Yamato's Challenge

Seven days later, in front of the Time Spirit Room.

Transparent ripples silently spread from the grayish-white vortex within the doorway. Several figures emerged one after another from that isolated space where they had spent years, breathing in the fresh natural air.

What rushed toward them was air that truly belonged to nature, not something artificially created.

A genuine smile appeared on everyone's face.

No matter how large it was inside, it was still a cage they could not leave. Staying there too long was bound to become tedious.

Stussy darted forward, skipped over several stone steps, and threw herself straight into Lucas's arms, her voice carrying a nasal note of complaint as soon as she spoke.

"Darling, you have to make it up to me. If I had stayed in there any longer, I really would have gone crazy."

Her appearance had barely changed. The optimization of her Lineage Factor and her Mythical Zoan had already prolonged her youth, but seven years had still passed.

The dryness of those seven years was written all over her faintly burning blue eyes.

Lucas patted her back, then looked past her.

Kalifa and Hiyori stood side by side, their gazes filled with sincere attachment.

He nodded in satisfaction and sent Stussy a message through their mental link.

"You did well. You taught them very well. What reward do you want?"

"For the next month, I'm staying in your bedroom. No refusing. I haven't properly enjoyed myself for a full seven years. Seven years for one month—I'm still the one getting the short end of the stick."

"Fine, I promise."

Lucas wisely did not try to bargain with her.

After soothing this fox spirit who was practically about to snap his waist in half, he turned his gaze toward the other three women: