166-170

Chapter 166: Illusion and Reality; A Complete Victory Over Byoudouin  

Yoru spun the tennis ball in his hand. "In that case... I can only say sorry."  

A blinding golden lightning erupted from his fingertips.  

The aura of Destruction instantly engulfed the entire court.  

The audience gasped—this felt exactly like Byoudouin’s Destruction. Was it the same technique?  

The answer was written all over Byoudouin’s face.  

Frozen in place, his lips slightly parted, pupils contracted in shock, he stared at Yoru in disbelief.  

"Impossible... This can’t be real."  

Destruction.  

His Destruction.  

Yoru had not only copied it—he’d unleashed it at a higher level. The oppressive aura around the ball was a full tier stronger than his own.  

"Just learned it, so I’m still a bit rough. Be careful... don’t die."  

SWISH—!  

With a flick of his wrist, Yoru tossed the ball high. His racket struck the Super Sweet Spot with pinpoint precision.  

For a split second, the ball blazed like golden thunder, so radiant it seemed to dim the sun itself. The air around the court split violently, forming a vacuum along the centerline.  

Byoudouin’s expression darkened.  

The ball hadn’t even arrived, yet the shockwave alone sent stinging windblades against his skin. Gritting his teeth, he raised his racket and charged forward, swinging with all his might—  

BOOOOOOM—!  

A deafening explosion rocked the stadium.  

A mushroom cloud of dust erupted from Byoudouin’s position.  

Less than half a second later—  

WHOOSH!  

A figure flew out of the dust.  

No—not just a figure.  

It was Byoudouin himself, hurled backward by the ball’s force, his body slamming into the wall with a sickening CRACK!  

Cough—! Blood sprayed from his mouth.  

Yet the madman wasn’t despairing. His eyes burned with excitement, his lips curling into a frenzied grin before he burst into laughter.  

"HAHAHAHA! So this is the true power of my Destruction?!"  

Byoudouin’s madness only grew.  

He’d read the reports—he knew Yoru could copy techniques. Even as he was sent flying, he was thrilled.  

His creation had limitless potential.  

His path wasn’t wrong!  

"Yoru scores, 40-0!"  

One more point. Just one more, and Yoru would claim victory.  

Meanwhile, a figure quietly slipped into the stands, taking a seat directly behind Coach Ryuzaki.  

"Hey, old hag. My kid’s not bad, huh?"  

The familiar teasing voice made Ryuzaki smirk without turning around. "I believe you now. At his age, you were worse."  

The man was none other than Echizen Nanjirou, who’d arrived at the Nationals venue that morning.  

This was the National Championship—a title he’d never won. Since his son was about to fulfill that dream for him, he figured he might as well show up.  

His car had moved at a leisurely pace, but he’d made it just in time.  

"As much as I hate to admit it... yeah." Nanjirou shrugged.  

At the same age, in terms of pure skill, they might’ve been even.  

But factoring in Ten Senses Manipulation? That changed everything.  

He was certain—even at his peak in high school, he might’ve lost to Yoru.  

Just like Yoru’s mother, Nalan Langmann.  

In raw talent, she couldn’t match Nanjirou’s level.  

But with sensory manipulation, she’d become the undisputed queen of women’s tennis.  

Her power wasn’t in strength—it was in that godlike ability, requiring no setup, activating at will.  

There were players who’d blinded themselves, deafened themselves, yet still fell victim to her illusions.  

Now, at her full strength, even Nanjirou would struggle to break free immediately.  

And Yoru?  

His future was even higher.  

But Nanjirou hoped Yoru would push open that door—the one beyond conventional limits. With Ten Senses Manipulation, he might become the most transcendent player in history.  

Back on the court, Yoru picked up another ball, walking to the opposite service line.  

"Your technique’s pretty useful."  

Byoudouin’s eyes blazed with excitement, his gaze locked onto Yoru’s next serve.  

Winning didn’t matter anymore—he just wanted to see how far Destruction could go.  

