Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way. - V5 Chapter 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 76.5, 77, 78, 79 & 80
Chapter 71: “Don’t You Dare Underestimate a Hero, Got It?” ①
“Madoka!?”
With a Z-shaped slash, Natsuki brought the Holy Sword down, decapitating, slicing from shoulder to hip, and cleaving the stomach in two.
—And yet not a single scratch marred Madoka’s body.
“Wh… why…?”
The severed head on the ground stared up in bafflement.
As Madoka’s limp body began to slump, Natsuki caught him and leapt back to Shinonome’s side.
Then he flipped her the bird.
“Don’t underestimate a Hero! If I couldn’t cut exactly what I wanted to cut, I wouldn’t deserve the name!”
Somewhere to the side, Yusuke muttered an apologetic, quiet voice:
“Sorry… I could never do that…”
Natsuki paid him no mind.
“Also—ugh, I heard what you did earlier. You’re gross. Clingy. All slimy and disgusting. You owe little Nacchan and cute Madoka-chan back then a full dogeza apology for assaulting them! After that, you can go die!”
“…You… don’t mean to tell me… you’re that child of the pure lineage? How are you still alive…?”
Even Ibaraki Doji looked baffled by Natsuki’s presence.
But a Hero who’d come back from another world didn’t flinch.
After handing Madoka over to Shinonome, Natsuki quietly put his palms together.
“All thanks to the Great Cosmic Kappa God, of course.”
“…Don’t mess with me.”
“I’m not kidding, you idiot! Stupid! Ugh, you ugly hag!”
Natsuki hurled insults that even an elementary schooler would’ve outgrown, but his gaze never wavered from Ibaraki Doji—he stayed sharp and on guard.
Her torso, standing firm despite bleeding enough to soak her kimono red, shifted.
She picked up the rolling head as if it were nothing and set it back onto her shoulders.
At the same time, the arm Natsuki had nearly severed stitched itself back together, and the gut that had spilled out regenerated cleanly.
“Disgusting! If you’d just died properly, you might’ve been kinda cute.”
“…I don’t really get what you are, but one thing’s certain. I’ll drain your blood until you die again! Then I’ll claim even more power and take the world for myself!”
“Do that all you want, but you’re not getting a single wedding gift from me! Also—no way am I showing up to your wedding with Shinonon!”
“Eh, marriage was never in my plans anyway!”
Shinonome, who had just breathed a sigh of relief after confirming his little brother was safe, suddenly panicked and shouted.
“We’re absolutely getting married! I already booked the venue six months in advance, and I even ordered a custom wedding dress!”
“—Wha—”
Shinonome froze, speechless—the conversation had raced ahead without him even realizing it.
Had Natsuki been even a little later arriving in Kyoto, there was a real chance Shinonome might’ve ended up forced into marrying Ibaraki Doji.
“…You’re so self-absorbed it’s disgustingggggggg! Didn’t the wedding hall staff ask you, ‘Excuse me, who’s the groom?’ Huh?! Oh wait—I bet you went, ‘Oh, my husband’s just soooo busy with work, he leaves everything up to me~ teehee!’ Ughhh, that’s so revoltinggggggggggggggggggggggg!!”
“…You’re totally making that up as if you were actually there! Don’t mock an oni, human!”
Turns out Natsuki had hit the mark.
Fueled by rage, Ibaraki Doji’s claws shot out to slash him.
Her arm never made it.
Before it could reach him, it was severed in a blur too fast for the eye to follow.
“…!”
“Huh? You’re way weaker than I expected. What’s wrong? Ah, no—wait, I get it! It’s just that I’m way too strong! All thanks to the blessing of the Great Cosmic Kappa God! That’s right, huh?! Right, universe?! Speak to me, Milky Wayyy!!”
〜〜Afterword〜〜
Koume: “…Why does it feel like Natsuki’s gotten even dumber than usual!?”
Yusuke: “Forget that—Senju-san’s at it again, romcom vibes all over!”
Koume: “Fine, once we’re back in Mukaijima I’ll hook you up with the best succubus around, so get it together already!”
Yusuke: “My loyalty! My faith! Everything belongs to Lady Koumeee!!”
Note: Nacchan was hyped because he’d just unleashed his power all at once.
Also, between Underground Kyoto, the showdown with Ibaraki Doji, and crossing paths with Shuten Doji and the Tamamo-no-Mae, the whole mood had him buzzing.
Think of it like the over-the-top energy of a middle schooler—please watch warmly.
Chapter 72: “Don’t You Dare Underestimate a Hero, Got It?” ②
“Enough already! Damn you, kappa! Did you really think I wouldn’t prepare a countermeasure against you?!”
“What!?”
From her sleeve, Ibaraki Doji pulled out… a gourd.
“…Why though?”
Natsuki titled his head.
Koume and Yusuke also shared a puzzled “Huh?” glance.
“I’m not the one to say this, but in the old legends, kappas are supposed to hate gourds! If you’re gonna obsess over kappas, at least do your research!”
“Tch—now that you mention it, my strength—”
“Like hell you are! You’re pure human, one hundred percent pure!”
Senju, holding the wounded Torakuma Doji in his arms a short distance away, immediately cut him off.
And right on cue, Natsuki clutched his chest, grimacing in fake pain.
“Ah—right! That was close! I almost fell for Ibaraki Doji’s crafty little scheme! But I am Galaxy Kappa Hero Z! As long as I have my trusty friends, I’ll never bow to evil!”
“Impossible! Kappas are supposed to be weak against gourds!”
