place where the Kings eat~♡

-Later-

Kuro: This is a Burger King! -points to the place-

Shiro: You see it? There says King!^^ “Burger King” = Food of Kings~♡

Kuro: ……

As you may have noticed by now, I’m posting my English version of “Side Green”, which was incomplete.

Maybe in the future I will also translate or edit the K’s manga that are not currently in English, it will depend on my free time, and K’s news has priority.

English is not my native language, so please excuse any grammar errors.

Note: When I finish translating, I’ll be making an index on Tumblr.

“SIDE GREEN”

CHAPTER 2: THE KILLER GIANT (Part 2) / Parts: 01/02/03/04

TRANSLATION & RAWS: NARU-KUN

“Wah, I’m sorry!”

The super bag that he was holding with both hands was forcefully thrown to the ground, and Iwafune Tenkei sat on the cushion.

“Iwa-san! Okaeri! Okaeri!”

Kotosaka, with his green feathers, flies into a room that isn’t that big. The broken front door, the old tatami, and the refrigerator door, which is about to become suspicious, have notes with various wisdom of life.

In the center of the old four and a half mats, there was something that looked nothing like it.

“Welcome back. Iwa-san.”

The “Green King”, Hisui Nagare.

He has his entire body bound with restraint clothing and is in a wheelchair. The mechanically designed chair is a custom-made item, and the arm he usually keeps allows him to do a number of things.

So he shouldn’t worry if he leaves Nagare alone.

“Hey, Nagare. I told you to eat!”

Iwafune does a preaching when he sees that he left the cold breakfast in the chabudai.

“Sorry. I’ll eat it as soon as I’m done.”

However, as he answers, Nagare doesn’t even see Iwafune. Not because he looks down on him, but because he is absorbed in the sight in front of him.

“Jungle” floats in front of Nagare.

Several hologram windows float in the air, constantly projecting information. Iwafune Tenkei is “King” like Nagare Hisui, but he still doesn’t know what that information means. There is probably no one in the world who is comparable to the “Green King” in terms of information processing.

But that is not all.

“You said the same thing when I came out! It’s cancelled! It’s cancelled! If you don’t finish, I’ll take your battery!”

When Iwafune, who had seen his work screwed up, put his hand on his wheelchair battery and threatened him, Nagare suddenly reacted. After a moment, the holograms go dark one after another.

“I’ll eat it right away. So don’t remove the battery.”

“Wow…”

His arm reached out from the wheelchair and began to fill the bowl with rice from the rice cooker. He is right-handed. With more than a decade of life in a wheelchair, Nagare can move his arm like a limb.

“Itadakimasu.”

He cuts the egg batter with a fork and knife and pops it into his mouth with rice. Iwafune asks Nagare what he’s eating, as he scratches his chin.

“But again, you were very focused. Did you find anything interesting?”

“Yes. I found something that looks interesting. Really interesting.”

Nagare narrows his eyes as he sticks his shinko on his fork. Only a green electricity ignited in the cutlery.

“From the information I got from the attack three months ago, I finally got the identity of the existence called "knowledge system”, which was classified as the top secret.“

"Uh…?”

Iwafune bows his head. He is also a member of “Jungle”, but he was a child when it came to the practice of such attack instructions and confidential information.

Nagare continues as he chews on the shinko.

“As I explained before, the "intelligence system” is officially hidden because it seriously violates people’s human rights and privacy.“

Nagare seems animated having a conversation about this. It was good, but he wondered if he made a mistake bringing it up.

"The essence of the "single system” is the establishment of a complete monitoring system using a wide area network. Once this system is activated, not only the surveillance cameras installed in the public, but also the PDA calls owned by each citizen, all information, up to registration, will be under state control.“

"On top of that, they are extremely powerful and therefore dangerous in identifying the information and people they target.”

Iwafume is confused and answers.

“I see. I didn’t get it.”

“……”

Nagare then briefly sums it up.

“In short, it means that our whereabouts may be lost.”

“Hey, really?! Oh, should I dress up when I go shopping next time?!”

Nagare shook his head at Iwafune, who finally became alarmed and fluttered hastily.

“For now, that’s not necessary. The "intelligence system” hasn’t even passed the testing stage yet. It seems that practical use is still ahead.“

"Hmm.” Iwafune crossed his arms.

“But we have to take action.”

“Yes. For the time being, I have put under control all the public surveillance cameras within the "upper” range of action. Even if Iwa-san appears in front of the camera, the ‘intelligence system’ will not recognize you.“

Iwafune exhaled in relief.

He would say so himself, but Iwafune Tenkei is the "trump card” for Nagare. That is the significance of why he is hidden. He doesn’t know if it’s just a matter of fact, but he has to hide his existence until the crucial moment.

“The elder from the "Golden Clan” took a lot of risk, right? Won’t that system be a big problem when it activates and tries to catch us?“

"Well, that’s going to happen. However, the "Golden King” and “Tokijikuin” don’t seem to be extremely involved in this system. The main participant in the operation is “Scepter 4”.“

Since the Kagutsu incident 12 years ago, of the seven missing kings, the last to appear was the current "Blue King”, Reisi Munakata. The “Scepter 4” clan left behind by the predecessor “Blue King” was quickly unearthed and regained its function as an organization to suppress the crimes of foreign Strains.

While tilting the bowl of miso soup, Nagare gives his impressions.

“To enter such a dangerous system, the new "Blue King” seems to be quite confident, but it is doubtful that he has the ability to match his confidence.“

Then he adds fish.

"Habari Jin would not have tried to use something like this.”

Hearing the words, Iwafune looked up at the ceiling and thought.

(“That’s it, Habari.”)

Iwafune was familiar with his predecessor “Blue King” Habari Jin and his clan “Scepter 4”. It was when he was still called Otori Seigo and led the Gray clan, “Cathedral”.

But now all that does not exist.

Habari was killed, Seigo became a missing person, and “Cathedral” was razed to the ground. He hears that Munakata has almost completely revamped the old “Scepter 4” human resources. Only the name is the same, now it is a different organization.

Everything has flowed into the past, leaving him alone to remember.

Iwafune breathed out those feelings with a sigh.

“Oh. Although with "Tokijikuin” we have enough, even the rookie is our enemy.“

"Affirmative. "Jungle” has not yet formed a clan body to counter it.“

It has been seven years since he decided to form "Jungle” for the first time. After several test versions, Nagare created the current “unlock”. The number of users is constantly increasing and there is no problem moving them like limbs.

“The lack of human resources is our bottleneck…”

“Hitobusoku! Hitobusoku!”

Kotosaka, who stopped by Nagare’s side, yelled loudly.

In “Jungle”, the user is the clan member. So there are many.

However, the number of people who can “use” it is extremely small.

Jungle rank is not something that increases as your complete quests. From N-Rank, the points required to rank up increase dramatically, and you can’t continue unless you complete dangerous missions and earn high reward points.

Few players try to take on the danger and get promoted, and the number of people who can get past it is even rarer.

Currently, no one has risen to J-rank through quests.

Iwafune put the boiled seaweed on rice and poured kyusu tea into it. It’s Ochazuke.

“The raid mission three months ago went well. The user who took the tip of the spear got enough points to be promoted to J-Rank.”

“No way, he doesn’t feel that way…”

Iwafune tweeted more and more, and Nagare took the soft Ochazuke.

“He is a very talented person. Therefore, he wants to maintain a certain degree of independence. Also in "Jungle” in a certain way, each member of the clan makes his own decisions. Thanks for the food.“

"Yeah, bon appetit. Well, the form is good, but thanks to that, I want to say that there are no more people who can rank up.”

“Sure, we may need to hurry up a bit. I’d like to secure a bit more human resources before the "single system” kicks in.“

Saying that, Nagare lifts his face.

A hologram screen loomed in front of that line of sight. The photos of the members of the clan that are active and the profile of "Jungle”, accompanies it.

“Offers up-and-coming players with high-difficulty quests. If they complete enough quests, they’ll soon be promoted.”

“What kind of mission?”

“Fulfill your wishes.”

He quickly knew who he was.

Iwafune has a color of anxiety.

“That guy? Are you okay?”

“I want to do it. It’s not nice to be picked up by an executive without doing anything. I understand that we need a demonstration to motivate other players.”

“No, that’s not what I’m worried about. I’m asking what happens if that mission fails.”

When asked, Nagare mysteriously shook his head.

“If you fail the mission and lose all points, you will have to start over from the starting rank.”

“That’s the point! You are…! That’s why it’s hard to get human resources!”

Iwafune insists as he hits the chabudai, but Nagare doesn’t seem to get it yet. This young man is an unmistakable genius, but there is a point where the demands on others are too high.

Nagare muttered “Hmm.” and said:

“I understand. If Iwa-san says that much, let’s make some adjustments.”

“Are you sure?”

Then Iwafune notices.

One of the people in the image of “Jungle” players floating in the air, is very young. Or rather, he is…

“Isn’t he a child? What has he been doing in "Jungle” so far?“

"Rather, it seems that children tend to rank up faster because they aren’t bound by additional ethics or common sense. That player is… Ah.”

Nagare narrows his eyes. Iwafune knows that he finds him “funny”.

“Gojo Sukuna. He is the player I look forward to the most right now.”

He probably has hidden potential. Contrary to the neat appearance of consuming boring fast food and drinks, he has a rough atmosphere.

“Over the past three months, he has risen through the ranks at an amazing rate and was recently promoted to U-Rank. Will he be able to make it to this "secret base”? Attention.“

Saying that, Nagare just laughed.

++++++++++

At the window railing, a parrot stopped.

"……”

When Sukuna noticed, he shook his head. It is a gesture as if he is asking what he is doing here. Sukuna walks over, opens the glass window and groans at the same time.

“Well, you stop coming to this house like that.”

“Why?”

H.N. The “Green King” returns such an answer through the parrot.

“This is my "hideout”. I don’t want to stand out. And if a colored bird like you stops by, everyone will pay attention!“

Sukuna speaks rudely to him. The parrot jumped to the window, looking at Sukuna with a bowed head.

