Chapter 10: The Strongest VS The Strongest VS Level 0

♣♣♣

It’s been three weeks since I last wore the ‘Fool’s Mask.’

This mask, which covers my entire face, changes my senses when I put it on. My vision, normally limited to what my eyes can see, expands to an all-around view, and I no longer need to blink—as if blinking doesn’t even exist. Plus, I feel power surging through my whole body.

I don’t use it all the time, so it’s hard to get used to, but I’m glad I got accustomed to it last night when I went to get some Potions.

Also, since I hadn’t used the ‘Absolute Stealth’ skill in a while, I’m glad I got used to that too.

Right now, I’m heading east at full speed.

Thanks to the ‘Fool’s Mask’ and ‘Speed Boost (Ultimate),’ I can run at an incredible pace.

At this rate, I could probably get back to my hometown without a train and not take too long.

Without time to enjoy the passing scenery, I push through the pouring rain and reach the coast.

From here, I can’t see where the artificial island Grandpa mentioned is at all.

But I can’t stop here. If I can’t stop those two and their fight causes a huge loss to either side, or both, I won’t be able to face Hina or Shino ever again.

If that magic stone in question is the ‘Magic Stone Δ (Delta)’ I sold…… I have plenty in my ‘Dimensional Storage,’ and I could convince them both.

Besides, I should be able to get more anytime, and for Hina and Shino’s sake, I’d give up as many magic stones as needed.

For now, instead of thinking, I should move my legs and search for the artificial island.

I step onto the vast ocean.

The ‘Fool’s Mask’ doesn’t just expand my vision and boost my physical abilities. It also makes my body incredibly light, enough to stand on a leaf. It’s not like my weight disappears, so my attacks still carry force, and my movements aren’t that different from usual. It’s just that some mysterious power lets me do things that normally wouldn’t be possible.

Once, while running with the mask on, I stepped into a pond and found I could even stand on water. Running across the sea should be easy with the mask activated.

I hurriedly dash across the vast ocean. Even with fierce winds and stormy waves at full speed, I leap over them, jumping high into the air to search for the island.

After doing this a few times, I spot a tiny shadow far off. As I approach, I see what looks like a giant ship—an artificial island, no doubt.

As I rush closer, I sense two tremendous forces coming from ahead. Without a doubt—it’s Akari-san and Touma-san.

Considering the rough waves, I decide jumping toward the island will be faster than running straight, so I leap forward with all my strength.

As I get closer, I see a blazing inferno that could burn everything down and a visible tempest rising from opposite ends of the island—something I’ve seen before.

……If this keeps up, it’ll start! Isn’t there some way to stop it!?

《Due to adversity, you have gained the second power of the Fate ‘Fool,’ ‘Black Thunder’—‘Swift Thunder.’》

Black Thunder, huh? That must be the black lightning I can use when wearing the mask. So it has a proper name.

The first power is for attack. I’ve confirmed multiple times that it deals powerful lightning damage to anything it touches while in mask mode. Strangely, monsters defeated by it vanish without a trace. Since it leaves no materials, I don’t use it much.

The second power, ‘Swift Thunder.’ It’s my first time using it, but somehow I know how to wield it like my own limbs. This power is—ultra-high-speed movement.

My body turns into black lightning, and in an instant, I reach the sky above the artificial island.

On the island, Akari-san and Touma-san have unleashed their powers and are about to clash.

I use ‘Swift Thunder’ again. After the first time, I realized it’s extremely draining. Unlike ‘Black Thunder,’ which didn’t tire me out much, ‘Swift Thunder’ feels like heavy weights are attached to my whole body—a massive drain.

But I can’t hold back now. I have to stop them before they collide……!

Just as their fists—one wreathed in blazing red flames and the other in a raging tempest—are about to meet, I slip between them with ‘Swift Thunder.’

In that split second, Akari-san and Touma-san’s gazes shift from each other to me. But their fists, carried by momentum, can’t stop.

I envelop both my arms in ‘Black Thunder’ at full power and redirect their attacks.

With my left arm, I shift Touma-san’s tempest to the left, and with my right, I divert Akari-san’s flames to the right.

Without the ‘Martial King’ or ‘Focus’ skills, this would’ve been impossible. I can’t thank Grandpa enough for that.

The overwhelming power they unleashed turns into flames and wind, splitting the sea apart.

