The journey to Ehime-Ken prefecture took fifty-one days, during which Joseph incessantly boasted to Yoshi and Lyra about how he had single-handedly held his own against the entire populace of Kagoshima-Ken prefecture while they were possessed by evil spirits. His constant reminders of his victories, past battles, and newfound strength became a repetitive tune, much to the annoyance of his companions.

“Joseph, we’ve heard this story a dozen times,” Lyra muttered, rolling her eyes as he launched into another vivid recount. She tried to remind him that she had aided him in many of those battles, but Joseph politely cut her off. “Please, Lyra, let’s not spoil my moment of glory,” he said with a grin, his tone light but unwavering.

Yoshi, who had grown weary of the endless bragging, finally chimed in, hoping to redirect the conversation. “Alright, Joseph, we get it. You’re stronger now—even without breaking any seals.” He sighed, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “But remember, Ehime-Ken prefecture isn’t just another stop. This region once housed the Treasure of Probability. It’s not like the relics or treasures we’ve encountered before. It requires more than brute force—it demands strategy and wits.”

Joseph nodded, his pride momentarily dimmed. “Ah, yes. The Treasure of Probability… Its unique abilities remind me of Ultra Family, JASSEDG, Pussycat, TeknoWitch, ElastaTitan, Domino, Lady Luck, Longshot, Black Cat, Mojo, Scarlet Witch, Zatanna, Scarlet, Dice, and so many others,” he said with a nostalgic sigh. “Good times with each and every one of them.”

Yoshi raised a brow. “You have some strange friends.”

“Not me,” Joseph replied with a chuckle. “But my variants do.”

The three continued their journey, their camaraderie lightening the mood, until they finally reached Ehime-Ken prefecture. Their arrival was met with grim sights: widespread destruction across the city. On one side, people worked tirelessly to rebuild; on another, survivors searched desperately for their loved ones. Elsewhere, the wounded were being treated, and the dead were laid to rest.

One of their traveling companions, a native of Ehime-Ken prefecture, broke away from the group to search for her family. Meanwhile, Yoshi, Lyra, and Joseph immediately began assisting the townspeople. Their efforts didn’t go unnoticed. Soon, a group of battered warriors approached them, requesting their presence at the prefectural hall on behalf of the lord.

Following the warriors, the trio arrived at the once-grand hall, now barely recognizable. Its former splendor—renowned throughout the region for its beauty and purpose—was reduced to a shadow of its glory. Inside, the battered prefectural lord sat slumped in his chair, his exhaustion etched deeply into his face. The weight of recent events hung heavy in the air, a silent testament to the chaos that had engulfed Ehime-Ken prefecture.

“What could have done this?” Joseph murmured to himself, his voice barely audible as he surveyed the ruined hall and its shattered remnants of grandeur.

“Monsters,” rasped the prefectural lord, coughing violently as blood stained his hand. His frailty was evident; his pallor pale and his breaths shallow, as though he could pass out at any moment.

Without hesitation, Lyra stepped forward, her hands glowing with magic. “Hold still,” she said softly, channeling her energy. Her magic enveloped the lord and everyone in the hall like a soothing wave. But Lyra didn’t stop there. Her power expanded, a blinding light radiating outward across the entire Ehime-Ken prefecture. Buildings repaired themselves, the injured stood healed, and even the freshly dead were resurrected, gasping as life returned to them. The destruction faded as though it had never existed.

The prefectural lord, now revitalized, bowed deeply to Lyra. “Thank you, noble one,” he said, his voice steadier now. “You have performed a miracle for my people.”

He straightened, his expression growing grave as he began to explain. “The monsters that attacked us were led by one of our own—Shinobu Ogawa, a trusted warrior and leader among the esteemed defenders of Ehime-Ken prefecture.”

“Shinobi?” Joseph interjected, his brows furrowing in slight confusion.

“No, Shinobu Ogawa,” the lord corrected sharply. “He is a monster by species as well—a Knight-Hunter of rank AB, Tier 6. He’s a warrior capable of addressing solar system-level threats, and his dedication to protecting civilizations has always been exemplary. Despite his youth, Shinobu has proven himself time and time again as one of our greatest Paladin Knight-Hunters.”

