Silence and anxiety hung in the air like a heavy dark cloud, pressing down until it became hard to breathe.
Even the ever naughty Haruno seemed restless, as if she, too, was sitting on pins and needles.
The unease in the room swelled quietly, threatening to burst at any moment.
Fortunately, after a long while—
Miss Yukinoshita slowly withdrew her sharp, eagle-like gaze.
Her eyes closed gently.
Calm and composed.
Like a sleeping beauty wrapped in winter stillness.
When she opened her eyes again, a faint—almost imperceptible—smile of relief rested at the corner of her lips.
That subtle smile was like a flower bud blooming at the very start of spring.
Her cherry-pink lips trembled slightly as she finally gave her answer.
"Haruno, Yukino… do you still remember what I said to you before you took the exam and successfully entered the school?"
The words struck like thunder, exploding in the sisters' ears.
Both of them froze for a brief moment, their thoughts racing backward as memories surged up all at once.
Soon, those familiar words returned to their hearts like a rising tide.
I once told you that the moment you stepped through the gates of Potential Academy—
the Yukinoshita clan would belong entirely to the two of you.
Your choices would represent Yukinoshita.
Miss Yukinoshita's response was like a spring breeze, gently sweeping away all lingering haze.
At last, a crescent-moon smile bloomed on Haruno's face.
"Yukino," she said softly,
"let mother see the results of our hard work during this time."
As she spoke, something strange happened.
Haruno's voice subtly changed in the final words.
As if touched by magic, it transformed—perfectly—into Yukino's voice.
At the same time, multiple overlapping syllables echoed together, creating an uncanny, layered resonance.
In the next instant—
Haruno vanished without a trace.
In her place, several identical Yukinos appeared throughout the room, as if copied and pasted into existence.
"...!"
The sudden, surreal sight left Miss Yukinoshita completely stunned.
For a moment, she even wondered whether exhaustion had finally caused her to hallucinate.
But everything before her eyes was far too vivid.
Far too real.
There was no room for doubt.
Yukino let out a quiet sigh and said calmly,
"Onee-sama… please don't turn into me so casually in the future."
As her words fell—
A spiraling whirlwind erupted around her, sweeping up biting, icy snow that danced violently through the air.
Miss Yukinoshita felt the teacup in her hand turn ice-cold in an instant, as if it had been frozen solid, all warmth drained away.
Only then did she truly understand.
This was what the sisters had learned.
This was the path they had chosen.
And in that moment of clarity, realization finally dawned.
The decision she had once made—when facing Haruno's problem—
A choice she thought had been made by accident…
Had, in fact, been the most correct decision of all.
--
No coincidence.
Almost the exact same scene was unfolding within the Shinomiya residence.
A visit had arrived at the mansion where lived.
This time, however, the visitors were no strangers.
They were her long-absent "brothers"—and...
Their purpose was painfully clear and singular.
They had come to seize every possible benefit tied to Potential Academy—through Kaguya.
Ideally, they wanted her to order things into place:
a guaranteed enrollment, a special quota, privileges secured without resistance.
Originally, they believed this would be effortless.
After all, Shinomiya Kaguya had always been seen as delicate, obedient—
a younger sister easy to guide, easy to control.
What they did not expect…
Was rebellion.
Calm. Absolute. Unmistakable rebellion.
"Brothers,"
Kaguya said flatly,
"if that is why you came, then please leave."
Her voice was cold. Precise. Unyielding.
There was no space for negotiation hidden between her words.
"The academy has its own rules," she continued.
"Even I cannot violate them."
Oko and Un'yō exchanged glances, genuine shock flickering across their faces.
They hadn't anticipated this.
Not from her.
Not from the sister who had once been so easily managed.
"You—!"
Oko shouted, fury flashing across his expression as he stepped forward—
And then stopped.
A cold light flashed through Kaguya's eyes.
It was sharp. Lethal. Like ice exposed to moonlight.
In that instant, the temperature in the room plunged.
The chill did not linger—
It condensed.
An ice spike formed mid-air and shot forward with terrifying speed.
Its sharpened edge gleamed with killing intent, forcing the brothers to dodge in panic.
But the ice moved like lightning.
And just before it could strike—
Kaguya stood motionless.
Straight-backed. Composed.
Her gaze carried unquestionable authority.
"See the guests out," she said calmly.
Then, without sparing them another glance, she turned and walked back into the mansion.
The doors closed behind her.
Leaving the two brothers frozen in place—
Stunned.
Silenced.
And finally forced to understand that the girl they once thought they controlled…
Was no longer theirs to command.
--
…Another world.
Australia.
After overcoming countless dangers along the way, Jackie Chan and his group finally arrived at their destination.
Fortunately, the Worldgate incident in San Francisco had not yet caused widespread panic.
They had managed to catch the final flight to Australia.
The moment they landed, they didn't waste a second—driving nonstop across the vast land until the vehicle finally slowed… and came to a stop.
