"I'll get rid of you first, you're in my way!"
The Yaoshi's usually refined face was now filled with a fierceness that didn't match his demeanor.
He has already grasped the situation.
That pink-haired girl is very good at fighting, but she doesn't seem to be very bright; she's a typical battle maniac.
But this seriously injured woman in front of them is everyone's pillar of support!
Once you get her to kneel, that pink-haired crazy girl will definitely panic, and then you'll be able to do whatever you want with her.
I'm such a tactical genius!
The Yaoshi mentally gave himself a thumbs up, as if he could already see himself successfully escaping and living a free and carefree life in the new world.
In the end... his sharp nails still couldn't touch Kanae's haori.
"Water Breathing - Second Form - Water Wheel!"
A blue figure performed an incredible somersault in mid-air, instantly blocking Kanae's path!
It's Sabito!
Her Nichirin Blade traced a circular arc in the air, precisely parrying the Yaoshi's deadly sneak attack!
"Clang--!"
The metal struck the bone, producing a piercing scraping sound.
The immense force sent a shiver down Sabito's spine, but her bright eyes were now filled with fury.
"You despicable scoundrel who only knows how to launch sneak attacks from behind!!"
The Sabito was so angry that it trembled all over.
"If you've got the guts, fight me fair and square!"
"Hehe, beautiful lady, do you seem to have some misunderstanding about the word 'battle'?"
The Yaoshi missed his first attack, then immediately used the momentum to jump back, creating distance between himself and Sabito.
He adjusted the gold-rimmed glasses that had somehow reappeared on his nose, and that air of a refined scoundrel resurfaced.
In medicine, we strive for maximum efficiency and minimum waste.
He shrugged, looking completely innocent, and said:
"Only warriors like you like to hold 'solemn' ceremonies. It's unscientific and environmentally unfriendly."
"You...!"
Sabito was so angry at his twisted logic that she couldn't speak, her chest heaving.
She desperately wanted to rush up and tear the guy's mouth apart, but she didn't dare to move.
Because behind her was Kanae, who was already unsteady on her feet.
"Sabito... watch out..."
With her last bit of strength, Kanae leaned against a broken tree trunk, panting heavily.
"His Blood Demon Art... is very strange..."
"Don't worry, Kanae!"
Without turning his head, Sabito spoke, his voice filled with unwavering determination.
Even if I die here today, I will never let him touch a single hair on your head again!
Although he said that, Sabito's heart was heavy.
This Yaoshi is as slippery as an eel, and his moves are insidious. If he keeps playing defensively, he'll get into trouble sooner or later.
We must find a way to resolve this quickly!
On the other side of the battlefield.
"Amitabha."
Gyomei Himejima stood quietly in place, holding a meteor hammer and a broadsword.
His tearful eyes were still closed, but his entire aura had undergone a dramatic transformation.
Before, he was filled with violent rage.
Now, he has become very quiet, like a deep pool, unfathomable.
"What the hell? This monk... he's suddenly a completely different person?"
The smile on Doma's face had vanished.
He could feel the toxins in his body wreaking havoc, and he couldn't even unleash half of his usual strength.
But what made him even more uneasy was the large man in front of him.
It's clearly still the same person, but there's this feeling that everything about them is laid bare, like they have no secrets whatsoever. What's going on?
"Playing tricks!"
Doma was extremely annoyed and decided to take the initiative to test the waters of his opponent.
"Blood Demon Art: Lotus Vines!"
He waved his golden fan, and several ice crystal vines silently wrapped around Gyomei's limbs from all directions!
As a result, just as the ice vines were about to touch Gyomei...
Gyomei.
He shifted his body slightly to the side and twisted his ankle.
All the ice vines slid past him in a way that was "just a hair's breadth away," without even touching the hem of his clothes!
"What?!"
Doma suddenly contracted.
This is no coincidence!
This was a prediction! The ultimate prediction!
Within Gyomei's "Transparent World" perspective, he could clearly see the minute muscle twitches and the flow of energy within Doma's body every time he used Blood Demon Art!
"So that's how it is..."
Gyomei sighed inwardly.
"Is this... the 'seeing' world that Tomioka was talking about?"
So this is what battle can be like.
It's not about getting angry or using brute force, but about achieving absolute precision.
"You wicked child, I have already seen through your tricks."
Gyomei's voice was calm and even, but his next move was incredibly powerful!
"Stone Breathing - Fifth Form - Warp Execution - Chaos!"
He suddenly threw the broad axe and meteor hammer in his hands at the same time. The two heavy weapons spun rapidly in the air, creating a gust of wind, blocking all of Doma's escape routes!
