Among all the monsters in Hokkaido, Yukino is confident that her strength can rank among the top five.
The reason why it is said to be the top five is because the monsters at the top are all about the same strength, and it is not certain who can definitely defeat whom, so the ranking has always been controversial.
However, although the ranking of the top five yokai has never been determined, only the number one yokai is unanimously recognized by all yokai in Hokkaido.
That is the leader of the Northern Yokai Alliance, the most powerful and oldest Yokai in Hokkaido.
No monster knows how long it has been practicing, but there is no doubt that its power is no longer in the same dimension as other monsters.
There is even a rumor circulating among youkai that if the allies become angry, the entire island of Hokkaido will tremble.
Fortunately, this alliance leader's character is not as violent as other monsters. On the contrary, its character is considered very gentle.
He has always maintained a neutral attitude towards monsters and humans, and will take the initiative to eliminate monsters that cross the line when necessary.
It is precisely because of its presence that today's Hokkaido is such a harmonious scene.
Of course, in addition to the unfathomable demonic power, the alliance leader also possesses extraordinary wisdom and a far-sightedness beyond that of ordinary demons.
Under his leadership, the Northern Monster Alliance successfully built a huge modern base under the Daisetsuzan National Park, operating day and night like a steel beast.
At this moment, in the spacious silver corridor, Yukino was undergoing strict identity verification.
As the last security door opened, she arrived at the base's war room.
According to what the pangolin demon said, the alliance leader is now here, carrying out the so-called secret battle plan.
However, although the pangolin demon did not understand it, Yukino knew the contents of this so-called secret combat plan very clearly.
After all, she was personally involved.
Therefore, she understood what kind of cruel scene she would see after opening this door.
But we have already arrived here, and there is no reason to retreat.
Xueno took a deep breath, calmed down, stretched out her hand and opened the door in front of her little by little.
The thick wooden door slowly opened to both sides, and light poured out of the gap, revealing the scene behind it.
In the spacious and bright room, opaque black pipes covered the entire floor, and were finally connected to a certain machine.
There are several giant electronic screens placed against the wall at the back, giving a strong sense of technology.
On one of the screens, a white-haired loli in suspenders who was seventy-nine similar to Yukino was jumping back and forth on tiptoes, with a smile on her cute face and waving her arms forward, looking full of energy.
In front of the screen, there is a tall figure.
His skin was like the bark of an ancient tree that was hundreds of years old, showing a withered dark yellow color and even cracked in some places.
The facial features are the same as those of humans, but there are fresh green buds growing at the ends of the hair, and there are even branches emerging from it.
Such an image can easily remind people of a noun.
tree man.
That's right, the leader of the Northern Monster Alliance's true form was transformed from an ancient cedar tree.
This kind of thing is very rare in neon.
Because according to Shintoism, the land of Neon has divinity, and the roots of plants are closely connected with the earth, so it is almost impossible to become a monster.
But this cedar tree is an exception.
For some reason, he opened his spiritual intelligence when he was still a seedling, and it took thousands of years for him to finally successfully transform.
As soon as he transformed, he possessed the power of a demon king, and was later given the throne by the demons as the leader of the Northern Monster Alliance.
At this moment, the leader of the Shanshu Alliance was standing in front of the electronic screen, doing exactly the same movements as the white-haired lolita on the screen, and murmuring at the same time.
"This is Yukiko, thank you all for coming today~"
"Well, Xue Xuezi likes everyone the most~ (Bi Xinxin)"
"Hey, do you want to see a certain death? Hey, this kind of request Yuki Yukiko can't satisfy everyone~ (twisting buttocks)"
"Ah, thank you for the 100,000 yen reward from 'Yukiyukiko's Cute Pinch'! Oh, I really can't do anything to you. If this is the case, then Yukiyukiko will also work hard~ (lifts skirt)"
Looking at the fir tree leader who was wearing a motion capture device, with gyroscopes and magnetometers fixed everywhere on his body, and making various shameful actions, Yukino, who had just entered the room, couldn't help but tremble with anger.
His face turned red and he couldn't help stamping his feet and yelling angrily.
"Stop it, perverted old man!"
"When you said you wanted to use my image, you didn't say you wanted to become a Vtuber (virtual idol)!"
Hearing Yukino's voice from behind, the leader of the Shanshu Alliance was suddenly startled, and then hurriedly waved in front of him.
"Then today's live broadcast will end here. See you tomorrow. Don't forget to subscribe to Xue Xuezi!"
Amidst the barrage of question marks that filled the screen, the live broadcast went dark instantly.
As the live broadcast screen closed, the leader of Shanshu breathed a sigh of relief and wiped his sweaty forehead.
"Phew, it was so dangerous. A live broadcast accident almost happened. It involves the title of Neon's number one Vtuber. I really can't be careless at all."
