From Naruto onwards, I've become a dreamer.

Chapter 314 A pipe dream (Part 1)

"It's over, brother!"

Kazama Ruri was also nearing his limit, but his dragon blood concentration was too high, so he could barely hold on.

It's over. Yes, suddenly, Genji felt a sense of relief, as if the heavy burden he had been carrying for so long could finally be put down at this moment.

"Brother, aren't you going to use that thing?"

Kazama Ruri gazed at him quietly, her eyes falling on the bottle of ancient dragon blood. She chuckled softly, "Could it be that you feel indebted to me and therefore don't want to use it?"

If the ancient dragon blood is used, Genjiro's injuries will heal quickly, and he will regain even greater power. In that case, it's still uncertain who will win or lose.

“It’s unnecessary.” Genjiro’s eyes were vacant, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. He said sadly, “Even if I used it, what would be the point? Would I have to become a ghost at the end of my life? That kind of death is too ugly. I’d rather stay the way I am now, at least I’m handsome.”

"Brother, you're always so naive."

Upon hearing this, Kazama Ruri chuckled and said, "So what if they're ghosts? So what if they're humans? Anyway, people like us have long since stopped being normal."

“For so many years, you have lived in hell.” Genji said sadly, “But I do not regret it. As Amaterasu’s duty, it is to kill the clansmen who have fallen into the demon path. Chizuru, this is our destiny, a curse engraved in the bloodline of the Snake-Headed Eight Families.”

"Yes, but it's all about to end."

Ruri Kazama walked towards them step by step, sword in hand.

However, when she was only a dozen meters away from Genjiro, Kazama Ruri suddenly froze.

Lights descended from the sky, transforming the simple engineering equipment at the bottom of the Red Well into a magnificent stage, shimmering with colorful lights. On this glittering stage, figures could be vaguely seen dancing, accompanied by the music of "Swan Lake" that seemed to come from nowhere.

The dancers wore tailored tailcoats, paired with sharp suits and bright purple shirts, white silk bow ties, and black and white brogues.

Surrounded by LED lights, he was so handsome and dashing, a truly elegant and charming man. Stepping to the precise beat, he was flawless, spinning and leaping wildly on the stage, turning what should have been a sad and despairing dance into something so joyful and triumphant.

The figure danced gracefully through the pool of blood, moving with light and joyful movements, until he reached Genjiro and Kazama Ruri. Like an actor taking his final bow, he bowed to the two of them.

The music stopped abruptly, and at the same time, the person slowly raised their head, revealing a familiar face with a kind and gentle smile.

"What a shame."

Herzog smiled and said, "Such a wonderful performance, in the end only the two of you will be able to appreciate the ending."

"No, it's you? You're still alive?!"

Kazama Ruri screamed in terror, as if she had seen a ghost.

As Yuan Zhisheng gazed at the person dancing gracefully, his pupils suddenly contracted to pinpoints upon seeing the latter's face!

It's Herzog!
Surprised?

Herzog was so pleased that he beamed and cheered, "I love the surprised looks on your faces; it amuses me."

"So, that person is a fake!"

A flash of inspiration struck Genjiro: no wonder he hadn't seen Erii and Adam; it turned out that Herzog by the Red Well was a fake!

“Of course it’s fake, otherwise why would you feel at ease and remove the last obstacle for me?” Herzog shook his head, a bright smile on his face. He had never felt so happy, as if he had a feeling of spiritual ascension. He kept talking, “Are you confused? It’s okay, I don’t mind taking a few minutes to explain it to you. After all, success that no one knows about is a bit too lonely.”

"Are you showing off to us?" Genjiro covered the wound on his chest and glared at him.

“Showing off? No, no, no, I’m just recounting a great history!”

Herzog shook his head and said, "Every being sitting on the throne is lonely; it's a side effect of power. Yet I need someone to share this joy."

Kazama Ruri silently stepped back and came to Genji's side, holding a crimson longsword in front of her as if protecting him.

However, Herzog didn't mind his little tricks and continued, "Actually, you two aren't the only ones who inherited the royal blood. Back then, I used Uesugi Kotsu's genes to create three embryos: Genjiro was π, Genjiro was ω, and there's your sister ξ."

Erii

"It's a hoarse voice," Yuan Zhisheng said.

At this moment, he finally understood why he always felt a special connection with Erii; it turned out that they were blood relatives.

"Of course, you are all monsters, otherwise where would so many super hybrids come from in the world?"

Herzog clapped his hands and laughed, saying, "Please hold on for a few more minutes. Don't be impatient. Soon you will have the great honor of witnessing the greatest evolution in the world. The road to the underworld will be opened today. I have finally paved the way from humans to dragons."

As they were speaking, two more figures emerged from the dark shadows at the bottom of the lake.

The girl dressed as a shrine maiden was petite and delicate, with long, wine-red hair that reached her waist. She had an exquisite face and fair, translucent skin, and was as perfect as an elf from a fairy tale. But at this moment, she seemed like a puppet, her eyes empty and lifeless, and she walked with stiff steps.

Another blond youth, wearing black glasses, had a wooden and stiff expression.

"Eri Adam"

Genjiro's eyes turned sinister as he made a decision. He plunged the syringe filled with the blood of an ancient dragon into his own artery: "Herzog, I will never let you have your way!"

However, his movements froze in mid-air; his hand holding the syringe was unable to move an inch, as if frozen in time.

"Heh, Chisei, have you forgotten?" Herzog looked at Gen Chisei, who was hiding behind Kazama Ruri, with a mocking expression: "I gave you the Ancient Dragon Blood, just in case, so that you and Gen Chisei could destroy each other. But I didn't expect you to stay until now to deal with me."

"You forgot about me!"

As Kazama Ruri spoke, she suddenly sprang up, her crimson blade slicing through a scorching arc, accompanied by a fierce gale, aiming straight for Herzog's head!
Clang!
The blade was as fast as lightning, like a streak of light.

However, even the fastest blade cannot outrun the line of sight. Ruri Kazama's blade stopped, less than half a finger's width from Herzog's neck, unable to advance even an inch further.

“You’re all still so naive.” Herzog raised a finger and gently pushed away the crimson blade at his neck, a mocking sneer playing on his lips. “As long as ‘Adam’ is here, even a super hybrid can’t hurt me, understand?”

At this moment, Genjiro and Genjiro noticed that the blond boy's pale gold eyes contained a power that was hard to ignore.

"I will show you with your own eyes how I evolved from a human into a dragon!"

Herzog laughed maniacally, as if he had completely shed his disguise, revealing the deep-suppressed greed within him.

Now, it's time to personally reap the ripe fruits of victory!
(End of this chapter)