Tanimaki Gets Snatched by a Steller’s Sea Eagle (Part 3)

Mayutan pulled out a small handheld device linked to a Catellite.

In the Republic of Meows, several satellites designed exclusively for cats were always orbiting overhead, recording and tracking the cats’ movements.

Mayutan and Debiru eventually reached the base of an enormous tree towering over the mountainside.

“Looks like the nest is somewhere up there.”

Mayutan narrowed his eyes and looked toward the treetop.

A cold wind rustled through the branches high above.

When they listened carefully, they could just make out a faint cry coming from somewhere overhead.

“Meow... meow...”

It sounded like someone calling for help.

“Thank goodness! He’s still alive!”

Debiru breathed a sigh of relief.

“But the nest looks pretty high up...” Mayutan said, frowning as he thought. “How are we supposed to climb all the way up there?”

“We don’t have to climb at all. I’ll use my spell—Debiru Stack Smash.”

Debiru puffed up with pride.

“Debiru Stack Smash? What kind of spell is that?”

“I carefully knock sections out from the bottom of the tree without bringing down the top. Keep doing that, and Tanimaki will come down to us all by himself.”

“Great idea! The mother bird doesn’t seem to be here right now, either. Hurry up and use it!”

“Got it!—DEBIRU STACK SMASH!!”

Debiru thrust both paws forward.

A faint glow appeared around the base of the tree.

Then the enormous trunk began to tremble—

Clack...

Clack-clack...

—as though it were a tower made of wooden blocks stacked one on top of another.

THUNK!

THUNK!

With each heavy knock, another small section at the bottom of the tree was magically knocked out.

The trunk swayed ever so slightly, and the leaves whispered overhead.

“It’s working! Keep going!”

Mayutan clenched his fist in excitement, his eyes fixed firmly on the nest above.

And then—

From high in the sky, a huge black shadow was silently closing in.