Saint Seiya, but Athena who disobeys?

Before dawn today, what happened in Chiyoda is now playing out in various parts of the country.

—The shrine maidens of Matsuyama Shrine in Nagoya were fleeing in panic. But in the next instant, the Kyoto Soul Spear formation launched their muskets in an orderly fashion. The flaming spears, like brief daytime fireworks, engulfed the fleeing shrine maidens as they fell.

—In the Ryukyu Islands, the iron windowpanes of the Dragon Palace melted in the intense heat, the curtains transforming into a raging fire dragon. The Dragon Palace priests collectively raised their arms to set up a protective barrier. Following closely behind the group of vengeful spirit warriors were the Chariot and the Ushioni, these enormous shikigami ruthlessly shoving aside any obstacles in their path.

—On Shikoku Island, at Mitake Shrine, all the sorcerers fled in terror, the sound of deathly footsteps echoing behind them. It was the Yomi Army, belonging to Shintoism; these samurai who had crawled out of hell revealed their faces, which were horribly covered in maggots.

Some screamed, some angrily resisted, and some prayed to the gods.

However, these desperate, angry, and pleading prayers did not vanish into nothingness. Like invisible threads, they pierced through space, first converging on Stella—the goddess of love who once ruled Fusang and the former owner of the Wheel of Friendship—and then, through her subtle connection with the artifact, surging into the slowly turning Wheel of Friendship. Ultimately, these voices, filled with human suffering, were captured and heard by the "strong wind" power contained within Seiya's Pegasus Cloth.

Stella gazed at the Wheel of Friendship slowly radiating light behind Pegasus, and suddenly she understood. After her defeat, the ownership of this island nation had fallen into the hands of the man before her.

"So this was your true scheme, Pegasus!" Stella stared in astonishment, her eyes wide with disbelief as she looked at the man bathed in the radiance of his Saint Cloth. The innocent smile she remembered, like that of the King of Litang, now appeared incredibly deep and sinister in her eyes. "Wow! You're such a cunning man!"

Just three days ago, Stella had conquered Japan and controlled 70% of the mysterious forces in this land. At that time, the Yin-Yang Hall was the true uncrowned king of this land! But now, in the blink of an eye, through the subordinate relationship established by the Wheel of Friendship, her former power has completely flowed into Seiya's hands!

Now, Susanoo, that ancient and powerful man, has only two choices left: either defeat this Saint in a head-on battle and reclaim his rightful rights, or he can only try to win over millions of people and bring the out-of-control mystical side under control within a safe range.

Seiya ignored the shouting spring breeze fairy goddess. The strong wind brought the pain to him, and the Saint Seiya softly recited the incantation.

"May love and kindness guide you. Humanity needs justice, humanity needs order, humanity needs me. Praise my name, I am the victor, and I crush all evildoers!"

In an instant, countless rays of light emanated from the Saint Seiya.

—The world of the untamed, the eternal pavilion.

At this moment, Susanoo is watching as the fallen Fusang returns to his palm.

Aside from his most relied-upon Hachiman retinue, the Onimusha, Yomi Army, Exorcism Squad, and Hoshishi were steadily advancing. Against the rebellious gods, these forces were like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, but they were perfectly suited for annihilating the traitorous priestesses and sorcerers.

"Humans are like weeds. After one wave is exorcised, new weeds will grow in my courtyard, sprouting new buds every spring." Perhaps in a good mood, the old man picked up his yellowed wine gourd after a long time and gulped down the sake with its charcoal flavor.

In the 7th century AD, the ancient Korean kingdom of Baekje frequently interacted with the western continent (west of Fusang), serving as a bridge for the transmission of Western continental culture to Japan. Consequently, the Baekje people spread the brewing technique of using "koji" (fermented yeast starter) to Japan, greatly advancing and developing Japan's brewing industry. By the 14th century, Japanese brewing techniques had matured, and people were producing high-quality products using traditional sake brewing methods. This is the renowned monk's sake.

Although monk's sake was later abandoned and the brewing center shifted, and the Meiji Restoration brought with it a mix of chaotic and peaceful times, as well as the influx of beer and spirits, to this day, this gourd of monk's sake remains the most fitting for Susanoo. The stronger the sake, the more exhilarated he becomes.

Neither the monkey from five hundred years ago, nor the warrior Luo Hao from two hundred years ago, nor the deities of the South Seas could completely shake his rule over Fusang. This land, and the people on it, ultimately belong to him, to Susanoo. No one can change that!

Struggle is not the ultimate goal; as long as the objective can be achieved, Susanoo does not mind being a coward for a short period of time.

But at that very moment, countless streams of light descended from the sky, appearing before each person in need of help in the form of winged celestial horses.