"But before that... check the scoreboard."  

Byoudouin blinked, then turned his head.  

The display didn’t read 5-4.  

It was 5-0.  

"What...?"  

"Call it my ability. What you saw wasn’t entirely fake—just a mix of truth and illusion. The points you ‘won’ were fabrications."  

"Most of the crowd’s reactions were real, though. I just amplified what you heard... with some adjustments."  

Byoudouin’s mind reeled.  

"No wonder... From the moment I ‘scored,’ everything felt off."  

"Illusion and reality, blending together." Yoru smirked. "Consider it an experiment. Now, for the real Destruction."  

Golden light erupted between his fingers.  

The atmosphere grew heavy, the audience unconsciously holding their breaths.  

Last time, he’d held back—testing Destruction’s base power.  

This time?  

No restraints.  

"Take a trip to hell, Byoudouin."  

BOOOOOOM—!!!  

Glowing Shot: Destruction—MAX OUTPUT!  

The moment the racket connected, a tornado of force erupted, swallowing Byoudouin in a pillar of annihilation.  

"So... this is my Destruction..."  

Light consumed him.  

For an instant, he felt it—the absolute power that could erase anything.  

Then, nothingness.  

The court quaked. Twin mushroom clouds exploded upward. The crowd stumbled as the ground trembled beneath them.  

A shadow slammed into the far wall—hard.  

When the dust cleared...  

Byoudouin was embedded in the concrete, blood streaking down as his body slid to the ground.  

"Guess we’re skipping the handshake."  

Yoru shook his head, walking off the court.  

He hadn’t aimed at Byoudouin.  

The madman had charged into the blast, willingly taking the full force just to experience it.  

But with his Phoenix Rebirth talent...  

He’d only come back stronger.  

"That kid..." Nanjirou sighed.  

He knew Yoru’s copying ability surpassed even Ryoma’s.  

Sometimes, he wondered where his eldest son’s limits really were. Maybe one day, even without the Ten Senses, he’d stand beside him as an equal.  

"GAME, SET, AND MATCH! 6-0, Yoru ECHIZEN!"  

"FINAL SCORE 5-0! SEIGAKU WINS THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!"  

As the referee’s voice echoed, medics rushed onto the court.  

The crowd erupted.  

Seigaku’s team collapsed into a cheering pile—all except Ryuzaki, who turned and lunged at Nanjirou.  

"N-Nanjirou—"  

"W-Wait, old hag! What are you— AHHHHH!!"  

Yoru covered his eyes, as if someone had splashed chili oil into them.  

Somewhere in the stands, a woman in sunglasses stood and walked away, her applause lost in the roar of the crowd. 

Chapter 167: National Champions  

"National Champions!"  

"We actually became national champions!"  

"Seigaku’s tennis team made history—this is their first-ever national title!"  

"And they won with an overwhelming 5-0 sweep! Unbelievable!"  

Deafening cheers erupted, shaking the venue’s walls and rattling the glass panels.  

Kaido and the others were beyond ecstatic, shouting at the top of their lungs. Kirihara, caught up in the frenzy, even tore off his jersey, waving it wildly as he sprinted around the court like a monkey freed from a mountain prison.  

Then, someone yelled: "The captain’s coming down!"  

"Quick, lift him up!!"  

Without waiting for Yoru’s approval, the team swarmed him, hoisting him high into the air before tossing him up again and again.  

"Hey! Hey!!"  

"What are you guys doing?! Put me down!!"  

Yoru struggled at first, but soon, an unexpected sense of joy washed over him.  

"Hah… this actually feels kinda nice."  

Before long, he burst into laughter—*"HAHAHAHA!!"*—pushing the celebration to new heights.  

"CHAMPIONS!!" he roared, pride and triumph surging through him.  

Inspired, the younger players—with Oni Juujirou’s help—rushed onto the court to join the festivities, dancing and laughing as they basked in the glory of their hard-earned victory.  