He straightened his expression, then turned back and asked kindly.
"Xiao Yukino, why are you back so soon? Have you finished everything?"
"snort."
Hearing this, Yukino immediately turned his head and looked at the wall angrily, as if he had no intention of paying attention to him at all.
The leader of the Shanshu Alliance, who was familiar with her character, also understood the reason why the other party was like this. He pointed at the machine that was connected to various pipes and was running with steam, and comforted her harmoniously.
"Okay, stop making trouble."
"Don't forget, the production of demon coins requires the power of human faith. You see, with my current popularity among humans, the production capacity of demon coins has been increased to twenty per month."
"If I can become the number one Vtuber in neon in the future, then the monthly production of monster coins is estimated to be increased to one hundred. By that time, there will no longer be monsters that need to fight over resource allocation issues, and the world will
Become peaceful because of it.”
"And the price is just that you need to show off your fatness a little bit. If you calculate it, it's a good deal, right?"
After listening to the other party's words, Yukino's bulging cheeks finally became deflated a little bit, and she reluctantly nodded.
"...If that's the case, fine."
She then added.
"But grandpa, you have to promise that you become a Vtuber for the sake of world peace, not to satisfy your own weird habits!"
"Of course." Leader Shanshu agreed without even thinking.
"Really?" Yukino looked at the other party with some suspicion.
The leader of the fir tree stroking his beard, making a rustling sound when the leaves rubbed between his fingers, smiled kindly.
"Haha, Xiao Yukino, when did I lie to you? Although I seem to be enjoying it, in fact, I have already felt calm about such a thing."
"What I'm thinking about is how to lead the monsters in Hokkaido towards a tomorrow full of hope."
Looking at the fir tree leader with eyes as calm as water, Xueno couldn't help but lowered his head in shame and apologized in a low voice.
"I'm sorry, grandpa, I misunderstood you."
"Haha, it's good that you understand." The leader of the Shanshu Alliance smiled happily.
He then turned his head to look at himself on the screen, couldn't help but raise his butt, and let out a sigh of relief.
"But having said that, this old man is really cute. If he is this cute, he should be able to become the world's number one Vtuber, right?"
"Oh, it's really great to live in such an era. I have to work harder and develop more killing methods."
Hearing this, the expression on Xueno's face suddenly froze, and she clenched her fists bitterly.
Sure enough, he is still the perverted old man!
Suddenly, the voice of the Shanshu leader paused slightly, and when he spoke again, his voice became calmer.
"Okay, let's not talk about my matters for now."
His arms stretched like branches, he took a tray and two teacups from the side, filled them with tea, handed them to Yukino, and asked with concern.
"Xiao Yukino, how are you and the human you like getting along?"
Yukino was startled, then took two steps back like a granddaughter whose grandfather had revealed her thoughts, and emphasized loudly with a blushing face.
"What kind of human being has I taken a fancy to? I... I just took a fancy to the demon coin that was offering a reward for him! Grandpa, please stop talking nonsense!"
"If you just like the demon coins, will you run out in a hurry after seeing the target's photo?"
Looking at Yukino's insincere expression, the leader of the Cedar Alliance said happily.
"Xiao Yukino, don't forget that I watched you grow from a snow boy to the snow girl you are now. It's a thousand years too early for you to hide this from me."
"Well..."
Looking at Yukino, whose face was getting redder but not saying a word, the leader of the Cedar Alliance took a leisurely sip of tea.
"Okay, I won't go into the specific details, but you should have already succeeded in that human being, right?"
After hearing this, the blush on Yukino's face subsided a little.
She was silent for a moment, then shook her head.
"No, I was taken down by him."
Well?
Hearing this, the tea cup in the Shanshu leader's hand couldn't help but tremble, and the smile on his face suddenly disappeared.
He raised his head and looked at Yukino in surprise.
"Xiao Yukino, what do you mean by this?"
"Because the opponent's strength is much stronger than I imagined. I did plan to take action last night, but the opponent just snapped his fingers, and all the demon power in my body disappeared, and I couldn't resist at all."
Recalling the powerless feeling of fear, Yukino couldn't help but feel a little more fearful in her voice.
"I think you are the only one in Hokkaido who can compete with him."
Can you drain Yukino's demonic power with just a snap of your fingers?
Upon hearing this, the Shanshu leader's big, eyebrowless eyes narrowed slightly.
He himself admitted that due to his over-protection, Yukino's actual combat experience was not as sufficient as other great demons.
But only in the cultivation of her spiritual power, she has always been strict with her requirements and has never relaxed even a little bit.
If converted to human standards, Yukino's spiritual power is at least over 6,000 rounds now.
Being able to drain this level of spiritual power at will... Such a thing was not mentioned at all in the intelligence.
