Red, Horned, Triple Speed

"Take a look."

"This is the latest 'Zaku II' I developed!"

An excited Refining Bone led the group deep into the base, enthusiastically introducing it to the person in charge of the base—the middle-aged man in the special police uniform—as well as Char.

"Compared to the previous 'Zaku I,' its performance has been vastly improved in every aspect—"

Unlike the earlier 'Zaku I,' which resembled Rome's common foot soldiers, the current 'Zaku II' looked much more imposing and refined.

Its helmet was adorned with sharp horns, much like the kabuto helmets worn by Warlords during the Island Nation's Warring States era. Its right shoulder was fitted with thick armor, bristling with sharp spikes that were clearly meant for ramming.

Its left arm was equipped with a massive shield. It looked like nothing more than an ordinary long steel plate, but in truth—

"This is the latest composite armor sent over by the materials department."

Refining Bone, who looked like a delicate monk, had already transformed into a mad scientist as he eagerly explained:

"Layered alloy steel plates combined with cushioning materials, designed to absorb impacts through localized damage and protect the torso. Most importantly, the core of this shield is Divine Wood!"

?

At those words, everyone's expressions turned solemn.

What Divine Wood was, no one in the entire Island Nation failed to know.

When Miketsu, the Inari God, fought Yamata no Orochi, they had overturned mountains and rivers and driven back the sea, leaving behind a great deal of "wooden wreckage."

These were merely remnants left behind by their battle, yet to the Island Nation government, they were priceless treasures! The embarrassing part was that no method capable of cutting this Divine Wood could be found anywhere in the world. Only Takashi, the "Asura Sword Saint," could process it,