"Champions, huh…"  

QP allowed himself a faint smile.  

He had won countless titles before, yet none had ever stirred anything in him—until now.  

Though he’d only joined Seigaku midway through the prefectural tournaments, he’d witnessed firsthand the relentless effort the team poured into their dream. Day after day, they trained tirelessly, refusing to let fatigue or monotony break their focus.  

No one slacked. No one complained.  

They pushed forward, terrified that even the slightest mistake might cost the team everything.  

And now, that dedication had borne fruit.  

"You really did it…"  

Coach Ryuzaki’s voice trembled, tears glistening in her eyes.  

"It’s time for me to step aside. The future belongs to you now… May Seigaku reach even greater heights under your leadership."  

She had gambled everything the moment Yoru joined the team.  

And he hadn’t disappointed.  

Strategizing. Strengthening the roster. Driving his teammates through grueling training—even at the cost of his own practice time.  

Step by step, they carved their path to nationals, etching their names into history.  

Meanwhile, Nanjirou lay sprawled on the ground, foaming at the mouth while muttering something about "lost purity."  

The crowd, swept up in the euphoria, rose to their feet in a thunderous standing ovation.  

"Champions…"  

"Seigaku actually made it…"  

Among the spectators, players from eliminated teams watched with envy. Many were third-years who’d fought for three years yet never touched the trophy.  

Perhaps, as the saying goes—*"What youth is without regrets?"*  

In the medical tent, the mood was tense.  

Fuwa Tetsuhito and the rest of the Shitenhouji team anxiously monitored the unconscious Atobe Keigo.  

The doctor’s diagnosis wasn’t optimistic.  

While the external injuries were minor, the internal damage was severe—immediate hospitalization was necessary.  

Fuwa was the only one who didn’t seem exasperated.  

The others had seen it clearly: Atobe had deliberately lunged into the rebound point of the serve, as if craving the full brunt of its destructive force.  

Had he not done so, he wouldn’t be in this state.  

This was entirely self-inflicted.  

And perhaps only Yoru truly understood why.  

Ten minutes later, the award podium was ready.  

First up: Mukougawa Gakuen.  

Led by Tanegashima and Inui, the team stepped forward to receive their bronze medals.  

The weight of the metal felt bittersweet—but still better than silver.  

"Losing the finals after fighting all year? Now that would’ve hurt."  

Tanegashima and Inui exchanged a glance, then suddenly burst into laughter for no discernible reason.  

Next came Shitenhouji.  

Only Ochi Tsukimitsu walked up—the rest had left for the hospital.  

"What a hassle~"  

The crowd chuckled as Ochi awkwardly held a stack of silver medals. Yet, he seemed oddly pleased.  

After two years of no results, graduating with a silver wasn’t so bad.  

"And now… please welcome… SEIGAKU!!"  

The announcer’s voice boomed across the stadium.  

Led by Yoru, the team ascended the podium—and the crowd erupted once more.  

The committee chairman handed Yoru the national championship banner.  

He gripped it tightly, waving it high.  

Cameras flashed, immortalizing the moment.  

"So this is the banner Old Man Ryuzaki spent a hundred episodes foreshadowing… Meh, it’s whatever."  

But the pride in his eyes betrayed him.  

Then—  

[Ding!...]  

A flood of system notifications chimed in his mind.  

Chapter 168: Super Evolution of Strength!  

[Ding! Congratulations, Master, for leading Seigaku to victory in the Nationals! Rewards: Random Rune ×1, Skill Upgrade Card ×1, Skill Evolution Card ×1, +1 Bindable Slot.]  

[Congratulations, Master, for completing the hidden achievement ‘First Nationals Victory’! Reward: Formation System unlocked.]  

"Huh?"  

"I get the rest, but what’s this ‘Formation System’?"  