"This won’t stand out.”

Sukuna searched for a counterargument, but in the end he couldn’t find one.

This is the fifth time that the “Green King” has appeared around Sukuna.

At worst, he showed up during the mission. In such a situation, he was different, so he just watched him, but it still distracted him. “The next time I see you, I’ll turn you into a roast bird.”

He eventually disappeared during the mission.

Instead, he started showing up at Sukuna’s hideout.

His hideout is a room in an ordinary apartment in Tokyo. He can’t rent a house because he’s underage, so Sukuna through “Jungle” recruited a stranger whose face he doesn’t even know to do it. No one knows this place more than Sukuna and the guy he recruited, but he doesn’t like the fact that the “Green King” found it easily.

When Sukuna returned to bed, the parrot entered through the open glass window. Sukuna looks at him and then collapses.

“Do not do it.”

Immediately, the parrot spread its wings in anger.

“Kuwa, Kuwa! Shirei! Shirei!”

He flies up and tries to attack his obsession with his claws. Sukuna shrugged hastily and evacuated to the corner of the room.

The parrot was intimidatingly stagnant for a while, but finally landed on the table. He makes a calm voice as if the constitution has fallen.

“I apologize. Kotosaka was excited, but please don’t be too rude to Kotosaka.”

Sukuna arches his eyebrows as he holds his heaving chest.

“What is he? He’s just a parrot.”

“Kotosaka is my clan member. He’s not a human, but he has personality and pride. Treat him like a worthy person.”

“Sonotori! Sonotori!”

Kotosaka yells. Sukuna looked at Kotosaka and the “Green King” over there, with eyes that looked like monsters, but he finally shrugged and replied.

“Well, it doesn’t surprise me anymore that an animal is a member of the clan.”

Since he entered the world of different abilities, he has already encountered many amazing things.

Seven kingdoms and the seven kings that rule them, the true map of power that rules this country.

One of them, compared to being on the other side through Kotosaka, there is no such thing as an animal with a will.

Anyway, Sukuna thinks.

“Even if you don’t use that, there are plenty of other ways to do it.”

Kotosaka shook his head as he flapped his wings.

“What other method would there be?”

“You can set up a surveillance camera or let an appropriate player record. If you use jungle points, you should be able to gather as many people as you want.”

“We do it for low priority observations. I only use Kotosaka with the highest priority to talk to whoever I want.”

“And you want to talk to me?”

“Affirmative. I am very interested in your actions.”

Kotosaka’s crystal ball eyes really look at Sukuna. Sukuna flinched at the inorganic gaze.

“Gojo Sukuna. The only son of the Gojo family. Ever since you left home three months ago, you have survived this society using all means. Making the most of "Jungle”, you hid your identity, hired people to act as points contact and secure food, clothing and shelter without relying on anyone. It’s not something elementary school students can do.“

Sukuna frowned.

No wonder the "Green King” has his own information. With “Jungle”, the information clan and their king, H.N., it would be easier to find out than to break an eggshell.

That does not mean that the discomfort decreases.

“Don’t surround people. Don’t make me angry.”

“I have no intention of offending you. I just want to let you know why I’m interested in you.”

“Hm.”

Well, he can believe it. H.N. he’s a freak, a big guy, a black curtain, but he doesn’t seem like a bad guy. He investigates Sukuna only because, as stated, he is interested in Sukuna.

The “Green King” keeps saying.

“There are many other players who do not choose any means to get up in "Jungle”. However, very few on their own can complete dangerous missions and continue to be successful. If you become a younger player to achieve it, it can be said that it will be the first time in “Jungle”.“

Sukuna sits on the couch and looks at Kotosaka with piercing eyes.

"What do you mean?”

“Why don’t you join the team and take action? Most players do, though they say it’s much safer and more efficient.”

Sukuna squeezes the long staff. He looks away from Kotosaka and in a careless voice he says,

“I can do it by myself, so I don’t need that. I hate swarms.”

That word was half true.

The feature of “Jungle” is that it is “free”. No matter what the members do, the above has little to do with it. They just use “Jungle”. They can’t even see each other’s faces, they are only connected by interests.

The relationship was comfortable for Sukuna.

That’s because he doesn’t have to trust anyone from the start.

Kotosaka turned his head several times, as if chewing on Sukuna’s words.

After that, the “Green King” had a light tone.

“Is it related to what caused you to leave your house?”

He entered the danger zone.

No wonder the “Green King” knows this. Since he has researched it, he probably knows their relationships as a matter of course.

However, the moment someone else spoke the name “Him”, he realized that he would lose control.

“If so, what’s up?”

Sukuna echoes a voice like a cold copper plate. Whether he noticed it or not, the “Green King” still says in a light tone.

“If so, you are reducing your potential. I feel like it’s a waste. It’s a loss. You shouldn’t be stuck in the past and close off the future.”

Skill “Thunder Blade”, activate.

A glowing electromagnetic blade emerged from the long staff. Sukuna answers quietly, with an equally dangerous look at the helpless parrot.

“Are you talking about the future and the past? I just live in the present.”

“For what?”

Sukuna couldn’t answer the question he suddenly asked him.

So that he lives, Sukuna is stunned when he realizes that he has no answer for returning in the middle of a cliché sentence.

Now, he is here to escape from his parents’ house. Sukuna believes that he will go crazy and compromise if he stays in that house for a second. Therefore, for Sukuna, fleeing and living are synonymous.

But what’s the point of a life of just running away? Isn’t that what it means to be stuck in the past?

“If you find the answer, I will come to hear it.”

By the time Sukuna reacted, Kotosaka was already flapping his wings and jumping onto the window railing.

Sukuna stood up and shouted an angry voice at Kotosaka looking back.

“What are you doing? What is the purpose?!”

“My hope is to expand people’s possibilities. There is nothing else.”

With just that, Kotosaka took off and disappeared into the sky.

Sukuna angrily closed the glass window and bit his teeth.

So, ignoring his hiding place, a desolate room with the bare minimum of necessary furniture, it was also similar to Sukuna’s world.

There is nothing he wants; he only has what he needs. If there is something extra, he will get in the way when he runs away. Sukuna knows this well.

But…

Just to escape, to live, to want nothing, isn’t it that you’re stuck in the past?

When Sukuna had such a thought in his mind, a noise echoed.

Sukuna raised his face as if it had been turned around and confirmed the direction of the sound.

It is the front door. The lock that should have been locked is unlocked and the doorknob turns slowly.

Sukuna’s actions were swift. When he opened the door, Sukuna had already jumped out the window with his long cane and PDA in hand. He pinned the door, but he doesn’t know how much time he can buy until someone breaks in. This hiding place is no good anymore. He has to find another.

Sukuna jumps from the hallway, grabs onto a pillar and jumps higher. Landed on the rooftop of a private house.

On the back of Sukuna who tried to run as he was, a voice dubbed with a megaphone was heard.

“Wait! Gojo Sukuna-kun!”

The thought of being stupid stopped Sukuna. He doesn’t know what he thinks, but he shouldn’t say someone’s name out loud in a place like this.

Sukuna turned around and saw a man standing near the hallway. He has a megaphone and looks at him. There is no tension in the expression. This eliminates the possibility of the chase being from “Scepter 4” or “Jungle”.

He wishes had escaped like he was.

“Your mother is worried! Let’s go back!”

That word stopped Sukuna, because he knew the identity of the one who was chasing him. These guys are the minions of the “house of his parents”.

The past came to capture him.

“……”

Sukuna looks at him with his feet on the ceiling.

The guy with the megaphone who succeeded in naming his mother may have thought so. Even with a smile on his mouth, he raised his voice even higher.

“Your mother says that if you come back, she won’t tell you anything! Are you satisfied that you’ve been worrying her for so long? A child can’t live alone! Come with us.”

“Shut up!”

A cloudy voice interrupted the joke.

Or maybe he wouldn’t have done it without the “Green King’s” contact.

Sukuna descended from the rooftop to the street. The guy with the megaphone has a relieved look, men dressed in black appear from the car behind.

Activates the skill “Physical Strengthening”.

He activates the ability “Thunder Blade”.

The unique ability of “Jungle” runs through his entire body. The beating of the heart carries black emotions to every corner of his limbs. An electric blade extends from the long staff like a sickle, and Sukuna carries it on his shoulder.

The guy in black took a step back in a hurry. Sukuna smiled like an imp.

After a few minutes…

Crushed concrete walls, sheared pillars, overturned cars, and the men in black bending and falling. A very destructive sight was spreading over the ground.

He can hear the patrol car’s siren from a distance. It will take less than a few minutes to arrive. Before that, he has to do what he has to do.

The guy with the megaphone crossed the street and looked at Sukuna with a scared expression.

“So? Who did you hear about my whereabouts from?”

Sukuna’s power is concentrated in his chest. The guy with the megaphone rages to escape from him, but the strength of Sukuna, who was pushed by his power, far exceeds that of a normal person. All man can do is raise a voice of anguish.

“Uhhhhhhhhh…”

He can see that the compressed auxiliary bone makes a cracking noise. If he pushes it any further, it will break.

The bone could pierce his lungs and heart and kill him. Sukuna narrowed his eyes and dropped it.

“I haven’t killed anyone yet.”

“……”

“But now I feel like I can do it. It’s your fault.”

Heaving a sigh from the edge of his mouth, the megaphone bastard showed pitiful horror. Sukuna says more, looking mercilessly at the one who shakes his head desperately.

“If you don’t want to die, answer the question. Who sold me?”

“I do not know!”

“Hey, tell the truth.”

He pushed him further. A sound of flapping and cracking in the bones. His eyes go black and white with severe pain and he screams as he spits.

“That’s true, I swear! They just gave us the order to catch you! I don’t know anything!”

Due to his fear and pain, Sukuna decided that what he said was true and clicked his tongue. He can’t use it.

“Then I’ll change the question. Which side are you on in the first place? Front or back?”

“Oh, it’s the back. We belong to the Shinonome group and have some connections with the backup agent. Maybe this information is from that agent as well.”

“Who told you I was here?”