“You fool! Don’t lump the honorable kappas in with Galaxy Kappa Hero! Don’t you feel ashamed for insulting kappas like that?! Now—take my Kappa Slash of Fury!”
He swung the Holy Sword, cleaving clean through the arm clutching the gourd—cutting it off right at the shoulder.
Ibaraki Doji winced from the pain, but both arms regenerated almost instantly.
“…That’s one troublesome regeneration ability.”
“That it is. And you—your killing power’s maddening. If it weren’t for me, you’d be dead already.”
(Holy Sword-san, Holy Sword-san — hello? This is Galaxy Kappa Hero Z. Hellooo?)
(I don’t have any space kappa friends, thanks.)
(…This is Holy Sword-san’s partner, Natsuki Yura.)
(What now?)
(So… she’s weaker than we thought. Can’t we just overwhelm her with numbers?)
(Idiot! Where are you even looking? Check Ibaraki Doji’s belly!)
(Huh?)
On Holy Sword’s cue, Natsuki glanced down at Ibaraki Doji’s stomach.
In her lower belly, spiritual energy was swelling, taut and unstable—like something about to burst.
(I don’t know why she’s holding back, but kill her before she uses it. Once she does, things get nasty.)
(Ahh, so she’s constipated, basically.)
(…If you must put it that way, fine. But seriously, don’t say that out loud even about an enemy. You’ve got zero tact!)
(Roger.)
Natsuki leveled the crackling Holy Sword at Ibaraki Doji.
“I’m tired of fighting you. I’ll clear you out—come at me!”
“…Fine. For the sake of my first night with Shinonon, I’ll tear you apart, drink your blood, feast on your flesh, and turn your bones into furniture!”
“Then try and do it, if you can!”
Natsuki and Ibaraki Doji kicked off the ground at the same instant.
The Holy Sword and her claws clashed, sparks of magic and spirit scattering in every direction.
Facing a blade that had cut down countless monsters and demons, the Holy Sword realized one thing: this opponent was a colossal pain. Limbs and fingers were being lopped off one after another—but she regenerated them all, making it meaningless.
Not relying on the Holy Sword alone, Natsuki pulled the demonic blade from his item box and slashed at Ibaraki Doji’s arms, shoulders, and neck. Since she’d just heal, he didn’t bother defending.
(But she’s guarding her belly.)
Just like the Holy Sword had warned, Ibaraki Doji was stockpiling spirit energy in her lower stomach. Why, no one knew—but she clearly didn’t want that area touched. Whatever it was, she protected it above all else.
That made it the natural target.
Natsuki poured magic into the Holy Sword and amped himself up as well. The boost sharpened his speed and power just enough to throw off Ibaraki Doji’s rhythm. The opening it created wasn’t large—barely a flicker of time—but for Natsuki, it was plenty.
The Holy Sword slipped through her guard and drove toward her lower belly. All he had to do now was flood her insides with magic and lightning, ignite it against the spirit energy she’d stored, and make it detonate from within.
No arrogance.
No blind confidence in victory.
He moved like a machine, doing only what had to be done.
But then—
“Stop! I’m carrying Shinonon’s child in my belly!”
It had been two weeks since Natsuki returned from the other world.
Somewhere along the way, a sliver of heart and emotion had crept back into him—
And because of that, words he normally would’ve brushed off as nonsense made the hand gripping the Holy Sword falter.
“…Thanks. You’re so kind.”
Ibaraki Doji laughed, pouring every ounce of mockery into it, and slashed at him with her claws.
〜〜Afterword〜〜
Shinonon: “I swear I never laid a hand on her! I’m still pure, dammit!”
Ibaraki Doji: “Oh, so that makes you… virgin boy!”
Note: Didn’t actually know gourds were supposed to be a kappa weakness. Looked it up and went, ‘Huh, neat,’ so into the story it went!
Koume: “…By the way, what’s with that Z slapped onto Natsuki’s title? We just ignoring that?”
Yusuke: “Honestly, the way Ibaraki Doji half-seriously keeps insisting Natsuki really is a kappa… if things were different, maybe they actually could’ve gotten along. …Says the monster-girl-loving Hero.”
Chapter 73: “Ibaraki Doji’s Kinda Crazy Strong, Huh?” ①
Ibaraki Doji’s claws tore through the air toward Natsuki.
He swung the Holy Sword to block—yet his arm split open from middle finger to elbow. The claws didn’t stop there; the severed limb writhed like a snake and speared straight into his stomach.
“—Gah!”
Blood sprayed from his mouth, but even so, he swung the Holy Sword back in retaliation.
The blade cut through nearly seventy percent of Ibaraki Doji’s neck—yet it jammed partway, unable to finish the sever.
Knowing how dangerous that was, Natsuki kicked her in the stomach to break away and wrenched the Holy Sword free.
Clutching his wound, he staggered back several steps.
“Damn, that hurts… Heal.”
The slash had gouged his abdomen, but only lightly.
Not a fatal injury.
But her claws still dripped with his flesh and blood.
Without hesitation, Ibaraki Doji popped them into her mouth, chewing and swallowing—her face melting into a blissful smile.
“This… this is it. The taste of pure lineage really is different. I tried gathering similar bloodlines and devouring them, but nothing compares to this flavor. More than that—it gives me power nothing else can!”
“Quit sucking your fingers all dramatic like that! If Yusuke-kun ends up awakening some weird kink from watching this, you gonna take responsibility?!”
“Even with your stomach gouged out, you’re still lively… That just makes you all the more worth eating.”
“Hundred grams, fifty-thousand yen.”
