The blast completely shattered the underwater cavern's ceiling, unleashing countless tons of seawater flooding violently inward, obliterating everything in its path.
Taichi hadn't anticipated this level of chaos; just as Zero said earlier—if scared, simply close your eyes...
...But in that instant, he even forgot to blink. Watching the entire cave collapse felt like an eternity, though in reality, it was no longer than the time it took for his eyelids to close and open again.
Under the tremendous shockwave from the explosion, the protective device finally gave way, crackling and shattering in a brilliant burst of electric sparks, its glow fading completely.
In the very next second, Taichi felt his body lifted up, completely beyond his control, carried by an immense force...
Zero stomped the ground, swiftly retrieved the Tags from the now-destroyed device, and as promised, he grabbed Taichi and Hikari, turning immediately to make a desperate escape...
He'd vowed to keep the siblings safe, and he meant to keep his word. Behind him, the Trident Wings fully unfolded, blooming outward like a radiant corona...
The path ahead had been mostly sealed by the cave-in. Zero activated his Trident Wings, releasing countless golden-red floating energy cannons, blasting apart the blockage in a single volley!
Luckily, the cavern was deep enough that seawater hadn't reached this area yet—the collapsed tunnels temporarily holding the flooding waters back.
But that couldn't possibly last long. The internal structure was already collapsing, and under the terrifying pressure of the seawater, total annihilation was only a matter of time.
With his free claw securely holding both siblings, Zero deployed the Trident Wings into floating cannon mode, forming a barrier of swirling energy blasts around them. At this point, there was no need to stick to any predetermined route.
Trusting the principle that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, Zero chose his direction and rammed forward head-on!
Taichi wanted desperately to shout, venting the overwhelming tension inside, yet he couldn't squeeze out even a single byte of sound. All he could do was lower himself, gripping tightly in Zero's claw to anchor himself.
But even in this extreme crisis, he never once let go of Hikari's hand. Hikari, likewise, remained utterly silent, obediently staying at his side.
Compared to Taichi's heart, surging with countless unspeakable emotions, Hikari was completely calm.
Clearly, she trusted absolutely in Zero's earlier words—that he would definitely protect the two siblings. Since Zero had promised, he would surely do it!
Having made such a promise, Zero naturally intended to fulfill it completely. The current situation was textbook environmental disaster; Zero alone had plenty of options, but with the Yagami siblings in tow, he couldn't be reckless.
"Uooooooohhh!!"
Encircled by floating energy cannons forming a protective shield, Zero charged straight forward. He was certain that the massive explosion earlier, coupled with the subsequent collapse, would surely alert Whamon stationed outside to come and assist.
Zero stormed forward, carving a path, with the tunnels collapsing chaotically behind him. Rubble poured in, seawater seeped from every direction—danger pressed on them from all sides.
Taichi watched, eyelids twitching violently, his heart nearly leaping from his throat. No matter how many deep breaths he took, nothing eased his anxiety.
After dashing who knows how far, a massive figure suddenly appeared in Zero's vision, parting the incoming waters.
...Whamon!
Just as Zero had predicted, Whamon keenly sensed something amiss and decisively rushed in for support.
"How is the situation, sir…?"
With seawater rapidly approaching from all sides, Zero whipped around, firing two bursts of Trident Revolver. The resulting explosions temporarily halted the water, but he knew such a move was like an ant trying to topple a tree—momentarily delaying, at best, but never truly stopping the flood.
Still, even a brief delay was enough…
"Taichi, Hikari… Do you see Whamon over there?"
Taichi froze momentarily. Whamon? Did he mean that giant whale ahead? That was also a Digimon?
"Y-yes, I see it!"
"Good. Hold onto Hikari tightly. I'm gonna toss you two over. Aim carefully and jump straight into Whamon's mouth—he'll protect us..."
"Huh?!"
Taichi was instantly wide awake. Wait, what did you just say?
Zero obviously had no interest in repeating himself. He clearly understood—Taichi, although a star player on his elementary school soccer team and undeniably athletic for a kid, was still just an elementary schooler. There was no way he could compare to someone like Rina or Masaru Daimon.
If it were Rina, Zero wouldn't even need to say anything; just tossing her would suffice. She'd instantly understand his intent.
