The King of Ozoro contacted Yashimiro to entrust him with a mission.
"Am I to go to the Island of Forgetting to find a fragment of the Kinotro Crystal?"
"Exactly. Ranika explained that the Black Blood group is searching for those fragments to use the crystal's power for their vile plans. That's why we have to stop them before they obtain all the fragments."
"I understand. If my double is also hunting this crystal, there's a high chance he'll show up there. Alright, change of plans. We need to head to the Island of Forgetting. One of the Kinotro Crystal fragments is located there," Derivan announced.
"Reaching that island by boat will take us several days," Nohara stated.
"Then we must set off immediately."
"Can I go with you?" Eric offered.
"Why do you want to join us?"
Eric lowered his head for a moment. "I want to repay that bastard for what he did to my grandfather and the rest of the villagers."
"I understand. Then let's go we don't have time to waste. My double probably already knows about the island, so we have to reach it before he does."
"Right. But first, we need to get to the port."
Yashimiro agreed with Nohara, but suddenly Shonetsu sensed something.
"What's wrong, Derivan?"
"I felt something… but maybe I imagined it. Never mind, let's go."
The three of them set off on their journey.
After several hours, Yashimiro and the others reached the port, where they were greeted by a man dressed in an elegant black suit.
"Welcome. My name is Lucas, and I'm the owner of this port. I offer rentals of all the boats available here."
"That's perfect. We need one to reach the Island of Forgetting," Yashimiro said.
"The Island of Forgetting is a dangerous place. Storms often appear in those waters, creating enormous waves."
"Do you have a suitable boat for such an expedition?" Nohara asked.
"Hmm, let me think. I should be able to find something. Follow me."
Lucas led the three teenagers to a special boat. "I think this one will be perfect."
"Great, so shall we get on?" Yashimiro tried to board the boat, but Nohara stopped him by grabbing his shirt.
"Wait, idiot. What's the price for renting this boat?"
"I can lend it to you for free on one condition: you take me with you."
"You want to sail with us? You just said it's a dangerous area," Nohara pointed out.
"Yes, but I'd like to see that famous island with my own eyes. Besides, I doubt any of you know how to operate such an advanced boat. Am I right?"
The three teenagers exchanged glances before agreeing with Lucas.
"Alright."
"Great."
Yashimiro, Nohara, Eric, and Lucas boarded the boat and set sail for the Island of Forgetting.
After overhearing the conversation about the Kinotro Crystal, Blade immediately fled Ozoro and also tried to reach the Island of Forgetting. At one point, Kira blocked his path.
"And where do you think you're going?"
"That's none of your business. Now get out of my way," Blade replied as he walked past her.
Kira decided to follow him anyway, much to Blade's irritation.
"How long are you planning to follow me?"
"Until you answer my question."
"You're so annoying."
"And vice versa."
Blade just sighed. "Do whatever you want."
Soon, the two of them began approaching the port when Kira suddenly noticed something moving in the bushes.
"Hey, wait."
"What do you want?"
"Look, someone's here." She pointed toward the bushes. When she looked closer, she saw Lucas, seriously wounded.
"No point worrying about him. I need to get to that island as soon as possible."
"What happened here?" Kira asked.
"I was attacked by someone who took on my appearance."
That sentence caught Blade's attention. "Wait, you're saying someone transformed into you?" Shonetsu asked, and Lucas confirmed with a nod.
"What is it, Blade? Do you know who he's talking about?"
"I know very well. Only one person can use camouflage magic to change into anyone. Damn it, that bastard must also be planning to go to the Island of Forgetting."
"We need to take him to the nearest village so the medics can examine him."
"Fine. But in return, you'll tell us which direction to sail to reach the Island of Forgetting."
"Alright. I'll tell you everything I know."
A few days later…
Derivan and the others finally reached the island.
"Wow, so this is the famous island?" Yashimiro wondered.
"Let's be careful. Apparently, very few people return from this island alive," Nohara warned.
"Don't worry. I'm sure no one can threaten me."
The group headed toward the forest. The ground was covered with numerous dead birds and the remains of other animals.
"I have a bad feeling about this island," the heiress of Hokane announced.
As the four of them walked through the forest, Eric suddenly noticed something.
"Hey, look at this."
"Did you find something interesting?"
Eric pointed at a severed arm. "It's a human arm, and judging by its condition, it hasn't been here long."
"Hm. That means someone could still be nearby," Nohara said.
As they continued, the group came across more human remains. Suddenly, Derivan recognized the face of one of the victims.
"What's wrong, Derivan?"
"That girl… she's from the Shonero Guild," he replied, surprising Nohara.
"What? Are you sure?"
"Yes, I remember her. When I was still in Kasegi, I tried to join the guild, and I met her there."
"If she's here, then it's possible that the rest of the remains belong to the other guild members," Eric stated.
"You're right. Let's keep going. Whoever is responsible for this will definitely pay for it," Yashimiro clenched his fists at the very thought.
While Yashimiro and the others were exploring the island, Blade and Kira were still sailing toward it.
"Why can't we just fly there?" Blade asked.
"Because if there's an enemy there, they could easily detect us. Especially if they have a sensor they could detect the chakra we'd use for flying," Kira explained.
Blade didn't admit it, but he knew Kira was right. "With good conditions, we should reach the island within two hours."
Meanwhile, Yashimiro, Nohara, Eric, and Lucas continued walking through the mysterious forest.
"We've been here for several hours and still haven't found that crystal," Yashimiro commented.
"What did you expect? It was obvious that finding such a small crystal fragment on such a huge island would be damn difficult," Nohara said.
Soon, the group emerged from the forest, but suddenly Derivan sensed something.
"Watch out!" Yashimiro grabbed Nohara and Lucas and leapt back a considerable distance, narrowly avoiding an energy projectile.
"That was close," Lucas commented.
"What a surprise. I didn't expect anyone to be able to avoid my attack."
They all looked toward the direction of the voice and saw a young man with long black hair and pale skin, dressed in a dark coat.
"Who are you, and why did you attack us?" Derivan asked.
"My name is Tortoro, and I am the owner of this island. It should be obvious that I want to get rid of intruders."