“…Understood. Wait right here—I’ll go get the money.”
“Wait, wait, I was kidding! Just an isekai joke! More importantly—you damn liar! What was that nonsense about having Shinonon’s baby?!”
“It’s not a lie!”
“…Huh?”
Everyone—except the unconscious Madoka—turned to stare straight at Shinonome.
“Hold on, no—misunderstanding! I didn’t do nothin’, I swear! My senpai at the host club taught me—never actually touch the client!”
“Nobody cares what your senpai said! If you didn’t lay a hand on her… well, whatever. Kinda pointless to take a yandere’s words too seriously.”
The wound in Natsuki’s stomach had healed, but his brand-new hoodie and T-shirt were shredded full of holes.
He swore he’d make Shuten Doji pay him back for that.
“…I don’t want you thinking I’m lying, so I’ll tell you.”
“No, seriously, I don’t need to hear it.”
“There’s a baby in my belly.”
“I said I don’t need to hear it!!”
“I’ve been pouring the spirit energy I’ve saved up for years into it, and now a strong child is growing inside.”
(—So she wasn’t just storing spirit energy in her belly. She was feeding it… nurturing it.)
“But like this, it won’t be born properly. It still needs Daddy’s seed, after all.”
With a wide grin, Ibaraki Doji gazed at Shinonome, her eyes shimmering with tears.
Shinonome shivered, horrified.
“But to have Shinonon’s baby, to marry him—there are just too many nuisances in the way. Sigh… I was planning to take Kyoto with minimal damage, but now I’m already bored of that plan.”
A chill ran down Natsuki’s spine, every hair on edge.
“My sweet little baby… lend Mama your strength to crush the bad people trying to take Daddy away.”
“Everyone, defend yourselvessssssssssssssssssss!!”
The instant Natsuki roared, a massive shockwave of spirit energy erupted from Ibaraki Doji.
〜〜Afterword〜〜
Yusuke: “T-that scared me! For a second I thought she meant me by ‘Daddy’s seed’…”
Koume: “As if! No curveball that weird’s ever coming your way—stop dreaming!”
Chapter 74: “Ibaraki Doji’s Kinda Crazy Strong, Huh?” ②
“Stop messing around, you crazy yandere oni!!!”
Natsuki slammed the Holy Sword into the ground and threw up a magic barrier—
But even that wall crumbled under Ibaraki Doji’s overwhelming spirit power.
The blast hit so hard it felt like his whole body was about to be torn apart.
“…Oh? Impressive. You focused on protecting the others instead of yourself. How thoughtful, even shielding Hoshiguma Doji and the rest. Such a dumb kid.”
“Shut up, ugly.”
Natsuki had poured all his magic into that barrier to protect Koume and the others, not himself.
Because of that, his own defenses were wide open, and he took the brunt of the damage.
“Ugh—cough, bleh… ah, maybe my organs got wrecked.”
“My spirit energy is poison. Humans shouldn’t even touch it.”
“What if my organs go yandere on me?”
“Surrender before you suffer. I’ll be kind and cut off your head before I eat you.”
“I can’t even have a normal conversation! I hate this thing!”
He’d been battered, but Natsuki could still move.
(—Natsuki, stop stalling. I’ll back you up as much as I can—use sixty percent and finish this quick.)
(…Yeah. Fifty percent wasn’t enough. I wanted to hold back, but now I’ll fight like I’m burning it all.)
To be honest, Natsuki had planned to wipe the Abe house off the map after taking down Ibaraki Doji, so he’d wanted to conserve his strength.
But priorities came first—killing Ibaraki Doji mattered more.
He exhaled, steadying his breathing.
Then he drew in the magic floating through the air, spiking his physical strength to the max in an instant, and launched a kick that sent Ibaraki Doji flying.
She shot off like a soccer ball, slamming into the rubble of the mansion.
Natsuki coughed, spitting blood, before moving back to Koume and the others.
“Natsuki… are you really okay?”
“Not great. She’s stronger than I thought, so I’ll have to get serious.”
“Anything I can do for ya?”
“…I’m about to go all out, so I need you to protect everyone with everything you’ve got.”
“Piece of cake! Leave it to me, you can rest easy!”
“Koume-chan, I’m really glad you’re here. You’re a huge help—thanks.”
“…Heh. W-Well, as long as you appreciate me, that’s good enough!”
Natsuki and Koume bumped fists.
“Yusuke-kun, you’re not seriously getting excited over Ibaraki Doji, right?”
“Pick your words better! But honestly… yeah, I could!”
“…That’s the Hero of Earth for you.”
“Nah, can’t compare to the Hero of the Sea, sir.”
“Anyway, just focus on defense.”
“Alright!”
Seeing Yusuke still full of energy, Natsuki let out a small sigh of relief.
“Shinonon.”
“…Natsuki-kun, sorry I’m so useless.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“…But there’s one thing—I did set a trap for Ibaraki Doji. If I trigger it, it should give you the upper hand, Natsuki-kun.”
“What’s that?”
“That is—”
Shinonome was about to explain when Madoka, still cradled in his arms, faintly opened his eyes.
“…Natsuki, —chan?”
It wasn’t clear what Madoka was seeing when he looked at him now. Still, he used that same familiar name. For the moment, that was enough.
“Long time no see, Madoka-chan. Just rest for now. Sleep well. After this is over, we’ll make up.”
“—Yeah.”
Madoka closed his eyes again, and Shinonome passed him carefully over to Koume.
“Senju-san! Protect the future wives properly, okay?”
“They’re not my wives! Stop teasing and just go kill Ibaraki Doji already!”