"That trick again!"
Doma sneered, preparing to use the ice wall to block as before.
But this time, the trajectory of the attack took a strange turn!
"Not good!"
Doma's expression finally changed; he wanted to dodge, but it was too late!
"Pfft--!"
The sharp broad axe tore through Doma's protective ice crystals and slashed viciously into his waist, almost cutting him in half!
"Ughhh!!"
An excruciating pain he had never experienced before caused Doma to let out his first scream since the start of the fight!
The scene shifts.
On another peak of Mount Sagiri.
The battles here have no skill or probing; it's a pure clash of strength and speed.
"Sound Breathing - Fifth Form - Resonant String Duet!"
Tengen Uzui's figure moved so fast that only a series of afterimages remained. He swung his twin swords, which exploded and roared continuously as he frantically attacked the enemy in front of him.
Opposite him was the equally imposing and fiercely fighting Flame Hashira — Shinjuro Rengoku!
"Flame Breathing: Fourth Form - Blooming Flame Undulation!"
Shinjuro's swordsmanship was expansive and powerful, each strike carrying heat capable of igniting the air, the scorching flames illuminating the entire mountaintop!
However, they were caught off guard by the combined attack of two pillar-level powerhouses.
Their enemy— Upper Rank Three, Akaza —seemed quite relaxed.
"Haha! It works! It really works!"
Akaza dodged the two men's attacks while laughing excitedly.
"Your fighting spirit is getting stronger and stronger! Especially yours! That old man who plays with fire! Your fighting spirit is as dazzling as the sun!"
The way he looked at Shinjuro was filled with undisguised admiration and longing.
"So? Want to become a ghost? If you nod, we can keep fighting like this forever!"
Shut up, you devil!
Shinjuro roared, and the flames on his sword burned even brighter.
Seeing Shinjuro's resolute gaze, Akaza's smile slowly faded, replaced by a look of regret bordering on sadness.
"Really... that's such a pity."
He slowly assumed a starting stance, and his aura instantly changed.
"In that case, to show my respect for you two strong individuals, I'll let you witness my strongest form."
"Destructive Death - Final Move - Azure-Silver Chaotic Afterglow!"
The next second.
Akaza's figure disappeared.
Instead, thousands upon thousands of cyan and silver fist shadows indiscriminately covered the entire battlefield!
Too fast! Too wide!
Each punch carried terrifying power!
"Oh no! Tengen!"
Shinjuro's pupils suddenly contracted!
Without a second thought, he shoved Tengen Uzui aside, exposing himself completely to the barrage of punches!
"Shinjuro!!"
Tengen Uzui let out a heart-wrenching roar.
Shinjuro held his Nichirin Blade horizontally in front of him, using all his strength.
"Flame Breathing - Ultimate Technique - Ninth Form - Rengoku!"
The sword strike transformed into a gigantic fire dragon, soaring into the sky and crashing into the countless cyan and silver fist shadows.
"Boom--!"
"Boom--!"
The loud explosion lasted for a full ten seconds.
When the light fades.
Tengen Uzui stared blankly at the scene before him, his mind a complete blank.
Shinjuro Rengoku was still standing.
But the Nichirin Blade in his hand had shattered into countless pieces.
His left arm, along with half of his shoulder, was completely gone, and a large amount of blood gushed out.
His body was covered in bloody holes, turning him into a blood-soaked figure.
"Why..."
Tengen Uzui knelt on the ground, tears streaming uncontrollably down the face of this magnificent festival god. o(╥╥)o
"Why... why do you protect me..."
Shinjuro slowly turned his head, as if to say something, but when he opened his mouth, all that came out was blood.
Then, his body slowly fell backward.
"Well..."
Akaza reappeared, looking at the fallen Shinjuro, his golden eyes filled with endless regret and desolation.
"In the end... is it still like this...?"
He walked step by step toward the completely collapsed Tengen Uzui.
Just then...
Two incredibly fast figures, one purple and one blue, swept in from the distant mountains and forests, instantly appearing in the middle of the battlefield!
Giyu Tomioka instantly appeared in front of Tengen Uzui and the fallen Shinjuro.
Meanwhile, Kokushibo landed beside Akaza with a solemn expression.
"Step back, Akaza."
For the first time, Kokushibo's voice carried an unprecedented seriousness.
"This person... is mine."
Giyu Tomioka ignored them. He simply turned to the utterly bewildered Tengen Uzui behind him and, in his eternally calm tone, said:
"Take him and go quickly."