[The Formation System allows the Master to receive stat bonuses from other ‘Fate-Chosen’ players. For example, if QP is set as the Primary Formation Slot, the Master gains a full multiplier of his base five stats. The Secondary Slot provides 10%, and the Tertiary Slot provides 5%. (Note: Tennis skill bonuses are unaffected and will always take the highest value.)]  

[Shall I automatically assign the Fate-Chosen for you?]  

"Uh… sure."  

Before Yoru could fully grasp the situation, he nodded reflexively.  

A virtual screen appeared.  

QP’s photo was placed in the Primary Slot (1st Position), granting 100% base stat feedback.  

Ryoma’s photo appeared in the Secondary Slot (2nd Position), granting 10% base stat feedback.  

[Ding! Detected that Master’s Tennis Fundamentals have risen to Lv. 12! The Three Great Realms have also risen to Lv. 12!]  

"This feeling…"  

Yoru could clearly sense his body growing stronger, along with his foundational comprehension.  

He quickly checked his stats panel.  

His previously Lv. 12 base stats now showed a breakdown: 11.7 (from QP) + 0.6 (from Ryoma).  

"Holy crap, this is amazing!"  

Yoru was ecstatic.  

This was an unexpected windfall.  

After binding QP, his base stats had far surpassed Ryoma’s. Since his own fundamentals elevated his skill levels, Ryoma had become practically "useless scrap", offering no real benefit.  

But now, with the Formation System, even the "little workhorse" Ryoma had a purpose again.  

[Detected bindable Fate-Chosen ‘Oni Juujirou’! Bind?] 

[Detected bindable Fate-Chosen ‘Kiriya’! Bind?] 

[Detected bindable Fate-Chosen ‘Yamato Yuudai’! Bind?] 

[Detected bindable Fate-Chosen ‘Shiraishi Kuranosuke’! Bind?]  

...  

There were quite a few bindable players within a 5-meter radius, but after Shiraishi and the others left, only Oni, Kiriya, and Yamato remained.  

Yoru immediately chose to bind Oni Juujirou.  

The others weren’t even worth considering.  

Kiriya and Yamato? Forget it.  

As for someone like Byoudouin (Phoenix), his self-destructive playstyle was useless—his ultimate move was literally suicidal. No thanks.  

Oni’s talent, base stats, and techniques were far more aligned with Yoru’s needs.  

[Name]: Oni Juujirou 

[Age]: 15 

[Techniques]:  

• Personal Five Stats (Lv. 10)  

• Tennis Fundamentals (Lv. 10)  

• Vertical Jump Strike (Lv. 10)  

• Shindou: Oni God’s Power (Lv. 6, Unstable)  

• Sweet Spot Technique (Lv. 6)  

• Axe Smash (Lv. 8) 

[Talent]: Peerless Strength 

[Combat Power]: 11 Stars  

[Peerless Strength]: Born with monstrous power, far exceeding ordinary humans. Strength increases by a percentage in battle based on condition.  

"Oh? The early version of Black Axe is already developed—just needs the Sweet Spot integration to complete it."  

Yoru was impressed.  

"Bind Oni for me."  

[Scanning… Target has remained within 5 meters for 10 minutes!] 

[Ding! Binding successful!] 

[Please assign Oni’s Formation Slot!]  

"Shift Ryoma to the 3rd Slot, QP to the 2nd, and put Oni in Primary."  

[Adjustment complete!] 

[Bonus feedback activated!]  

• [Lv. 10 Tennis Fundamentals → Lv. 12!]  

• [Lv. 10 Base Five Stats → Lv. 12!]  

• [Lv. 10 Vertical Jump Strike → Lv. 12!]  

• [Sweet Spot Technique feedback failed.]  

• [Lv. 8 Axe Smash → Lv. 10!]  

• [Talent ‘Peerless Strength’ → ‘Herculean Might’!] 

[Herculean Might]: Born with divine strength, far surpassing ordinary humans. Power increases dramatically in battle based on condition.  

[Ding! ‘Shindou: Oni God’s Power’ cannot be normally replicated. Converted into your exclusive ‘Shindou: Three Pure Heavens’!] 

