Chapter 655: That sounds so realistic that I almost believed it

The passenger ship didn't meet with any storm, crash into another ship or an iceberg, or saw anything that would hinder its journey. The ship successfully reached Momozu Island.

It was currently nighttime.

The tournament participants then got off the ship and followed the guide to a hotel... just kidding!

Nobody was here for a tourist visit. Nobody wanted to spend their vacation here. Nor was there a single hotel on this deserted island.

When everyone got off the ship, the tournament participants were already in their combat outfits and fully prepared for battle.

There were extravagant, classical, modern, science-fiction-like, mystical, and all other sorts of combat outfits... Spiritual Ability users of all styles gathered together, appearing like a cosplay convention... no, just like a scene out of a superhero alliance movie!

Apart from the tournament participants, two individuals wearing black science-fiction-like combat outfits with helmets that fully covered their faces got off the ship as well. They were Spirit-branded Retainers who gave off incredibly imposing auras.

These two individuals hadn't shown themselves on the ship. However, it was easy to guess that they were powerful individuals from the tournament's hosts.

There was still some time before the tournament would formally begin.

The other tournament participants that were taking their own ships and the spectators had yet to arrive.

"Everyone, you're welcome to wait here at the rest area. Or, feel free to explore this place as you wish. Just make sure to return here when the tournament is about to begin."

The person who made this announcement was a man who wore black Sakura Island attire together with a white mask. He was a member of the Himiki judging clan.

There were six other men and women next to him in similar attires. They all had faint auras of great power.

Another five Spirit-branded Retainers from the Kurosaki Family were next to them. They were all wearing full black combat attire with covered helmets. The two Spirit-branded Retainers that walked off the ship joined with these five.

Behind these fourteen powerful individuals were several hundred people that resembled special forces. These several hundred individuals were the Kurosaki Family's personal military squadron.

That's right, an actual military squadron!

Not only did the Kurosaki Family possess a military squadron, all seven of the major Yin Yang Master families had their own personal military squadrons that were strong enough to start an actual war.

Just what exactly was a top-level faction? These fourteen powerful Spiritual Ability users and that well-armed military squadron standing there in orderly files and giving off a cold aura was the best answer.

And this wasn't all of it.

Looking off into the distance, a large ship which definitely wasn't a civilian ship could be seen sitting on the waters as if it was a sleeping giant.

That was a military ship.

A military ship! This was no cute ship girl. It was a true, awe-inspiring naval warfare ship! The type that could shoot artillery at land targets.

'Hey, why are things so ridiculous!?'

'Forget about sending a military squadron to watch over the tournament, there's even a naval warship? Does the navy have so much free time!?'

While Seiji mentally commented on how ridiculous this scene seemed, he also couldn't help but worry. Was this show to intimidate, or to prevent something from happening?

If it was just for intimidation, it wouldn't be much, although it was slightly exaggerated. But if it was to prevent... Just what did they think would happen on this island? Just what was going on behind the scenes of this Bloodwine Ritual tournament?

Upon closer consideration, this tournament involving 128 Spiritual Ability users might cause a big ruckus, but wasn't it still rather excessive to have an entire deserted island as the battleground? Even if this would be easier to cover up, it still seemed a little strange.

Was there some secret behind the Bloodwine Ritual tournament? Or was there some secret on this island?

Seiji didn't know... he didn't have enough information.

The tournament hosts had constructed a resting area that was quite comfortable. Everyone could wait here until the tournament began.

However, Seiji chose to start exploring the island.

Walking on deserted trailways in the darkness with old and gloomy houses around him... Seiji felt as if he had just joined the set of a horror film.

The ground was cracked in various places, weeds grew profusely everywhere, broken objects were scattered about, many windows were broken, houses' doors were open, walls were collapsing, moss was on every house... This entire island was filled with the aura of abandonment.

Just who had lived here before, and how were their lives...? Seiji couldn't help but think about such a topic.

"Haruta-san." A voice greeted him.

Seiji turned around to see a man wearing a demon mask and a large dark blue jacket as a combat outfit walking over.

"Rota-san..." Seiji recognized this person as Daikawa Rota.

"I heard from Saitou-san that you're an exiled 'Haruta'."

"That's right."

"Why is it that you say you don't bear a grudge against your family? Being exiled must be an incredible humiliation," Rota inquired.

Shika furrowed her eyebrows slightly as she stood next to Seiji.

"That's because I deserved what I got," Seiji answered.

"Are you really certain?"

"What do you mean?"

"Haven't you ever considered that you were actually framed or led into a trap? Although I don't know your specific circumstances, I don't think that you're the type to make a major mistake like that, Haruta-san. It's quite strange that you received such a severe punishment like exile from the family," Rota spoke in a low voice.

"That's because I've changed myself now. The past me was nothing like the current me," Seiji stated calmly.

Everyone fell silent for a moment.

"Join our Revenge Alliance, Haruta-san." Rota directly spoke his intentions.

Seiji looked him over.

"Earlier on the ship, I wanted to ask Rota-san about this Revenge Alliance, but you politely declined... Why is it that you're now asking me to join instead?"

"At that time, I wasn't aware of Haruta-san's circumstances. Now I'm aware, and have confirmed that Haruta-san has sufficient power which will be greatly helpful to our Revenge Alliance."

"Helpful because of my personal power, or because of my Haruta Family bloodline?"

"The Haruta Family's bloodline is a part of your power as well," Rota stated directly.

'Ah, so he's actually trying to recruit me because of my bloodline.' Seiji understood.

"Why do you need the Haruta Family's bloodline?"

"I'm sorry, I can't answer that question. But I promise that it's nothing bad for you. There will be no harm for you at all, Haruta-san."

'That sounds so realistic that I almost believed it,' Seiji retorted in his mind.

"What benefits are there for me if I join?"

"You'll obtain far greater power, which will greatly exceed the power of the family that exiled you—for instance, power which exceeds Shuntou Haruta's!"

"A mysterious power obtained too easily is just like money growing on trees. I can't be rest assured about that at all."

"It's not mysterious at all. You'll understand when the time comes. This is a new power belonging to this new generation!" Rota's tone sounded slightly fanatical.

His behavior didn't really fit Seiji's earlier impression of the cold and analytical detective... just what could Rota have experienced?

"Understand when the time comes? I apologize, I don't really trust words like that."

"It's okay even if you don't trust me right now. As long as you agree to join us, I shall give you an item that signifies you're one of us. After that... you can choose for yourself whether or not to accept this new power. I'm confident that you will."

"What if I refuse to join you?"

"Then we'll treat this conversation as having never occurred. Still, please consider carefully before making your final decision."

"You're not worried that I'll report you?"

"I believe that you wouldn't, Haruta-san."

'Believe? Yeah, right. I bet that you have some way of dealing with things even if I report you.'

"Rota-san, can I ask why you chose to join the Revenge Alliance? Or, are you the person that started it?" Seiji inquired.

"I'm not the person who started it... I joined because I want to establish a new order!" Once again, Rota's tone was starting to sound fanatical.

"What type of new order?"

"An order that's better than the current one! First, we need to overthrow the rotten families that have cruelly suppressed Sakura Island for far too long already. Those in high positions that have gotten away with whatever evils they wished for far too long need to receive the judgement that they deserve!!"

Rota's words seemed to contain a passionate fire that could actually physically burn.

"This is revenge and revolution..." Seiji deeply furrowed his eyebrows as he recalled this catchphrase of the Revenge Alliance.