Naturally, Izumi was the first to notice Little Garden's approach.
Even he was somewhat surprised.
The world's integration had begun earlier than expected.
Beside him, Yuyuko Saigyouji tilted her head in confusion.
"Hm?"
"What happened?"
Hearing her question, Izumi didn't bother hiding anything.
He immediately explained the situation regarding Little Garden's impending fusion.
Yuyuko's eyes widened slightly.
"Little Garden?"
"That strange world you mentioned before?"
"Is it really happening now?"
Izumi nodded.
"Yeah."
"It's finally here."
Then he slowly stood up from Yuyuko's lap.
His expression became more serious.
"Before that happens, though..."
"There are a few things I need to prepare."
The moment he finished speaking, an overwhelming power erupted from his body.
A vast pressure swept across the entire universe.
For an instant, every living being within Izumi's world felt it.
Countless people looked toward the sky in shock.
Just as they began wondering what was happening, the pressure vanished as suddenly as it had appeared.
The phenomenon lasted only a brief moment.
But its purpose had already been accomplished.
Izumi had stabilized the entire world.
After all, Little Garden was enormous.
Once the fusion began, the impact would be unprecedented.
Even though Izumi's universe had grown far beyond its previous limits, allowing such a massive world to merge without preparation would still create considerable disturbances.
By reinforcing the world's foundations in advance, he ensured that the upcoming fusion would proceed smoothly.
Once he confirmed everything was in place, he looked back at Yuyuko.
"Alright."
"I need to take care of some work."
"I'll come back later."
Yuyuko smiled and waved her hand.
"Have fun."
The next moment, Izumi disappeared.
She wasn't surprised in the slightest.
Someone in his position was always busy.
There was no point complaining about it now.
...
When Izumi appeared again, he was standing at the summit of the Sephiroth Tree.
The highest point in his entire world.
With a simple snap of his fingers, two familiar figures materialized beside him.
Gaia.
And Alaya.
The two immediately understood why they had been summoned.
Izumi got straight to the point.
"You've felt it too, haven't you?"
"Little Garden is arriving."
Both Gaia and Alaya nodded.
The approaching world's presence was impossible to miss.
Gaia crossed her arms.
"So?"
"What do you want us to do?"
Izumi smiled faintly.
Instead of answering immediately, he stretched out his hand.
A brilliant crystal-like object suddenly appeared above his palm.
The moment it appeared, both Gaia and Alaya froze.
Their eyes widened.
"This is..."
Izumi raised the crystal.
"The core of Little Garden."
"When the world finishes merging, you'll immediately take control of it."
"Then rewrite its systems and rules."
"Assimilate it completely into our universe."
"As long as you have this core, that shouldn't be difficult."
The two stared at the object in disbelief.
After a long moment, Gaia finally spoke.
"Wait."
"Is this the thing you obtained during your trip to Little Garden?"
Izumi nodded.
Gaia's face twitched.
"Then why didn't you show us sooner?"
She looked genuinely annoyed.
Meanwhile, Izumi simply rolled his eyes.
"What would have been the point?"
"Even if I'd given it to you earlier, you couldn't have used it."
"Wouldn't that have been a waste?"
Gaia opened her mouth.
Then closed it again.
Because annoyingly enough—
He was right.
Seeing her reaction, Izumi couldn't help chuckling.
Gaia immediately became even more irritated.
Before she could complain further, Izumi lightly tapped her forehead.
"Stop making that face."
Then he handed the core directly to Alaya.
"Take it."
"This will make things much easier."
"The moment Little Garden merges, you'll be able to seize control immediately."
His expression turned serious.
"And remember."
"If anyone causes trouble during the process..."
He paused briefly.
Then his voice became cold.
"Eliminate them."
The atmosphere instantly became solemn.
Gaia and Alaya both nodded.
"We understand."
"We'll handle everything."
With the core of Little Garden now in their possession, neither of them intended to allow any accidents to occur.
The long-awaited fusion was about to begin.
And this time—
Everything would proceed according to Izumi's will.