[Feedback multiplying… You have mastered Shindou: Three Pure Heavens (Lv. 8)!]  

"Th-Three Pure Heavens?!"  

Yoru’s eyes widened.  

If this was the "Three Pure Heavens" from mythology, this was beyond insane.  

He wanted to test it immediately, but now wasn’t the time.  

[You used a Skill Upgrade Card on ‘Shindou: Three Pure Heavens’! Skill upgraded to Lv. 14!]  

(Note: Skill Upgrade Cards synchronize a skill’s level with your base stats. Cannot be used on base stats themselves.)  

The moment Shindou evolved, an overwhelming aura erupted.  

In the stands, Echizen Nanjirou suddenly stood up, wiping foam from his mouth.  

His gaze sharpened as he muttered, "He actually stepped into that realm…"  

Asura Shindou.  

He could sense Yoru’s Shindou energy was unnaturally stable—as if it had been refined through years of meditation.  

Yet it had manifested instantly, already at an overwhelming level upon awakening.  

"Talent, huh…" Nanjirou took a deep breath.  

His estimation of Yoru’s monstrous potential had just risen another tier.  

Below the podium, Oni Juujirou also sensed something strange but couldn’t pinpoint it.  

Yoru, unaware of Nanjirou’s thoughts, focused as the system notifications continued.  

[You used a Skill Evolution Card on ‘Sweet Spot Technique’!] 

[Sweet Spot Technique → Lv. 14!] 

[New form unlocked: ‘Light Strike: Void’s End’!]  

(Note: Skill Evolution Cards upgrade a skill to match base stats and unlock a new form. Cannot be used on base stats or condition-based skills.)  

[Light Strike: Void’s End → Lv. 14!] 

[Due to base stat increase, ‘Swift as the Wind’ → Lv. 12!] 

[‘Super Vertical Serve’ → Lv. 12!]  

...  

The notifications kept coming.  

Yoru only checked the major upgrades, ignoring the minor ones.  

But one thing was certain—  

He was terrifyingly strong now.  

This wasn’t some minor boost. It was a quantum leap.  

Yoru smirked.  

If Byoudouin challenged him again, he was confident he could kill him in one shot. No need for drawn-out battles.  

"System, open my status panel!"  

[Ding!...]  

Chapter 169: "I'm Terrifyingly Strong"; The Birth Mother Arrives  

[Host]: Yoru Echizen 

[Age]: 12 

[Techniques]:  

• Personal Five Dimensions (Lv. 14)  

• Tennis Fundamentals (Lv. 14)  

• Three Great Realms (Lv. 14)  

• Pinnacle of Hard Work (Lv. 12)  

• Zero-Type Series (Lv. 12)  

• "Void’s End" (Lv. 14)  

• "Annihilation" (Lv. 8)  

• "Divine Path: Three Pure Heavens" (Lv. 14) 

(11 other techniques folded)  

[Combat Power]: 15 Stars 

[Talents]:  

• Ten Senses Control  

• Perfect Copy  

• Strength to Move Mountains  

• Ultra-Perfect Quality (2/3 Radiance unlocked) 

"15 Stars… I’ve completely broken through."  

Yoru checked the details.  

On top of Oni Juujirou’s feedback (12.7 Stars in base stats), he’d gained:  

• 10% from QP → +1 Star  

• 5% from Ryoma → +0.3 Stars 

Total: 14 Stars.  

This surge had pushed most techniques to Lv. 12, except *"Annihilation"*—an "Otherworldly"-tier move that required active training to improve. Still, with higher base stats, grinding it would be easier.  

15-Star combat power…  

Yoru sighed.  

Even with:  

• Lv. 14 Asura Path  

• Otherworldly "Void’s End"  

• Lv. 14 Base Stats 

…reaching 15 Stars had been brutal.  

The system had folded weaker techniques—ones that no longer boosted his power noticeably.  

