Just as he was about to suffer a heart attack from the system's antics, the gacha wheel finally began flashing with golden light!
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! Obtained Special Item—Yaegiri Sword!]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! Obtained Special Item—Hetsu Mirror!]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! Obtained Rare Bloodline—Saiyan Bloodline (Trial Version)!]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! Obtained Special Skill Book—"The Art of Time Management: From Beginner to Master"!]
A series of golden flashes dazzled Cloud's eyes until he could barely keep them open.
He ignored that last item that looked utterly sketchy, and locked his gaze firmly on the first three.
Yaegiri Sword! Hetsu Mirror!
Related information instantly flooded his mind.
In Japanese mythology, there existed the legend of the "Ten Divine Treasures"—ten sacred objects bestowed by Amaterasu upon Nigihayahi-no-Mikoto. The Yaegiri Sword and Hetsu Mirror were two of them!
More importantly, legend had it that these two treasures shared an extremely deep connection with one of the Three Sacred Treasures—the Yata Mirror!
They could... amplify the Yata Mirror's power!
"Talk about a pillow arriving just when you're sleepy..."
A smile tugged at the corner of Cloud's lips.
He knew exactly who these should go to.
As for the Saiyan Bloodline—though it wasn't the Super Saiyan version, something like this would be an absolute dimensional crushing advantage against Earth's current power system.
Since it was a trial version, Cloud decided to save it. Next time he encountered another god-tier boss like Orochi, at least he'd have a powerful trump card.
...
Kagura Shrine.
This was one of the few sanctuaries remaining within Tokyo proper.
Ancient torii gates, towering old trees—the very air here was suffused with tranquility and serenity.
When Cloud arrived, the Kagura sisters were practicing in the dojo behind the shrine.
Chizuru Kagura, dressed in a pure white shrine maiden outfit and holding a ritual wand, was performing the graceful steps of Kagura-style dance. Every movement radiated sacred beauty.
Her elder sister, Maki Kagura, stood nearby offering occasional guidance.
"Your heart must be still, Chizuru. It's in turmoil." Maki's voice was ethereal and distant.
Hearing this, Chizuru's pretty face flushed. She stopped her dance and said with a hint of complaint: "Sister, you're teasing me again."
How could her heart possibly be still?
Ever since that kiss under the setting sun, that man's figure kept appearing unbidden in her mind.
Just then, a familiar voice came from the dojo entrance.
"It seems I've come at a bad time, interrupting your sisterly chat."
Cloud walked in wearing a teasing smile.
"Cloud!"
The moment she saw him, Chizuru's eyes instantly lit up with delighted surprise, her maiden's shyness no longer concealable.
"You... why are you here?"
"To see you two, of course. And I brought... some small gifts."
As he spoke, Cloud retrieved two items from his system space.
One was an ancient sword of archaic design, its blade engraved with eight peculiar spiral patterns—the Yaegiri Sword.
The other was a bronze mirror with a surface smooth as water, its frame carved with intricate wave patterns—the Hetsu Mirror.
The instant these two treasures appeared, the Yata Mirror on Maki's person suddenly hummed with resonance, radiating an unprecedented brilliant light!
Both sisters' expressions changed dramatically!
"This... these are... the Yaegiri Sword! The Hetsu Mirror! The legendary Ten Divine Treasures?! How... how did you come to possess them?!"
As guardians of the Yata Mirror, they understood better than anyone what these two treasures meant for the Yata Mirror!
"Oh? So you recognize them." Cloud smiled and handed both treasures to Maki.
"I obtained these by chance. They're no use to me, so consider them gifts. I believe they can only reach their full potential in your hands."
Maki accepted these legendary artifacts—items that existed only in her clan's most ancient texts—with trembling hands.
The moment she touched the Yaegiri Sword, Hetsu Mirror, and her own Yata Mirror simultaneously—
HUMMMM—!!!
All three artifacts blazed with brilliant light!
A pillar of white light shot toward the heavens!
On the Yata Mirror's surface, three ancient characters emerged: "Purify," "Seal," "Protect."
On the Yaegiri Sword's blade, three characters appeared: "Sever," "Banish Evil," "Judge."
On the Hetsu Mirror's surface, three characters manifested: "Reflect," "Perceive," "Truth."
Three treasures, nine divine authorities!
In this moment, they seemed to merge into one!
Maki could clearly feel her control over the Yata Mirror, and the mirror's own power, multiply several times over!
If the Yata Mirror before had been a "top-tier CPU"—
Then now, with the Yaegiri Sword and Hetsu Mirror serving as "premium graphics cards" and "massive RAM," it had upgraded into a true "supercomputer"!
"Cloud, this... this is too precious! We can't accept this!" Maki came back to her senses and tried to return the treasures.
"Once a gift is given, there's no taking it back." Cloud pressed down on her hand, speaking earnestly.
"Besides, I'm half a user of the Yata Mirror too. When the Sacred Treasure grows stronger, I can better protect you both. Especially you, Maki—you've shouldered too much. I hope I can help free you from your heavy family duty."
After Cloud finished speaking, both sisters' affection for him rose again.
Especially Chizuru—her gaze toward Cloud was filled with nothing but emotion.
The system's notification chimed at just the right moment.
[Ding! Detected dramatic change in Bond Target Chizuru Kagura's affection!]
[Current Affection: 100%...]
[Congratulations, Host! Unlocked Final Bond Effect—Resonance of the Three Divine Arts!]
[Effect: When Host fights alongside Chizuru Kagura, the power of the Kusanagi Sword, Yasakani Magatama, and Yata Mirror will resonate, increasing power by 100%! There is also an extremely small chance of comprehending the legendary... Three Divine Arts Combination Strike!]
"Well damn, affection... maxed out?"
Cloud looked at that progress bar that had turned completely gold, feeling deeply moved.
...
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