Chapter 55: A Time of Vulnerability Arrives, Let Us Pray Together

"Hakiya, you're really something!" Stella excitedly sat on Seiya's shoulder, playfully punching the Saint's chin with her little fist. Looking at Seiya, who was bathed in a warm and powerful glow, his Saint Cloth gleaming, she felt a sense of pride and honor.

Stella is a woman who doesn't defy God's will, which also means she adapts very quickly.

Seiya slowly raised his arm, his gaze seemingly piercing through the illusion of Eientei, casting it upon the high and unfathomable sky. However, the focus of his gaze seemed to have already traversed the netherworld, firmly locking onto the figure drinking freely in the depths of the underworld.

“Someone is in danger, calling out the name of a Saint.” His voice was calm, but there was an undeniable rising tone in his tone. “That’s why I’m throwing a punch.”

Saint Seiya never expected that his first combination of powers would be the newly acquired Wheel of Friendship and Incarnation of the Gale. Although he could also unleash Pegasus Meteor to defeat the evildoers, he preferred to lend his power to those who suffer and let them make their own choices.

Although it was a coincidence, at this moment they sincerely hoped that the Saint Seiya would bring salvation to the people they were saving. There was no longer any need to think about what to do.

Now, someone has to pay the price for this.

Yuan Zun Shrine in Nagata Town, Tokyo, Japan.

The Seijuin family, one of the five great families of the official history compilation committee, is now in a precarious and uncertain situation.

"Do we really have to do this, Mother?" The man kneeling in the first row, who was Kiyoakiin Ena's father and also the head of the Kiyoakiin family, looked worriedly at the true head of the family, Kiyoakiin Ran. "Do we really have to go that far? We are priests who serve Susanoo, we will be alright!"

"Fool, do you think the Ancestral God would let anyone who betrays Him go unpunished?" Kiyoshiu Ran looked at her eldest son with a disappointed expression.

“But we’re fine now! And our loyalty to that Emperor… was forced.” Iedai quickly forced a smile.

“The Yin-Yang Hall wasn’t forced at first, but the Ancestral God wouldn’t have considered that. Because Eina is a priestess who slays the god Rakshasa, she only spared us temporarily.” Kiyoshuu Ran looked at the priestess kneeling beside her. “Even Eina sees things more clearly than you do.”

"How could that be? Eina is..." Ieyo's eyes widened.

“Father, those who waver between two sides never have a good end.” Kiyoshuin Ena looked at her father with the same gaze. “Now we only have one choice.”

Looking at her son, Kiyoshuin Ran thought to herself, if he weren't her eldest son, if he weren't Kiyoshuin Ena's father, he would never have become the head of the family with such a stupid mind.

But at that very moment, Kiyoshuin Ena's expression suddenly changed drastically. She reached out and pressed down on the divine body (Ama-no-Murakumo) resting on her lap, but her will was powerless to suppress the suddenly enraged deity. In an instant, divine steel materialized on the ground. Kiyoshuin Ran rushed towards the divine sword, wanting to immediately interrupt it—but she was too late.

The Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi suddenly began to grow enormous. The sword, about one meter long, expanded continuously and began to deform. The jet-black blade transformed into a body, hands, and feet; the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi had now become a giant.

The sword, originally as heavy as a woodcutter's axe, now forms a vertical stance with its blade pointing towards the sky. Two swords connect to either side of the body, serving as the arms, with joints at approximately the elbows allowing the hands to bend. Next are the feet, forged from solid steel, even heavier than the body and arms. Compared to the length of the body, the feet appear quite short. Their shape isn't particularly attractive, as it is originally a mutated giant, yet the overall impression is one of extreme sharpness.

Blade Giant. The Ama no Kusanagi sword transformed into a blade giant that could cut through anything with a single swing, and Ena's body was embedded in the blade at the point where it met her right shoulder.

Both she and the giant warrior uttered words that were difficult to understand.

The entire Kiyoakiin family was on high alert, for just moments before they had been discussing the heinous crime of exterminating their clan, and the next instant, Ama no Kusanagi manifested its true form. Anyone who considered the matter would only come to one conclusion. However, this manifested colossus did not make any unusual movements, and even gazed into the distance.

It seemed that some great disaster was approaching. What could possibly make the giant warriors so alarmed? Soon, thunder rumbled in the distance, but even faster than the rumble was the light that rushed to this place.

"The seventh god-slayer, this is our first conversation, isn't it?" A clear, axe-like clang came from the mouth of Ama-no-Kumara. Only then did they realize with horror that the true master of this body was Susanoo, whom they served.

"How dare you come before me?" Seiya looked at the giant warrior in front of him and raised an eyebrow, questioning him.

Upon hearing this, Susanoo erupted in anger, demanding, "That's the question I should be asking you! What you've done...?!"

Unable to utter a complete sentence, in a mere instant, the Pig Charge Fist, a symbol of destruction, crushed the colossus before him into the ground.

"Old man, I...you actually...!" Susanoo, who came to question the Saint Seiya with anger, never expected the other party to be so arrogant. He had thought that if the other party was a sensible Demon King, he could share power with him and bring him into the Council of Elders, making them four people.

But to my surprise, the other party's choice was incredibly brutal.

Countless golden swords materialized behind him; long before he arrived, he had acquired knowledge related to Susanoo through Stella. This knowledge, through the authority of the War God, was transformed into weapons specifically designed to attack Susanoo.

"Cry, scream, and call upon death!" the Saint Seiya coldly declared.

Seiya's figure plummeted straight down from the dome, landing one foot on the chest of the struggling Titan.

This is a completely illogical scene: tiny humans and enormous giants, yet the humans have pinned the giants to the ground, unable to move.

Susanoo's consciousness did see the trajectory of the light, but he was completely unable to dodge it. As a giant warrior, he was no match for the tiny flesh and blood body before him, whether in speed or strength. All he could do was raise his arm, which had transformed into a blade, but in the next instant, the golden sword pierced his shoulder blade, locking him firmly in place like a gleaming golden nail.

The next moment, a golden figure rose up like a god. He trampled on the giant warrior's chest, piercing it with sword after sword... Unable to cry out, unable to resist, until the last sword pierced through, the strangely shaped giant warrior was completely sealed. Susanoo's will was breaking away from the divine weapon, but his final will stared like a demon at the man who had trampled on the dignity of the gods.

"Just wait, I'm coming to find you now."

Chapter 56: Seiya, You Are the Challenger

Upon hearing this, Seiya smiled from the bottom of his heart.

"Then I'll be waiting for you." With that, the golden sword fell.

The sword of divine power that cleaved through the divine essence completely sealed the Colossus within, and at this moment, Seiya struggled to his feet, still bound inside. Seiya's gaze swept lightly over her and the other members of the Seiya clan.

"Are you a family of priests who serve the Steel God?" Seiya asked.

Emerging from the anxious and terrified crowd was an old woman. She glanced briefly at the giant soldier pinned to the ground, then maintained a respectful demeanor as she pleaded with the God-Slaying Rakshasa, "I am filled with trepidation, but I have no guilty race that covets the glory of the God-Slaying Rakshasa."

Kiyoshiin Ran flattered the man before her with the words she usually used to flatter her husband. But this young god-slaying demon remained noncommittal to her words, calmly uttering a command that caught her completely off guard.

"Then let's set up the secret ritual to summon the Steel God, so that He can appear before me in His strongest form."

For a moment, the members of the Seijuin clan thought they had misheard. But soon, Seiya seemed to be certain of it, and for the first time, he showed an expression, maintaining his posture of gazing into the distance, and speaking in a tone that contained a sense of belittling.

"Whatever the master of ceremonies, the precious ceremony venue, or even the large-scale use of the shrine maiden's mandala, prepare it all for Him. I want Him to trample His dignity underfoot with absolute victory."

In just a moment of surprise, Seiya realized Seiya's plan.

Of course, Susanoo could continue to hide in the Netherworld, in a place where no one could find him. But if he did that, he would have no face to live in this world.

Gods are arrogant. Even Susanoo, who has lost his madness, still retains his basic arrogance. He was confronted by Seiya, who publicly declared his intention to seek revenge. Seiya, however, prepared conditions for Susanoo's absolute victory. Seiya even believed that if Susanoo were willing to speak, Seiya would allow him to choose the location and time of his own choosing.

Seiya thus openly and honestly forced his opponent into a life-or-death battle against himself, the god-slaying beast who had ravaged Kamui.

—Dignity or life?

For humans, there may be two choices. But for the gods, there has always been only one path to take.

In this desolate mountain battered by a storm, Susanoo also sensed the overwhelming aura emanating from it. Though separated by the distance of worlds, it felt as if a sword were pointed directly at his brow, its sharpness fully revealed.

"To be forced into this situation, you've truly been looked down upon by this young brat." Susanoo stood up and spoke in a tone full of authority and anger.

However, the one who was anxious was the monk Tenkai beside him. He was about to say something when Susanoo raised his hand to stop him. "If we remain indifferent, we will be looked down upon by the gods. Since that young god-slaying demon is so eager to return to Pandora, then let him have his wish!"

Seeing his husband's ferocious side revealed before him, even the incarnate Buddhist monk Tenkai was intimidated. He quickly realized what this meant.

The void portal was pushed open, and amidst a strange kingdom filled with islands of clouds, a weapon resembling both a spear and a sword traversed the vast world and appeared in Susanoo's hand.

“Old friend, you’ve been waiting a long time, haven’t you? Now I need you to cut off the head of the god-slaying demon.” Susanoo gently stroked the resonant blade of his sword.

—Ten-Fist Sword, Heavenly Feather Blade.