If 15 Stars was this hard…  

What kind of monsters lurked at 20 Stars?  

His gaze drifted to the stands where Nanjirou sat.  

He barely held back the urge to shout: "I’m terrifyingly strong."  

The Birth Mother Arrives 

After the awards ceremony, Oni and the kids left early (since Okayama was far).  

The Seigaku team carried their championship banner toward the locker room, still buzzing with excitement.  

"Captain, where’re you taking us for dinner? We’re national champs! It’s gotta be—HOLY SH*T?!"  

Kirihara yanked the door open—then slammed it shut, face burning.  

"Why’s there a woman in there?!" Kaido croaked.  

"She looked familiar…" Oishi scratched his head.  

"We should knock," Kawamura said. "Our stuff’s inside, and it’s the men’s—"  

"No need." Yoru cut in. "She’s here for me."  

The team erupted in grins and elbow nudges.  

"Damn, Captain," Kirihara whistled. "Even Euro women now? Save some for—"  

"Shut it." Yoru rolled his eyes. "Wait here. QP, explain."  

He’d recognized her instantly.  

Locker Room Confrontation 

"Yoru."  

Joanna Langman—current #1 in women’s tennis—stood, voice trembling.  

Yoru held up a hand.  

Pulled out his phone.  

Set a timer.  

Sat across from her.  

"Talk. But it’s £2,000 per minute."  

"Deal." No hesitation.  

"…I said dollars."  

"I agreed in pounds."  

Yoru’s eye twitched. "Speak."  

Joanna spent 30 minutes explaining:  

• Her regret.  

• How her manager manipulated her.  

• That the woman was now "a vegetable" as punishment. 

Yoru stayed silent, mentally counting £6,000.  

"Come to Switzerland with me," Joanna begged. "I’ll retire. We’ll—"  

"No."  

Yoru slid forward:  

1. A bank card (for payment).  

1. His paused timer. 

"If you miss me, call."  

He stood.  

"That manager was scum, but you made the choice. Father would’ve supported your career—if you’d just talked."  

Cold truth:  

• "You didn’t ‘lose’ us. You left."  

• "You could’ve found us anytime."  

• "This ‘search’? Just guilt relief." 

A pause.  

"I hate you. But I’m pragmatic—pay me, and I’ll tolerate you."  

Final warning: 

"Don’t interfere in my life. Understood… Ms. Langman?"  

*(Outside, QP dropped the bomb: "That’s his birth mother. Joanna Langman—women’s tennis #1.")  

(Cue shocked Pikachu faces from the team.)  

Chapter 170: QP's Decision; The Gate to the Realm of Gods  

(Author's Note: The "Gate to the Realm of Gods" is my original addition, but it ties back to a key moment in the original series—where Nanjirou trained Ryoma in a unique way, shaping him into his ultimate rival. While many characters in the series had greater innate talent than Ryoma, Nanjirou's expectations for him were the highest. Beyond familial bias, this implies Ryoma possessed a special qualification—something I’ve interpreted as the potential to reach the "Realm of the Tennis God." In the original, when QP achieved "Ultimate Quality," Borg himself stated QP would become "the closest existence to the God of Tennis." Thus, I’ve conceptualized this realm as a "gate," setting the stage for a final divine showdown against Nanjirou.)  

Joanna Longman hadn’t expected Yoru’s perspective to be so mature.  

While his answer wasn’t what she’d hoped for, it wasn’t the worst outcome either. Before leaving, she transferred £1 million to him—a move that nearly cracked Yoru’s composure.  

Money really does make everything easier.  

With this windfall, Yoru treated the team to an extravagant post-victory feast at the best yakiniku restaurant. Even after stuffing themselves, the bill was a drop in the bucket.  

Now, with his pockets full, even the ride home felt sweeter.  

On the train, Yoru turned to QP. "You’re heading back soon, aren’t you?"  

QP hesitated, then nodded.  

"Yeah, figured."  