《Due to adversity, you have gained the skill ‘Heat Resistance.’》

《Due to adversity, you have gained the skill ‘Flame Resistance (Ultimate).’》

《Due to adversity, you have gained the skill ‘Tempest Resistance.’》

《Due to adversity, you have gained the skill ‘Wind Resistance (Ultimate).’》

《Due to adversity, you have gained the skill ‘Laceration Resistance.’》

The sea is gouged by the tempest and evaporated by the flames. Two massive craters form on either side of the artificial island.

“Who are you?”

“Who……?”

Akari-san and Touma-san speak at the same time, and instantly, their next attacks turn toward me.

I don’t think I can take on Japan’s strongest duo head-on. But if I can maximize the ‘Fool’s Mask’ power, I might withstand a few hits.

Though it’s normally an attack power, I use the ‘Black Thunder’ on both hands to nullify their assaults with flames and wind.

They keep attacking without pause, but I cancel them all out.

In the midst of it, Touma-san lands a fierce kick to my stomach, sending me flying far back.

《Due to adversity, the skill ‘Defense Boost (Intermediate)’ has evolved into ‘Defense Boost (Advanced).’》

I immediately see Akari-san and Touma-san resume their fight.

While still airborne from the blow, I use ‘Swift Thunder’ a third time and wedge myself between them again.

《Due to adversity, the skill ‘Stamina Recovery (Advanced)’ has evolved into ‘Stamina Recovery (Superior).’》

After the third ‘Swift Thunder,’ my weighed-down body feels a bit lighter.

I strike both their fists upward at the same time, sending the flames and tempest skyward. They mix and explode, raining heat across the entire island.

“I’m Hyuga. I want you to stop this fight.”

“Who are you, and why are you trying to stop us?”

“This fight has no meaning.”

“No meaning? What would you know!?”

Pretending to reach into my pocket, I pull a ‘Magic Stone Δ (Delta)’ from my ‘Dimensional Storage.’

“Is this what you’re after?”

“That’s!?”

I tuck it back into my pocket, and both stop their fists just before hitting me.

They’d come here with immense resolve and hadn’t let up even after I appeared. Their skills are so evenly matched that the slightest lapse could mean defeat—explaining why neither could stop attacking.

“Hyuga, was it? Name your price. Hand it over.”

“We’ll cover half that price. That’s fine with you, right, Touma?”

“Fine by me. The military has the other one anyway.”

Phew…… This might just lead to a negotiation. Or maybe if I left it here and ran, they’d let me off?

As I think that, something massive crashes onto the artificial island.

With a dull thud and rumbling, steam-like vapor rises, obscuring everything inside.

The next moment, as rain and wind clear the steam, a familiar figure emerges.

“Father.”

“Akari…… Touma-kun. It seems I didn’t make it in time for the fight, but can you tell me the situation?”

I knew Akari-san and Touma-san were Japan’s strongest. On top of that, I’d heard Grandpa and Uncle from the Kamui family were pretty strong too, but seeing Uncle in this serious state, I feel his power for the first time.

He’s not outmatched by Akari-san or Touma-san. In other words…… Uncle’s also among Japan’s top-tier fighters.

“I got word that you two were heading to fight over the ‘Magic Stone Δ (Delta),’ and it seems that’s correct.”

“Father…… For Hinata’s sake, I’d even give my life……”

“Fool! Do you think Hinata would be happy with you throwing your life away like that!?”

“That’s……”

“Besides, Hinata has a solution. It depends on the other side’s opinion, but if we put everything the Kamui family has into persuading them, we could secure a life more comfortable than any magic stone could provide!”

“……Hinata?”

“Yes. I don’t have his permission, but…… the one who can help Hinata’s situation the most isn’t the ‘Magic Stone Δ (Delta)’ or anyone else—it’s Hinata-kun.”

“But the moment that man refuses, all possibilities vanish. Human relationships are fragile. We should take measures as the Kamui family first—for Hinata’s sake.”

“I know that. That’s why I suggested yielding to the Kagura family, who are in a more immediate crisis. It’d buy some time to find more ‘Magic Stone Δ (Delta).’ The entire Kamui family is searching worldwide.”

“And we waited a month for that. Meanwhile, Hinata keeps getting stronger……”

So Hina’s level rising and growing stronger really is a huge deal for her family.

Makes sense. It’s not just the Kamui household staff I saw today. If she gets even stronger, Seishin Town—maybe all of Japan—could be at risk.

What would happen to her then? The worst I can imagine is locking her away in a place like Antarctica, leaving Hina alone forever. If she became a threat to Japan’s people, that could happen.

If Hina herself learned that truth, she might choose to leave Japan on her own. Knowing that, Akari-san must be this desperate.

