"Louise, could you send us back home now?"
Itami Yōji glanced around at their surroundings, then gently asked Louise.
"Of course. That was what we agreed upon. But starting tomorrow, you don't need to come anymore. What follows will be dangerous, and I don't want you getting dragged into it."
Louise looked at the Ground Self-Defense Force members as she spoke.
It had been her idea to bring Itami Yōji and the others back to Japan.
In return, Itami and his men had promised to help her rescue her parents afterward.
In their eyes, the World Government was evil.
Naturally, they assumed that the families of Louise and the others, living under the World Government's rule, must have been suffering persecution and abuse.
But after discussing it with Saito, Louise felt there was no need to take Itami and the others along.
With their strength, they might not even be able to protect themselves.
"That won't do. You helped us get home—so we should help you too!"
Itami Yōji didn't see the problem. His face was firm as he answered Louise.
"Ugh…"
Louise glanced helplessly at Saito beside her.
He scratched the back of his head, at a loss. He couldn't just come out and say, You're too weak, you'll only drag us down, could he?
"You're too weak. You'll only drag us down."
Suddenly, the magician Safary spoke their thoughts aloud, her tone cold.
"What?!"
Itami Yōji and the others froze.
"Your weapons may be powerful, but in the end you are still just ordinary people. What we are about to face will be battles between the extraordinary."
Safary pointed out the truth with a touch of cruelty.
Itami and the others exchanged looks. Their expressions darkened, but they couldn't argue.
In fact, aside from Itami, the other four didn't really want to continue taking part in such dangerous missions.
All they wanted now was to be reunited with their families and live a quiet life.
So they said nothing more.
One by one, the five of them stepped through the Gate Louise opened for them and returned to their own homes.
As for Saito, he led the others back home, finally seeing his mother and Siesta again.
This time, his mother already knew about his past journey through the worlds, so she wasn't nearly as shocked as before.
Instead, together with Siesta, she told them about the situation in this world.
For instance, Japan now existed in name only.
Most of its cities had already been taken over by the World Government's armies.
...
At Alnus Hill.
After conveying the message from the main gods to the World Government, Rory Mercury, Mabel Forn, Sage Cato, Lelei, and the others made no further delay and departed immediately.
"Are they acting out of ignorance and fearlessness, or do the gods of this world truly possess a power that even the World Government cannot resist—giving them the courage to behave with such unbridled arrogance?"
Lieutenant Colonel Bradley shook his head helplessly as he looked at the compensation list in his hands.
It had been given to them by Sage Cato.
He demanded reparations from the World Government for the destruction inflicted upon Rondel by the shinobi, including compensation for the families of over a thousand dead.
"Commander, the Raikage of Umigakure has arrived!"
At that moment, a soldier hurriedly reported to Lieutenant Colonel Bradley.
[Swoosh!]
Before Bradley could say anything—
Aburame Shibi and three other chūnin beside him instantly vanished, leaving only afterimages.
...
"A!!!"
Inside the camp, in a small building that had been converted into a temporary hospital—on the second floor.
Old A, who had rushed all the way from the world of the titans, cried out the instant he saw his son lying unconscious on the bed.
"Th-this… this is…"
His pupils contracted sharply when he saw A's limbs, utterly gone.
Then he glared fiercely at the medical shinobi nearby.
"What happened here? Speak clearly to me!"
"Raikage, when Major General Budo and Jōnin A were brought to us, his limbs were already completely burned and necrotic."
"In order to save his life, we had no choice but to perform amputation surgery."
After speaking, the medical shinobi quickly added, "But please rest assured—with the World Government's current medical technology, there is definitely a way to restore Jōnin A's limbs!"
Though… who knows what conditions or what cost it may require, he thought silently to himself.
...
The Teigu World.
Imu had already lived in this world for two years.
—Within the Kingdom of Alchemy.
A vast sea of yellow sand stretched endlessly.
But now, many soldiers trudged across the scorching gravel, collecting ruby after ruby.
Before them lay heaps of gems, so many that none could say when the task would ever end.
