Chapter 37 of Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku.
Summary[]
After traveling for a day, Sagiri, Yuzuriha, Senta, and Hōko manage to reach the gates of Hōrai. The gate opens and they are greeted by a man who cuts Hōko's head from a distance. Yuzuriha senses that the man was dangerous and attempts to flee but is caught in an instant by him. Sagiri draws her sword and demands that he let Yuzuriha go and tell her who he is. Hōko states that he is Lord Tensen. Mu Dan figures that Hōko was still alive and that his Arborification will only speed up. Hōko accepts this fate since he believes that his soul will rest in Hōrai. However, Mu Dan smiles stating that the religious believes were all lies in order to maintain order on the island, and that in truth, every living thing on the island were results of experimentations and the humans that venture the island were research materials. Going off from his statement, he presents the Kyōshi as examples and also states that high quality humans become Tan. Hearing this, Senta questions if he was talking about the Elixir of Life. Mu Dan understood what he was referring to and tells him that sadly the elixir doesn't benefit humans as it will only turn them into trees. After hearing this piece of information, Sagiri worries over Gabimaru's situation of completing his mission. Mu Dan ask that they surrender but is caught by a surprise attack by Yuzuriha who substitutes herself for an Arborified tree. Yuzuriha tells Sagiri that they need to escape while they can. However, Mu Dan regenerates from his wounds and commands the Kyōshi to detonate upon coming into close contact with Yuzuriha. After she manages to avoid the explosion, Mu Dan notices that she can perceive Tao. Senta and Sagiri then step in to assist Yuzuriha in fighting Mu Dan. Becoming intrigued by Yuzuriha's skills, Mu Dan says that he will teach her how to properly wield Tao.