Laskey and Mumei
Looking around, the green Great Forest stretches out like an ocean, and sunlight, like strands of golden sand, shines through the layers of branches and leaves, sprinkling onto the soil where wildflowers bloom, releasing an alluring fragrance.
The birds in the forest flew and chirped, drowning out the roars of the insects and wild beasts.
"Mount Fuji"
A girl with Kohaku eyes, short black hair, wearing a pink kimono skirt, had a Steam Pistol at her waist and a short katana on her back.
Standing atop a giant tree, I gazed in amazement at the other end of the sea of trees, towering into the clouds, its peak covered in snow, resembling a jade fan hanging upside down in mid-air.
Although she had never seen the 'Hinomoto' in the Ancestral World, related pictures were everywhere, and practically no one was unaware of it.
But now I've actually met him in another world; it feels like fate has played a cruel joke on me.
And she, of course, is Hozumi, a member of the CIPHER POL- Nue Squad under the World Government, from the Kabane World.
The reason they called the Kabane World the Ancestral World was because they disliked using Kabane as the name of their original world, but they couldn't change the World Government's decision, so they decided to use Ancestral World or Iron Fortress World as alternative names.
After all, compared to the terror of death brought by the Kabane, the Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress represents Station City, symbolizing hope and safety for them.
I did consider suggesting to the higher-ups that the Kabane World be renamed the Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress world, but that was rejected on the grounds that changing the data would be too troublesome.
This made them realize that their status and influence within the World Government were far too low.
Yes.
This is the New World Star Gate!
"Mumei, what did you see?"
At that moment, a very cold question came from below. Upon hearing Hozumi dared not delay any longer, and quickly flipped over to use several thick tree trunks to return to the sea of trees.
"Captain Laskey, this is a very large forest, and I also see..."
The little girl, meeting Laskey's sharp gaze, nervously tightened her face and quickly began to report.
That's right.
This exploration mission to another world was led by Hozumi and Laskey, while his wife, Mata, did not participate because she was visiting their daughter on Guanhao Island.
Or rather, most of the CP9 members didn't participate because they were all too big, so people with suitable builds were selected from other CP teams.
Although Laskey is also two meters tall, he is experienced and strong in combat. Considering that the reconnaissance team needs a front-line commander, he was sent here to keep an eye on the twelve-year-old Hozumi.
It is worth mentioning that, in order to facilitate the execution of the mission, Hozumi once again used the code name "Mumei".
"Different worlds, yet two identical mountains."
After listening to Mumei's words, Laskey thoughtfully glanced at the surrounding forest environment and then said, "Let's walk around some more and see if there are any places that look familiar to you."
"Yes!"
With Mumei's agreement, the two-person team began to traverse the vast sea of trees at high speed. Later, in order to increase their speed and conserve energy, they leaped from the ground onto tree trunks and then quickly jumped between the trunks.
It must be said that after several months of training at CIPHER POL headquarters, Mumei's skills have improved considerably.
Certainly.
This is also closely related to her upgrade from an ordinary Kabaneri to a 'Nue'.
As the sun was about to set and night was beginning to fall, they finally emerged from this rather exaggeratedly Great Forest.
They continued walking along the mountain island, and this time they both slowed down, looking like a good-looking young father and daughter.
Interestingly, Laskey was not wearing his usual suit and boots, nor was he wearing his dark red sunglasses.
Instead, he was dressed in a plain crimson Samurai outfit, with a red-handled, black-sheathed Samurai at his waist.
This is a clothing adjustment based on the experience of the Kabane World. Although I can't say that this second world is also Japanese style, it's still better than the black suits that look like they come from some organization.
"Um?"
Before long, Laskey and Mumei saw fields of lush green crops ahead. They exchanged a glance, both understanding each other's thoughts.
Human civilization also exists in this world!
"Hello!"
"Why did you bring the child all the way from the forest? And it's almost dark! You're such a careless father!"
Just then, an old man carrying a hoe, his legs covered in mud, walked from his field onto the path and looked in surprise at two blurry black figures, one tall and one short, in the distance.
Approaching the old man, Laskey glanced at his attire and thought to himself, "He really didn't make a mistake changing his clothes; it seems I've stumbled upon another Japanese-style world!"
He found it strange; was the style of Wano Country so famous that it existed in every world?
Besides.
This person is speaking in Wano Language!
"I am Samurai, and I just finished training in the Yamanaka Clan with my daughter!"
However, despite their thoughts, they revealed their pre-arranged identities without any hesitation.
"Samurai?"
The old man carrying a hoe looked at the Samurai swords on Laskey and the Mumei man with surprise, thinking to himself, "This ban on swords has been in effect for decades, how come?"
But he put on a humble smile, bent slightly, and quickly apologized, "I'm so sorry, this old man never expected to encounter Samurai like you. Please forgive me!"
"Yes, we need a place to stay tonight. Lead the way."
Upon seeing the old man's attitude, Laskey immediately guessed that Samurai must have a high status in this country, and thus his tone naturally carried an arrogant feel.
"Okay, okay, this way please!"
The old man wasn't really happy about it, after all, Samurai, being Daito creatures, were dangerous, but he didn't dare to refuse rashly in the current situation.
The three walked along the Kitsuchi path between the fields, one in front and two behind, and soon entered a village with dozens of wooden houses.
"This place."
Mumei looked at the scene of men and women in kimonos walking through the streets, he was immediately overwhelmed by a sense of familiarity, as if he had returned to a post station town in the Ancestral World.
"This is another world?"
Their appearance clearly aroused the curiosity of the neighbors, since outsiders rarely come to this small rural place, let alone two people carrying Samurai swords.
Through conversations with the old man and others, Laskey learned that the old man was the village chief named Yamana, which piqued his interest.
Since he's the village chief, he must know more than the average person, right?
Upon arriving at the Yamana chief's house, it was indeed as expected of the chief; the wooden house was significantly larger than those of the other villagers, with three wooden houses arranged in a triangular courtyard.
"Samurai, you and your daughter can stay in this room. This was originally the old man's son's room, but he went into the mountains to gather herbs with two friends ten days ago and hasn't returned since."
The village chief, Yamana, was particularly saddened whenever this matter was mentioned. Even though he was used to seeing birth, aging, sickness, and death, the disappearance of a son was still something he could not let go of.
Just like the villagers said, he actually thought it was probably bitten by a wild beast in the mountains.
Fortunately.
He has a younger son in the city, so his bloodline isn't completely severed.
"Okay, thank you very much!"
Laskey didn't glean much useful information from the other person's words and lost interest. He casually dismissed him and led Mumei into the roughly fifty-square-meter wooden hut.
After the village chief left, instead of Mumei find a place to sit down and rest, he took out a small Den Den Mushi and contacted the Star Gate in a low voice.