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Enlightenment wasn't something one achieved overnight, unless they were willing to pay a price others couldn't comprehend.
Like the Saints, for instance, who risked their very lives to achieve the Eighth Sense, a state of transcending life and death.
Mika, however, had chosen a different path, one that required time and experience to train the necessary understanding.
As a traveler between worlds, his potential was limitless—He didn't need to gamble his life on a single breakthrough—not unless his survival depended on it. And he hadn't faced such a situation yet.
Therefore, his journey would be a long one, and he couldn't afford to rush. And he wouldn't.
After returning from the Hunter x Hunter world, instead of immediately embarking on a new journey, he had remained in Orario, joining the competition between the Familias for the title of strongest expeditionary force.
The Freya Familia, whose focus was elsewhere—rarely ventured into the dungeon's depths, their expeditions merely for show, to appease the Guild. Therefore, while they were Orario's strongest Familia overall, they weren't the strongest explorers. That title, after the departure of the Zeus and Hera Familias, had belonged to the Loki Familia.
And now, they had a challenger:
The Yahweh Familia.
While they were smaller, their high-level combat power—with Mika at Level 7 and Mellie and Airmid at Level 6 (at least, according to the Guild's records)—surpassed that of the Loki Familia, whose strongest members were three Level 6 adventurers.
However, dungeon exploration required numbers, and in that regard, the Loki Familia still held the advantage.
Then came the Yahweh Familia alliance, the Astraea and Hephaestus Familias joining their ranks, compensating for their smaller size.
And as time passed, the Astraea Familia's talent blossomed. Alise, Ryuu, and Gojouno had all reached Level 5, further enhancing the Yahweh Familia's reputation.
The rivalry between the two Familias had become a city-wide spectacle—the Gods, always eager for entertainment, egging them on. However, both Yahweh and Loki, though not above enjoying a good show themselves, weren't interested in being the show.
They welcomed the competition. Their Familias, after all, were on good terms, having fought alongside each other against the dark faction. This friendly rivalry wouldn't jeopardize their bond.
And so, the competition intensified.
Mika, of course, wouldn't miss such an opportunity. He retrieved his old equipment and joined the fray, leading his Familia into the dungeon, using only his Falna-enhanced abilities.
They faced countless challenges, working together, their bond strengthening with each victory. Mika enjoyed this camaraderie, this shared sense of purpose.
They surpassed the Loki Familia's record, claiming the title of Orario's Strongest Expeditionary Force.
——
——
"WE DID IT—!"
They celebrated their victory, their voices filled with joy and pride.
Mika, watching them, couldn't help but smile. He sat with the leaders of the three Familias comprising their alliance: Mika, Mellie, and Airmid; Alise, Ryuu, Gojouno, and Lyra; and Tsubaki, a total of eight.
"To think we'd actually surpass the Loki Familia—this is incredible!" Tsubaki exclaimed, raising her glass.
The Hephaestus Familia was a crafting Familia—Logically, they shouldn't have any high-level adventurers. However, Tsubaki, a Level 5 even in the original story, had reached that level much earlier in this timeline thanks to Mika's influence.
And now—as a member of the Yahweh Familia alliance—she was even aiming for Level 6, the Hero Realm, a prestigious title, and, within the Yahweh Familia, a gateway to other worlds. She, too, knew Mika's secret. After all, like the Astraea Familia, the Hephaestus Familia was now under Yahweh's…protection.
"Indeed. We've always looked up to the Loki Familia, but now we've surpassed them. It's quite surreal," Gojouno murmured.
"Hmph. It was all thanks to me," Alise declared proudly.
"It was a team effort, Alise," Ryuu reminded her.
Laughter filled the room.
As the celebration wound down, Mika announced, "I'll be embarking on another journey soon. I'm leaving the Familia in your capable hands."
"Leave it to us, Mika!" Alise replied with a nod, knowing he would eventually continue his travels. And this time, he wouldn't be alone.
Airmid and Mellie, having awakened their Cosmo under Saori and Yahweh's guidance, and having reached a high level of mastery within the Sixth Sense, were close to achieving the Seventh Sense.
They wanted to travel with Mika, hoping to accelerate their growth by experiencing other worlds. Besides, they had missed traveling with him. They longed for those shared adventures.
