hotmtlnovel Chapter 382 The Beginning of the Prologue
Chapter 382 The Beginning of the Prologue
The dreamy brilliance has been quietly echoing around without knowing when, and the ripples of the soul have already unconsciously knocked on the confused and helpless sea of heart.
Along with the childishness, a plain long sword also rose up. The shadow from the piercing underworld fell on the heads of Kuina and Zoro under extremely exquisite control.
The so-called "going to hell" is certainly not a joke. After all, Huang Quan's ability is actually in the hands of Yakumo Bai. Even temporarily reproducing the scene of hell for a moment is not an easy task.
As mentioned before, the growth of a swordsman undoubtedly requires going through countless battles, countless experiences and insights from struggling on the brink of life and death, and swordsmanship that has been baptized by hundreds of battles. These are the essential nutrients for shaping a swordsman.
Zoro's transformation and growth in the original work is the best example. With countless sweat and hard work, it is the accumulation of battles and struggles in desperate situations that have shaped him into a qualified "Pirate King's deputy."
If one wishes to artificially shorten this process, utilizing the hallucinatory scenes created by Huangquan and the "real sensations" woven from dreams might be able to somewhat replace the mental training. However, this process also carries considerable costs and risks.
"Try to bear its weight, feel your own insignificance, acknowledge your own powerlessness. Only then will you be born with the courage to transcend everything. This is the treasure that countless people dream of!"
Looking at the two people who were gradually falling into the illusion of nothingness and showing expressions of struggle and pain, Yakumo Shiro's expression was as calm as ever.
According to the original plan, the characters who will follow Nika in the future and step into the center of the storm, but have not yet grown up, will, with the power of the Ripe Fruit, embark on their destined trajectory in advance, thus unveiling the finals that truly determine the fate of the world.
However, from Weiwei, Yakumo Bai discovered a fatal loophole -
That is, in addition to the fact that it takes a long time to adjust to the sudden change in the body, the mind of the person who is ripened by the fruit remains where it is. In other words, he only has an empty shell, and his combat experience and domineering power are still extremely immature. If he steps into the sea in this manner, he will probably be shattered by the huge waves and crushed into dust soon.
In this case, it would be better to spend more time waiting. After all, after getting the pure gold, Yakumo Bai has the capital to continue consuming it just like Im.
As for before the final moment, at best it was just a matter of making arrangements in advance so that one could have more chips in hand, just like what was happening right now—
Relying on advanced technology to create enhanced potions that are twice as effective with half the effort, and relying on near-real illusions to hone extraordinary fighting instincts and willpower, this is the growth path carefully designed by Yakumo Bai.
Although there are inevitable risks, the rewards are very substantial. The process of training and waiting may be boring, but the future gains are enough to make people happy.
"My lord, is this why you called them out? For these two weak little devils?"
Just as Yakumo Shiro was pondering whether there was anything left to improve on this plan, the true form of Butsu Mikami, Yaga, which had briefly appeared in the duel with the Five Elders, slowly floated down from mid-air.
The gray-black haori was still gorgeous, and the tail and ears that looked quite similar to Yakumo Shiro were still soft, but the woman's usually cold face seemed a little resentful.
Obviously, Yejia, who had been taking Yaoye and others as his role models for learning and imitation for a long time, couldn't help but feel a little resentful about the fact that Yakumo Shiro had hardly interacted with him after he was awakened. After all, from a certain point of view, he was the one who was truly inseparable from Yakumo Shiro!
"Um...Yejia? Sorry, sorry,"
Yakumo Shiro looked at the beautiful woman floating in the air, gently hugging him, tapping his forehead with his fingertips, his tone a little embarrassed.
"I haven't been able to speak to you properly for a few moments. It's my fault. Even now, seeing you in person, the amazement and joy I feel haven't diminished in the slightest."
As he spoke, Yakumo Shiro straightened his back slightly, his eyes became solemn and gentle, he gently raised his hand and covered the woman's warm cheek.
"Anyway, welcome to my side. From now on, I hope you will give me your guidance."
"Hehehe~ Master always says things to please others!"
Hearing this, Yejia, who had no resistance at all, immediately let out a crisp laugh, and the wanton swinging of his tail showed how satisfied he was at the moment.
In fact, even the resentful "questioning" she had just voiced was merely a temper she'd picked up from her predecessors. As a sword, being able to always be by her master's side was the greatest honor. What else could she be dissatisfied with?
"Hiss—why did it suddenly become so cold…"
Due to someone's excitement, the surrounding chill caused by Huang Quan's ability unconsciously became more intense. Just as the floor was about to be covered with frost, Hiyori spoke at the right time, with a gentle reminder in her tone:
"Ms. Yejia, you'd better be careful. I'm joking, but please be careful to control your strength. After all, these two people are related to Master Yakumo's plan!"
After the words fell, Yejia belatedly restrained his breath. The chill that had spread with his joy also faded, leaving only the young man and girl, still trapped in the illusion, engaged in some kind of struggle and decision, and Koshiro, who was dazed by the impact, recalling a beautiful dream from an unknown time.
"So, Master Yakumo, what are you going to do with them next?" Tianyue Toki turned his gaze away from the struggling girl and asked curiously, "Looking at the situation, it will take a lot of effort for them to wake up on their own."
"Haha, of course I'll take them with me." Yakumo Shiro chuckled, turning his gaze to Shimotsuki Koshiro. "It just so happens that we've got a free helper—with a little adjustment, they'll be able to take on temporary oversight. I was originally planning to do it myself, but now it seems I've saved myself the trouble."
As he spoke, Yakumo Shiro leaned over and picked up Kuina by the waist. With a light wave of his other hand, a hollow door with a faint glow appeared out of thin air.
"Let's go, Sanji, take them with you, it's time to set off." After saying that, he stepped into the door.
After seeing this, Yaga also controlled the Butsu-mimyouhun to follow. As for Sanji, while thanking Hiyori and Amatsuki who kindly stayed to help clean up the broth, he walked towards Zoro and Koshiro who had no reaction at this time.
"Damn it! This nasty guy always gives me troublesome tasks..."
Although he was full of complaints about Yakumo Shiro's orders - especially the fact that he couldn't let everyone taste the broth he had carefully prepared, which was a pity - but upholding the spirit of chivalry, Sanji still patiently carried the two of them and walked towards the door created by the Door-Door Fruit.
"Bringing this always-smiling uncle along is fine, since he's Miss Kuina's father after all, but what the hell is this guy with algae hair? Could this guy also be a great swordsman?
Stop joking, if I wasn't a chef and couldn't get my hands dirty, I could do it too!"
For some reason, such a strange thought arose in his mind. Sanji shook his head violently, thinking it was just an illusion caused by being "oppressed" by Yakumo Bai, and did not take it to heart.
Little did he know that from this day on, he would encounter this "old enemy" many years ahead of his destiny. The long years to come, the constant bickering and feuding, the struggles and support, would all begin from this moment, quietly writing the prologue.