The next day, all Kyushin residents united to protest at the Eastern capital, where the Presidential Palace was located.
However, there were also some citizens there trying to hold them back, saying there was no need to worry.
Kazumi stepped forward to approach one of those citizens. "What do you mean no need to worry!? They want to destroy 3 territories!!"
The citizen was scared seeing Kazumi, but since they were paid, they stubbornly blocked the way, convinced they wouldn't get hurt.
The situation became more chaotic. The Kyushin residents, who were normally very strong, easily pushed back the blocking citizens and tried to enter the palace area.
But Meilin was a little puzzled. "Why does it seem like there are so few guards? Only regular police."
Kazumi also started to realize it, but they had already entered the inner area, and the way out was blocked behind them.
"Tch, dammit... Meilin, try to make sure if the President is inside. I'll handle the way out," Kazumi said.
Meilin and the other officials tried to break through, even though they were blocked by many police barricades.
Meilin used her strength to knock the police away. She almost got shot, but another officer stopped it because shooting Kyushin residents was dangerous.
Meilin made it inside; even though there were still many guards, she didn't care.
A few moments later, Meilin came out with an annoyed expression.
Kazumi returned because the exit was completely impenetrable—so many citizens from various other territories were blocking them to support the President. If Kazumi hurt them, she would be considered at fault and could be punished.
"Kazumi... the President isn't inside..." Meilin said.
"WHAT? THEN WHERE IS HE?"
---
Meanwhile, on the road, there was an ordinary black car. Inside were the President and his aides, heading to the destruction site.
"Fools. They should be guarding the places about to be destroyed, instead of protesting at the Presidential Palace," said the aide, watching the live broadcast of the chaos in the capital.
The President stared out the car window with a cold gaze. "This is what I dislike about territories with backward citizens. They adhere too much to their traditions and maintain them without thinking ahead... I will change this country."
"Don't worry, Mr. President. More people support you than that arrogant Kyushin territory," said one of the aides.
A few moments later, they finally arrived at the main location. Other demolition crews had also arrived at the 2 other locations.
"I will give the command. Start the heavy machinery and get ready," the President said.
Meanwhile, the Guardians of the Natural Tree of Heaven gathered at their hidden temple. They realized they couldn't protect their territories that were about to be destroyed, so they chose to pray to the gods.
Sakura, as the Cherry Blossom Guardian and leader of the Natural Tree of Heaven, tried to calm the guardians whose territories were threatened.
"Willee, Raily, and Flamiya... don't worry. Your territories and trees will be safe... trust me," Sakura said.
Aisteria added, "Everyone is fighting, so let's entrust it to them."
Willee was weak and his heart was pounding. Lusita, as his partner, kept comforting him.
Raily was trembling, his mind in chaos. "Haha... h-hopefully nothing happens, right... haha..." Raily, who was always happy, could no longer hide his distress with laughter.
Olip, seeing this, immediately comforted him.
But they were startled by Flamiya's fiery shout.
"I BELIEVE IN HIM! HE WILL DEFINITELY HELP US! I... truly believe..." her voice slowly quieted down.
Rosa smiled warmly and held Flamiya's hand. "Right, you must believe... he promised."
---
Back to the President, who wanted to give the command to destroy. But a gentle breeze appeared and slowly grew stronger.
The President squinted because of the wind, but when he looked up at one of the trees, the figure they had talked about appeared... It was The Witness, but with a different appearance. Previously, the figure was shown with details characteristic of damaged Cherry Blossom and Wisteria, holding an iron gauntlet and a katana.
But now his appearance was very vibrant, decorated with all the flowers in the world, and holding a long, sharp scythe.
He watched from atop the tree while lying down, then finally jumped down.
"T-that's him! The figure! Mr. President, be careful!" said the aide.
The President looked brave and not scared in the slightest. He stared sharply at The Witness. "What can you do? Kill me? Just try."
The Witness remained silent, which made the President smile and challenge him. "If I count to three, start the destruction..."
His workers immediately got ready.
"One.... Two..."
The President approached The Witness, who was still silent, with a condescending smile. "T..Three... DESTROY IT!!"
All the workers immediately destroyed everything without the slightest hindrance. They destroyed all the trees, whether natural ones or the beautiful iconic trees in that territory—everything was wiped out without resistance.
The President laughed seeing that absolutely nothing happened. He laughed loudly in front of The Witness and mocked him as just a fool in a disguise.
But suddenly thunder roared, the wind blew hard, and the weather turned cloudy.
"Don't be afraid, keep going, this is just normal natural weather," the President said.
Since they were near the coast, the workers also cleared out the mangrove trees in the same area.
Then one of the workers panicked seeing the beach water suddenly recede. He immediately informed the President.
"Huh? You've got to be kidding, impossible!!" said the President.
Suddenly the ground shook, and they started to panic. The rain got heavier, and lightning kept striking. People in the capital also panicked watching this.
Kyushin residents panicked even more because this weather reminded them of The Witness...
And a few moments later, a massive tsunami appeared...
"WHAT IS THAT!! EVERYONE GET OUT OF HERE!!" shouted the President, running first, but he was held back by The Witness.
Then a booming voice appeared in the sky—Rainzy's voice, to be precise.
"You humans, destroyers of nature..."
"There are still two paths."
"Stop your hands, Land nature will hold back the waves, calm the winds,nand close the wounds you created."
"Continue your greed, and the sea will reclaim the land, mountains will crumble, and the forest will take back its breath."
The voice echoed, cold, emotionless.
The flood rose very quickly, and the tsunami crashed into them all, including the President. But the President was still held by The Witness... he was gasping for air as he drowned, his throat hurting.
The tsunami also seemed to rush quickly into the entire territory, hitting everyone without exception.
Then it was The Witness's turn to speak.
"I did not come to ask."
"I came to give a final warning."
"Nature does not need you."
"But you..."
"Will not survive without nature."
He said coldly while pointing at the President he was holding. The President was still gasping and begging for mercy. Then, at the right moment, just as the President was about to run out of breath and everyone else too, suddenly...
Ting...
Everything returned to normal, just like the last moment they remembered.
The President froze, his gaze empty, staring at The Witness who still hadn't moved...
It turned out that when the President counted to 3, on the count of three, Nic cast an illusion directly on everyone, removing their real consciousness for a moment so it would activate along with the illusion.
Their minds were confused, weak, their legs trembling from what had just happened—the condition of almost dying by drowning.
"Who... are you... And what actually happened..." said the President, genuinely terrified.
He pointed at the President with his scythe. "Im The King Witness. A witness to judge you if you do not protect nature."
To be continued...