He made sure to call out to Senju as well.
Then Natsuki and Shinonome stepped away from the group and toward the ruined mansion.
From within the debris, Ibaraki Doji pushed the rubble aside and emerged. Even after taking Natsuki’s kick head-on, she looked completely unscathed.
“My, Shinonon. If you stand in front of me, you’ll get hurt. I’m about to kill the pure-lineage child and feast on the flesh. It’d be embarrassing if too many people watched.”
“…You really are an oni through and through.”
“Yes, because I’m an oni.”
“I’ve got a present for you. I put a curse on you after taking my sweet time. It probably won’t kill you, but I can make you pay.”
“A gift from Shinonon—how touching.”
Even when Shinonon said he’d put a curse on her, Ibaraki Doji’s expression didn’t change. She smiled and spread her arms like she accepted everything. Shinonon scowled with pure disgust, glared at her, and then—
“…Drop dead, you idiot.”
He spat the curse out—short, loaded with far too much spirit power.
―The next instant, flames erupted from inside Ibaraki Doji.
〜〜Afterword〜〜
Yusuke: “S-Senju-san… you’re not planning a harem or anything, right?”
Senju: “How would I know!?”
Chapter 75: “Seventy Percent, Right?” ①
Red flames burst from Ibaraki Doji’s mouth, nose, eyes, ears—everywhere on her body.
“Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!”
She didn’t fight them—she just let them consume her.
“…Every time I touched you, I planted tiny little spells into your body. If I’d had more time I could’ve killed you with them, but finally—now I get to strike back a bit and feel better. How’s that? Curses hurt, right?”
“Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!! From the one I love—such deep feelings! I’m so happyyyyyyyyyyy!!”
“…This is bad, she’s totally losing it.”
Her kimono blistered and burned away, her flesh beginning to char as her breaths came out in ragged wheezes.
“…I set the curse from the day we first met. It carries years of my grudge—doesn’t it hurt?”
Shinonome spat the words, still on guard even though Ibaraki Doji hadn’t collapsed yet. The cursed flames were eating her from the inside; she teetered on death’s door. Natsuki hoped this might finally finish her, but—
“Ahhhhhh—this is Shinonon’s love! Shinonon’s feelings! It’s so wonderful! I love it!”
“Ugh…”
Ibaraki Doji’s body had finished regenerating, and instead of spewing hatred or anger at Shinonome, she screamed her love. Natsuki recoiled in disgust; Shinonome looked ready to vomit. Charred flesh crumbled away, replaced by fresh skin beneath.
“But it’s sad, Shinonon. Because of you, my power dropped by about twenty percent. I’ll eat your siblings’ hands and feet to make up for it. Hmm—no killing. I’ll use them as decorations in our new home.”
“…You—”
Instead of going after the one who cursed her, Ibaraki Doji chose to target Madoka and the others. It wasn’t out of some twisted plan to make Shinonome suffer—it was simply what would wound him most. True to form, she was a proper oni.
As Shinonome opened his mouth to shout, Natsuki grabbed his shoulder, stopping him.
“…That’s enough. No matter what words you throw at her, no matter what curses you spit, she won’t change. She only ever thinks about herself. She doesn’t even care about you, Shinonon, despite claiming she loves you. In the end, she’s just a pathetic creature who only loves herself.”
“…Natsuki-kun.”
“Ibaraki Doji can’t win. I’ll finish her here. Not just for Shinonon—for Madoka-chan, Onsa-san, Kirara-san… none of them will ever have to deal with Ibaraki Doji again.”
Natsuki tightened his grip on the Holy Sword and let his magic surge.
“Shinonon, take Senju and the others and get behind Koume-chan.”
“Natsuki-kun?”
“Honestly, I don’t have time to worry about anything else.”
Magic coursed through his body. Cells woke to a strength he had never felt before—a power unlike anything until now.
The air itself trembled. It felt as if Underground Kyoto itself was afraid.
—The space of Underground Kyoto creaked.
“Ibaraki Doji… I’m done with you. I’ll kill you.”
“Try it, pure lineage.”
“—Seventy percent.”
With a roar, Natsuki’s power exploded outward.
〜〜Afterword〜〜
Seventy percent—beyond the limit.
Also, we placed in the Top Picks of the 11th Net Novel Awards on Narou!
Thank you so much!
Chapter 76: “Seventy Percent, Right?” ②
“Two minutes is the limit.”
“Got it!”
Holy Sword-san appeared behind Natsuki like an embrace, whispered the warning, and vanished.
“That sword’s lovely. I want it.”
“You’re not getting it.”
“Then I’ll just tear your arm off and take it.”
“Try it, you yandere hag.”
Natsuki and Ibaraki Doji launched off the ground at the same time. Dust swirled up around them.
“—Time to hunt an oni. Roar, Sword of Thunder.”
Thunder cracked across the air.
“Blood of flame, make noise. Become a blade, hunt your prey—Blood Sword.”
Ibaraki Doji gripped a red blade wreathed in flames and swung.
The Sword of Thunder and the Blood Sword collided, and a storm of force howled out.
Wind-blades born from the clash shredded at both of them.
Blood sprayed; when it splattered her face, Ibaraki Doji licked it with delight.
“You should be honored. Right now… you’re beyond even the prime Shuten Doji I knew.”
“Of course I am. Who do you think I am?”
“Galaxy Kappa Hero, right?”
“Galaxy Kappa Hero Z, damn it!”
Blue lightning surged through Natsuki’s body.
