"Gennai?"
Zero recognized the old man at first glance. Gennai looked just as he had when they'd parted ways, and judging by what he'd just said, two whole months had passed in the Digital World since their last meeting.
Considering Zero had spent about half a day in the Real World—roughly matching how Rina's two-month stay here had corresponded to half a day there—the timing made sense.
"It seems you've encountered some remarkable circumstances…"
Gennai's calm tone settled Zero's previously anxious heart, easing his nerves slightly.
"A lot did happen, yeah—though, strictly speaking, it's barely been half a day for me."
...
Zero quickly summarized his return to the Real World, prompting a thoughtful nod from Gennai.
"I see. So, something like that occurred. No wonder the Dark Forces haven't moved much these past two months. Did you encounter any stray Digimon in the Real World?"
"I did. Took out a group of Kuramon and a Infermon in an arcade. Though they hadn't breached the Real World directly yet, they'd already infiltrated the network space."
Network space—the buffer zone between the Digital and Real Worlds. Once a Digimon penetrated there, only a thin layer separated it from full entry into the human world.
Piercing that thin barrier wasn't easy—but with direction and preconditions met, it would just require brute force and a bit of luck.
Gennai explained that two months prior, when Hajime had been possessed by Devimon and evolved into Kimeramon, the power reacted with Rina's Digivice and forcefully opened a gateway into the Real World.
That fleeting "connection" had weakened the barrier between the two worlds, causing the boundary to blur further.
Over the last two months, numerous Digimon mysteriously vanished—likely unintentionally slipping into network space.
This phenomenon naturally drew the Dark Masters' attention. They were now seeking large-scale methods and channels to invade the Real World. Currently, the simplest known route was the gate in Myotismon's castle.
But that gate alone could only transport a limited number of Digimon, whereas the Dark Masters intended something far more catastrophic—they wanted to bring the entire Digital World into the Real World, forcing a synchronization that would allow simultaneous control over both worlds!
Given the current time discrepancy between the two worlds, managing both simultaneously posed immense difficulties: one day here meant half a year there, making administration nearly impossible.
And indeed, as proven by the original Adventure's ending, the Dark Masters had ultimately succeeded in synchronizing the two worlds' time flow.
The cornerstone of their full-scale invasion plan—the necessary key—was "Spiral Mountain."
Spiral Mountain's existence disrupted the function of the Village of Beginnings, fundamentally denying Digimon evolution. This denial of evolution would further empower the force hidden behind the Firewall, aiding its breakthrough.
Sealing away the Four Holy Beasts, banishing the Light of Evolution—all these moves aimed at constructing the Spiral Mountain program, transforming the Digital World into a fortress for invasion.
With the boundary between worlds weakening, the Dark Masters saw their opportunity. Stray Digimon inadvertently wandering into the Real World served as vanguards, sowing chaos and further damaging the dimensional barrier.
Of course, relying solely on random "spirited away" incidents wouldn't send enough Digimon through. So, the Dark Masters' next step would surely involve sending a large-scale Digimon force into the Real World—
—intensifying chaos there and buying time to complete Spiral Mountain!
They'd need a "vanguard commander" for this crucial mission. But the Dark Masters were busy preparing Spiral Mountain, so naturally, they sought another suitable candidate—and the choice was obvious.
"Myotismon!"
Currently dominating Server Continent as the Dark Masters' frontline commander, with the Four Holy Beasts sealed and the Masters themselves preoccupied, Myotismon practically controlled the continent.
"Great, so things are even more urgent than I imagined…"
Myotismon was already assembling a vast army, plotting a full-scale Real World invasion. This critical step in the Dark Masters' plan had to be prioritized.
But for Zero right now, only one priority mattered—to return immediately to the Real World, reuniting with Rina and Hajime.
Having calmed down somewhat, Zero—maintaining his Koromon form—wore a serious expression. It might look comical from the outside, but he really was thinking deeply.
"The easiest way back to the Real World is Myotismon's castle gate…"
Even though he'd traveled between worlds once already, Zero knew very well it was due to special circumstances.
If he wanted to recreate that now, he'd need either Rina's unique multifunctional Digivice, or at least the D-3 from Adventure 02, capable of accessing special network ports.
Currently, that seemed impossible.
Alternatively, destroying a sufficiently powerful DigiCore might again disrupt the dimensional boundary between worlds—but at a minimum, the power required had to exceed a typical Ultimate, like the massive Devimon he'd just destroyed.
…Just like when Taichi returned in Adventure, using Etemon as the "ticket," amplified further by Datamon's pyramid.
This method was too unstable; success seemed unlikely with just Etemon alone—Datamon's amplifier was essential.
Thus, stealing Myotismon's gate was undoubtedly the simplest, quickest method.
Coincidentally, this plan aligned perfectly with Gennai's own objectives. Different purposes, perhaps, but the same target: Myotismon himself.
Just like on File Island—if you wanted to succeed, Devimon had to be dealt with first. Likewise, on Server Continent, Myotismon was an unavoidable obstacle.
"Then it's decided…"
The next step: Server Continent, storming Myotismon's castle…
…Wait for me, Rina!!!
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A/N: Alright then—next comes the long-distance "husband-hunting" and "wife-chasing" (?). Rina and Hajime will definitely return to the Adventure storyline, though the current Real World arc was mainly just opening up the map and introducing factions.
Adventure itself doesn't have much for them right now; their main scenes come afterward.
Because honestly, Cyber Sleuth's bosses on both routes—Arcadiamon Ultra and the Eaters—are far beyond the Dark Masters' league.
Zero's primary goal right now remains leveling up during Adventure, unlocking prerequisites for all the cheat-level evolutions…
Next, let's do a quick, no-prize guess: which Mega-level form will Zero unlock first?
Option A: WarGreymon (opening Omegamon's route).
Option B: ShineGreymon (unlocking Burst Mode).
Option C: BlitzGreymon (opening the Metal Empire faction side-route).
Option D: Machinedramon (opening Millenniumon's route).
…Of course, barring surprises, each form will eventually appear—it's just a question of who comes first.
Lastly—someone actually thought MasterTyrannomon was a disposable side-character?! No way! He's at least a respected member of the Greymon line, a proud dinosaur-type evolution who doesn't rely on mechanization and can head straight for the Dragon Emperor route!
Right, let's close with a plea for votes. That's all~
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T/N: BLITZGREYMON LOOKS HOT!!!!!!!!!!!
bonus chaps
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300 stones -> 3 chapters
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