When he waves the electric blade and show it, the guy with the megaphone got angry.

“If I had known you were a talented person, I wouldn’t have done such a stupid thing. Damn, your parents, what should I say if it was an extra request!”

It seems that it was his mother’s idea, that made Sukuna give up. Sukuna gave a dry laugh.

“I’m sorry for you.”

Saying that, he jumps from his heart.

The pressure is suddenly gone and the bastard with the megaphone coughs. Sukuna buried a green leaf in his neck. When he poured the green stream as much as he wanted, he jumped up and shot it into the wall, and it finally fell down.

Sukuna muttered.

“It’s Kuroko.”

The “backup agent” is probably Kuroko. He hears that he’s not only fulfilling the “Jungle” mission, but he’s also using his skills to do normal back office work (although it’s a strange expression). Theft, sabotage, kidnapping and murder.

Kuroko didn’t catch Sukuna. It’s not because he couldn’t, it’s probably because he’s sorry to spend points on it. Instead of stopping him, he sold his personal information for money.

So Sukuna had a question.

Why didn’t Kuroko tell him that he was a talented person?

Regardless of society at large, the existence of people with powers is open to the public in the underworld. The lost talents that do not belong to the clan are called “Strains”, and there are many who become children of the subsequent organization. If they were with a talented person, it would not have been so easy to escape.

As he was asking himself that question, the PDA rang with an incoming call.

Unannounced incoming call. Sukuna frowned and answered the call.

“Have you been successful?”

“Looks like you got away from the chase, Five.”

Angry, the power went into the hand holding the PDA.

“Hey, Kuroko. Are you playing with me?”

“I have no such intention and no time. Therefore, I will go to the main topic.”

Then Kuroko said,

“I want to fight with the Lord.”

++++++++++

The reason Yukari Mishakuji became a member of the “Jungle” clan is because he was fascinated by Hisui Nagare.

He first saw it seven years ago. At that time, Nagare was a child who was still innocent. The king in the form of a child appeared and revealed himself in front of the “Golden King” and the “Colorless King”.

He wanted to defeat the “Golden King”, he was strong and hostile.

Yukari doubted what he saw.

He once witnessed many kings, but it was the first time he saw a person that he challenged Daikaku Kokujoji in battle head-on. Even Kagutsu Genji would not imitate such a thing.

That is, the younger king declared war on the stronger king.

He can laugh at the child’s recklessness. The boy who obtained the power of the king was out of control without thinking about anything. He was pried out of ignorance and fascinated.

However, Nagare was serious.

In his eyes, the coolness to discern the situation and the passion for his hidden ambitions were equally present. The revolutionary’s eyes sparkled as he determined the difference in his ability and still defied difficulties.

Yukari was fascinated by the brightness of him. He thought he was beautiful.

His beauty was still imprinted on Yukari’s heart.

His beauty was not spoiled at all when he passed the time and he reappeared before Yukari. On the contrary, Hisui Nagare, who dreamed of “transforming the world”, was dazzlingly shining.

That is why Mishakuji Yukari decided to serve Hisui Nagare.

He promised to be an embodiment of that cold ambition and hidden passion.

Because he found a different brilliance than his former king, Miwa Ichigen, in his way of life.

And now…

Mishakuji Yukari walked the alleys of the city as the top executive of “Jungle”, a J-Rank.

The time is around midnight and the area is quiet, without people or noise. The moon on an autumn night hides behind the buildings to the left and right, and the light does not reach it.

Even in such a dark place, Mishakuji Yukari did not break his smile. The appearance of walking with a long sword on his back and fluttering dark purple hair was dignified, and he couldn’t find a full-fledged loophole.

Yukari continued to walk behind the fortress in the dark alley, and finally his foot stopped.

It was a vacant lot like an air pocket between the buildings. Surrounded by buildings on all sides, there is no room for people to escape. The only way back is to go back the way you walked.

Yukari spread his arms and looked up at the square night sky, saying,

“Isn’t it boring just watching? Why don’t you come play with me?”

A slight unease shook the night air.

The silence continues, a few seconds. A voice echoed from the back alley.

“Eh?”

It was a pair of men who slowly appeared from the darkness.

“I knew you were looking, but you came with an unpopular cousin? Isn’t that right?”

One is a young man with a frivolous smile who carries a guitar case on his back. The other is a muscular giant. They both look at Yukari, clenching his fists.

Yukari laughs a little and looks at them with his arms outstretched.

“Because no matter how long you wait, it won’t work. That’s why I created a situation that’s easy to do. I want you to thank me.”

The giant narrows his eyes and mutters like a soliloquy.

“Did you invite us?”

“Hey. Thanks. I don’t want to bother getting points.”

As the young man raised his hand while he laughed, multiple figures appeared from behind. They all wear a mechanical mask that emits green electronic light.

“They’re N-Rank. It’s our advantage, but they’re pretty good. Don’t think you can escape.”

The rankers took out their PDAs and weapons. Some are armed with something that looks like a gun.

However, there was no influence on Yukari’s expression.

First of all, this is the situation he wanted. When he saw the scene he expected, he couldn’t have shaken his heart, and, on the contrary, he felt the heat welling up.

It is the heat of battle.

The young man saw Yukari and snorted.

“Even so, what did you do? Right after becoming a J-rank, you were able to get a prize of 100,000 points. Did you aim for the king’s life?”

The voice was a mixture of ghosts and jealousy.

It is not impossible. Yukari didn’t become a J-Rank after a regular mission. He was promoted to a J-rank executive, upon being directly invited by the “Green King” Hisui Nagare. For clan members who challenge high-difficulty quests every day to get that position, it wouldn’t be convincing at all.

Yukari shrugs and says nothing.

“I haven’t done anything weak, because I asked for a subjugation mission.”

The giant frowned.

“What do you mean?”

“That’s all. I offered a reward so more clansmen could challenge me.”

The young man and the giant looked at each other.

“In other words, what? Did you give yourself a reward?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

The young man murmurs from the bottom of his heart.

“Oh, is it also a desire to kill yourself?”

Yukari made a deep smile.

“I gave myself a bounty to prove that I am the right person for a J-Rank, so that all members of the Jungle clan will know.”

Then he gently draws the sword. The boys wearing the green masks buzzed.

“If one appears to defeat me, it should be a J-Rank. The stronger our king’s arm, the better. I’m the test stone for that.”

The duo’s expression tightened.

What Yukari said was something natural in “Jungle”. The strong and the smart rise. If they weren’t satisfied with Yukari becoming a J-Rank, they can prove that they are better than Yukari by overthrowing him.

At the thought he laughed brightly, confirming that the carelessness was gone from his face.

“Since I answered your question, can you answer my question?”

“What is?”

“What are you going to do if you beat me and become a J-Rank?”

“Ah. If you think about it, gain power?”

The young man shook his head, snorting like a fool.

“It’s decided. If you go "up”, you can get even greater power. The best way to do something greater is to be close to the King!“

The giant was silent for a while and then answered.

"It’s all too narrow now. If you go up, you’ll have a little more freedom.”

Power and freedom.

That’s what “Jungle” marks. It is natural that they want it. Clansmen Mishakuji has clashed with so far have said something similar, though the details are different.

For this reason, he was thinking of waking them up.

Hisui Nagare’s dream is to make all mankind kings. Nagare thinks that everyone has the possibility of all colors, he sees the world with another look.

However, for that reason, the dreams of the “Jungle” clansmen were too uniform. Although he is the person who chooses what to do with the power, the options are too limited.

Nevertheless…

What attracted Yukari was the brilliance of the person himself. He is not really interested in the “Jungle” that he created. Now, asking this question is nothing more than Yukari’s interest.

Therefore, Yukari dispelled the sword and showed a gesture to end the story.

“Yes, I understand.”

He points the tip at them and declares war.

“Let us begin.”

The giant muttered under his breath.

“Just do it.”

The N-Ranks are distributed in a fan shape. The attack aimed at Yukari who was against the wall at once, and the appearance of him disappeared.

“Uh…”

“Up!”

By the time the young man shouted, Mishakuji had already run up the wall to the left of him and was about to attack the nearest N-Rank. He cuts the green mask looking at him and drags the real face. Yukari turned his bright smile on him and plunged the sword into his nose.

“Damn, keep your distance! That’s a weapon! We can’t lose with that!”

“I think so?”

With a soft voice, Yukari runs through the gaps between the N-Ranks. Each time, the sword looked and pointed at Yukari.

Yukari understood. That is that young man’s weapon. It must be the style of the duo, where he defends the giant and shoots the young man.

Yukari makes a deep smile. He doesn’t know that he’s scared, even if he has a sniper gun in a long straight line. Carrying a sword, he is still speeding up and closing in on the duo.

“Even so, take this!”

The young man screamed and his muzzle sizzled.

Yukari’s sword moved at God speed.

A green spark lit up the darkness behind the alley at the same time as the discordant sound.

Yukari keeps running as if nothing happened.

“Uh…”

After all, the young man provoked even more. Two shots, three shots. The sword flashes at an invisible speed, and each time the green spark flashes, it scrapes the wall of the building approaching left and right behind Yukari.

At that moment, the young man seems to finally understand what is happening.

He is cutting the incoming bullet in two.

A voice close to a bad sound comes from his throat.

“What? Is it an electromagnetic bullet? It’s fast enough to react!”

“Whether it’s a tortoise or an eagle, if there’s a wall in the way, I won’t stop.”

The masks, the weapon and the PDA are cut. Yukari approaches the youths who have impatient expressions.

A green wall blocked the way.

The green wall repelled the sword that flashed at once. Yukari gets caught up in an unexpected thought and kicks the ground to get away.

The green wall seems to come from the giant’s PDA. He calmly spoke to the young man next to him.

“I will withdraw.”

“I know!”

Then the duo turned towards the back alley.

Yukari looked around him. The N-Ranks, who were still fighting, also dropped their weapons when they saw the bosses escaping. Yukari is amazed at the lack of preparation, but it would be a mistake to expect such things from those who are only used.

Yukari runs into the back alley with a sword in one hand.