Touma-san’s the same. Shino can barely live even with earphones in her room. A space where she could normally take them off must feel unbearably small now.

Their feelings for their little sisters hit me hard.

I don’t want them to know I’m here. If they find out I gave them the ‘Magic Stone Δ (Delta),’ like Akari-san said, Hina and Shino would start worrying about me. For a simple magic stone I can get anytime, they’d force themselves to stand by me, holding back even when they’re upset.

Is that a real party? I…… don’t think so. I want a party where we support and acknowledge each other. I want teammates who’ll say when something’s wrong.

“Looks like you need the ‘Magic Stone Δ (Delta).’”

My voice draws all three’s attention, and tension spikes instantly.

“Who’s he……?”

“He broke into our fight out of nowhere and has the ‘Magic Stone Δ (Delta).’ Says his name’s Hyuga.”

“What!? —Hyuga-dono. Name your price. Any condition you want.”

Uncle’s saying the same as Akari-san and Touma-san. It really shows how much Hina and the others are loved by their families.

“If it can buy my daughters’ lives, it’s a small price. I don’t want Touma-kun to become a needless sacrifice either.”

“Akira-san……”

“I know how much Touma-kun cares about Shino-chan. That’s why a serious injury here would break her heart. No matter what, we need to secure the ‘Magic Stone Δ (Delta)’ and all get back safely.”

Before I know it, negotiations start between the three of them and me.

Honestly, anything’s fine…… I don’t need money anymore. No house loans, living expenses are covered, and even with party funds subtracted from the materials Hina and the others share, I’ve got plenty left.

In that case, maybe something other than money would be better.

I could just leave it for free, but…… that’d increase the chance of them figuring me out.

“I don’t need money.”

“Then what do you want?”

What I want…… doesn’t come to mind right away.

Come to think of it, maybe a magic weapon for the whole team? But that’s something I could buy with money myself. Magic weapons are tricky. If it’s a unique item, them knowing I have it could give me away again……

The three look at me with expectant eyes.

Ugh…… what do I do……? What would Shino negotiate in a situation like this?

Then something catches my attention—the word ‘skill.’

Grandpa mentioned marrying Hina but wouldn’t teach me, saying there were circumstances he couldn’t reveal. He said I’d be told if I became part of the Kamui family.

Is it info exclusive to the Kamui family, or national secrets—or both?

“—‘Skill.’ Do you know that word?”

“……Yes, I do.”

“If you can teach me everything about skills—all the details—then I’ll hand over this ‘Magic Stone Δ (Delta).’”

“Did you deliberately release the ‘Magic Stone Δ (Delta)’ to the exchange center to research it? So you could negotiate with us once we’d figured out its value?”

Whaaat!?

“I see…… It makes sense why you’d let a stone like ‘Magic Stone Δ (Delta)’ go for chump change at the exchange center.”

N-No, that’s not……

“So we’ve been dancing in this guy’s palm all along…… But if it means Shino can feel even a little better, I don’t care. I’ll dance as much as he wants.”

Maybe…… I should’ve sold two……

“Hyuga-dono. I accept your proposal. On the Kamui family’s name, I’ll bring everything, even state secrets.”

State secrets!?

“But…… since it’s highly classified, I’d ask you not to leak it to anyone else, Hyuga-dono. I’m sorry to impose a condition from the buyer’s side, but if state secrets leaked overseas, it could endanger the public.”

Yes. I absolutely won’t tell anyone. It’s just info I wanted to know—it’s not like I need it…… Sigh……

“No problem. Then I’ll hand over this ‘Magic Stone Δ (Delta).’”

“Could we have three weeks to compile the information?”

“That’s fine.”

“Thank you.”

“Three weeks……”

“Akari, let’s somehow ask Hinata-kun to buy us three weeks.”

“Father……”

!?

“Ahem. Then payment can come later.”

“Really!?”

“Of course. I can’t waste the precious time of people like you. So—”

“Wait.”

Surprisingly, it’s Touma-san who stops me.

I turn to face him.

“How can we contact you?”

“Contact……?”

“Yeah. Someone like you, who has something like the ‘Magic Stone Δ (Delta),’ might have other powerful materials too, right?”

“Touma-kun, that negotiation can wait……”

“Akira-san, you’re too soft. If those materials got out overseas, it’d be a threat. I hate to think about it, but if there were more ‘Magic Stone Δ (Delta)’ stones and they fell into foreign hands…… they could be used for military weapons!”

Y-Yes…… I still have a lot…… Or rather, I think I can get more anytime……

“That’s true. Hyuga-dono, could you please tell us some way to contact you? I’m asking too.”

