36: Commander's Palace!

His face was like that of a withered old man, crisscrossed with ravines,

yet his eyes burned with a childishly violent rage.

Behind him, a giant dark red wine gourd, several times larger than his body, floated, emitting a strange aura of blood and alcohol mixed together.

"Trash! Nakamura Kenichi is a complete and utter trash! A coward!"

The voice of the First Pillar, Shuten Dōji—Izumo Gozen—was sharp and piercing, like the shriek of a night owl.

"How dare he surrender Xuanming Island and offer such a massive amount of flesh to that monster? Doesn't he know that the more that monster eats, the faster it will become a stumbling block for our Great Fusang in conquering Divine Summer and even the world?!"

"He should commit seppuku! No, he should be thrown into my 'Blood Wine Vat' and brewed into fertilizer!"

"Anger is useless, Gozen."

A figure completely covered in black ninja armor, with two astonishingly long dark purple katanas crossed on his back, appeared like a ghost in the shadows.

He wore no helmet, revealing half of his face covered by a metal mask.

This person was the Second Pillar of the Dominion, Shadow Emperor—Hattori Hanzo.

Hattori Hanzo's voice was deep and hoarse, like metal grinding.

"Our plan to control the heads of various countries and seize control of all nations in three days has been disrupted."

His single eye was fixed on Su Chen's lightning-wreathed figure on the screen.

"Now, Divine Summer has obtained star-patterned vibranium, created Dragon Blood Warriors, and most importantly, has the Kraken guarding the nation."

"At this moment, if we still want to move against Divine Summer, it probably won't be so easy."

"Hehehe..."

A ethereal, yet seductive and malicious laugh rang out.

The one who spoke was a beautiful woman dressed in a magnificent jūnihitoe.

It was the Third Pillar, Amaterasu Miko—Kaguya-hime.

She covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her eyes flashing with undisguised contempt for Hattori Hanzo:

"Lord Hanzo, you are one of the Three Pillars of the Dominion, the supreme ruler of the Shadow Division. What's wrong? Were you scared witless by a slightly stronger octopus? Hehehe... Truly... a disgrace to our Yamato divine lineage."

Her voice was sweet, yet like poisoned honey.

Hattori Hanzo's single eye suddenly turned to Kaguya-hime, his cold gaze like a tangible blade:

"Kaguya-hime, if your Shinto Administration Bureau truly has the ability, why not go now and bring back the head of that 'slightly stronger octopus'? If you can do it, my entire Shadow Division will henceforth... bow down to your Shinto Administration Bureau."

"Heh..."

Kaguya-hime's beautiful face maintained its smile, but a cold purple glow flashed in her eyes.

"You think... I wouldn't dare? The so-called Kraken is merely a low-level beast with brute strength and undeveloped intelligence. This Miko only needs one 'Sound of Bewitchment' to make it bind its own tentacles and offer its neck for slaughter. Or... make it my most obedient... guard dog?"

She extended a slender, jade-like finger and gently tapped Su Chen's image on the screen, as if selecting an interesting toy.

"Enough!"

A calm voice, yet filled with supreme majesty, rang out, instantly quelling all arguments.

At the end of the room,

on the highest throne, a figure slowly stood up.

He wore an ancient, dark purple kimono, and three pairs of black-feathered wings spread out from his back.

This person was the strongest in the Dominion—Great Tengu Minamoto no Yoshinobu.

Minamoto no Yoshinobu's gaze swept over the three below, finally resting on the huge screen, fixed on Su Chen's ferocious head.

"Divine Summer has become a minor affliction. With star-patterned vibranium in their hands, given time, it will surely become a major hidden danger."

"Conquering Divine Summer can no longer be delayed."

He slowly raised his hand, pointing at Su Chen in the screen, his tone indifferent,

as if stating a predetermined fact:

"This fiend is the biggest obstacle. Remove it, and Divine Summer... will be within our grasp."

His gaze turned to Kaguya-hime and Hattori Hanzo:

"Kaguya-hime, your mental control can disrupt its mind and break its will."

"Hanzo, your Kusanagi Shadow can cut through all things and break its defenses."

"The two of you working together are more than enough to deal with this beast of low intelligence. I command you to immediately lead your strong subordinates to Divine Summer."

Minamoto no Yoshinobu's eyes held no ripples,

as if he wasn't sending out two top powerhouses, but merely crushing an annoying insect:

"Bring back the crystal core... from the Kraken's brain."

"Remember, it must be intact. Its crystal core... might help me comprehend a higher Realm."

"As for the people of Divine Summer... once the great demon is subdued, we will slowly deal with them. Let them understand in despair... the consequences of defying the divine lineage."

"Hai!"

Kaguya-hime bowed slightly, a cruel, cat-and-mouse smile on her face.

Hattori Hanzo knelt on one knee, a cold gleam flashing in his single eye, and the twin blades on his back emitted a low hum.

The two figures, one beautiful and enchanting, the other cold and murderous,

instantly transformed into streaks of light and vanished into the end of the Dominion's cold corridor.

Target—Divine Summer!

Target—Kraken!

Minamoto no Yoshinobu sat back on his throne, his gaze profound as he looked eastward, a cold and arrogant curve of control forming at the corner of his mouth.

As if the fate of Divine Summer and the life and death of the Kraken were already in his grasp.