But Taichi clearly wasn't that type; he couldn't immediately process such a life-or-death situation.
Still, Zero had his own trump card.
"Hikari's safety is all in your hands now. As her big brother, surely you won't back down here, right?"
Instantly, Taichi's expression hardened into resolution.
"...Got it!"
"Hehe, good answer... as expected of the one chosen by 'Courage'! Then—"
Time was short, no room for waste. In just those brief words, the cavern behind had fully collapsed, seawater roaring toward them…
...Zero fully unleashed his Trident Wings, the blazing light erupting into a dazzling corona, barely holding back the rushing tide. Seizing that tiny window, Zero lifted Taichi and Hikari, aiming carefully toward Whamon, and threw them forward with all his strength.
"Counting on you!"
Whamon clearly understood Zero's intention. Though he had no idea where these two humans had come from, he quickly reacted, opening his enormous mouth wide for the incoming siblings.
After throwing them, Zero closed his eyes, his body enveloped by the light of evolution, rapidly devolving back into Agumon.
The moment he reverted, the flooding seawater slammed into him, shoving him forcefully toward Whamon.
The underwater cavern collapsed entirely. To Taichi, the entire world seemed consumed by absolute darkness. Holding his breath desperately, his consciousness blurred as he felt a tremendous suction pulling him onward.
Whamon arrived in the nick of time, opening his mouth and sucking in all three—along with a huge gulp of seawater. With one swift movement, his giant jaws closed, sealing everything inside.
Taichi floated helplessly, the water suddenly plunging downward around him. A few seconds later, the seawater completely drained out of Whamon's mouth, and he immediately opened his mouth, coughing out mouthfuls of seawater.
"Cough cough... I... I really thought... I was a goner..."
He was in terrible shape himself, but as soon as he recovered slightly, he immediately thought of something crucial.
"Hikari! Where's Hikari?!"
He turned anxiously, only to find Hikari enveloped in a hazy white glow. The light formed a barrier just large enough to contain her, keeping her safe inside.
When the white glow dissipated, Hikari appeared completely unharmed.
Compared to Taichi—who'd spent over ten seconds underwater, nearly drowning and now soaking wet—Hikari looked quite dignified.
"Uh... Big brother, are you alright...?"
Seeing Taichi's state, Hikari hurried over nervously. Taichi managed a bitter smile, flipping onto his back and collapsing inside Whamon's mouth, gasping for breath.
"As long as you're safe... it's fine... it's fine..."
As he gasped, Zero's head appeared in view, now reverted to Agumon form, calmly waving his claw.
"Well done, Taichi... How was that? After that experience, are you getting a bit more used to this world?"
Taichi once again wore a bitter smile.
"...So, you're saying this was the welcome ceremony to this world? It's really... intense enough to make quite an impression."
Despite the extreme danger, once the adrenaline subsided and his heartbeat returned to normal, Taichi felt an exhilarating sense of freedom.
Clearly, the blood of a natural-born adventurer was beginning to awaken inside him.
Although still immature now, Zero knew clearly—Taichi possessed extraordinary potential. Given the right guidance, he would undoubtedly become a remarkable leader and adventurer.
If it weren't so, he wouldn't have been chosen by the Crest of Courage. Regardless of the others, at least Courage and Light had been firmly set the moment of the Hikarigaoka incident, practically tailor-made for the Yagami siblings.
Soaked clothes felt awful, and Zero casually breathed flames to dry Taichi off, though it was still uncomfortable—this would have to suffice until they returned to shore.
After sorting these matters out, Taichi recovered from his daze, turning to watch as Zero calmly pulled out the hard-won box.
"All that trouble was to recover this. Now, it's finally ours. Here—"
Zero casually broke open the lock, eagerly opening the box. Taichi and Hikari curiously leaned forward.
Inside lay eight empty pendants. Zero gestured for Taichi and Hikari to each take one.
"Eh, we can take these?"
Taichi was surprised, but Zero replied calmly.
"Of course, these were prepared specifically for you guys. Haha, we'll skip the details for now. Next, we get ready to land ashore..."
Having defeated Devimon on File Island and recovered the Tags, the next step was an entirely new map—
The Server Continent!
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bonus chaps
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300 stones -> 3 chapters
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