Yuuto slowly opened his eyes.
The familiar ceiling greeted his vision.
"…This place?" he murmured softly.
His head still felt heavy. He took a deep breath and tried to sit up slowly.
"What happened to me…"
However, as his body began to rise, he felt two strong pulls from both sides.
"—Eh?"
Yuuto turned his head left and right.
On his left side, Miku was sleeping while tightly hugging his arm.
On his right side, Belfast was also asleep, holding him in a neat yet protective posture.
"…You two…" Yuuto smiled awkwardly.
He gently moved his shoulders, trying to wake them up.
"Miku, Belfast… wake up," Yuuto said softly.
"It's hard for me to move if you're hugging me like this."
His body was completely locked by both of their embraces.
A few seconds later, Belfast's eyes opened first.
"M-mas… Master…" her voice was quiet, almost trembling.
Not long after that, Miku also opened her eyes.
"Yuuto…?"
A brief silence followed.
Then—
"Master!"
Belfast immediately lunged at Yuuto and hugged him tightly.
"You're finally awake."
Her expression was clearly relieved as she held him tightly, before gradually pulling herself back.
She stood up from Yuuto's bed and bowed slightly.
"I will inform the others first, Commander."
Belfast quickly left the room, clearly holding back her emotions.
Meanwhile—
"Yuuto!"
Still half-asleep, Miku suddenly wrapped her arms tightly around Yuuto's neck.
"Yuuto… Yuuto…"
"You're awake… I was so worried…"
Her voice trembled. Her embrace grew tighter.
Yuuto flinched briefly, then let out a soft breath and gently patted Miku's head.
"It's okay… I'm here," he said quietly.
"Nothing happened. I'm fine."
He held Miku's shoulders and gently pulled her back from the hug, then looked at her face and asked,
"Can you tell me… how long I was unconscious?"
Miku wiped the tears from her cheeks, took a breath, and answered,
"Seven days, Yuuto. You were unconscious for seven days."
"Seven days…?" Yuuto fell silent for a moment.
"At first, we panicked," Miku continued.
"But Lady Avalon calmed us down. She said you fainted from exhaustion and would wake up on your own."
She lowered her gaze slightly.
"Even so… we were still worried. You just wouldn't wake up."
"I see…" Yuuto nodded slowly.
"During that time… did anything serious happen?"
Miku shook her head.
"No. For those seven days, we stayed on the ship and didn't encounter pirates or marines."
"Oh… thank goodness."
Yuuto patted Miku's head again.
"Sorry for making you worry."
"Hehehe~ it's okay," Miku said with a small smile, still holding onto him.
Suddenly—
The door to the room opened.
Several voices were heard almost at the same time.
"Yuuto!"
They entered the room one by one.
Kuroneko, who was in front, immediately rushed toward Yuuto.
"Yuuto! You're awake too! I was really worried, you know!"
She hugged Yuuto tightly without caring about anyone else around.
Yamato sat at the side of Yuuto's bed and casually patted his shoulder.
"Hm… good," she said with a smile.
"Looks like your strength didn't drop even after sleeping for so long."
Lady Avalon stood with her hands on her hips, her expression calm.
"What did I tell you," she said lightly.
"Yuuto would be fine."
Irene stepped closer and took Yuuto's hand, carefully examining his body.
"Looks like you're fine," she said briefly, but clearly relieved.
Yuuto looked at all of them.
Kuroneko, Belfast, Yamato, Lady Avalon, Irene… and Miku still beside him.
"You all…"
Yuuto paused, then smiled.
"Hahaha… sorry for making you all worry," he said sincerely.
"I'm fine now."
The room was filled with a warm sense of relief.
---
Yuuto and the entire Tree of Life crew gathered in the dining room.
The aroma of warm food filled the space, the atmosphere calm—yet intimate, like a family that had just survived a great storm.
Irene looked at Yuuto with a serious but relieved expression.
"So… you really don't remember anything after you fainted?" Irene asked.
Yuuto nodded while continuing to eat.
"Yeah. I only remember standing on the deck and then losing consciousness… then suddenly waking up in my room. Miku and Belfast were beside me."
"Thank goodness nothing serious happened to you, my disciple," Lady Avalon said, enjoying her sweets with a satisfied expression.
"Well, let's forget about that," Yuuto said with a faint smile.
"Right now, I want to know—what rewards did you all get from this mission?"
Yamato immediately raised her hand enthusiastically.
"Me first!"
Yuuto's gaze turned toward her.
"I gained an ability," Yamato continued.
"A Nen ability of the Enhancement type."
"Nen?" Yuuto frowned. "What's that?"
"Hehehe~" Yamato chuckled and pointed at Kuroneko.
"It's an ability based on life energy that specializes in enhancing the user's natural physical abilities or objects, according to Kuroneko."
Kuroneko nodded with her arms crossed.
"That's right. And it suits Yamato perfectly. With her combat ability, Enhancement will drastically increase her physical strength and destructive power. Combined with Busoshoku Haki—and especially Wano-style Haki—the result will be… terrifying."
Yuuto smiled proudly.
"Congratulations, Yamato."
Yamato laughed broadly.
"Hahaha, it's nothing!"
Lady Avalon then spoke up.
"As for me," she said casually, "I got another book."
"What kind of book, Sensei?" Yuuto asked.
Lady Avalon pulled out a thick book and placed it on the table.
"This one. An advanced magic technique manual—Mana Zone."
