Nevertheless, his opinion won't change

Yes, Masa had decided to enter the First High School. 

After a long thought, he decided to attend the high school where the protagonist, Tatsuya Shiba, would be. 

Masa knew that this was a reckless decision, especially when he knew that Tatsuya's lack of emotion and because of that, instead of trust, care, and comradeship when one approached Tatsuya, he would be in malice, doubt, and other negative feelings toward that person. 

For someone with such a flawed emotion, it was impossible for him to understand friendship, family, and love, like a Shounen manga character. 

No, it was impossible for Tatsuya to feel such a feeling, at least for now. 

So, why? 

If Masa had to say, it was because he didn't feel that he could have any real improvements if he stayed in the Third High School, the place where he was supposed to learn. 

Yes, Tatsuya might be dangerous, and he had a power that was enough to destroy this world. 

Yet, Tatsuya wasn't Masa's opponent. 

The improvement that Masa gained from other Masas probably made him the strongest man in the world. 

Still, while he was the most powerful, it didn't mean he was omnipotent since Tatsuya's magic could "probably" defeat him, but before Tatsuya used his magic, he could defeat Tatsuya first. 

At the same time, if the conflict between the two really happened, then Masa would devour Tatsuya. 

Yes, frankly, it didn't matter whether Masa would become Tatsuya's enemy or friend, but no matter what, the fastest way to become stronger and gain everything was to go to Tokyo, join the First High School, and meet Tatsuya. 

"Why?!" 

"Why did you decide to go to the First High School?" 

Yet, Masaki and Kichijouji couldn't understand Masa's decision. 

Even Akane, Masaki's little sister, looked at Masa tearfully, wondering why he had made such a decision. 

The home of the Isshiki Family was in Kanazawa, and many of its businesses were also located in this city. 

Or, rather, Kanazawa, this city was their headquarters! 

More importantly, Masa's expertise, while it might seem weird, has always been in combat. 

Yes, whether it was Masaki or Kichijouji, the two had never won against Masa, as this guy was too fast! 

So fast that before they could even do anything, they had been defeated by Masa. 

If Masa wanted to improve his fighting ability as a magician, then there was no doubt the Third High School would be the best choice as its motto was "warlike Third High." 

Meanwhile, while the First High School was a great school, it was located in Tokyo, which was outside the territory of the Isshiki Family. It was an area outside that was impossible to control, which meant that if Masa studied in that place, he would be in danger as there was a lack of security. More importantly, everyone was clear that Masa was a genius in business and network-related fields and was also an important individual within the Isshiki Family, which was a perfect kidnapping target. 

While Masaki and Kichijouji never thought that anyone could defeat this guy, they believed that it was better to be prepared than to be sorry since being a magician meant that one wasn't omnipotent. 

Even a strategic type of magician, a magician whose magic was comparable to a nuclear explosion, could die. 

Then, naturally, the same thing could happen to Masa. 

At the same time, what was the point of attending the First High School?

"Why do I go to Tokyo? Well, it's for money since I can make more money there." 

"...." 3x

Whether Masaki, Kichijouji, or Akane, they were all speechless when they heard Masa's answer since this guy was really greedy for money! 

However, before they were able to complain, Masa said, "Still, if I have to say, it will be a little boring to go to the Third High School." He looked at Masaki and Kichijouji and said, "Instead of the three of us fighting against the small fries together, it is more interesting to fight you two together." 

Nine Schools Competition. 

Even if Masa didn't make it clear, he wanted to try to fight the combination of Masaki and Kichijouji in the Nine Schools Competition, a nationwide annual magic tournament for the nine National Magic University Affiliated High Schools and it is one of the biggest magic-related events in Japan.

If Masa joined the Third High School, then there was no doubt that he would team up with Masaki and Kichijouji, but in the case, he entered the First High School, then he would compete with Masaki and Kichijoiji, which he thought was more interesting. 

As for staying in the Third High School and fighting Tatsuya? 

Masa was too lazy to do that since he felt Tatsuya's existence was like a glitch, especially when he knew Tatsuya's specialty magic, Regrowth, which allowed Tatsuya to restore his previous unharmed status. 

At the same time, while he knew that this might be a crime, he wanted to learn all the magic from the powerful magician families. 

The power of Jake Jake no Mi gave him a chance to do all of that, and if he wanted to get all of that magic, the only way for him to do that was to go to the First High School, which was the location where all of the problems existed, and when the problem existed, the opportunity would appear. 

Yet, there was no doubt that Masa felt that he had changed. 

In the past, he would have thought of going to the Third High School for a peaceful life, yet considering his need to become even stronger, especially when all the other Masas also needed him, he felt that he couldn't stay shy away from the danger. 

More importantly, he couldn't die anyway, so there was nothing to worry about. 

Lastly, it definitely had nothing to do with the fact that he was just curious about the heroines, okay? 

Really! 

Yet, there was no doubt while Kichijouji felt conflicted, Masaki said, "I won't lose, Masa." 

"Yeah, I can't wait for that time." 

"You two can say all you want, but you need to enter the high school, okay?" Kichijouji sighed and said, "If you two can't be accepted, then won't it be embarrassing?" 

Masa and Masaki only snorted at Kichijouji's words since neither of them would be accepted in their respective high schools, so who could enter? 

This might sound like a brag, no, it was a brag, but in reality, who could match the two of them in terms of combat among high school students? 

Masaki thought that in his life, Masa was his only rival, no one else. 

Yet, Masa, who knew some of the stories of this world, knew that this world was far from calm, and there were many troubles that he felt might come in his direction later. 

However, Masa's problems hadn't ended. 

"Masa-nii!" 

Akane looked at Masa with tears and asked, "Do you really have to go to the First High School?" 

"Akane..." 

Masaki looked at his little sister with a complicated gaze, and Kichijouji looked at Masa with dead fish-like eyes. How could they not be? 

How old was Akane? 

Yet, they knew their friend well, and what Akane felt was just one-sided, as Masa didn't have an interest in a little girl. 

"I am sorry, Akane, but I have to go." Masa stood up from the bed and patted Akane's head softly. "But it isn't like we can't meet each other, right? I can go back over the weekend, and if you want, you can also visit Tokyo." 

"Eh?!" Akane was surprised, then looked at Masa with a blush. "C-Can I visit you, Masa-nii?" 

"Why not?" 

Masa treated Akane like his own little sister, too, especially when Akane was about the same age as his own little sister, Hiiro Hiromi. 

Still, watching Akane's shy yet happy expression, Masa wondered whether this world's morality was conservative. 

Nevertheless, Masa didn't plan to stay any longer since he had to prepare for many things, whether it was his plan in Tokyo or the development of his bio-electricity and Pika Pika no Mi. 

More importantly, it was a bit boring to stay at Masaki's home since this guy didn't have a game console. 

Yes, he knew that he might appear childish since instead of thinking about getting stronger or having adult fun, he was more interested in playing a game. 

However, how old was he? 

He was just in his third year of middle school, okay? 

He was just a boy! 

Yet, even if he was a boy, a girl of his age matured early, and his childhood friend, who learned that he would go to the First High School instead of the Third High School, came to him with teary eyes as she looked at him mixed of emotions. 

While Masa felt awkward by her expression, the girl asked the question that had bothered her for so long in a straightforward manner. 

"Masa..." 

Calling his name softly, Airi Isshiki stared at Masa and asked, as she tried to hold her sadness, "Do you have to go to the First High School?" 

---

By the way, this arc won't be long, and on Friday, you should see him return to the One Piece, but if you don't want to wait, check the note below.