Aside from the others, he has to get rid of the bosses. Otherwise it cannot be a “test”.

Then, Yukari who entered the back alley knew that he had been ambushed.

“Oh.”

There is a wall that glows green in the dark about 100 meters ahead. From that space, a long rifle pistol turns towards Yukari. Like a carnivorous beast facing his prey.

“What should I do in such a case?”

Yukari ran away.

“Damn!”

“SIDE GREEN”

CHAPTER 2: THE KILLER GIANT (Part 1) / Parts: 01/02/03/04

TRANSLATION & RAWS: NARU-KUN

The rain hits the dark green raincoat.

It’s been about 30 minutes since he burned the wire netting on the rooftop and sat on the edge. Sukuna took the PDA out of his raincoat pocket and looked inside. The green light emitted by the PDA illuminates the face of the young man who is hiding behind the hood.

A map of the surroundings is projected on the PDA. There are two green dots that move on the map. There are several blue dots to track them down.

The “Jungle” clan member and the “Scepter 4” clan members.

Tonight’s mission was very important. The latest PDA model, which is scheduled to be sold next month, and the IC chip embedded in it will be stolen along with the design data. 1500 JP per success fee. More bonuses are available to players who bring the IC chip to the destination point. It was quite a “delicious” mission for the top rankers.

Of course, it is a serious crime. If he is caught, he will not be exempt from prison sentences. Therefore, the only players who can participate are those who are spending their lives in the “Jungle” that is, “seriously”.

At first, the plan was carried out successfully.

“Shooting Team” makes full use of a talented app to attack the development company and steal data and the 1C chip. After that, he quickly left and joined the “escape team”. The plan is to disperse using the escape route prepared in advance, meet up later, and then hand it over to the mission sender.

It went well until the merger.

What was unexpected was that the confluence was stretched by “Scepter 4”.

The team was exhausted. The other two who barely escaped are now the rats in the bag. The back alleys they are escaping through have already been blocked off by “Scepter 4”.

“They are there!”

“Discover the objective of Route C! Please support us!”

He can hear the blues calling with the sound of heavy rain. It’s only a matter of time before they get caught.

Sukuna stood up.

The long cane that he carries on his shoulder is his weapon. He can create weapons for all situations using the unique app.

Sukuna operates his PDA as he hears footsteps approaching.

U-Rank, he activates the skill “Physical Strengthening”.

U-Rank, activates the skill “Denrai no Blade”.

A green beam flashed from the PDA and ran through Sukuna. A particularly powerful current flows from the right arm to the long staff, forming a blade of energy that glows green.

Sukuna screams as he listens to the sound of raindrops evaporating.

“The mission begins!”

Sukuna stepped into the air in front of them.

Gravity quickly caught the small body. He kicks the outside unit or the wall of the building to add more acceleration to the acceleration of gravity. Sukuna falls round and round faster than the rain.

He lands in front of two “Jungle” users.

“What?!”

The two hide their faces with a mask. It is common practice for “Jungle” users to hide their identity, but Sukuna finds it a cowardly test.

Because he wears such a thing, he ends up running away.

With his knees on the ground and his long cane on his shoulder, Sukuna looks back. A blue around the corner points at him and yells something.

“They’re here!”

With just that, Sukuna ran away.

A dark green raincoat jumps into the rain. The blue-clothed duo meanwhile approaches.

Perhaps he did not expect to be counterattacked, he was trying to deal with them until now.

“Sayama, batto…!”

Hmm, Sukuna laughed. Too late. Is it stupid?

The moment he got a few steps closer, Sukuna took a big step and jumped, hitting the energy sword from above. Half of the blue was pierced by the energy blade that slid out as he tried to raise the saber and avoid it.

“Gah!”

It’s just an iron bar, like a surveying bell, which does not stretch the “field”. Either he understood that at the expense of his partner, or the other showed a slightly better move. At the same time as he drew the sword, he developed the “field” and passed through it.

“Kuku!”

Sukuna laughs, turns his hand around the cane, Blue’s chin is up with the cane. Blue defended himself with his sword, and tried to hold the long staff as it was.

An energy sword was born at the tip.

Characteristics of the “spiritual sword”. The energy given to a substance can be changed into any form and generated from anywhere.

An energy blade that looked like the tip of a spear jutted straight out and pierced the side of the blue. The green electricity “modifies” the blue protection, pouring as much powerful current into the unprotected body.

Finally, the blue was exhausted and fell on top of his partner.

“Did you kill them?”

One of the “Jungle” users asked with a broken voice.

Sukuna replies as if that is stupid as he steals Blue’s PDA.

“You can’t cross such a dangerous bridge. I stunned him.”

“Seventh group! What’s up? Answer!”

From the PDA of “Scepter 4” resounded the voice of what seems to be his superior. Sukuna puts his mouth in front of his PDA and activates the voice change function.

“This is Sayama. The target has moved from route C to route D. Request a block.”

“Understood! Start blocking Route D! Concentrate the staff there!”

“Idiots.”

Abandoning the PDA in the falling blue, Sukuna sticks out his tongue.

Sukuna then looked at the two stunned men and said…

“If you want to run away, now is the time. If you don’t want to get caught, follow me.”

He then turned to the front and began to walk.

“You saved us! Thank you very much!”

“Top qualifiers are totally different!”

In a dimly lit underpass, the “Jungle” user duo thanked Sukuna in a loud and booming voice.

On the other hand, Sukuna carries a long stick on his shoulder and says without looking back.

“I often use this place as a loophole, but it’s actually a clandestine route to work in shopping malls.”

“Hmm! That’s it!”

“I know him well!”

“What I mean is that we’re on the run and we don’t know where the blues are, so why are you raising your voice so stupidly?”

When Sukuna said that, the duo fell silent as if they were silenced.

As they were, the three of them continued to walk in silence.

From the underground passage to work, they go out to the subway line. They walk for a while while stepping on the wet ground, open the door and go further down. They walk down the winding hallway, frowning at the strange smell of the sewer, and finally come to an open space.

It is an underground parking lot of a commercial facility on the edge of Shizume.

Says one member of the duo, looking around uneasily.

“Have we already lost them?”

Sukuna confirmed on the PDA and nodded.

“Ah! If you run away too far, you’ll be fine.”

When he said that, they smiled.

“Oh, yes! I’m glad!”

“Oh! I’m glad.”

Sukuna didn’t smile and hit them with his “Thunder Blade” in the chest.

“Eh?”

They couldn’t even remove the smile. They were looking at the green electric blade that stabbed into his chest like it was a joke.

Immediately after, the blade was pulled out, and at the same time, it hit hard and they fell to the ground.

One fluttered and took a step back.

“What are you doing?! You helped us.”

“I helped you. So I’m thinking of getting a thank you.”

While twirling the long staff, Sukuna approaches them.

“I want the IC chip and design data that was stolen.”

“Huh? No way, was that the purpose all along?”

Sukuna distorts the mouth. He didn’t laugh. He was impressed.

“Did you say that? Of course. Why do I have to help you without any merit? I just looked at the mission details and thought I could get rid of it from the side, right here.”

Sukuna approaches mercilessly. They tried to back up further and fell with their legs entangled.

“Who’s got it? Honestly, it doesn’t matter, but hand it over and you won’t get hurt.”

Still, one of them reaches out and tries to stop Sukuna.

“Wait! Wait! Okay! I’ll give it to you! Wait a minute!”

“What are you waiting for!”

“Ah. I’ll give it to you, can you decide to complete this quest in collaboration with us?”

In a desperate plea, Sukuna snorted.

“You mean, if you delete the cooperative mission, you’ll get a spill?”

“Oh, that’s right! I’ve always used all the items to participate in this quest.”

It is common. High difficulty quests can get great rewards, but you have to use a lot of items to do it. As a result, there are often “deficits” where more points are erased than rewards. Also, the mission may fail despite using many items. He looks at his partner and says…

“I’m still fine, but this was a "robbery team”, so I’m using a lot of “items”. If I fail here, the points will drop to zero. If that happens, my account will be deleted.“

Sukuna narrowed his eyes.

"I’ve been with this guy the whole time. I’m an important friend! So if you ask me to miss it, make sure you give it to him later.”

Without hearing the end, Sukuna’s “Thunder Blade” pierced his throat.

“I don’t need the help of others.”

Sukuna muttered as he looked at the collapsing player with stagnant eyes.

“I’ve always been a solo player.”

++++++++++

When he came out, the rain had already stopped.

Sukuna takes off his dark green raincoat and heads for the fence. A wire mesh of about 2 meters does not make any sense to a Clansman. Sukuna jumped the fence and landed on the sidewalk.

“Hard work.”

He made a sudden call to his back.

Look back as if it had been played. At the same time, he takes out the long staff so he can activate “Thunder Blade” at any time.

In the dark, under the light that shone from the streetlamp, he silently appeared.

If you want to express that look in one word, “Ninja”. A black outfit that gives him a special drive. Sukuna knows that the head armor, which lights up with electronic light in several places, resembles a hood, and the last thing is a huge rear sword on his back. This rear sword converts into 12 weapons.

Sukuna called him by his name.

“The receiving point is not here, "Kuroko”.“

The jet black ninja Kuroko shrugged slightly.

"Because the predetermined time has passed. I came to see the situation.”

He cannot tell his gender or age from an electronically distorted voice. Kuroko’s mask was a custom-made item that was different from other “Jungle” users. The purpose is the same as hiding the identity, but the degree of thoroughness is different.

The identification name is “Kuroko” and he is a first-class U-Rank.

No one knows his true face or identity. Most of the missions he does alone, but sometimes he participates in the collaborative missions that are done, one in ten.

When he was still a low rank, Sukuna had a mission in collaboration with Kuroko. Even in a dangerous battle against “Scepter 4”, Kuroko displayed excellent situational judgment ability and led the mission to success.

There are many excellent rankers in Jungle, but Kuroko is by far the best among them. However, he is not good at fighting. Sukuna thinks that his ability to calmly analyze the situation is his strength.

Kuroko was the editor for this mission.

“Look at it.”

