An alarm blared within the Kitsune base.
The emergency was triggered because someone had initiated the use of a β-class forbidden artifact!
β-class Objects were explicitly prohibited from use, yet someone had clearly exploited their authority to retrieve a β-class Object!
When security personnel rushed to the scene, only ten tragically mutilated corpses remained before the acquisition chamber.
Byakuya, his hands stained crimson with blood, was calmly consuming a can of plums.
"Hmm, these taste better than the canned peaches."
The Chief Council Member from headquarters was the first to arrive upon hearing the news.
Surveying the scattered paper cups on the floor and the remains, this council member immediately understood the horrifying truth!
"You used β-077?!"
"Are you insane?!"
"Did you secure authorization from the O5 Council? Do you comprehend the potential casualty count from your actions?!"
The council member was thoroughly enraged.
β-077: Soul Lemonade.
Its effect was: when an individual drinks the lemonade and simultaneously views a photograph of an existing living being, all injuries sustained by the drinker are instantaneously inflicted upon the person they viewed.
Simply put, it functions like a horrifying form of sympathetic magic (voodoo doll).
However, the person drinking the lemonade is the one controlling the effect!
This Object was fundamentally flawed because it was heavily influenced by subjective perception!
A person sees a face through a picture. They cannot recall every minute detail, every single pore, with mechanical precision!
They only retain a general, approximate likeness!
And in this world, too many people share similar appearances!
Kitsune had previously tested this artifact. During that experiment, they used a D-class operative, and the consequence was the accidental demise of nearly ten thousand people.
The appearances of those nearly ten thousand victims were not even entirely identical. Some bore only vague similarities, or shared only partial traits.
But due to the drinker's subjective recall, which focused only on a general likeness, any injury inflicted upon the drinker would simultaneously reflect onto everyone who fell within that generally perceived likeness!
Meaning, anyone whose appearance fell within that generalized profile would suffer the effect!
This was precisely why this artifact was forbidden!
Byakuya was fully aware of this, yet he proceeded nonetheless.
The council member dared not imagine the ensuing consequences!
The last time they experimented, it involved only one target. This time, Byakuya had utilized ten people!
If he simultaneously targeted ten individuals, the resulting death toll from this single incident would be incalculable!
Observing the unusually furious council member, Byakuya took out a handkerchief to meticulously wipe the blood from his hands. "Shouldn't you first inquire as to why I utilized 077?"
"Because I found a method to circumvent mistakenly harming innocent people."
"What?"
Seeing Byakuya's self-assured demeanor, the council member was startled. Could Byakuya truly have discovered a way to nullify 077's detrimental side effects?
...
One day later.
The council member proceeded to compile the necessary statistics. Yesterday, 210,000 people across Earth died suddenly from unknown maladies.
Solving 077's problem?
Nonsense!
"Byakuya!!"
The council member rushed out, frantically searching for Byakuya.
However, someone informed him that Byakuya had already departed.
"Where did he go?!"
"Chief Byakuya secretly left yesterday along with all the Earthly Branches, stating it was... to carry out a surprise attack mission."
...
Several supersonic fighter jets were deployed, rocketing rapidly towards Africa.
And Byakuya was aboard one of these supersonic jets. The aircraft was piloted by the Snake position, the current wielder of the Snake stone, one of the Twelve Earthly Branches.
"I've already kept my end of the bargain. Now it's your turn to assist me, correct?"
"Assist with what?"
"Are you feigning ignorance? Didn't we establish an agreement? I help you deal with the Heavenly Stems, and you help me deal with the other Earthly Branches."
"Is that so? Why don't I recall that arrangement?"
"You!"
The Snake position suddenly ground his teeth. "Now that you've ascended to Chief of the O5 Council, are you planning to discard your allies after crossing the river, is that it?"
"But don't forget, those hidden secrets of yours—I know them perfectly!"
"Ah."
Byakuya leaned back comfortably. "Very well, I will assist you. Besides, I also intend to defect to Chaos. A little help before I leave is acceptable."
