Five days later, the announcement event for the World Digimon Tournament officially began.
A representative from the Digimon Council solemnly declared, "From this year onward, the World Digimon Tournament will be held annually. May the friendship between humans and Digimon last forever!"
"Forever!"
"Forever!"
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause.
Moss clapped along with the rhythm and looked around, spotting Marcus Damon, Touma, Yoshino, and other DATS members maintaining security at the venue.
After all, the scene wasn't just filled with humans—there were many Digimon present as well. If anything went wrong, normal human security wouldn't suffice, so DATS agents had to step in.
The event wrapped up without incident. However, the actual tournament would begin with regional qualifiers, followed by national competitions, and finally the world championship, a process expected to take about three months.
Just as Moss was about to leave, she overheard a nearby conversation.
"Yuma, before returning to the Digital World, I'd like to take you to meet two people."
Looking toward the voice, she saw the speaker was Marcus Damon, talking to a boy around ten years old dressed like a tribal warrior.
Yuma!
Mercurymon had brought a group of Digimon with him for the event, and among them was this boy who, despite looking entirely human, claimed to be a Digimon.
In truth, he was a human baby who had ended up in the Digital World and was raised by SnowAgumon, who was killed by Kurata. This led to his deep hatred for humans.
In the original storyline, he would have met his birth parents and become a late-joining protagonist. But Moss's interference in the timeline had prevented that from happening—until now.
It seemed Mercurymon brought him here precisely to help him reconnect with his parents.
"I don't want to go. Mercurymon, please, let's just return to the Digital World," Yuma pleaded.
Mercurymon, appearing in a reduced size (around two meters tall) rather than his usual towering height, hesitated.
"Yuma…"
He wanted to persuade the boy but didn't know what to say.
Just then, a voice cut in: "May I say something?"
Everyone turned to see Moss approaching gracefully.
"Oh, it's Angewomon," Marcus said with a friendly smile.
Moss smiled back.
Mercurymon looked at her and asked, "What is it you want to say?"
Crouching to meet Yuma at eye level, Moss asked, "You really hate humans, don't you?"
Yuma turned away, but his reaction was as good as an admission.
Moss understood his feelings. "The enemies of both humans and Digimon are the scum that exists in both worlds. And scum doesn't discriminate by species."
Yuma blinked, somewhat awestruck by the statement.
Around them, Marcus, BanchouLeomon, Mercurymon, and others nodded thoughtfully.
"No wonder she's the diplomat appointed by Yggdrasil," they thought.
Moss continued, "Go and meet them. If they turn out to be bad people, at least you'll know for sure and can return to your peaceful life in the Digital World."
Marcus interjected, "Actually, Miss Angewomon, Yuma's parents are really good people."
Ten years ago, when the Digital World was still considered an urban legend, Yuma's parents—the Noguchi couple—created a machine capable of opening a portal to the Digital World. During one accident, baby Yuma was pulled into the portal.
They later joined the same expedition team Marcus was part of in a desperate attempt to find him—an expedition even more dangerous than entering the Amazon rainforest.
But, thanks to Kurata, things fell apart and the team had to return empty-handed.
Marcus explained everything to the others.
Moss looked at Yuma. "So it was an accident. Do you still want to meet them?"
Though she found it irresponsible for the parents to conduct experiments so close to their infant son, she ultimately left the choice to Yuma.
"I… I…" Yuma stammered.
If he didn't want to go, he would've flat-out refused. The fact that he hesitated meant a part of him wanted to meet them.
Yatagaramon, his Digimon partner, looked on nervously.
Then a booming voice rang out: "What are you hesitating for? What kind of kid doesn't want to meet their parents? If you want to, say it loud like a real man!"
It was Spencer Damon.
Yuma flinched, then after a moment, nodded vigorously. "Yes! I… I want to meet them."
Spencer gave him a thumbs up. "Don't worry, we'll go with you!"
Yoshino, standing nearby, sighed. "Of course I'm the one driving again…"
She was right.
Thirty minutes later, Yoshino sat in the driver's seat, expressionless.
Marcus was in the front passenger seat, pointing directions. In the back sat Spencer, Yuma, and Yatagaramon.
Agumon (S) stayed inside the Digivice's storage space.
Outside the car, flying Digimon like Moss soared overhead, while ground-bound ones like Mercurymon and BanchouLeomon kept pace on foot.
Mercurymon, known for his speed, would've outpaced them long ago—if he knew where the house was.
Suddenly, he paused and looked back.
"There's an uninvited guest," BanchouLeomon said to Marcus through the car window.
Yoshino stopped the car.
Everyone got out, Agumon (S) hopping out from the Digivice on his own—an unusual feat.
A white streak blazed across the sky.
"A flying serpent?" Mercurymon murmured.
"No, that's Biochemical Quetzalmon," Marcus corrected.
Unlike normal Quetzalmon, this one had a red head and an injector embedded in the back—marks of a Biomerge Digimon.
"I finally found you… Angewomon…"
Biochemical Quetzalmon's eyes locked onto Moss.
"She's here for Moss," everyone realized and stood back to observe.
"What is it, Mira?" Moss asked calmly.
"I'm not Mira… You bitch! I've come to return the humiliation you gave me!"
Moss tilted her head. "Did I humiliate you?"
"Losing to you is humiliation enough!"
"What's so humiliating about losing to me?" Moss shrugged. "Even Cell and Buu lost to me."
"To lose to mere data… that's the ultimate disgrace!"
"You're using Digimon data yourself. And what's wrong with data? You're nothing more than a bundle of proteins."
Everyone—human and Digimon—winced.
Ouch.
That one stung.
"Shut up!" roared Quetzalmon.
"Relax. You're welcome to have some tea with us," Moss said with a smirk.
The contrast in composure was stark.
"She's already lost," BanchouLeomon muttered.
Mercurymon nodded. "Agreed."
Then…
"RAAAHHH!" Quetzalmon howled.
Digitama-like energy swirled around her as she evolved.
"She's Digivolving!" someone gasped.
The egg shattered, revealing not a serpent, but a small girl.
She had waist-length blue hair in twin braids, wore a serpent-themed helmet that obscured half her face, and armor made from snake hide. She held a massive sword and a round shield.
Minervamon.
Mercurymon's eyes widened. "Minervamon… One of the Olympus Twelve like me. Don't be fooled by her size—she's as strong as I am."
Athena's analog in the Digital World.
The others were stunned.
That petite girl had power on par with Mercurymon?
Even Moss was surprised. "Didn't expect this."
In the original timeline, Nanami evolved into Biochemical Lotusmon, a sultry, dark adult Digimon. But now she had become the childlike Minervamon.
Still, both forms shared the same serpent motif—Biochemical Lotusmon wielded a dual-serpent staff, and Minervamon's sword had serpent engravings.
"Bet you didn't see this coming! I've reached Mega level!" Minervamon shouted with glee.
After her earlier defeat, Nanami had tried to gain power from Kurata, but he fled. So she used her own genius to evolve into Biochemical Minervamon.
She sneered, "Now I'll get my revenge!"
Moss chuckled.
"What's so funny?" Minervamon snapped.
"Oh, nothing," Moss replied, casting a spell. "Full-body Channeling: Soul of Venusmon!"
A magical circle flashed. Moss's form shimmered—graceful and divine, like Venusmon herself.
"This look is more suitable to face you."
With that, she smiled.
And with that smile, every face flushed—human and Digimon alike.
Mercurymon sighed. "Two of the Olympus Twelve meeting like this… what an odd fate."
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Each 25 Powerstones? (1 Bonus Chapter)
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