Tenshukaku.
Sunset glow and solitary egrets fly together, autumn waters share the same color with the vast sky.
The pavilion under the setting sun possessed a poetic aura, but it's unlikely anyone present had the mood to appreciate it.
Pure Black, needless to say, had once expressed his delicate feelings about that imposing figure.
Three years ago, in the map, the unexplained death of his adoptive father, Owl, had been difficult for him to accept.
After all, the designer had crafted such an exquisite scene for him at the start.
Logically, someone as powerful as him, on par with Isshin's generation, shouldn't have exited the stage so early. It seemed that way now, but his current appearance made him feel deceived.
If his adoptive father's faked death three years ago was an act, a maneuver to set up plans from behind the scenes, then it should be time for him to reel in the net.
Could it be that he, too, was after the Dragon's Heritage?
With this thought,
Pure Black, eavesdropping nearby, felt a jolt, his gaze fixed on searching for the Prince's figure.
"Regarding you, I remember it very clearly."
The Prince, temporarily unharmed, turned his back and paced in Tenshukaku, neither subservient nor overbearing. "I also heard news of your death. What exactly is your intention?"
"Owl--"
He turned his head, scrutinizing the seemingly respectful yet arrogantly unreasonable giant ninja, Owl.
This man who raised Wolf, who made Wolf remember the first tenet: 'An adoptive father's command is above all else,' buried his head low, his attitude exceptionally firm:
"How dare I have any intentions."
The view zoomed in. Owl raised his head, trying his best to suppress the madness within him, raising his hands high and speaking with unquestionable authority: "Come, Prince, let's go together. I, this Owl, only wish to protect-- the Prince's precious bloodline."
"Are you also blinded by the Dragon's Heritage?"
The Prince took half a step back, his attitude resolute. "I have nothing to say to you. Leave quickly."
With that, he turned to leave.
But,
Could he leave?
"I hope the Prince will forgive me."
Owl dropped the pretense and stood up, his tall frame completely blocking the setting sun casting its rays from the pavilion. "I wish to gaze upon this nostalgic scenery a little longer. I will return once I am satisfied."
*Thump—!*
At this moment, Pure Black flipped and jumped into Tenshukaku. He knew it was time for his appearance.
This guy who had died in the plot three years ago had deceived him for a long time.
"Adoptive Father."
Pure Black exclaimed with a teasing tone, "I never imagined you were actually alive~~~"
"This is strategy."
Owl crossed his arms and looked down at Pure Black from above, counterattacking. "I thought you had already died that night."
"Thanks to the Prince's power, I have been resurrected."
Stepping past his adoptive father's towering figure, Pure Black gave the Prince a look, signaling him to leave if he wished.
"That's what it is."
Owl glanced at the Prince's departing back, his brow furrowed, and dropped all pretense. "I want that power of the Prince... I want to control the Dragon's Heritage."
"...But..." Pure Black's expression stiffened. His adoptive father spoke of controlling the Dragon's Heritage, not immortality.
This meant he wanted to use the Prince's Dragon's Heritage to mass-produce an undead army. His ambition was far greater than he had imagined.
"...I understand."
Owl rudely interrupted him, intending to continue speaking, and said coldly with unquestionable authority: "Tenet number one, parents are above all else. As your father, I command you to abandon your master. From now on, that Prince is no longer your master."
"Abandon... the Prince?"
Pure Black was dumbfounded. So this guy was trying to exploit a bug with his bro?
Tenet number one: Parents are above all else.
Tenet number two: Always obey the master's commands.
Now, this bastard wanted to forcibly change the second tenet by prioritizing the first one?
It must be said, if he were a mindless automaton, merely repeating commands, perhaps there would be an explanation.
Of course, Owl had intended to train Wolf in this direction from the beginning.
However, the player controlling Wolf had gained independent self-awareness. In essence, Wolf was just a blade, a cold blade in Owl's hand to cut down obstacles.
"That's right, Wolf... Obey your father and abandon the Prince--"
At this moment, two choices appeared in his vision:
[Obey Tenet, Abandon Prince / Violate Tenet, Do Not Abandon Prince]
A crucial choice that would lead to vastly different life outcomes was presented before him. The light of reason gradually returned to Pure Black's eyes.
"As expected, as expected, there isn't just one ending, nor just two or three, four or five are even possible. But once the choice is made today to obey the tenet, only one ending remains."
He smiled faintly and sighed, "It's a pity. Whether it's emotionally, or for the sake of more possibilities, I have no choice but to make a decision that goes against tradition today."
"I'm done being this adopted son!"
......
A thousand people, a thousand faces. Facing the same choice, everyone's position and considerations are different, thus their choices are not entirely consistent.
Concurrently, In Lao San of the Shark platform also reached a moment of decision.
To In Lao San, the Prince and Owl made no difference to him; they were just two NPCs who couldn't be killed.
A faint red glint flashed in his eyes, and he directly chose [Obey Tenet, Abandon Prince].
"Come on, let the battles be more intense!!!"
He was eager to unleash his killing spree. Especially after studying the Bloodblade technique, self-created by Wolf, his desire to kill to his heart's content grew even stronger.
Since he frequently used the Bloodblade technique against powerful bosses, he discovered that those with high health and resilience had become fragile. He felt like a paying player, incredibly formidable.
He hadn't even used the [Phantom Monk's Three-Attack, Three-Defense Strategy] released by Pure Black and directly clashed, truly experiencing the high of being a big shot.
"You're willing to obey your adoptive father and abandon the Prince, that's right?"
"...Yes, I will not violate the tenet. I will abandon my master... abandon the Prince." This was Wolf's reply. In Lao San, with a god's-eye view, after successfully making his choice, couldn't help but rub his hands together in anticipation of a great fight.
"Now that's like my son."
Owl patted Wolf's shoulder with satisfaction. "With this, my tyrannical path..."
As he spoke, Owl, with his extremely keen senses, suddenly drew his sword, his gaze chillingly cast towards the side door.
Wolf followed his gaze and saw a graceful figure emerging from the shadows. Who else but Ema?
"Oh dear, oh dear, a most unwelcome guest has arrived." Owl turned back. "However, to contend with the daughter of Lord Daogen, for that adult who is no longer alive..."
The view shifted to Owl's hand behind him. At some point, several hidden weapons had appeared in his hand. Using the conversation as cover, Owl instantly shot out several hidden weapons.
*Biubiubiu!!* /
*Clang!!*
Ema drew her sword and with a casual sweep, easily blocked them.
Tsk tsk tsk...
So dirty, Adoptive Father!
Even In Lao San, with his god's-eye view, couldn't stand it. He thought that by frequently using stealth and assassination, he had already resorted to all sorts of dirty tricks.
He hadn't expected his adoptive father to be the one who surpassed the master and was the true progenitor of the sneaky style.
"Oh...?"
Owl seemed surprised, and said faintly, "...This is quite interesting."
He turned to leave, pausing beside Wolf. "Wolf, she's entrusted to you. Crush her completely."
"Finally done talking."
In Lao San's consciousness returned to his body, he twisted his neck and snorted, "If I could skip these dialogues, I would have started fighting long ago."
He looked provocatively at Ema, infatuated. "Killing my sister to prove the Dao, that's what I like best!"
......