The lord’s voice faltered for a moment before continuing, bitterness lacing his words. “But all of that changed when his kindness gave way to deception. No one saw the signs of his corruption. He spoke of a voice—a presence—that offered him a choice, a path to conquest. It twisted his heart and turned him into something unrecognizable.”

The group listened intently as the prefectural lord recounted the tragic tale. “Shinobu orchestrated the first wave of monster attacks to seize the Treasure of Probability. Once he obtained it, his betrayal was laid bare. He revealed his plans to use the treasure’s power to shift the tides of war. Even now, I fear his minions are advancing on Iriomote Island to claim its relic.”

The lord’s voice grew grim. “Shinobu spoke of his master—Ryujin—and a grand plan nearing fruition. He claimed his actions were but a part of it.”

The revelation left Yoshi and his comrades stunned. Joseph clenched his fists, his teeth grinding audibly. “Damn it! If Ryujin has the Relic of Creation, then what could he have promised Shinobu to make him betray his own people?”

Yoshi’s calm voice broke the tension. “Where is Shinobu now?”

The prefectural lord hesitated before answering. “Shinobu has been tasked with using the Treasure of Probability to prevent you from reaching the remaining two regions. He will stop at nothing to delay you, giving Ryujin and his forces more time to claim the Treasure of Destruction from Yakushima Island.”

Yoshi nodded solemnly. “I see. Shinobu’s interference is strategic—a distraction to buy Ryujin more time. But we will stop him. His master’s scheme will not succeed.”

Joseph’s eyes burned with resolve. “We’ll retrieve the Treasure of Probability from Shinobu, no matter the cost. And once we do, we’ll force him to reveal Ryujin’s plans.”

Lyra stepped forward, her expression fierce. “If Shinobu seeks to stand in our way, then we’ll face him head-on. For the people of Ehime-Ken—and for the world—we cannot fail.”

With their mission clear, the trio prepared to embark once more, their determination stronger than ever.

The prefectural lord bowed deeply, his expression filled with gratitude. “Thank you for your kind words and your resolve to aid us in this dire time,” he said earnestly.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Yoshi nodded, his gaze steady. “We’ll do everything we can to stop Shinobu and reclaim the Treasure of Probability.”

With that, Yoshi, Lyra, Joseph, and their comrades prepared to set out once more, their determination unwavering. The two remaining travelers who had accompanied them from the previous regions were entrusted to the care of the people of Ehime-Ken prefecture. Under the prefectural lord’s guidance, they were given shelter and assured protection until Yoshi and his comrades returned.

As the group departed, the people of Ehime-Ken watched with hope in their eyes, their prayers following the heroes as they ventured into the unknown to face the treacherous Shinobu and his master’s sinister plans.

Yoshi, Lyra, Joseph, and their comrades approached the eerie battlefield where Shinobu Ogawa awaited, a dark silhouette against the crimson horizon. Surrounding him was an army of grotesque monsters, their forms twisted and pulsating with malevolent energy. The treasure of probability gleamed in Shinobu’s grasp, radiating a strange, ominous light, as though mocking their presence.

“Ah, you’ve finally arrived,” Shinobu said, his voice echoing unnaturally. He regarded them with a sinister grin, his eyes filled with contempt. “I knew you’d come. You’re predictable, like all fools who believe they can oppose destiny.”

Yoshi stepped forward, his tone calm yet firm. “We’re here to end your reign of terror, Shinobu. Surrender the treasure and put an end to this madness.”

Shinobu chuckled, raising the treasure like a trophy. “Madness? No, Yoshi. This is balance. Ryujin has shown me the truth. The world is chaos, and only through him can we achieve perfect harmony. Join us, and I promise you’ll witness a future free from suffering.”

Joseph scoffed, his fists clenching. “Save your lies, Shinobu. We’ve seen what Ryujin’s ‘balance’ looks like—destruction, despair, and death. We’ll never join you.”

“Fools,” Shinobu sneered, his voice laced with venom. “Your defiance is amusing but futile. You’ll fail before you even scratch the surface of your aim. Let me show you the cost of your arrogance.”

With a wave of his hand, Shinobu signaled his monstrous army to attack. The battlefield erupted into chaos as the creatures charged, their roars shaking the ground.