This is a divine weapon that shines brightly in Japanese mythology. Its first wielder was Izanagi, the father of the gods. The sword first demonstrated its power when it was used to behead Kagutsuchi, the man who had burned Izanami's genitals at birth, resulting in her death. At that moment, three gods were born from the blood dripping from the sword's blade, three more from the blood on the hilt, and two more from the blood remaining on the hilt. Legend says these are all gods associated with the forging of this sword.

It is the sword that vanquished the Yamata no Orochi, the sword of the gods that gave birth to deities, and the progenitor of swords in Japanese mythology.

As Susanoo resolutely took a step forward, his figure became half-transparent and even gradually faded away.

Although all he did was stride forward with his head held high, Tenkai Shōjō understood perfectly what kind of change was taking place at this moment. It represented his return from being a recluse in the Netherworld to being the unruly and swift Susanō-no-Mikoto.

Having retreated to the background for a thousand years, he has now become a disobedient god once again.

Having witnessed firsthand the power of Pegasus Seiya, the god-slayer, Tenkai Sojō believed that Susanoo shouldn't have accepted the invitation, nor should he have heeded the boasts made earlier. After all, in mythology, he was known for his fickle and capricious nature as a malevolent god.

In any case, these god-slaying beasts were born from war and died from war. They would simply have to endure for a few more hundred years. However, as a monk who had interacted with Susanoo for four hundred years, he also knew that this ancient steel god would not return to the form of a disobedient god if he was not confident of victory.

He must possess a trump card capable of winning, and perhaps more than one. What will happen next is something that an immortal Buddha incarnate must clearly see and understand.

The Buddha, who should have eliminated emotions, found himself filled with fear of the unknown, and—expectation.

In contrast, there are changes in the real world.

Huh? Saint Seiya, who was still in Tokyo, suddenly looked up towards the northwest, a slightly surprised expression on his face.

The aura of reverence and awe that permeated this land, this far eastern country, instantly surged towards a certain place in the northeast, transforming into an even more sacred power.

Even this country, with the emergence of that aura, is gradually transforming into a sacred realm belonging to the gods.

"Such courage, Susanoo," Seiya smiled from the bottom of his heart. "Very good. Keeping your promise is a virtue of the gods."

Completely without needing the charity of the Saints, Susanoo, the reclusive ruler who has controlled this country from behind the scenes for a thousand years, had long ago prepared a secret ritual for himself to become a disobedient god in his full form at any time. And the location is now the mountains, in the former Izumo region.

Seiya waved to the Seishuin women, signaling them to stop suppressing the Ama-no-Murakumo. This divine artifact was originally intended by Seiya to be the medium for forcibly summoning Susanoo. Since Susanoo had taken this step voluntarily, Seiya naturally wouldn't obstruct its existence.

Since he made the promise, he would allow Susanoo to increase his power in any way he wished. If he truly had the ability to summon all the Amatsu gods of Takamagahara using the Covenant Technique, he would not stand in his way.

His figure transformed into a rushing light, descending upon the coast of Shimane Prefecture, shrouded in gray mist. The instant he appeared, a surging wave carrying black steel enveloped the Saint Seiya's entire body.

The divine steel destroyed the coastline, cleaved the sea surface, and swept away the Oki Island in front of it with unstoppable force.

Thousands of pebbles flew like cannonballs, and at this moment, Susanoo revealed his true form.

"Get this straight, kid, you're the challenger!"

Chapter 57: Like Sunlight Piercing Through the Night

When I close my eyes, I see the scene from that dream again, with the sky shrouded in mist.

A demon king with ten lives and a hero destined to destroy the world, a battle between benefactor and beloved, and the Earth Mother Goddess, who should have made a choice, instead fled to this far-eastern kingdom. For some reason, Princess Liuli Tong has been unconsciously recalling things from a long time ago lately.

This is a realm of life and immortality where humans cannot live, a world where the soul is more important than the body.

The secluded world, the eternal pavilion, countless doors to different spaces are superimposed upon each other.

Only the black-robed high priest Tenkai and Princess Ruri-tō remained in the pavilion. The mottled courtyard had been wiped clean by the torrential rain all night; on this land, the storm was a symbol of Susanoo.

"So that's how it is. He has reclaimed all his mythology." Princess Liuli Tong suddenly understood.

Susanoo has ruled this country behind the scenes for a thousand years. The awe accumulated on this land, along with his deep cultivation of mythology, was enough for him to possess all the mythology associated with him the moment he set foot on the earth and returned to the status of a rebellious god, thus completing the accumulation of all his power.

This is Susanoo's trump card, his trump card to kill the Saints... But for some reason, Princess Ruri's heart fluttered even more.

The sky was shrouded in a misty fog, the candlelight flickered incessantly, and an owl perched on the window frame, gazing into the distance.