Even without swinging, the thunder moved on its own, cutting at Ibaraki Doji like blades.
Each strike spawned seven more. They landed—but only shallowly.
“Won’t it heal?”
“—What did you do?”
Ibaraki Doji looked puzzled that her regeneration hadn’t kicked in. She didn’t seem panicked—probably because the wounds looked shallow.
“I’m not telling you, idiot!”
She launched off the ground again. Natsuki slashed with the Holy Sword, followed with a kick and a punch, steadily tearing into her.
He felt confident—if he kept up the pressure, he could win. But at the same time, a small doubt tugged at him: was it really going to be this easy?
At seventy percent, the Holy Sword revealed a portion of its true power.
The new ability it had reclaimed was: Destruction.
Regeneration no longer mattered.
He was cutting not just flesh, but the regeneration itself.
Each swing of the blade burned and sliced with blue lightning, annihilating everything it touched.
That was the strike born from Natsuki’s seventy-percent release.
—But the limit was close.
“One more minute.”
The Holy Sword’s voice echoed, and Natsuki felt blood drip from his nose.
“Myy? Is that your limit?”
“You too.”
Ibaraki Doji’s left arm fell—and this time it did not grow back.
The bleeding from her belly didn’t stop.
The gouge in her shoulder remained wide open.
Cuts all across her body still bled.
By contrast, Natsuki hadn’t taken any serious wounds.
Looking at them, it was clear who held the upper hand.
“…Yeah. To be honest, this is getting rough.”
“Then I’ll make you an offer. Heroes from another world show mercy—even to scum.”
“Is that supposed to be a nice story?”
“Kneel and offer your neck. I’ll kill you quick so you won’t suffer.”
“You really are kind. If it were me, I’d make you suffer before I killed you.”
“Then regret it—even in death.”
Thunder rumbled through Underground Kyoto.
Natsuki swung the Holy Sword in a wide arc, cutting Ibaraki Doji clean from shoulder to hip.
〜〜Afterword〜〜
Nacchan: “Did we do it?!”
Also—a quick reminder: yesterday we placed in the Top Picks of the 11th Net Novel Awards!
Maybe this’ll even lead to a book deal?
Chapter 76.5: Interlude – “Mukaijima Monster Agents, Right?” ⑦
Ginko Aoyama sat in the Yura family living room.
She popped open a beer, poured it slowly into a slim glass, and finished with a perfect creamy head.
Lifting the glass to her lips, she downed it in one huge gulp—like someone chugging milk after a bath.
“—Wheee! Ahh, that hits the spot! Cheers to being alive! Cheers to making it home safe! Long live Earth!”
Ginko drained the glass in no time, a frothy beer mustache clinging to her face as she looked completely satisfied.
In the kitchen, Jack and Nancy cooked side by side, smiling as they fed each other little tastes—domestic, cozy, and downright cute.
“Thanks for the bath!”
“Don’t mention it—help yourself first.”
Seishiro-san and Yoshimasa—who’d joined the bath earlier—had brought a few changes of clothes for their stay in Mukaijima, so now they lounged around in comfy track suits, their room wear.
“Seishiro-san, want a beer too?”
“Please, I’ll have one. I’m that tired—I deserve it.”
“Right? And Yoshimasa, milk and orange juice okay?”
“Milk, please. Even I need to chug milk to get through this, you know!”
Seishiro and Yoshimasa each took their drinks, while Ginko topped off her own glass with more beer.
She waved Jack and Nancy over, splashed a little beer into their glasses, and raised hers high.
“Here’s to us! We got sucked into a wormhole and summoned to another world, but hey—we made it back safe. So, cheers!”
Everyone clinked their glasses together with a loud “Cheers!” and downed them in one go.
“Hey! Doing a toast without the star himself, Susanoo-no-Mikoto?! I’ll cry! I’m gonna bawl like a kindergartener who didn’t get his toy!”
“Yeah, a grown man crying over that would be rough. And wasn’t it you who stormed off before the toast, saying the beer wasn’t enough?”
“Mammon-mammon. We made it to the liquor store fine, but then got stuck arguing over which brand to buy, mammon-mammon.”
“Seriously? That’s so dumb!”
“I may be a greedy demon, but I’m also a demon who takes his beer brands seriously, mammon-mammon!”
“So what did you end up doing?”
“I bought every single one I wanted!”
Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Mammon strolled in grinning, each lugging a six-pack of beer in both hands.
“Alright then, let’s do this properly! —We’re comrades-in-arms! Heroes who saved Earth’s peace and another world!”
With glasses poured for Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Mammon, they clinked them together for another toast. Tonight was bound to get lively.
■
—Meanwhile, God.
“Th-those guys…! Sure, that world might be slowly drifting toward ruin, but after wreaking so much havoc, how could they possibly call themselves heroes?! They’re more like gods of destruction! Ahh, my stomach… ugh, medicine, I need stomach medicine…”
〜〜Afterword〜〜
They made it back safe.
What really went down will be told in another interlude.
And since it’s Christmas Eve, you’re getting two updates today!
Chapter 77: “Honestly, Isn’t This Bad?” ①
Natsuki clicked his tongue—he hadn’t managed to cleave Ibaraki Doji clean in two.
That strike had been the very limit of his seventy-percent release.
Even so, when Ibaraki Doji crossed her arms to block, her left arm was severed. Her right arm and torso survived, but his blade still carved a deep gash across her body, blood pouring out as her insides spilled into view.
He hadn’t finished her, but if he kept pressing, maybe he could force the win.
That’s what he thought—until his instincts suddenly screamed. Instead of stepping forward, his body leapt backward on its own.