He throws away the data and chips stolen from the players earlier along with the PDA. Kuroko deftly took it and held it in front of the head armor. The viewfinder part flashes and the laser scanning light penetrates the PDA.

“Confirmed. By your rank authority, we notify you of the achievement of Category C mission 3781.”

Immediately, Jean-Bi appeared from Sukuna’s PDA and scattered bright voices out of place.

“Congratulations! You completed the mission! Jungle Points, 1500 points.”

Sukuna canceled the sound of the report on the way.

He then looked at Kuroko with a suspicious look.

“What kind of data is it? You could have done that mission by yourself.”

He didn’t expect the answer to come back. Kuroko hates pointless talk, and even more he hates not being able to find a purpose for it. Sukuna expected to be interrupted with a single word: “It has nothing to do with you.”

That expectation, however, was betrayed.

“I had other business to do. That’s why I replaced him with a free player.”

“…?”

He felt awkward as he wondered if Kuroko had answered. The feeling of incongruity quickly turns into vigilance. He asks more as he slowly lowered the long cane.

“What are those "other business”?“

Kuroko replied.

"It seems that the son of a high-ranking government official disappeared three months ago.”

The color of the alert has become thicker and darker.

Sukuna remained silent and searched for signs of the surroundings. He doesn’t feel any sign that someone is lurking, at least not yet.

Kuroko continues as he stands like a statue under the street light.

“At first, a kidnapping was suspected, but eventually there was no ransom demand. Further investigation revealed that their son had taken a large amount of cash and precious metals from his parents’ home. He was out of the house.”

“……”

“But even with the investigative power of the police, the whereabouts are not known. A high official who was injured by the clumsiness of the "front”, asked for “help” to look for him. The announcement arrived and I took the job.“

He wondered if he could beat this guy.

It will be difficult. The reason is different from the previous two players. As far as Sukuna knows, Kuroko is the strongest player. He might succeed even if he tries to escape.

But that option was not in Sukuna.

He won’t run away.

From the time he left home to the present, he has used every means to lose himself. He has been removing precious metals through the “Jungle”, blinding his whereabouts and keeping an eye on hunters.

Still, if he was found, he decided to go crazy as much as he could.

It’s not good to lose, but he doesn’t want to run away either.

His heart beats faster. Neither fear nor tension, so uplifting, similar to despair.

"So?”

Black emotions mix with the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body.

“Is he likely to get caught?”

That feeling is Sukuna’s driving force. Anger, hatred towards adults and others who tried to push him into the fake world became the way to survive in “Jungle”.

“It is easy.”

Kuroko replies, turning his vacant gaze to Sukuna.

Sukuna laughed provokingly.

“Try it.”

He won’t be able to fight and win, but he can fight to the death. It is better to die than to return there.

Sukuna thought so, he operated the PDA with one hand, to activate “Thunder Blade”.

“Kwaah!”

Sukuna was taken aback and stopped at the sudden sound of a bird.

He moves only his eyes to locate the sound.

A parrot stopped at the traffic light shining on Kuroko. As they stop, the parrot looks at them with his head tilted to invite them to wonder why they are not fighting.

“Green King.”

Kuroko didn’t even look at the parrot, but muttered. In his hand, before he knew it, two pictures appeared.

“I hope you have nothing to do. This business has nothing to do with you.”

The bird shook its head several times and spoke in human language.

“Affirmative, "Kuroko”. I have nothing to do with the tranquility of the players.“

The voice of a young man. Flat and inorganic. That’s why it makes you feel like something bottomless.

Who is the "Green King”?

This was the first time they referred to a true rumored existence in “Jungle”. The parrot with skill is not the “Green King”, he is just an intermediary. In a sense, he is a police officer.

The “Green King” never shows up, but he knows all about “Jungle”.

Kuroko still opens his mouth without looking back.

“So what is it for?”

“Now, a new "subjugation mission” has been launched. I came to inform you of that.“

"……”

Kuroko’s mask is flashing. He is sure that he is reviewing the details of the mission that the “Green King” said. Sukuna looks for an opportunity to launch an attack, but both sides are on alert. There is no chance to take advantage of it.

However, Kuroko raised his stance.

“Understood. It’s probably a more efficient business.”

“Thanks for your understanding.”

Sukuna looked up. It was the most irritating thing to be out of it.

“What are you talking about? Let’s start!”

“Get out.”

“Huh?”

“Capture canceled. You’re safe.”

“Oh!”

He has reached the limit of his patience. Sukuna activates “Thunder Blade”. From the tip of the long staff, an energy blade glowing green appeared.

“If you quit, I can’t do that!”

Screaming, Sukuna kicked the ground. A curved blade like a sickle rips through the air and approaches Kuroko.

Kuroko avoided it with a single move. He deftly dodges as Sukuna continues to chase after him, jumping high and connecting further. He somersaulted, landed, then retreated after repeated backlashes and landed on the fence.

Kuroko with his helmet looked down, with his arms crossed he dimmed like a statue.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have time to deal with a child’s tantrum. You better use the points I gave you to hire a babysitter.”

After saying that, Kuroko suddenly collapsed to the ground and was sucked into the ground leaving green ripples.

Skill “Modification”. It “modifies” the material he touches, allowing it to permeate for a moment. The ability to modify is the reason why Kuroko is said to be the strongest U-Rank.

“Damn!”

Sukuna was angry and hit the ground with “Thunder Blade”. The asphalt was scraped with the sound of electromagnetic waves.

Then Sukuna looked at the parrot.

“You bothered me more.”

The bird bows its head two or three times.

“I don’t think it was a hindrance now. Rather, considering the difference in strength between you and Kuroko, I think it helped.”

“What?!”

“Why are you mad, Five? I wonder. If you’re smart, you know that.”

Sukuna bit his lip and just looked at the parrot.

What this guy is saying is correct. Even if he had fought Kuroko like he was, he would have been defeated and taken to that prison-like house.

Given that, he knows the parrot voice helped, but he still doesn’t like it.

“Who asked for that? I’m mad, you…”

“Did you want a battle with defeat?”

“You look down from a high place with a kingly feeling, and I don’t like the way you look at everything.”

The bird flapped its wings. It turned its yellow neck towards the night sky and made a high-pitched noise.

“Omae! Namiki! Namiki!”

He then quickly comes back and makes a clever voice.

“Kotosaka, please shut up. Excuse me. My friends don’t do much to suppress their feelings.”

He felt the word “friend” aching in his heart.

Sukuna tries to hit him to kill him.

“Hmm. Birds are friends?”

“Affirmative. Kotosaka is my friend, my eyes, and the only freedom.”

The “Green King” says nothing, and the bird shakes its head again.

“I’m obliged because Kotosaka wants that. Because of that position, I can’t help but look at you. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Eh?”

“The reason why I’m talking about this is because I actually get more information than you. After all, there is no other intention.”

Sukuna purses his lips and thinks, is this an excuse that “I’m not going to be cool”?

No, he thought again. It’s not like an “excuse”, this is an “explanation”. “I’m not going to look great” and “explain” that it’s true.

Sukuna opened his mouth.

“You’re stupid?”

The bird tilts its head and responds.

“I don’t know. It’s the first time I’ve been told that.”

“……”

Sukuna was silent for a while and then withdrew the “Thunder Blade”.

It is because he feels that he is playing. The “Green King” had the image of manipulating everything from behind and laughing, but it seems that was a mistake. It’s more of a freak than a black curtain.

With a long staff on his shoulder, Sukuna shone again.

“Go home.”

He heard a buzz from behind. Shortly after looking back, the “Green King” echoes a calm voice to Sukuna, who looks towards the post in the path where the parrot descends.

“Gojo Sukuna. I’m interested in you.”

“What?”

“I want to know the answer to why you wanted a fight you could lose. For a while, I’ll watch you.”

“Stop. Why do you say…?”

He decided to say that, and when he started to open his mouth, he changed his mind. Whatever it says, it does exactly that. Escaping from the observation or surveillance of the “Green King” would be a great effort, if not impossible. Speaking of frustration, that’s true, but he didn’t feel like escaping with such effort.

So Sukuna said instead of that.

“What’s your name?”

The parrot bows its head. Looking at him, Sukuna snorted.

“Unilaterally, I don’t like the fact that everything is known. At least tell me your name, "Green King”. You can use the identifier name, if you don’t even like it.“

Sukuna smiles as he hits the ground with a rock.

"Can I eat the parrot?”

“Kowah?!”

The parrot reacted and left reflexively. Still, he doesn’t fly away from him, and as he flies, the “Green King’s” calm voice echoes.

“I understand. I want to ensure Kotosaka’s safety. I’ll tell you.”

Sukuna smiles. This is because he feels that he has defeated the “Green King”.

However, the smile soon disappeared.

“My name is "H.N”. Please remember it.“

"……”

 "H.N.“

The name was familiar to him.

He is the issuer of the emergency mission that he carried out with Hikotarou.

At the time, he did not know how the information they collected would be used.

No, he expected it, but he didn’t have the "preparation” to make it happen.

For Sukuna, “Jungle” was a fascinating game and he didn’t think it was life-threatening.

It was that day that he realized that.

Three months ago, on the day Sukuna left home, a large group of thieves appeared in Kamigami.

They raided the homes of many high-ranking government officials and stole sensitive information from them. The great incident that captures the roots of Japan, however, has not yet issued a single arrest.

It was a well-known fact to gamers that it was led by “Jungle”.

It is said that they fled by driving through the back streets and lagoons of Kamigami as if they knew in advance.

When Sukuna found out about the incident, he felt a cold feeling deep in his heart. After all, they were the ones who investigated the area.

“That’s how it is.”

Sukuna muttered in a weak voice.

Whether or not he saw that in his heart, H.N. continued to fly around him.

“So, thanks from now on, Five.”

Sukuna did not reply. He quickly started walking towards the city that was in the dead of night.

++++++++++

Earth Day~♡

K - ONE YEAR LATER

CHAPTER 2: THE ABSENCE OF THE KING (BY TATSUO MIYAZAWA)

* List of Chapters

Translation: Naru-kun
Raws: Ridia

A year has passed since then.

