Chapter 4, Jungle

However, these few slashes clearly inflicted pain on the python. It released Matsuda and lunged at Miki with its gaping maw, moving as swiftly as an arrow in flight. At that moment, a cold gleam flashed and struck fiercely against the python's body, cleaving the arrow down.

Commander, if there really are wild beasts, it would be good for everyone to have some meat; eating rice balls every day is truly ... ...

Thus, a group of people stepped into the territory of the water python

"What a good knife," Xiao Ye suddenly coughed, "It seems it is no longer useful."

However, not long after, Ron began to regret his choice. The forest was devoid of any paths, filled with branches and vines. Those who filmed jungle programs had guides and machetes, while Ron only had a small dagger. As he attempted to carve a path with this dagger, he had to remain vigilant, constantly checking whether a brightly colored venomous snake was coiled in the dark places behind the branches and vines. For a full two hours, he had only covered a few hundred meters. As he attempted to carve a path with this dagger, he had to remain vigilant, constantly checking whether a brightly colored venomous snake was coiled in the dark places behind the branches and vines. For a full two hours, he had only covered a few hundred meters.

I do not know, sir, but I estimate it is not; perhaps it is some kind of ferocious beast

The Japanese have retreated, but that does not mean everything is safe. In the jungle, it always gets dark very early; just past noon, as the sun shifts slightly to the west, the forest becomes significantly darker. A damp, bluish-gray mist begins to rise among the trees, making the entire rainforest feel both stifling and hot—there are no seasons in the rainforest; it is always equally humid and warm. After the pursuers left, Ron also departed from the stream, as the large python had warned him that moving along the stream was far too risky. Who knows if there is another one like that further down the stream? Moreover, the National Geographic Channel had also informed him that the Malayan sun bear enjoys frolicking in the streams.

"You all carry Xiao Ye-kun, alright, let's go back." After a pause, Sanmu said, "This incident was my mistake, Sasaki has already issued a warning, but I... After we return, I will request punishment from my superiors"

On this night, Ron hardly slept at all. Although he was utterly exhausted, the swaying of the branches, the strange whistling sound made by the wind passing through the treetops, and the distant noise—whether it was the waves crashing against the shore or the sea breeze rustling through the jungle—mixed together, leaving him feeling restless. It was not until near dawn that he finally dozed off for a few minutes intermittently

The stretcher is ready, sir

After pursuing for a long time, the military dog Sasaki suddenly stopped, refusing to move forward any further, while emitting a low "woofing" sound.

Matsuda Takashi opened his mouth, wanting to respond, but suddenly felt a sharp pain in the back of his neck. Then, a tremendous force pulled him down into the stream. Amidst a chorus of gasps, he felt something tighten around him like an iron hoop, constricting more and more. He could clearly hear the sound of his bones breaking.

The sea breeze continuously sweeps through here, causing the branches to sway. However, this wind is beneficial, at least in this area, because the strong winds prevent mosquitoes from lingering. Moreover, drought-resistant locusts do not climb this high. Of course, more importantly, while sun bears and leopards can climb trees, they do not casually ascend to such heights.

Ah, it is nothing of great importance. " Sanmu waved his hand dismissively, "There are six of us, six guns; the beasts should be afraid of us. Let's comfort Sasaki a bit... We will continue forward.

A soldier raised his Type 38 rifle, preparing to shoot at the python, when Sanmu hurriedly pushed him aside, "Baka! You will kill Hō - Tsu - Matsuda! Idiot, use the bayonet!"

Ron had been walking in the jungle for a full week. The chocolate he carried with him had long been consumed, and he had now become a predator of small reptiles, sparing neither snakes nor lizards. However, this was not enough to fill his stomach, and as his physical condition deteriorated, his digestive capacity was also rapidly declining. Symptoms of diarrhea began to appear. The dehydration and electrolyte imbalance caused by the diarrhea had brought his once strong body to the brink of collapse. Fortunately, the airport was near. In fact, he had reached close to the airport the night before, and from the tree, he could see the control tower. In the middle of the night, while he was barely asleep in the tree, he was awakened by the roar of an engine as a plane flew overhead. He briefly considered waving to them, but he knew it would be futile; they could not see him. The plane gradually flew away, and from its deep and powerful roar, Ron recognized it as a B17.

Sannmu, accompanied by the military dog Sasaki and five soldiers, tracked the scent of the American pilot to the edge of a small stream, where the military dog lost the trail of the American. Sannmu knew that the cunning American must have walked along the stream in the water. "Does he think he can evade the pursuit of the brave Imperial Japanese Army this way? He underestimates the cleverness and courage of the Imperial Japanese Army too much." With a command from Sannmu, several Japanese soldiers followed him along the stream in pursuit.

What exactly is Matsuda, is it a form of extreme behavior

Indeed, what a pity. If it weren't for this knife, we would have...

