Compared to the almost one-sided, fanatical support in Great Xia Nation,

the forums of Sakura Country were bizarrely split into two factions, arguing incessantly.

After Kujo Koji posted that tough response, his supporters were the first to seize the high ground of public opinion.

“Lord Kujo is right! Great Xia Nation is just a bunch of bandits! They covet our Divine Artifact and envy our rise! This battle is to protect the glory of our yamato people!”

“Exactly! Let those Great Xia pigs know who the real master of East Asia is!”

“Anyone who shakes the military's morale is a traitor to the country! They should all commit seppuku to apologize! We must believe in Lord Kujo, he will lead us to glory!”

However, these fanatical remarks were soon met with an even more violent backlash from the other faction.

“Glory? To hell with your glory! My sister's whole family was in Fuji City! Seventeen people in total! All gone overnight! Just because of your bullshit Lord Kujo wanting to resurrect a monster from a hundred years ago! And now you're talking to me about glory?!”

“My wife and daughter were also among those three hundred thousand people! Kujo Koji is a butcher! A demon! He is the biggest traitor to our Sakura Country! He doesn't even view us as human beings!”

“I support Great Xia Nation attacking us! They must fight! Fight hard! Drag that beast Kujo Koji down from his throne and cut him into a thousand pieces!”

“Exactly, rather than living in a Sakura Country like this, I'd rather be a Great Xia person!”

This comment seemed to open Pandora's box.

Countless ordinary citizens who had lost their loved ones and homes in the previous sacrifice incident erupted completely.

At this moment, Kujo Koji stood on the rooftop of the tallest building in Takamagahara.

The night wind blew against the expensive black kimono he wore, its sleeves fluttering and rustling loudly.

Looking down at the ocean of lights and crowds below, his gaze was deep, like a god examining his own chessboard.

On the streets in the distance, the protesting crowds were like crawling ants. Their roars and their anger were still faintly audible even from this far away.

However, Kujo Koji did not care at all about the surging public resentment from top to bottom in Sakura Country.

Public opinion?

That was nothing more than the helpless wailing of the weak.

“Great Xia Nation, Zhao Qingcang...”

He murmured softly, a trace of imperceptible contempt in his voice.

“Wanting to use a national war to stop me from resurrecting Amaterasu?”

“Unfortunately, it's too late.”

Kujo Koji's gaze was profound, as if penetrating through layers of buildings to see into a more distant future.

“As things stand, unless that person from the Freedom Federation is willing to personally intervene,”

“otherwise, no one can stop me.”

He picked up his communicator and calmly connected to the top commanders of Sakura Country's various military branches.

“This is Kujo Koji.”

“As of now, the entire military is to enter the highest state of combat readiness.”

“All frontline forces are to assemble at the East Sea border.”

“Prepare to welcome war.”

He hung up the communicator.

Kujo Koji did not return to his seat, but just stood quietly, as if waiting for something.

Soon, a steady sound of footsteps came from outside the door.

The office door was pushed open silently, and a figure walked in.

The newcomer had a tall, straight posture and a simple, ancient face.

It was indeed Qinze Taichiro.

“Lord Kujo, you were looking for me?”

Facing this legendary expert of Sakura Country, Kujo Koji showed sufficient politeness.

He turned back from the French window, a gentle smile even appearing on his face.

“Mr. Qin Ze, please sit.”

He personally pulled out a chair for him.

“I assume you are already aware that Great Xia Nation has declared war on us, Mr. Qin Ze?”

Qinze Taichiro did not sit down, but just stood there quietly and nodded.

“Does Lord Koji wish for me to fight?”

The smile on Kujo Koji's face deepened a bit. He walked up to Qinze Taichiro and spoke sincerely.

“Although Zhao Qingcang is old, he is still an extremely rare Space-type Professional, and his strength is not to be underestimated.”

“Looking at the entirety of Sakura Country, only you, sir, are the most certain to defeat him.”

“As long as Zhao Qingcang is killed, the morale of Great Xia Nation's military will surely crumble.”

“The remaining people will then be of no concern.”

He patted Qinze Taichiro's shoulder, as if treating an intimate, old friend.

“In addition, I heard that Zhao Qingcang was the most proud disciple of Marshal Deng Qihe forty years ago.”

“Killing him would also put a period to your regret from back then.”

“Wouldn't that be a form of revenge in itself?”

Hearing the name 'Marshal Deng Qihe', a ripple finally appeared in Qinze Taichiro's otherwise calm, well-like eyes.

Kujo Koji keenly captured this.

He continued to raise the stakes.

“By the way, based on my understanding of Great Xia Nation, I'm afraid they haven't just deployed Zhao Qingcang this time.”

“There might be SS-Rank Experts from other countries involved.”

“Although some people wouldn't dare to challenge us openly like Great Xia, they will definitely play dirty tricks in the dark.”

“So just in case, Chong Wenguma will participate in the battle alongside you.”

Qinze Taichiro fell silent.

He lowered his head, seemingly deep in thought.

For a moment, the office fell into a dead silence.

After a long time,

he finally raised his head slowly, meeting Kujo Koji's gaze.

“I can participate in the battle.”

A satisfied smile appeared on Kujo Koji's face.

However, Qinze Taichiro's next words made his smile freeze slightly.

“However, I also hope Lord Koji can grant me a request.”

Kujo Koji's expression instantly returned to calm, devoid of emotion.

“Let's hear it.”

Qinze Taichiro's tone was very serious.

“In this battle, no matter the outcome, I am only responsible for slaying Zhao Qingcang.”

“Other than that, I will not concern myself with anything else.”

He paused, then continued,

“In addition, after the matter is over, I hope Lord Koji can let me leave.”

“To live the life of an ordinary person.”

He looked at Kujo Koji, his eyes filled with complexity.

“I am very grateful for Lord Koji's grace of giving me a new life.”

“But I believe I have done enough for Lord Koji.”

“Living another life, I do not want to continue this endless slaughter.”

“I am tired.”

“I hope Lord Koji can fulfill my wish.”

Kujo Koji stared at him quietly, no emotion visible in his deep eyes.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment.

Just when Qinze Taichiro thought the other party would fly into a rage, a bright smile suddenly bloomed on Kujo Koji's face.

The smile was sincere and gentle, like a spring breeze blowing across one's face.

“I wondered what it was.”

He stepped forward and patted Qinze Taichiro's shoulder warmly once again.

“You speak too seriously, sir.”

“Everything you have done for me and the entire Kujo Family, I keep in my heart.”

“Since you are tired of the disputes and wish to return to the ordinary, how could I, Kujo Koji, be the kind of ungrateful villain who forces others against their will?”

He stared into Qinze Taichiro's eyes, speaking word by word with powerful resonance.

“I promise you.”

“When this battle is over, I will return your freedom to you, sir.”

Hearing this promise, a ripple finally appeared in Qinze Taichiro's calm, well-like eyes.

He took a deep look at Kujo Koji and bowed slightly.

“Thank you.”

With that, he lingered no longer and turned to leave.

The smile on Kujo Koji's face remained gentle as he watched Qinze Taichiro's retreating figure until the heavy door was closed once again.

Silence returned to the office once more.

And at the very instant the door shut,

the smile on Kujo Koji's face slowly faded,

and a dark gloom crept into his eyes.