Yoru wasn’t surprised. Despite QP growing closer to Seigaku, his ambitions were unwavering. To him, everything else was just scenery on his climb to the summit.  

But QP’s next words stunned him.  

"I’ll return to Germany for now, but I’ll come back next semester."  

"…Huh?"  

Yoru blinked, then gaped. "You’re coming back?"  

"Yes." QP’s tone was firm. "My growth here has accelerated far beyond what Germany offers. The competition is stronger, and my progress is undeniable. I need to settle matters with Leitner and the club first."  

Yoru rubbed his nose awkwardly.  

Next year, Byoudouin and the others will have graduated. The remaining players won’t be on QP’s level—even if Tezuka and the new first-years arrive.  

But he kept that to himself.  

Having QP around was beneficial:  

1. Training Runes, Yoru as a sparring partner, and even free coaching from Nanjirou.  

1. QP could mentor Tezuka’s generation, paving the way for a three-peat Nationals win—and whatever insane rewards that might unlock. 

The thought alone was thrilling.  

By the time they returned home, it was late. QP headed straight for his nightly routine, while Yoru found Nanjirou in the living room, tea in one hand and a risqué magazine in the other.  

Where does this old man even get his secret stash?  

Yoru sat cross-legged opposite him. "Old man, we need to talk."  

He recounted the day’s events with Joanna Longman. Nanjirou’s expression darkened initially, but softened when Yoru vowed never to leave the Echizen household.  

The hand holding Nanjirou’s cigarette trembled slightly.  

A decade of living together had woven Yoru into the family’s core. To Nanjirou, his expectations for Yoru even surpassed those for Ryoma or Ryoga.  

"Relax, old man," Yoru smirked. "I’m not going anywhere until I beat you."  

"Hah! As if you could!" Nanjirou scoffed, though his eyes glistened faintly.  

Their conversation meandered through shared memories until Yoru dropped a bombshell:  

"Oh yeah, I’ve entered the Asura Shindou."  

"I know."  

"…Wait, what?"  

Nanjirou ignored his surprise. "I watched your match today."  

"Ah, so you did kiss Coach Ryuzaki."  

"PFFT—!"  

Tea sprayed everywhere as Nanjirou’s face turned crimson. "THAT HAG FORCED HERSELF ON ME! UGH!"  

He looked traumatized, as if only a marathon of Teletubbies could cleanse his soul.  

After composing himself, Nanjirou’s tone turned grave. "The reason I wanted you to tell me about Asura Shindou… is because of the Gate."  

"The Gate?"  

Yoru recalled Byoudouin’s flashback—the metaphorical door to Asura Shindou. But he’d already crossed that threshold.  

Nanjirou smirked. "That was just a side entrance. I’m talking about the true Gate—the one to the Realm of Gods."  

He leaned forward. "How strong do you think I am?"  

"Peerless."  

The answer came instantly. Even the current world No. 1 (a retiring legend with a 19-star rating in matches, 20-star at peak) paled next to Nanjirou’s baseline 20-star prowess.  

"Good answer." Nanjirou’s grin faded. "I retired not just for you brats, but because after crossing that Gate… I had no rivals left. That ‘champion’ you see on TV? He’s only halfway through. That’s why he’ll never beat me."  

Yoru’s pulse quickened. So Nanjirou really is the final boss.  

"How to explain it…" Nanjirou scratched his head. "Beyond the Five Penances, Asura, or any other path lies the Realm of Gods. Crossing it transforms your very essence. I grasped a technique there that made me untouchable."  

"QP’s path—‘Ultimate Quality’—is the easiest to reach the Gate. But it lacks depth. Even if he crosses it, he won’t be interesting."  

"The more (depth) you have, the harder it is to enter… but once you do, the change is profound. With your ‘Ten Realms’ talent, your surpasses mine when I crossed over. Your challenge will be unprecedented."  

Nanjirou’s eyes burned with intensity.  

"Kid… I want you to cross that Gate too. It’s lonely being the only one on the other side."