Tokyo City, Setagaya Ward.

This was the most elite wealthy district in Sakura Country, where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold.

Sprawling luxury villas nestled amidst tranquil gardens, showcasing their owners' wealth and status.

Caesar stood in the shadow of a massive cherry blossom tree, looking up at the brightly lit yet heavily guarded complex nearby.

The main residence of the Kujo Family.

Just as Zhou Huai's consciousness returned, a wave of intense anxiety welled up in his heart.

Tens of thousands of Information Bugs had searched every nook and cranny of Tokyo City.

Neither Takamagahara, the symbol of the power center, nor the Ashihara Industrial Zone, now reduced to ruins, showed any trace of Kujo Koji.

This man, along with his two SS-Level helpers and that Divine Artifact, had vanished into thin air.

This was abnormal.

Given Kujo Koji's vengeful nature, he couldn't possibly remain indifferent after learning about the fall of two SS-Level combatants.

There was only one reason for his delay in showing up.

He was doing something far more important than protecting two SS-Level companions.

Zhou Huai raised his hand, and countless tiny black beetles flew out from his sleeves like a black mist, silently penetrating toward the Kujo Family's villa area.

However, just as these Information Bugs were about to cross the outer wall of the villa area...

Buzz—!

A pale gold energy barrier, invisible to the naked eye, rippled through the air.

All Information Bugs that touched the barrier were vaporized by the high temperature, leaving not even ashes behind.

"A defensive Formation, huh..."

Caesar narrowed his eyes.

The strength of this Formation far exceeded the grand protective barrier at the West Gate earlier.

It seemed this was the Kujo Family's lair, their most heavily defended location.

Kujo Koji was very likely hiding inside.

"Since the bugs can't get in..."

"Then... we'll force our way in."

He no longer concealed his presence, taking a step forward as his figure vanished from the spot.

Reappearing, he was already right before the main gate of the Kujo Family villa area.

"Who goes there?!"

"Halt!"

The guards at the gate shouted sharply, instantly aiming their weapons at him.

Caesar paid no attention to these ants.

He simply raised his hand and lightly snapped his fingers.

The next second.

The ground behind him churned violently.

Black tides surged forth from the Insect Tide Space—tens of thousands of Soldier Beetles.

They converged into black torrents, flowing around Caesar's body and crashing into that golden energy barrier.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

There were no earth-shattering explosions, only dense impacts and self-detonations.

The moment each Soldier Beetle touched the barrier, it detonated its internal energy core.

The golden barrier flickered violently, its surface energy fluctuating wildly.

A piercing alarm resounded throughout the entire Kujo Family estate.

Countless guards in black samurai attire rushed out from all over the courtyard, staring in horror at the apocalyptic, cataclysmic Insect Tide.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

"Quick! Activate the highest defense level!"

However, their reaction was a step too late after all.

Under the reckless kamikaze attacks of millions of Soldier Beetles, the golden barrier held out for less than ten seconds.

Crack!

A crisp cracking sound rang out.

A fine crack appeared upon the barrier.

Immediately after, cracks spread rapidly like a spiderweb.

BOOM—!!!

With a loud crash, the golden energy barrier shattered and dissolved into a sky full of glittering specks of light.

"Kill!"

Caesar commanded.

Boundless Soldier Beetles gathered into a flood, rushing into the Kujo Family estate.

At the same time, a figure slid out from Caesar's shadow, blending silently into the night.

Moria.

Incarnating as an elegant dancer of the dark night, his dagger traced deadly arcs.

Pfft! Pfft!

Before the guards at the very front could even see their enemy clearly, thin red lines appeared across their throats, and they collapsed helplessly while clutching their necks.

More guards fearlessly charged into the Insect Tide.

Skill lights of various colors lit up the courtyard, blade flashes and sword shadows clashing alongside roaring energy.

But it was useless.

In the face of absolute numbers, any resistance was feeble and powerless.

Those usually arrogant powerhouses of the Kujo Family had now become moths flying into a storm.

Their skills could at best wipe out a small patch of Soldier Beetles, but the next second, they would be swallowed by an Insect Tide ten or a hundred times larger.

Miserable screams rose and fell, only to be quickly drowned out by the rustling sound of the swarm devouring flesh and bone.

Caesar walked slowly into this residence that had once symbolized supreme power.

Wherever he passed, the swarm automatically parted to both sides, leaving a clean pathway.

On the ground, only mottled bloodstains and broken bones remained.