Meanwhile, high above—
Isaac, the headmaster and a Stigmata Alchemist, overlooked the countless glittering red dots below.
Yet for all the beauty and grandeur of the scene, his eyes were filled only with pain and helplessness.
[Isaac, we have no need for so many people from the dissolved kingdoms—those without talent for alchemy or any value to contribute to the Kingdom of Alchemy—nor do we wish to grant them land, food, or water.]
[If that is the case, then use them to exchange with the World Government for more rare resources. This is my command as king!]
The harsh voice of Alchemy XLVII still echoed in his mind.
"Eh—"
At last, Headmaster Isaac could only let out a long sigh.
...
Somewhere above the Eastern Sea of the Empire, within a faintly green alternate space, the Ark of Noah floated silently in the air.
Inside its study, Imu sat calmly, watching the holographic projection before him.
Stussy stood quietly at his side, waiting.
The image displayed a scene that looked utterly inhumane.
In a vast desert, thousands of people with their hands and feet bound were gathered together.
Beneath their feet—
Silver-lit patterns flashed into existence, spreading swiftly across the golden earth.
They continued linking together, forming an immense circular transmutation array, its design exceptionally intricate.
High above floated Headmaster Isaac.
His face was expressionless, hands pressed together, as red lightning erupted from his body again and again, striking down upon the sands below.
Soon, as the last of the lines were joined, the transmutation array covering an expanse of 5 to 10 km of desert blazed forth.
In an instant, the entire expanse was swallowed by dazzling white light.
Moments later, when the radiance faded, not a single person remained within the desert.
Only a carpet of rubies sparkled under the scorching sun.
That very scene left Imu in long silence.
Never had he imagined that the Kingdom of Alchemy would actually transform all those citizens of the minor nations—forced to dissolve after the rebellion—into—
Yet Alchemy XLVII had taken the initiative to contact the World Government's branch, declaring his willingness to send over seventy percent of the "harvest."
In return, beyond several years' exemption from the Heavenly Tribute, he only sought a handful of yearly admission slots to the "Academy City" for members of the Alchemy royal family, along with a few vials of "Cell Enhancement Serum," and one decent Zoan-type Devil Fruit.
"Stussy, have the Five Elders warn the Kingdom of Alchemy: they must refrain from doing such things in the future. Above all, they are never to use the people of Starfish. Otherwise, it will be deemed a grave crime."
"Also, tell the Five Elders that from now on, the prisoners from all worlds under our control are to be transported in batches, at regular intervals, to the Kingdom of Alchemy."
Though the acts of the Kingdom of Alchemy were condemnable, for Imu the results were still tempting. Even if what was obtained were merely low-quality fragments of Philosopher's Stones, a Stigmata Alchemist could refine those fragments into a complete Philosopher's Stone.
"Yes, Lord Imu."
Stussy replied softly.
Having come from CIPHER POL, she had already seen the darkest of deeds.
That scene just now had only managed to leave her a little shaken.
At this moment, Imu received a file from Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro.
Opening it, he saw reports on recent events in the "Special Region."
It even contained footage Budo had recorded earlier.
As Imu watched, his gaze grew ever colder.
Stussy, standing nearby, covered her mouth in shock, silently thinking: Are these so-called gods completely insane?
"Pass down my command: have Shiki seize a few people from the 'Special Region' and bring them to the Titan World for execution. Then recall every shinobi currently operating in the 'Special Region,' and have them await orders at the Alnus Hill encampment!"
The chill and killing intent in Imu's words made Stussy feel as though the sharp tip of a blade were pressed against her very skin.
The suffocating sense of dread nearly stole her breath away.
She knew Imu was truly enraged this time.
"Yes, I shall carry out your command without fail!"
Stussy hastily gave her reply in the most formal tone, then hurried from the study, not daring to waste even a single second.
Within, Imu reclined back in his chair.
His cold eyes remained fixed upon the holographic projection of the goddess Flare.
"Let's see just how much power you gods truly possess. If it isn't enough, then the play of Ragnarök will have to begin."
No sooner had the words left his lips than a brilliant white light suddenly flared from the back of Imu's right hand!
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