7. Do not underestimate elemental advantages.

"You'd better run!" Watching the Meramon draw closer, Taichi realized that the enemy wielding the black gear was targeting him specifically.

If the black gear’s purpose were merely to induce mindless rage in Digimon, Meramon could have simply set fire to Mount Miharashi at random. Instead, he was clearly advancing toward him with a deliberate objective.

"Just what I wanted!" Taichi clenched his fists, the fighting spirit in his eyes burning so fiercely that even the blistering heat of the sun seemed to pale in comparison.

No matter how many enemies were sent their way, in the face of the partnership between Taichi and Zeromaru, they would only serve as experience to make them stronger.

The fire from Meramon had dried up the lake beside the village, and it was only then that Taichi noticed an old cruise ship hidden at the bottom.

Though he couldn't fathom why a sea-going vessel would be in a small lake, it was undoubtedly the best shelter for the Yokomon.

"Everyone, follow me closely, and be careful not to push!" Zeromaru cradled a few Yokomon in his arms, with more balanced on his shoulders, head, and back, as he sprinted toward the ship.

Taichi stood by, managing the crowd.

After depositing those in his arms into the ship, Zeromaru ran back to gather the remaining Yokomon who had been trailing behind. In just a few trips, every Yokomon in the village was safely hidden inside the ship.

Taichi patted the head of a shivering Yokomon and comforted it, "Don't worry, I won't let you get hurt."

He then exchanged a look with Zeromaru, climbed onto his back, and leaped off the deck.

Pairs of green-and-black eyes peered out from the cruise ship’s decks and windows, focusing on Taichi and Zeromaru as they walked up from the basin that had once been a lake.

"I feel a bit like a hero now, I suppose," Taichi mused, feeling the dense gaze of the crowd behind him. As an only child, this was the first time he had ever fought to protect someone else.

"You seem quite happy, Taichi," Zeromaru remarked, sensing his partner’s mood.

Looking at Zeromaru’s smiling face, Taichi laughed and held up a "V" sign.

"Yeah, this feeling is actually pretty good."

The duo emerged from the basin just as Meramon arrived at the Yokomon village.

"Burn! Burn!"

Meramon chanted as if in a frenzy, his fists unleashing constant streams of searing fireballs, turning the Yokomon village into a sea of flames in the blink of an eye.

Taichi, who had been warmly welcomed by the Yokomon just a short while ago, sighed, "That’s going too far."

He could only imagine the immense effort the infant-stage Yokomon had put into building this village. Taichi knew that the true culprit wasn't Meramon, but the one controlling him from the shadows with the black gear.

Watching the Digimon, who was enveloped in raging flames as if he were a living bonfire, Taichi let out a long breath. Meramon was said to be a guardian of justice for Mount Miharashi, yet here he was, forced by the black gear to commit the very acts he would despise most.

"This might hurt a little, so bear with me, Meramon. We’re going to save you now."

"Let's go, Zero!"

"Oh!"

With a few swift strides, Zeromaru was behind Meramon. He pressed his hands onto Meramon’s shoulders to turn him around, and while the Digimon looked on in confusion, Zeromaru delivered a heavy punch.

The terrifying force distorted Meramon’s face, sending his massive frame flying back dozens of meters like a cannonball.

Yet, as Taichi watched, his expression remained grim.

Zeromaru hopped on one foot, shaking his smoking hands. "So hot, so hot!"

As expected.

Taichi’s gaze sharpened. Just as he had suspected, Meramon’s fiery body wasn't just for show. The flames surrounding him not only possessed immense destructive power but also caused burn damage to anyone engaging in close-quarters combat.

If Zeromaru were a Pokémon, his physical attack power would be halved by now. Fortunately, for Zeromaru, a burn didn't weaken him—instead, it stoked his fury, causing his power to explode in growth.

"Keep up the momentum, Zero! Use V-Wing Blade!" Taichi now understood the meaning behind the name Meramon; his body was fire, and his special moves were fire. His firepower was enough to boil the springs of Mount Miharashi dry in an instant, ranking his attack power among the best of the Champion-level Digimon Taichi had encountered.

With Meramon currently standing in a sea of flames, Taichi noticed his size had visibly increased. If he used the more powerful, fire-based "V-Breath Arrow," there was a risk that Meramon would simply absorb it and boast, "Eat it up, and the power flows through me!"

*If only Seadramon were here, this fight would be much easier,* Taichi thought.

However, Zeromaru perfectly demonstrated how raw stats could override any disadvantage.

The amplified "V-Wing Blade" turned into a ten-meter-long crescent wind blade, cleaving through the fireballs and striking Meramon with undiminished force.

Meramon’s eyes rolled back, and he immediately lost his ability to fight. A black gear popped out of his chest, flew into the sky, and shattered into fragments.

"I knew that thing was behind it," Taichi said.

As Meramon lost consciousness, the pillars of fire in the village vanished. The water from the springs of Mount Miharashi began to flow again, and the scorched paths along the way slowly faded.

The Yokomon scurried out before the small lake could be refilled, having witnessed Zeromaru defeat the mighty Meramon. Their eyes were filled with even greater adoration.

"Veedramon is so strong!"

"When I grow up, I want to evolve into a Veedramon too!"

A moment later, Meramon shook his head and climbed to his feet.

"Why am I here?"

Taichi asked, "Meramon, do you remember what happened?"

"Hmm... I only remember a black gear stuck in the mountain, and then it suddenly started spinning and flew toward me... I don't remember anything after that."

Seeing Meramon back to his usual self, the Yokomon ran over. "You suddenly became so scary."

"You not only dried up the springs of Mount Miharashi..."

"You even destroyed our village."

"I-I'm sorry. I will help you rebuild the village," Meramon, no longer under the influence of the black gear, appeared very polite. Under the reproaches of the infant-stage Yokomon, he bowed and apologized repeatedly.

Of course, it didn't hurt that he could see Zeromaru standing behind the Yokomon, hands on his hips, puffing air from his nose.

——————————

"Thank you, Chosen Child. If it weren't for you, I don't know what I might have done."

Meramon carried wood he had brought from the forest. This time, he was going to build a proper village for the Yokomon, not just a few straw huts. For him, this was part of repaying his debt.

Digimon controlled by black gears lost all agency over their own bodies, which was effectively the same as being dead. This was why Seadramon and Meramon, despite being beaten to a pulp, felt no resentment, but rather, their favor toward Taichi and Zeromaru had skyrocketed.

This was, after all, a life-saving favor.

Taichi picked up a piece of wood as well, treating it as a workout.

"It's nothing, haha," Taichi said with a generous wave of his hand.

Taichi had gained the Digimon profile data for Meramon, Zero had gained combat experience, and the Yokomon would have better homes. Even Meramon, who had taken the beating, had regained his freedom.

It was wonderful—a world where no one got hurt had been achieved.

As he spoke, he recalled the term Meramon had used: "Chosen Child? Do you mean me?"

Meramon nodded. "It is said that when the Digital World faces a crisis, Chosen Children are selected from the human world to save it."

"You must be one of them. Truly worthy of being a Chosen Child—your strength is immense, and you are worthy of trust."

"One of them?" Taichi tilted his head.

Are there many others as strong as me?