Chapter 73: The Timeless Rivalry of Red and Blue

“The monster born from the dragon vein.” Yume’s expression grew grave as he asked, “A monster like Bokuragu?”

Hearing Yume mention Bokuragu, Fujimiya’s face darkened as unpleasant memories resurfaced.

Jojo continued, “It’s similar to Bokuragu, but Ninryu has existed for a long time—one might say it’s the very embodiment of the land of Tokyo.”

“I see.” Yume seemed lost in thought at Jojo’s words.

There was a sense of kinship in the comparison. Gaia was the light of the earth, and Ninryu the incarnation of a land.

“In feng shui, the earth’s energy flows along lines called dragon veins. Tokyo’s dragon vein is enormous, and if it’s severed...”

Fujimiya understood what Jojo was getting at and picked up the thread, “If the dragon vein is destroyed by humans, then Ninryu will inevitably appear!”

“In that case, consumed by rage, Ninryu might attack humanity directly!”

Hearing this, Yume looked at Jojo, an uneasy premonition rising in his chest. “Jojo, is something about to happen!?”

Jojo would never bring this up unless something unusual was brewing.

“That’s right.” Jojo’s reply was certain—there was no need to spell things out among the clever. Yume and Fujimiya understood at once.

“There’s a major land development underway in Marunouchi, Tokyo.”

Fujimiya went to the computer and opened it.

He zoomed in on the map of Tokyo, marking the routes of various natural areas.

These were the veins of energy flowing through the earth. Fujimiya had familiarized himself with all earth-related materials and knew a little about feng shui as well.

A winding, colossal dragon vein quickly unfolded across the computer screen.

“This is the dragon vein.” Yume approached and gazed at the red serpent sprawled across the map.

Fujimiya’s hands didn’t stop; he marked out every man-made structure—sewers, subways, underground rivers.

“The dragon vein’s been damaged—damn!”

Now that the major land project in Marunouchi was marked, it was clear that if the construction continued, it would be like a blade cleaving the dragon vein in two!

Fujimiya and Yume exchanged a grave look.

Jojo came up beside them, eyes on the screen. “Other infrastructure isn’t as critical, but this project will sever the dragon vein completely. We have to do something!”

Since learning that earth’s monsters were also its guardians, Fujimiya’s views had shifted.

Now, in his heart, the monsters protecting the earth were as important as humanity itself.

“Damn it!” Fujimiya’s face darkened as he slammed the table. “I’m going to destroy that construction site right now!”

Jojo gave him a sidelong glance—so this is your idea of not being radical?

Fujimiya was clearly a man of action; the words had barely left his mouth before he turned to leave.

But at his declaration, Yume’s “Fujimiya alarm radar” seemed to go off—his body responded at once.

He blocked Fujimiya instinctively, “Wait, Fujimiya! This isn’t right!”

“What’s not right?” Fujimiya’s tone grew frosty as Yume stopped him. “Humans are destroying the dragon vein—I’m not even hurting anyone! I’m just correcting their mistake!”

Yume’s face clouded with annoyance. “You’re being too extreme! We need a gentler approach!”

He knew if he didn’t keep an eye on Fujimiya, who knew when the man would dig himself a pit to fall in.

“What else can we do? Do you really think those politicians will listen to you?” Fujimiya knew their ilk; better to cut the knot than waste time talking. “There isn’t much time left!”

“When war breaks out between Ninryu and humanity, whose side will we take? That’s when it’ll be too late for everything!”

As Fujimiya tried to sidestep him, Yume blocked his path again.

“But you can’t go about it like this! People will see you as the enemy!”

“We could try talking to Ninryu first!”

Yume grabbed Fujimiya’s arm, clearly not about to let him run wild.

“Let go! Don’t get in my way!” Fujimiya swung a fist into Yume’s stomach, doubling him over in pain. “Talk to the victim? What are you thinking?”

He shook off Yume’s grip and turned to leave.

Face contorted in pain, Yume recovered a little, annoyed. With a sudden leap, he clamped an arm around Fujimiya’s neck from behind, shouting, “Snap out of it!”

“You’re the one who needs to wake up!” Fujimiya tried to shake him off, but Yume wouldn’t let go.

Locked together, the two rolled to the floor, neither willing to yield.

Inamori was stunned.

Weren’t they just talking about saving the earth together? How had it come to this brawl in an instant?

“Stop it, both of you! Talk it out, for heaven’s sake!”

So much for their little boat of friendship—it had capsized in a flash.

Inamori hovered anxiously, unsure who to pull away first.

No matter which side he chose, it would feel unfair.

Yume yanked at Fujimiya’s nose, grumbling, “You arrogant jerk! I’ve had enough of you!”

Fujimiya grabbed Yume’s ear in retaliation, barking, “You naïve idiot! Let go of me!”

“Ow, that hurts!” Yume yelped as Fujimiya pulled his ear and countered by jamming his finger into Fujimiya’s nostril. “You let go first and I’ll let go!”

“What are you saying?” Fujimiya’s voice was distorted by the pain, his grip tightening. “You’re second-in-command! You should let go first!”

“Ugh! You first!”

“You first!”

Inamori stared, dumbfounded. Things were getting stranger by the second.

Jojo watched the two, his face growing darker and darker—the resemblance to a certain pair of quarreling ninja was uncanny.

“Star Platinum.”

A purple apparition burst from Jojo’s body, manifesting before Fujimiya and Yume, and, as Jojo willed, raised its fists.

Thud! Thud!

One blow to each of their heads.

Immediately, their bodies straightened and their minds went blank.

Star Platinum’s strikes were perfectly measured: enough force to stun, not to harm, with an added dash of clarity.

Once the daze faded and they realized what they’d been doing, Fujimiya and Yume both fell silent.

Yume pulled his finger from Fujimiya’s nose; Fujimiya let go of Yume’s ear.

In that moment, the two seemed to share a tacit understanding and got to their feet as one.

“The weather’s perfect for some exercise,” one remarked.

“Yes, I was just thinking the same,” the other replied.

“......” ×4

Inamori was speechless—he’d never imagined Fujimiya had this side to him.

Jojo dismissed Star Platinum and strode over to the two, a look of deep frustration on his face.

“Aren’t you two supposed to be the smart ones? Is your brain filled with research, or just with Agul and Gaia? Have you forgotten how to use your heads?”