In less than five minutes.

Not a single living soul remained in the entire Kujo Family estate.

Zhou Huai frowned, the uneasiness in his heart growing even stronger.

Controlling Caesar and Moria, he turned the entire estate upside down searching for clues.

Nothing.

Still nothing.

Forget Kujo Koji, he couldn't even find a trace of those two SS-Level foreign reinforcements.

"Damn it, where are they?"

Caesar kicked open the door to the master bedroom; it was completely empty inside.

Were all those previous preparations just a front?

Was it a distraction specifically designed to fool us?

Zhou Huai's temples throbbed faintly, a sign of over-consuming his soul power.

Time was truly running out for him.

Just as he was about to give up searching and leave this empty shell...

...he soon discovered a basement through Moria's perspective.

Caesar followed Moria to a hidden basement.

A thick, heavy forged steel door was locked tight.

Caesar wasted no words; countless Soldier Beetles swarmed forward, gnawing a large hole right through the door.

Behind the door was not a treasure vault or secret room as expected.

Instead, it was a fairly comfortably furnished room.

In the room, two figures were looking in astonishment at Caesar, who had broken through the door.

Polina and Kalen.

Both of them were stunned.

Kalen especially widened his eyes, his face full of pleasant surprise.

"Ever-changing Star Lord? You... you actually came here to rescue us?"

He excitedly stood up from the sofa and tried to step forward, but his movements were restricted by a black chain around his wrists and ankles.

A rattling sound echoed.

Zhou Huai's gaze fell upon that chain.

chains of forbidden law.

It could completely seal a Professional's energy flow, rendering them unable to use any skills.

Zhou Huai hadn't expected them to be here.

In his mind, these two competitors would have long been made into specimens by the ruthless Kujo Koji.

But the reality was quite the opposite.

Aside from their restricted mobility, the two looked quite healthy, their complexions even somewhat rosy.

The room had food, water, and even some entertainment facilities.

Clearly, Kujo Koji hadn't mistreated them; in fact, he had taken quite good care of them.

Zhou Huai was in no mood to care about this now, nor did he intend to waste time on these two.

Controlling Caesar, he got straight to the point and asked:

"Where is Kujo Koji?"

"Do you know where he is?"

Caesar's voice caused the excitement on Kalen's face to freeze.

Polina and Kalen exchanged glances.

Polina shook her head.

"Do you think Kujo Koji would tell his whereabouts to two prisoners like us?"

Zhou Huai fell silent.

He felt he was indeed turning to any source out of desperation.

Perhaps it was because his growing headache was preventing his thoughts from functioning normally.

He suppressed his inner anxiety.

He looked at the two and said concisely:

"Now, you have only two choices."

"One is to stay and join me in dealing with Kujo Koji to snatch the Pendulum of Life."

"Two is to leave right now, and the Pendulum of Life will have nothing to do with you in the future."

Caesar raised his hand, and countless Soldier Beetles swarmed forward, gnawing away the Chains of Magic Suppression on them completely.

Having regained her freedom, Polina hesitated for a moment.

The temptation of the Pendulum of Life was immense.

But at the thought of Kujo Koji's unfathomable strength and the mysterious group of helpers by his side, the tiny bit of greed in her heart was swiftly extinguished by reason.

In the end, she still shook her head, an apologetic look on her face.

"Sorry, I choose to back out this time."

"I've already failed once. I understand that this isn't a battle a Professional of my strength can participate in."

She paused and added in a complex tone, "Since Kujo Koji didn't kill me, I will keep my promise and give up competing for the Pendulum of Life."

Zhou Huai was noncommittal, shifting his gaze toward Kalen beside her.

Kalen showed almost no hesitation and immediately stated his stance.

"I listen to Polina. If she leaves, I leave."

Zhou Huai inwardly complained,'Simps never meet a good end,' yet showed no expression on his face.

He didn't try to keep them, merely stepping aside indifferently to clear the path.

"Thank you."

Polina softly offered her thanks and pulled Kalen along, walking quickly outside.

However, after taking only a few steps, Kalen suddenly stopped and turned back.

He looked at Caesar with a somewhat complex expression.

After groping in his Spatial Ring for a moment, he pulled out a massive black chain.

It was precisely the one he had previously used to shatter the barrier of Fuji City and snatch the Pendulum of Life from Okita Komao.

"You might find a use for this thing."

Kalen handed the heavy chain over.

"Consider it... repayment for your favor in rescuing us."