"Eh?" Yuuto looked surprised. "Why do you sound disappointed? That technique sounds incredibly powerful."
Lady Avalon snorted softly.
"That's exactly why I'm disappointed. I wanted something related to illusions… or pure knowledge. Something that helps me create new things, not just a combat technique that relies on brute force."
"But it should still be useful, Sensei," Yuuto said, trying to encourage her.
Lady Avalon looked at Yuuto for a few seconds, then smiled faintly.
"Yes… it might still be useful."
Yuuto then turned to Irene.
"How about you, Irene?"
Irene lifted a small charm from beneath her clothes.
"I received a sacred talisman. It can purify all forms of curses."
"How strong is it?" Yuuto asked.
"According to Kuroneko," Irene answered quietly,
"this item can even cleanse all evil in a world."
Yuuto fell silent for a moment.
"…That's incredible."
"But it's single-use," Irene added.
"Then you'll need to be very careful when using it," Yuuto said seriously.
Irene nodded.
"Yes. But I already know when and for what it will be used, based on Kuroneko's advice. With this talisman, my problem will be resolved. All that's left is to wait for that world to open."
Yuuto frowned.
"That world…?" he looked at Kuroneko.
"Don't worry, Yuuto. You'll definitely find out," Kuroneko said as she stepped forward with a confident smile.
"Now it's my turn," Kuroneko continued.
"I got something very special. With this… I'm sure I'll become much stronger."
"What is it?" Yuuto asked.
Kuroneko clenched her fist.
"I obtained the Asura Reincarnation Chakra."
The room immediately fell silent.
"I already know what power I want to reach—the power of the First Hokage," Kuroneko continued.
"Now I can heal wounds very efficiently, stand perfectly on water… and I already know my element. I just need to train my physical body."
Yuuto smiled widely.
"Congratulations, Kuroneko."
"Hehehe~" Kuroneko laughed, her face slightly red.
Yuuto then shifted his gaze to Miku. His brows furrowed slightly—clearly puzzled.
"Why do you look like that, Miku?" Yuuto asked.
"Do you have a problem with your reward?"
Miku's pout deepened. She looked at Yuuto briefly, then lowered her head and rested her chin on the table.
"Listen, Yuuto…" Miku's voice was quiet and trembling.
"I don't mind any reward. Even if it's something trivial like clothes or accessories… I really don't mind."
She covered her face with both hands.
"But…"
Yuuto leaned forward slightly.
"But what?"
Kuroneko let out a long sigh and scratched her head.
"Yuuto… Miku's reward is a bit problematic."
Yuuto immediately turned toward her.
"Problematic how? What did Miku get?"
Lady Avalon smiled mischievously, clearly enjoying the moment.
"Yuuto~ Miku received a very naughty ability."
"Lady Avalon, stop!" Miku immediately raised her head, her face bright red.
"I don't want to hear that!"
"Eh?" Yuuto grew even more confused. "What exactly is it?"
Irene cut in with a flat but sharp tone.
"Miku unlocked the Inverse Form of her angel. The Demon King Lilith form."
"Waaa—no!" Miku immediately cried harder and buried her face again.
Yuuto panicked slightly.
"Eh—wait, what's wrong with that? Is it really that bad?"
Yamato raised her hand with an innocent smile.
"From a physical power standpoint, I don't think it's bad. It actually increases dramatically."
Kuroneko immediately looked away, her cheeks reddening.
"The ability itself isn't bad… it's the side effects that are the problem."
"Side effects?" Yuuto repeated.
"When Miku first transformed into Demon King mode…" Kuroneko paused, then continued in a quieter voice,
"…she became a bit 'naughty'. In a certain sense."
"Aaaaa! I don't want to hear it!" Miku shouted, covering her ears.
Lady Avalon, without the slightest guilt, immediately added,
"When transformed, Miku's personality changes completely. Like a totally different person. A god-tier perverted girl. She even almost did something to you while you were unconscious."
"Waaa! That wasn't me!" Miku cried uncontrollably.
Yuuto froze.
"…What exactly happened?"
Belfast spoke with a serious expression and a formal tone.
"Miku nearly assaulted you, Commander, while you were unconscious. Fortunately, Miss Yamato and I were present and managed to restrain her, thus preserving your chastity."
"..."
Yamato burst into loud laughter, slapping her thigh.
"Hahaha! That mode is totally insane, Yuuto! Even I had trouble holding her back!"
"Eh… I see…" Yuuto truly didn't know what expression to make.
"Waaaa! That's so embarrassing! Please forget everything!" Miku cried even harder.
Seeing Miku like that, Yuuto finally let out a breath and tried to change the subject.
"Alright, alright… let's stop there."
He lightly tapped the table.
"Since everyone has received their rewards, how about I check my own now?"
Kuroneko jolted.
"Oh right! Yuuto, you haven't checked your reward at all!"
Everyone's eyes immediately turned to Yuuto.
Even Miku, still crying, lifted her face—her cheeks red, her eyes swollen.
Yuuto took out his folding phone and opened it.
Light appeared, and a hologram was projected clearly into the air.
A Dharma wheel with eight spokes slowly rotated.
Below it, a name was clearly written.
"Limitless Adaptation (Adjusted)"
Yuuto read it softly.
"Adaptation… without limits?"
The entire Tree of Life crew fell silent.
They had no idea what it was.
Then—
"What!!!?"
Kuroneko's scream shattered the silence.