I feel reassured seeing someone who prioritizes their family yet immediately considers the nation’s safety because they bear the responsibility of its people.

But still, if I gave them my smartphone contact, it’d be like announcing I’m Hinata. That’d make all my efforts to stay hidden pointless.

“Father, there should still be some spare general-use phones from the government. Let’s procure one of those.”

“Akari~! That’s a great idea~ I’m all for it!”

“Hm. If Touma agrees too, even the marshal won’t object.”

Uh…… what’s a general-use phone……?

“I’ll contact the marshal now.”

Akari-san pulls a smartphone from her magic bag and makes a call. Surprisingly, the other side picks up right away.

“Marshal, Touma and I fought over the ‘Magic Stone Δ (Delta).’”

Immediately after, a loud “You fool!!” echoes from the phone, audible even from here.

“But someone who sold a ‘Magic Stone Δ (Delta)’ showed up mid-fight and agreed to sell us another one—yes. So we’re selling him all the ‘skill’-related info the country has. Also, we want to give him a general-use phone so we can contact him anytime, and Touma agrees. Please send one right now.”

Another angry shout comes through, loud enough to hear, but it ends with reluctant agreement as the call cuts off.

“Marshal Sumeragi has it rough too, huh……”

Uncle mutters quietly, looking up at the rainy sky.

Even so, all three of them aren’t wet from the rain. For me, the ‘Fool’s Mask’ evaporates it all—similar to Hina’s state.

“Hyuga~ If you’ve got any good materials, sell ’em to me~”

As we end up waiting leisurely, Touma-san unexpectedly strikes up a friendly conversation.

“What kind……?”

“Anything soft to the touch and durable?”

Hmm…… Maybe the rabbit monster bones and hide, or the piglet monster hide I got along with the ‘Magic Stone Δ (Delta)’?

I pull out all three, and Touma-san’s eyes light up. Naturally, Akari-san and Uncle, watching with interest from a distance, react too.

“Never seen these materials before. They look pretty sturdy, though.”

These were materials the exchange center couldn’t appraise, so I couldn’t sell them. I’ve got a ton since I collected as many as the ‘Magic Stone Δ (Delta).’ Plus, I have materials from two tyrannosauruses.

The tyrannosaurus magic stone was huge—could it actually fetch a high price……?

“Hey, Hyuga. Could you let us buy these? We don’t know their value yet, so payment can be later, right?”

“Sure, no problem.”

“As expected from someone generous enough to defer payment for a ‘Magic Stone Δ (Delta).’ Akira-san, wanna analyze them together?”

“I’d love to! Please do.”

Wait…… Didn’t I hear the Kamui and Kagura families don’t get along? And sure enough, there’s some distance between Akari-san and Touma-san, but I don’t sense that between Touma-san and Uncle.

Should I ask about their relationship next time?

Touma-san and Uncle examine the materials with keen interest.

Akari-san gazes out at the sea beyond. Feeling a bit idle, I stand next to her.

“I have one little sister.”

Akari-san starts speaking out of the blue.

“Five years ago, she was the brightest, most cheerful little sister, always smiling. I’ve got a tomboyish personality, always competing, and over time I built walls with others—but she kept smiling. Not just for me—Father, Grandpa, Mother, Grandma, everyone was saved by her smile. Then…… five years ago, when she awakened her power, she stopped smiling. No, the power made her unable to express emotions—she couldn’t smile anymore.”

“She lost her emotions……?”

“Heh. If she’d lost her emotions—that might’ve been easier. My sister’s body became one where all her emotions trigger uncontrollable power. She has to constantly suppress them…… and distance herself from the people she loved.”

I know, Akari-san. Sleeping alone in that iron box, barely able to talk with family, eat, or bathe—just dreaming of freedom, all alone. She’s endured it because of the warmth of her family, no doubt.

A sister risking her life to protect her. Not just her—the whole family united, thinking of what they can do for her. I can tell they’re all supporting her.

“Recently, a guy showed up and gave my sister some freedom…… but it ended up causing her more pain. No, she’s probably happy now. But if that guy abandoned her, she’d never recover. I couldn’t save, protect, or support her then. I’ve never felt this frustrated—not even the day she awakened that power.”

I don’t quite get the abandoning part, but I think I understand what Akari-san means.

A relationship where you can’t say no to something you dislike—I don’t want that either. With Hina, Shino, and Fujii-kun, I want us to speak our minds. I want us to be equals, building that kind of bond as party members.