“Brace yourselves!” Yoshi shouted, drawing his blade.

The battle began fiercely. Yoshi’s blade cut through waves of enemies, while Lyra’s magic engulfed entire hordes in blinding light. Joseph unleashed a relentless onslaught of physical strikes, his movements a blur as he pushed forward. Their comrades fought valiantly beside them, carving a path through the chaos, ensuring the trio could reach Shinobu.

Amid the blood and carnage, Yoshi, Lyra, and Joseph finally broke through, standing before Shinobu himself. The traitorous knight-hunter eyed them with disdain, gripping the treasure tightly.

“You’re persistent, I’ll give you that,” Shinobu said mockingly. “But persistence won’t save you. You’ve already lost.”

He raised the treasure, and an invisible force distorted the air around them. Yoshi and Lyra’s combined magical assault surged toward Shinobu, but the treasure’s power warped its trajectory. Instead of striking their target, the magic veered off course and engulfed Joseph.

“Joseph!” Lyra cried, panic in her voice.

As the energy surrounded him, Joseph gritted his teeth, bracing for the worst. But instead of harm, a surge of power coursed through him, reawakening his dormant XPT. His aura flared, and he emerged unscathed, radiating newfound strength.

“Looks like you gave me an upgrade!” Joseph said, smirking as energy crackled around him.

Shinobu’s expression darkened. “Interesting, but irrelevant. Even your awakened power is mine to control.”

True to his word, the treasure of probability turned Joseph’s XPT against him, forcing him on the defensive. Every strike he attempted was countered or redirected, endangering Yoshi and Lyra.

“We need a new plan!” Yoshi yelled, narrowly dodging a redirected blow.

Lyra nodded. “We’ll have to do this the old way. No magic, no aura—just skill.”

“Fine by me,” Joseph grunted, regaining his composure. “Let’s take him down.”

The trio regrouped, their movements synchronized as they launched a carefully coordinated assault on Shinobu. Their attacks were swift and precise, leaving little room for the treasure to manipulate the outcome. For the first time, Shinobu seemed caught off guard.

“You’re more resourceful than I thought,” Shinobu admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. “But let’s see how you fare against reinforcements.”

With a flourish, Shinobu summoned another wave of monsters, each more grotesque and powerful than the last. The battlefield once again descended into chaos as the trio found themselves surrounded.

“We’re not done yet,” Yoshi said, determination blazing in his eyes.

Lyra tightened her grip on her staff, her magic flickering faintly despite their agreement. “Stay focused. We’ll get through this.”

Joseph cracked his knuckles, his XPT aura dimmed but his resolve burning brightly. “Bring it on.”

The battle raged on, fiercer than ever, as they fought against overwhelming odds, refusing to back down. The treasure of probability still glimmered in Shinobu’s grasp, a constant reminder of the stakes they faced.

As the battlefield raged on, Yoshi unleashed a massive energy blast, cutting through hordes of monsters in a single sweep. The shockwave created a brief opening in the swarming reinforcements. Turning to Lyra and Joseph, Yoshi commanded, “Go now! Face Shinobu and end this! I’ll hold them off here.”

Without hesitation, Lyra and Joseph nodded. They sprinted toward Shinobu, their determination unwavering.

Joseph, his confidence surging alongside his XPT power, shouted, “Screw the old ways! I’m ending this with my powers!” He gathered an immense surge of energy, channeling it into a destructive blast aimed directly at Shinobu.

“Joseph, wait!” Lyra cried out, but it was too late.

The blast streaked toward Shinobu, but with the treasure of probability gleaming in his grasp, the villain effortlessly redirected the attack. The energy wave exploded with devastating force, sending shockwaves across the battlefield. Both Lyra and Joseph were thrown backward, colliding with each other and tumbling to the ground in a heap.

Joseph found himself on top of Lyra, his face inches from hers. Despite the dire situation, he couldn’t resist a smirk and a teasing remark. “We should really stop meeting this way… but I don’t mind, though.”

Lyra’s face flushed, a mixture of annoyance and embarrassment. “Joseph, this is not the time!” she snapped, rolling them over so she was now on top, pinning him to the ground.