Reisi Munakata disappeared from “Scepter 4” and almost two months have passed.

For the members, except for a few executives, it was a completely overwhelming event, like a mist in the blue sky.

One morning, in front of the members who were summoned, Munakata said in the same simple tone as always.

“I’ll be out of here for a while. After that, Awashima-kun will take over as acting director. Fushimi-kun will be deputy general manager. I hope you continue to serve in their roles.”

The content was so sudden that the place fell silent.

Awashima and Fushimi standing to Munakata’s left and right had worried faces and sulky expressions. Finally, Akira Hidaka, a person with common sense, raised his hand and asked.

“Does that mean you’re taking a vacation?”

At that question, Munakata just smiled.

“Yes. In a sense, that is correct.”

The members looked at each other.

Although the director is strong as steel, he has consumed some paid vacations for reasons such as his niece’s birthday party and the university synchronization party.

What was the point of declaring a break now?

“So how long will you rest, Captain?”

This time, Daiki Fuse asked with a relatively calm demeanor. Munakata kept his mouth open.

“That’s right. At least a month or more. Half a year or maybe a year.”

Shock ran through all the members. There was a crack.

Munakata stood silently.

“Reason!”

It was Andy Domyoji who made a strong voice. He raises his hand to the front.

“What’s the reason?! It doesn’t matter how long it is!”

Everyone thought it was a break of about 10 days, from a week to a long time. Currently, “Scepter 4” is in charge of their duties by appointing a few former Strain to increase their strength.

Although the Slate has disappeared, their responsibilities have not diminished at all. Under such circumstances, it could no longer be an ordinary situation for the head of the organization to be absent for such a long period of time.

Munakata replied in a low voice.

“Framework.”

“Eh?”

Munakata responded to Domyoji.

“I’m thinking of removing the frame.”

Domyoji opened his mouth and everyone else looked confused.

They just didn’t understand the meaning.

What was the Captain saying?

Wrapped in such a sign, Awashima’s embarrassed expression and Fushimi’s grumpy face grew stronger and stronger.

At that point, Himori Akiyama and Yujiro Benzai looked at each other slightly. Like Awashima and Fushimi, the two of them had been talking to Munakata about this matter for quite some time.

Akiyama confirmed on behalf of the two.

“Captain.”

“What’s going on?”

“You can come back one day, right?”

“……”

There was a gap for a moment. Eventually…

“That’s how it is.”

Munakata closed his eyes and answered.

“I want to do that.”

Everyone in attendance felt that there was no clear conviction in Munakata’s words, and the place calmed down as if he had touched water.

That was what happened two months ago.

Then one day, Munakata disappeared. They didn’t know where he went or what he was doing.

However, due to careful transfer of work and division of labor by business class, the “Scepter 4” role continued to operate without being significantly affected.

Fushimi, on the other hand…

“Is it a journey to find yourself?”

Although he was ironic with his boss, he took the initiative to make up for Munakata’s absence.

However, the agitation at work was minimal, but the feeling of each member was not.

Some felt uncomfortable and others were angry.

Awashima was trying to answer questions from various members, such as:

“Why did the Captain disappear?” or, “What the hell is he doing now?”

Of course, Awashima was properly convinced and supported Munakata. She believed that he understood Munakata’s intent and purpose.

However, she did not know how to convey it to others.

In short, Munakata’s reason for leaving was no doubt “a journey to find himself”, as Fushimi mentioned.

However, the fate and future of this country may depend on the “journey to find oneself”. Fushimi knew this too, so he followed Munakata’s decision, even though he complained.

Awashima, on the other hand…

“The director has a deep thought. We will continue to protect the cause as "Scepter 4” so that he can return at any time.“

That’s what she said to inspire everyone and fulfilled her duties as interim director.

Actually, there was a mountain of things to do. Though the Slate’s influence has waned, Strain’s crimes have not gone away.

Negotiations with the public authority and supervision of the members. She went places she hadn’t been before. She realized the greatness of the man named Reisi Munakata once again. Still, there were talented men like Fushimi, Akiyama, and Benzai as Awashima’s assistants.

It was not painful to do the hard work every day due to the skill of the staff.

Just one point.

It was a small event, but there was an event that made Awashima very upset.

Namely…

She gained weight.

++++++++++

There was no doubt that Awashima got on a scale every morning to manage her physical condition. There were fluctuations in the numbers that had not changed in the last three years.

The rate of increase was a few percent, but it was a terrible situation.

At first she thought it was temporary, but there was no sign of the increased numbers slowing down at all.

What was the reason?

Was it due to changes in functions or increased stress?

It was not unthinkable, but Awashima herself immediately denied that possibility. She said it herself, but it wasn’t that smooth. There was nothing wrong with that amount of work.

Awashima thought about the athletic club, so she decided to tighten her body right away.

She went to the "Scepter 4” dojo, she took a bamboo sword and sweated with the members during training. Since she meant it, Zenjo was there as a teacher.

“That’s a good lunge. You’ve put your weight back on your foot.”

She was praised, but…

(What’s wrong with this person? Rubbing? Or rather, did I get fat enough to understand Zenjo-san?)

In Awashima’s mind, such an idea seemed paranoid. She did the best she could for about two weeks, but the results were not very good. She had gained a bit of weight.

At that stage, Awashima was beginning to feel a bit impatient.

She reviewed her life in various ways. She especially examines her eating habits.

Awashima has been a frequent drive-thru since she was a student. She adhered to her parents’ teaching that diet is important for physical and mental health, and she tried to get a good balance of nutrients like protein, fat, vitamins, and carbohydrates.

One night, Awashima remembered her day. First, she got up at 6 o'clock. After light exercise, she ate brown rice, vegetable soup, pickled bran with bacon, and egg in the dining room attached to “Scepter 4’s” bedroom.

After that, she went to work and bought Cobb salad and tomato juice at a convenience store around 1:00 p.m.

She returned to the bedroom at 7:00 p.m. and ate corn and brown rice stew. A small amount of meaty potatoes and Chinese-style noodles. She roughly calculated the calories in her head, but she didn’t think there was a fat factor.

Awashima took a shower, put on a bathrobe, and returned to the living room with a towel around her head, then pondered various things.

She didn’t feel like there was a catch somewhere.

“Hmm.”

It was the only time in a day that she could feel relieved.

She got a good bean paste, so she enjoys freezing it a bit to make anko ice cream with a crunchy texture.

Awashima thought as she poked the huge bean paste ice cream into the bowl with a spoon.

Where is the calorie well?

Although she was restraining herself every day.

And at that moment, Awashima’s brain finally reached the answer. Her face was tight.

“Maybe…”

She brings a spoon full of red bean paste in front of her and looks at it.

“Is this the cause?”

It was a cruel truth.

Anko has calories.

That’s pretty good too.

Awashima completely forgot about the fact that even elementary school students can understand it.

For Awashima, red bean paste was air and water. It was a necessary item to be ingested as a matter of course, and she was unaware that it contained such impurities as calories.

When she was still little, she ate an anko rice cake made at her parents’ Japanese sweet shop and opened her eyes to the delight. Since then, she had been flattening a large amount of red bean paste. The Anko was always with her when something was difficult and when she was happy. The Anko was a friend, a healing and a life.

Namely…

That had calories!

What an unreasonable act!

Awashima suffered for almost a day, and her feelings for a diet exceeded her desire for red bean paste, and she decided to give up red bean paste for a while.

The daughter of a long-established Japanese sweet shop, she boiled red bean paste and brought it to school with her lunch when she was a student. Currently, she continues to consume more than 100 kg of red bean paste each year. One day, her mother said with a sigh.

“In your body, surely bean paste flows instead of blood.”

Awashima, an elite of that genuine bean paste, rejected the bean paste, so the reaction was intense.

Her head and shoulders weighed more than they were, she didn’t feel well, and the whole world looked confused.

Fortunately, the situation still hadn’t hampered her work, but she was afraid of making some serious mistakes.

Anko?

Was it because of her weight?

One night, when Awashima, who was suffering from withdrawal, finished her work, she headed to the HOMRA Bar. When she noticed, she rang the doorbell and entered the store, but she was probably subconsciously trying to quench her thirst for red bean paste with alcohol.

“Oh, Seri-chan. It’s been a long time.”

Kusanagi, who was cleaning a glass on the counter, recognized Awashima and smiled.

Recently, they hadn’t seen each other much because she had been busy with work, but sometimes as a place to gather information, sometimes completely private, Awashima visited this bar regularly.

After the final battle with the Green clan, the Red clan and the Blue clan did not have any particular conflict on the front or the back.

There’s also a part where the clan members were able to talk to each other due to the experience of establishing a joint front, and probably the important thing is that Reisi Munakata and Anna Kushina aren’t in a relationship where they bump into each other in the first place.

Both sides now have a sense of polite distance that draws a line. Between them, Kusanagi and Awashima continued in contact in a slightly special standing position.

Kusanagi is serious and sometimes asks Awashima out on a date with a tone that she doesn’t know if it’s serious or joking. Awashima also handled it well, and in some cases offered serious consultation.

They were the number two of each clan, they were the owner and guest of the bar, and they still had a relationship that they couldn’t express themselves.

So, Awashima knew immediately.

“Kusanagi-kun. Are you a bit tired?”

She asked as she sat down on the stool in front of the counter.

“Yes.”

Kusanagi smiled bitterly.

“Do you have a perspective, Seri-chan?”

“What happened?”

Awashima asked carefully. Kusanagi hesitated for a moment. So he looked a bit shy.

“No, it’s not a big deal. I’m trying to quit smoking.”

Awashima was slightly surprised.

It was a strange situation.

It didn’t seem possible that Kusanagi wanted to leave something like “his favorite thing”.

“It’s funny. A good-aged adult acting like this… You may think it’s just a cigarette, but after you quit, you get a weird feeling.”

“No.”

Awashima responded with a voice that killed her emotions.

“Yes, I understand.”