The Snake position was startled. "You are planning to defect to Chaos?"
"That is correct. Didn't you already know? Yesterday, I used a β-type Object and unintentionally caused the deaths of over two hundred thousand people."
"By now, they should have reacted. There is no viable path back for me, so I must seek sanctuary with Chaos."
The Snake position's eyes gleamed. "So this time, your designated mission is actually an escape route?"
"More than that."
"I have summoned all the remaining Earthly Branches. Isn't the outcome self-evident?"
"You intend to collect all the stones?"
"Precisely."
"Since I am seeking asylum with Chaos, bringing a suitable entry gift seems only natural, doesn't it?"
The Snake position chuckled faintly. "Then I believe I have devised a suitable plan."
Several fighter jets landed across the barren landscape of Africa. Nine Earthly Branches emerged one after another from the aircraft.
"Is this Chaos's stronghold?"
"There is nothing here."
"I told you that guy was unreliable."
"Oh, we've searched extensively and still haven't located Chaos's final rendezvous point. He found it the moment he became Chief? Do you genuinely believe that is plausible?"
The nine Earthly Branches voiced their skepticism, only to then witness Byakuya and the Snake position quietly approaching.
"Since everyone is assembled, let us commence."
"Commence what...?"
Puff, puff!
Before that individual could finish his sentence, Byakuya instantly condensed metal into a sword in his palm, bisecting that Earthly Branch member with a single stroke!
Byakuya's movements were abnormally swift. All Five Element avatars manifested concurrently, each capable of delivering a lethal one-hit termination!
Those who resisted death, such as Horse and Dog, were instantly submerged into the ground or bound by thick vines!
By the time the Snake position registered the action, the engagement was already concluded.
This individual...
Byakuya extracted the stones one by one from the fallen Earthly Branches, then turned to look pointedly at the Snake position. "Satisfied?"
The Snake position immediately applauded. "Magnificent. You are even more ruthless than I had anticipated."
"Indeed, cooperating with you proved to be the correct decision."
"Coincidentally, aren't you seeking passage to Chaos? Hand over the stones, and I will escort you to Chaos."
Byakuya, with a dismissive flick of his wrist, produced three stones. "The most unreliable element in this world is language."
The Snake position smiled thinly. "You distrust me? That is acceptable. My mandate was to retrieve all twelve stones. Now that the twelve stones are consolidated, I can also withdraw from this engagement."
"Towards the fighter jet..."
...
Chaos Insurgency Headquarters.
In Computer's laboratory, three individuals were currently laid flat on the operating table, undergoing necessary modifications by 020 Computer.
009 watched from the sidelines.
Only a day prior, Arthur and Zhang Yuanqing had narrowly escaped death on the spot.
Arthur's head had nearly been crushed, and Zhang Yuanqing was horrifically torn into eight distinct pieces by an assailant. Computer had been desperately attempting to salvage both of them.
"Kitsune even dared to use the lemonade? Wait, this behavior doesn't align with what that Kitsune faction typically does."
Computer paused upon hearing this and reflected briefly. "It was that individual named Byakuya. I confess, I cannot quite grasp this man."
"Even you cannot decipher him?"
"I cannot predict his next actions, nor can I deduce the inherent logic in his behavior, nor can I calculate what he intends to do next. Every single one of his decisions flies entirely outside my projections."
"It's precisely like a foreign anomaly appearing within a consistent string of code, and this anomaly functions perfectly regardless of the established parameters."
"Hearing you describe it that way, I actually find myself eager to encounter this person."
Computer turned his head slightly. "He should be arriving shortly."
"Oh?"
"Byakuya defected from Kitsune. He executed a choice that profoundly shocked me."
Under Computer's complete, unwavering surveillance, Byakuya executed the nine Earthly Branches without hesitation.
However, Byakuya was unaware that the Snake position was, in fact, a deep-cover operative for the Chaos Insurgency.
The Snake position's mandate was to retrieve the twelve stones.
Next...
For an unknown reason, Computer's processing motions suddenly halted.
