While en route to the World Tree, Kirito and Leafa first pass through a large cave in the Legrue Corridor. Leafa receives an incomplete message from Recon, telling her to be careful. When Kirito and Leafa realize that they are being followed, they are cornered by a large group of Salamanders in the mage squad at a bridge. Kirito takes on the group by himself, unable to break their formation. Yui tells Leafa to cast some protective magic on Kirito, while he conjures an illusion spell that temporarily transforms him into a representation of the Gleam Eyes. In his new form, Kirito obliterates his enemies, but spares one whom Kirito bribes with game items in exchange for information. The Salamander reveals that his party was ordered by Kagemune to attack Kirito and Leafa. In the real world, Suguha contacts Shin'ichi, who says that Sigurd is really a spy for the Salamanders, in which they plan on attacking the Sylphs and the cat fairy Cat Siths. Back in the virtual world, Leafa informs Kirito about this, and the two hurry to Butterfly Valley.