Tokyo people don't talk about Wude

Chapter 439, Section 436: The Oracle of Takamagahara

Since martial law was declared, the area within several miles of Tokyo Tower has been a no-fly zone, and all the surrounding high points have been guarded.

Thanks to tonight's riots, which caused a breach in the defense line, Hillis had the opportunity to sneak into a high-rise building near Tokyo Tower, set up military binoculars, and barely observed the situation at the top of the tower.

But what she saw was—

The death of Hong Zhongjin.

The familiar zombie figure was cleaved in two mid-air by a terrifying sword strike. Even through the binoculars, Hillis felt excruciating pain in her left eye, as if she herself had been struck by a physical blade.

That slash, which resembled the wrath of a god, almost convinced Sirius that Crimson Ember had no chance of survival.

When this message reached the communication channel, Chen Han's heart sank, his previously high spirits vanished, and his hands, which had been operating the machine, slowed down.

Kagari Yoru remained silent for a long time, clearly also considering his next move.

Fortunately, their call was private, and only Hillis, Kagari Otonashi, and Chen Han know the truth. Even Xiao Jing, who is also in the base, is kept in the dark.

If news of Red Ember's defeat were to spread, it would likely worsen the situation.

"Damn it, damn it, damn it! Are they all crazy?!" Chen Han slammed his fist on the table in frustration. "Wasn't that kid supposed to be amazing? How could he lose? He could have at least held on a little longer! I was almost there!"

If he had held on for just a few more minutes, he could have invaded the core of Izanami and caught Ryujin Shinji off guard.

"What should we do now?" Siris asked anxiously, almost desperately. "Ms. Kagari, you must make a decision immediately! If it really comes down to it, I hope you will keep your promise and release the information to the outside world! We absolutely cannot let Wano Country succeed! Otherwise, it would be irresponsible to all of humanity!"

"Calm down! It's not time to give up yet!" Kagari Yaon said resolutely, "[CE Master], continue to control 'Alter' and seize control of the [Izanami Core]!"

"【Twilight Shadow】, continue to observe the scene and report in real time! His battle is over, but ours is not!"

"Sigh, I know!" Chen Han gave a bitter laugh in despair, but still started typing on the keyboard again.

"Sigh—I know! F**k!!!" Hillis could only grit her teeth and agree.

She knew Kagari Otonashi's personality all too well; this woman would hold on to her principles even at the very last moment, and she had no right to refuse her.

However, the next moment, Hillis suddenly exclaimed, "What... what is this?"

She saw a strange figure standing in mid-air amidst the storm.

This figure had six outstretched arms, with flesh and blood forming a crown, like a god or demon beyond human comprehension, standing proudly in the void, looking down upon the human world.

"Then what is it?" Hillis's eyes widened in horror, and tears of blood welled up in the corners of her eyes.

"Boom—!" The figure was illuminated by the lightning and rain, and simultaneously entered the eyes of countless people in Tokyo.

Having recovered from the side effects of the "sacrifice," the people stood frozen again, all gripped by a primal, instinctive fear—

It's a suffocating feeling that makes you want to kneel and submit when faced with something beyond common sense and indescribable.

At this moment, even breathing seemed like a desecration.

As the closest witness, Hillis was almost overwhelmed by the immense oppression. She couldn't imagine how humanity could possibly contend with such a being.

Thunder roared and torrential rain poured down. Ryujin Shinazugin stretched out his six arms, his divine figure hovering in the air, as if destined by fate. A helicopter circled and approached him, two black-clad agents standing in front of the cabin door, holding cameras and extended microphones, calmly filming the scene.

The next second, all television channels in Wano Country were taken over, and Ryuuma Shinazugin's figure appeared on every screen—reflected in the pupils of everyone in Wano Country and even the world.

After a moment of silence, he spoke. His voice wasn't loud or resonant, yet it carried clearly like a divine pronouncement to every inch of Tokyo:
"Citizens of Yamato, it is my honor to speak directly with you tonight."

“My name is Ryūjin Shōji, a pioneer who dedicated his life to the cause of his country. And of course, I am also your compatriot.”

"I believe you can all sense that this country is irreversibly heading towards decline."

"Remember the past? This country was once prosperous and strong, and its people were wealthy and confident! We were invincible, and we even had the courage to rival the world's strongest nation, the United States!"

"But what about now? The economy is stagnant, resources are depleted, and people are becoming numb. This country is gradually losing everything it once had! And the people have long lost the courage to change the status quo and the will to defend their dignity!"

"We are bound by the shackles of history and numbed by a hypocritical order. Like frogs in slowly boiling water, we drift along, barely surviving, silently marching towards our demise!"

"Whose fault is all of this?"

"This is not our fault! It is the fault of the times, the fault of the world, and the fault of all our enemies who are hindering us!!"

"Like you, I was once a commoner with a heart full of patriotism. I have witnessed the former glory and strength of Yamato, and I have also personally experienced the country's decline. I have seen people squander money like water, and I have also seen them jump off buildings in despair."

"I have seen everything, yet I am powerless to do anything about it—that is why I am so heartbroken and want to change everything!"

"How I wish this country could become strong again, and its people could regain their former dignity."

"However, destiny has decreed it. Now, I have transcended the mortal body and obtained unparalleled power. This is the power bestowed upon me by the gods—the power to reshape everything. And I will use this power to save this country and rekindle the torch leading to a glorious future for its people!"

"Perhaps some people simply don't agree with me! They think I'm cold-blooded and ruthless! But have they ever considered that change inevitably comes with pain, and no rebirth is without a price? It's precisely because we were too weak and merciful in the past that we've ended up in this desperate situation!"

"Some people say that I, the Lord, will sacrifice all the people of Yamato to start this war! That's utter nonsense!"

"You are the citizens of Yamato, and without you there would be no country! I love you deeply, just as I love this land. How could I, as those traitors claim, slaughter all my fellow countrymen?"

"30%—this great undertaking will indeed require sacrifices, but it will never exceed this percentage. I will be extremely cautious, prioritizing individuals like criminals who operate outside of social order, threaten public safety, or even endanger the foundations of the nation. Perhaps some will still find this cruel, but national strength is not just a slogan; it comes at a price! Don't the other innocent people in this country deserve our sympathy?"

"In addition, if anyone is willing to sacrifice themselves, I will remember their names forever; and those who are incited and led astray, I am even more willing to forgive them—because we are all compatriots!"

"Now, I have slain the leader of that band of thieves! And tonight is merely the prelude to a new era."

As soon as he finished speaking, he pointed into the air—

Hong Zhongjin's severed torso was lifted into the air and hung before the crowd like a doll. His face was shattered, and his eyes were like ashes without fire, devoid of any life.

"With this awe-inspiring divine power, I will build a new kingdom and reshape our order and glory. We will no longer submit to external forces, nor be swayed by confusion and fear. This nation needs a truly righteous, powerful, and selfless leader!"

"Therefore, I call upon you—follow in my footsteps! Let us ignite the stars, ignite the sea, and together overthrow this corrupt old world, ushering in our own era!!"

"From this night onward—we will let the whole world know that we have never perished, and we will be reborn!"

(End of this chapter)