"Wait a moment... could it be that..."
Boom!!
At that exact instant, the main gate of the Chaos Insurgency base was violently breached!
Byakuya, clutching the neck of the Snake operative with one hand, entered the Chaos Insurgency headquarters.
"The wonton noodles must be cold."
"How on earth did he locate this facility, Computer?"
Hearing 009's stunned question, Computer set aside the delicate work in his hands.
"I allowed him entry."
"This represents a significant miscalculation on my part. Kitsune's operative in the Snake position was our embedded asset within their ranks. This covert agent was entirely under my direction. Previously, the probability of exposure was calculated to be extraordinarily minute."
"From his initial contact with Byakuya until Byakuya ascended to the new O5 Council Chief, I began intensifying the surveillance applied to Byakuya."
"I presumed I had finally seen through him, but in reality, he had seen straight through me."
"His methodologies are truly inscrutable to my calculations."
"I cannot determine if he is actively feigning, or if his actions were a predetermined outcome influenced by fate, but he certainly accounted for my monitoring."
"Based on my reconstruction, Byakuya anticipated that I would be monitoring him, so he conducted himself in a manner deliberately incomprehensible to me, all to conceal his genuine objectives."
"I remain unaware of the method he employed to detect that the Snake position was our mole, but his current maneuver could only have been orchestrated because of that awareness."
"His seemingly disruptive actions earlier were nothing more than a smokescreen specifically designed to misdirect my analytical focus."
"He violated regulations by utilizing a β-class Object, indiscriminately attacking Arthur and the Gambler without concern for collateral damage."
"But we possess the Mother-Child Coffin Object. The Mother-Child Coffin ensures Arthur and the Gambler cannot die. His actions fundamentally could not result in their deaths; they could only needlessly sacrifice over two hundred thousand civilians."
"But being uninjured and merely surviving are fundamentally distinct concepts."
"Arthur and the Gambler would certainly be wounded—injured to the point of unconsciousness and near death. They would endure Byakuya's cruel attention, and he utilized more than a single means of sacrifice."
"Yet, this remains strategically irrelevant. As long as our headquarters remains undiscovered, regardless of how many times Arthur and his allies are injured, recovery is merely a matter of time."
"And the crux of the issue lies precisely there."
"He appeared to depart the Kitsune headquarters with a clear objective, leading the Earthly Branches as if raising a battle flag and beating drums. In reality, he was orchestrating a means of evading accountability."
"But escaping responsibility is a deliberately false narrative."
April 27th, Sunny.
I enjoy canned peaches.
April 28th, Light Rain.
The assertion written on the 27th is false. I dislike canned peaches.
April 29th, Sunny.
Yesterday's statement was false.
.
April 27th, Sunny.
I intend to launch an assault on Chaos Headquarters.
April 28th, Light Rain.
The assertion written on the 27th is false. I will not assault Chaos Headquarters.
April 29th, Sunny.
Yesterday's statement was false.
...
This sequence represented an inconceivably illogical pattern of behavior.
Because it expressed its intended meaning with such apparent simplicity and directness, it would instinctively lead observers to assume the statement was fabricated.
And he would then shroud his actual objective within another layer of meaning, so that upon careful reconsideration, people would realize the preceding information was indeed false, leading them to assume he had a separate plan.
But in reality, that layer was also a deception. The true purpose had been evident from the very start.
Employing verifiable facts to cloak falsehoods, and then immediately retracting those falsehoods.
One might label this self-delusion, but in this world, countless intelligent entities resided.
When an intelligent entity perceives you as equally intelligent, your streams of thought are immediately aligned to the same cognitive level.
After rational analysis, they would conclude that they themselves would never engage in such simplistic deception, and thus, you, reasoning from that shared perspective, would never perform such an act either.
Of course, this serves as the simplified explanation.
Byakuya's actions were undeniably more labyrinthine. He leveraged a fundamentally simple logic, yet rendered that logic exponentially complex.
Byakuya overtly declared his intent to raid Chaos Headquarters.