“…Oh my. You’re sharp—just like a wild animal, quick to sense danger.”
Ibaraki Doji laughed.
No doubt she’d been ready to spring some deadly trick. If he had taken even one more step forward, he’d already be dead.
“—Natsuki, two minutes.”
The Holy Sword’s voice rang in his ears.
Natsuki eased off his magic, suppressing the power he’d driven so high.
The moment his strength dropped, crushing fatigue slammed into him.
“Already at your limit, huh? Well, same here. I’m maxed out too.”
“Is that so? Fine—then offer your neck. I’ll make it quick.”
“No way. To be happy with Shinonon, I’ll kill you, kill everyone here, and eat, eat, eat you all!”
“How exactly is that supposed to make you happy?”
“I’ll be happy as long as I can be with Shinonon.”
“…That’s not it. Just being with Shinonon isn’t enough. Only when you also care about the people he treasures—and your sisters too—can you really call it happiness. …Forget it. My bad. I’m not here to preach to an oni. If by some miracle you did change your mind, it’d only make killing you harder.”
Natsuki knew his words probably wouldn’t reach Ibaraki Doji.
Even so, he had to say them. Useless or not, he couldn’t stop himself. It was proof he was still green, and the thought embarrassed him.
“Keep going. I’m weakened, but so are you. Let’s finish this.”
“—Right. Let’s get serious.”
“…What?”
Natsuki rubbed his ears in disbelief.
Ibaraki Doji had just said, “I’ll get serious.”
That meant she still had power left—despite the fact she should’ve been pushed to her limit, just like him.
He didn’t think she was bluffing. And she didn’t strike him as the kind of oni who lied.
Natsuki decided: decapitate first.
Whatever trick or reserve she had, he’d end it before she could use it.
He forced his body past its limit and unleashed seventy percent again. Kicking off the ground, he rushed Ibaraki Doji and swung the Holy Sword in a blur.
The blade cut for her neck—but was pulled in, striking something hard. It bounced back with a metallic clank.
“No way. I can slice through rock like butter, y’know?”
“Start by changing your perspective. The one standing before you is the strongest oni!”
Her sharp kick slammed into Natsuki’s gut.
His body hit the ground and rolled, bouncing several times.
He scrambled to recover his stance—but no follow-up came.
“Gah—”
Blood sprayed from his mouth. The blow had shredded his insides.
He cast a heal, trying to patch himself back together.
—And instantly regretted it.
“…You ruined my plan big time. But that’s fine. There’s still one good thing—by eating you, I’ll gain even more power!”
She screamed that, then rammed her right arm straight into her own lower belly.
“—Huh?”
Natsuki froze, unable to comprehend what she had just done.
In that instant, Ibaraki Doji clawed into her own belly, digging deep and stirring as blood poured out.
After a moment of that madness, she slowly pulled her arm free.
In her right hand rested a sphere, packed to the brim with overwhelming spirit energy.
“—My precious baby… lend Mama your strength.”
“W–Wait—”
Realizing her intent, Natsuki sprang into motion—but he was too late.
Ibaraki Doji pressed her cheek against the sphere with a look of pure affection, then opened her mouth wide and swallowed it whole.
—Thump.
In the very next heartbeat, a storm of spirit energy erupted outward.
Ibaraki Doji had transformed—into a complete oni.
Chapter 78: “Honestly, Isn’t This Bad?” ②
Having swallowed the spirit sphere, Ibaraki Doji regained her full power and returned to her true form—an oni as white and beautiful as fresh snow.
Her body looked younger now, about the same apparent age as Natsuki. Her arms and legs seemed thin enough to snap with too much force, yet two thick, twisted horns jutted from her forehead, giving her a warped, menacing look.
“This is bad. She’d been saving all that power not for herself, but to create a baby… No wonder she’d felt weaker than I expected. Damn, this could be real trouble for Nacchan.”
She now wore a jet-black kimono woven from spirit energy and held a blood-red sword in her hand.
“—Holy Sword-san, eighty percent.”
At Natsuki’s request, Holy Sword-san appeared—only to immediately object.
“No way.”
“But—”
“You’ll die.”
“If I don’t, I’ll die anyway.”
Even after unleashing seventy percent earlier, Natsuki hadn’t been able to finish her. Now she was even stronger. Wanting more power was only natural—still, Holy Sword-san hated the idea.
“…I really don’t want to say this! I hate it so much! But use the power of the Sea Hero!”
“Huh? Really?”
“Of course I mean it! If you don’t, you’ll die!”
Holy Sword-san’s face twisted with genuine disgust.
But Natsuki only grinned.
“—I see, I see. Nice, nice. We’ve still got a shot at making a comeback, huh?”
“For a Hero of the Holy Sword, don’t go getting all giddy about using someone else’s power!”
“Sorry, sorry. I’ll apologize as much as you want—once we survive this.”
“Of course you will. I’ll help you draw out the Sea Hero’s power properly—so go kill that smug woman!”
“—With pleasure!”
Holy Sword-san snorted at Natsuki’s reply and vanished.
Natsuki slung the sword over his shoulder, eyes fixed straight on Ibaraki Doji.
“Thanks for waiting.”
“That’s fine. This isn’t arrogance—just the calm of someone strong.”
“Thanks. But you’ll regret it later. You’ll be thinking, I should’ve killed you back then.”
“If you make me feel that way, I’ll call it entertainment.”
“I’m gonna kill you, Ibaraki Doji.”
“Try it, Galaxy Kappa Hero Z.”
A pang of regret stirred in him.
