Kurata didn't understand what was going on until he got online and looked it up.
It turned out that a diplomat from the Digital World had requested every nation to publicly acknowledge the existence of Digimon. Furthermore, a peace conference was being held at the United Nations Headquarters to sign an interdimensional peace treaty and promote co-development between humans and Digimon.
Photos of the Digital World diplomat were all over the internet—she was a golden-haired angel with an extraordinary figure.
Sacred and seductive, revealing yet restrained—contradictions in both aura and outfit, yet perfectly balanced in her appearance.
Angewomon.
Her image had gone viral online. Supporters and critics sprang up like mushrooms after rain—some were thrilled, others scoffed in rejection.
Kurata ignored the comments, simply sneering, "So it's her!"
A diplomat from the Digital World...
He never imagined that the Angewomon he had casually captured before would end up stirring up so much trouble!
With ambitions of global domination, Kurata had long considered the human world as already in his grasp. But now, this Angewomon's actions gave him the unsettling feeling that his "home had been broken into."
Not to mention, he'd become a public enemy—all thanks to her...
Old grudges, new hatred!
A cold gleam flickered in Kurata's eyes as he muttered, "A peace conference, huh? With global delegates gathering in New York—that's perfect!"
The dangers of the Digital World were beyond his expectations—Crimson Gallantmon alone had proven how deep those waters ran.
And the Human World wasn't friendly toward him either.
He was hated by both sides.
Still, compared to the Digital World, the hostility of humans was easier to manipulate. All it would take was an attack during the peace conference to reignite and amplify tensions between humans and Digimon.
That would surely give rise to a faction of human extremists.
Then, he could collaborate with those extremists to mass-produce tens of thousands—or even hundreds of thousands—of Gizmon XT units to harvest life energy from the Digital World.
Sure, Crimson Gallantmon could handle a few dozen Gizmon XT. But hundreds? Thousands? Tens of thousands?
He'd collapse from exhaustion!
And with operations spread out all over, with diversions and feints—by the time Gallantmon dealt with one group, another would have already collected their energy.
It was a win-win.
Once the time was right, he'd first conquer the Human World, then consolidate resources and launch a counter-invasion of the Digital World.
Hehehehehe~ Perfect!
Kurata was thrilled at his plan. Looking at the image of the Digital World's diplomat, he sneered, "Let me give you a little surprise, Angewomon…"
Just then, an annoying voice rang out. "Kurata, hurry up and power me up!"
This brat...
You're useless now!
Kurata turned and walked over to the modification chamber. He said to the loud, blond delinquent, "Get in."
"Again?" Sei frowned but obediently stripped and stepped into the chamber.
Kurata manipulated the console, extracting Biomeric Thunderbirmon from Sei's body and converting it into life energy, which he then injected into a containment unit storing Belphemon.
"What's going on?" Sei immediately noticed the difference. "Kurata! Why is the Digimon in my body gone?!"
Kurata smiled coldly. "Because you're useless now."
Sei froze for a moment, then roared, "Kurata, you bastard!"
He dared stab me in the back?!
Furious, Sei pounded his fist against the chamber's glass. But without a Digimon inside him, he was no longer a cyborg and couldn't break the thick reinforced window.
Kurata sneered. "Watch your tone. One press of a button and your life ends."
Sei turned pale in fear and didn't dare to act up anymore.
Kurata chuckled ominously.
Still, he didn't kill Sei—just left him locked in the chamber. Sei was no longer useful, but he might still have some research value.
Kurata then walked away to a secret room where Belphemon was being kept.
Inside was a massive container connected by a dozen thick cables. Through the glass, one could see a creature resembling a sloth-bear, with curled ram horns on its head and bat wings on its back.
It was restrained in chains, holding a massive alarm clock to its chest.
This was Belphemon—one of the Seven Great Demon Lords of the Digital World, the embodiment of sloth.
It looked like a cuddly plush toy in its dormant state—almost cute.
But once awakened, it would become a terrifying beast of destruction.
Kurata murmured, "If I had a choice, I really wouldn't want to merge with you."
Ideally, he'd invent a device to remotely control Belphemon—but he was still just a step away. That last bit of tech eluded him.
So, he had no choice but to fall back on using his biotech Digimon technology to fuse himself with Belphemon and gain its power.
…
Meanwhile, in New York, 10 a.m., inside the United Nations Headquarters.
"Miss Angewomon, would you like to change into a different outfit? While your current attire is certainly stunning, this is a globally televised event, and some cultures are a bit conservative," said the UN staff member assigned to Moss.
Even for liberal America, she was a bit too revealing.
"No need. This is my formal Digimon attire."
Moss waved off the suggestion.
To be extraordinary, one must have extraordinary resolve—and sometimes that means doing things others might find outrageous.
Shame is a barrier to greatness. You must overcome it!
"Let's go."
With long strides, Moss led Astamon, Goburimon, Mushroomon, Otamamon, Gekomon, and Kunemon toward the conference venue.
The real discussions had already happened. This peace conference was mainly for public affirmation and global outreach.
"Miss Angewomon!"
A man came rushing over—it was a DATS operator from New York.
Ever since the existence of the Digital World and Digimon was confirmed ten years ago, DATS branches had been established worldwide, especially in major cities.
"What is it?" Moss asked.
He held up a communicator. "Tokyo DATS is calling."
The Tokyo DATS team hadn't come—they stayed behind in Japan. Only a handful of Digimon had come with Moss for show.
Still, the Tokyo team was watching the peace conference live on television.
Moss picked up the communicator. "This is Angewomon."
A familiar voice came through. "Angewomon, this is Kudamon. We just received a message from the Digital World—it's from Spencer Damon."
Spencer Damon?
Moss figured that if he didn't come in person and instead sent a message, something must've gone wrong.
Sure enough, Kudamon continued, "Spencer says Kurata has likely returned to the Human World."
Moss was speechless. Even with the Royal Knights, Spencer, and BanchouLeomon all chasing him—Kurata still made it back?
He really is slippery.
Kudamon went on, "The Earth is vast. We don't know where Kurata is hiding or when he'll show up next. If he appears where you are, protect yourself. I'll be there in ten minutes."
Ten minutes from Tokyo to New York?
That's fast!
Over 50 times the speed of sound?Moss was amazed. Even if she flapped her wings till they broke, she wouldn't reach 1% of that speed.
Then again, she didn't really have a speed-based form.
"Understood."
She returned the communicator to the DATS member, then led the Digimon into the peace conference hall, taking her seat under the gaze of countless eyes and cameras.
The plan to reveal Digimon to the public had already been implemented over the past couple of weeks. Moss's role here was to sign the peace treaty—kickstarting future co-development.
How things progressed from here… wasn't her job.
She could only trust in the wisdom of those who followed.
The best outcome would be something like the Pokémon world—evil organizations exist, but they never cause too much chaos.
Everything was going smoothly.
But just as Moss was about to sign—something happened.
"Bad news! A monster just appeared outside!"
----------
Each 10 Powerstones? (1 Bonus Chapters)