In actuality, this declaration was a calculated evasion of the repercussions from using a β-class Object.
That initial option—the raid—seemed impossible to anyone, because no one knew the location of the Chaos Headquarters.
And when only two factual outcomes remain possible, the answer defaults to the second one.
Byakuya was evading responsibility. He executed his maneuvers with seamless precision. He eliminated all the Earthly Branches who were his supposed allies, and then, having nothing left to lose, declared he might as well align with Chaos.
Everything flowed so naturally, so fluidly, that Computer only now grasped that Byakuya's initial logical presentation had been the correct one all along.
Is this the meaning behind the adage, "Overthinking leads to self-harm"?
Simply absurd!
Computer clenched his metallic fists, producing a distinct metallic clang. "I actually fell for such a rudimentary logical fallacy."
"Byakuya, you truly..."
"Very well. You genuinely possess the necessary aptitude to challenge me."
At this moment, Byakuya had broken through layer after layer of defenses, reaching Chaos's most critical core level, standing before the 009 and 020 Computer.
Arthur and Zhang Yuanqing had already lost their combat capabilities. Everything unfolded precisely as he had envisioned.
Byakuya pushed the door open, brazenly presenting himself before the two.
"A long time ago, I posed a question: Why do some individuals always insist on needlessly complicating simple matters?"
"And then proceed to make already complicated things even more convoluted. Doesn't everyone eventually grow weary of this?"
Computer, using a robotic arm, managed to prop himself up, facing Byakuya. "So, you embody that 'saying one thing while meaning another' personality type?"
"Complicating matters is clearly your approach, yet you feign being retaliated against. You are truly inscrutable."
Byakuya regarded Computer. "First time meeting. Hello, 020."
"There is one point I wish to clarify. Every action I take is inherently straightforward. If you choose to interpret it in such an elaborate, complex manner, what recourse do I have?"
Computer genuinely wished to laugh, but he had never bothered to install that particular module.
"You might be able to use such rhetoric to sway those lacking conviction, those weak-minded fools incapable of independent judgment."
"You were fully aware that your machinations would result in intentional deception, and you also knew I would inevitably fall into a logical fallacy. Was none of this within your expectations?"
"I concede that I have lost this engagement. But you, you are..."
Hm?
Before Computer could complete his sentence, a surge of white Yang energy suddenly struck, enveloping the body of Chaos Unit 01, directly igniting the fuel rods!
Boom!!
Chaos Unit 01's chassis exploded. Two spectral figures manifested behind Byakuya.
One black, one white.
These two phantoms, a man and a woman—the male embodying pure white ultimate Yang, the female embodying pitch-black ultimate Yin.
Neither were the Five Element Avatars. One black and one white orb of energy circled Byakuya as he swung his arms, tracing a circle.
The Heavenly Stems claim all of the Five Elements, subsequently dividing into Yin and Yang, thus totaling ten principles.
The Yang Five Elements unite to form the Greater Yang; the Yin Five Elements unite to form the Greater Yin, resulting in the Two Qis of Yin and Yang, also known as the Liangyi.
Zero obtained the potion, which represented the Taiji.
Taiji splits into two, forming Yin and Yang.
Taiji splits into four, forming the Four Symbols.
Taiji splits into five, forming the Five Elements.
Taiji splits into eight, forming the Eight Trigrams.
Taiji splits into ten, forming the Heavenly Stems.
The overarching domain of its capabilities encompassed all things and corresponded to everything.
Deca was merely one expression of this fundamental concept.
But just as Byakuya understood, Taiji is easy to divide but exceedingly difficult to reassemble.
However, there existed an artifact known as the Tiger Stone.
Its very existence symbolized the perfect harmony of Yin and Yang.
When Byakuya held the Tiger Stone, he could forcefully combine the Deca, molding an avatar of the Yin-Yang Two Qis.
Yet, he still could not merge Yin and Yang back into the Taiji.
Because the Tiger Stone was deliberately pushed away by Byakuya. If Yin and Yang combined to form Taiji, his power would instantly ascend to the 4th Step.
...
As Computer's Chaos Unit 01 detonated its fuel rods, at that precise moment, one of the three individuals lying on the operating table opened his eyes.
It was the Rabbit configuration that had been captured earlier. His body had undergone severe mechanical augmentation, becoming highly mechanized throughout, and the Rabbit Stone was still embedded in his frame!
Crack!
All restraints on him broke instantly. Computer was controlling this vessel via the Lightbrain!
But he made no move to confront Byakuya, nor did he spare a glance for 009 or Arthur.
He immediately utilized the Rabbit Stone to accelerate his movements, seeking out his primary processing unit. His main body had been compressed and modified into a miniature, simple computer core.
Furthermore, it possessed an internal power source; it could be picked up and carried away.
This Byakuya individual was too insidious. With Computer's core present, he dared not engage directly.
The immediate priority was relocating his primary hardware; everything else was secondary!
"It's a shame that the development of Chaos Unit 02 isn't completely finalized, but time waits for no one. I cannot afford to worry about these details anymore."
Using the acceleration from the Rabbit Stone, Computer directly escaped through the emergency tunnel, carrying his core unit!
And before leaving, he certainly did not forget to activate the base's self-destruct sequence!
Computer had absolutely no intention of allowing his valuable equipment and experimental data to fall into Kitsune's possession.
The Mother-child Coffin wasn't at headquarters, and 009 was not incapacitated. The base's explosion wouldn't kill them anyway, so they would be left to their own devices.
"Base self-destruct program initiated."
"Countdown: 180 seconds."
"179."
"178."
Because everything had unfolded too rapidly, 009 was only just realizing that Computer had actually abandoned them!
Hadn't he been preaching about technological superiority, about machines becoming gods?!
Why the hell did he flee first?!
"As long as the green mountains remain, there will be wood to burn. You possess Absolute Hit; those individuals cannot stop you. We shall meet again."
That traitorous 020!
"This last base, I painstakingly managed for so long, and you just vaporize it?!"
"Bastard!!"
Thud!
Byakuya struck suddenly at that moment. His white phantom extended its hand, slamming 009 against the wall!
And the destruction countdown continued to blare loudly. Byakuya, however, appeared utterly unconcerned.
What was occurring?
He wasn't fleeing?
Was he unafraid of the base's annihilation?
Or perhaps he possessed an innate ability to survive anything?
Facing 009's numerous conjectures, Byakuya offered only a single reply.
"It isn't January, is it?"
Byakuya knew the exact date of his scheduled demise, thus he also knew he would not perish here.
It was April now, even if his calculated lifespan was only one year remaining.
This was not the designated time!
Damn it!
009, without a word, instantly activated Absolute Hit, breaking free from Byakuya's restraint, and slammed out of the base!
Byakuya watched this, making no move to stop him. Whether it was Computer or 009, capturing either would undoubtedly be a task akin to ascending to heaven.
So Byakuya turned his attention instead to Arthur and Zhang Yuanqing remaining in the laboratory.
...
A few days later.
Byakuya returned to the Kitsune headquarters. Facing a line of security personnel, he unceremoniously dropped the unconscious forms of Zhang Yuanqing and Arthur.
"This surprise infiltration mission was an absolute success."
"Chaos's final stronghold has been demolished by me. Both 010 Clown and 029 Gambler have been secured in my custody."
"This operation also allowed us to intercept a massive trove of Chaos Insurgency data, but regrettably, ten Earthly Branches tragically perished during this mission."
"Their sacrifice was meaningful."
Huh?
Everyone present was stunned. Byakuya had played everyone—not just the enemy, but his own allies too.
Confusion reigned. Byakuya, without offering further explanation, had delivered a crushing blow to the Chaos Insurgency.
At that moment, a female officer approached, carrying a bowl of wonton soup.
"Chief, your wonton noodles."
The broth was perfectly clear. Inside floated four wontons; two were deliberately sliced open, and two remained intact.
Byakuya reached out, selected the two cut wontons, and then took the bowl into his hands.
