Chapter 2241: Cost and Benefits

There was no way around the fact that if he chose to go with this strategy, he would be divulging the truth about his ability to trigger breakthroughs enmasse. Of course, he could try and pin his hopes on the possibility that the Sekigaharans would think it was just a coincidence, but it was way too reckless to put his trust in such a remote possibility.

He needed to accept that if he truly chose to save his friends, he would undoubtedly be sacrificing the secrecy of his abilities.

The consequences were not slight.

Once the world found out what he could do, he would be at a much higher level of danger than ever before.

If not for the fact that he was a Master, and a particularly powerful high-grade Martial Master at that, this sort of thing would have ruined his life. His power was just barely enough to ensure that this sort of secret didn't completely ruin his life.

After all, one did not mess with a Martial Master who was close to the peak of the Master Realm.

However, while he was relatively secure against Master-level forces, the same couldn't be said for Sage-level forces. He was screwed if he ever found himself before an enemy Martial Sage without any allied Sages around him.

"On top of that, I'm not protected by the laws of the Panamic Martial Federation anymore." Rui felt a headache coming up. "This means that I'm not protected by norms designed to protect Masters from Sages."

Sages were expected not to run around bullying Masters without due cause. A single Sage could wipe out many Masters if they really wanted to. However, this would cause immeasurable harm to Martial Art as a whole. Thus, it was frowned upon and restricted directly or indirectly.

Of course, war between nations was considered a valid cause, so the three Sage-level powerhouses were not limited by the Panamic Martial Federation even if Rui were a part of it. But it would have protected him from the rest of the Martial World, at least. Now he didn't have even that.

His expression grew grim as he thoroughly considered the consequences of this course of action.

They were not the worst thing in the world, but they were definitely unpleasant. If he had been a Martial Sage, he would have had the power needed to flaunt his abilities and get away with it, but as he was now, it was unwise to reveal what he could do to the rest of the world.

"But... am I really going to let Kane die?"

Was he really going to let Kane die because he didn't want to invite danger upon himself?

A resigned smile cracked at the edge of his mouth.

It wasn't even a question.

Yet, the answer taught him more about himself.

Previously, he would not have been sure what he would have chosen in this particular circumstance, but now he knew.

"I'm going to save Kane, no matter what."

Of course, just because he found a viable strategy didn't mean it was easy.

If anything, before worrying about the consequences of succeeding, he needed to worry about actually succeeding.

He needed to conduct a mass breakthrough in the middle of an intense battle, and he needed to ensure that he had gathered their focus at least once.

He also needed to make sure he didn't incur any attacks when breaking them through, otherwise he wouldn't be able to focus enough.

"Damn, this is not going to be easy, but if I can break even one of them through successfully, then I'm probably set."

As long as there was one Master on their side who could use their Martial Mind unhindered, it was possible for them to massacre the Sekigaharan Masters who, by now, were either entirely or almost entirely unable to use their Martial Minds.

It was possible for him to have his cake and eat it.

This way, everything would be just fine.

"Alright, I don't have much time, or rather, they don't, I need to get this done as soon as possible."

BADUMP!

His Martial Heart blazed into power as raw energy coursed through every cell in his body. As much as he would love to sit down and come up with plans, back-up plans, and back-up plans to back-up plans, he simply didn't have the chance to do this.

They could die at any moment.

WHOOSH!

Rui surged straight up, heading as far and as high as he could into the sky and beyond.

He pushed himself to the limit as he headed to the point that was directly above the three of his friends.

WHOOSH

He let himself fall, heading down as fast as possible.

If he straightforwardly approached this from his hiding spot, he would only invite enormous enemy attacks.

As he plummeted, he prepared his brain for one final usage of his system of thoughts. Of course he didn't dare to actually activate his Martial Mind; he needed to use just two or three systems of thought for just a short period of time.

He closed his eyes, meditating even as he free-fell from the sky.

'Empty your mind.'

He gathered his concentration.

He immersed himself in what was to come.

Bit by bit, all superfluous thoughts were rid.

Until it was time.

WHOOSH!

"Hey, we have an incoming attacker from the sky!"

"Damn, did those Kandrian bastards send in another team to harass us?!"

"Take him out before he reaches us."

The Sekigaharans noticed his descent, turning some of their fire power away from the

wounded Seniors.

Kane, panting gravely, turned his gaze up to catch a glimpse of what they were looking at.

His eyes widened with shock.

He could recognize him anywhere.

He could recognize the concern and determination in his eyes.

He could recognize the reason he had come here.

"Hahaha..." He laughed weakly. "Rui? Man, get out of here-!"

He froze as a single whisper escaped Rui.

"Tree..." His eyes flared with determination. "... of Life."