It was a shame, killing someone who used his soul-name like that. Compared to most of the otherworlders, Ibaraki Doji had been somewhat tolerable.
Still, leaving her alive would only cause trouble down the line. She was an oni—a bundle of good and bad—and if they let things slide now, they’d just end up killing each other eventually.
Better to finish it here, while he had the chance.
“—O sea.”
From around Natsuki, seawater surged into being, swirling into a massive vortex.
“Heh…”
Ibaraki Doji had called it the composure of the strong—she clearly intended to watch every ounce of Natsuki’s power, then crush it utterly with her own overwhelming strength.
Not the worst mindset… but still, a mistake.
“—Mother Sea. Cradle of life itself. Forgive me for only knowing how to wield your power in such a tainted way.”
The words rose from him like a confession—like a prayer disguised as an incantation.
“Great Sea, Mother… in this world where children slay children, you despair, and yet you never abandon us. You keep watching, patiently. Please, forgive us foolish ones.”
Water climbed up to his knees.
Not just here—the whole of Underground Kyoto was being swallowed by the flood pouring out from Natsuki.
“And once again, we make you weep—O Sea of Lamentation.”
Wave crashed upon wave, and the mournful roar of the ocean echoed everywhere.
■
Meanwhile, in Poseidon, Mukaijima City—
“—So you’re using it after all, Nacchan…”
The old sea god muttered softly, eyes fixed on the water, his voice heavy with sorrow.
〜〜Afterword〜〜
Koume: “Why the heck is Ibaraki Doji still calling him Galaxy Kappa Hero here?!”
Yusuke: “Uh… maybe she actually doesn’t know Natsuki’s real name?”
Koume: “THAT’S EVEN WORSEEEEEEEEE!!”
Chapter 79: “Isn’t This the Sea Hero’s Power?” ①
—Natsuki Yura was a Hero chosen by the Holy Sword, summoned to another world.
But at the same time, he also bore the mantle of the “Sea Hero.”
In other words, he carried two different Hero titles at once.
The Hero of the Holy Sword, as the name implied, was the wielder of the Holy Sword itself.
That power depended entirely on the blade—if mastered, it could command thunder and destruction. By speaking the sword’s “true name,” the wielder would receive overwhelming blessings.
Yet ever since returning from the other world, Natsuki had been unable to fully draw out that power.
The Holy Sword now offered only partial aid, mostly supporting Natsuki in wielding his own strength—while sometimes letting him tap into fragments of its might.
What’s more, when Natsuki first forged his contract with the Holy Sword, they had agreed he would never use the power of the “Sea Hero.”
Of course, he had broken that promise at critical moments to return from the other world—but until now, the combined strength of the Holy Sword and himself had always been enough.
That was how vast the Holy Sword’s true power really was.
But if asked whether the Sea Hero’s power was weaker, the only possible answer—was no.
The Sea Hero’s power was equal to, or perhaps even greater than, the Holy Sword’s.
And its price was just as heavy.
■
“Ibaraki Doji… you regret it now, don’t you? What’s coming for you next is pure, crushing despair.”
“Ahahahahahahaha! As expected of the pure lineage! There are only a handful of humans who could wield such power! If I eat you, I’ll gain even more strength, climb even higher—and bear Shinonon’s child!”
“Yeah, sure. If you’re gonna keep screaming Shinonon’s name from start to finish, then fine—I’ll acknowledge it! Ibaraki Doji, you’re officially a proper bride of the Abe family!”
Natsuki thrust out the arm not holding the Holy Sword.
In an instant, an overwhelming torrent of water roared forward, surging to crush Ibaraki Doji.
“Just compressing seawater—what do you think that’ll do to me?!”
Ibaraki Doji swung her blood-red blade, cleaving the waterfall in two.
But the moment Natsuki clenched his fist, the parted waters rejoined, surging back together to swallow her whole.
“You’ve got it wrong. This isn’t just me splashing seawater at you. I’m the Hero of the Sea—wherever I stand, that place becomes the sea.”
The water volume swelled even greater.
Underground Kyoto groaned, cracks racing across the barrier that covered the entire city.
“And this sea—belongs to all seas. You get it? Not Earth’s oceans, not the seas of another world, but the very first sea born in this vast universe.”
Ibaraki Doji’s arm warped under the crushing seawater.
Blood spilled out, only to vanish as the waves swallowed it whole.
Bit by bit, her strength was being drained into the sea—weakening her, if only slightly.
“This won’t stop me!”
With just one arm, she tore herself free, slashing apart torrents that moved with a will of their own, and charged straight for Natsuki.
This time she didn’t swing to cut—she thrust, aiming to end it all in a single strike.
It was the right choice. Her blade shot true, piercing clean through Natsuki’s heart.
“…Something like this won’t kill me anymore. No—it can’t kill me.”
Natsuki’s body rippled, swaying like water.
“Don’t tell me… you turned yourself into liquid?”
“Nothing that dramatic. I just became the sea itself. That’s all.”
Ibaraki Doji opened her mouth and unleashed a flash of spirit energy.
Natsuki’s entire left side was blown away—yet the surrounding seawater surged in at once, filling the gap and restoring him.
His clothes didn’t return, but his body stood whole, completely unharmed.
“I’m not invincible like this. So let’s end it quick.”
Natsuki seized Ibaraki Doji by the neck and hurled her upward.
Her small frame slammed into the barrier of Underground Kyoto with a sickening crack.
He turned his gaze toward her—and that alone was enough.
The raging current closed in like jaws snapping shut, swallowing Ibaraki Doji whole.