As an archaeologist, Jackie couldn't help but freeze when he saw the familiar sight before him.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
"…Ayers Rock?"
On the endless plain stood a massive monolith, towering alone beneath the sky.
Uluru—Ayers Rock.
The Ox Demon scratched his head, squinting up at the colossal stone.
"So… let me get this straight," he muttered.
"You're telling me we're supposed to climb that thing?"
"Hmph."
A cold, mocking snort echoed behind them.
Valmont, possessed by the Shendu, stepped forward with disdain written all over his face.
"What utterly foolish humans."
Though his words were contemptuous, the excitement boiling beneath them was impossible to hide.
He approached the rock, placing one hand lightly against its ancient surface.
"Mahaa…"
A low, unfamiliar incantation slipped from his lips.
Suddenly—
Green rings of light spread outward like ripples across water, expanding rapidly over the stone.
The impossible sight made Uncle gasp in shock.
"M-Magic?!"
Valmont didn't even spare him a glance.
As the glowing sigils formed a doorway, he stepped forward—vanishing into the light.
Behind him, Zhou, Laslo, and Finn exchanged quick looks, grinned nervously, and rushed after him.
Jackie, Jade, Uncle, and the Ox Demon hesitated only for a moment.
Then—together—they followed them through the magical gateway.
Inside the rock…
What awaited them was nothing like solid stone.
Instead, they stepped into a mysterious inner space, thick with ancient power.
A long staircase stretched endlessly into the darkness ahead, vanishing into the unknown.
Valmont placed one foot on the steps and began walking forward, unhurried.
At the very end—
An ancient, heavy tome rested on a pedestal.
The Book of Ages.
The moment Valmont laid eyes on it, his lips curled upward.
Joy.
Greed.
Triumph.
All of it was laid bare on his face.
But then—
BOOOOM!!
A thunderous roar shook the sky outside Ayers Rock.
The sound echoed like the heavens splitting apart.
At the exact moment Valmont reached the Book of Ages, a massive, blood-red World Gate tore open above Uluru.
The air screamed.
From beyond the gate came deafening roars as countless ferocious monsters surged forward, barely restrained.
"ROOOAAAR!!"
Fanatical howls erupted as a terrifying aura flooded the land like a tidal wave.
The undead shrieked.
Beasts roared in unison.
Thunderous.
Overwhelming.
The Undead Legion and the Beast Legion poured into the world like a catastrophic flood, trampling onto the vast earth below.
From within the World Gate, three figures emerged—
Ella.
Shion.
Kaen.
They stepped forward and knelt respectfully.
Welcoming their master.
From above, a dark throne descended slowly, carrying with it a pressure so immense it crushed the air itself.
A crown of pure darkness hovered steadily above Yami Tsukishiro's head—like the core of all shadow.
Tap.
Tap.
His fingers—thin, seemingly weak—rested against the armrest.
Each light tap echoed like a war drum, radiating suffocating authority.
As Yami arrived, boundless darkness spread outward like spilled ink, swallowing tens of thousands of meters in an instant.
Within the shadows—
Ten terrifying Shadow Generals rose to their feet.
Awakened beasts followed.
Behind them stood countless Shadow Legion soldiers, their movements perfectly synchronized.
Silent.
Disciplined.
Unyielding.
Towering behind the throne was a hundred-meter-tall Shadow Giant, looming like a living nightmare.
An army that obeyed one will alone.
"This… this can't be real…"
Kanzaki Aoi's voice trembled uncontrollably.
Her legs shook as she hid behind Kocho Shinobu, clinging to her desperately.
Takagi Saya's face had gone completely pale.
She grabbed her own arm so tightly her knuckles turned white, pain etched across her expression.
Grief surged in her chest like a bursting dam.
From the light screen, Jade shouted in panic.
"Uncle Chan! What are you doing?!"
Jackie—hearing her voice—never looked away from Valmont.
His eyes burned as he watched him approach the Book of Ages, step by step, walking toward something unknown… and dangerous.
Then—
BOOM!!
The entire space lurched violently, shaking as if it were about to tear apart.
Before anyone could react—
RIIIP—!
The edge of the space was ripped open.
A massive hole split the ceiling as blinding sunlight poured in like a waterfall.
From outside—
A gigantic dragon claw formed of starlight descended from the sky, crashing down like a falling mountain.
With a casual lift of his hand, Yami Tsukishiro raised it slightly.
The massive stone cover above Ayers Rock was flung aside effortlessly by the star-forged dragon claw.
BOOOOM!
The stone smashed into the ground.
The earth itself trembled.
Slowly—
Jackie and the others turned around.
And froze.
Before them stretched a boundless sea of monsters and shadow soldiers, packed so densely they seemed endless.
Fangs bared.
Claws raised.
Eyes filled with savage hunger.
Every single one of them stared at the humans before them.
That formation—
Didn't look like it wanted to fight.
It looked like it wanted to devour them alive.
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