Mika, too, missed traveling with them. He cherished the memories of their earlier journeys.
——
Having made the necessary arrangements in Orario, he embarked on a new journey, this time with Airmid and Mellie, returning to the world where they had once ruled an empire:
The Akame ga Kill world.
Everything was as they had left it.
Thanks to Mika's time manipulation, only a moment had passed in their world, regardless of how long they spent elsewhere.
Their friends and subordinates were still there.
The Empire, now having conquered the entire planet, was a place Mika hadn't truly explored. And that was now his objective. He gathered his companions, and with laughter and anticipation, they began their journey, exploring the vast empire they had created.
While they were its rulers, the Empire was now filled with capable individuals.
It could function perfectly well without their direct intervention.
As for potential rebellions? They weren't concerned. In a world where individual strength could rival that of an army, power flowed from those at the top. And Mika was undoubtedly at the top.
During their travels, they encountered a diverse range of life:
Danger Beasts, Monsters, Dragons… each one a testament to the infinite possibilities of life itself.
Observing and studying them further deepened Mika's understanding of life's essence. He now understood Airmid and Mellie's excitement upon visiting new worlds. He couldn't have achieved this level of understanding through solitary research, even with Yahweh's guidance.
It was the contrast between different worlds, the diversity of life, that had accelerated his growth.
He had fulfilled one of his objectives in this world. However, his journey wasn't over yet.
Airmid and Mellie hadn't achieved the Seventh Sense, a goal they still aspired to. And now, traveling with him, they had the time. They continued their exploration, and in his free time, Mika contemplated his next step:
To understand death.
His understanding of death, forged in the crucible of countless battles, far surpassed his understanding of life. He had witnessed death countless times.
However, what he needed wasn't simply an awareness of death, but a deep, fundamental comprehension, born from his understanding of life.
And in that regard, he was making rapid progress. After all, having absorbed demonic energy, his Cosmo now possessed an affinity with the Underworld—the realm of the dead.
"Is this…death?" he murmured.
With his understanding of life now complete, his journey towards the Eighth Sense accelerated. He faced no obstacles in comprehending death or transcending it, his Cosmo resonating with the essence of the Underworld.
After their travels in the Empire concluded, they returned to Orario, leaving their new companions in Airmid's care, then departed once more, this time for the world of One Piece, which Mellie and Airmid had already…restructured.
Under their rule, the world was thriving.
Mellie, with the Marines as her tool, had purged the seas of piracy. She had redefined Luffy and his crew as "Explorers," creating a distinction between those who sought adventure on the high seas and those who engaged in criminal activities.
Those who had established nations and were willing to abide by the World Government's laws were recognized. And the true pirates—were eliminated.
There was no mercy for them.
Having absorbed most of the world's strongest fighters into the Marines, their power was unmatched—And Mellie, a meticulous strategist, had targeted the very roots of piracy. Those who became pirates generally fell into three categories:
Those driven by desperation, unable to survive on land.
Those driven by ambition, seeking power and wealth through violence.
And those seeking freedom and adventure.
The first category was dwindling, thanks to Mellie's reforms, which forced all nations to join the World Government and abide by its laws. She had ruthlessly purged corrupt rulers and nobles who exploited their people.
And the second category, the ambitious warmongers…they were her primary targets, their numbers dwindling under the Marines' relentless pursuit.
As for the third category, the adventurers, were now recognized as explorers, distinct from pirates. With their newfound legitimacy, they had no reason to engage in piracy, especially with the World Government actively hunting down criminals. This wasn't the same corrupt organization they had once known.
——
Mellie was proud of her accomplishments, and Mika praised her efforts.
He, too, had enjoyed their time in the One Piece world.
While he had encountered countless unusual creatures during his travels, the unique ecosystems of this world, its vast oceans teeming with life, had been a fascinating experience, further deepening his understanding of life itself.
And it was in this world that Mika finally completed his preparations, his Cosmo reaching its peak.
One day, as they sailed across the ocean, he closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he had achieved the Eighth Sense.
He felt the surge of power, but his expression remained calm. He had anticipated this; it was the culmination of his long journey. There was no surprise, no elation, just a quiet smile.
"I've finally reached this level—Then it's time." He looked towards the starry expanse within his mind, his gaze fixed on the star representing the Type-Moon universe.
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