—And in that moment, the shape it took on was unmistakable.
A dragon of water.
■
“Not good! At this rate, Underground Kyoto’s gonna blow apart from the inside!”
Shinonome Abe shouted, pouring his strength into defense.
“What are we supposed to do about it?!”
Koume spread her pure white wings wide, raising a barrier to shield everyone, her voice cracking with panic.
She was good at breaking things—but protecting and repairing barriers wasn’t her specialty. Much less one as intricate as the massive seal maintaining Underground Kyoto itself.
“If this keeps up, Natsuki-kun’s sea is gonna spill out into the real Kyoto above!”
“There’s no way we can let him rampage like Leviathan in the middle of Kyoto, of all places!”
“Haaah… guess there’s no helping it—Kyūkyū Nyoryitsuryō.”
〜〜Afterword〜〜
S-So… who the heck was that last “Kyūkyū Nyoryitsuryō”?
Chapter 80: “Seimei & Doman?” ①
“…Didn’t think I’d ever see someone crazy enough to actually break Underground Kyoto’s barrier. Live long enough, and you still run into new surprises.”
“Save it. …Hard to believe that kid from back then grew this strong, though.”
“You’re saying the same thing as me.”
“Shut it!”
Trading jabs, two young men stepped into view.
One was dressed head to toe in white—a suit with a vest beneath, no tie, his long white hair neatly tied back. His eyes were narrow, unreadable.
He stood tall, slim, almost delicate—the kind of presence that carried a polished, well-bred air.
The other wore a gray suit. His black hair was messy, and he lazily puffed on an e-cigarette behind black-rimmed glasses.
Even through the suit, his frame was solid and well-trained. His aura carried a rough, dangerous edge.
“—Haruaki-senpai!?”
Shinonome hurried toward the youth in white, clearly flustered.
“Well, Shinonome. Didn’t think you’d be the type to have Ibaraki Doji so obsessed with you.”
“Good work as always, Haruaki-senpai. I never imagined you were on this side.”
“…Huh?”
When Shinonome addressed him so respectfully, the youth’s face twisted into an awkward, troubled smile.
“…Um, Shinonome-san, who’s that guy? He kinda sorta looks a bit like you.”
Yusuke asked carefully, and Shinonome introduced the white-haired young man.
“haruaki-senpai’s the one who looked after me back when I was working as a host. We still meet now and then, but I never imagined he’d be on this side… let alone able to suppress Natsuki-kun’s raging power and even patch up Underground Kyoto’s barrier…”
“Uh, wait a sec—”
The young man looked caught, his expression saying “What do I do now?” And Yusuke, of course, noticed immediately.
“Everyone gather up—except Shinonome-san!”
At his call, Koume, Senju, Hoshiguma Doji, Tora Doji, and Kuma Doji all closed ranks around Madoka.
“…You know, maybe Haruaki-senpai isn’t Haruaki—but Seimei.”
“Funny you say that, Sado. I thought the same thing. Forget why a legendary figure would even show up here, or how he could be Shinonome’s ex-host senior—the fact he’s suppressing Yura’s absurd power already tells us enough. He’s the real deal.”
“…Actually, yeah, that’s definitely Seimei-kun. And the one next to him? That’s Doman-kun. Ahh, brings back memories. When I visited Japan ages ago, I used to boss them around all the time.”
“…I’m just gonna pretend I didn’t hear Koume-san’s comment. What do you say, oni brats?”
Koume clearly knew both Abe-no-Seimei and Ashiya Doman—she recognized that the two standing here were indeed those very same figures.
Hoshiguma Doji and the others nodded in agreement.
“There’s no way I’d forget that guy’s face.”
“Because that bastard started spouting nonsense about ‘beast-ear moe,’ the oni got driven into the shadows while foxes prospered!”
“Kuma kuma!”
“What a load of crap! I was hoping for some grim, bloody reason!”
Hoshiguma Doji spat the words with hatred, while Tora Doji and Kuma Doji added their own gripes.
Their bizarre “grudge” with Abe-no-Seimei left Senju with far too many things to comment on.
“Ashiya Doman was a little better, at least. He kept yelling ‘Long live JKs!’ or whatever—but hey, at least he treated us equally.”
“…Wait, hold on. So not just Abe-no-Seimei, but Ashiya Doman was a total weirdo too? And seriously, why were they talking about JKs and fox-ear moe back in the Heian era? That’s way too ahead of its time!”
“Senju-san, I’d love to trade fetishes with legendary figures too, but now’s really not the time. If they can help us rein in Natsuki-kun’s power, we should take the support.”
“…Yeah. You’re right.”
Meanwhile, Natsuki and Ibaraki Doji were still clashing with everything they had.
“Oi, you oni brats, stay put. I know you’ve got history with her, but that’s in the past—this is now. …Well, then again, maybe watching your big sis get killed doesn’t exactly sit right with you.”
“…Don’t worry about it. Honestly, we’ve had enough of our sister. She wasn’t always like this, but these past few centuries she’s gone completely off the rails. Especially these last few years—total disaster.”
“As her little sisters, maybe it’s not our place to say this… but please, set her free from the madness she’s trapped in.”
“Kuma kuma.”
“…Got it. Then just watch how this ends.”
At Senju’s words, Hoshiguma Doji and the others nodded in agreement.
Yusuke bit his lip, jealousy flashing in his eyes—but he was smart enough to hold it back this time.
〜〜Afterword〜〜
They finally showed up!
Seimei & Doman!
Nacchan: “—I sense a big-name incoming!”
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