Ron found a giant tree and climbed up, reaching the top of the canopy, which was significantly higher than the jungle and much brighter. Ron could see the sunset painting the sea a golden red and casting a light purple hue over the distant undulating dark green mountains

Cough, cough, Sanmu-kun, in fact, I also have my faults. At that time, I was also stunned with fear. If I had reacted a bit faster, if I had struck a bit quicker and more accurately, perhaps Matsuda-kun would not have... My father once said that no matter how many times I win in bamboo sword fighting, a warrior who has never seen blood is never a true warrior. If Shalu-kun were here, he definitely would not have acted this way

Sanmu did not turn around; he knew that the one speaking was Sergeant Kono Akizai. Although this man was his subordinate, he was not very obedient. However, he had a certain background, as evidenced by the sword he carried with him. A person with such a sword must come from a samurai family. Only someone like him would complain about having rice balls to eat every day. Sanmu did not want to offend such a person too much, so he did not rebuke him, merely saying, "No need to complain; once we eliminate the beasts on the island, there will be plenty of good things!"

Sasaki remained very nervous, regardless of how much the private Matsuda tried to comfort it. Now it had stopped again, tightly clenching its tail, refusing to move forward. Matsuda had no choice but to walk over and attempt to pick it up to proceed. At that moment, however, Sasaki broke the rules and began to bark wildly

Several Japanese soldiers charged forward with their bayonets raised

Ron had been observing everything from a distance, tightly gripping an M1911 pistol, but he had no intention of taking advantage of the situation. This was not due to any sense of "gentlemanly conduct," but rather because it was not worth it. He did not believe that he was particularly skilled at playing Call of Duty, and he certainly did not think he would excel in a real fight against the Japanese. Shooting at each other with firearms was a matter for the army; he was in the air force—no, he was also part of the army, but he belonged to the Army Air Corps and the Library Corps. Moreover, if his superiors were to find out that he—a pilot who had already shot down 6 enemy aircraft (3 of which were Zeroes)—was using a pistol to desperately fight against Japanese infantry worth only 5 yen (the postage cost incurred when sending out Japanese conscription orders), they would surely think he was out of his mind.

As dusk approached, the darkness in the forest deepened, and visibility was reduced to just a few meters. Even more frightening was the increasing number of mosquitoes. Ron was unaware of the filthy things these creatures carried in their dirty mouths, but he knew that whether it was malaria or dengue fever, they could silently take his life in this jungle, and these pests were far more dangerous than the Japanese soldiers he had encountered earlier. Ron chewed a cigarette and smeared the crushed tobacco on the exposed parts of his body, hoping to repel the insects with the strong scent of tobacco. This tactic seemed to have some effect, but there were still some creatures that were not deterred by the smell, such as the horseflies. They would even drop directly from the trees onto Ron's head, attempting to latch onto his face or neck to suck his blood.

The sudden turn of events threw the entire team into a state of panic, as everyone looked in terror at the scene before them: a massive python was tightly coiling around Matsuda, dragging him into the stream. Sasaki was the first to rush forward, clawing and biting at the python, but his attacks were too weak; the enormous serpent hardly paid him any attention.

Baga! Sanmu drew his pistol and fired several shots at the python. However, the bullets from the southern pistol were clearly insufficient in power, ricocheting off the python's body, which was as firm and smooth as an inflated tire.

The fearsome Shalu is a renowned swordsman and an idol of Xiaoye. According to Xiaoye, he once witnessed Shalu demonstrate his unique skill—Iaido. Xiaoye described that strike as possessing such force that it would make one feel as if even a 1997 model tank could be effortlessly cleaved in two

"Sir, Sasaki seems to have discovered something and is unwilling to proceed any further" said a private.

As several soldiers were frantically retreating from the bullets, Sanmu had already drawn his command saber and struck fiercely at the python. The inferior quality military saber not only failed to produce the expected splatter of blood upon hitting the python's body, but instead bounced high up.

The one who delivered this strike was Akira Ono, and his blow sank deeply into the python's body, nearly cleaving it in two. However, the blade became lodged in the snake's bones, making it impossible to pull out immediately. Akira was also hesitant to force it out, fearing damage to the knife. The snake's tail lashed back and struck him fiercely, sending him flying.

Sasaki, what happened! Sanmu's face was ashen.

Leaving the last tropical palm behind, Ron stumbled and ran towards the runway. He saw that, at that moment, a blue and white flag was still fluttering atop the control tower. The flag swayed gracefully in the morning breeze, illuminated by the rising sun, resembling a pair of translucent wings. Then he heard a shout, accompanied by the crisp sound of a Springfield rifle, and he fell heavily onto the grass beside the runway.

After Ron secured himself at the top of the tree with a strap, he turned around to see the sun gathering its last rays. The sea and sky transitioned from a fiery red to a deep purple, and then merged into a solid piece of pitch-black velvet.

It is evident that continuing the pursuit of the American beast is no longer possible; Matsuda is dead, his entire body crushed and broken. Sasaki is crouching beside him, sobbing, while Ono has also sustained serious injuries, likely a broken rib. Now, he is sitting against a large rock, enduring the pain as he inspects his sword. The beautifully patterned battle knife has a noticeable chip.