Chapter 82: (Future Timeline) Pseudo-Gamma Illusion
An Ultra telepathic message arrived.
"Who are you? Why did you summon us here?"
Watching these two creations actually begin thinking and communicating, Kazama nodded with satisfaction.
This was right.
The Rat Talisman had broken through The Illusion card's limitation of only creating false images, truly achieving creation from nothing, transforming fake into real.
"And their consciousness is clear, logic self-consistent."
Kazama clapped his hands, drawing both their attention.
"Since you're awake, let's try a simple command. Kneel."
Hearing this order, Asuka and Gamu's attitudes instantly changed.
Two Ultra telepathic messages transmitted over:
"Are you kidding me?! Who the hell are you? Making me kneel right off the bat?"
Asuka Shin's originally confused eyes instantly became sharp. He assumed the classic combat stance.
Takayama Gamu beside him was calmer, but his attitude was equally resolute.
"Although I don't know how you summoned us here... if you think having power means you can trample on others' dignity at will, you're gravely mistaken."
As expected, it won't work.
Watching these two Ultras ready to unleash their ultimate moves at any moment, Kazama's heart held no disappointment. Instead, this verified a certain hypothesis.
The life bestowed by the Rat Talisman was complete.
Even though both had previously been phantoms following his commands, once materialized by the Rat Talisman...
This meant it simultaneously bestowed complete, independent personalities and memories. They would question Kazama's orders.
If they were mindless dolls, that would be one thing. But these kind of strong-willed warriors of light—trying to make them obey using logic like "I'm your father (creator)" was clearly a fool's dream.
Fortunately, they were Ultras who wouldn't easily harm humans before understanding the situation.
If he'd summoned someone with a more explosive temper—like Uchiha Madara or Gilgamesh—upon hearing those words, Great Fire Annihilation and Gate of Babylon would have instantly activated.
As for whether summoning them would cause problems—no worries. Their true forms couldn't oversee other universes like Clow Reed could.
So if I summon you, you deal with it.
Kazama instantly cut off The Illusion card's magic supply.
In that instant, those two Ultra warriors who'd just been so imposing vanished without a trace.
This was Kazama's confidence in daring to summon two Ultras.
This system was like building a house.
The Illusion card's phantom was the foundation. The Rat Talisman's bestowed life force was the house built on top.
No matter how tall or sturdy the house was built, as long as he removed the foundation, everything became a castle in the air.
And this was the most unreasonable, most unsolvable aspect.
As long as the opponent dared harbor killing intent, Kazama could instantly make them disappear.
Simple, brutal, and utterly unreasonable.
After verifying this new technique, Kazama finally turned his thoughts back to the main issue.
He pulled out that Sparklence from his chest—the one that had been silent the whole time.
This thing had been playing dead ever since guiding him to this damned place.
This typical riddler behavior irritated Kazama considerably.
Kazama tried forcibly transforming, but it didn't work. Clearly, Tiga was forcibly making him stay.
"Don't want me to leave?"
This feeling of being arranged so clearly yet not being given a script left him somewhat speechless.
If you want my help, at least explain the situation clearly.
It's not like I wouldn't help you, but making me solve riddles is a bit excessive.
At this moment, Kerberos who'd been beside him all along could finally interject.
"I'm telling you, Kazama, what have you been muttering to yourself about? Who were those two just now? Why did they appear from nowhere and disappear into nowhere? Why do your eyes have rat patterns in them? And what did you mean by that 'fusion' you mentioned—"
"Too many questions."
Kazama glanced at it sideways.
"You should have figured it out, right? I'm not the Kazama from your world. I traveled here from the past. Now I need to return to my timeline."
Kerberos paused, then slapped its hands together in realization.
"I see... I was wondering how that bastard suddenly got younger with such violent magic power."
It flapped its wings with an "everything makes sense now" expression.
"Then this is simple!"
"Simple?"
Kerberos stated matter-of-factly:
"Go find Ichiri!"
"That is, your daughter. Ever since you... oh, since this world's you retired, Ichiri inherited your mantle and became this world's strongest magician. Although her personality is a bit... well... but she has a Return card!"
"That card is quite powerful—it can break through spacetime barriers and send any outsider back to the time node they originally belong to!"
"Return?"
Kazama raised an eyebrow.
He didn't remember this card, but considering it was a Kazama Card, it should be newly born.
Kerberos patted its chest in guarantee.
"As long as you have Bocchi activate that card, you can comfortably go back home!"
That was actually a good idea.
Kazama rubbed his chin.
Since Tiga—that riddler—was playing dead, then he'd ask his daughter for help.
As long as he could return, who helped didn't matter, right?
"Alright."
Kazama nodded, accepting this proposal.
"So where is she? She ran faster than a rabbit earlier. Where do I catch her now?"
"At the Live House in Shimokitazawa!"
Kerberos pointed in a direction while speaking.
"Didn't she say on the phone just now? She's going to perform at a Live House... seems like some showdown with that currently popular music blogger."
"Oh right, that blogger's name is... let me think..."
"Got it! Komichi Kazue!"
"Komichi... Kazue?"
The instant he heard this name, Kazama Chiba froze.
This name... why did it sound so familiar?
"Yeah, that super-popular virtual singer recently! Although she almost never shows her face in person, her singing ability is heaven-defying. Her follower count is several levels higher than Bocchi's—hey, what's wrong with you?"
Kazama didn't answer.
The floodgates of memory opened.
He remembered. Komichi Kazue was that little girl whose parents had died.
"So it's her..."
Kazama murmured in a low voice, his eyes becoming somewhat complex.
The little girl who couldn't even afford food back then had now become a so-called popular music blogger? And she was facing off against his daughter in this world?
This was getting interesting.
"Let's go take a look."
Kazama casually pulled out The Move card and grabbed Kerberos who was still looking at a map.
A white flash, and both vanished from the spot.
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