The passenger ship didn't run into any storms, nor did it crash into any other ships or icebergs. It successfully arrived at its destination.
It was now nighttime.
After the tournament participants disembarked, they followed the tour guide to the hotel … of course not!
Nobody was here for a vacation. Nobody wanted to stay here for the night. There were no hotels on this island, either.
All the tournament participants were fully armed and prepared for battle when they disembarked.
Extravagant, classical, fashionable, sci-fi, mystical … all sorts of Spiritual Ability users were gathered together. It was as if they were cosplaying … no, it was more like a scene from a superhero league movie!
Apart from the tournament participants, there were also two Spirit-branded Retainers who wore black sci-fi combat uniforms and helmets that gave off an extraordinary aura.
These two Spirit-branded Retainers didn't show their faces on the ship. However, it was easy to guess that they were powerful individuals from the tournament's host.
There was still some time before the tournament began.
The other tournament participants and spectators who were on their own ships still hadn't arrived yet.
"Everyone can wait at the resting area or walk around as you please. Just come back before the tournament begins."
The person who spoke was a man from the Himiki Tribe who wore black Sakura Island clothing and a white mask.
There were six other people who were dressed in the same manner as him. They all had powerful auras.
Next to them were five Spirit-branded Retainers from the Kurosaki Family who wore various combat uniforms and helmets. Two of the Spirit-branded Retainers joined them.
Behind these fourteen Spirit-branded Retainers stood several hundred Special Forces members who were armed with guns. These were the Kurosaki Family's combat troops.
That's right, troops, a real army!
It wasn't just the Kurosaki Family. All seven major Yin Yang Master families had their own combat troops that were powerful enough to fight a real battle.
Why were the top-level factions the top-level factions? The fourteen powerful Spiritual Ability users and the military force that stood in neat rows and gave off a cold and stern aura was the answer.
But, that wasn't all.
In the distance, Seiji could see a large ship that definitely wasn't a civilian ship. It stood there like a silent giant.
It was a military ship.
A military ship! Not a cute ship girl, but a truly powerful and domineering naval warship! The type that could fire cannons at land targets.
Was there a need to be so exaggerated!?
It was one thing to send troops to watch the tournament, but even a military ship? Did the navy have so much free time!?
Seiji couldn't help but worry as he inwardly commented on the ridiculous scene. 'Is this a deterrent or a preventive measure?
If it was just to suppress the situation, although it was a little exaggerated, it wasn't a big deal. But if it was a precaution … what did they think would happen on this island? What exactly was this Bloodwine Ritual?
Now that he thought about it, although a battle between 128 Spiritual Ability users would cause quite a commotion, wouldn't it be a bit too much to use an entire island as the battlefield? Even if it was more convenient to deal with the aftermath, it still seemed a little strange.
Is there an inside story behind this ritual? Or did this island have some kind of secret?
I don't understand … I don't have enough information.
The organizers had built a resting area that was comfortable enough for people to wait for the ceremony to begin.
However, Seiji chose to take a look inside the island.
Walking on the deserted road in the middle of the night, with old and gloomy houses on both sides, it felt like walking into a horror film.
The cracked ground, the wild weeds, the broken items, the broken windows, the wide open doors, the collapsed walls, and the spreading moss … Everywhere was filled with the bleak atmosphere unique to an abandoned place.
What kind of people had lived on this island, how they had lived... She could not help thinking of such questions.
"Mr. Haruta," a voice called out.
When Seiji turned around, he saw a man wearing a demon mask and a dark-blue combat uniform walking over.
"Rota-san …" Seiji recognized Rota.
"I heard from Saito -san that you're the exiled 'Haruta.'"
"That's right."
"Why don't you have any grudges against your family? Being exiled must be a great humiliation, right? "Rota asked.
Shika Kagura furrowed his eyebrows.
"Because I brought this upon myself," Seiji answered.
"Are you certain that's really the case?"
"What do you mean?"
"Have you ever thought that you are actually being framed or schemed against? Although I don't know the specifics, I feel that you, Haruta -san, don't seem like someone who would make a major mistake. It's rather strange that you received such a severe punishment as being exiled, "Rota spoke in a low voice.
"That's because I've changed. I wasn't like this before," Seiji stated calmly.
Everyone fell silent for a moment.
"Join the Revenge Alliance, Haruta -san." Rota directly told Seiji why he was here.
Seiji looked directly at Rota.
"Back on the airship, I wanted to discuss this alliance with you, Rota-san, but you refused … Why do you want me to join now?"
"At that time, I didn't know about Haruta -san's situation. Now that I know, I've confirmed that Haruta -san has power, which will be of great help to the Revenge Alliance."
"Is it my power that's of great help, or the Haruta Family's bloodline?"
"The Haruta Family's bloodline is also a part of your power," Rota stated directly.
That was why Seiji was actually interested in the bloodline. Seiji understood now.
"Why do you need the Haruta Family's bloodline?"
"My apologies, I can't answer that question. However, I promise that it won't be anything bad, and that it won't harm you, Haruta -san."
'I'd believe you if you said it any more realistically.' Seiji retorted in his mind.
"What's in it for me if I join?"
"You'll obtain even greater power, far surpassing the power of your family members who exiled you — such as the power of Haruta Seiji!"
"Obtaining power out of nowhere is like a pie falling from the sky. It's not reassuring at all."
"It's not something that comes out of nowhere. You'll understand when the time comes. This is a brand new power of the new generation!" Rota's tone was filled with a hint of fanaticism.
This type of behavior didn't seem to fit Seiji's impression of him … just what exactly had this detective gone through?
"I'll understand when the time comes … I don't really believe in such things."
"It's fine if you don't completely believe me. As long as you agree to join, I'll give you a token. After that … you can choose whether or not to accept this new power. I believe that you will."
"What if I refuse to join?"
"Then let's pretend that this conversation never happened. However, please consider it carefully before making your decision. "
"You're not worried that I'll report you?"
"I believe that Haruta -san won't."
'Like hell I'll believe you. Even if I report you, I'll probably be able to deal with it.'
"Rota-san, may I ask why you joined the Revenge Alliance? Or are you actually the one who started it? "Seiji asked.
"I didn't … I joined in order to establish a new order!" Rota's tone was filled with fanaticism once again.
"What kind of new order?"
"An even better order than the current one! The first thing we need to do is to overthrow the corrupt faction that has been cruelly oppressing all of Sakura Island for far too long. We need to punish those who have always been so arrogant and evil!! "
Rota's words seemed to contain a scorching energy that could burn someone.
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