Actually, she wanted to tell Kusanagi everything. That she was having bean paste withdrawal for a reason. However, that mysterious relationship with Kusanagi prevented her from saying so. Awashima clenched her fist tightly.

Kusanagi felt strange for a moment seeing Awashima’s situation, but immediately asked cheerfully.

“Then what are you going to want? Somehow, Seri-chan, I felt that you would come today, so I bought anko right now.”

Awashima bit her lips hard.

What a cruel temptation!

She really wanted to scream.

“Anything! Anything with red bean paste!”

However, Awashima, a strong-willed adult woman, replied:

“I’m not feeling like that today, so can I have a regular martini?”

Was it just a little?

It was completely self-controlled, except the ending wobbled just a bit.

Kusanagi had round eyes.

“Yes.”

What’s the matter? Is it bad for your body?

He believed that she wanted to hear that. However, Kusanagi immediately swallowed the word.

“I understand.”

He smiled kindly.

Maybe he guessed the reason why Awashima didn’t order red bean paste momentarily.

And not at all, pretending not to know or notice, he silently began to make the cocktail.

Kusanagi’s side was a bit hateful and a relief.

Before long, Awashima drank the translucent liquid in the cocktail glass placed in front of her in almost a breath.

After all, that day, there were no customers at the bar, and Awashima spent time with Kusanagi one on one. It was a gloomy and strange space where the master and the client had few words and alternately sighed.

It was the moment when Awashima paid the bill and tried to leave the store at the right time.

Anna Kushina, the “Red King”, walked up to Awashima and looked into her face.

“Ah, "Red King”.“

Awashima nodded, but Anna was looking at Awashima with a frown that she was worried about.

By the way, she was behaving strangely earlier. The footsteps gently descended from the second floor, but as soon as she saw Awashima, she turned around, turned right, and went back.

She was wondering if she avoided her because of the heavy atmosphere with Kusanagi.

"What’s going on?”

Awashima got suspicious and asked:

“Seri.”

Anna said in a slightly scared voice.

“Did you go to a strange place recently?”

“Eh?”

Anna said like a tongue twister.

“You’d better go to the shrine. As soon as possible.”

She could leave it as it was. No, she was running away.

Awashima opened her mouth and stiffened her back.

Kusanagi, who couldn’t hear the exchange between the two, was sighing again at the counter.

Awashima knows that Anna Kushina has a special power.

What did that mean?

If she were to take the words at face value, Awashima would now be in a state where purification is necessary, meaning “something is possessed”.

Could it be true?

Anna shook her head with a frightening face, no, to be exact, she was looking at the back of her face.

Actually, she didn’t even remember.

In the last two months she visited an abandoned house where about three people died and a forest famous as a psychic place, depending on the circumstances of her performance.

It is true that after she went there, they took her away in the middle of the night.

She felt a strange signal when she was taking a shower.

Above all, her weight began to increase.

Fear in various ways began to dominate Awashima’s head. But where should she go, what would the purification look like?

It was when she was thinking about it in the “Scepter 4” break room with so much trouble.

“Oh, Lieutenant, can we come in?”

A member called out with a loud voice. Looking at them, Goto and Hidaka stood up.

“What happened?”

There was still time on her original shift. Was it also a query?

“What happened?”

The worrying thing was that Goto was holding something like a strange machine.

The basic shape was a cylinder, but many colorful wire-like lines were twisted on the metallic surface. Should she call it a cutting edge object?

Also, a meter-like thing was embedded in the center, and it rotated all the time.

“What’s that?”

Awashima frowned and asked.

“Oh.”

Hidaka made a voice that seemed to be in trouble. Goto answered categorically.

“It’s a ghost detector.”

“Eh?”

Awashima made a harsh voice. Hidaka inserted the explanation as if he was in a hurry.

“No, sorry. Actually, Gotti… I was in Goto’s room with two people, but all of a sudden this started working without permission.”

Goto explained at his own pace.

“This is a device that detects and tracks spirits. I bought it at an antique shop in Shizume.”

“So, if you follow the direction this machine is pointing…”

Hidaka looked at them with a complicated line of sight. Awashima was convinced.

“I was there.”

The two replied with the same voice, “Yes.” Awashima thought. She knew well that Goto was collecting mystery show goods and hidden goods.

It was suspicious no matter how she looked at it, and it smelled like dust.

Nevertheless…

(Maybe it really has some power?)

She casually touched the protruding wire-like tip.

At that moment…

A shock that made static electricity hundreds of times stronger with a ridiculous noise that could not be described as bachin, tomo, or zuban pierced through Awashima’s body.

“Lieutenant?!”

“Now I’m acting as director!”

Hidaka and Goto hurriedly approached Awashima. At the end of the reflection on the retina, Awashima’s consciousness cut off.

Since the conclusion, Awashima had been crushed for about 10 seconds. Awashima got up after checking on Hidaka and Goto, who were worried and apologized.

From that moment on, she felt as refreshed and lightened as she had never felt before.

After that, she asked her GP to see her just in case, but there was no problem.

Awashima had a premonition.

After work, she came home and got on the scale. And the feeling of relief, joy and omnipotence when she reviewed the result was indescribable.

Her weight was completely restored.

Awashima dropped to the ground, hopped on her toes, and did a pirouette. She then went straight to the fridge, took out the red bean paste that had been sitting in for a long time and enjoyed it to the fullest.

It was so delicious that tears came to her eyes.

Honestly, she wasn’t sure what happened. Awashima was obsessed with something, and she weighed more by that. And, as a result, she was exorcised by touching Goto’s spirit detector.

She could imagine that, but the facts were not very important to Awashima.

The important thing is that her body had been restored to eat red bean paste again.

By the way, it seems that the ghost detector on Goto was destroyed by that impact.

Awashima generously offered compensation, and instead she made Goto afraid.

And one night when she was visiting the HOMRA bar, as soon as she sat down at the counter,

“Kusanagi-kun. A Martini with Anko. Anko. Twice as usual!”

She declares that. Kusanagi was still trying to quit smoking, with a face that didn’t have much courage.

“Haha, Seri-chan. I think you’re fine today.”

Hearing that, Awashima clearly laughed.

“Yes. I am very happy to eat what I love to my heart’s content.”

Kusanagi smiled a bitter smile and closed his eyes.

It will continue in Chapter 3, “Kusanagi’s Smoking Cessation and the Days of Homura”.

GROUND ZERO: FRAGMENTS

CHAPTER 2: STARTING WITH A DREAM, AND…

*List of Chapters

Translation: Naru-kun
Raws: Ridia

The largest “King” and “Gold King” on the ground, Daikaku Kokujoji, stood beside a wide-open window.

Near afternoon, the summer sun is already golden and slanting, but the setting sun in the aerial garden is late.

“A dream?”

When he muttered that, about 30 minutes had passed since the hearing began.

Nanakamado, on the rooftop of the Mihashira Tower, is Kokujoji’s private residence. A private space, normally accessible only to a very limited number of people who care about their surroundings, now welcomes guests.

There were two customers. He didn’t have an appointment, but when he visited the Mihashira Tower, he was greeted by the messenger from “Tokijikuin” before greeting and going to the rooftop.

Of course, it is usually unthinkable. Everything in the politics and economy of a country revolves according to its intentions: the ruthless giant Kokujoji Daikaku, of whom it is said that “if he stumbles, the country will collapse”, it is not common sense to meet unexpected visitors or spend minutes.

In other words, the client was an unconventional person.

“Colorless King” Ichigen Miwa. He sat quietly and watched Kokujoji’s back as if he were enjoying the atmosphere of a giant rock in a garden.

And another boy in casual clothes that he brought with him. His slim and well-organized appearance appears to be that of a girl, but his agilely trained body and central posture make it clear that he is not just a student.

His name is Yukari Mishakuji. Kokujoji also knows that he became a member of the “Colorless King” clan a few months ago.

When the helpers who had guided the two were evacuated, Kokujoji ordered Miwa to speak directly.

“Say the matter, Miwa.”

A direct tone that admits neither opportunism nor dignity. In a word, he easily dismisses the pressure with which a normal person could faint on their own.

“"I’m not in a good mood, Your Excellency. I had a bad dream this morning, so I’m a little worried.”

“A dream…?”

Kokujoji fell silent.

The vision of the future is a unique ability of Miwa. It may fall into his mind in the form of a mysterious poem, or it may arise in the form of a non-verbal vision. Such visions often come during special wakefulness before and after sleep. In other words, a dream. It is a dream of precognition.

“Ichigen Miwa visited the "Golden King” with an unwanted vision of precognition.“

In response to this fact, the tyrannical monarch, Kokujoji Daikaku, who made a quick decision, turned to the recipient. Things were serious and there was very little information.

In the background, there was a situation of immediate readiness.

The existence of a man who is losing control with enormous power.

Kokujoji waited for the next word, but since Miwa didn’t say anything, Kokujoji asked about the situation.

In that way, thirty minutes passed.

++++++++++

The Silent Thirty Minutes of Kokujoji Daikaku.

It was a time when the taiga water was blocked by the dam and the volume increased moment by moment. Kokujoji’s vassals, who were below, probably felt chills.

Not to mention the inside. Yukari Mishakuji tried to pretend to be calm, but the overwhelming "water pressure” seemed to crush his entire body. Miwa Ichigen said, “You just have to sit quietly.”, but that was just a life-threatening event.

It was Kokujoji who broke the silence.

“A dream?”

“Yes.”

In a word, Kokujoji’s wrinkled face looked slightly skyward.

“I’ve already encountered that.”

This is a confirmation, not a question.

The giant airship “Himmelreich” constantly orbiting over Tokyo. Adolf K. Weissman, the lonely inhabitant of the celestial world, who lives on the airship and has not set foot on land for more than half a century.

Miwa Ichigen, who had the vision of the ruin in a dream this morning, first visited the Himmelreich before the Mihashira Tower. Just a few hours ago.

This was to gain Weissman’s knowledge of the unprecedented “giant extraordinary disaster”.

The power of royalty, far beyond the limits of the different abilities of an individual. The possibility of the force losing control and going out of control was predicted from the beginning of “V” physics research, which began in Germany during World War II, with the danger that the trigger was left to the will of the individual.