As he did so, those two sliced wontons morphed into two fleeing, humanoid figures. Upon seeing this, Byakuya permitted a fleeting, terrifying smile to cross his lips.
"You performed admirably. Tomorrow, continue preparing canned peaches."
"Why?"
"Because I enjoy eating them."
...
Cabinet, Elder Council.
Zero tilted his head, reviewing the report in his hand. "Byakuya executed well this time."
"But the Earthly Branches..."
"The Earthly Branches can be re-recruited."
"And the Heavenly Stems..."
"The Heavenly Stems can also be re-recruited."
"Then what about Byakuya's abuse of β-077, leading to such extensive casualties?"
Zero flipped a page in the report. "Byakuya secured Chaos's core data on the autonomously developed body of 020 Computer. This advancement alone will propel human technology forward by fifty years."
"His merits outweigh his transgressions; thus, let his merits and sins balance each other out."
Zero was resolute in his support for Byakuya. Further argument was futile.
The sacrifice of twelve Earthly Branches, plus the loss of over 200,000 ordinary civilians. This was certainly not a conventional or acceptable strategy, yet it proved highly effective.
Therefore, Byakuya's actions could not be entirely dismissed.
He could commit certain acts that Zero truly could not.
And Zero could undertake certain tasks that Byakuya was incapable of.
Thus, Byakuya was not a demon, but precisely what he was, currently had no definitive label.
...
On the other side, Computer, carrying its primary unit, fled under the cover of night, moving from Africa to Asia.
Byakuya's aggressive strike had directly disrupted Computer's carefully laid schedule, effectively derailing the Chaos Insurgency's broader plans.
Their last base was annihilated; all previous strategic preparations were rendered void.
009's reorganized army was similarly vulnerable and unlikely to be of much immediate use.
In preparation for contingencies, Computer had already formulated countermeasures.
"Although there are deviations from the initial preset plan, there are no insurmountable issues. My overall objective can still be implemented."
Computer, piloting the human-modified Chaos Unit 02, walked along a city street. A nearby television screen displayed a broadcast.
"Our nation's latest rocket has entered the final launch preparation phase. This marks a pivotal breakthrough for humanity in aerospace exploration!"
"Last time, our astronauts successfully returned with lunar soil samples, and subsequent testing revealed that vast quantities of Helium-3 can be extracted from that lunar material."
Computer's eyes, visible beneath its robe, occasionally flashed red light before swiftly extinguishing.
...
A few days later.
A United Nations conference was convened. Kitsune presented a bombshell piece of intelligence to the high-level officials of various nations.
They announced that they had mastered a method for actively refining energy and achieved significant breakthroughs in the process.
However, they provided the various countries only with the most fundamental technique.
They named this technique the Energy Conduction Technique.
Meanwhile, within Kitsune's private research divisions, far more complex and extensive cultivation methodologies were being developed. New Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches were continuously being selected for training.
But this time, there was a subtle difference: the Heavenly Stems relied on self-cultivation rather than external potions.
These advanced cultivation methods were still being taught to them verbally by Zero.
Among this cohort, one individual's training regimen stood out as the most unique: Byakuya's.
All cultivation methods were transcribed onto paper template copies. Only Byakuya's technique was taught orally by Zero, leaving absolutely no physical record.
In just half a short month, this cultivation method had secretly disseminated among various nations.
However, Kitsune's internal research did not pursue this development further.
Instead, they vigorously redirected their focus toward researching the Chaos Unit bodies originally created by 020.
"The forthcoming era will undoubtedly be dominated by the widespread adoption of cultivation methods and the practical application of refined energy."
"But looking at the long-term perspective, whether it is the physical body utilizing energy or machinery utilizing energy, both are simply means of energy application."
"And the physical body's application of energy requires not only energy itself but also the accumulation of time and years of tempering."
"In this aspect, the advantage held by machinery will be infinitely magnified."
"Human cultivation may demand time, but once a machine is engineered, it can be deployed instantly."
"Therefore, the path of technological advancement is the most immediate and efficient solution."