Does that human being actually possess such terrifying strength?
Suddenly, the leader of Shanshu realized something and frowned at Yukino and asked
"Xiao Yukino, if that human is really that strong, then how did you escape from him and come back here?"
"And judging from your appearance, you don't seem to be injured..."
"Hehe, I really can't hide it from grandpa."
Yukino winked a little mischievously and announced briskly.
"Yes, for some reasons, I am now on Lord Yagami's side."
"I came back here because I wanted to make a deal with grandpa."
"Then, would you like to come and talk to me, grandpa?"
Hearing this, the leader of the Shanshu Alliance couldn't help but feel a little surprised in his eyes. He stared blankly at the kimono girl in front of him, as if he was meeting her for the first time.
After a long while, he let out a long sigh.
"Yukino, you have grown up."
"Then, let me just listen to it. What is the deal you are talking about?"
Yukino asked with a serious face.
"I want to know who issued the reward about Lord Yagami. Grandpa, as the leader of the Northern Monster Alliance, you should know the inside story of this matter, right?"
"Yes, of course I know." The leader of the Shanshu Alliance nodded slightly.
However, before the joyful look on Xueno's face could last for a second, the tone of the leader of the Cedar Tree suddenly changed and he said coldly.
"Although I know it, it doesn't mean that I will tell it."
"One of the rules of our Northern Monster Alliance is that we must never reveal our employer's information."
"No one can violate this."
Hearing this, Yukino was slightly startled, and couldn't help but grab the arm of the leader of the fir tree and shake it coquettishly.
"Wait a minute, just tell me, grandpa, I can pay for it!"
"This is not a question of money, but of so-called 'morality'."
The leader of the Shanshu Alliance refused without a doubt.
"Xueno, I can indulge you and protect you in other matters, but when it comes to matters related to rules, even you cannot be an exception."
Looking at the fir tree leader who had never shown such an expression to him in his memory, Yukino suddenly felt anxious and begged.
"Let's discuss it again. Grandpa, that's good. I'll pay half a million demon coins, which should be enough!"
The leader of the Cedar Tree Alliance looked a little unhappy.
"I have already said that this is not a question of money. Even if you offer 10,000 demon coins, I will still..."
For a moment, his words suddenly stopped.
Looking at Yukino in front of him, he confirmed with some disbelief.
"Wait a minute, did you just say...how much?"
"Five hundred thousand."
Yukino stretched out her small white hand and waved her five green-white fingers in front of the leader of the fir tree, completely attracting his attention.
After confirming that he heard correctly, the leader of Cedar Tree couldn't help but let out a breath of cold air, as if he saw the light of countless demon coins in front of his eyes.
For a time, even photosynthesis accelerated unconsciously.
Five hundred thousand demon coins.
Calculated, it would take me more than two thousand years as a Vtuber to earn so many demon coins!
No, wait, calm down, although half a million demon coins is indeed an astronomical number, morality is priceless!
You cannot lose to money, you must use your pride and will to fight against it!
Faced with such a temptation, the leader of the Shanshu Alliance quickly stabilized his mentality, took a deep breath, and said in a deep voice.
"Then for Yukino's sake, I can only make an exception once."
He then took out a mobile phone from his pocket, dialed a certain number, and spoke enthusiastically.
"Hey, are you Brother Niutou? Yes, I have nothing to do. I just want to treat you to a meal and talk about the last bounty. I wonder if you are free recently?"
"Okay, okay, let's make it tonight, see you there then..."
Seeing the leader of the Shanshu Alliance hang up the phone, the corners of Xueno's mouth couldn't help but raise a little.
"Well, Grandpa, it's a pleasure to cooperate."
She then took out a bag of fox coins from the sleeve of her kimono and handed it to the leader of the Cedar Tree Alliance.
"According to the rules, these are deposits. Please count them carefully, grandpa."
The fir tree leader untied the string of his pocket, took out a fox coin and examined it.
For a moment, his face couldn't help but reveal an expression of extreme shock that Yukino had never seen before.
"How is it possible, these...these are all demon coins?"
"Wait a minute, this feeling...is wrong. Sure enough, something is wrong."
Looking at the leader of the Shanshu Alliance who was stunned on the spot, Yukino raised an eyebrow and asked.
"Why, does Grandpa think these demon coins are fake?"
Hearing her voice, the fir tree leader recovered from the shock and shook the lush tree head.
"No, there is no problem with the quality of these demon coins."
"It's just that I seem to feel a familiar aura from these demon coins."
His fingers touched the lifelike relief of the nine-tailed fox on the fox coin, and he sighed with a rare feeling of reverence in his eyes.
"This kind of smell reminds me of the man who planted me here."
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－
Thanks to Mark Lu Chuxue for the 600 starting coins!