Even if it’s called naive…… Hina, Shino, and Fujii-kun reached out to me when I was at rock bottom—they’re precious to me.

“Sorry. Listening to me must’ve been boring.”

“No…… not at all. I learned even someone as strong as you has those struggles. And…… it reminded me that people can’t live alone. That’s just how we are.”

“Exactly. No matter how strong you get, a world alone with no one…… it’s just boring.”

After talking with Akari-san, I spot a small jet approaching from across the sea.

It lands on the artificial island in no time, and a tall man with striking white hair steps out.

His sharp gaze locks onto me. It’s my first time meeting him in person, but I’ve seen him on TV a few times.

Marshal Sumeragi, the supreme commander of Japan’s military.

Unlike the prime minister, who changes roughly every four years since the democratic era, the marshal’s position is permanent. It’s not decided by votes but by the military.

Known as the marshal with the greatest achievements in Japan’s history and said to love the nation dearly, that’s Marshal Sumeragi.

Marshal Sumeragi ignores everything else and stands before me.

Up close, his massive frame and aura are overwhelming.

“You’re the man with the ‘Magic Stone Δ (Delta)’?”

“Yeah. I’m Hyuga.”

“Hyuga-dono. On behalf of the nation, I thank you for stopping these idiot generals.”

He bows deeply to me, someone he shouldn’t even know. I don’t know if it’s custom, but Akari-san and Touma-san bow too from a distance.

“This is a communication device only generals and the marshal are allowed to have. It can’t be hacked, so your location won’t be traced no matter where you use it. On the flip side, no one can find you either. Use it freely for contact. But I have one request.”

“A request?”

“This holds the efforts of Japan’s many technicians and explorers. Just don’t sell it to another country or steal and peddle the tech.”

“Sure, I promise.”

“Good. Then it’s settled.”

The marshal hands me the phone, then heads to Akari-san and Touma-san, yelling, “You fools!!” They look away, unapologetic.

“Hyuga-dono, want a ride?”

“No, I’m good here.”

“Alright. We’ll contact you once we’re ready.”

The marshal, Akari-san, Touma-san, and Uncle board the jet he arrived in and soar off into the rainy sky.

I activate ‘Absolute Stealth’ and sprint across the sea toward the Kamui household at full speed.

♣♣♣

Inside the small jet Marshal Sumeragi arrived in.

Marshal Sumeragi, General Kamui, General Kagura, and the Kamui conglomerate president sit in spacious seats.

“Akari~”

“What?”

“Your arm okay?”

“……No way it’s okay.”

“Figured.”

Touma casually lifts and examines his left arm. The thick limb has turned blue.

“Touma, what’s with that arm?”

“What else? It got like this clashing with that guy earlier.”

“……You didn’t let your guard down, did you?”

“If I did, Akari would’ve killed me…… Still, that guy’s strong.”

“Yeah. Canceling our power and dealing direct physical damage? And didn’t you kick him away, Touma?”

“Gahaha! The foot I kicked with is a bit broken!”

“……Good thing, huh? If we’d kept fighting, I’d have killed you.”

“Well, if he hadn’t jumped in, it’d be different. And Akari, with that injury messing up your dominant hand, I’d have killed you.”

“You two! I told you not to fight! Didn’t I say I’d sink the ‘Magic Stone Δ (Delta)’ into the sea!?”

The marshal, who’d been listening quietly, explodes with anger again.

“Marshal, let’s drop that topic. Akari and Touma-kun are reflecting. What matters is what we do next.”

“Hm. A man who not only stopped Akari and Touma’s attacks at once but broke their bones. To think such a man exists in the world. Like that guy’s second coming.”

“Nostalgic…… Wonder what our senior brother’s up to……”

“I can’t believe he’d abandon Japan or die in a dungeon. He’ll probably pop up again someday. The problem is that, at this stage, even our top domestic forces combined can’t beat him.”

“Luckily, he doesn’t seem hostile, so we should build a good relationship.”

“True. Still, it’s tricky…… Wanting to know about ‘skills,’ huh?”

“He might’ve reached ‘skills’ some way himself—a transcendent, perhaps.”

“Hm. If so, we’d want him as an ally even more…… Hope the info doesn’t leak overseas.”

The marshal gazes at the clearing sky outside the window, but his reflected face is tinged with sadness.

“Akira, I’m officially requesting this as a national project. Build trust with the masked mystery man—Hyuga. The military will provide full support.”

“Understood.”

The four strive for Japan’s future and their families’ futures, unaware that their target is—shockingly—someone close by.