In terms of simple calories, the energy release far exceeds strategic nuclear weapons, the explosion of royalty (Damocles down).

After the war, Kokujoji, who took control of the national affairs of his native country, turned the metropolitan area centered on the Mihashira Tower into an experimental site where the “Seven Kings” were concentrated, that was to study and control the state of that power.

The “kings” with seven attributes and seven destinies pursue life, society and power, and die. In the end, he was able to catch some truth… it was supposed to be like this.

However, there was a blind spot in the Kokujoji concept, no, a gross miscalculation.

The “Red King” Kagutsu Genji.

The man had a will for violence that could be said to be out of the standard, he was extremely radical compared to the “Red King” that existed in the past.

He had no stop. He ran full speed for the shortest distance that led to a fugitive and sought more destruction.

The means to stop the self-seeking “King” are very limited.

Normally, only another “King” can control the “King”, but trying to stop the runaway “King” makes it easy for the stopping “King” to escape. In other words, it is the blowout of a chain of blowups that goes far beyond a simple royal outburst and brings about global ruin.

The suburbs of Tokyo, where the “Seven Kings” are concentrated at close range, have been turned into huge bombs with the “Red King” as the detonator.

Adolf K. Weissman, the proponent of “Theory V”, was very concerned about the possibility of ruin. However, if he stepped in as the First King and one of the Great Kings, that power could immediately trigger an outburst from Kagutsu. He was afraid of interfering with the ground.

A few hours ago, Weissman told Miwa.

“I’m willing to provide information, but I can’t help directly. I’m just a helpless observer. If I try to do things, I’ll be the source of chaos.”

And now, Kokujoji, who heard the summary of the press conference, silently nodded.

His position was similar. If the “Earth’s Greatest King”, together with Weissman, came into contact with the fugitive “Red King”, it would cause an outburst of both, and even super-physical mutual interference involving all the other kings.

“Silver” and “Gold”, the two giants are tied to their respective positions due to their enormous size.

The acknowledgment was in line with Miwa Ichigen’s understanding. In a word, he doesn’t have a means of observation like Weissman or an information network like Kokujoji, but he has come to the same point of view just by his five senses and inspiration. He was another “King” with the same sense of crisis at this stage, and the only “King” with freedom of action.

“Tell me what you need.”

Once again, Kokujoji spoke. It was a tone that neatly stopped the flow of the conversation.

The exchanges thus far may have been a necessary process for Kokujoji to gather his thoughts and intentions, including the time of silence.

A man who was blown away by the wind and casually visited him was blocking the river so the giant could breathe.

The man, “Colorless King”, Miwa Ichigen, touched the tatami.

“Can you let me take a walk around your knees?”

“Permitted.”

Kokujoji responded immediately.

“If necessary, we will talk amongst ourselves.”

“I think I’ll ask you when necessary.”

“Well, do you need an escort?”

“Clansman, Yukari Mishakuji. That is enough.”

“That’s it.”

Kokujoji looked at Yukari’s figure. Yukari held his breath and just endured the “pressure”.

The steep line of sight turned out the window again.

“Go, "Colorless King”. Look down into the eyes of the heavenly whale, the power of the pillars, walk all the way to your heart’s content, and find a way to avoid ruin.“

"Yes.”

“…Miwa.”

As he looked at the garden, Kokujoji spoke. It was a huge back like a rock. Immovable, solid as a rock, but therefore…

“It takes time and effort.”

Heavenly giant whale, earthly giant tree. The two giant Kings in heaven and earth are motionless due to the size of their existence. The reason is that the giant tree that supports a country entrusts things to the fluff that rides on the wind.

“Come on.”

Miwa stood up as he urged Yukari on.

“Fortunately, I have nothing to carry on my back. The lightness of my waist is the key.”

++++++++++

The hearing ended in less than an hour.

After leaving the tower, the city on the ground had already fallen into darkness. Looking up, the setting sun was shining on the upper floors of some skyscrapers. Depending on the height of the viewpoint, the view that is seen will change.

But other than that,

“I wonder if you are responsible for my identity.”

Kokujoji’s parting word mentioned above. There was a complaint from an unexpected place.

“Yes? Oh, of course I feel responsible, Yukari.”

Miwa answered easily.

“But I haven’t brought him into your life, because you have your own path.”

Yukari still had a dissatisfied face. He didn’t seem convinced. He didn’t mind following Miwa.

“I’ve been a bit away due to my fitness and changes in my position, but I’m chasing ‘a stick, cut and stretched’. It’s okay to have a life like that. You can have a life like that. I’m sure it will be fun.”

He imagines a “path” that he couldn’t choose, Miwa’s tone seemed to be very funny. But,

“Hah.”

He couldn’t keep up with Miwa. Far from being fun, if life will continue like this in the future…

A world that can be said to be the secret behind the world, woven by kings and talented people. The sensitivity of Yukari, who has just set foot there, is still close to that of ordinary people.

If he organizes the situation in his mind to deal with an unusual situation…

The fugitive “Red King” and other “Kings” trying to stop him.

The Lord who plays a role in the “Seven Kings”, the “Colorless King” Miwa Ichigen visited the “Silver King” and the “Golden King” to understand the situation and guidelines for action.

In order to maintain the balance of power between the kings as mediators and avoid ruin, it is necessary to visit the remaining four “kings”.

In what order should he visit each one, and how should he work? It’s a dangerous puzzle that can even ruin the world if he made a mistake in one step.

First of all, the next move, except for the “Green King”, which is completely hidden, the choice is one of the remaining three “King”.

Namely,

“Red King” Kagutsu Genji.

“Blue King” Habari Jin.

“Grey King” Otori Seigo.

Of these, “Red King” Kagutsu and “Blue King” Habari are based in central Tokyo, which is Kokujoji’s knee, and engage in small-scale battles on a daily basis. The assault of the red clan “Purgatory” is being addressed by the security organization of the Blue clan “Scepter 4”.

The remaining “Grey King” phoenix has a huge autonomous territory “Cathedral” in the southern part of Kanagawa Prefecture, and maintains a calm demeanor.

Regardless of the power he came into contact with, “Red”, “Blue”, or “Grey”, there was a risk that the dangerous balance would be thrown off balance and the “Red King” would go out of control.

In particular, Yukari Mishakuji killed a member of the “Purgatory” clan in the “Yodomiya Incident” six months ago. Members’ lives are light for “Purgatory”, but it’s not hard to imagine expecting retaliation from Yukari due to the organization’s physical condition.

Also, before “Blue King” Habari who visited the place after the incident, he refused to join “Scepter 4” after being recommended.

“I tried to kill him…”

When talking about it for the first time, Miwa said in a cheerful tone.

“You only thought about it for a moment.”

Yukari denied it. It was surprising to think that he was a dangerous person, and even more so that amused to him.

“At that time, it was an instant. But did you think about it every time you remembered? "How could he be cut, can I cut him today?”.“

"Perhaps it is so.”

“Of course, Habari Jin is not a person who has such a root, but it can’t be helped if he is judged as a dangerous person. If you leave him alone, you don’t know which "King” to cut down next.“

"That is…”

“Haha… Just kidding, Yukari. Ordinary humans can’t kill the "King” in front of them, even if they have extraordinary powers. Even if you can think about it, you’re…“

At that moment…

The sudden sound of a bell interrupted Yukari’s memory. It was a telephone ringtone.

Miwa took out a clamshell mobile phone from his chest. The screen did not announce the sender.

"Hello?”

“Hello, "Colorless King” Miwa Ichigen.“

An electronically discordant voice. The owner of the phone was using a voice changer.

"You got your approval and secured the position of mediator.”

“Who are you?”

The owner of the phone kept talking without answering Miwa’s question.

“Your partner is Yukari Mishakuji from "Niibangai, in Yodomiya”.“

At that moment, with a single look from Miwa, Yukari noticed that he was talking about him, and his slender body tensed.

"Even if it’s a chicken, "Regicide”. You can take it anywhere in the name of mediation.“

"It’s out of my mind for him to be called that.”

“I’m not blaming you. I’m impressed that it’s an interesting move. Miwa Ichigen, you’re a good move.”

“Thank you. I will accept it obediently.”

Miwa replied.

“If you are going to praise me, can you tell me something instead of a reward?”

“Fine, but there may be a penalty for a boring question.”

Ignoring the words that could be taken as a threat, Miwa asked.

“What is your motive, "Green King”?“

The owner of the phone did not deny the sudden name, and…

”……“

After a few seconds of silence, a word was murmured.

”…Dream.“

"Dream?”

“Yes, it’s a dream. Is there something else that moves people?”

Mockery, ridicule, or a bit of urgency. Suddenly, the phone was hung up faster than Miwa could measure the true meaning of the word.

“Ichigen-sama, that phone call was from…”

“The messenger of the "Green King”… no, perhaps himself.“

Miwa seemed hollow, as if he imagined the appearance of a mysterious person.

"He called me a "move”. In other words, he viewed this one-touch situation as Go or Shogi…and he designated us as a pair.“

"Does that mean an unidentified "King” has declared us hostile again…?“

"Hostile… How about that? In any case, it seems that he invited me to play.”

Suddenly, Miwa stopped.

The “words” had gone down.

Ichimoku,

He plays with me,

Play of war.

“Yes.”

Miwa smiled back as if he wanted to release Yukari’s tension.

“Let’s enjoy this situation too. Well, we should move on to the next one.”

Miwa started walking again, followed by Yukari.

The smell of summer nights was beginning to waft through the urban streets looking up at the high-rise buildings like giants.

If he made a mistake, this mega-city would turn into a smoky plain overnight.

Miwa Ichigen knew his responsibility, but he did not allow himself to be overwhelmed by the weight of it.

There was no impatience in his steps, even light ones somehow.

Mikoto: Palm Sunday and baked fish for lunch~♡

Reisi: You fell asleep at Holy Mass!

Mikoto: But at least I woke up for the blessing of the palms.^^

Coming soon!^^

Who guesses the reference?^^